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background-color: inherit;} + td.bb {border-bottom: solid thin; border-color: #D3D3D3; background-color: inherit;} + table.engravings {line-height: 1.5em; font-size: 90%; 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> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of History of Woman Suffrage, Volume III (of +III), 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: History of Woman Suffrage, Volume III (of III) + +Author: Various + +Editor: Elizabeth Cady Stanton + Susan B. Anthony + Matilda Joslyn Gage + +Release Date: April 11, 2009 [EBook #28556] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF WOMAN SUFFRAGE *** + + + + +Produced by Richard J. Shiffer and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://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">HISTORY<br /><br /> +<small>of</small><br /><br /> +<big>Woman Suffrage.</big></h1> + +<p><br /></p> + +<h5>EDITED BY</h5> + +<p><br /></p> + +<h4>ELIZABETH CADY STANTON,<br /> + SUSAN B. ANTHONY, AND<br /> + MATILDA JOSLYN GAGE.</h4> + +<p><br /></p> + +<h5>ILLUSTRATED WITH STEEL ENGRAVINGS.</h5> + +<p><br /></p> + +<h4><i>IN THREE VOLUMES.</i></h4> + + +<h4>VOL. III.</h4> + +<h4>1876-1885.</h4> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<div class="narrow"> +<h6>"WOMEN ARE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES, ENTITLED TO ALL +THE RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES GUARANTEED +TO CITIZENS BY THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTION."</h6> +</div> + +<p><br /></p> + +<h4 class="sc">SUSAN B. ANTHONY.<br /> +17 Madison St., Rochester, N. Y.</h4> + +<p><br /></p> + +<h6>Copyright, 1886, by Susan B. Anthony.</h6> + +<hr /> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 389px;"> +<a name="v3_frontis" id="v3_frontis"> +<img src="images/v3_frontis.jpg" width="389" height="500" alt="Phoebe W. Couzins." title="" /></a> +</div> + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="PREFACE" id="PREFACE"></a>PREFACE.</h2> + + +<p>The labors of those who have edited these volumes are not only +finished as far as this work extends, but if three-score years and +ten be the usual limit of human life, all our earthly endeavors +must end in the near future. After faithfully collecting material +for several years, and making the best selections our judgment has +dictated, we are painfully conscious of many imperfections the +critical reader will perceive. But since stereotype plates will not +reflect our growing sense of perfection, the lavish praise of +friends as to the merits of these pages will have its antidote in +the defects we ourselves discover. We may however without egotism +express the belief that this volume will prove specially +interesting in having a large number of contributors from England, +France, Canada and the United States, giving personal experiences +and the progress of legislation in their respective localities.</p> + +<p>Into younger hands we must soon resign our work; but as long as +health and vigor remain, we hope to publish a pamphlet report at +the close of each congressional term, containing whatever may be +accomplished by State and National legislation, which can be +readily bound in volumes similar to these, thus keeping a full +record of the prolonged battle until the final victory shall be +achieved. To what extent these publications may be multiplied +depends on when the day of woman's emancipation shall dawn.</p> + +<p>For the completion of this work we are indebted to Eliza Jackson +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[Pg iv]</a></span>Eddy, the worthy daughter of that noble philanthropist, Francis +Jackson. He and Charles F. Hovey are the only men who have ever +left a generous bequest to the woman suffrage movement. To Mrs. +Eddy, who bequeathed to our cause two-thirds of her large fortune, +belong all honor and praise as the first woman who has given alike +her sympathy and her wealth to this momentous and far-reaching +reform. This heralds a turn in the tide of benevolence, when, +instead of building churches and monuments to great men, and +endowing colleges for boys, women will make the education and +enfranchisement of their own sex the chief object of their lives.</p> + +<p>The three volumes now completed we leave as a precious heritage to +coming generations; precious, because they so clearly +illustrate—in her ability to reason, her deeds of heroism and her +sublime self-sacrifice—that woman preeminently possesses the three +essential elements of sovereignty as defined by Blackstone: +"wisdom, goodness and power." This has been to us a work of love, +written without recompense and given without price to a large +circle of friends. A thousand copies have thus far been distributed +among our coadjutors in the old world and the new. Another thousand +have found an honored place in the leading libraries, colleges and +universities of Europe and America, from which we have received +numerous testimonies of their value as a standard work of reference +for those who are investigating this question. Extracts from these +pages are being translated into every living language, and, like so +many missionaries, are bearing the glad gospel of woman's +emancipation to all civilized nations.</p> + +<p>Since the inauguration of this reform, propositions to extend the +right of suffrage to women have been submitted to the popular vote +in Kansas, Michigan, Colorado, Nebraska and Oregon, and lost by +large majorities in all; while, by a simple act of legislature, +Wyoming, Utah and Washington territories have enfranchised their +women without going through the slow process of a constitutional<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></span> +amendment. In New York, the State that has led this movement, and +in which there has been a more continued agitation than in any +other, we are now pressing on the legislature the consideration +that it has the same power to extend the right of suffrage to women +that it has so often exercised in enfranchising different classes +of men.</p> + +<p>Eminent publicists have long conceded this power to State +legislatures as well as to congress, declaring that women as +citizens of the United States have the right to vote, and that a +simple enabling act is all that is needed. The constitutionality of +such an act was never questioned until the legislative power was +invoked for the enfranchisement of women. We who have studied our +republican institutions and understand the limits of the executive, +judicial and legislative branches of the government, are aware that +the legislature, directly representing the people, is the primary +source of power, above all courts and constitutions. Research into +the early history of this country shows that in line with English +precedent, women did vote in the old colonial days and in the +original thirteen States of the Union. Hence we are fully awake to +the fact that our struggle is not for the attainment of a new +right, but for the restitution of one our fore-mothers possessed +and exercised.</p> + +<p>All thoughtful readers must close these volumes with a deeper sense +of the superior dignity, self-reliance and independence that belong +by nature to woman, enabling her to rise above such multifarious +persecutions as she has encountered, and with persistent +self-assertion to maintain her rights. 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</a></span> 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>The narrow self-interest of all classes is opposed to the +sovereignty of woman. The rulers in the State are not willing to +share their power with a class equal if not superior to themselves, +over which they could never hope for absolute control, and whose +methods of government might in many respects differ from their own. +The annointed leaders in the Church are equally hostile to freedom +for a sex supposed for wise purposes to have been subordinated by +divine decree. The capitalist in the world of work holds the key to +the trades and professions, and undermines the power of labor +unions in their struggles for shorter hours and fairer wages, by +substituting the cheap labor of a disfranchised class, that cannot +organize its forces, thus making wife and sister rivals of husband +and brother in the industries, to the detriment of both classes. Of +the autocrat in the home, John Stuart Mill has well said: "No +ordinary man is willing to find at his own fireside an equal in the +person he calls wife." Thus society is based on this fourfold +bondage of woman, 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> + + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="LIST_OF_ENGRAVINGS" id="LIST_OF_ENGRAVINGS"></a>LIST OF ENGRAVINGS.</h2> + +<hr class="tiny" /> +<h3 class="sc">Vol. III.</h3> +<hr class="tiny" /> + + + +<div class="center"> +<table class="engravings" summary="Illustrations"> +<tr><td class="left sc">Phœbe W. Couzins</td><td class="right"><a href="#v3_frontis"><i>Frontispiece.</i></a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left sc">Marilla M. Ricker</td><td class="right">page <a href="#v3_112">112</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left sc">Frances E. Willard</td><td class="right"><a href="#v3_129">129</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left sc">Jane H. Spofford</td><td class="right"><a href="#v3_192">192</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left sc">Harriet H. Robinson</td><td class="right"><a href="#v3_273">273</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left sc">Phebe A. Hanaford</td><td class="right"><a href="#v3_337">337</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left sc">Armenia S. White</td><td class="right"><a href="#v3_369">369</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left sc">Lillie Devereux Blake</td><td class="right"><a href="#v3_417">417</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left sc">Rachel G. Foster</td><td class="right"><a href="#v3_465">465</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left sc">Cornelia C. Hussey</td><td class="right"><a href="#v3_481">481</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left sc">May Wright Sewall</td><td class="right"><a href="#v3_545">545</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left sc">Elizabeth Boynton Harbert</td><td class="right"><a href="#v3_592">592</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left sc">Sarah Burger Stearns</td><td class="right"><a href="#v3_656">656</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left sc">Clara Bewick Colby</td><td class="right"><a href="#v3_689">689</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left sc">Helen M. Gougar</td><td class="right"><a href="#v3_704">704</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left sc">Laura DeForce Gordon</td><td class="right"><a href="#v3_753">753</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left sc">Abigail Scott Duniway</td><td class="right"><a href="#v3_769">769</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left sc">Caroline E. Merrick</td><td class="right"><a href="#v3_801">801</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left sc">Mary B. Clay</td><td class="right"><a href="#v3_817">817</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left sc">Mentia Taylor</td><td class="right"><a href="#v3_833">833</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left sc">Priscilla Bright McLaren</td><td class="right"><a href="#v3_864">864</a></td></tr> +<tr><td class="left sc">George Sand</td><td class="right"><a href="#v3_896">896</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + + + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[Pg ix]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS.</h2> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII.</a><span class="ralign sc">page</span></p> + +<p class="center">THE CENTENNIAL YEAR—1876.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>The Dawn of the New Century—Washington Convention—Congressional +Hearing—Woman's Protest—May Anniversary—Centennial Parlors in +Philadelphia—Letters and Delegates to Presidential +Conventions—50,000 Documents sent out—The Centennial Autograph +Book—The Fourth of July—Independence Square—Susan B. Anthony +reads the Declaration of Rights—Convention in Dr. Furness' +Church, Lucretia Mott, Presiding—The Hutchinson Family, John and +Asa—The Twenty-eighth Anniversary, July 19, Edward M. Davis, +Presiding—Letters, Ernestine L. Rose, Clarina I. H. Nichols—The +<i>Ballot-Box</i>—Retrospect—The Woman's Pavilion<span class="ralign">1</span></p> +</div> + + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII.</a></p> + +<p class="center">NATIONAL CONVENTIONS, HEARINGS AND REPORTS.</p> + +<p class="center">1877-1878-1879.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>Renewed Appeal for a Sixteenth Amendment—Mrs. Gage Petitions for +a Removal of Political Disabilities—Ninth Washington Convention, +1877—Jane Grey Swisshelm—Letters, Robert Purvis, Wendell +Phillips, Francis E. Abbott—10,000 Petitions Referred to the +Committee on Privileges and Elections by Special Request of the +Chairman, Hon. O. P. Morton, of Indiana—May Anniversary in New +York—Tenth Washington Convention, 1878—Frances E. Willard and +30,000 Temperance Women Petition Congress—40,000 Petition for a +Sixteenth Amendment—Hearing before the Committee on Privileges +and Elections—Madam Dahlgren's Protest—Mrs. Hooker's Hearing on +Washington's Birthday—Mary Clemmer's Letter to Senator +Wadleigh—His Adverse Report—Thirtieth Anniversary, Unitarian +Church, Rochester, N. Y., July 19, 1878—The Last Convention +Attended by Lucretia Mott—Letters, William Lloyd Garrison, +Wendell Phillips—Church Resolution Criticised by Rev. Dr. +Strong—International Women's Congress in Paris—Washington +Convention, 1879—Favorable Minority Report by Senator Hoar—U. +S. Supreme Court Opened to Women—May Anniversary at St. +Louis—Address of Welcome by Phoebe Couzins—Women in Council +Alone—Letter from Josephine Butler, of England—Mrs. Stanton's +Letter to <i>The National Citizen and Ballot-Box</i><span class="ralign">57</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX.</a></p> + +<p class="center">CONGRESSIONAL REPORTS AND CONVENTIONS.</p> + +<p class="center">1880-1881.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>Why we Hold Conventions in Washington—Lincoln Hall +Demonstration—Sixty-six Thousand Appeals—Petitions Presented in +Congress—Hon. T. W. Ferry of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[Pg x]</a></span> Michigan in the Senate—Hon. Geo. +B. Loring of Massachusetts in the House—Hon. J. J. Davis of +North Carolina Objected—Twelfth Washington Convention—Hearings +before the Judiciary Committee of both Houses, 1880—May +Anniversary at Indianapolis—Series of Western +Conventions—Presidential Nominating Conventions—Delegates and +Addresses to each—Mass-Meeting at Chicago—Washington +Convention, 1881—Memorial Service to Lucretia Mott—Mrs. +Stanton's Eulogy—Discussion in the Senate on a Standing +Committee—Senator McDonald of Indiana Champions the Measure—May +Anniversary in Boston—Conventions in the chief cities of New +England<span class="ralign">150</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">CHAPTER XXX.</a></p> + +<p class="center">CONGRESSIONAL DEBATES AND CONVENTIONS.</p> + +<p class="center">1882-1883.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>Prolonged Discussions in the Senate on a Special Committee to +Look After the Rights of Women, Messrs. Bayard, Morgan and Vest +in Opposition—Mr. Hoar Champions the Measure in the Senate, Mr. +Reed in the House—Washington Convention—Representative Orth and +Senator Saunders on the Woman Suffrage Platform—Hearings Before +Select Committees of Senate and House—Reception Given by Mrs. +Spofford at the Riggs House—Philadelphia Convention—Mrs. Hannah +Whitehall Smith's Dinner—Congratulations from the Central +Committee of Great Britain—Majority and Minority Reports in the +Senate—E. G. Lapham, J. Z. George—Nebraska +Campaign—Conventions in Omaha—Joint Resolution Introduced by +Hon. John D. White of Kentucky, Referred to the Select +Committee—Washington Convention, January 24, 25, 26, +1883—Majority Report in the House.<span class="ralign">198</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">CHAPTER XXXI.</a></p> + +<p class="center">MASSACHUSETTS.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>The Woman's Hour—Lydia Maria Child Petitions Congress—First New +England Convention—The New England, American and Massachusetts +Associations—<i>Woman's Journal</i>—Bishop Gilbert Haven—The +Centennial Tea-Party—County Societies—Concord +Convention—Thirtieth Anniversary of the Worcester +Convention—School Suffrage Association—Legislative +Hearing—First Petitions—The Remonstrants Appear—Women in +Politics—Campaign of 1872—Great Meeting in Tremont +Temple—Women at the Polls—Provisions of Former State +Constitutions—Petitions, 1853—School-Committee Suffrage, +1879,—Women Threatened with Arrest—Changes in the Laws—Woman +Now Owns her own Clothing—Harvard Annex—Woman in the +Professions—Samuel E. Sewall and William I. +Bowditch—Supreme-Court Decisions—Sarah E. Wall—Francis +Jackson—Julia Ward Howe—Mary E. Stevens—Lucia M. +Peabody—Lelia Josephine Robinson—Eliza (Jackson) Eddy's Will +<span class="ralign">256</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII">CHAPTER XXXII.</a></p> + +<p class="center">CONNECTICUT.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>Prudence Crandall—Eloquent Reformers—Petitions for +Suffrage—The Committee's Report—Frances Ellen Burr—Isabella +Beecher Hooker's Reminiscences—Anna Dickinson in the Republican +Campaign—State Society Formed October 28, 29, 1869—Enthusiastic +Convention in Hartford—Governor Marshall Jewell—He recommends +More Liberal Laws for Women—Society Formed in New Haven, +1871—Governor Hubbard's Inaugural, 1877—Samuel<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">[Pg xi]</a></span> Bowles of the +<i>Springfield Republican</i>—Rev. Phebe A. Hanaford, Chaplain, +1870—John Hooker, Esq., Champions the Suffrage Movement—The +Smith Sisters—Mary Hall—Chief-Justice Park—Frances Ellen +Burr—Hartford Equal Rights Club<span class="ralign">316</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIII">CHAPTER XXXIII.</a></p> + +<p class="center">RHODE ISLAND.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>Senator Anthony in <i>North American Review</i>—Convention in +Providence—State Association organized, Paulina Wright Davis, +President—Report of Elizabeth B. Chase—Women on School +Boards—Women's Board of Visitors to the Penal and Correctional +Institutions—Dr. Wm. F. Channing—Miss Ida Lewis—Letter of +Frederick A. Hinckley—Last Words of Senator Anthony<span class="ralign">339</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIV">CHAPTER XXXIV.</a></p> + +<p class="center">MAINE.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>Women on School Committees—Elvira C. Thorndyke—First Suffrage +Society organized, 1868, Rockland—Portland Meeting, 1870—John +Neal—Judge Goddard—Colby University Open to Girls, August 12, +1871—Mrs. Clara Hapgood Nash Admitted to the Bar, October 26, +1872—Tax-Payers Protest—Ann F. Greeley, 1872—March, 1872, Bill +for Woman Suffrage Lost in the House, Passed in the Senate by +Seven Votes—Miss Frank Charles, Register of Deeds—Judge +Reddington—Mr. Randall's Motion—Moral Eminence of +Maine—Convention in Granite Hall, Augusta, January, 1873, Hon. +Joshua Nye, President—Delia A. Curtis—Opinions of the Supreme +Court in Regard to Women Holding Offices—Governor Dingley's +Message, 1875—Convention, Representatives Hall, Portland, Judge +Kingsbury, President, Feb. 12, '76—The two Snow Families—Hon. +T. B. Reed<span class="ralign">351</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXV">CHAPTER XXXV.</a></p> + +<p class="center">NEW HAMPSHIRE.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>Nathaniel P. Rogers—Parker Pillsbury—Galen Foster—The +Hutchinson Family—First Organized Action, 1868—Concord +Convention—William Lloyd Garrison's Letter—Rev. S. L. Blake +Opposed—Rev. Mr. Sanborn in Favor—<i>Concord Monitor</i>—Armenia S. +White—A Bill to Protect the Rights of Married Men—Minority and +Majority Reports—Women too Ignorant to Vote—Republican State +Convention—Women on School Committees, 1870—Voting at School +District Meetings, 1878—Mrs. White's Address—Mrs. Ricker on +Prison Reform—Judicial Decision in Regard to Married Women, +1882—Letter from Senator Blair<span class="ralign">367</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVI">CHAPTER XXXVI.</a></p> + +<p class="center">VERMONT.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>Clarina Howard Nichols—Council of Censors—Amending the +Constitution—St. Andrew's Letter—Mr. Reed's Report—Convention +Called—H. B. Blackwell on the <i>Vermont Watchman</i>—Mary A. +Livermore in the <i>Woman's Journal</i>—Sarah A. Gibbs' Reply to Rev. +Mr. Holmes—School Suffrage, 1880<span class="ralign">383</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xii" id="Page_xii">[Pg xii]</a></span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVII">CHAPTER XXXVII.</a></p> + +<p class="center">NEW YORK—1860-1885.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>Saratoga Convention, July 13, 14, 1869—State Society Formed, +Martha C. Wright, President—<i>The Revolution</i> Established, +1868—Educational Movement—New York City Society, 1870, +Charlotte B. Wilbour, President—Presidential Campaign, +1872—Hearings at Albany, 1873—Constitutional Commission—An +Effort to Open Columbia College, President Barnard in +Favor—Centennial Celebration, 1876—School Officers—Senator +Emerson of Monroe, 1877—Governor Robinson's Veto—School +Suffrage, 1880—Governor Cornell Recommended it in his +Message—Stewart's Home for Working Women—Women as Police—An +Act to Prohibit Disfranchisement—Attorney-General Russell's +Adverse Opinion—The Power of the Legislature to Extend +Suffrage—Great Demonstration in Chickering Hall, March 7, +1884—Hearing at Albany, 1885—Mrs. Blake, Mrs. Stanton, Mrs. +Rogers, Mrs. Howell, Gov. Hoyt of Wyoming<span class="ralign">395</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXVIII">CHAPTER XXXVIII.</a></p> + +<p class="center">PENNSYLVANIA.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>Carrie Burnham—The Canon and Civil Law the Source of Woman's +Degradation—Women Sold with Cattle in 1768—Women Arrested in +Pittsburg—Mrs. McManus—Opposition to Women in Colleges and +Hospitals; John W. Forney Vindicates their Rights—Ann +Preston—Women in Dentistry—James Truman's Letter—Swarthmore +College—Suffrage Association Formed in 1866, in +Philadelphia—John K. Wildman's Letter—Judge William S. +Pierce—The Citizens' Suffrage Association, 333 Walnut Street, +Edward M. Davis, President—Petitions to the +Legislature—Constitutional Convention, 1873—Bishop Simpson, +Mary Grew, Sarah C. Hallowell, Matilda Hindman, Mrs. Stanton, +Address the Convention—Messrs. Broomall and Campbell Debate with +the Opposition—Amendment Making Women Eligible to School +Offices—Two Women Elected to Philadelphia School Board, +1874—The Wages of Married Women Protected—J. Edgar Thomson's +Will—Literary Women as Editors—The Rev. Knox Little—Anne E. +McDowell—Women as Physicians in Insane Asylums—The Fourteenth +Amendment Resolution, 1881—Ex-Gov. Hoyt's Lecture on Wyoming<span class="ralign">444</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIX">CHAPTER XXXIX.</a></p> + +<p class="center">NEW JERSEY.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>Women Voted in the Early Days—Deprived of the Right by +Legislative Enactment in 1807—Women Demand the Restoration of +Their Rights in 1868—At the Polls in Vineland and Roseville +Park—Lucy Stone Agitates the Question—State Suffrage Society +Organized in 1867—Conventions—A Memorial to the +Legislature—Mary F. Davis—Rev. Phebe A. Hanaford—Political +Science Club— Mrs. Cornelia C. Hussey—Orange Club, 1870—Mrs. +Devereux Blake gives the Oration, July 4, 1884—Dr. Elizabeth +Blackwell's Letter—The Laws of New Jersey in Regard to Property +and Divorce—Constitutional Commission, 1873—Trial of Rev. Isaac +M. See—Women Preaching in his Pulpit—The Case Appealed—Mrs. +Jones, Jailoress—Legislative Hearings<span class="ralign">476</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiii" id="Page_xiii">[Pg xiii]</a></span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_XL">CHAPTER XL.</a></p> + +<p class="center">OHIO.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>The First Soldiers' Aid Society—Mrs. Mendenhall—Cincinnati +Equal Rights Association, 1868—Homeopathic Medical College and +Hospital—Hon. J. M. Ashley—State Society, 1869—Murat +Halstead's Letter—Dayton Convention, 1870—Women Protest Against +Enfranchisement—Sarah Knowles Bolton—Statistics on Coëducation +by Thomas Wentworth Higginson—Woman's Crusade, 1874—Miriam M. +Cole—Ladies' Health Association—Professor Curtis—Hospital for +Women and Children, 1879—Letter from J. D. Buck, M. D.—March, +1881, Degrees Conferred on Women—Toledo Association, 1869—Sarah +Langdon Williams—<i>The Sunday Journal</i>—<i>The +Ballot-Box</i>—Constitutional Convention—Judge Waite—Amendment +Making Women Eligible to Office—Mr. Voris, Chairman Special +Committee on Woman Suffrage—State Convention, 1873—Rev. Robert +McCune—Centennial Celebration—Women Decline to Take +Part—Correspondence—Newbury Association—Women Voting, +1871—Sophia Ober Allen—Annual Meeting, Painesville, 1885—State +Society, Mrs. Frances M. Casement, President—Adelbert College +<span class="ralign">491</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLI">CHAPTER XLI.</a></p> + +<p class="center">MICHIGAN.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>Women's Literary Clubs and Libraries—Mrs. Lucinda H. +Stone—Classes of Girls in Europe—Ernestine L. Rose—Legislative +Action, 1849-1885—State Woman Suffrage Society, 1870—Annual +Conventions—Northwestern Association—Wendell Phillips' +Letter—Nannette Gardner votes—Catharine A. F. Stebbins +Refused—Legislative Action—Amendments Submitted—An Active +Canvas of the State by Women—Election Day—The Amendment Lost, +40,000 Men Voted in Favor—University at Ann Arbor Opened to +Girls, 1869—Kalamazoo Institute—J. A. B. Stone—Miss Madeline +Stockwell and Miss Sarah Burger Applied for Admission to the +University in 1857—Episcopal Church Bill—Local +Societies—Quincy—Lansing—St. Johns—Manistee—Grand +Rapids—Sojourner Truth—Laura C. Haviland—Sybil Lawrence<span class="ralign">513</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLII">CHAPTER XLII.</a></p> + +<p class="center">INDIANA.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>The First Woman Suffrage Convention After the War, 1869—Amanda +M. Way—Annual Meetings, 1870-85, in the Larger +Cities—Indianapolis Equal Suffrage Society, 1878—A Course of +Lectures—In May, 1880, National Convention in +Indianapolis—Zerelda G. Wallace—Social Entertainment—Governor +Albert G. Porter—Susan B. Anthony's Birthday—Schuyler +Colfax—Legislative Hearings—Temperance Women of Indiana—Helen +M. Gougar—General Assembly—Delegates to Political +Conventions—Women Address Political Meetings—Important Changes +in the Laws for Women, from 1860 to 1884—Colleges Open to +Women—Demia +Butler—Professors—Lawyers—Doctors—Ministers—Miss Catharine +Merrill—Miss Elizabeth Eaglesfield—Rev. Prudence Le Clerc—Dr. +Mary F. Thomas—Prominent Men and Women—George W. Julian—The +Journals—Gertrude Garrison<span class="ralign">533</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xiv" id="Page_xiv">[Pg xiv]</a></span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLIII">CHAPTER XLIII.</a></p> + +<p class="center">ILLINOIS.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>Chicago a Great Commercial Centre—First Woman Suffrage +Agitation, 1855—A. J. Grover—Society at Earlville—Prudence +Crandall—Sanitary Movement—Woman in Journalism—Myra +Bradwell—Excitement in Elmwood Church, 1868—Mrs. Huldah +Joy—Pulpit Utterances—Convention, 1869, Library Hall, +Chicago—Anna Dickinson, Robert Laird Collier Debate—Manhood +Suffrage Denounced by Mrs. Stanton and Miss Anthony—Judge +Charles B. Waite on the Constitutional Convention—Hearing before +the Legislature—Western Suffrage Convention, Mrs. Livermore, +President—Annual Meeting at Bloomington—Women Eligible to +School Offices—Evanston College—Miss Alta Hulett Medical +Association—Dr. Sarah Hackett Stevenson—"Woman's Kingdom" in +the <i>Inter-Ocean</i>—Mrs. Harbert—Centennial Celebration at +Evanston—Temperance Petition, 180,000—Frances E. +Willard—Social Science Association—Art Union—Jane Graham Jones +at International Congress in Paris—Moline Association<span class="ralign">559</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLIV">CHAPTER XLIV.</a></p> + +<p class="center">MISSOURI.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>Missouri the first State to Open Colleges of Law and Medicine to +Woman—Liberal Legislation—Harriet Hosmer—Wayman Crow—Dr. +Joseph N. McDowell—Works of Art—Women in the War—Adeline +Couzins—Virginia L. Minor—Petitions—Woman Suffrage +Association, May 8, 1867—First Woman Suffrage Convention, Oct. +6, 1869—Able Resolutions by Francis Minor—Action Asked for in +the Methodist Church—Constitutional Convention—Mrs. Hazard's +Report—National Suffrage Association, 1879—Virginia L. Minor +Before the Committee on Constitutional Amendments—Mrs. Minor +Tries to Vote—Her Case in the Supreme Court—Mrs. Annie R. +Irvine—"Oregon Woman's Union"—Miss Phœbe Couzins Graduates +From the Law School, 1871—Reception by Members of the +Bar—Speeches—Dr. Walker—Judge Krum—Hon. Albert +Todd—Ex-Governor E. O. Stanard—Ex-Senator Henderson—Judge +Reber—George M. Stewart—Mrs. Minor—Miss Couzins<span class="ralign">594</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLV">CHAPTER XLV.</a></p> + +<p class="center">IOWA.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>Beautiful Scenery—Liberal in Politics and Reforms—Legislation +for Women—No Right yet to Joint Earnings—Early +Agitation—Frances Dana Gage, 1854—Mrs. Amelia Bloomer Lectures +in Council Bluffs, 1856—Mrs. Martha H. Brinkerhoff—Mrs. Annie +Savery, 1868—County Associations Formed in 1869—State Society +Organized at Mt. Pleasant, 1870, Henry O'Connor, President—Mrs. +Cutler Answers Judge Palmer—First Annual Meeting, Des +Moines—Letter from Bishop Simpson—The State Register +Complimentary—Mass-Meeting at the Capitol—Mrs. Savery and Mrs. +Harbert—Legislative Action—Methodist and Universalist Churches +Indorse Woman Suffrage—Republican Plank, 1874—Governor +Carpenter's Message, 1876—Annual Meeting, 1882, Many Clergymen +Present—Five Hundred Editors Interviewed—Miss Hindman and Mrs. +Campbell—Mrs. Callanan Interviews Governor Sherman, +1884—Lawyers—Governor Kirkwood Appoints Women to Office—County +Superintendents—Elizabeth S. Cook—Journalism—Literature— +Medicine—Ministry—Inventions—President of a National Bank— +The Heroic Kate Shelly—Temperance—Improvement in the Laws<span class="ralign">612</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xv" id="Page_xv">[Pg xv]</a></span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLVI">CHAPTER XLVI.</a></p> + +<p class="center">WISCONSIN.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>Progressive Legislation—The Rights of Married Women—The +Constitution Shows Four Classes Having the Right to Vote—Woman +Suffrage Agitation—C. L. Sholes' Minority Report, 1856—Judge +David Noggle and J. T. Mills' Minority Report, 1859—State +Association Formed, 1869—Milwaukee Convention—Dr. Laura +Ross—Hearing Before the Legislature—Convention in Janesville, +1870—State University—Elizabeth R. Wentworth—Suffrage +Amendment, 1880, '81, '82—Rev. Olympia Brown, Racine, +1877—Madam Anneké—Judge Ryan—Three Days' Convention at Racine, +1883—Eveleen L. Mason—Dr. Sarah Munro—Rev. Dr. Corwin—Lavinia +Godell, Lawyer—Angie King—Kate Kane<span class="ralign">638</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLVII">CHAPTER XLVII.</a></p> + +<p class="center">MINNESOTA.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>Girls in State University—Sarah Burger Stearns—Harriet E. +Bishop, the First Teacher in St. Paul—Mary J. Colburn Won the +Prize—Mrs. Jane Grey Swisshelm, St. Cloud—Fourth of July +Oration, 1866—First Legislative Hearing, 1867—Governor Austin's +Veto—First Society at Rochester—Kasson—Almira W. Anthony—Mary +P. Wheeler—Harriet M. White—The W. C. T. U.—Harriet A. +Hobart—Literary and Art Clubs—School Suffrage, 1876—Charlotte +O. Van Cleve and Mrs. C. S. Winchell Elected to School +Board—Mrs. Governor Pillsbury—Temperance Vote, 1877—Property +Rights of Married Women—Women as Officers, Teachers, Editors, +Ministers, Doctors, Lawyers<span class="ralign">649</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLVIII">CHAPTER XLVIII.</a></p> + +<p class="center">DAKOTA.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>Influences of Climate and Scenery—Legislative Action, 1872—Mrs. +Marietta Bones—In February, 1879, School Suffrage Granted +Women—Constitutional Convention, 1883—Matilda Joslyn Gage +Addressed a Letter to the Convention and an Appeal to the Women +of the State—Mrs. Bones Addressed the Convention in Person—The +Effort to get the Word "Male" out of the Constitution +Failed—Legislature of 1885—Major Pickler Presents the +Bill—Carried Through Both Houses—Governor Pierce's Veto—Major +Pickler's Letter<span class="ralign">662</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_XLIX">CHAPTER XLIX.</a></p> + +<p class="center">NEBRASKA.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>Clara Bewick Colby—Nebraska Came into the Possession of the +United States, 1803—The Home of the Dakotas—Organized as a +Territory, 1854—Territorial Legislature—Mrs. Amelia Bloomer +Addresses the House—Gen. Wm. Larimer, 1856—A Bill to Confer +Suffrage on Women—Passed the House—Lost in the +Senate—Constitution Harmonized with the Fourteenth +Amendment—Admitted as a State March 1, 1867—Mrs. Stanton, Miss +Anthony Lecture in the State, 1867—Mrs. Tracy Cutler, 1870—Mrs. +Esther L. Warner's Letter—Constitutional Convention, 1871—Woman +Suffrage Amendment Submitted—Lost by 12,676 against, 3,502 +for—Prolonged Discussion—Constitutional Convention, +1875—Grasshoppers Devastate the Country—<i>Inter-Ocean</i>, Mrs. +Harbert—Omaha <i>Republican</i>, 1876—Woman's Column Edited by Mrs. +Harriet S.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xvi" id="Page_xvi">[Pg xvi]</a></span> Brooks—"Woman's Kingdom"—State Society Formed, +January 19, 1881, Mrs. Brooks President—Mrs. Dinsmoor, Mrs. +Colby, Mrs. Brooks, before the Legislature—Amendment again +Submitted—Active Canvass of the State, 1882—First Convention of +the State Association—Charles F. Manderson—Unreliable +Politicians—An Unfair Count of Votes for Woman +Suffrage—Amendment Defeated—Conventions in Omaha—Notable Women +in the State—Conventions—<i>Woman's Tribune</i> Established in 1883 +<span class="ralign">670</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_L">CHAPTER L.</a></p> + +<p class="center">KANSAS.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>Effect of the Popular Vote on Woman Suffrage—Anna C. +Wait—Hannah Wilson—Miss Kate Stephens, Professor of Greek in +State University—Lincoln Centre Society, 1879—The Press—The +Lincoln <i>Beacon</i>—Election, 1880—Sarah A. Brown, Democratic +Candidate—Fourth of July Celebration—Women Voting on the School +Question—State Society, 1884—Helen M. Gougar—Clara Bewick +Colby—Bertha H. Ellsworth—Radical Reform Association—Mrs. A. +G. Lord—Prudence Crandall—Clarina Howard Nichols—Laws—Women +in the Professions—Schools—Political Parties—Petitions to the +Legislature—Col. F. G. Adams' Letter<span class="ralign">696</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_LI">CHAPTER LI.</a></p> + +<p class="center">COLORADO.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>Great American Desert—Organized as a Territory, February 28, +1860—Gov. McCook's Message Recommending Woman Suffrage, +1870—Adverse Legislation—Hon. Amos Steck—Admitted to the +Union, 1876—Constitutional Convention—Efforts to Strike Out the +Word "Male"—Convention to Discuss Woman Suffrage—School +Suffrage Accorded—State Association Formed, Alida C. Avery, +President—Proposition for Full Suffrage Submitted to the Popular +Vote—A Vigorous Campaign—Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Patterson of +Denver—Opposition by the Clergy—Their Arguments Ably +Answered—D. M. Richards—The Amendment Lost—<i>The Rocky Mountain +News</i><span class="ralign">712</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_LII">CHAPTER LII.</a></p> + +<p class="center">WYOMING.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>The Dawn of the New Day, December, 1869—The Goal Reached in +England and America—Territory Organized, May, 1869—Legislative +Action—Bill for Woman Suffrage—William H. Bright—Gov. Campbell +Signs the Bill—Appoints Esther Morris, Justice of the Peace, +March, 1870—Women on the Jury, Chief-Justice Howe, Presiding—J. +W. Kingman, Associate-Justice, Addresses the Jury—Women Promptly +Take Their Places—Sunday Laws Enforced—Comments of the +Press—Judge Howe's Letter—Laramie <i>Sentinel</i>—J. H. +Hayford—Women Voting, 1870—Grandma Swain the First to Cast her +Ballot—Effort to Repeal the Law, 1871—Gov. Campbell's Veto—Mr. +Corlett—Rapid Growth of Public Opinion in Favor of Woman +Suffrage<span class="ralign">726</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_LIII">CHAPTER LIII.</a></p> + +<p class="center">CALIFORNIA.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>Liberal Provisions in the Constitution—Elizabeth T. +Schenck—Eliza W. Farnham—Mrs. Mills' Seminary, now a State +Institution—Jeannie Carr, State Superintendent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xvii" id="Page_xvii">[Pg xvii]</a></span> of +Schools—First Awakening—<i>The Revolution</i>—Anna Dickinson—Mrs. +Gordon Addresses the Legislature, 1868—Mrs. Pitts Stevens Edits +<i>The Pioneer</i>—First Suffrage Society on the Pacific Coast, +1869—State Convention, January 26, 1870, Mrs. Wallis, +President—State Association Formed, Mrs. Haskell of Petaluma, +President—Mrs. Gordon Nominated for Senator—In 1871, Mrs. +Stanton and Miss Anthony Visit California—Hon. A. A. Sargent +Speaks in Favor of Suffrage for Women—Ellen Clark Sargent Active +in the Movement—Legislation Making Women Eligible to Hold School +Offices, 1873—July 10, 1873, State Society Incorporated, Sarah +Wallis, President—Mrs. Clara Foltz—A Bill Giving Women the +Right to Practice Law—The Bill Passed and Signed by the +Governor—Contest Over Admitting Women into the Law Department of +the University—Supreme Court Decision Favorable—Hon. A. A. +Sargent on the Constitution and Laws—Journalists and Printers +Silk Culture—Legislative Appropriation—Mrs. Knox Goodrich +Celebrates July 4, 1876—Imposing Demonstration—Ladies in the +Procession<span class="ralign">749</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_LIV">CHAPTER LIV.</a></p> + +<p class="center">THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>The Long Marches Westward—Abigail Scott Duniway—Mary Olney +Brown—The First Steps in Oregon—Col. C. A. Reed—Judge G. W. +Lawson—1870—The New Northwest, 1871—Campaign, Mrs. Duniway and +Miss Anthony—They Address the Legislature in Washington +Territory—Hon. Elwood Evans—Suffrage Societies Organized at +Olympia and Portland—Before the Oregon Legislature—Donation +Land Act—Hon. Samuel Corwin's Suffrage Bill—Married Woman's +<i>Sole</i> Traders' Bill—Temperance Alliance—Women Rejected—Major +Williams Fights Their Battles and Triumphs—Mrs. H. A. +Loughary—Progressive Legislation, 1874—Mob-Law in Jacksonville, +1879—Dr. Mary A. Thompson—Constitutional Convention, +1878—Woman Suffrage Bill, 1880—Hon. W. C. Fulton—Women +Enfranchised in Washington Territory, Nov. 15, 1883—Great +Rejoicing, Bonfires, Ratification Meetings—Constitutional +Amendment Submitted in Oregon and Lost, June, 1884—Suffrage by +Legislative Enactment Lost—Fourth of July Celebrated at +Vancouvers—Benjamin and Mary Olney Brown—Washington +Territory—Legislation in 1867-68 Favorable to Women—Mrs. Brown +Attempts to Vote and is Refused—Charlotte Olney French—Women +Vote at Grand Mound and Black River Precincts, +1870—Retrogressive Legislation, 1871—Abby H. Stuart in +Land-Office—Hon. William H. White—Idaho and Montana<span class="ralign">767</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_LV">CHAPTER LV.</a></p> + +<p class="center">LOUISIANA—TEXAS—ARKANSAS—MISSISSIPPI.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>St. Anna's Asylum, Managed by Women—Constitutional Convention, +1879—Women Petition—Clara Merrick Guthrie—Petition Referred to +Committee on Suffrage—A Hearing Granted—Mrs. Keating—Mrs. +Saxon—Mrs. Merrick—Col. John M. Sandige—Efforts of the Women +all in Vain—Action in 1885—Gov. McEnery—The <i>Daily +Picayune</i>—Women as Members of the School Board—Physiology in +the Schools—Miss Eliza Rudolph—Mrs. E. J. Nicholson—Judge +Merrick's Digest of Laws—Texas—Arkansas—Mississippi—Sarah A. +Dorsey<span class="ralign">789</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xviii" id="Page_xviii">[Pg xviii]</a></span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_LV_Continued">CHAPTER LV. (<span class="smcap">Continued</span>).</a></p> + +<p class="center">DISTRICT OF +COLUMBIA—MARYLAND—DELAWARE—KENTUCKY—TENNESSEE—VIRGINIA—WEST +VIRGINIA—NORTH CAROLINA—SOUTH +CAROLINA—FLORIDA—ALABAMA—GEORGIA.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>Secretary Chase—Women in the Government Departments—Myrtilla +Miner—Mrs. O'Connor's Tribute—District of Columbia Suffrage +Bill—The Universal Franchise Association, 1867—Bill for a +Prohibitory Law Presented by Hon. S. C. Pomeroy, 1869—A Bill for +Equal Wages for the Women in the Departments, Introduced by Hon. +S. M. Arnell, 1870—In 1871 Congress Passed the Organic Act for +the District Confining the Right of Suffrage to Males—In 1875 it +Withdrew all Legislative Power from the People—Women in Law, +Medicine, Journalism and the Charities—Dental College Opened to +Women—Mary A. Stewart—The Clay Sisters—The School of +Pharmacy—Elizabeth Avery Meriwether—Judge Underwood—Mary +Bayard Clarke—Dr. Susan Dimock—Governor +Chamberlain—Coffee-Growing—Priscilla Holmes Drake—Alexander H. +Stephens<span class="ralign">808</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_LV_Concluded">CHAPTER LV. (<span class="smcap">Concluded</span>).</a></p> + +<p class="center">CANADA.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>Miss Phelps of St. Catharines—The Revolt of the Thirteen +Colonies—First Parliament—Property Rights of Married +Women—School Suffrage Thirty Years—Municipal Suffrage, 1882, +1884—Women Voting in Toronto, 1886—Mrs. Curzon—Dr. Emily H. +Stone—Woman's Literary Club of Toronto—Nova Scotia—New +Brunswick—Miss Harriet Stewart<span class="ralign">831</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_LVI">CHAPTER LVI.</a></p> + +<p class="center">GREAT BRITAIN.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>Women Send Members to Parliament—Sidney Smith, Sir Robert Peel, +Richard Cobden—The Ladies of Oldham—Jeremy Bentham—Anne +Knight—Northern Reform Society, 1858—Mrs. Matilda +Biggs—Unmarried Women and Widows Petition +Parliament—Associations Formed in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, +1867—John Stuart Mill in Parliament—Seventy-three Votes for his +Bill—John Bright's Vote—Women Register and +Vote—Lord-Chief-Justice of England Declares their Constitutional +Right—The Courts Give Adverse Decisions—Jacob Bright Secures +the Municipal Franchise—First Public Meeting—Division on Jacob +Bright's Bill to Remove Political Disabilities—Mr. Gladstone's +Speech—Work of 1871-72—Fourth Vote on the Suffrage Bill—Jacob +Bright Fails of Reëlection—Efforts of Mr. Forsyth—Memorial of +the National Society—Some Account of the Workers—Vote of the +New Parliament, 1875—Organized Opposition—Diminished Adverse +Vote of 1878—Mr. Courtney's Resolution—Letters—Great +Demonstrations at Manchester—London—Bristol +—Nottingham—Birmingham—Sheffield—Glasgow—Victory in the Isle +of Man—Passage of the Municipal Franchise Bill for Scotland—Mr. +Mason's Resolution—Reduction of Adverse Majority to 16—Liberal +Conference at Leeds—Mr. Woodall's Amendment to Reform Bill of +1884—Meeting at Edinburgh—Other Meetings—Estimated Number of +Women Householders—Circulars to Members of Parliament—Debate on +the Amendment—Resolutions of the Society—Further Debate—Defeat +of the Amendment—Meeting at St. James Hall—Conclusion<span class="ralign">833</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xix" id="Page_xix">[Pg xix]</a></span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_LVII">CHAPTER LVII.</a></p> + +<p class="center">CONTINENTAL EUROPE.</p> + +<div class="chapter-summary"> +<p>The Woman Question in the Back-ground—In France the Agitation +Dates from the Upheaval of 1789;—International Women's Rights +Convention in Paris, 1878—Mlle. Hubertine Auclert Leads the +Demand for Suffrage—Agitation Began in Italy with the +Kingdom—Concepcion Arenal in Spain—Coëducation in +Portugal—Germany: Leipsic and Berlin—Austria in Advance of +Germany Caroline Svetlá of Bohemia—Austria Unsurpassed in +Contradictions—Marriage Emancipates from Tutelage in +Hungary—Dr. Henrietta Jacobs of Holland—Dr. Isala Van Diest of +Belgium—In Switzerland the Catholic Cantons Lag Behind—Marie +Gœgg, the Leader—Sweden Stands First—Universities Open to +Women in Norway—Associations in Denmark—Liberality of Russia +toward Women—Poland—The Orient—Turkey—Jewish Wives—The Greek +Woman in Turkey—The Greek Woman in Greece—An Unique +Episode—Woman's Rights in the American Sense not Known<span class="ralign">895</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="TOC-chapter"><a href="#CHAPTER_LVIII">CHAPTER LVIII.</a></p> + +<p class="center">REMINISCENCES.</p> + +<p class="center"><small>BY E. C. S.</small><span class="ralign">922</span></p> + + +<p><a href="#APPENDIX">Appendix</a><span class="ralign">955</span></p> + + +<p><a href="#INDEX">INDEX</a><span class="ralign">985</span></p> + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2> + +<h3>THE CENTENNIAL YEAR—1876.</h3> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>The Dawn of the New Century—Washington Convention—Congressional +Hearing—Woman's Protest—May Anniversary—Centennial Parlors in +Philadelphia—Letters and Delegates to Presidential +Conventions—50,000 Documents sent out—The Centennial Autograph +Book—The Fourth of July—Independence Square—Susan B. Anthony +reads the Declaration of Rights—Convention in Dr. Furness' +Church, Lucretia Mott, Presiding—The Hutchinson Family, John and +Asa—The Twenty-eighth Anniversary, July 19, Edward M. Davis, +Presiding—Letters, Ernestine L. Rose, Clarina I. H. Nichols—The +<i>Ballot-Box</i>—Retrospect—The Woman's Pavilion. </p> +</div> + +<p><span class="sc">During</span> the sessions of 1871-72 congress enacted laws providing for +the celebration of the one-hundredth anniversary of American +independence, to be held July 4, 1876, in Philadelphia, the +historic city from whence was issued the famous declaration of +1776.</p> + +<p>The first act provided for the appointment by the president of a +"Centennial Commission," consisting of two members from each State +and territory in the Union; the second incorporated the Centennial +Board of Finance and provided for the issue of stock to the amount +of $10,000,000, in 1,000,000 shares of $10 each. It was at first +proposed to distribute the stock among the people of the different +States and territories according to the ratio of their population, +but subscriptions were afterward received without regard to States. +The stockholders organized a board of directors, April 1, 1873. The +design of the exhibition was to make it a comprehensive display of +the industrial, intellectual and moral progress of the nation +during the first century of its existence; but by the earnest +invitation of our government foreign nations so generally +participated that it was truly, as its name implied, an +"International and World's Exposition."</p> + +<p>The centennial year opened amid the wildest rejoicing. In honor of +the nation's birthday extensive preparations were made for the +great event. Crowds of people eager to participate in the +celebration, everywhere flocked from the adjacent country to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> the +nearest village or city, filling the streets and adding to the +general gala look, all through the day and evening of December 31, +1875. From early gas-light upon every side the blowing of horns, +throwing of torpedos, explosion of fire-crackers, gave premonition +of more enthusiastic exultation. As the clock struck twelve every +house suddenly blossomed with red, white and blue; public and +private buildings burst into a blaze of light that rivaled the +noon-day sun, while screaming whistles, booming cannon, pealing +bells, joyous music and brilliant fire-works made the midnight +which ushered in the centennial 1876, a never-to-be-forgotten hour.</p> + +<p>Portraits of the presidents from Washington and Lincoln +laurel-crowned, to Grant, sword in hand, met the eye on every side. +Stars in flames of fire lighted the foreign flags of welcome to +other nations. Every window, door and roof-top was filled with gay +and joyous people. Carriages laden with men, women and children in +holiday attire enthusiastically waving the national flag and +singing its songs of freedom. Battalions of soldiers marched +through the streets; Roman candles, whizzing rockets, and +gaily-colored balloons shot upward, filling the sky with trails of +fire and adding to the brilliancy of the scene, while all minor +sounds were drowned in the martial music. Thus did the old world +and the new commemorate the birth of a nation founded on the +principle of self-government.</p> + +<p>The prolonged preparations for the centennial celebration naturally +roused the women of the nation to new thought as to their status as +citizens of a republic, as well as to their rightful share in the +progress of the century. The oft-repeated declarations of the +fathers had a deeper significance for those who realized the +degradation of disfranchisement, and they queried with each other +as to what part, with becoming self-respect, they could take in the +coming festivities.<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> Woman's achievements in art, science and +industry would necessarily be recognized in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> the Exposition; but +with the dawn of a new era, after a hundred years of education in a +republic, she asked more than a simple recognition of the products +of her hand and brain; with her growing intelligence, virtue and +patriotism, she demanded the higher ideal of womanhood that should +welcome her as an equal factor in government, with all the rights +and honors of citizenship fully accorded. During the entire +century, women who understood the genius of free institutions had +ever and anon made their indignant protests in both public and +private before State legislatures, congressional committees and +statesmen at their own firesides; and now, after discussing the +right of self-government so exhaustively in the late anti-slavery +conflict, it seemed to them that the time had come to make some +application of these principles to the women of the nation. Hence +it was with a deeper sense of injustice than ever before that the +National Suffrage Association issued the call for the annual +Washington Convention of 1876:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Call for the Eighth Annual Washington Convention.</span>—The National +Woman Suffrage Association will hold its Eighth Annual Convention +in Tallmadge Hall, Washington, D. C., January 27, 28, 1876. In +this one-hundredth year of the Republic, the women of the United +States will once more assemble under the shadow of the national +capitol to press their claims to self-government.</p> + +<p>That property has its rights, was acknowledged in England long +before the revolutionary war, and this recognized right made "no +taxation without representation" the most effective battle-cry of +that period. But the question of property representation fades +from view beside the greater question of the right of each +individual, millionaire or pauper, to personal representation. In +the progress of the war our fathers grew in wisdom, and the +Declaration of Independence was the first national assertion of +the right of individual representation. That "governments derive +their just powers from the consent of the governed," +thenceforward became the watchword of the world. Our flag, which +beckons the emigrant from every foreign shore, means to him +self-government.</p> + +<p>But while in theory our government recognizes the rights of all +people, in practice it is far behind the Declaration of +Independence and the national constitution. On what just ground +is discrimination made between men and women? Why should women, +more than men, be governed without their own consent? Why should +women, more than men, be denied trial by a jury of their peers? +On what authority are women taxed while unrepresented? By what +right do men declare themselves invested with power to legislate +for women? For the discussion of these vital questions friends +are invited to take part in the convention.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"><span class="smcap">Matilda Joslyn Gage</span>, <i>President</i>, Fayetteville, N. Y.</p> +<p class="ltr-left0"><span class="smcap">Susan B. Anthony</span>, <i>Ch'n Ex. Com.</i>, Rochester, N. Y.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span></p> + +<p>At the opening session of this convention the president, Matilda +Joslyn Gage, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I would remind you, fellow-citizens, that this is our first +convention in the dawn of the new century. In 1776 we inaugurated +our experiment of self-government. Unbelief in man's capacity to +govern himself was freely expressed by every European monarchy +except France. When John Adams was Minister to England, the +newspapers of that country were filled with prophecies that the +new-born republic would soon gladly return to British allegiance. +But these hundred years have taught them the worth of liberty; +the Declaration of Independence has become the alphabet of +nations; Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and the isles of the +sea, will unite this year to do our nation honor. Our flag is +everywhere on sea and land. It has searched the North Pole, +explored every desert, upheld religious liberty of every faith +and protected political refugees from every nation, but it has +not yet secured equal rights to women.</p> + +<p>This year is to be one of general discussion upon the science of +government; its origin, its powers, its history. If our present +declaration cannot be so interpreted as to cover the rights of +women, we must issue one that will. I have received letters from +many of the Western States and from this District, urging us to +prepare a woman's declaration, and to celebrate the coming Fourth +of July with our own chosen orators and in our own way. I notice +a general awakening among women at this time. But a day or two +since the women of this District demanded suffrage for themselves +in a petition of 25,000 names. The men are quiet under their +disfranchisement, making no attempt for their rights—fit slaves +of a powerful ring. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The following protest was presented by Mrs. Gage, adopted by the +convention, printed and extensively circulated:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>To the Political Sovereigns of the United States in Independence +Hall assembled:</i></p> + +<p>We, the undersigned women of the United States, asserting our +faith in the principles of the Declaration of Independence and in +the constitution of the United States, proclaiming it as the best +form of government in the world, declare ourselves a part of the +people of the nation unjustly deprived of the guaranteed and +reserved rights belonging to citizens of the United States; +because we have never given our consent to this government; +because we have never delegated our rights to others; because +this government is false to its underlying principles; because it +has refused to one-half its citizens the only means of +self-government—the ballot; because it has been deaf to our +appeals, our petitions and our prayers;</p> + +<p>Therefore, in presence of the assembled nations of all the world, +we protest against this government of the United States as an +oligarchy of sex, and not a true republic; and we protest against +calling this a centennial celebration of the independence of the +people of the United States. </p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> + +<p>Letters<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> were read and a series of resolutions were discussed and +adopted:</p> + +<blockquote> +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That the demand for woman suffrage is but the +next step in the great movement which began with <i>Magna +Charta</i>, and which has ever since tended toward vesting +government in the whole body of the people.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we demand of the forty-fourth congress, in +order that it may adequately celebrate the centennial year, +the admission to the polls of the women of all the +territories, and a submission to the legislatures of the +several States of an amendment securing to women the +elective franchise.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the enfranchisement of women means wiser +and truer wedlock, purer and happier homes, healthier and +better children, and strikes, as nothing else does, at the +very roots of pauperism and crime.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That if Colorado would come into the Union in a +befitting manner for the celebration of the centennial of +the Declaration of Independence, she should give the ballot +to brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, and thus +present to the nation a truly free State.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the right of suffrage being vested in the +women of Utah by their constitutional and lawful +enfranchisement, and by six years of use, we denounce the +proposition about to be again presented to congress for the +disfranchisement of the women in that territory, as an +outrage on the freedom of thousands of legal voters and a +gross innovation of vested rights; we demand the abolition +of the system of numbering the ballots, in order that the +women may be thoroughly free to vote as they choose, without +supervision or dictation, and that the chair appoint a +committee of three persons, with power to add to their +number, to memorialize congress, and otherwise to watch over +the rights of the women of Utah in this regard during the +next twelve months. </p></blockquote> + +<p><span class="smcap">Belva A. Lockwood</span> presented the annual report: The question of +woman suffrage is to be submitted to the people of Iowa during the +present centennial year, if this legislature ratifies the action of +the previous one. Colorado has not embodied the word "male" in her +constitution, and a vigorous effort is being made to introduce +woman suffrage there. In Minnesota women are allowed to vote on +school questions and to hold office by a recent constitutional +amendment. In Michigan, in 1874, the vote for woman suffrage was +40,000, about 1,000 more votes than were polled for the new +constitution. The Connecticut legislature, during the past year +appointed a committee to consider and report the expediency of +making women eligible to the position of electors for president and +vice-president. The committee made a unanimous report in its favor, +and secured for its passage 82 votes, while 101 votes were cast +against it. In Massachusetts, Governor Rice, in his inaugural +address, recommended to the legislature to secure to women the +right to vote for presidential electors. An address to the +legislature of New York by Mesdames Gage, Blake and Lozier upon +this question, was favorably received and extensively quoted by the +press. At an agricultural fair in Illinois the Hon. James R. +Doolittle advocated household suffrage. In the Senate of the +thirteenth legislature of the State of Texas, Senator Dohoney, +Chairman of the Judiciary Committee, made a report strongly +advocating woman suffrage; and in 1875, when a member<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> of the +Constitutional Convention, he advocated the same doctrine, and was +ably assisted by Hon. W. G. L. Weaver. The governor of that State, +in his message, recommended that women school teachers should +receive equal pay for equal work. The word "male" does not occur in +the new constitution. In the territories of Wyoming and Utah, woman +suffrage still continues after five years' experiment, and we have +not learned that households have been broken up or that babies have +ceased to be rocked.</p> + +<p>Women physicians, women journalists and women editors have come to +be a feature of our institutions. Laura De Force Gordon, a member +of our association, is editing a popular daily—the <i>Leader</i>—in +Sacramento, Cal. Women are now admitted to the bar in Kansas, +Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Utah, Wyoming and the District +of Columbia. They are eligible and are serving as school +superintendents in Kansas, Nebraska, Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. +Illinois allows them to be notaries public. As postmasters they +have proved competent, and one woman, Miss Ada Sweet, is pension +agent at Chicago. Julia K. Sutherland has been appointed +commissioner of deeds for the State of California. In England women +vote on the same terms as men on municipal, parochial and +educational matters. In Holland, Austria and Sweden, women vote on +a property qualification. The Peruvian Minister of Justice has +declared that Peru places women on the same footing as men. Thus +all over the world is the idea of human rights taking root and +cropping out in a healthful rather than a spasmodic outgrowth.</p> + +<p>The grand-daughter of Paley, true to her ancestral blood, has +excelled all the young men in Cambridge in moral science. Julia J. +Thomas, of Cornell University, daughter of Dr. Mary F. Thomas, of +Indiana, in the recent inter-collegiate contest, took the first +prize of $300, over eight male competitors, in Greek. The recent +decision in the United States Supreme Court, of Minor <i>vs.</i> +Happersett, will have as much force in suppressing the +individuality and self-assertion of women as had the opinion of +Judge Taney, in the Dred-Scott case, in suppressing the +emancipation of slavery. The day has come when precedents are made +rather than blindly followed. The refusal of the Superior Court of +Philadelphia to allow Carrie S. Burnham to practice law, because +there was no precedent, was a weak evasion of common law and common +sense. One hundred years ago there was no precedent for a man +practicing law in the State of Pennsylvania, and yet we have not +learned that there was any difficulty in establishing a precedent. +I do not now remember any precedent for the Declaration of +Independence of the United Colonies, and yet during a century it +has not been overturned. The rebellion of the South had no +precedent, and yet, if I remember, there was an issue joined, and +the United States found that she had jurisdiction of the case.</p> + +<p>The admission of women to Cornell University; their reception on +equal footing in Syracuse University, receiving in both equal +honorary degrees; the establishment of Wellesley College, with full +professorships and capable women to fill them; the agitation of the +question in Washington of the establishment of a university for +women, all show a mental awakening<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> in the popular mind not +hitherto known. A new era is opening in the history of the world. +The seed sown twenty-five years ago by Mrs. Stanton and other brave +women is bearing fruit.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sara Andrews Spencer</span> said it was interesting to pair off the +objections and let them answer each other like paradoxes. Women +will be influenced by their husbands and will vote for bad men to +please them. Women have too much influence now, and if we give them +any more latitude they will make men all vote their way. Owing to +the composition and structure of the female brain, women are +incapable of understanding political affairs. If women are allowed +to vote they will crowd all the men out of office, and men will be +obliged to stay at home and take care of the children. That is, +owing to the composition and structure of the female brain, women +are so exactly adapted to political affairs that men wouldn't stand +any chance if women were allowed to enter into competition with +them. Women don't want it. Women shouldn't have it, for they don't +know how to use it. Grace Greenwood (who was one of the seventy-two +women who tried to vote) said men were like the stingy boy at +school with a cake. "Now," said he, "all you that don't ask for it +don't want it, and all you that do ask for it sha'n't have it."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Rev. Olympia Brown</span>, pastor of the Universalist church in +Bridgeport, Conn., gave her views on the rights of women under the +constitution, and believed that they were entitled to the ballot as +an inalienable right. In this country, under existing rulings of +the courts as to the meaning of the constitution, no one appeared +likely to enjoy the ballot for all time except the colored men, +unless the clause, "previous condition of servitude," as a +congressman expressed it, referred to widows. That being true, the +constitution paid a premium only on colored men, and widows. If the +constitution did not guarantee suffrage, and congress did not +bestow it, then the republic was of no account and its boast devoid +of significance and meaning. Its life had been in vain—dead to the +interests for which it was created. She wanted congress to pass a +sixteenth amendment, declaring all its citizens enfranchised, or a +declaratory act setting forth that the constitution already +guaranteed to them that right.</p> + +<p>Hon. <span class="smcap">Frederick Douglass</span> said he was not quite in accord with all +the sentiments that had been uttered during the afternoon, yet he +was willing that the largest latitude should be taken by the +advocates of the cause. He was not afraid that at some distant +period the blacks of the South would rise and disfranchise the +whites. While he was not willing to be addressed as the ignorant, +besotted creature that the negro is sometimes called, he was +willing to be a part of the bridge over which women should march to +the full enjoyment of their rights.</p> + +<p>Miss <span class="smcap">Phœbe Couzins</span> of St. Louis reviewed in an able manner the +decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Virginia L. Minor.</p> + +<p>Mrs. <span class="smcap">Devereux Blake</span> spoke on the rights and duties of citizenship. +She cited a number of authorities, including a recent decision of +the Supreme Court, to prove that women are citizens, although +deprived of the privileges of citizenship. Taking up the three +duties of citizenship—paying taxes, serving on jury, and military +service—she said<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> woman had done her share of the first for a +hundred years; that the women of the country now contributed, +directly and indirectly, one-third of its revenues, and that the +House of Representatives had just robbed them of $500,000 to pay +for a centennial celebration in which they had no part. As for +serving on jury, they did not claim that as a privilege, as it was +usually regarded as a most disagreeable duty; but they did claim +the right of women, when arraigned in court, to be tried by a jury +of their peers, which was not accorded when the jury was composed +wholly of men. Lastly, as to serving their country in time of war, +it was a fact that women had actually enlisted and fought in our +late war, until their sex was discovered, when they were summarily +dismissed without being paid for their services. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Hon. Aaron A. Sargent, of California, in the United States Senate, +and Hon. Samuel S. Cox, of New York, in the House of +Representatives, presented the memorial asking the enfranchisement +of the women of the District of Columbia, as follows:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"> +<span class="smcap">In the Senate</span>, Tuesday, January 25, 1876.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Sargent</span>: I present a memorial asking for the establishment of +a government in the District of Columbia which shall secure to +its women the right to vote. This petition is signed by many +eminent ladies of the country: Mrs. Matilda Joslyn Gage, +President of the National Woman Suffrage Association, and the +following officers of that society: Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady +Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Henrietta Payne Westbrook, Isabella +Beecher Hooker, Mathilde F. Wendt, Ellen Clark Sargent; also by +Mary F. Foster, President of the District of Columbia Woman's +Franchise Association; Susan A. Edson, M. D.; Mrs. E. D. E. N. +Southworth, the distinguished authoress; Mrs. Dr. Caroline B. +Winslow; Belva A. Lockwood, a practicing lawyer in this District; +Sara Andrews Spencer, and Mrs. A. E. Wood.</p> + +<p>These intelligent ladies set forth their petition in language and +with facts and arguments which I think should meet the ear of the +Senate, and I ask that it be read by the secretary in order that +their desires may be known.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: Is there objection? The chair hears +none, and the secretary will report the petition. The secretary +read:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hang"><i>To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States +in Congress assembled:</i></p> + +<p>Whereas the Supreme Court of the United States has affirmed the +decision of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia in the +cases of Spencer <i>vs.</i> The Board of Registration, and Webster +<i>vs.</i> The Judges of Election, and has decided that "by the +operation of the first section of the fourteenth amendment to the +Constitution of the United States, women have been advanced to +full citizenship and clothed with the capacity to become voters; +and further, that this first section of the fourteenth amendment +does not execute itself, but requires the supervision of +legislative power in the exercise of legislative discretion to +give it effect"; and whereas the congress of the United States is +the legislative body having exclusive jurisdiction over the +District of Columbia, and in enfranchising the colored men and +refusing to enfranchise women, white or colored, made an unjust +discrimination against sex, and did not give the intelligence<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> +and moral power of the citizens of said District a fair +opportunity for expression at the polls; and whereas woman +suffrage is not an experiment, but has had a fair trial in +Wyoming, where women hold office, where they vote, where they +have the most orderly society of any of the territories, where +the experiment is approved by the executive officers of the +United States, by their courts, by their press and by the people +generally, and where it has "rescued that territory from a state +of comparative lawlessness" and rendered it "one of the most +orderly in the Union"; and whereas upon the woman suffrage +amendment to Senate bill number 44 of the second session of the +forty-third congress, votes were recorded in favor of woman +suffrage by the two senators from Indiana, the two from Florida, +the two from Michigan, the two from Rhode Island, one from +Kansas, one from Louisiana, one from Massachusetts, one from +Minnesota, one from Nebraska, one from Nevada, one from Oregon, +one from South Carolina, one from Texas, and one from Wisconsin; +and whereas a fair trial of equal suffrage for men and women in +the District of Columbia, under the immediate supervision of +congress, would demonstrate to the people of the whole country +that justice to women is policy for men; and whereas the women of +the United States are governed without their own consent, are +denied trial by a jury of their peers, are taxed without +representation, and are subject to manifold wrongs resulting from +unjust and arbitrary exercise of power over an unrepresented +class; and whereas in this centennial year of the republic the +spirit of 1776 is breathing its influence upon the people, +melting away prejudices and animosities and infusing into our +national councils a finer sense of justice and a clearer +perception of individual rights; therefore,</p> + +<p>We pray your honorable body to establish a government for the +District of Columbia which shall secure to its women the right to +vote. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Sargeant</span>: Even if this document were not accompanied by the +signatures of eminent ladies known throughout the land for their +virtues, intelligence and high character, the considerations which +it presents would be worthy of the attention of the senate. I have +no doubt that the great movement of which this is a part will +prevail. It is working its progress day by day throughout the +country. It is making itself felt both in social and political +life. The petitioners here well say that there has been a +successful experiment of the exercise of female suffrage in one of +our territories; that a territory has been redeemed from +lawlessness; that the judges, the press, the people generally of +Wyoming approve the results of this great experiment. I know of no +better place than the capital of a nation where a more decisive +trial can be made, if such is needed, to establish the expediency +of woman suffrage. As to its justice, who shall deny it? I ask, for +the purpose of due consideration, that this petition be referred to +the Committee on the District of Columbia, so that in preparing any +scheme for the government of the District which is likely to come +before this congress, due weight may be given to the considerations +presented.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: The petition will be referred to the +Committee on the District of Columbia.</p> + +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">In the House of Representatives</span>, Friday, March 31, 1876.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Cox</span>: Mr. Speaker, I am requested to present a memorial, asking +for a form of government in the District of Columbia which shall +secure to its women the right to vote; and I ask the grace and +favor to have this memorial printed in the <i>Record</i>.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Banks</span>: Mr. Speaker, I beg the privilege of saying a few words +in favor of the request made by the gentleman from New York who +presents this memorial. It is a hundred years this day since Mrs. +Abigail Adams, of Massachusetts, wrote to her husband, John Adams, +then a member of the continental convention, entreating him to give +to women the power to protect their own rights and predicting a +general revolution if justice was denied them. Mrs. Adams was one +of the noblest women of that period, distinguished by heroism and +patriotism never surpassed in any age. She was wife of the second +and mother of the sixth president of the United States, and her +beneficent influence was felt in political as well as in social +circles. It was perhaps the first demand for the recognition of the +rights of her sex made in this country, and is one of the +centennial incidents that should be remembered. It came from a good +quarter. This memorial represents half a million of American women. +They ask for the organization of a government in the District of +Columbia that will recognize their political rights. I voted some +years ago to give women the right to vote in this District, and +recalling the course of its government I think it would have done +no harm if they had enjoyed political rights.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Kasson</span>: I suggest that the memorial be printed without the +names.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Cox</span>: There are no names appended except those of the officers +of the National Woman Suffrage Association; and I hope they will be +printed with the memorial.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hendee</span>: I trust the gentleman will allow this petition to be +referred to the committee of which I am a member: the Committee for +the District of Columbia. There being no objection, the memorial +was read and referred to the Committee for the District of +Columbia, and ordered to be printed in the <i>Record</i>. </p></blockquote> + +<p>At the close of the convention a hearing was granted to the ladies +before the committees of the Senate and House of Representatives on +the District of Columbia.</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Matilda Joslyn Gage</span>, of New York, said: <i>Mr. Chairman and +Gentlemen of the Committee</i>: On behalf of the National +Association, which has its officers in every State and territory +of the Union, and which numbers many thousands of members, and on +behalf of the Woman's Franchise Association of the District of +Columbia, we appear before you, asking that the right of suffrage +be secured equally to the men and women of this District. Art. 1, +sec. 8, clauses 17, 18 of the Constitution of the United States +reads:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Congress shall have power to exercise exclusive legislation in +all cases whatsoever over such district as may become the seat of +government of the United States, <span class="spacious">* * * * *</span> to make all laws which +shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the +foregoing powers. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Congress is therefore constitutionally the special guardian of the +rights of the people of the District of Columbia. It possesses +peculiar rights, peculiar duties, peculiar powers in regard to this +District. At the present time the men and women are alike +disfranchised. Our memorial asks that in forming a new government +they may be alike enfranchised. It is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> often said as an argument +against granting suffrage to women that they do not wish to vote; +do not ask for the ballot. This association, numbering thousands in +the United States, through its representatives, now asks you, in +this memorial, for suffrage in this District. Petitions from every +State in the Union have been sent to your honorable body. One of +these, signed by thirty-five thousand women, was sent to congress +in one large roll; but what is the value of a petition signed by +even a million of an unrepresented class?</p> + +<p>The city papers of the national capital, once bitterly opposed to +all effort in this direction, now fully recognize the dignity of +the demand, and have ceased to oppose it. One of these said, +editorially, to-day, that the vast audiences assembling at our +conventions, the large majority being women, and evidently in +sympathy with the movement, were proof of the great interest women +take in this subject, though many are too timid to openly make the +demand. The woman's temperance movement began two years ago as a +crusade of prayer and song, and the women engaged therein have now +resolved themselves into a national organization, whose second +convention, held in October last, numbering delegates from +twenty-two States, almost unanimously passed a resolution demanding +the ballot to aid them in their temperance work. We who make our +constant demand for suffrage, knew that these women were in process +of education, and would soon be forced to ask for the key to all +reform.</p> + +<p>The ballot says yes or no to all questions. Without it women are +prohibited from practically expressing their opinions. The very +fact that the women of this District make this demand of you more +urgently than men proves that they desire it more and see its uses +better. The men of this District who quietly remain disfranchised +have the spirit of slaves, and if asking for the ballot is any +proof of fitness for its use, then the women who do ask for it here +prove themselves in this respect superior to men, more alive to the +interests of this District, and better fitted to administer the +government. Women who are not interested in questions of reform +would soon become so if they possessed the ballot. They are now in +the condition we were when we heard of the famine in Persia two +years ago. Our sympathies were aroused for a brief while, but +Persia was far away, we could render it no certain aid, and the +sufferings of the people soon passed from our minds.</p> + +<p>Our approaching centennial celebration is to commemorate the +Declaration of Independence, which was based on individual rights. +For ages it was a question where the governing power rightfully +belonged; patriarch, priest, and monarch each claimed it by divine +right. Our country declared it vested in the individual. Not only +was this clearly stated in the Declaration of Independence, but the +same ground was maintained in the secret proceedings upon framing +the constitution. The old confederation was abandoned because it +did not secure the independence and safety of the people. It has +recently been asked in congressional debates, "What is the grand +idea of the centennial?" The answer was, "It is the illustration in +spirit and truth of the principles of the Declaration of +Independence and of the constitution."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span></p> + +<p>These principles are:</p> + +<p><i>First</i>—The natural rights of each individual.</p> + +<p><i>Second</i>—The exact equality of these rights.</p> + +<p><i>Third</i>—That rights not delegated are retained by the individual.</p> + +<p><i>Fourth</i>—That no person shall exercise the rights of others +without delegated authority.</p> + +<p><i>Fifth</i>—That non-use of rights does not destroy them.</p> + +<p>Rights did not come new-born into the world with the revolution. +Our fathers were men of middle age before they understood their own +rights, but when they did they compelled the recognition of the +world, and now the nations of the earth are this year invited to +join you in the celebration of these principles of free government.</p> + +<p>We have special reasons for asking you to secure suffrage to the +women of the District of Columbia. Woman Suffrage has been tried in +Wyoming, and ample testimony of its beneficial results has been +furnished, but it is a far distant territory, and those not +especially interested will not examine the evidence. It has been +tried in Utah, but with great opposition on account of the peculiar +religious belief and customs of the people. But the District of +Columbia is directly under the eye of congress. It is the capital +of the nation, and three-fifths of the property of the District +belongs to the United States. The people of the whole country would +therefore be interested in observing the practical workings of this +system on national soil. With 7,316 more women than men in this +District, we call your special attention to the inconsistency and +injustice of granting suffrage to a minority and withholding it +from a majority, as you have done in the past. If the District is +your special ward, then women, being in the majority here, have +peculiar claims upon you for a consideration of their rights. The +freedom of this country is only half won. The women of to-day have +less freedom than our fathers of the revolution, for they were +permitted local self-government, while women have no share in +local, State, or general government.</p> + +<p>Our memorial calls your attention to the Pembina debate in 1874, +when senators from eighteen States recognized the right of +self-government as inhering in women. One senator said: "I believe +women never will enjoy equality with men in taking care of +themselves until they have the right to vote." Another, "that the +question was being considered by a large portion of the people of +the United States." When the discussion was concluded and the vote +taken, twenty-two senators recorded their votes for woman suffrage +in that distant territory. During the debate several senators +publicly declared their intention of voting for woman suffrage in +the District of Columbia whenever the opportunity was presented. +These senators recognize the fact that the ballot is not only a +right, but that it is opportunity for woman; that it is the one +means of helping her to help herself. In asking you to secure the +ballot to the women of the District we do not ask you to create a +right. That is beyond your power. We ask you to protect them in the +exercise of a right.</p> + +<p>Mrs. <span class="smcap">Sara Andrews Spencer</span>, Secretary of the District of Columbia +Woman's Franchise Association, said: For no legal or political +right I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> have ever claimed in the District of Columbia do I ask a +stronger, clearer charter than the Declaration of Independence, and +the constitution of the United States as it stood before the +fourteenth amendment had entered the minds of men. A judicial +decision, rendered by nine men, upon the rights of ten millions of +women of this republic, need not, does not, change the convictions +of one woman in regard to her own heaven-endowed rights, duties, +and responsibilities.</p> + +<p>We have resorted to all the measures dictated by those who rule +over us for securing the freedom to exercise rights which are +sacredly our own, rights which are ours by Divine inheritance, and +which men can neither confer nor take away. We are not only +daughters of our Father in heaven, and joint heirs with you there; +but we are daughters of this republic, and joint heirs with you +here. Every act of legislation which has been placed as a bar in +our way as citizens has been an act of injustice, and every +expedient to which we have resorted for securing recognition of +citizenship has been with protest against the existence of these +acts of unauthorized power.</p> + +<p>When any man expresses doubt to me as to the use that I or any +other woman might make of the ballot if we had it, my answer is, +What is that to you? If you have for years defrauded me of my +rightful inheritance, and then, as a stroke of policy, or from late +conviction, concluded to restore to me my own domain, must I ask +you whether I may make of it a garden of flowers, or a field of +wheat, or a pasture for kine? If I choose I may counsel with you. +If experience has given you wisdom, even of this world, in managing +your property and mine, I should be wise to learn from you. But +injustice is not wont to yield wisdom; grapes do not grow of +thorns, nor figs of thistles.</p> + +<p>Born of the unjust and cruel subjection of woman to man, we have in +these United States a harvest of 116,000 paupers, 36,000 criminals, +and such a mighty host of blind, deaf and dumb, idiotic, insane, +feeble-minded, and children with tendencies to crime, as almost to +lead one to hope for the extinction of the human race rather than +for its perpetuation after its own kind. The wisdom of man licenses +the dram-shop, and then rears station-houses, jails, and gibbets to +provide for the victims. In this District we have 135 teachers of +public schools and 238 police officers, and the last report shows +that public safety demands a police force of 900. We have 31,671 +children of school age; 31,671 reasons why I want to vote. We have +here 7,000 more children of school age than there are seats in all +the public schools, and from the swarm of poor, ignorant, and +vagrant children, the lists of criminals and paupers are constantly +supplied. To provide for these evils there is an annual expenditure +of $350,000, not including expenses of courts, while for education +the annual expenditure is $280,000.</p> + +<p>Will you say that the wives and the mothers, the house and +homekeepers of this small territory, have no interest in all these +things? If dram-shops are licensed and brothels protected, are not +our sons, our brothers, tempted and ruined, our daughters lured +from their homes, and lost to earth and heaven? Long and patiently +women have borne wrongs too deep to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> put into words; wrongs for +which men have provided no redress and have found no remedy. When +five years ago, with our social atmosphere poisoned with vices +which as women we had no power to remove, men in authority began a +series of attempts to fasten upon us by law the huge typical vice +of all the ages—the social evil—in a form so degrading to all +womanhood that no man, though he were the prince of profligates, +would submit to its regulations for a day; then we cried out so +that the world heard us. We know the plague is only stayed for a +brief while. The hydra-headed monster every now and then lifts a +new front, and must be smitten again. Four times in four successive +years a little company of women of the District have appeared +before committees and compelled the discussion and defeat of bills +designed to fasten these measures upon the community under the +guise of security for public health and morality. The last annual +report of the board of health speaks tenderly of the need of +protecting vicious men by these regulations, and says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The legalization of houses of ill-fame for so humane a purpose, +startling as it may be to the moral sense, has many powerful +advocates among the thoughtful, wise, and philanthropic of +communities. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The report quotes approvingly Dr. Gross, of Philadelphia, who says +in behalf of laws to license the social evil:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The prejudices which surround the subject must be swept away, and +men must march to the front and discharge their duty, however +much they may be reproached and abused by the ignorant and +foolish. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Aside from the higher ground of our inherent right to +self-government, we declare here and now that the women of this +District are not safe without the ballot. Our firesides, our +liberties are in constant peril, while men who have no concern for +our welfare may legislate against our dearest interests. If we +would inaugurate any measure of protection for our own sex, we are +bound hand and foot by man. The law is his, the treasury is his, +the power is his, and he need not even hear our cry, except at his +good will and pleasure.</p> + +<p>If man had legislated justly and wisely for the interests of this +District, if its financial condition was sound, its social and +moral atmosphere pure, and all was well, there would be some show +of reason in your refusing to hazard a new experiment, even though +we could demonstrate it to be founded upon eternal justice. But the +history of the successive forms of government in the District of +Columbia is a history of failures. So will it continue to be until +you adopt a plan founded upon truly republican principles. When, a +few years ago, you put the ballot into the hands of the swarming +masses of freedmen who had gathered here with the ignorance and +vices of slaves, and refused to enfranchise women, white or +colored, you gave this District no fair trial of a republican form +of government. You did not even protect the interests of the +colored race. You admitted that the colored man was not really free +until he held the ballot in his hand, and therefore you +enfranchised him and left the woman twice his slave. I know colored +women in Washington far the superiors, intellectually and morally, +of the masses of men, who declare that they now endure wrongs and +abuses unknown in slavery.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p> + +<p>There is not an interest in this District that is not as vital to +me as to any man in Washington—that is not more vital to me than +it can be to any member of this honorable body. As a citizen, +seeking the welfare of this community, as a wife and mother +desiring the safety of my children, which of you can claim a deeper +interest than I in questions of markets, taxes, finance, banks, +railroads, highways, the public debt and interest thereon, boards +of health, sanitary and police regulations, station-houses (wherein +I find many a wreck of womanhood, ruined in her youth and beauty), +schools, asylums, and charities? Why deny me a voice in any or all +of these? Do you doubt that I would use the ballot in the interests +of order, retrenchment, and reform? Do you deny a right of mine, +which you will admit I know how to prize, because there are women +who do not appreciate its value, do not demand it, possibly might +not (any better than men) know how to use it? What a mockery of +justice! What a flagrant violation of individual rights! I would +cry out against it if no other woman in the land felt the wrong. +But among the 10,000,000 of mothers of 14,000,000 of children in +this country, vast numbers of thoughtful, philanthropic, and pure +women have come to see this truth, and desire to express their +mother love and home love at the ballot-box!</p> + +<p>Frederick Douglass once said: "Whole nations have been bathed in +blood to establish the simplest possible propositions. For +instance, that a man's head is <i>his</i> head; his body is <i>his</i> body; +his feet are <i>his</i> feet, and if he chooses to run away with them it +is nobody's business"; and all honor to him, he added, "Now, these +propositions have been established for the colored man. Why does +not man establish them for woman, his wife, his mother?"</p> + +<p>Determined to surround the colored man with every possible +guarantee of protection in the possession of his freedom, congress +stopped the wheels of legislation, and made the whole country wait, +while day after day and night after night his friends fought inch +by inch the ground for the civil rights bill. During that debate +Senator Frelinghuysen said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>When I took the oath as senator, I took the oath to support the +Constitution of the United States, which declares equality for +all: and in advocating this bill I am doing my sworn duty in +endeavoring to secure equal rights for every citizen of the +United States. </p></blockquote> + +<p>But where slept his "sworn duty" when he recorded his vote in the +Senate against woman suffrage? With marvelous inconsistency, as a +reason for opposing woman suffrage, during the Pembina debate, May +27, 1874, Senator Merrimon said of the relation of women to the +Constitution of the United States:</p> + +<blockquote><p>They have sustained it under all circumstances with their love, +their hands, and their hearts; with their smiles and their tears +they have educated their children to live for it, and to die for +it. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Therefore the honorable gentleman denies them the right to vote.</p> + +<p>Upon the civil rights bill, Senator Howe said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I do not know but what the passage of this bill will break up the +common schools. I admit that I have some fear on that point. +Every step of this terrible march has been met with a threat; but +let justice be done although the common schools and the heavens +do fall. </p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p> + +<p>In reply to the point made by Mr. Stockton that the people of the +United States would not accept this bill, Mr. Howe said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I would not turn back if I knew that of the forty million people +of the United States not one million would sustain it. If this +generation does not accept it there is a generation to come that +will accept it. What does this provide? Not that the black man +should be helped on his way; not at all; but only that, as he +staggers along, he shall not be retarded, shall not be tripped up +and made to fall. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Brave and tender words these for our black brother; but see how +prone men are to invert truth, justice, and mercy in dealing with +women. During the Pembina debate, Senator Merrimon said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I know there are a few women in the country who complain; but +those who complain, compared with those who do not complain, are +as one to a million. </p></blockquote> + +<p>As a literal fact, the women who have complained, have petitioned, +sued, reasoned, plead, have knocked at the doors of your +legislatures and courts, are as one to fifty in this country, as we +who watch the record know; and even that is a small proportion of +those who would, but dare not; who are bound hand and foot, and +will be bound until you make them free. But if no others feel the +wrong but those who have dared to complain; if the poor, the +ignorant, the betrayed, the ruined do not understand the question, +and the well-fed and comfortable "have all the rights they want," +do you give that for answer to our just demand? What do we ask? Not +that poor woman "shall be helped on her way"—not at all; but only +that, "as she staggers along, she shall not be retarded, shall not +be tripped up, shall not be made to fall."</p> + +<p>And here on this national soil, for the women of this District of +Columbia—your peculiar wards—I ask you to try the experiment of +exact, even-handed justice; to give us a voice in the laws under +which we must live, by which we are tried, judged and condemned. I +ask it for myself, that I may the better help other women. I ask it +for other women, that they may the better help themselves. As you +hope for justice and mercy in your hour of need, may you hear and +answer. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Rev. Olympia Brown, of Connecticut; Belva A. Lockwood, of +Washington; and Phoebe Couzins, of St. Louis, also addressed the +committees; enforcing their arguments with wit, humor, pathos and +eloquence.</p> + +<p>On her way home from Washington, Mrs. Gage stopped in Philadelphia +to secure rooms for the National Association during the centennial +summer, and decided upon Carpenter Hall, in case it could be +obtained. This hall belongs to the Carpenter Company of +Philadelphia, perhaps the oldest existing association of that city, +it having maintained an uninterrupted organization from the year +1724, about forty years after the establishment of the colonial +government by William Penn, and was much in use during the early +days of the revolution. The doors of the State House,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> where the +continental congress intended to meet, were found closed against +it; but the Carpenter Company, numbering many eminent patriots, +offered its hall for their use; and here met the first continental +congress, September 5, 1774. John Adams, describing its opening +ceremonies, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Here was a scene worthy of the painter's art. Washington was +kneeling there, and Randolph, Rutledge, Lee and Jay; and by their +side there stood, bowed in reverence, the Puritan patriots of New +England, who at that moment had reason to believe that an armed +soldiery was wasting their humble households. It was believed +that Boston had been bombarded and destroyed.<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> They prayed +fervently for America, for the congress, for the province of +Massachusetts Bay, and especially for the town of Boston. Who can +realize the emotions with which in that hour of danger they +turned imploringly to heaven for Divine interposition. It was +enough to melt a heart of stone. I saw the tears gush into the +eyes of old, gray, pacific Quakers of Philadelphia. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The action of this congress, which sat but seven weeks, was +momentous in the history of the world. "From the moment of their +first debate," said De Tocqueville, "Europe was moved." The +convention which in 1781 framed the constitution of the United +States, also met in Carpenter Hall in secret session for four +months before agreeing upon its provisions. This hall seemed the +most appropriate place for establishing the centennial rooms of the +National Woman Suffrage Association, but the effort to obtain it +proved unavailing<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> as will be seen by the following +correspondence:</p> + +<blockquote><p> +<i>To the President and Officers of the Carpenter Company of Philadelphia:</i></p> + +<p>The National Woman Suffrage Association will hold its +headquarters in Philadelphia the centennial season of 1876, and +desires to secure your historic hall for that purpose. We know +your habit and custom of denying its use to all societies, yet we +make our request because our objects are in accord with the +principles which emanated from within its walls a hundred years +ago, and we shall use it in carrying out those principles of +liberty and equality upon which our government is based.</p> + +<p>We design to advertise our headquarters to the world, and old +Carpenter Hall, if used by us, would become more widely +celebrated as the birth-place of liberty. Our work in it would +cause it to be more than ever held in reverence by future ages, +and pilgrimages by men and women would be made to it as to +another Mecca shrine.</p> + +<p>We propose to place a person in charge, with pamphlets, speeches, +tracts, etc., and to hold public meetings for the enunciation of +our principles and the furtherance of our demands. Hoping you +will grant this request,</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF60"><span class="smcap">Matilda Joslyn Gage</span><br /> +<i>President of the National Woman Suffrage Association.</i></p> +<p class="ltr-left">I am respectfully yours,</p> +</blockquote> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span></p> + +<p class="break">Two months afterward, the following reply was received:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"> +<span class="smcap">Hall, Carpenter Court</span>, 322 Chestnut St., }<br /> +<span class="smcap">Philadelphia</span>, April 24, 1876. }</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Matilda Joslyn Gage</span>, <i>President of the Woman Suffrage +Association</i>:</p> + +<p>Your communication asking permission to occupy Carpenter Hall for +your convention was duly received, and presented to the company +at a stated meeting held the 16th instant, when on motion it was +unanimously resolved to postpone the subject indefinitely.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">George Watson</span>, <i>Secretary</i>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left0">[Extract of minutes].</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>It was a matter of no moment to those men that women were soon to +assemble in Philadelphia, whose love of liberty was as deep, whose +patriotism was as pure as that of the fathers who met within its +walls in 1774, and whose deliberations had given that hall its +historic interest.</p> + +<p>In the midst of these preparations the usual May anniversary was +held:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Call for the May Anniversary</span>, 1876.—The National Woman Suffrage +Association will hold its Ninth Annual Convention in Masonic +Hall, New York, corner of Sixth avenue and Twenty-third street, +May 10, 11, 1876.</p> + +<p>This convention occuring in the centennial year of the republic, +will be a most important one. The underlying principles of +government will this year be discussed as never before; both +foreigners and citizens will query as to how closely this country +has lived up to its own principles. The long-debated question as +to the source of the governing power was answered a century ago +by the famous Declaration of Independence which shook to the +foundation all recognized power and proclaimed the right of the +individual as above all forms of government; but while thus +declaring itself, it has held the women of the nation accountable +to laws they have had no share in making, and taught as their one +duty, that doctrine of tyrants, unquestioning obedience. Liberty +to-day is, therefore, but the heritage of one-half the people, +and the centennial will be but the celebration of the +independence of one-half the nation. The men alone of this +country live in a republic, the women enter the second hundred +years of national life as political slaves.</p> + +<p>That no structure is stronger than its weakest point is a law of +mechanics that will apply equally to government. In so far as +this government has denied justice to woman, it is weak, and +preparing for its own downfall. All the insurrections, +rebellions, and martyrdoms of history have grown out of the +desire for liberty, and in woman's heart this desire is as strong +as in man's. At every vital time in the nation's life, men and +women have worked together; everywhere has woman stood by the +side of father, brother, husband, son in defense of liberty; +without her aid the republic could never have been established; +and yet women are still suffering under all the oppressions +complained of in 1776; which can only be remedied by securing +impartial suffrage to all citizens without distinction of sex.</p> + +<p>All persons who believe republican principles should be carried +out in spirit and in truth, are invited to be present at the May +convention.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"><span class="smcap">Matilda Joslyn Gage</span>, <i>President</i>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left0"><span class="smcap">Susan B. Anthony</span>, <i>Chairman Executive Committee</i>.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>This May anniversary, commencing on the same day with the opening +of the centennial exhibition, was marked with more than usual +earnestness. As popular thought naturally turned with increasing +interest at such an hour to the underlying principles<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> of +government, woman's demand for political equality received a new +impulse. The famous Smith sisters, of Glastonbury, Connecticut, +attended this convention, and were most cordially welcomed. The +officers<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a> for the centennial year were chosen and a campaign<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> +and congressional<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> committee appointed to take charge of affairs +at Philadelphia and Washington. The resolutions show the general +drift of the discussions:<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a></p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The right of self-government inheres in the individual +before governments are founded, constitutions framed, or courts +created; and</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, Governments exist to protect the people in the enjoyment +of their natural rights, and when any government becomes +destructive of this end, it is the right of the people to resist +and abolish it; and</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The women of the United States, for one hundred years, +have been denied the exercise of their natural right of +self-government and self-protection; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That it is the natural right and most sacred duty of +the women of these United States to rebel against the injustice, +usurpation and tyranny of our present government.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The men of 1776 rebelled against a government which did +not claim to be of the people, but, on the contrary, upheld the +"divine right of kings"; and</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The women of this nation to-day, under a government +which claims to be based upon individual rights, to be "of the +people, by the people, and for the people," in an infinitely +greater degree are suffering all the wrongs which led to the war +of the revolution; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> <span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The oppression is all the more +keenly felt because our masters, instead of dwelling in a foreign +land, are our husbands, our fathers, our brothers and our sons; +therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the women of this nation, in 1876, have greater +cause for discontent, rebellion and revolution, than the men of +1776.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That with Abigail Adams, in 1776, we believe that +"the passion for liberty cannot be strong in the breasts of those +who are accustomed to deprive their fellow-creatures of liberty"; +that, as Abigail Adams predicted, "We are determined to foment a +rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by laws in which we +have no voice or representation."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, We believe in the principles of the Declaration of +Independence and of the Constitution of the United States, and +believe a true republic is the best form of government in the +world; and</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, This government is false to its underlying principles in +denying to women the only means of self-government, the ballot; +and</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, One-half of the citizens of this nation, after a century +of boasted liberty, are still political slaves; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we protest against calling the present +centennial celebration a celebration of the independence of the +people of the United States.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we meet in our respective towns and districts on +the Fourth of July, 1876, and declare ourselves no longer bound +to obey laws in whose making we have had no voice, and, in +presence of the assembled nations of the world gathered on this +soil to celebrate our nation's centennial, demand justice for the +women of this land.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The men of this nation have established for men of all +nations, races and color, on this soil, at the cost of countless +lives, the proposition (in the language of Frederick Douglass) +"that a man's head is his head, his body is his body, his feet +are his feet"; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That justice, equity and chivalry demand that man at +once establish for his wife and mother the corresponding +proposition, that a woman's head is her head, her body is her +body, her feet are her feet, and that all ownership and mastery +over her person, property, conscience, and liberty of speech and +action, are in violation of the supreme law of the land.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we rejoice in the resistance of Julia and Abby +Smith, Abby Kelly Foster, Sarah E. Wall and many more resolute +women in various parts of the country, to taxation without +representation.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the thanks of the National Woman Suffrage +Association are hereby tendered to Hon. A. A. Sargent, of +California, for his earnest words in behalf of woman suffrage on +the floor of the United States Senate, Jan. 25, 1876; and to Hon. +N. P. Banks, of Massachusetts, for his appeal in behalf of the +centennial woman suffrage memorial in the United States House of +Representatives, March 31, 1876.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the repeated attempts to license the social evil +are a practical confession of the weakness, profligacy and +general unfitness of men to legislate for women, and should be +regarded with alarm as a proof that their firesides and liberties +are in constant peril while men alone make and execute the laws +of this country.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, There are 7,000 more women than men in the District of +Columbia, and no form of government for said District has allowed +women any voice in making the laws under which they live; +therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That in this centennial year the congress of the +United States having exclusive jurisdiction over that territory +should establish a truly republican form of government by +granting equal suffrage to the men and women of the District of +Columbia. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Immediately at the close of the May convention Mrs. Gage again went +to Philadelphia to complete the arrangements in regard to the +centennial headquarters. Large and convenient<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> rooms were soon +found upon Arch street, terms agreed upon and a lease drawn, when +it transpired that a husband's consent and signature must be +obtained, although the property was owned by a woman, as by the +laws of Pennsylvania a married woman's property is under her +husband's control. Although arrangements for this room had been +made with the real owner, the terms being perfectly satisfactory to +her, the husband refused his ratification, tearing up the lease, +with abuse of the women who claimed control of their own property, +and a general defiance of all women who dared work for the +enfranchisement of their sex. Thus again were women refused rooms +in Philadelphia in which to enter their protest against the tyranny +of this republic, and for the same reason—they were slaves. Had +the patriots of the revolutionary period asked rooms of King +George, in which to foster their treason to his government, the +refusal could have been no more positive than in these cases.</p> + +<p>The quarters finally obtained were very desirable; fine large +parlors on the first floor, on Chestnut street, at the fashionable +west end, directly opposite the Young Men's Christian Association. +The other members of the committee being married ladies, Miss +Anthony, as a <i>feme sole</i>, was alone held capable of making a +contract, and was therefore obliged to assume the pecuniary +responsibility of the rooms. Thus it is ever the married women who +are more especially classed with lunatics, idiots and criminals, +and held incapable of managing their own business. It has always +been part of the code of slavery, that the slave had no right to +property; all his earnings and gifts belonging by law, to the +master. Married women come under this same civil code. The +following letter was extensively circulated and published in all +the leading journals:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"> +<span class="smcap">National Woman Suffrage Parlors</span>, }<br /> +1,431 Chestnut Street, <span class="smcap">Philadelphia, Pa.</span> } +</p> + +<p>The National Woman Suffrage Association has established its +centennial headquarters in Philadelphia, at 1,431 Chestnut +street. The parlors, in charge of the officers of the +association, are devoted to the special work of the year, +pertaining to the centennial celebration and the political party +conventions; also to calls, receptions, conversazioni, etc. On +the table a centennial autograph book receives the names of +visitors. Friends at a distance, both men and women, who cannot +call, are invited to send their names, with date and residence, +accompanied by a short expressive sentiment and a contribution +toward expenses. In the rooms are books, papers, reports and +decisions, speeches, tracts, and photographs of distinguished +women; also mottoes and pictures expressive of woman's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> +condition. In addition to the parlor gatherings, meetings and +conventions will be held during the season in various halls and +churches throughout the city.</p> + +<p>On July Fourth, while the men of this nation and the world are +rejoicing that "All men are free and equal" in the United States, +a declaration of rights for women will be issued from these +headquarters, and a protest against calling this centennial a +celebration of the independence of the people, while one-half are +still political slaves.</p> + +<p>Let the women of the whole land, on that day, in meetings, in +parlors, in kitchens, wherever they may be, unite with us in this +declaration and protest. And, immediately thereafter, send full +reports, in manuscript or print, of their resolutions, speeches +and action, for record in our centennial book, that the world may +see that the women of 1876 know and feel their political +degradation no less than did the men of 1776.</p> + +<p>The first woman's rights convention the world ever knew, called +by Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, met at Seneca Falls, +N. Y., July 19, 20, 1848. In commemoration of the twenty-eighth +anniversary of that event, the National Woman Suffrage +Association will hold in —— hall, Philadelphia, July 19, 20, of +the present year, a grand mass convention, in which eminent +reformers from the new and old world will take part. Friends are +especially invited to be present on this historic occasion.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"><span class="smcap">Matilda Joslyn Gage</span>, <i>Chairman Executive Committee</i>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left0"><span class="smcap">Susan B. Anthony</span>, <i>Corresponding Secretary</i>.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>From these headquarters numberless documents were issued during the +month of June. As the presidential nominating conventions were soon +to meet, letters were addressed to both the Republican and +Democratic parties, urging them to recognize the political rights +of women in their platforms. Thousands of copies of these letters +were scattered throughout the nation:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hang"><i>To the President and Members of the National Republican +Convention, Cincinnati, O., June 14, 1876.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Gentlemen</span>: The National Woman Suffrage Association asks you to +place in your platform the following plank:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That the right to the use of the ballot inheres in +every citizen of the United States; and we pledge ourselves to +secure the exercise of this right to all citizens, irrespective +of sex. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In asking the insertion of this plank, we propose no change of +fundamental principles. Our question is as old as the nation. Our +government was framed on the political basis of the consent of the +governed. And from July 4, 1776, until the present year, 1876, the +nation has constantly advanced toward a fuller practice of our +fundamental theory, that the governed are the source of all power. +Your nominating convention, occurring in this centennial year of +the republic, presents a good opportunity for the complete +recognition of these first principles. Our government has not yet +answered the end for which it was framed, while one-half the people +of the United States are deprived of the right of self-government.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> +Before the Revolution, Great Britain claimed the right to legislate +for the colonies in all cases whatsoever; the men of this nation +now as unjustly claim the right to legislate for women in all cases +whatsoever.</p> + +<p>The call for your nominating convention invites the coöperation of +"all voters who desire to inaugurate and enforce the rights of +every citizen, including the full and free exercise of the right of +suffrage." Women are citizens; declared to be by the highest +legislative and judicial authorities; but they are citizens +deprived of "the full and free exercise of the right of suffrage." +Your platform of 1872 declared "the Republican party mindful of its +obligations to the loyal women of the nation for their noble +devotion to the cause of freedom." Devotion to freedom is no new +thing for the women of this nation. From the earliest history of +our country, woman has shown herself as patriotic as man in every +great emergency in the nation's life. From the Revolution to the +present hour, woman has stood by the side of father, husband, son +and brother in defense of liberty. The heroic and self-sacrificing +deeds of the women of this republic, both in peace and war, must +not be forgotten. Together men and women have made this country +what it is. And to-day, in this one-hundredth year of our +existence, the women—as members of the nation—as citizens of the +United States—ask national recognition of their right of suffrage.</p> + +<p>The Declaration of Independence struck a blow at every existent +form of government, by declaring the individual the source of all +power. Upon this one newly proclaimed truth our nation arose. But +if States may deny suffrage to any class of citizens, or confer it +at will upon any class—as according to the Minor-Happersett +decision of the Supreme Court—a decision rendered under the +auspices of the Republican party against suffrage as a constituent +element of United States citizenship—we then possess no true +national life. If States can deny suffrage to citizens of the +United States, then States possess more power than the United +States, and are more truly national in the character of their +governments. National supremacy does not chiefly mean power "to +levy war, conclude peace, contract alliances, establish commerce"; +it means national protection and security in the exercise of the +right of self-government, which comes alone, by and through the use +of the ballot.</p> + +<p>Even granting the premise of the Supreme-Court decision that "the +Constitution of the United States does not confer suffrage on any +one"; our national life does not date from that instrument. The +constitution is not the original declaration of rights. It was not +framed until eleven years after our existence as a nation, nor +fully ratified until nearly fourteen years after the commencement +of our national life. This centennial celebration of our nation's +birth does not date from the constitution, but from the Declaration +of Independence. The declared purpose of the civil war was the +settlement of the question of supremacy between the States and the +United States. The documents sent out by the Republican party in +this present campaign, warn the people that the Democrats intend +another battle for State sovereignty, to be fought this year at the +ballot-box.</p> + +<p>The National Woman Suffrage Association calls your attention to the +fact that the Republican party has itself reopened this battle, and +now<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> holds the anomalous position of having settled the question of +State sovereignty in the case of black men, and again opened it, +through the Minor-Happersett decision, not only in the case of +women citizens, but also in the case of men citizens, for all other +causes save those specified in the fifteenth amendment. Your party +has yet one opportunity to retrieve its position. The political +power of this country has always shown itself superior to the +judicial power—the latter ever shaping and basing its decisions on +the policy of the dominant party. A pledge, therefore, by your +convention to secure national protection in the enjoyment of +perfect equality of rights, civil and political, to all citizens, +will so define the policy of the Republican party as to open the +way to a full and final adjustment of this question on the basis of +United States supremacy.</p> + +<p>Aside from the higher motive of justice, we suggest your adoption +of this principle of equal rights to women, as a means of securing +your own future existence. The party of reform in this country is +the party that lives. The party that ceases to represent the vital +principles of truth and justice dies. If you would save the life of +the Republican party you should now take broad national ground on +this question of suffrage.</p> + +<p>By this act you will do most to promote the general welfare, secure +the blessings of liberty to yourselves and your posterity, and +establish on this continent a genuine republic that shall know no +class, caste, race, or sex—where all the people are citizens, and +all citizens are equal before the law.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"><span class="smcap">Matilda Joslyn Gage</span>, <i>Chairman Executive Committee</i>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left0"><span class="smcap">Susan B. Anthony</span>, <i>Corresponding Secretary</i>.<br /> +<i>Centennial Headquarters</i>, 1,431 Chestnut street, <i>Philadelphia</i>, June 10, 1876.</p> + +<p class="hang break"><i>To the President and Members of the National Democratic Convention +assembled at St. Louis, June 27, 1876</i>:</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Gentlemen</span>: In reading the call for your convention, the National +Woman Suffrage Association was gratified to find that your +invitation was not limited to voters, but cordially extended to all +citizens of the United States. We accordingly send delegates from +our association, asking for them a voice in your proceedings, and +also a plank in your platform declaring the political rights of +women.</p> + +<p>Women are the only class of citizens still wholly unrepresented in +the government, and yet we possess every qualification requisite +for voters in the several States. Women possess property and +education; we take out naturalization papers and passports; we +preëmpt lands, pay taxes, and suffer for our own violation of the +laws. We are neither idiots, lunatics, nor criminals; and, +according to your State constitutions, lack but one qualification +for voters, namely, sex, which is an insurmountable qualification, +and therefore equivalent to a bill of attainder against one-half +the people; a power no State nor congress can legally exercise, +being forbidden in article 1, sections 9, 10, of our constitution. +Our rulers may have the right to regulate the suffrage, but they +can not abolish it altogether for any class of citizens, as has +been done in the case of the women of this republic, without a +direct violation of the fundamental law of the land.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p> + +<p>As you hold the constitution of the fathers to be a sacred legacy +to us and our children forever, we ask you to so interpret that +<i>Magna Charta</i> of human rights as to secure justice and equality to +all United States citizens irrespective of sex. We desire to call +your attention to the violation of the essential principle of +self-government in the disfranchisement of the women of the several +States, and we appeal to you, not only because as a minority you +are in a position to consider principles, but because you were the +party first to extend suffrage by removing the property +qualification from all white men, and thus making the political +status of the richest and poorest citizen the same. That act of +justice to the laboring masses insured your power, with but few +interruptions, until the war.</p> + +<p>When the District of Columbia suffrage bill was under discussion in +1866, it was a Democratic senator (Mr. Cowan, of Pennsylvania) who +proposed an amendment to strike out the word "male," and thus +extend the right of suffrage to the women, as well as the black men +of the District. That amendment gave us a splendid discussion on +woman suffrage that lasted three days in the Senate of the United +States. It was a Democratic legislature that secured the right of +suffrage to the women of Wyoming, and we now ask you in national +convention to pledge the Democratic party to extend this act of +justice to the women throughout the nation, and thus call to your +side a new political force that will restore and perpetuate your +power for years to come.</p> + +<p>The Republican party gave us a plank in their platform in 1872, +pledging themselves to a "respectful consideration" of our demands. +But by their constitutional interpretations, legislative +enactments, and judicial decisions, so far from redeeming their +pledge, they have buried our petitions and appeals under laws in +direct opposition to their high-sounding promises and professions. +And now (1876) they give us another plank in their platform, +approving the "substantial advance made toward the establishment of +equal rights for women"; cunningly reminding us that the privileges +and immunities we now enjoy are all due to Republican +legislation—although, under a Republican dynasty, inspectors of +election have been arrested and imprisoned for taking the votes of +women; temperance women arrested and imprisoned for praying in the +streets; houses, lands, bonds, and stock of women seized and sold +for their refusal to pay unjust taxation—and, more than all, we +have this singular spectacle: a Republican woman, who had spoken +for the Republican party throughout the last presidential campaign, +arrested by Republican officers for voting the Republican ticket, +denied the right of trial by jury by a Republican judge, convicted +and sentenced to a fine of one hundred dollars and costs of +prosecution; and all this for asserting at the polls the most +sacred of all the rights of American citizenship—the right of +suffrage—specifically secured by recent Republican amendments to +the federal constitution.</p> + +<p>Again, the Supreme Court of the United States, by its recent +decision in the Minor-Happersett case, has stultified its own +interpretation of constitutional law. A negro, by virtue of his +United States citizenship, is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> declared under recent amendments a +voter in every State in the Union; but when a woman, by virtue of +her United States citizenship, applies to the Supreme Court for +protection in the exercise of this same right, she is remanded to +the State by the unanimous decision of the nine judges on the +bench, that "the Constitution of the United States does not confer +the right of suffrage upon any one."</p> + +<p>All concessions of privileges or redress of grievances are but +mockery for any class that has no voice in the laws and lawmakers. +Hence we demand the ballot—that scepter of power—in our own +hands, as the only sure protection for our rights of person and +property under all conditions. If the few may grant or withhold +rights at their own pleasure, the many cannot be said to enjoy the +blessings of self-government. Jefferson said, "The God who gave us +life gave us liberty at the same time. The hand of force may +destroy, but cannot disjoin them." While the first and highest +motive we would urge on you is the recognition in all your action +of the great principles of justice and equality that underlie our +form of government, it is not unworthy to remind you that the party +that takes this onward step will reap its just reward.</p> + +<p>Had you heeded our appeals made to you in Tammany Hall, New York, +in 1868, and again in Baltimore, in 1872, your party might now have +been in power, as you would have had, what neither party can boast +to-day, a live issue on which to rouse the enthusiasm of the +people. Reform is the watchword of the hour; but how can we hope +for honor and honesty in either party in minor matters, so long as +both consent to rob one-half the people—their own mothers, +sisters, wives and daughters—of their most sacred rights? As a +party you defended the right of self-government in Louisiana ably +and eloquently during the last session of congress. Are the rights +of women in all the Southern States, whose slaves are now their +rulers, less sacred than those of the men of Louisiana? "The whole +art of government," says Jefferson, "consists in being honest."</p> + +<p>It needs but little observation to see that the tide of progress, +in all countries, is setting toward the emancipation and +enfranchisement of women; and this step in civilization is to be +taken in our day and generation. Whether the Democratic party will +take the initiative in this reform, and reap the glory of crowning +fifteen million women with the rights of American citizenship, and +thereby vindicate our theory of self-government, is the momentous +question we ask you to decide in this eventful hour, as we round +out the first century of our national life.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"><span class="smcap">Elizabeth Cady Stanton</span>, <i>President</i>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left0"> +<span class="smcap">Matilda Joslyn Gage</span>, <i>Chairman Executive Committee</i>.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Susan B. Anthony</span>, <i>Corresponding Secretary</i>.<br /> +<i>Centennial Headquarters</i>, 1,431 Chestnut street, <i>Philadelphia</i>, June 20, 1876.</p> +</blockquote> + + +<p>In addition to these letters delegates were sent to both the +Republican and Democratic conventions. Sara Andrews Spencer and +Elizabeth Boynton Harbert were present at the Republican convention +at Cincinnati; both addressed the committee on platform and +resolutions, and Mrs. Spencer, on motion of Hon.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> George F. Hoar, +was permitted to address the convention. Mrs. Virginia L. Minor and +Miss Phoebe W. Couzins were the delegates to the Democratic +convention at St. Louis, and the latter addressed that vast +assembly.<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a></p> + +<p>For a long time there had been a growing demand for a woman's +declaration to be issued on July Fourth, 1876. "Let us then protest +against the falsehood of the nation"; "If the old Declaration does +not include women, let us have one that will"; "Let our rulers be +arraigned"; "A declaration of independence for women must be issued +on the Fourth of July, 1876," were demands that came from all parts +of the country. The officers of the association had long had such +action in view, having, at the Washington convention, early in +1875, announced their intention of working in Philadelphia during +the centennial season, and were strengthened in their determination +by the hearty indorsement they received. At the May convention in +New York, Matilda Joslyn Gage, in her opening speech, announced +that a declaration of independence for women would be issued on the +Fourth of July, 1876. In response to this general feeling, the +officers of the National Association prepared a declaration of +rights of the women of the United States, and articles of +impeachment against the government.</p> + +<p>Application was made by the secretary, Miss Anthony, to General +Hawley, president of the centennial commission, for seats for fifty +officers of the association. General Hawley replied that "only +officials were invited"—that even his own wife had no place—that +merely representatives and officers of the government had seats +assigned them. "Then" said she, "as women have no share in the +government, they are to have no seats on the platform," to which +General Hawley assented; adding, however, that Mrs. Gillespie, of +the woman's centennial commission, had fifty seats placed at her +disposal, thus showing it to be in his power to grant places to +women whenever he so chose to do. Miss Anthony said: "I ask seats +for the officers of the National Woman Suffrage Association; we +represent one-half the people, and why should we be denied all part +in this centennial celebration?" Miss Anthony, however, secured a +reporter's ticket by virtue of representing her brother's paper, +<i>The Leavenworth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> Times</i>, and, ultimately, cards of invitation were +sent to four others,<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> representing the 20,000,000 disfranchised +citizens of the nation.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Stanton, as president of the association, wrote General +Hawley, asking the opportunity to present the woman's protest and +bill of rights at the close of the reading of the Declaration of +Independence. Just its simple presentation and nothing more. She +wrote:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We do not ask to read our declaration, only to present it to the +president of the United States, that it may become an historical +part of the proceedings. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Spencer, bearer of this letter, in presenting it to General +Hawley, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The women of the United States make a slight request on the +occasion of the centennial celebration of the birth of the +nation; we only ask that we may silently present our declaration +of rights.</p> + +<p>General <span class="smcap">Hawley</span> replied: It seems a very slight request, but our +programme is published, our speakers engaged, our arrangements +for the day decided upon, and we can not make even so slight a +change as that you ask.</p> + +<p>Mrs. <span class="smcap">Spencer</span> replied: We are aware that your programme is +published, your speakers engaged, your entire arrangements +decided upon, without consulting with the women of the United +States; for that very reason we desire to enter our protest. We +are aware that this government has been conducted for one hundred +years without consulting the women of the United States; for this +reason we desire to enter our protest.</p> + +<p>General <span class="smcap">Hawley</span> replied: Undoubtedly we have not lived up to our +own original Declaration of Independence in many respects. I +express no opinion upon your question. It is a proper subject of +discussion at the Cincinnati convention, at the St. Louis +convention,, in the Senate of the United States, in the State +legislatures, in the courts, wherever you can obtain a hearing. +But to-morrow we propose to celebrate what we have done the last +hundred years; not what we have failed to do. We have much to do +in the future. I understand the full significance of your very +slight request. If granted, it would be the event of the day—the +topic of discussion to the exclusion of all others. I am sorry to +refuse so slight a demand; we cannot grant it. </p></blockquote> + +<p>General Hawley also addressed a letter to Mrs. Stanton:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Madam</span>: I regret to say it is impossible for us to make any +change in our programme, or make any addition to it at this late +hour.</p> + +<p class="ltr-closing">Yours very respectfully,</p> +<p class="ltr-from2"><span class="smcap">Jos. R. Hawley</span>, <i>President U. S. C. C.</i></p> +</blockquote> + +<p>As General Grant was not to attend the celebration, the acting +vice-president, Thomas W. Ferry, representing the government,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> was +to officiate in his place, and he, too, was addressed by note, and +courteously requested to make time for the reception of this +declaration. As Mr. Ferry was a well-known sympathizer with the +demands of woman for political rights, it was presumable that he +would render his aid. Yet he was forgetful that in his position +that day he represented, not the exposition, but the government of +a hundred years, and he too refused; thus this simple request of +woman for a half moment's recognition on the nation's centennial +birthday was denied by all in authority.<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> ] While the women of +the nation were thus absolutely forbidden the right of public +protest, lavish preparations were made for the reception and +entertainment of foreign potentates and the myrmidons of monarchial +institutions. Dom Pedro, emperor of Brazil, a representative of +that form of government against which the United States is a +perpetual defiance and protest, was welcomed with fulsome +adulation, and given a seat of honor near the officers of the day; +Prince Oscar of Sweden, a stripling of sixteen, on whose shoulder +rests the promise of a future kingship, was seated near. Count +Rochambeau of France, the Japanese commissioners, high officials +from Russia and Prussia, from Austria, Spain, England, Turkey, +representing the barbarism and semi-civilization of the day, found +no difficulty in securing recognition and places of honor upon that +platform, where representative womanhood was denied.</p> + +<p>Though refused by their own countrymen a place and part in the +centennial celebration, the women who had taken this presentation +in hand were not to be conquered. They had respectfully asked for +recognition; now that it had been denied, they determined to seize +upon the moment when the reading of the Declaration of Independence +closed, to proclaim to the world the tyranny and injustice of the +nation toward one-half its people. Five officers of the National +Woman Suffrage Association, with that heroic spirit which has ever +animated lovers of liberty in resistance to tyranny, determined, +whatever the result, to present the woman's declaration of rights +at the chosen hour. They would not, they dared not sacrifice the +golden opportunity<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> to which they had so long looked forward; their +work was not for themselves alone, nor for the present generation, +but for all women of all time. The hopes of posterity were in their +hands and they determined to place on record for the daughters of +1976, the fact that their mothers of 1876 had asserted their +equality of rights, and impeached the government of that day for +its injustice toward woman. Thus, in taking a grander step toward +freedom than ever before, they would leave one bright remembrance +for the women of the next centennial.</p> + +<p>That historic Fourth of July dawned at last, one of the most +oppressive days of that terribly heated season. Susan B. Anthony, +Matilda Joslyn Gage, Sara Andrews Spencer, Lillie Devereux Blake +and Phoebe W. Couzins made their way through the crowds under the +broiling sun to Independence Square, carrying the Woman's +Declaration of Rights. This declaration had been handsomely +engrossed by one of their number, and signed by the oldest and most +prominent advocates of woman's enfranchisement. Their tickets of +admission proved open sesame through the military and all other +barriers, and a few moments before the opening of the ceremonies, +these women found themselves within the precincts from which most +of their sex were excluded.</p> + +<p>The declaration of 1776 was read by Richard Henry Lee, of Virginia, +about whose family clusters so much of historic fame. The close of +his reading was deemed the appropriate moment for the presentation +of the woman's declaration. Not quite sure how their approach might +be met—not quite certain if at this final moment they would be +permitted to reach the presiding officer—those ladies arose and +made their way down the aisle. The bustle of preparation for the +Brazilian hymn covered their advance. The foreign guests, the +military and civil officers who filled the space directly in front +of the speaker's stand, courteously made way, while Miss Anthony in +fitting words presented the declaration. Mr. Ferry's face paled, as +bowing low, with no word, he received the declaration, which thus +became part of the day's proceedings; the ladies turned, scattering +printed copies, as they deliberately walked down the platform. On +every side eager hands were stretched; men stood on seats and asked +for them, while General Hawley, thus defied and beaten in his +audacious denial to women the right to present their declaration, +shouted, "Order, order!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span></p> + +<p>Passing out, these ladies made their way to a platform erected for +the musicians in front of Independence Hall. Here on this old +historic ground, under the shadow of Washington's statue, back of +them the old bell that proclaimed "liberty to all the land, and all +the inhabitants thereof," they took their places, and to a +listening, applauding crowd, Miss Anthony read<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> the Declaration +of Rights for Women by the National Woman Suffrage Association, +July 4, 1876:</p> + +<blockquote><p>While the nation is buoyant with patriotism, and all hearts are +attuned to praise, it is with sorrow we come to strike the one +discordant note, on this one-hundredth anniversary of our +country's birth. When subjects of kings, emperors, and czars, +from the old world join in our national jubilee, shall the women +of the republic refuse to lay their hands with benedictions on +the nation's head? Surveying America's exposition, surpassing in +magnificence those of London, Paris, and Vienna, shall we not +rejoice at the success of the youngest rival among the nations of +the earth? May not our hearts, in unison with all, swell with +pride at our great achievements as a people; our free speech, +free press, free schools, free church, and the rapid progress we +have made in material wealth, trade, commerce and the inventive +arts? And we do rejoice in the success, thus far, of our +experiment of self-government. Our faith is firm and unwavering +in the broad principles of human rights proclaimed in 1776, not +only as abstract truths, but as the corner stones of a republic. +Yet we cannot forget, even in this glad hour, that while all men +of every race, and clime, and condition, have been invested with +the full rights of citizenship under our hospitable flag, all +women still suffer the degradation of disfranchisement.</p> + +<p>The history of our country the past hundred years has been a +series of assumptions and usurpations of power over woman, in +direct opposition to the principles of just government, +acknowledged by the United States as its foundation, which are:</p> + +<p><i>First</i>—The natural rights of each individual.</p> + +<p><i>Second</i>—The equality of these rights.</p> + +<p><i>Third</i>—That rights not delegated are retained by the +individual.</p> + +<p><i>Fourth</i>—That no person can exercise the rights of others +without delegated authority.</p> + +<p><i>Fifth</i>—That the non-use of rights does not destroy them.</p> + +<p>And for the violation of these fundamental principles of our +government, we arraign our rulers on this Fourth day of July, +1876,—and these are our articles of impeachment:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Bills of attainder</i> have been passed by the introduction of the +word "male" into all the State constitutions, denying to women +the right of suffrage, and thereby making<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> sex a crime—an +exercise of power clearly forbidden in article I, sections 9, 10, +of the United States constitution.</p> + +<p><i>The writ of habeas corpus</i>, the only protection against <i>lettres +de cachet</i> and all forms of unjust imprisonment, which the +constitution declares "shall not be suspended, except when in +cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety demands it," is +held inoperative in every State of the Union, in case of a +married woman against her husband—the marital rights of the +husband being in all cases primary, and the rights of the wife +secondary.</p> + +<p><i>The right of trial by a jury of one's peers</i> was so jealously +guarded that States refused to ratify the original constitution +until it was guaranteed by the sixth amendment. And yet the women +of this nation have never been allowed a jury of their +peers—being tried in all cases by men, native and foreign, +educated and ignorant, virtuous and vicious. Young girls have +been arraigned in our courts for the crime of infanticide; tried, +convicted, hanged—victims, perchance, of judge, jurors, +advocates—while no woman's voice could be heard in their +defense. And not only are women denied a jury of their peers, but +in some cases, jury trial altogether. During the war, a woman was +tried and hanged by military law, in defiance of the fifth +amendment, which specifically declares: "No person shall be held +to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a +presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases ... of +persons in actual service in time of war." During the last +presidential campaign, a woman, arrested for voting, was denied +the protection of a jury, tried, convicted, and sentenced to a +fine and costs of prosecution, by the absolute power of a judge +of the Supreme Court of the United States.</p> + +<p><i>Taxation without representation</i>, the immediate cause of the +rebellion of the colonies against Great Britain, is one of the +grievous wrongs the women of this country have suffered during +the century. Deploring war, with all the demoralization that +follows in its train, we have been taxed to support standing +armies, with their waste of life and wealth. Believing in +temperance, we have been taxed to support the vice, crime and +pauperism of the liquor traffic. While we suffer its wrongs and +abuses infinitely more than man, we have no power to protect our +sons against this giant evil. During the temperance crusade, +mothers were arrested, fined, imprisoned, for even praying and +singing in the streets, while men blockade the sidewalks with +impunity, even on Sunday, with their military parades and +political processions. Believing in honesty, we are taxed to +support a dangerous army of civilians, buying and selling the +offices of government and sacrificing the best interests of the +people. And, moreover, we are taxed to support the very +legislators and judges who make laws, and render decisions +adverse to woman. And for refusing to pay such unjust taxation, +the houses, lands, bonds, and stock of women have been seized and +sold within the present year, thus proving Lord Coke's assertion, +that "The very act of taxing a man's property without his consent +is, in effect, disfranchising him of every civil right."</p> + +<p><i>Unequal codes for men and women.</i> Held by law a perpetual minor, +deemed incapable of self-protection, even in the industries of +the world, woman is denied equality of rights. The fact of sex, +not the quantity or quality of work, in most cases, decides the +pay and position; and because of this injustice thousands of +fatherless girls are compelled to choose between a life of shame +and starvation. Laws catering to man's vices have created two +codes of morals in which penalties are graded according to the +political status of the offender. Under such laws, women are +fined and imprisoned if found alone in the streets, or in public +places of resort, at certain hours. Under the pretense of +regulating public morals, police officers seizing the occupants +of disreputable houses, march the women in platoons to prison, +while the men, partners in their guilt, go free. While making a +show of virtue in forbidding the importation of Chinese women on +the Pacific coast for immoral purposes, our rulers, in many +States, and even under the shadow of the national capitol, are +now proposing to legalize the sale of American womanhood for the +same vile purposes.</p> + +<p><i>Special legislation for woman</i> has placed us in a most anomalous +position. Women invested with the rights of citizens in one +section—voters, jurors, office-holders—crossing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> an imaginary +line, are subjects in the next. In some States, a married woman +may hold property and transact business in her own name; in +others, her earnings belong to her husband. In some States, a +woman may testify against her husband, sue and be sued in the +courts; in others, she has no redress in case of damage to +person, property, or character. In case of divorce on account of +adultery in the husband, the innocent wife is held to possess no +right to children or property, unless by special decree of the +court. But in no State of the Union has the wife the right to her +own person, or to any part of the joint earnings of the +co-partnership during the life of her husband. In some States +women may enter the law schools and practice in the courts; in +others they are forbidden. In some universities girls enjoy equal +educational advantages with boys, while many of the proudest +institutions in the land deny them admittance, though the sons of +China, Japan and Africa are welcomed there. But the privileges +already granted in the several States are by no means secure. The +right of suffrage once exercised by women in certain States and +territories has been denied by subsequent legislation. A bill is +now pending in congress to disfranchise the women of Utah, thus +interfering to deprive United States citizens of the same rights +which the Supreme Court has declared the national government +powerless to protect anywhere. Laws passed after years of +untiring effort, guaranteeing married women certain rights of +property, and mothers the custody of their children, have been +repealed in States where we supposed all was safe. Thus have our +most sacred rights been made the football of legislative caprice, +proving that a power which grants as a privilege what by nature +is a right, may withhold the same as a penalty when deeming it +necessary for its own perpetuation.</p> + +<p><i>Representation of woman</i> has had no place in the nation's +thought. Since the incorporation of the thirteen original States, +twenty-four have been admitted to the Union, not one of which has +recognized woman's right of self-government. On this birthday of +our national liberties, July Fourth, 1876, Colorado, like all her +elder sisters, comes into the Union with the invidious word +"male" in her constitution.</p> + +<p><i>Universal manhood suffrage</i>, by establishing an aristocracy of +sex, imposes upon the women of this nation a more absolute and +cruel depotism than monarchy; in that, woman finds a political +master in her father, husband, brother, son. The aristocracies of +the old world are based upon birth, wealth, refinement, +education, nobility, brave deeds of chivalry; in this nation, on +sex alone; exalting brute force above moral power, vice above +virtue, ignorance above education, and the son above the mother +who bore him.</p> + +<p><i>The judiciary above the nation</i> has proved itself but the echo +of the party in power, by upholding and enforcing laws that are +opposed to the spirit and letter of the constitution. When the +slave power was dominant, the Supreme Court decided that a black +man was not a citizen, because he had not the right to vote; and +when the constitution was so amended as to make all persons +citizens, the same high tribunal decided that a woman, though a +citizen, had not the right to vote. Such vacillating +interpretations of constitutional law unsettle our faith in +judicial authority, and undermine the liberties of the whole +people. </p></blockquote> + +<p>These articles of impeachment against our rulers we now submit to +the impartial judgment of the people. To all these wrongs and +oppressions woman has not submitted in silence and resignation. +From the beginning of the century, when Abigail Adams, the wife of +one president and mother of another, said, "We will not hold +ourselves bound to obey laws in which we have no voice or +representation," until now, woman's discontent has been steadily +increasing, culminating nearly thirty years ago in a simultaneous +movement among the women of the nation, demanding the right of +suffrage. In making our just demands, a higher motive than the +pride of sex inspires us; we feel that national safety and +stability depend on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> the complete recognition of the broad +principles of our government. Woman's degraded, helpless position +is the weak point in our institutions to-day; a disturbing force +everywhere, severing family ties, filling our asylums with the +deaf, the dumb, the blind; our prisons with criminals, our cities +with drunkenness and prostitution; our homes with disease and +death. It was the boast of the founders of the republic, that the +rights for which they contended were the rights of human nature. If +these rights are ignored in the case of one-half the people, the +nation is surely preparing for its downfall. Governments try +themselves. The recognition of a governing and a governed class is +incompatible with the first principles of freedom. Woman has not +been a heedless spectator of the events of this century, nor a dull +listener to the grand arguments for the equal rights of humanity. +From the earliest history of our country woman has shown equal +devotion with man to the cause of freedom, and has stood firmly by +his side in its defense. Together, they have made this country what +it is. Woman's wealth, thought and labor have cemented the stones +of every monument man has reared to liberty.</p> + +<p>And now, at the close of a hundred years, as the hour-hand of the +great clock that marks the centuries points to 1876, we declare our +faith in the principles of self-government; our full equality with +man in natural rights; that woman was made first for her own +happiness, with the absolute right to herself—to all the +opportunities and advantages life affords for her complete +development; and we deny that dogma of the centuries, incorporated +in the codes of all nations—that woman was made for man—her best +interests, in all cases, to be sacrificed to his will. We ask of +our rulers, at this hour, no special favors, no special privileges, +no special legislation. We ask justice, we ask equality, we ask +that all the civil and political rights that belong to citizens of +the United States, be guaranteed to us and our daughters +forever.<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> </p></blockquote> + +<p>The declaration was warmly applauded at many points, and after +scattering another large number of printed copies, the delegation +hastened to the convention of the National Association. A meeting +had been appointed for twelve, in the old historic First Unitarian +church, where Rev. Wm. H. Furness preached for fifty years, but +whose pulpit was then filled by Joseph May, a son of Rev. Samuel J. +May. To this place the ladies made their way to find the church +crowded with an expectant audience, which greeted them with thanks +for what they had just done; the first act of this historic day +taking place on the old centennial platform in Independence Square, +the last<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span> in a church so long devoted to equality and justice. The +venerable Lucretia Mott, then in her eighty-fourth year, presided. +Elizabeth Cady Stanton read the Declaration of Rights. Its +reception by the listening audience proclaimed its need and its +justice. The reading was followed by speeches upon the various +points of the declaration.</p> + +<p>Belva A. Lockwood took up the judiciary, showing the way that body +lends itself to party politics. Matilda Joslyn Gage spoke upon the +writ of <i>habeas corpus</i>, showing what a mockery to married women +was that constitutional guarantee. Lucretia Mott reviewed the +progress of the reform from the first convention. Sara Andrews +Spencer illustrated the evils arising from two codes of morality. +Mrs. Devereux Blake spoke upon trial by jury; Susan B. Anthony upon +taxation without representation, illustrating her remarks by +incidents of unjust taxation of women during the present year. +Elizabeth Cady Stanton spoke upon the aristocracy of sex, and the +evils arising from manhood suffrage. Judge Esther Morris, of +Wyoming, said a few words in regard to suffrage in that territory. +Mrs. Margaret Parker, president of the woman suffrage club of +Dundee, Scotland, and of the newly-formed Christian Woman's +International Temperance Union, said she had seen nothing like this +in Great Britain—it was worth the journey across the Atlantic. Mr. +J. H. Raper, of Manchester, England, characterized it as the +historic meeting of the day, and said the patriot of a hundred +years hence would seek for every incident connected with it, and +the next centennial would be adorned by the portraits of the women +who sat upon that platform.</p> + +<p>The Hutchinsons, themselves of historic fame, were present. They +were in their happiest vein, interspersing the speeches with +appropriate and felicitous songs. Lucretia Mott did not confine +herself to a single speech, but, in Quaker style, whenever the +spirit moved made many happy points. When she first arose to speak, +a call came from the audience for her to ascend the pulpit in order +that she might be seen. As she complied with this request, +ascending the long winding staircase into the old-fashioned octagon +pulpit, she said, "I am somewhat like Zaccheus of old who climbed +the sycamore tree his Lord to see; I climb this pulpit, not because +I am of lofty mind, but because I am short of stature that you may +see me." As her sweet and placid countenance appeared above the +pulpit, the Hutchinsons, by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> happy inspiration, burst into "Nearer, +my God, to Thee." The effect was marvelous; the audience at once +arose, and spontaneously joined in the hymn.</p> + +<p>Phoebe W. Couzins, with great pathos, referred to woman's work in +the war, and the parade of the Grand Army of the Republic the +preceding evening; she said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In such an hour as this, with my soul stirred to its deepest +depths, I feel unequal to the task of uttering words befitting +the occasion, and to follow the dear saint who has just spoken; +how can I? I am but a beginner, and to-day I feel that to sit at +the feet of these dear women who have borne the heat and burden +of this contest, and to learn of them is the attitude I should +assume. It is not the time for argument or rhetoric. It is the +time for introspection and prayer. We have come from Independence +Square, where the nation is celebrating its centennial birthday +of a masculine freedom. You have just heard from Mrs. Stanton the +reading of Woman's Declaration of Rights; that document has +already been presented in engrossed form, tied with the symbolic +red, white and blue, to the presiding officer of the day, Senator +Thomas W. Ferry, on their platform in yonder square; and the John +Hampden of our cause, the immortal Susan B. Anthony, rendered it +historic, by reading it from the steps of Independence Hall, to +an immense audience there gathered, that could not gain access to +the square or platform. [Great applause.] I cannot express to you +in fitting language the thoughts and feelings which stirred me as +I sat on the platform, awaiting the presentation of that +document.</p> + +<p>We were about to commit an overt act. Gen. Hawley, president of +the centennial commission and manager of the programme, had +peremptorily forbidden its presentation. Yet in the face of +this—in the face of the assembled nation and representatives +from the crowned heads of Europe, a handful of women actuated by +the same high principles as our fathers, stirred by the same +desire for freedom, moved by the same impulse for liberty, were +to again proclaim the right of self-government; were again to +impeach the spirit of King George manifested in our rulers, and +declare that taxation without representation is tyranny, that the +divine right of one-half of the people to rule the other half is +also despotism. As I followed the reading of Richard Henry Lee, +and marked the wild enthusiasm of its reception, and remembered +that at its close, a document, as noble, as divine, as grand, as +historic as that, was to be presented <i>in silence</i>; an act, as +heroic, as worthy, as sublime, was to be performed in the face of +the contemptuous amazement of the assembled world, I trembled +with suppressed emotion. When Susan Anthony arose, with a look of +intense pain, yet heroic determination in her face, I silently +committed her to the Great Father who seëth not in part, to +strengthen and comfort her heroic heart, and then she was lost to +view in the sudden uprising caused by the burst of applause +instituted by General Hawley in behalf of the Brazilian emperor. +And thus at the close of the reading of a document which +repudiated kings and declared the right of every person to life, +to liberty<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> and the pursuit of individual happiness, the American +people, applauding a crowned monarch, received <i>in silence</i> the +immortal document and protest of its discrowned queens!</p> + +<p>Shall I recount the emotion that swayed me, as I thought of all +that woman had done to build up this country; to sustain its +unity, to perpetuate its principles; of its self-denying and +heroic Pilgrim and revolutionary mothers; of the work of woman in +the anti-slavery cause; the agony and death of her travail in its +second birth for freedom; sustaining the nation by prayers, by +self-sacrificing contributions, by patriotic endeavors, by +encouraging words; and, reviewing the programme, and all the +attendant pageants, remembered that in these grand centennial +celebrations, when the nation rounded out its first century, <i>not +a tribute</i>, not a recognition in any shape, form or manner was +paid to woman; that upon the platform, as honored guests, sat +those who had been false in the hour of our country's peril; that +upon this historic soil, stood the now freeman, once a slave, +whose liberty and life were given him at the hands of woman; that +the inhabitants of the far off isles of the sea, India, Asia, +Africa, Europe, were gladly welcomed as free citizens, while +woman, a suppliant beggar, pleaded of one man, invested with +autocratic power, for the simple boon of presenting a protest in +silence, against her degradation, and was <i>denied</i>!</p> + +<p>I stood yesterday on the corner of Broad and Chestnut streets, +watching the march of the Grand Army of the Republic. As the torn +and tattered battle flags came by, all the terrors of that war +tragedy suddenly rushed over me, and I sat down and wept. Looking +again, I saw the car of wounded, soldiers; as in thought I was +suddenly transported to the banks of the Mississippi I felt the +air full of the horrors of the battle of Shiloh, and saw two +young girls waiting the landing of a steamer that had been +dispatched to succor the wounded on that terrible field. They +were watching for "mother"—who for the first time had left her +home charge, and hushing her own heart's pleadings, heard only +her country's call, and gone down to that field of carnage to +tenderly care for the soldier. As they boarded the steamer; what +a sight met their eyes! Maimed, bleeding, dying soldiers by the +hundreds, were on cots on deck, on boxes filled with amputated +limbs, and the dead were awaiting the last sad rites. Like +ministering angels walked two women, their mother and the now +sainted Margaret Breckenridge of Kentucky, amid these rows of +sufferers, with strong nerve and steady arm, comforting the +soldier boy, so far from friends and home; binding up the ghastly +wound, bathing the feverish brow, smoothing the dying pillow, and +with tender mother's prayer and tear, closing the eyes of the +dead. The first revelation of war; how it burned our youthful +brain! How it moved us to divine compassion, how it stirred us to +even give up our mother to the work for years, as we heard the +piteous pleading, "Don't leave us, mother"—"Oh, mother, we can +never forget." But alas they <i>did</i> forget! This scene repeated +again, and again, during that long conflict, with hundreds of +women offering a like service in camp and floating hospital, +leaving sweet homes, without money, price or thought of +emolument, going to these battle-fields and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> tenderly nursing the +army of the republic to life again; while back of them were tens +of thousands other women of the great sanitary army, who, in +self-sacrifice at home, were sending lint, bandages, clothing, +delicacies of food and raiment of all kinds, by car-load and +ship-load, to comfort and ameliorate the sufferings of the grand +army of the republic, and yet as I watched its march in this +centennial year, its gala day—<i>not a tribute</i> marked its +gratitude to her who had proved its savior and friend, in the +hour of peril.</p> + +<p>Again, came the colored man in rank and file—and in thought I +saw the fifteenth-amendment jubilee, which proclaimed his +emancipation. As banner after banner passed me, with the name of +Garrison, of Phillips, of Douglass, I looked in vain for the name +of Harriet Beecher Stowe, whose one book, "Uncle Tom's +Cabin"—did more to arouse the whole world to the horrors of +slavery, than did the words or works of any ten men. I searched +for a tribute to Lucretia Mott and other women of that conflict, +but none appeared. And so to-day, standing here with heart and +brain convulsed with all these memories and scenes, can you +wonder that we are stirred to profoundest depths, as we review +the base ingratitude of this nation to its women? It has taxed +its women, and asked the women, in whose veins flows the blood of +their Pilgrim and Revolutionary mothers, to assist by money, +individual effort and presence, to make it a year of jubilee for +the proclamation of a ransomed male nationality. Zenobia, in +gilded chains it may be, but chains nevertheless, marches through +the streets of Philadelphia to-day, an appendage of the chariot +wheels which proclaim the coming of her king, her lord, her +master, whether he be white or black, native or foreign-born, +virtuous or vile, lettered or unlettered. As the state-house +bell, with its inscription, "Proclaim liberty—throughout the +land, unto all the inhabitants thereof," pealed forth its +jubilant reiteration,—the daughters of Jefferson, of Hancock, of +Adams, and Patrick Henry, who have been politically outlawed and +ostracized by their own countrymen, here had no liberty +proclaimed for them; they are not inhabitants, only sojourners in +the land of their fathers, and as the slaves in meek subjection +to the will of the master placed the crown of sovereignty on the +alien from Europe, Asia, Africa, she is asked to sing in dulcet +strains: "The king is dead—long live the king!"</p> + +<p>And thus to-day we round out the first century of a professed +republic,—with woman figuratively representing freedom—and yet +all free, save woman. </p></blockquote> + +<p>For five long hours of that hot mid-summer's day, that crowded +audience listened earnestly to woman's demand for equality of +rights before the law. When the convention at last adjourned, the +Hutchinsons singing, "A Hundred Years Hence,"<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> it was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> slowly +and reluctantly that the great audience left the house. Judged by +its immediate influence, it was a wonderful meeting. No elaborate +preparations had been made, for not until late on Friday evening +had it been decided upon, hoping still, as we did, for a +recognition in the general celebration on Independence Square. +Speakers were not prepared, hardly a moment of thought had been +given as to what should be said, but words fitting for the hour +came to lips rendered eloquent by the pressure of intense emotion.</p> + +<p>Day after day visitors to the woman suffrage parlors referred to +this meeting in glowing terms. Ladies from distant States, in +Philadelphia to visit the exposition, said that meeting was worth +the whole expense of the journey. Young women with all the +attractions of the day and the exposition enticing them, yet said, +"The best of all I have seen in Philadelphia was that meeting." +Women to whom a dollar was of great value, said, "As much as I need +money, I would not have missed that meeting for a hundred dollars"; +while in the midst of conversation visitors would burst forth, "Was +there <i>ever</i> such a meeting as that in Dr. Furness' church?" and +thus was Woman's Declaration of Rights joyously received.</p> + +<p>The day was also celebrated by women in convocations of their own +all over the country.<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p> + +<p>An interesting feature of the centennial parlors was an immense +autograph book, in which the names of friends to the movement were +registered by the thousands, some penned on that historic day and +sent from the old world and the new, and others written on the spot +during these eventful months. From the tidings of all these +enthusiastic assemblies and immense number of letters<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> received +in Philadelphia, unitedly demanding an extension of their rights, +it was evident that the thinking women of the nation were hopefully +waiting in the dawn of the new century for greater liberties to +themselves.</p> + +<p>From "Aunt Lottie's Centennial Letters to her Nieces and Nephews," +we give the one describing this occasion:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">My Dears</span>: I suppose I had best tell you in this letter about the +Fourth of July celebration at the centennial city—at least that +portion of it that I know about, and which I would not have +missed for the exhibition itself, and which I would not have you +miss for all the rest of my letters. I cannot expect you to be as +much interested in it as was I, but it is time you were becoming +interested in the subject; and, if you live a half century from +this time (in less than that, I hope,) you will see that what I +am about to relate was, as General Hawley admitted it would be, +"the event of the occasion."</p> + +<p>At the commencement of the exhibition, Miss Susan B. Anthony and +Mrs. Matilda Joslyn Gage came to Philadelphia and procured the +parlors of 1,431 Chestnut street for the accommodation of the +National Woman Suffrage Association. These rooms were open to the +friends of the association, and public receptions were held and +well attended every Tuesday and Friday evening. During these +months these two ladies—assisted the latter part of the time by +Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton—were engaged in preparing a history +of the suffrage movement and a declaration of rights to be +presented at the great centennial celebration of the Fourth of +July, 1876. This document is in form like the first declaration +of a hundred years ago, handsomely engrossed by Mrs. Sara Andrews +Spencer, of Washington—a lady delegate to the Cincinnati +Republican convention, June 12.</p> + +<p>The celebration was held in Independence Square, just back of the +old state-house where the first declaration was signed. There was +a great crowd of people collected; a poem was read by Bayard +Taylor and a speech delivered by William M. Evarts. But I knew it +was useless to go there expecting to hear any portion of either; +so I waited until twelve o'clock and then rode down in the cars +to Dr. Furness' church, corner of Broad and Locust streets, where +these ladies were to hold their meeting. The church was full, and +the exercises were opened by Mrs. Mott—the venerable and +venerated president—a Quaker lady of slight form, attired in a +plain, light-silk gown, white muslin neckerchief and cap, after +that exquisitely neat and quaint fashion. Then the Hutchinsons +sang a hymn,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> in which all were requested to join. Afterward Mrs. +Stanton came to the front of the pulpit, the house was hushed, to +a reverential stillness, and I never yet heard anything so solemn +and impressive as her reading of the Declaration of Rights of the +Women of the United States.</p> + +<p>A printed copy had been given me the day before, when between the +sessions of the New England American Association in the Academy +of Music, where were Lucy Stone, Julia Ward Howe, Rev. Antoinette +Brown Blackwell, Elizabeth K. Churchill and other pleasant-faced, +sweet-voiced ladies, I had called at the rooms on Chestnut street +and folded declarations, for half an hour with Mrs. Stanton, +which they were distributing by post and in every way all over +the land. When I read it at home that night I realized its +importance, but as the next day (the Fourth) was excessively +warm, I very nearly gave up going, and then I should have missed +the impressiveness of her reading. When she first commenced, her +voice seemed choked with emotion. She must have realized what she +was doing, as we all knew it was the grandest thing that had been +done in a hundred years. Thrill after thrill went through my +veins, and the whole scene formed a picture that will yet be the +subject of artists' pencils and poets' pens. I should have been +contented to have had the meeting closed then with that best song +of the Hutchinsons upon the progress of reform, where the young +gentleman was so much applauded for his solo, "When Women Shall +be Free." Still we were all interested in Mrs. Spencer's account +of her interview with General Hawley, and his refusal to permit +the silent handing-in of the declaration, which, after her +persistence, assuring him "it would not take three minutes," he +was obliged to confess was because he was "very well aware it +would be the event of the occasion." "Immediately," said Mrs. +Spencer, "you cannot imagine what an inspiration we all had to do +it; for," added the slight, fair-haired, fluent lady, in a +humorous manner that called forth laughter and applause, "I never +yet was forbidden by a man to do a thing, but that I resolved to +do it."</p> + +<p>We were also pleased to hear from that earnest woman, Susan B. +Anthony, inspired by the immutable abstract truths of justice and +equity. Reports say that she has the air of a Catholic devotee. +She said that in defiance of "the powers that be" she took a +place on that platform in Independence square, and at the proper +time delivered the engrossed copy of the declaration to the Hon. +T. W. Ferry, who received it with a courteous bow; and afterward +on the steps of Independence Hall she read it to an assembled +multitude. She had done her centennial day's work for all time; +and small wonder that mind and body craved rest after such +tension. She is yet under a hundred dollars fine for voting at +Rochester, and although from her lectures the last six years she +has paid $10,000 indebtedness on <i>The Revolution</i>, she said she +never would have paid that fine had she been imprisoned till now.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lucretia Mott, whom the younger Hutchinson<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a> assisted into +the pulpit—a beautiful sight to see cultured youth supporting +refined old age—stated that she went up there, "not because she +was higher-minded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> than the rest, but so that her enfeebled voice +might be better heard." The dear old soul is so much stronger +than her body, that it would seem that she must have greatly +overtasked herself; though an inspired soul has wonderful +recuperative forces at command for the temple it inhabits. A +goodly number of gentlemen were present at this meeting and that +of the day before—three or four of them making short speeches. A +Mr. Raper of England, strongly interested in the temperance and +woman suffrage cause, told us that in his country "all women +tax-payers voted for guardians of the poor, upon all educational +matters, and also upon all municipal affairs. In that respect she +was in advance of this professed republic. In England there is an +hereditary aristocracy, here, an aristocracy of sex"; or, as the +spirited Lillie Devereux Blake who was present once amusingly +termed it, of "the bifurcated garment." And now perhaps some +materially-minded person will ask, "What are you going to do +about it? You can't fight!" forgetting that we are now fighting +the greatest of all battles, and that the weapons of woman's +warfare, like her nature at its best development, are moral and +spiritual.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">Lewise Oliver.</p> +<p class="ltr-left0"><i>Philadelphia</i>, July 13, 1876.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The press of the country commented extensively upon the action of +the women:</p> + +<blockquote><p>At noon to-day, in the First Unitarian church, corner Tenth and +South, the National Woman Suffrage Association will present the +Woman's Declaration of Rights. The association will hold a +convention at the same time and place, at which Lucretia Mott is +announced to preside, and several ladies to make speeches. Most +of the ladies are known as women of ability and earnest apostles +of the creed they have espoused for the political enfranchisement +of women. Their declaration of rights, we do not doubt, will be +strongly enforced. These ladies, or some of them, have been +assigned places upon the platform at the grand celebration +ceremonies to take place in Independence Square to-day; and they +have requested leave to present their declaration of rights in +form on that occasion. They do not ask to have it read, we +believe, but simply that the statement of their case shall go on +file with the general archives of the day, so that the women of +1976 may see that their predecessors of 1876 did not let the +centennial year of independence pass without +protest.—[Philadelphia <i>Ledger</i>, July 4.</p> + +<p>There was yet another incident of the Fourth, in Independence +Square. Immediately after the Declaration of Independence had +been read by Richard Henry Lee, and while the strains of the +"Greeting from Brazil" were rising upon the air, two ladies +pushed their way vigorously through the crowd and appeared upon +the speaker's platform. They were Susan B. Anthony and Matilda +Joslyn Gage. Hustling generals aside, elbowing governors, and +almost upsetting Dom Pedro in their charge, they reached +Vice-President Ferry, and handed him a scroll about three feet +long, tied with ribbons of various colors. He was seen to bow and +look bewildered; but they had retreated in the same vigorous +manner before the explanation was whispered about. It appears +that they demanded a change of programme for the sake of reading +their address; but if so, this was probably a mere form intended +for future effect. More than six months ago some of the advocates +of female suffrage began in this city their crusade against +celebrating the centennial anniversary of a nation wherein women +are not permitted to vote. The demand of Miss Anthony and Mrs. +Gage to be allowed to take part in a commemoration which many of +their associates discouraged and denounced, would have been a +cool proceeding had it been made in advance. Made, as it was, +through a very discourteous interruption, it pre-figures<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> new +forms of violence and disregard of order which may accompany the +participation of women in active partisan politics.—[New York +<i>Tribune</i>.</p> + +<p>The letter of a correspondent, printed in another column, +describing the presentation of a woman's bill of rights, in +Independence Square on the Fourth of July, will interest all +readers, whether or not they think with the correspondent, that +this little affair was the most important of the day's +proceedings. We have not a doubt that the persons who were +concerned in the affair enjoyed it heartily. Those of them who +made speeches naturally regarded their eloquence as a thing to +stir the nation. All persons who make speeches do. The day was a +warm one, and imagination, like the fire-cracker, was on fire. In +the heat of the occasion, of course, the women who want to vote +and who desire the protection of the writ of <i>habeas corpus</i> +against the tyranny of actual or possible husbands, felt that +they were making great folios of history; but the sagacity of the +press agents and reporters was not at fault. The gatherers of +news know very well what they are about; and when they decided to +omit this part of the proceedings from their reports, they simply +obeyed that instinct upon which their livelihood depends—the +instinct, namely, to write only of matters in which the public is +interested.</p> + +<p>The good women who wrote and published this declaration, fancying +that they were throwing a bombshell into the gathered crowds of +American (male) citizens, are very much in earnest, doubtless, +and are entitled—we have platform authority for saying it—to +"respectful consideration"; but their movement scarcely rises, as +yet at least, to the dignity of a great historical event. There +is a prevailing indifference to their cause which is against it. +The public is not aroused to a fever heat of indignation over the +wrongs which women are everywhere suffering at the hands of the +tyrants called husbands. The popular mind is not yet awake to the +fact that men usually imprison their wives in back parlors and +maltreat them shamefully. The witnesses, wives to wit, refuse to +bear testimony to this effect, and the public placidly accepts +appearance for reality and believes that the gentlewomen who ride +about in their carriages or haunt the shops of our cities in gay +apparel are reasonably well contented with their lot in life. In +a word, it is not hostility so much as calm indifference with +which the advocates of woman suffrage have to contend, and +unluckily for them the indifference is very largely +feminine.—[New York <i>Evening Post</i>.</p> + +<p>There is something awful in the thought that should the woman +suffragists be continually refused a voice in the affairs of the +nation they might at last in a fit of desperation, do what our +fathers did, and frame a declaration of independence, No, 2. Just +think of an army of crinolines willing to take arms against the +tyrant man, and sacrifice their lives, if need be, to carry out +their principles! It is easier to ridicule the woman suffrage +movement than to answer the arguments advanced by some of the +leading advocates of that question. It is only the innate +mildness of the position of women in general that has prevented a +revolution on this same subject long ago. One hundred thousand +such fire-eaters as Susan B. Anthony or Elizabeth Cady Stanton in +the land, could raise a rumpus which would cause the late +unpleasantness to pale into insignificance. Armed and equipped, +what a sight would be presented by an army of strong-minded +women! There would be no considering the question of whether the +cavalry should ride side-saddle, or <i>a la</i> clothes-pin. Such +detail would be of too small importance to receive the slightest +attention; the more vital questions would be, "How can we +slaughter the most men?" "How can we soonest convince the demons +that we have rights which must be respected?" The fact is, that +if these down-trodden women would take a firm stand in any thing +like respectable numbers, and assert their claims to suffrage at +the point of the bayonet, they would be allowed everything they +asked for. There is not a man in the land who would dare to take +up arms against a woman. Such a dernier resort on the part of the +women would be truly laughable, but the matter would cease to be +a joke, if General Susan B. Anthony, in command of a bloomer +regiment, should march into the halls of congress, armed +<i>cap-a-pie</i>, and demand the passage of a law in behalf of woman +suffrage, or the alternative of the general cleaning<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> out of the +whole body. There is no immediate prospect of such an event, but +"hell hath no furies like a woman scorned." Long and loud have +been the appeals of the fair sex for recognition at the +ballot-box. With that faithful zeal so truly characteristic of +her sex, she has each time, for many years in the history of this +country, presented herself before the curious gaze of our +national conventions, asking, with no little stress of argument, +for a woman's plank in the platforms. If she has been heard at +all in the framed resolutions of the parties, the feeling +prevailing in the conventions has been rather to pacify and put +her off, than to grant her request through motives of political +policy. If perseverance is to be awarded, the agitators of the +woman question will yet carry off the prize they seek. Death +alone can silence such women as Susan B. Anthony and Cady +Stanton, and their teachings will live after them and unite +others of their sex into strong bands of sisterhood in a common +cause. It is safe to say, if events march on in the same +direction they have since the calling of the first National +Woman's Convention, another centennial will see woman in the +halls of legislation throughout the land, and so far as we are +concerned we have no objection, so long as she behaves +herself.—[St. Louis <i>Dispatch</i>, July 13.</p> + +<p>It is a curious anomaly that the movement for national woman +suffrage in our country is most obstructed by women, and that +even where the men have doubts, their natural admiration for the +gentler sex almost converts them into champions. Certain it is +that the Declaration of Rights of the Women of the United States +that the National Woman Suffrage Association presented to the +vice-president, Mr. Ferry, while he was surrounded by foreign +princes and potentates and by the governors of most of the States +of the union, faced at the same time by a countless mass of +American and foreign visitors—certain it is, we repeat, that +when this altogether unique paper was presented by Miss Susan B. +Anthony and her sisters, it became a record in the minds and +memory of all who witnessed the strange proceeding. And it is a +very well written statement, and no doubt one hundred years hence +it will be read with an interest not less ecstatic than the +enthusiasm of its present pioneers; for, in the interval, these +advanced women may have won for their withholding sisters the +entire list of male prerogatives. What adds to the force of the +present woman suffrage party is the dignity, intelligence and +purity of its participants. The venerable Lucretia Mott; the +honest, straightforward Susan B. Anthony; the cultivated Ellen +Clark Sargent (wife of the California senator); the beloved +Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and indeed all the names attached to the +declaration command our respect. Whatever we may think of the +points of the declaration itself, with all our sincere admiration +of these gentlewomen, increased by the knowledge everywhere that +they are ardent republicans, we fear that their weakness, to +employ a paradox, consists in their strength, or, in other words, +that it is difficult to induce even the most benevolent and +sympathetic observer to believe that they are really as much +persecuted and oppressed as they claim to be. When the colored +man demanded his rights they were given to him because these +rights in republican constitutions were regarded as inherent, and +also because he had reciprocal duties to discharge, and heavy +burdens to carry, and when the Southern confederate demanded +restitution of his rights, he rested his claim upon the double +basis that he had earned forgiveness by his bravery, and that +political disfranchisement did not belong to a republican +example. Fortunately or unfortunately, it is very different with +the ladies; and so when they come forward insisting upon rights +heretofore accorded to men alone, they must encounter all the +differences created by the delicacy of their own sisters and the +reverence and love of the men, and the hard fact that these two +influences have made it heretofore impossible for women to +descend to the arena of politics. Having said this much, we +present a few of the cardinal points of the woman's declaration +of rights laid before the august memorial centennial celebration +last Tuesday, July 4, 1876.—[Philadelphia <i>Press</i>, July 15. </p></blockquote> + +<p>On July 19, the Citizens' Suffrage Association, of Philadelphia, +joined with the National Association in commemorating the first<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> +woman's rights convention called by Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth +Cady Stanton, at Seneca Falls, N. Y., July 19, 1848—thus +celebrating the twenty-eighth anniversary of that historic event. +The meeting was presided over by Edward M. Davis, president of the +association, son-in-law of Lucretia Mott, and one of the most +untiring workers in the cause. The venerable Lucretia Mott +addressed the meeting, and Miss Anthony read letters from several +of the earliest and most valued pioneers of the movement:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Tenafly</span>, New Jersey, July 19, 1876.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lucretia Mott</span>—<i>Esteemed Friend</i>: It is twenty-eight years ago +to-day since the first woman's rights convention ever held +assembled in the Wesleyan chapel at Seneca Falls, N. Y. Could we +have foreseen, when we called that convention, the ridicule, +persecution, and misrepresentation that the demand for woman's +political, religious and social equality would involve; the long, +weary years of waiting and hoping without success; I fear we +should not have had the courage and conscience to begin such a +protracted struggle, nor the faith and hope to continue the work. +Fortunately for all reforms, the leaders, not seeing the +obstacles which block the way, start with the hope of a speedy +success. Our demands at the first seemed so rational that I +thought the mere statement of woman's wrongs would bring +immediate redress. I thought an appeal to the reason and +conscience of men against the unjust and unequal laws for women +that disgraced our statute books, must settle the question. But I +soon found, while no attempt was made to answer our arguments, +that an opposition, bitter, malignant, and persevering, rooted in +custom and prejudice, grew stronger with every new demand made, +with every new privilege granted.</p> + +<p>How well I remember that July day when the leading ladies and +gentlemen of the busy town crowded into the little church; +lawyers loaded with books, to expound to us the laws; ladies with +their essays, and we who had called the convention, with our +declaration of rights, speeches, and resolutions. With what +dignity James Mott, your sainted husband, tall and stately, in +Quaker costume, presided over our novel proceedings. And your +noble sister, Martha C. Wright, was there. Her wit and wisdom +contributed much to the interest of our proceedings, and her +counsel in a large measure to what success we claimed for our +first convention. While so many of those early friends fell off +through indifference, fear of ridicule and growing conservatism, +she remained through these long years of trial steadfast to the +close of a brave, true life. She has been present at nearly every +convention, with her encouraging words and generous +contributions, and being well versed in Cushing's Manual, has +been one of our chief presiding officers. And my heart is filled +with gratitude, even at this late day, as I recall the +earnestness and eloquence with which Frederick Douglass advocated +our cause, though at that time he had no rights himself that any +white man was bound to respect. I marvel now, that in our +inexperience the interest was so well sustained through two +entire days, and that when the meeting adjourned everybody signed +the declaration and went home feeling that a new era had dawned +for woman. What had been done and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span> said seemed so preëminently +wise and proper that none of us thought of being ridiculed, +ostracised, or suspected of evil. But what was our surprise and +chagrin to find ourselves, in a few days, the target for the +press of the nation; the New York <i>Tribune</i> being our only strong +arm of defense.</p> + +<p>Looking over these twenty-eight years, I feel that what we have +achieved, as yet, bears no proportion to what we have suffered in +the daily humiliation of spirit from the cruel distinctions based +on sex. Though our State laws have been essentially changed, and +positions in the schools, professions, and world of work secured +to woman, unthought of thirty years ago, yet the undercurrent of +popular thought, as seen in our social habits, theological +dogmas, and political theories, still reflects the same customs, +creeds, and codes that degrade women in the effete civilizations +of the old world. Educated in the best schools to logical +reasoning, trained to liberal thought in politics, religion and +social ethics under republican institutions, American women +cannot brook the discriminations in regard to sex that were +patiently accepted by the ignorant in barbarous ages as divine +law. And yet subjects of emperors in the old world, with their +narrow ideas of individual rights, their contempt of all +womankind, come here to teach the mothers of this republic their +true work and sphere. Such men as Carl Schurz, breathing for the +first time the free air of our free land, object to what we +consider the higher education of women, fitting them for the +trades and professions, for the sciences and arts, and +self-complacently point Lucretia Mott, Maria Mitchell, Harriet +Beecher Stowe, Susan B. Anthony, to their appropriate sphere, as +housekeepers with a string of keys, like Madam Bismark, dangling +around their waists.</p> + +<p>The Rev. J. G. Holland, the Tupper of our American literature, +thanks his Creator that woman has no specialty. She was called +into being for man's happiness and interest—his helpmeet—to +wait and watch his movements, to second his endeavors, to fight +the hard battle of life behind him whose brain may be dizzy with +excess, whose limbs may be paralyzed, or if sound in body, may be +without aim or ambition, without plans or projects, destitute of +executive ability or good judgment in the business affairs of +life. And such sentimentalists, after demoralizing women with +their twaddle, discourage our demand for the right of suffrage by +pointing us to the fact that the majority of women are +indifferent to this movement in their behalf. Suppose they are; +have not the masses of all oppressed classes been apathetic and +indifferent until partial success crowned the enthusiasm of the +few? Carl Schurz would not have been exiled from his native land +could he have roused the majority of his countrymen to the same +love of liberty which burned in his own soul. Were his dreams of +freedom less real because the stolid masses were not awake to +their significance? Shall a soul that accepts martyrdom for a +principle be told he is sacrificing himself to a shadow because +the multitude can neither see nor appreciate the idea?</p> + +<p>I do not feel like rejoicing over any privileges already granted +to my sex, until all our rights are conceded and secured and the +principle of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> equality recognized and proclaimed, for every step +that brings us to a more equal plane with man but makes us more +keenly feel the loss of those rights we are still denied—more +susceptible to the insults of his assumptions and usurpations of +power. As I sum up the indignities toward women, as illustrated +by recent judicial decisions—denied the right to vote, denied +the right to practice in the Supreme Court, denied jury trial—I +feel the degradation of sex more bitterly than I did on that July +19, 1848, and never more than in listening to your speech in +Philadelphia on the Fourth of July, our nation's centennial +birthday, remembering that neither years nor wisdom, brave words +nor noble deeds, could secure political honor or call forth +national homage for women. Let it be remembered by our daughters +in future generations that Lucretia Mott, in the eighty-fourth +year of her age, asked permission, as the representative woman of +this great movement for the enfranchisement of her sex, to +present at the centennial celebration of our national liberties, +Woman's Declaration of Rights, and was refused! This was the +"respectful consideration" vouchsafed American women at the close +of the first century of our national life.</p> + +<p>May we now safely prophesy justice, liberty, equality for our +daughters ere another centennial birthday shall dawn upon us!</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Elizabeth Cady Stanton</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Sincerely yours,</p> + + +<p class="ltr-date ltr-break"><span class="smcap">Detroit</span>, July 17, 1876.</p> + +<p class="hang"><i>To Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Mary Ann McClintock and +daughters, Amy Post, and all associated with them and myself in the +first Woman's Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls, N. Y., July +19, 1848, as well as to our later and present associates, +Greeting:</i></p> + +<p>Not able to be with you in your celebration of the nineteenth, I +will yet give evidence that I prize your remembrance of our first +assemblage and of our earliest work. That is, and will ever be as +the present is a memorable year; and may this be memorable too for +the same reason, a brave step in advance for human freedom. I would +that it could be a conclusive step in legislation for the political +freedom of the women of the nation. For it is only in harmony with +reason and experience to predict that the men as well as the women +of the near future will rejoice if this centennial year is thus +marked and glorified by so grand a deed.</p> + +<p>We may well congratulate each other and have satisfaction in +knowing that we have changed the public sentiment and the laws of +many States by our advocacy and labors. We also know that while +helping the growth of our own souls, we have set many women +thinking and reading on this vital question, who in turn have +discussed it in private and public, and thus inspired others. So +that at this present time few who have examined can deny our claim. +But we are grateful to remember many women who needed no arguments, +whose clear insight and reason, pronounced in the outset that a +woman's soul was as well worth saving as a man's; that her +independence and free choice are as necessary and as valuable to +the public virtue and welfare; who saw and still see in both, equal +children of a Father who loves and protects all.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p> + +<p>Men do not need to be convinced of the righteousness of entire +freedom for us; they have long been convinced of its justice; they +confess that it is only expediency which makes them withhold that +which they profess is precious to them. We await only an awakened +conscience and an enlarged statesmanship.</p> + +<p>I bid you and the women of the republic God-speed, and close in the +language of one who went before us, Mary Wollstonecraft, who did so +much in a thoughtless age to bring both men and women back to +virtue and religion. She says: "Contending for the rights of woman, +my main argument is built on this simple principle, that if she be +not prepared by education to become the companion of man, she will +stop the progress of knowledge and virtue; for truth must be common +to all or it will be inefficacious with respect to its influence in +general practice. And how can woman be expected to coöperate unless +she know why she ought to be virtuous; unless freedom strengthen +her reason till she comprehends her duty and sees in what manner it +is connected with her real good? If children are to be educated to +understand the true principle of patriotism, their mother must be a +patriot; and the love of mankind from which an orderly train of +virtues spring, can only be produced by considering the moral and +civil interests of mankind; but the education and situation of +woman at present, shuts her out from such investigations."</p> + +<p>With the greatest possible interest in your celebration and +deliberations, and assuring you that I shall be with you in thought +and spirit, I am most earnestly and cordially yours,</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">Catharine A. F. Stebbins.</p> + +<p class="ltr-date ltr-break"><span class="smcap">Rochester, N. Y.</span>, June 27, 1876.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Susan Anthony:</span> I thank thee most deeply for the assurance +of a welcome to your deliberative councils in our country's +centennial year, to reannounce our oft-repeated protest against +bondage to tyrant law. Most holy cause! Woman's equality, why so +long denied?... I was ready at the first tap of the drum that +sounded from that hub of our country, Seneca Falls, in 1848, +calling for an assembly of men and women to set forth and +remonstrate against the legal usurpation of our rights.... I cannot +think of anything that would give me as much pleasure as to be able +to meet with you at this time. I am exceedingly glad that you +appreciate the blessings of frequent visits and wise counsel from +our beloved and venerated pioneer, Lucretia Mott. I hope her health +and strength will enable her to see and enjoy the triumphant +victory of this work, and I wish you all the blessings of happiness +that belong to all good workers, and my love to them all as if +named.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">Amy Post.</p> + +<p class="ltr-date ltr-break"><span class="smcap">Pomo</span>, Mendocino Co., California, June 26, 1876.</p> + +<p>July 4, 1776, our revolutionary fathers—in convention +assembled—declared their independence of the mother country; +solemnly asserted the divine right of self-government and its +relation to constituted authority. With liberty their shibboleth, +the colonies triumphed in their long and fierce struggle with the +mother country, and established an independent government. They +adopted a "bill of rights" embodying their ideal of a free +government.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p> + +<p>With singular inconsistency almost their first act, while it +secured to one-half the people of the body politic the right to tax +and govern themselves, subjected the other half to the very +oppression which had culminated in the rebellion of the colonies, +"taxation without representation," and the inflictions of an +authority to which they had not given their consent. The +constitutional provision which enfranchised the male population of +the new State and secured to it self-governing rights, +disfranchised its women, and eventuated in a tyrannical use of +power, which, exercised by husbands, fathers, and brothers, is +infinitely more intolerable than the despotic acts of a foreign +ruler.</p> + +<p>As if left ignobly to illustrate the truths of their noble +declarations, no sooner did the enfranchised class enter upon the +exercise of their usurped powers than they proceeded to alienate +from the mothers of humanity rights declared to be inseparable from +humanity itself! Had they thrust the British yoke from the necks of +their wives and daughters as indignantly as they thrust it from +their own, the legal subjection of the women of to-day would not +stand out as it now does—the reproach of our republican +government. As if sons did not follow the condition of the +mothers—as if daughters had no claim to the birthright of the +fathers—they established for disfranchised woman a "dead line," by +retaining the English common law of marriage, which, unlike that of +less liberal European governments, converts the marriage altar into +an executioner's block and recognizes woman as a wife only when so +denuded of personal rights that in legal phrase she is said to +be—"dead in law"!</p> + +<p>More considerate in the matter of forms than the highwayman who +kills that he may rob the unresisting dead, our gallant fathers +executed women who must need cross the line of human +happiness—legally; and administered their estate; and decreed the +disposition of their defunct personalities in legislative halls; +only omitting to provide for the matrimonial crypt the fitting +epitaph: "Here lies the relict of American freedom—taxed to +pauperism, loved to death!"</p> + +<p>With all the modification of the last quarter, of a century, our +English law of marriage still invests the husband with a +sovereignty almost despotic over his wife. It secures to him her +personal service and savings, and the control and custody of her +person as against herself. Having thus reduced the wife to a dead +pauper owing service to her husband, our shrewd forefathers, to +secure the bond, confiscated her natural obligations as a child and +a mother. Whether married or single, only inability excuses a son +from the legal support of indigent and infirm parents. The married +daughter, in the discharge of her wifely duties, may tenderly care +and toil for her husband's infirm parents, or his children and +grandchildren by a prior marriage, while her own parents, or +children by a prior marriage—legally divested of any claim on her +or the husband who absorbs her personal services and earnings—are +sent to the poor-house, or pine in bitter privation; except with +consent of her husband, she can give neither her personal care nor +the avails of her industry, for their benefit. So, to be a wife, +woman ceases, in law, to be anything else—yields up the ghost of a +legal existence! That she escapes the extreme<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> penalty of her legal +bonds in any case is due to the fact that the majority of men, +married or single, are notably better than their laws.</p> + +<p>Our fathers taught the quality and initiated the form of free +government. But it was left to their posterity to learn from the +discipline of experience, that truths, old as the eternities, are +forever revealing new phases to render possible more perfect +interpretations; and to accumulate unanswerable reasons for their +extended application. That the sorest trials and most appreciable +failures of the government our fathers bequeathed, to us, have been +the direct and inevitable results of their departures from the +principles they enunciated, is so patent to all Christendom, that +free government itself has won from our mistakes material to +revolutionize the world—lessons that compel depotisms to change +their base and constitutional monarchies to make broader the +phylacteries of popular rights.</p> + +<p>Is it not meet then, that on this one-hundredth anniversary of +American independence the daughters of revolutionary sires should +appeal to the sons to fulfill what the fathers promised but failed +to perform—should appeal to them as the constituted executors of +the father's will, to give full practical effect to the +self-evident truths, that "taxation without representation is +tyranny"—that "governments derive their just powers from the +consent of the governed"? With an evident common interest in all +the affairs of which government properly or improperly takes +cognizance, we claim enfranchisement on the broad ground of human +right, having proved the justice of our claim by the injustice +which has resulted to us and ours through our disfranchisement.</p> + +<p>We ask enfranchisement in the abiding faith that with our +coöperative efforts free government would attain to higher averages +of intelligence and virtue; with an innate conviction, that the +sequestration of rights in the homes of the republic makes them +baneful nurseries of the monopolies, rings, and fraudulent +practices that are threatening the national integrity; and that so +long as the fathers sequester the rights of the mothers and train +their sons to exercise, and the daughters to submit to the +exactions of usurped powers, our government offices will be dens of +thieves and the national honor trail in the dust; and honest men +come out from the fiery ordeals of faithful service, denuded of the +confidence and respect justly their due. Give us liberty! We are +mothers, wives, and daughters of freemen.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">C. I. H. Nichols.</p> + +<p class="ltr-date ltr-break"><span class="smcap">London,</span> Eng., July 4, 1876.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Susan:</span> I sincerely thank you for your kind letter. Many +times I have thought of writing to you, but I knew your time was +too much taken up with the good cause to have any to spare for +private correspondence. Occasionally I am pleased to see a good +account of you and your doings in the Boston <i>Investigator</i>. Oh, +how I wish I could be with you on this more than ordinarily +interesting and important occasion; or that I could at least send +my sentiments and views on human rights, which I have advocated for +over forty years, to the convention.</p> + +<p>This being the centenary day of the proclamation of American +independence, I must write a few lines, if but to let the friends +know that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> though absent in body I am with you in the cause for +which, in common with you, I have labored so long, and I hope not +labored in vain.</p> + +<p>The glorious day upon which human equality was first proclaimed +ought to be commemorated, not only every hundred years, or every +year, but it ought to be constantly held before the public mind +until its grand principles are carried into practice. The +declaration that "All men [which means all human beings +irrespective of sex] have an equal right to life, liberty, and the +pursuit of happiness," is enough for woman as for man. We need no +other; but we must reassert in 1876 what 1776 so gloriously +proclaimed, and call upon the law-makers and the law-breakers to +carry that declaration to its logical consistency by giving woman +the right of representation in the government which she helps to +maintain; a voice in the laws by which she is governed, and all the +rights and privileges society can bestow, the same as to man, or +disprove its validity. We need no other declaration. All we ask is +to have the laws based on the same foundation upon which that +declaration rests, viz.: upon equal justice, and not upon sex. +Whenever the rights of man are claimed, moral consistency points to +the equal rights of woman.</p> + +<p>I hope these few lines will fill a little space in the convention +at Philadelphia, where my voice has so often been raised in behalf +of the principles of humanity. I am glad to see my name among the +vice-presidents of the National Association. Keep a warm place for +me with the American people. I hope some day to be there yet. Give +my love to Mrs. Mott and Sarah Pugh. With kind regards from Mr. +Rose,</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Ernestine L. Rose.</span></p> +<p class="ltr-left">Yours affectionately,</p> + +</blockquote> + + +<p>A new paper, <i>The Ballot-Box</i>, was started in the centennial year +at Toledo, Ohio, owned and published by Mrs. Sarah Langdon +Williams. The following editorial on the natal day of the republic +is from her pen:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">The Retrospect.</span>—Since our last issue the great centennial +anniversary of American independence has come and gone; it has +been greeted with rejoicing throughout the land; its events have +passed into history. The day in which the great principles +embodied in the Declaration of Independence were announced by the +revolutionary fathers to the world has been celebrated through +all this vast heritage, with pomp and popular glorification, and +the nation's finest orators have signalized the event in +"thoughts that breathe and words that burn." Everywhere has the +country been arrayed in its holiday attire—the gay insignia +which, old as the century, puts on fresh youth and brilliancy +each time its colors are unfurled. The successes which the +country has achieved have been portrayed with glowing eloquence, +the people's sovereignty has been the theme of congratulation and +the glorious principles of freedom and equal rights have been +enthusiastically proclaimed. In the magnificent oration of Mr. +Evarts delivered in Independence Square, the spot made sacred by +the signing of the Declaration of Independence which announced +that "Governments derive their just powers from the consent of +the governed," these words occur: <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>The chief concern in this regard, to us and the rest of the world +is, whether the proud trust, the profound radicalism, the wide +benevolence which spoke in the declaration and were infused into +the constitution at the first, have been in good-faith adhered to +by the people, and whether now the living principles supply the +living forces which sustain and direct government and society. He +who doubts needs but to look around to find all things full of +the original spirit and testifying to its wisdom and strength. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Yet that very day in that very city was a large assemblage of women +convened to protest against the gross wrongs of their sex—the +representatives of twenty millions of citizens of the United +States, composing one-half of the population being governed without +their consent by the other half, who, by virtue of their superior +strength, held the reins of power and tyrannically denied them all +representation. At that very meeting at which that polished +falsehood was uttered had the women, but shortly before, been +denied the privilege of silently presenting their declaration of +rights. More forcibly is this mortifying disregard of the claims of +women thrust in their faces from the fact that, amid all this +magnificent triumph with which the growth of the century was +commemorated, amid the protestations of platforms all over the +country of the grand success of the principle of equal rights for +all, the possibility of the future according equal rights to women +as well as to men was, with the exception of one or two +praiseworthy instances, as far as reports have reached us, utterly +ignored. The women have no country—their rights are disregarded, +their appeals ignored, their protests scorned, they are treated as +children who do not comprehend their own wants, and as slaves whose +crowning duty is obedience.</p> + +<p>Whether, on this great day of national triumph and national +aspiration, the possibilities of a better future for women were +forgotten; whether, from carelessness, willfulness, or wickedness, +their grand services and weary struggles in the past and hopes and +aspirations for the future were left entirely out of the account, +certain it is that our orators were too much absorbed in the good +done by men and for men, to once recur to the valuable aid, +self-denying patriotism and lofty virtues of the nation's +unrepresented women. There were a few exceptions: Col. Wm. M. +Ferry, of Ottawa county, Michigan, in his historical address +delivered in that county, July Fourth, took pains to make favorable +mention of the daughter of one of the pioneers, as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Louisa Constant, or "Lisette," as she was called, became her +father's clerk when twelve years old, and was as well known for +wonderful faculties for business as she was for her personal +attractions. In 1828, when Lisette was seventeen years old, her +father died. She closed up his business with the British Company, +engaged with the American Fur Company, at Mackinaw, receiving +from them a large supply of merchandise, and for six years +conducted the most successful trading establishment in the +northwest. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Think of it, ye who disparage the ability of woman! This little +tribute we record with gratification. Colonel Ferry remembered +woman. Henry Ward Beecher, in his oration, delivered at Peekskill, +is reported, to have said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>And now there is but one step more—there is but one step more. +We permit the lame, the halt and the blind to go to the +ballot-box; we permit the foreigner and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> black man, the slave +and the freeman, to partake of the suffrage; there is but one +thing left out, and that is the mother that taught us, and the +wife that is thought worthy to walk side by side with us. It is +woman that is put lower than the slave, lower than the ignorant +foreigner. She is put among the paupers whom the law won't allow +to vote; among the insane whom the law won't allow to vote. But +the days are numbered in which this can take place, and she too +will vote. </p></blockquote> + +<p>But these words are followed by others somewhat problematical, at +least in the respect rendered to women:</p> + +<blockquote><p>As in a hundred years suffrage has extended its bounds till it +now includes the whole population, in another hundred years +everything will vote, unless it be the power of the loom, and the +locomotive, and the watch, and I sometimes think, looking at +these machines and their performances, that they too ought to +vote. </p></blockquote> + +<p>But Mr. Evarts approached the close of his oration with these +words—and may they not be prophetic—may not the orator have +spoken with a deeper meaning than he knew?</p> + +<blockquote><p>With these proud possessions of the past, with powers matured, +with principles settled, with habits formed, the nation passes as +it were from preparatory growth to responsible development of +character and the steady performance of duty. What labors await +it, what trials shall attend it, what triumphs for human nature, +what glory for itself, are prepared for this people in the coming +century, we may not assume to foretell. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Whether the wise (?) legislators see it or not—whether the +undercurrent that is beating to the shore speaks with an utterance +that is comprehensible to their heavy apprehensions or not, the +coming century has in preparation for the country a truer humanity, +a better justice of which the protest and declaration of the +fathers pouring its vital current down through the departed +century, and surging on into the future, is, to the seeing eye, the +sure forerunner, the seed-time, of which the approaching harvest +will bring a better fruition for women—and they who scoff now will +be compelled to rejoice hereafter. But as Mr. Evarts remarked in +his allusions to future centennials:</p> + +<blockquote><p>By the mere circumstance of this periodicity our generation will +be in the minds, in the hearts, on the lips of our countrymen at +the next centennial commemoration in comparison with their own +character and condition and with the great founders of the +nation. What shall they say of us? How shall they estimate the +part we bear in the unbroken line of the nation's progress? And +so on, in the long reach of time, forever and forever, our place +in the secular roll of the ages must always bring us into +observation and criticism. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Shall it then be recorded of us that the demand and the protest of +the women were not made in vain? Shall it be told to future +generations that the cry for justice, the effort to sunder the +shackles with which woman has been oppressed from the dim ages of +the past, was heeded? Or, shall it be told of us, in the beginning +of this second centennial, that justice has been ignored, that only +liberty to men entered at this stage of progress, into the American +idea of self-government? Freedom to men and women alike is but a +question of time—is America now equal to the great occasion? Has +her development expanded to that degree where her legislators can +say in very truth, as of the colored man, "Let the oppressed go +free"? </p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span></p> + +<p>The woman's pavilion upon the centennial grounds was an +after-thought, as theologians claim woman herself to have been.<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a> +The women of the country after having contributed nearly $100,000 +to the centennial stock, found there had been no provision made for +the separate exhibition of their work. The centennial board, Mrs. +Gillespie, president, then decided to raise funds for the erection +of a separate building to be known as the Woman's Pavilion. It +covered an acre of ground and was erected at an expense of $30,000, +a small sum in comparison with the money which had been raised by +women and expended on the other buildings, not to speak of State +and national appropriations which the taxes levied on them had +largely helped to swell.</p> + +<p>The pavilion was no true exhibit of woman's work. First, few women +are as yet owners of business which their industry largely makes +remunerative. Cotton factories in which thousands of women work, +are owned by men. The shoe business, in some branches of which +women are doing more than half, is under the ownership of men. Rich +embroideries from India, rugs of downy softness from Turkey, the +muslin of Dacca, anciently known as "The Woven Wind," the pottery +and majolica ware of P. Pipsen's widow, the cartridges and +envelopes of Uncle Sam, Waltham watches whose finest mechanical +work is done by women, and ten thousand other industries found no +place in the pavilion. Said United States Commissioner Meeker,<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> +of Colorado, "Woman's work comprises three-fourths of the +exposition; it is scattered through every building; take it away +and there would be no exposition."</p> + +<p>But this pavilion rendered one good service to woman in showing her +capabilities as an engineer. The boiler which furnished the force +for running its work was under the management of a young Canadian +girl, Miss Alison, who from a child loved machinery, spending much +time in the large saw and grist mills of her father, run by engines +of two- and three-hundred horse-power, which she sometimes managed +for amusement. When her name was proposed for running the pavilion +machinery it brought much opposition. It was said the committee +would some day find the pavilion blown to atoms; that the woman +engineer would spend her time reading novels, instead of watching +the steam gauge;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> that the idea was impracticable and should not be +thought of. But Miss Alison soon proved her own capabilities and +the falseness of these prophecies by taking her place in the +engine-room and managing its workings with the ease that a child +spins a top. Six power looms on which women wove carpets, webbing, +silks, etc., were run by this engine. At a later period the +printing of <i>The New Century for Women</i>, a paper published by the +centennial commission in the woman's building, was also done by its +means. Miss Alison declared the work to be more cleanly, more +pleasant, and infinitely less fatiguing than cooking over a kitchen +stove. "Since I have been compelled to earn my own livelihood," she +said, "I have never been engaged in work I liked so well. Teaching +school is much harder, and one is not paid as well." She expressed +confidence in her ability to manage the engine of an ocean steamer, +and said there were thousands of small engines in use in various +parts of the country, and no reason existed why women should not be +employed to manage them—following the profession of engineer as a +regular business—an engine requiring far less attention than is +given by a nurse-maid or mother to a child.</p> + +<p>But to have made the woman's pavilion grandly historic, upon its +walls should have been hung the yearly protest of Harriet K. Hunt +against taxation without representation; the legal papers served +upon the Smith sisters when their Alderny cows were seized and sold +for their refusal to pay taxes while unrepresented; the papers held +by the city of Worcester for the forced sale of the house and lands +of Abby Kelly Foster, the veteran abolitionist, because she refused +to pay taxes, giving the same reason our ancestors gave when they +resisted taxation; a model of Bunker Hill monument, its foundation +laid by Lafayette in 1825, but which remained unfinished nearly +twenty years until the famous French <i>danseuse</i> Fanny Ellsler, gave +the proceeds of an exhibition for that purpose. With these should +have been exhibited framed copies of all the laws bearing unjustly +upon woman—those which rob her of her name, her earnings, her +property, her children, her person; also, the legal papers in the +case of Susan B. Anthony, who was tried and fined for seeking to +give consent to the laws which governed her; and the decision of +Mr. Justice Miller (Chief-Justice Chase dissenting) in the case of +Myra Bradwell, denying national protection for woman's civil +rights; and the later decision of Chief-Justice Waite of the +Supreme Court<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> against Virginia L. Minor, denying to women national +protection for their political rights, decisions in favor of +state-rights which imperil the liberties not only of all women, but +of every white man in the nation.</p> + +<p>Woman's most fitting contributions to the centennial exposition +would have been these protests, laws and decisions which show her +political slavery. But all this was left for rooms outside of the +centennial grounds, upon Chestnut street, where the National Woman +Suffrage Association hoisted its flag, made its protests, and wrote +the Declaration of Rights of the Women of the United States.</p> + +<p>To many thoughtful people it seemed captious and unreasonable for +women to complain of injustice in this free land, amidst such +universal rejoicings. When the majority of women are seemingly +happy, it is natural to suppose that the discontent of the minority +is the result of their unfortunate individual idiosyncrasies, and +not of adverse influences in their established conditions.</p> + +<p>But the history of the world shows that the vast majority in every +generation passively accept the conditions into which they are +born, while those who demand larger liberties are ever a small, +ostracised minority whose claims are ridiculed and ignored. From +our stand-point we honor the Chinese women who claim the right to +their feet and powers of locomotion, the Hindoo widows who refuse +to ascend the funeral pyre of their husbands, the Turkish women who +throw off their masks and veils and leave the harem, the Mormon +women who abjure their faith and demand monogamic relations; why +not equally honor the intelligent minority of American women who +protest against the artificial disabilities by which their freedom +is limited and their development arrested? That only a few under +any circumstances protest against the injustice of long established +laws and customs does not disprove the fact of the oppressions, +while the satisfaction of the many, if real, only proves their +apathy and deeper degradation. That a majority of the women of the +United States accept without protest the disabilities that grow out +of their disfranchisement, is simply an evidence of their ignorance +and cowardice, while the minority who demand a higher political +status clearly prove their superior intelligence and wisdom.</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> Some suggested that the women in their various towns +and cities, draped in black, should march in solemn procession, +bells slowly tolling, bearing banners with the inscriptions: +"Taxation without representation is tyranny," "No just government +can be formed without the consent of the governed," "They who have +no voice in the laws and rulers are in a condition of slavery." +</p><p> +Others suggested that instead of women wearing crape during the +centennial glorification, the men should sit down in sackcloth and +ashes, in humiliation of spirit, as those who repented in olden +times were wont to do. The best centennial celebration, said they, +for the men of the United States, the one to cover them with glory, +would be to extend to the women of the nation all the rights, +privileges and immunities that they themselves enjoy. +</p><p> +Others proposed that women should monopolize the day, have their +own celebrations, read their own declarations and protests +demanding justice, liberty and equality. The latter suggestion was +extensively adopted, and the Fourth of July, 1876, was remarkable +for the large number of women who were "the orators of the day" in +their respective localities.</p></div> + +<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> Letters were read from the Hon. Alexander H. Stephens, +of Georgia; William J. Fowler, of Rochester, N. Y.; Isabella +Beecher Hooker, of Connecticut, and Susan B. Anthony.</p></div> + +<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> News of the cannonade of Boston had been received the +day previous.</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> Though thus discourteously refused to an association +to secure equality of rights for women, it was subsequently rented +to "The International Peace Association."</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> <i>President</i>—Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Tenafly, New +Jersey. +</p><p> +<i>Vice-Presidents</i>—Lucretia Mott, Pa.; Ernestine L. Rose, England; +Paulina Wright Davis, R. I.; Clarina I. H. Nichols, Cal.; Amelia +Bloomer, Iowa; Mathilde Franceska Anneke, Wis.; Virginia L. Minor, +Mo.; Catharine A. F. Stebbins, Mich.; Julia and Abby Smith, Conn.; +Abby P. Ela, N. H.; Mrs. W. H. H. Murray, Mass.; Ann T. Greely, +Me.; Eliza D. Stewart, Ohio; Mary Hamilton Williams, Ind.; +Elizabeth Boynton Harbert, Ill.; Sarah Burger Stearns, Minn.; Ada +W. Lucas, Neb.; Helen E. Starrett, Kan.; Ann L. Quinby, Ky.; +Elizabeth Avery Meriwether, Tenn.; Mrs. L. C. Locke, Texas; Emily +P. Collins, La.; Mary J. Spaulding, Ga.; Mrs. P. Holmes, Drake, +Ala.; Flora M. Wright, Fla.; Frances Annie Pillsbury, S. C.; +Cynthia Anthony, N. C.; Carrie F. Putnam, Va.; Anna Ella Carroll, +Md.; Abigail Scott Duniway, Oregon; Hannah H. Clapp, Nevada; Dr. +Alida C. Avery, Col.; Mary Olney Brown, Wash. Ter.; Esther A. +Morris, Wyoming Ter.; Annie Godbe, Utah. +</p><p> +<i>Advisory Committee</i>—Sarah Pugh, Pa.; Isabella Beecher Hooker, +Conn.; Charlotte B. Wilbour, N. Y.; Mary J. Channing, R. I.; +Elizabeth B. Schenck, Cal.; Judith Ellen Foster, Iowa; Lavinia +Goodell, Wis.; Annie R. Irvine, Mo.; Marian Bliss, Mich.; Mary B. +Moses, N. H.; Sarah A. Vibbart, Mass.; Lucy A. Snowe, Me.; Marilla +M. Ricker, N. H.; Mary Madden, Ohio; Emma Molloy, Ind.; Cynthia A. +Leonard, Ill.; Mrs. Dr. Stewart, Minn.; Julia Brown Bemis, Neb.; +Mrs. N. H. Cramer, Tenn.; Mrs. W. V. Tunstall, Tex.; Mrs. A. +Millspaugh, La.; Hannah M. Rogers, Fla.; Sally Holly, Va.; Sallie +W. Hardcastle, Md.; Mary P. Sautelle, Oregon; Mary F. Shields, +Col.; Amelia Giddings, Wash. Ter.; Amalia B. Post, Wyoming Ter. +</p><p> +<i>Corresponding Secretaries</i>—Susan B. Anthony, Rochester, N. Y.; +Laura Curtis Bullard, New York; Jane Graham Jones, Chicago, Ill. +</p><p> +<i>Recording Secretary</i>—Lillie Devereux Blake, New York. +</p><p> +<i>Treasurer</i>—Ellen Clark Sargent, Washington, D. C. +</p><p> +<i>Executive Committee</i>—Matilda Joslyn Gage, Fayetteville, N. Y.; +Clemence S. Lozier, M. D., Elizabeth B. Phelps, Mathilde F. Wendt, +Phebe H. Jones, New York; Rev. Olympia Brown, Connecticut; Sarah R. +L. Williams, Ohio; M. Adeline Thomson, Pennsylvania; Henrietta +Payne Westbrook, Pennsylvania; Nancy R. Allen, Iowa.</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> <i>1876 Campaign Committee</i>—Susan B. Anthony, N. Y.; +Matilda Joslyn Gage, N. Y.; Phoebe W. Couzins, Mo.; Rev. Olympia +Brown, Conn.; Jane Graham Jones, Ill.; Abigail Scott Duniway, +Oregon; Laura De Force Gordon, Cal.; Annie C. Savery, Iowa.</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> <i>Resident Congressional Committee</i>—Sara Andrews +Spencer, Ellen Clark Sargent, Ruth Carr Denison, Belva A. Lockwood, +Mrs. E. D. E. N. Southworth.</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> Among those who took part in the discussions were Dr. +Clemence Lozier, Susan B. Anthony, Helen M. Slocum, Sarah Goodyear, +Helen M. Cook, Abby and Julia Smith, Sara Andrews Spencer, Miss +Charlotte Ray, Lillie Devereux Blake and Matilda Joslyn Gage.</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> Letters were written to these conventions from +different States. Mrs. Elizabeth L. Saxon, New Orleans, La.; +Elizabeth A. Meriwether, Memphis, Tenn.; Mrs. Margaret V. Longley, +Cincinnati, O., all making eloquent appeals for some consideration +of the political rights of women.</p></div> + +<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> Mrs. Mott, Mrs. Stanton, Mrs. Gage, and Mrs. +Spencer.</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> On the receipt of these letters a prolonged council +was held by the officers of the association at their headquarters, +as to what action they should take on the Fourth of July. Mrs. Mott +and Mrs. Stanton decided for themselves that after these rebuffs +they would not even sit on the platform, but at the appointed time +go to the church they had engaged for a meeting, and open their +convention. Others more brave and determined insisted that women +had an equal right to the glory of the day and the freedom of the +platform, and decided to take the risk of a public insult in order +to present the woman's declaration and thus make it an historic +document.—[E.C.S.</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> During the reading of the declaration to an immense +concourse of people, Mrs. Gage stood beside Miss Anthony, and held +an umbrella over her head, to shelter her friend from the intense +heat of the noonday sun; and thus in the same hour, on opposite +sides of old Independence Hall, did the men and women express their +opinions on the great principles proclaimed on the natal day of the +republic. The declaration was handsomely framed and now hangs in +the vice-president's room in the capitol at Washington.</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> This document was signed by Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth +Cady Stanton, Paulina Wright Davis, Ernestine L. Rose, Clarina I. +H. Nichols, Mary Ann McClintock, Mathilde Franceska Anneke, Sarah +Pugh, Amy Post, Catharine A. F. Stebbins, Susan B. Anthony, Matilda +Joslyn Gage, Clemence S. Lozier, Olympia Brown, Mathilde F. Wendt, +Adleline Thomson, Ellen Clark Sargent, Virginia L. Minor, Catherine +V. Waite, Elizabeth B. Schenck, Phoebe W. Couzins, Elizabeth +Boynton Harbert, Laura De Force Gordon, Sara Andrews Spencer, +Lillie Devereux Blake, Jane Graham Jones, Abigail Scott Duniway, +Belva A. Lockwood, Isabella Beecher Hooker, Sarah L. Williams, Abby +P. Ela.</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> +</p> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">One hundred years hence, what a change will be made,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In politics, morals, religion and trade,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In statesmen who wrangle or ride on the fence,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">These things will be altered <i>a hundred years hence</i>.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Our laws then will be uncompulsory rules,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Our prisons converted to national schools.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The pleasure of sinning 'tis all a pretense,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And the people will find it so, <i>a hundred years hence</i>.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Lying, cheating and fraud will be laid on the shelf,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Men will neither get drunk, nor be bound up in self,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But all live together, good neighbors and friends,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Just as <i>Christian folks</i> ought to, <i>a hundred years hence</i>.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Then woman, man's partner, man's equal shall stand,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">While beauty and harmony govern the land,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To think for oneself will be no offense,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The world will be thinking <i>a hundred years hence</i>.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Oppression and war will be heard of no more,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nor the blood of a slave leave his print on our shore,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Conventions will then be a useless expense,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">For we'll all go <i>free-suffrage a hundred years hence</i>.<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Instead of speech-making to satisfy wrong,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">All will join the glad chorus to sing Freedom's song;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And if the Millenium is not a pretense,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We'll all be good brothers <i>a hundred years hence</i>.<br /></span> +</div></div> +<p> +This song was written in 1852, at Cleveland, Ohio, by Frances Dana +Gage, expressly for John W. Hutchinson. Several of the friends were +staying with Mrs. Caroline M. Severance, on their way to the Akron +convention, where it was first sung.</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> Protests and declarations were read by Mrs. Elizabeth +Boynton Harbert, in Evanston, Ill.; Sarah L. Knox, California; Mrs. +Rosa L. Segur, Toledo, Ohio; Mrs. Mary Olney Brown, Olympia, +Washington territory; Mrs. Henrietta Paine Westbrook, New York +city. In Maquoketa, Iowa; Mrs. Nancy R. Allen read the declaration +at the regular county celebration. Madam Anneke, Wis.; Elizabeth +Avery Meriwether, Tenn.; Lucinda B. Chandler, N. J.; Jane E. +Telker, Iowa; S. P. Abeel, D. C.; Mrs. J. A. Johns, Oregon; +Elizabeth Lisle Saxon, La.; Mrs. Elsie Stewart, Kan.; and many +others impossible to name, sent in protests and declarations.</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> See <a href="#APPENDIX">Appendix.</a></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> Henry Hutchinson, the son of John.</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> A German legend says, God first made a mouse, but +seeing he had made a mistake he made the cat as an afterthought, +therefore if woman is God's afterthought, man must be a mistake.</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> Afterwards killed by the Indians in Colorado.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2> + +<h3>NATIONAL CONVENTIONS, HEARINGS AND REPORTS.</h3> + +<h3>1877-1878-1879.</h3> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>Renewed Appeal for a Sixteenth Amendment—Mrs. Gage Petitions for +Removal of Political Disabilities—Ninth Washington Convention, +1877—Jane Grey Swisshelm—Letters, Robert Purvis, Wendell +Phillips, Francis E. Abbott—10,000 Petitions Referred to the +Committee on Privileges and Elections by Special Request of the +Chairman, Hon. O. P. Morton, of Indiana—May Anniversary in New +York—Tenth Washington Convention, 1878—Frances E. Willard and +30,000 Temperance Women Petition Congress—40,000 Petition for a +Sixteenth Amendment—Hearing before the Committee on Privileges +and Elections—Madam Dahlgren's Protest—Mrs. Hooker's Hearing on +Washington's Birthday—Mary Clemmer's Letter to Senator +Wadleigh—His Adverse Report—Favorable Minority Report by +Senator Hoar—Thirtieth Anniversary, Unitarian Church, Rochester, +N. Y., July 19, 1878—The Last Convention Attended by Lucretia +Mott—Letters, William Lloyd Garrison, Wendell Phillips—Church +Resolution Criticised by Rev. Dr. Strong—International Women's +Congress in Paris—Washington Convention, 1879—U.S. Supreme +Court Opened to Women—May Anniversary at St. Louis—Address of +Welcome by Phoebe Couzins—Women in Council Alone—Letter from +Josephine Butler, of England—Mrs. Stanton's Letter to <i>The +National Citizen and Ballot-Box</i>. </p> +</div> + + +<p><span class="sc">With</span> the close of the centennial year the new departure under the +fourteenth amendment ended. Though defeated at the polls, in the +courts, in the national celebration, in securing a plank in the +platforms of the Republican and Democratic parties, and in our own +conventions—so far as the few were able to rouse the many to +simultaneous action—nevertheless a wide-spread agitation had been +secured by the presentation of this phase of the question.</p> + +<p>Although the unanswerable arguments of statesmen and lawyers in the +halls of congress and the Supreme Court of the United States, had +alike proved unavailing in establishing the civil and political +rights of women on a national basis, their efforts had not been in +vain. The trials had brought the question before a new order of +minds, and secured able constitutional arguments which were +reviewed in many law journals. The equally able congressional +debates, reported verbatim, read by a large constituency in every +State of the Union, did an educational work on the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> question of +woman's enfranchisement that cannot be overestimated.</p> + +<p>But when the final decision of the Supreme Court in the case of +Virginia L. Minor made all agitation in that direction hopeless, +the National Association returned to its former policy, demanding a +sixteenth amendment. The women generally came to the conclusion +that if in truth there was no protection for them in the original +constitution nor the late amendments, the time had come for some +clearly-defined recognition of their citizenship by a sixteenth +amendment.</p> + +<p>The following appeal and petition were extensively circulated:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>To the Women of the United States:</i></p> + +<p>Having celebrated our centennial birthday with a national +jubilee, let us now dedicate the dawn of the second century to +securing justice to women. For this purpose we ask you to +circulate a petition to congress, just issued by the National +Association, asking an amendment to the United States +Constitution, that shall prohibit the several States from +disfranchising citizens on account of sex. We have already sent +this petition throughout the country for the signatures of those +men and women who believe in the citizen's right to vote.</p> + +<p>To see how large a petition each State rolls up, and to do the +work as expeditiously as possible, it is necessary that some +person in each county should take the matter in charge, urging +upon all, thoroughness and haste. <span class="spacious">* * *</span> The petitions should be +returned before January 16, 17, 1877, when we shall hold our +Eighth Annual Convention at the capital, and ask a hearing before +congress.</p> + +<p>Having petitioned our law-makers, State and national, for years, +many from weariness have vowed to appeal no more; for our +petitions, say they, by the tens of thousands, are piled up in +the national archives, unheeded and ignored. Yet it is possible +to roll up such a mammoth petition, borne into congress on the +shoulders of stalwart men, that we can no longer be neglected or +forgotten. Statesmen and politicians alike are conquered by +majorities. We urge the women of this country to make now the +same united effort for their own rights that they did for the +slaves at the South when the thirteenth amendment was pending. +Then a petition of over 300,000 was rolled up by the leaders of +the suffrage movement, and presented in the Senate by the Hon. +Charles Sumner. But the statesmen who welcomed woman's untiring +efforts to secure the black man's freedom, frowned down the same +demands when made for herself. Is not liberty as sweet to her as +to him? Are not the political disabilities of sex as grievous as +those of color? Is not a civil-rights bill that shall open to +woman the college doors, the trades and professions—that shall +secure her personal and property rights, as necessary for her +protection as for that of the colored man? And yet the highest +judicial authorities have decided that the spirit and letter of +our national constitution are not broad enough to protect woman +in her political rights; and for the redress of her wrongs<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> they +remand her to the State. If our <i>Magna Charta</i> of human rights +can be thus narrowed by judicial interpretations in favor of +class legislation, then must we demand an amendment that, in +clear, unmistakable language, shall declare the equality of all +citizens before the law.</p> + +<p>Women are citizens, first of the United States, and second of the +State wherein they reside; hence, if robbed by State authorities +of any right founded in nature or secured by law, they have the +same right to national protection against the State, as against +the infringements of any foreign power. If the United States +government can punish a woman for voting in one State, why has it +not the same power to protect her in the exercise of that right +in every State? The constitution declares it the duty of congress +to guarantee to every State a republican form of government, to +every citizen, equality of rights. This is not done in States +where women, thoroughly qualified, are denied admission into +colleges which their property is taxed to build and endow; where +they are denied the right to practice law and are thus debarred +from one of the most lucrative professions; where they are denied +a voice in the government, and thus, while suffering all the ills +that grow out of the giant evils of intemperance, prostitution, +war, heavy taxation and political corruption, stand powerless to +effect any reform. Prayers, tears, psalm-singing and +expostulation are light in the balance compared with that power +at the ballot-box that coins opinions into law. If women who are +laboring for peace, temperance, social purity and the rights of +labor, would take the speediest way to accomplish what they +propose, let them demand the ballot in their own hands, that they +may have a direct power in the government. Thus only can they +improve the conditions of the outside world and purify the home. +As political equality is the door to civil, religious and social +liberty, here must our work begin.</p> + +<p>Constituting, as we do, one-half the people, bearing the burdens +of one-half the national debt, equally responsible with man for +the education, religion and morals of the rising generation, let +us with united voice send forth a protest against the present +political status of woman, that shall echo and reëcho through the +land. In view of the numbers and character of those making the +demand, this should be the largest petition ever yet rolled up in +the old world or the new; a petition that shall settle forever +the popular objection that "women do not want to vote."</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"><span class="smcap">Elizabeth Cady Stanton</span>, <i>President.</i></p> +<p><span class="smcap">Matilda Joslyn Gage</span>, <i>Chairman Executive Committee.</i><br /> +<span class="smcap">Susan B. Anthony</span>, <i>Corresponding Secretary.</i></p> + + + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-break"><i>Tenafly, N. J.</i>, November 10, 1876.</p> + +<p><i>To the Senate and House of Representatives in Congress +assembled:</i></p> + +<p>The undersigned citizens of the United States, residents of the +State of ——, earnestly pray your honorable bodies to adopt +measures for so amending the constitution as to prohibit the +several States from disfranchising United States citizens on +account of sex.</p> +</blockquote> +</blockquote> + +<p>In addition to the general petition asking for a sixteenth +amendment, Matilda Joslyn Gage, this year (1877) sent an individual +petition, similar in form to those offered by disfranchised<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> male +citizens, asking to be relieved from her political disabilities. +This petition was presented by Hon. Elias W. Leavenworth, of the +House of Representatives, member from the thirty-third New York +congressional district. It read as follows:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hang"><i>To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States +in Congress assembled:</i></p> + +<p>Matilda Joslyn Gage, a native born citizen of the United States, +and of the State of New York, wherein she resides, most earnestly +petitions your honorable body for the removal of her political +disabilities and that she may be declared invested with full +power to exercise her right of self government at the ballot-box, +all State constitutions, or statute laws to the contrary +notwithstanding. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The above petition was presented January 24, and the following bill +introduced February 5:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">An Act</span> <i>to relieve the political disabilities of Matilda Joslyn +Gage</i>:</p> + +<p>Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the +United States of America in congress assembled, that all +political disabilities heretofore existing in reference to +Matilda Joslyn Gage, of Fayetteville, Onondaga county, State of +New York, be removed and she be declared a citizen of the United +States, clothed with all the political rights and powers of +citizenship, namely: the right to vote and to hold office to the +same extent and in the same degree that male citizens enjoy these +rights. This act to take effect immediately. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The following year a large number of similar petitions were sent +from different parts of the country, the National Association +distributing printed forms to its members in the various States. +The power of congress to thus enfranchise women upon their +individual petitions is as undoubted as the power to grant +individual amnesty, to remove the political disabilities of men +disfranchised for crime against United States laws, or to clothe +foreigners, honorably discharged from the army, with the ballot.</p> + +<p>The first convention<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a> after the all-engrossing events of the +centennial celebration assembled in Lincoln Hall, Washington, +January 16, with a good array of speakers, Mrs. Stanton presiding. +After an inspiring song by the Hutchinsons and reports from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> +various States, Sara Andrews Spencer, chairman of the congressional +committee, gave some encouraging facts in regard to the large +number of petitions being presented to congress daily, and read +many interesting letters from those who had been active in their +circulation. Over 10,000 were presented during this last session of +the forty-fourth congress. At the special request of the chairman, +Senator Morton of Indiana, they were referred to the Committee on +Privileges and Elections; heretofore they had always been placed in +the hands of the Judiciary Committee in both Senate and House. A +list of committees<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> was reported by Mrs. Gage which was adopted. +Mrs. Swisshelm of Pennsylvania, was introduced. She said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In 1846 she inherited an estate from her parents, and then she +learned the injustice of the husband holding the wife's property. +In 1848, however, she got a law passed giving equal rights to +both men and women, and everybody decried her for the injury she +had done to all homes by thus throwing the apple of discord into +families. So in Pennsylvania women now hold property absolutely, +and can sell without the consent of the husband. But actually no +woman is free. As in the days of slavery the master owned the +services, not the body of his slaves, so it is with the wife. The +husband owns the services and all that can be earned by his wife. +It is quite possible, as things now stand, to legislate a woman +out of her home, and yet she cooks, and bakes, and works, and +saves, but it all belongs to the man, and if she dies the second +wife gets it all, for she always manages him. The extravagance of +dress is due alone to-day to the fact that from what woman saves +in her own expenses and those of her house she gets no benefit at +all, nor do her children, for it goes to the second wife, who, +perhaps, turns the children out of doors. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The resolutions called out a prolonged discussion, especially the +one on compulsory education, and that finally passed with a few +dissenting voices:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span> one-half of the citizens of the republic being +disfranchised are everywhere subjects of legislative caprice, and +may be anywhere robbed of their most sacred rights; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That it is the duty of the Congress of the United +States to submit a proposition for a sixteenth amendment to the +national constitution prohibiting the several States from +disfranchising citizens on account of sex.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span> a monarchial government lives only through the ignorance +of the masses, and a republican government can live only through +the intelligence of the people; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That it is the duty of Congress to submit to the +State legislatures propositions to so amend the Constitution of +the United States as to make education compulsory, and to make +intelligence a qualification for citizenship and suffrage in the +United<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> States; said amendments to take effect January 1, 1880, +when all citizens of legal age, without distinction of sex, who +can read and write the English language, may be admitted to +citizenship.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span> a century of experience has proven that the safety and +stability of free institutions and the protection of all United +States citizens in the exercise of their inalienable rights and +the proper expression of the will of the whole people, are not +guaranteed by the present form of the Constitution of the United +States; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That it is the duty of the several States to call a +national convention to revise the Constitution of the United +States, which, notwithstanding its fifteen amendments, does not +establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, promote the +general welfare, nor secure the blessings of liberty to us and to +our posterity.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the thanks of the women of this nation are due +to the Rev. Isaac M. See, of the Presbytery of Newark, for his +noble stand in behalf of woman's right to preach.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the action of the Presbytery of Newark in +condemning the Rev. I. M. See for his liberal course is an +indication of the tyranny of the clergy over the consciences of +women, and a determination to fetter the spirit of freedom. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Among the many letters to the convention we give the following:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Boston</span>, 16th January, 1877.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Friend:</span> These lines will not reach you in time to be of use. +I am sorry. But absence and cares must apologize for me. I think +you are on the right track—the best method to agitate the +question; and I am with you. I mean always to help everywhere and +every one.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">Wendell Phillips.</p> +<p class="ltr-to">Miss <span class="smcap">Anthony</span>.</p> + +<p class="ltr-date ltr-break"><span class="smcap">Manchester</span>, Eng., January 3, 1877.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Miss Anthony:</span> It is with great pleasure that I write a word +of sympathy and encouragement, on the occasion of your Ninth Annual +Convention of the National Woman Suffrage Association.</p> + +<p>Beyond wishing you a successful gathering, I will say nothing about +the movement in the United States. Women of either country can do +nothing directly in promoting the movement in the other; and if +they attempt to do so, there is danger that they may hinder and +embarrass those who are bearing the burden and heat of the day. The +only way in which mutual help can be given is through the women of +each nation working to gain ground in their own country. Then, +every step so gained, every actual advance of the boundaries of +civil and political rights for women is a gain, not only to the +country which has secured it, but to the cause of human freedom all +over the world.</p> + +<p>This year marks the decennial of the movement in the United +Kingdom. In the current number of our journal, there is a sketch of +the political history of the movement here, which I commend to the +attention of your convention, and which I need not repeat. The +record will be seen to be one of great and rapid advance in the +political rights of women, but there has been an equally marked +change in other directions; women's interests in education, and +women's questions generally, are treated now with much more +respectful consideration than they were ten years ago. We are +gratified in believing that much of this consideration is due to +the attention roused by our energetic and persistent demand for the +suffrage, and in believing that infinitely greater benefits of the +same kind will accrue when women shall be in possession of the +franchise. Beyond the material gains in legislation, we find a +general improvement in the tone of feeling and thought toward +women—an approach, indeed, to the sentiment recently expressed by +Victor Hugo, that as man was the problem of the eighteenth century, +woman is the problem of the nineteenth century. May our efforts to +solve this problem lead to a happy issue.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Lydia E. Becker.</span></p> +<p class="ltr-left">Yours truly,</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="ltr-date ltr-break"><span class="smcap">Boston</span>, Mass., January 10, 1877.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Mrs. Stanton:</span> It is with some little pain, I confess, that I +accept your very courteous invitation to write a letter for your +Washington convention on the 19th instant; for what I must say, if +I say anything at all, is what I know will be very unacceptable—I +fear very displeasing—to the majority of those to whom you will +read it. If you conclude that my letter will obstruct, and not +facilitate the advancement of the cause you have so faithfully +labored for these many years, you have my most cheerful consent to +deliver it over to that general asylum of profitless +productions—the waste-basket.</p> + +<p>Running this risk, however, I have this brief message to send to +those who now meet on behalf of woman's full recognition as +politically the equal of man, namely: that every woman suffragist +who upholds Christianity, tears down with one hand what she seeks +to build up with the other—that the Bible sanctions the slavery +principle itself, and applies it to woman as the divinely ordained +subordinate of man—and that by making herself the great support +and mainstay of instituted Christianity, woman rivets the chain of +superstition on her own soul and on man's soul alike, and justifies +him in obeying this religion by keeping her in subjection to +himself. If Christianity and the Bible are true, woman is man's +servant, and ought to be. The Bible gave to negro-slavery its most +terrible power—that of summoning the consciences of the Christians +to its defense; and the Bible gives to woman-slavery the same +terrible power. So plain is this to me that I take it as a mere +matter of course, when all the eloquence of the woman-suffrage +platform fails to arouse the Christian women of this country to a +proper assertion of their rights. What else could one expect? Women +will remain contented subjects and subordinates just so long as +they remain devoted believers in Christianity; and no amount of +argument, or appeal, or agitation can change this fact. If you +cannot educate women as a whole out of Christianity, you cannot +educate them as a whole into the demand for equal rights.</p> + +<p>The reason of this is short: Christianity teaches the rights of +God, not the rights of man or woman. You may search the Bible from +Genesis to Revelations, and not find one clear, strong, bold +affirmation of <i>human rights as such</i>; yet it is on human rights as +such—on the equality of all individuals, man or woman, with +respect to natural rights—that the demand for woman suffrage must +ultimately rest. I know I stand nearly alone in this, but I believe +from my soul that the woman movement is fundamentally +<i>anti-Christian</i>, and can find no deep justification but in the +ideas, the spirit, and the faith of free religion. Until women come +to see this too, and to give their united influence to this latter +faith, political power in their hands would destroy even that +measure of liberty which free-thinkers of both sexes have painfully +established by the sacrifices of many generations. Yet I should +vote for woman suffrage all the same, because it is woman's right.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Francis E. Abbot</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Yours very cordially,</p> + + + +<p class="ltr-date ltr-break"><span class="smcap">Washington, D. C.</span>, January 16, 1877</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Friends:</span> I thank you for your generous recognition of me as +an humble co-worker in the cause of equal rights, and regret deeply +my inability to be present at this anniversary of your association. +I tender to you, however, my hearty congratulations on the marked +progress of our cause. Wherever I have been, and with whomsoever I +have talked, making equal rights invariably the subject, I find no +opposing feeling to the simple and just demands we make for our +cause. The chief difficulty in the way is the indifference of the +people; they need an awakening. Some Stephen S. Foster or Anna +Dickinson should come forward, and with their thunder and +lightning, arouse the people from their deadly apathy. I am glad to +know that you are to have with you our valued friend, E. M. Davis, +of Philadelphia. We are indebted to him more than all besides for +whatever of life is found in the movement in Pennsylvania. He has +spared neither time, money, nor personal efforts. Hoping you will +have abundant success, I am, dear friends, with you and the cause +for which you have so nobly labored, a humble and sincere worker.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">Robert Purvis.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="ltr-date ltr-break"><span class="smcap">Oakland</span>, Cal., January 9, 1877.</p> + +<p><i>To the National Suffrage Convention, Washington, D. C.:</i></p> + +<p>Our incorporated State society has deputed Mrs. Ellen Clark +Sargent, the wife of Hon. A. A. Sargent, our fearless champion in +the United States Senate, to represent the women of California in +your National Convention, and with one so faithful and earnest, we +know our cause will be well represented; but there are many among +us who would gladly have journeyed to Washington to participate in +your councils. Many and radical changes have taken place in the +past year favorable to our sex, not the least of which was the +nomination and election of several women to the office of county +superintendent of common schools, by both the Democratic and +Republican parties, in which, however, the Democrats led. Important +changes in the civil code favorable to the control of property by +married women, have been made by the legislatures during the last +four years, through the untiring efforts of Mrs. Sarah Wallis, Mrs. +Knox and Mrs. Watson, of Santa Clara county. In our schools and +colleges, in every avenue of industry, and in the general +liberalization of public opinion there has been marked improvement.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF60"><span class="smcap">Laura DeForce Gordon</span>,<br /> +<i>Pres. California W. S. S.</i> (Incorporated).</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Yours very truly,</p> + +</blockquote> + + +<p class="ltr-break">Mrs. Stanton's letter to <i>The Ballot-Box</i> briefly sums up the +proceedings of the convention:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Tenafly, N. J.</span>, January 24, 1877.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Editor:</span> If the little <i>Ballot-Box</i> is not already stuffed to +repletion with reports from Washington, I crave a little space to +tell your readers that the convention was in all points +successful. Lincoln Hall, which seats about fifteen hundred +people, was crowded every session. The speaking was good, order +reigned, no heart-burnings behind the scenes, and the press +vouchsafed "respectful consideration."</p> + +<p>The resolutions you will find more interesting and suggestive +than that kind of literature usually is, and I ask especial +attention to the one for a national convention to revise the +constitution, which, with all its amendments, is like a kite with +a tail of infinite length still to be lengthened. It is evident a +century of experience has so liberalized the minds of the +American people, that they have outgrown the constitution adapted +to the men of 1776. It is a monarchial document with republican +ideas engrafted in it, full of compromises between antagonistic +principles. An American statesman remarked that "The civil war +was fought to expound the constitution on the question of +slavery." Expensive expounding! Instead of further amending and +expounding, the real work at the dawn of our second century is to +make a new one. Again, I ask the attention of our women to the +educational resolution. After much thought it seems to me we +should have education compulsory in every State of the Union, and +make it the basis of suffrage, a national law, requiring that +those who vote after 1880 must be able to read and write the +English language. This would prevent ignorant foreigners voting +in six months after landing on our shores, and stimulate our +native population to higher intelligence. It would dignify and +purify the ballot-box and add safety and stability to our free +institutions. Mrs. Jane Grey Swisshelm, who had just returned +from Europe, attended the convention, and spoke on this subject.</p> + +<p>Belva A. Lockwood, who had recently been denied admission to the +Supreme Court of the United States, although a lawyer in good +practice<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span> for three years in the Supreme Court of the District, +made a very scathing speech, reviewing the decision of the Court. +It may seem to your disfranchised readers quite presumptuous for +one of their number to make those nine wise men on the bench, +constituting the highest judicial authority in the United States, +subjects for ridicule before an audience of the sovereign people; +but, when they learn the decision in Mrs. Lockwood's case, they +will be reassured as to woman's capacity to cope with their +wisdom. "To arrive at the same conclusion, with these judges, it +is not necessary," said Mrs. Lockwood, "to understand +constitutional law, nor the history of English jurisprudence, nor +the inductive or deductive modes of reasoning, as no such +profound learning or processes of thought were involved in that +decision, which was simply this: 'There is no precedent for +admitting a woman to practice in the Supreme Court of the United +States, hence Mrs. Lockwood's application cannot be considered.'"</p> + +<p>On this point Mrs. Lockwood showed that it was the glory of each +generation to make its own precedents. As there was none for Eve +in the garden of Eden, she argued there need be none for her +daughters on entering the college, the church, or the courts. +Blackstone—of whose works she inferred the judges were +ignorant—gives several precedents for women in the English +courts. As Mrs. Lockwood—tall, well-proportioned, with dark hair +and eyes, regular features, in velvet dress and train, with +becoming indignation at such injustice—marched up and down the +platform and rounded out her glowing periods, she might have +fairly represented the Italian Portia at the bar of Venice. No +more effective speech was ever made on our platform.</p> + +<p>Matilda Joslyn Gage, whose speeches are always replete with +historical research, reviewed the action of the Republican party +toward woman from the introduction of the word "male" into the +fourteenth amendment of the constitution down to the celebration +of our national birthday in Philadelphia, when the declaration of +the mothers was received in contemptuous silence, while Dom Pedro +and other foreign dignitaries looked calmly on. Mrs. Gage makes +as dark a chapter for the Republicans as Mrs. Lockwood for the +judiciary, or Mrs. Blake for the church. Mrs. B. had been an +attentive listener during the trial of the Rev. Isaac See before +the presbytery of Newark, N. J., hence she felt moved to give the +convention a chapter of ecclesiastical history, showing the +struggles through which the church was passing with the +irrepressible woman in the pulpit. Mrs. Blake's biblical +interpretations and expositions proved conclusively that Scott's +and Clark's commentaries would at no distant day be superceded by +standard works from woman's standpoint. It is not to be supposed +that women ever can have fair play as long as men only write and +interpret the Scriptures and make and expound the laws. Why would +it not be a good idea for women to leave these conservative +gentlemen alone in the churches? How sombre they would look with +the flowers, feathers, bright ribbons and shawls all gone—black +coats only kneeling and standing—and with the deep-toned organ +swelling up, the solemn bass voice heard only in awful solitude; +not one soprano note to rise above the low, dull wail to fill the +arched roof with triumphant melody! One such experiment<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> from +Maine to California would bring these bigoted presbyteries to +their senses.</p> + +<p>Miss Phoebe Couzins, too, was at the convention, and gave her new +lecture, "A Woman without a Country," in which she shows all that +woman has done—from fitting out ships for Columbus, to sharing +the toils of the great exposition—without a place of honor in +the republic for the living, or a statue to the memory of the +dead. Hon. A. G. Riddle and Francis Miller spoke ably and +eloquently as usual; the former on the sixteenth amendment and +the presidential aspect, modestly suggesting that if twenty +million women had voted, they might have been able to find out +for whom the majority had cast their ballots. Mr. Miller +recommended State action, advising us to concentrate our forces +in Colorado as a shorter way to success than constitutional +amendments.</p> + +<p>His speech aroused Susan B. Anthony to the boiling point; for, if +there is anything that exasperates her, it is to be remanded, as +she says, to John Morrissey's constituency for her rights. She +contends that if the United States authority could punish her for +voting in the State of New York, it has the same power to protect +her there in the exercise of that right. Moreover, she said, we +have two wings to our movement. The American Association is +trying the popular-vote method. The National Association is +trying the constitutional method, which has emancipated and +enfranchised the African and secured to that race all their civil +rights. To-day by this method they are in the courts, the +colleges, and the halls of legislation in every State in the +Union, while we have puttered with State rights for thirty years +without a foothold anywhere, except in the territories, and it is +now proposed to rob the women of their rights in those +localities. As the two methods do not conflict, and what is done +in the several States tells on the nation, and what is done by +congress reacts again on the States, it must be a good thing to +keep up both kinds of agitation.</p> + +<p>In the middle of November the National Association sent out +thousands of petitions and appeals for the sixteenth amendment, +which were published and commented on extensively by the press in +every State in the Union. Early in January they began to pour +into Washington at the rate of a thousand a day, coming from +twenty-six different States. It does not require much wisdom to +see that when these petitions were placed in the hands of the +representatives of their States, a great educational work was +accomplished at Washington, and public sentiment there has its +legitimate effect throughout the country, as well as that already +accomplished in the rural districts by the slower process of +circulating and signing the petitions. The present uncertain +position of men and parties, has made politicians more ready to +listen to the demands of their constituents, and never has woman +suffrage been treated with more courtesy in Washington.</p> + +<p>To Sara Andrews Spencer we are indebted, for the great labor of +receiving, assorting, counting, rolling-up and planning the +presentation of the petitions. It was by a well considered <i>coup +d'etat</i> that, with her brave coadjutors, she appeared on the +floor of the House at the moment of adjournment,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> and there, +without circumlocution, gave each member a petition from his own +State. Even Miss Anthony, always calm in the hour of danger, on +finding herself suddenly whisked into those sacred enclosures, +amid a crowd of stalwart men, spittoons, and scrap-baskets, when +brought <i>vis-a-vis</i> with our champion, Mr. Hoar, hastily +apologized for the intrusion, to which the honorable gentleman +promptly replied, "I hope, Madam, yet to see you on this floor, +in your own right, and in business hours too." Then and there the +work of the next day was agreed on, the members gladly accepting +the petitions. As you have already seen, Mr. Hoar made the motion +for the special order, which was carried and the petitions +presented. Your readers will be glad to know, that Mr. Hoar has +just been chosen, by Massachusetts, as her next senator—that +gives us another champion in the Senate. As there are many +petitions still in circulation, urge your readers to keep sending +them until the close of the session, as we want to know how many +women are in earnest on this question. It is constantly said, +"Women do not want to vote." Ten thousand told our +representatives at Washington in a single day that they did! What +answer?</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Elizabeth Cady Stanton</span></p> +<p class="ltr-left">Yours sincerely,</p> + +</blockquote> + +<p>The press commented as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Sixteenth Amendment.</span>—The woman suffragists, who had a benefit in +the House of Representatives, on Friday, when their petitions +were presented, transferred their affections to the Senate on +Saturday to witness the presentation of a large number of +petitions in that body. It is impossible to tell whether the +results desired by the women will follow this concerted action, +but it is certain that they have their forces better organized +this year than they ever had before, and they have gone to work +on a more systematic plan.—[<i>National Republican.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sixteenth Amendment in the Senate—the Ten Thousand Petitioners +Royally Treated.</span>—That women will, by voting, lose nothing of +man's courteous, chivalric attention and respect is admirably +proven by the manner in which both houses of congress, in the +midst of the most anxious and perplexing presidential conflict in +our history, received their appeals from twenty-three States for +a sixteenth amendment protecting the rights of women.</p> + +<p>In both houses, by unanimous consent, the petitions were +presented and read in open session. The speaker of the House +gallantly prepared the way yesterday, and the most prominent +senators to-day improved the occasion by impressing upon the +Senate the importance of the question. Mr. Sargent reminded the +senators that there were forty thousand more votes for woman +suffrage in Michigan than for the new State constitution, and Mr. +Dawes said, upon presenting the petition from Massachusetts, that +the question was attracting the attention of both political +parties in that State, and he commended it to the early and +earnest consideration of the Senate. Mr. Cockrell of Missouri, +merrily declared that his petitioners were the most beautiful and +accomplished daughters of the State, which of course he felt +compelled to do when Miss Couzins' bright eyes were watching the +proceedings from the gallery. Mr. Cameron of Pennsylvania, +suggested that it would have been better to put them all together +and not consume the time of the Senate with so many +presentations.</p> + +<p>The officers of the National Woman Suffrage Association held a +caucus after the adjournment of the Senate, and decided to thank +Mr. Cameron for his suggestion, and while they had no anxiety +lest senators should consume too much time attending to the +interests of women whom they claim to represent, and might +reasonably anticipate that ten millions of disfranchised citizens +would trouble them considerably with petitions while this +injustice continued, yet they would promptly adopt the senator's +counsel and roll up such a mammoth petition as the Senate had not +yet seen from the thousands<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> of women who had no opportunity to +sign these. Accordingly they immediately prepared the +announcement for the friends of woman suffrage to send on their +names to the chairman of the congressional committee. They +naturally feel greatly encouraged by the evident interest of both +parties in the proposed sixteenth amendment, and will work with +renewed strength to secure the coöperation of the women of the +country.—[<i>Washington Star.</i></p> + +<p>The time has evidently arrived when demands for a recognition of +the personal, civil and political rights of +one-half—unquestionably the better half—of the people cannot be +laughed down or sneered down, and recent indications are that +they cannot much longer be voted down. It was quite clear on +Friday and Saturday, when petitions from the best citizens of +twenty-three States were presented in House and Senate, that the +leaders of the two political parties vied with each other in +doing honor to the grave subject proposed for their +consideration. The speaker of the House set a commendable example +of courtesy to women by proposing that the petitions be delivered +in open House, to which there was no objection. The early +advocates of equal rights for women—Hoar, Kelley, Banks, Kasson, +Lawrence, and Lapham—were, if possible, surpassed in courtesy by +those who are not committed, but are beginning to see that a +finer element in the body politic would clear the vision, purify +the atmosphere and help to settle many vexed questions on the +basis of exact and equal justice.</p> + +<p>In the Senate the unprecedented courtesy was extended to women of +half an hour's time on the floor for the presentation of +petitions, exactly alike in form, from twenty-one States, and +while this kind of business this session has usually been +transacted with an attendance of from seven to ten senators, it +was observed that only two out of twenty-three senators who had +sixteenth amendment petitions to present were out of their seats. +Senator Sargent said the presence of women at the polls would +purify elections and give us a better class of public officials, +and the State would thus be greatly benefited. The subject was +receiving serious consideration in this country and in England. +Senator Dawes, in presenting the petition from Massachusetts, +said the subject was commanding the attention of both political +parties in his own State.</p> + +<p>The officers of the National Association, who had been able to +give only a few days' time to securing the coöperation of the +women of the several States in their present effort, held a +caucus after the adjournment of the Senate, and decided to +immediately issue a new appeal for a mammoth petition, which +would even more decidedly impress the two houses with the +importance of protecting the rights of women by a constitutional +amendment. Considering the many long days and weeks consumed in +both houses in discussing the political rights of the colored +male citizens, there is an obvious propriety in giving full and +fair consideration to the protection of the rights of wives, +mothers and daughters.—[<i>The National Republican</i>, January 22, +1877. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The National Association held its anniversary in Masonic Temple, +New York, May 24, 1877. Isabella Beecher Hooker, vice-president for +Connecticut, called the meeting to order and invited Rev. Olympia +Brown to lead in prayer. Mrs. Gage made the annual report of the +executive committee. Dr. Clemence S. Lozier of New York was elected +president for the coming year. Pledges were made to roll up +petitions with renewed energy; and resolutions were duly +discussed<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a> and adopted:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, Such minor matters as declaring peace and war, the +coining of money, the imposition of tariff, and the control of +the postal service, are forbidden the respective States; and +whereas, upon the framing of the constitution, it was wisely +held<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> that these property rights would be unsafe under the +control of thirteen varying deliberative bodies; and whereas, by +a curious anomaly, power over suffrage, the basis and +corner-stone of the nation, is held to be under control of the +respective States; and</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, the experience of a century has shown that the personal +right of self-government inhering in each individual, is wholly +insecure under the control of thirty-eight varying deliberative +bodies; and</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, the right of self-government by the use of the ballot +inheres in the citizen of the United States; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That it is the immediate and most important duty of +the government to secure this right on a national basis to all +citizens, independent of sex.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the right of suffrage underlies all other +rights, and that in working to secure it women are doing the best +temperance, moral reform, educational, and religious work of the +age.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we solemnly protest against the recent memorial +to congress, from Utah, asking the disfranchisement of the women +of that territory, and that we ask of congress that this request, +made in violation of the spirit of our institutions, be not +granted.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the thanks of the National Woman Suffrage +Association are hereby tendered to the late speaker of the House +of Representatives, Hon. Samuel J. Randall, Pa.; and to +Representatives Banks, Mass.; Blair, N. H.: Bland, Mo.; Brown, +Kan.; Cox, N. Y.; Eames, R. I.; Fenn, Col.; Hale, Me.; Hamilton, +N. J.; Hendee, Vt.; Hoar, Mass.; Holman, Ind.; Jones, N. H.; +Kasson, Iowa; Kelley, Pa. Knott, Ky.; Lane, Oregon; Lapham, N. +Y.; Lawrence, O.; Luttrel, Cal.; Lynde, Wis.; McCrary, Iowa; +Morgan, Mo.; O'Neill, Pa.; Springer, Ill.; Strait, Minn.; +Waldron, Mich.; Warren, Conn.; Wm. B. Williams, Mich.; and +Senators Allison, Iowa; Bogy, Mo.; Burnside, R. I. (for Conn. and +R. I.); Cameron, Pa.; Cameron, Wis.; Chaffee, Col.; Christiancy, +Mich.; Cockrell, Mo.; Conkling, N. Y.; Cragin, N. H.; Dawes, +Mass.; Dorsey, Ark. (a petition from Me.); Edmunds, Vt.; +Frelinghuysen, N. J.; Hamlin, Me.; Kernan, N. Y.; McCreery, Ky.; +Mitchell, Oregon; Morrill, Vt.; Morton, Ind.; Oglesby, Ill.; +Sargent, Cal.; Sherman, Ohio; Spencer, Ala. (a petition from the +District); Thurman, Ohio (a petition from Kansas); Wadleigh, N. +H.; Wallace, Pa.; Windom, Minn.; Wright, Iowa, for representing +the women of the United States in the presentation of the +sixteenth amendment petitions from ten thousand citizens, in open +House and Senate, at the last session of congress.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That while we recognize with gratitude the opening of +many new avenues of labor and usefulness to women, and the +amelioration of their condition before the law in many States, we +still declare there can be no fair play for women in the world of +business until they stand on the same plane of citizenship with +their masculine competitors.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That in entering the professions and other +departments of business heretofore occupied largely by men, the +women of to-day should desire to accept the same conditions and +tests of excellence with their brothers, and should demand the +same standard for men and women in business, art, education, and +morals.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the thanks of this association are hereby +tendered to the Hon. Geo. F. Hoar of Massachusetts, for rising in +his place in the Cincinnati presidential convention, and asking +in behalf of the disfranchised women of the United States that +the convention grant a hearing to Mrs. Spencer, of Washington, +the accredited delegate of the National Woman Suffrage +Association.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Great unanimity was reached in these sentiments and the enthusiasm +manifested gave promise of earnest labor and more hopeful results. +It was felt that there was reason to thank God and take courage.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span></p> + +<p>The day before the opening of the Tenth Washington Convention a +caucus was held in the ladies' reception-room<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> in the Senate +wing of the capitol. A roll-call of the delegates developed the +fact that every State in the Union would be represented by women +now here and <i>en route</i>, or by letter. Mrs. Spencer said she had +made a request in the proper quarter, that the delegates should be +allowed to go on the floor when the Senate was actually in session, +and present their case to the senators. She had been met with the +statement that such a proceeding was without precedent. Mrs. Hooker +suggested that inasmuch as there was a precedent for such a course +in the House, the delegates should meet the following Thursday to +canvass for votes in the House of Representatives. Another delegate +recalled the fact that Mrs. General Sherman and Mrs. Admiral +Dahlgren had been admitted upon the floor of the Senate while it +was in session, to canvass for votes against woman suffrage.</p> + +<p>This agitation resulted in a resolution introduced by Hon. A. A. +Sargent, January 10:</p> + +<blockquote> +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, Thousands of women of the United States have +petitioned congress for an amendment to the constitution +allowing women the right of suffrage; and whereas, many of +the representative women of the country favoring such +amendment are present in the city and have requested to be +heard before the Senate in advocacy of said amendment,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That at a session of the Senate, to be held on +——, said representative women, or such of them as may be +designated for that purpose, may be heard before the Senate; +but for one hour only. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Edmunds</span> demanded the regular order.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Sargent</span> advocated the resolution, and urged immediate action, +as delay would detain the women in the city at considerable expense +to them. He thought the question not so intricate that senators +require time for consideration whether or not the women should be +heard.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Edmunds</span> said there was a rule of long standing that forbids any +person appearing before the Senate. There was much to be said in +favor of the petitions, but it was against the logic of the +resolution that the petitioners required more than was accorded any +others. He, therefore, insisted on his demand for the regular +order.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Sargent</span> gave notice that he would call up his resolution +to-morrow, and reminded the senators that no rule was so sacred +that it could not be set aside by unanimous consent. </p></blockquote> + +<p>On the next day there was a lively discussion, Senators Edmunds, +Thurman and Conkling insisting there was no precedent; Mr. Sargent, +assisted by Senators Burnside, Anthony and Dawes,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span> reminding them +of several occasions when the Senate had extended similar +courtesies. The resolution was voted down—31 to 13.<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a></p> + +<p>Hon. Wm. D. Kelly, of Pennsylvania, performed like service in the +House:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Kelly</span> asked leave to offer a resolution, reciting that +petitions were about to be presented to the House of +Representatives from citizens of thirty-five States of the Union, +asking for the adoption of an amendment to the constitution to +prohibit the disfranchisement of any citizen of any State; and +that there be a session of the House on Saturday, January 12, at +which time the advocates of the constitutional amendment may be +heard at the bar. These petitions ask the House to originate a +movement which it cannot consumate, but which it can only submit +to the States for their action. The resolution only asks that the +House will hear a limited number of the advocates of this +amendment, who are now in the city, and on a day when there is +not likely to be a session for business. They only ask the +privilege of stating the grounds of their belief why the +constitution should be amended in the direction they indicate. +Many of these ladies who petition are tax-payers, and they +believe their rights have been infringed upon.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Crittenden</span> of Missouri, objected, and the resolution was not +entertained. </p></blockquote> + +<p>This refusal to women pleading for their own freedom was the more +noticeable, as not only had Mesdames Sherman and Dahlgren been +heard upon the floor of the Senate in opposition, but the floor of +the House was shortly after granted to Charles Stewart Parnell, M. +P., that he might plead the cause of oppressed Ireland. The +Washington <i>Union</i> of January 11, 1878, largely sustained by +federal patronage, commented as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>To allow the advocates of woman suffrage to plead their cause on +the floor of the Senate, as proposed yesterday by Mr. Sargent, +would be a decided innovation upon the established usages of +parliamentary bodies. If the privilege were granted in this case +it would next be claimed by the friends and the enemies of the +silver bill, by the supporters and opponents of resumption, by +hard money men and soft money men, by protectionists and +free-traders, by labor-reformers, prohibitionists and the Lord +knows whom besides. In fact, the admission of the ladies to speak +on the floor of the Senate would be the beginning of lively times +in that body. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The convention was held in Lincoln Hall, January, 8, 9, 1878. The +house was filled to overflowing at the first session. A large<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> +number of representative women occupied the platform.<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a> In +opening the meeting the president, Dr. Clemence Lozier, gave a +résumé of the progress of the cause. Mrs. Stanton made an argument +on "National Protection for National Citizens."<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a> Mrs. Lockwood +presented the following resolutions, which called out an amusing +debate on the "man idea"—that he can best represent the home, the +church, the State, the industries, etc., etc.:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That the president of this convention appoint a +committee to select three intelligent women who shall be paid +commissioners to the Paris exposition; and also six other women +who shall be volunteer commissioners to said exposition to +represent the industries of American women.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That to further this object the committee be +instructed to confer with the President, the Secretary of State, +and Commissioner McCormick. </p></blockquote> + +<p>A committee was appointed<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a> and at once repaired to the +white-house, where they were pleasantly received by President +Hayes. After learning the object of their visit, the president +named the different classes of industries for which no +commissioners had been appointed, asked the ladies to nominate +their candidates, and assured them he would favor a representation +by women.</p> + +<blockquote><p>Miss <span class="smcap">Julia Smith</span> of Glastonbury, Conn., the veteran defender of +the maxim of our fathers, "no taxation without representation," +narrated the experience of herself and her sister Abby with the +tax-gatherers. They attended the town-meeting and protested +against unjust taxation, but finally their cows went into the +treasury to satisfy the tax-collector.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth Boynton Harbert</span> of the Chicago <i>Inter-Ocean</i>, spoke on +the temperance work being done in Chicago, in connection with the +advocacy of the sixteenth amendment.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lillie Devereux Blake</span> reviewed the work in New York in getting +the bill through the legislature to appoint women on school +boards, which was finally vetoed by Governor Robinson.</p> + +<p>Dr. <span class="smcap">Mary Thompson</span> of Oregon, and Mrs. <span class="smcap">Cromwell</span> of Arkansas, gave +interesting reports from their States, relating many laughable +encounters with the opposition.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Robert Purvis</span> of Philadelphia, read a letter from the suffragists +of Pennsylvania, in which congratulations were extended to the +convention.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary A. S. Carey</span>, a worthy representative of the District of +Columbia, the first colored woman that ever edited a newspaper in +the United States, and who had been a worker in the cause for +twenty years, expressed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> her views on the question, and said the +colored women would support whatever party would allow them their +rights, be it Republican or Democratic.</p> + +<p>Rev. <span class="smcap">Olympia Brown</span> believed that a proper interpretation of the +fourteenth and fifteenth amendments did confer suffrage on women. +But men don't so understand it, and as a consequence when Mahomet +would not come to the mountain the mountain must go to Mahomet. +She said the day was coming, and rapidly, too, when women would +be given suffrage. There were very few now who did not +acknowledge the justice of it.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Isabella Beecher Hooker</span> gave her idea on "A Reconstructed +Police," showing how she would rule a police force if in her +control. Commencing with the location of the office, she +proceeded with her list of feminine and masculine officers, the +chief being herself. She would have a superintendent as aid, with +coördinate powers, and, besides the police force proper, which +she would form of men and women in equal proportions; she would +have matrons in charge of all station-houses. Her treatment of +vagrants would be to wash, feed, and clothe them, make them +stitch, wash and iron, take their history down for future +reference, and finally turn them out as skilled laborers. The +care of vagrant children would form an item in her system.</p> + +<p>Mrs. <span class="smcap">Lawrence</span> of Massachusetts, said the country is in danger, +and like other republics, unless taken care of, will perish by +its own vices. She said twelve hundred thousand men and women of +this country now stand with nothing to do, because their +legislators of wealth were working not for the many, but the few, +drunkenness and vice being superinduced by such a state of +things. She insisted that women were to blame for much of the +evil of the world—for bringing into life children who grow up in +vice from their inborn tendencies.</p> + +<p>Dr. <span class="smcap">Caroline B. Winslow</span> of Washington, referred to the speech of +Mrs. Lawrence, saying she hoped God would bless her for having +the courage to speak as she did. There is no greater reform than +for man and woman to be true to the marital relations.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Belva A. Lockwood</span> said the only way for women to get their rights +is to take them. If necessary let there be a domestic +insurrection. Let young women refuse to marry, and married women +refuse to sew on buttons, cook, and rock the cradle until their +liege-lords acknowledge the rights they are entitled to. There +were more ways than one to conquer a man; and women, like the +strikers in the railroad riots, should carry their demands all +along the line. She dwelt at length upon the refusal of the +courts in allowing Lavinia Dundore to become a constable, and +asked why she should not be appointed.</p> + +<p>The Rev. <span class="smcap">Olympia Brown</span> said that if they wanted wisdom and +prosperity in the nation, health and happiness in the home, they +must give woman the power to purify her surroundings; the right +to make the outside world fit for her children to live in. Who +are more interested than mothers in the sanitary condition of our +schools and streets, and in the moral atmosphere of our towns and +cities?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span></p> + +<p>Marshal <span class="smcap">Frederick Douglass</span> said his reluctance to come forward +was not due to any lack of interest in the subject under +discussion. For thirty years he had believed in human rights to +all men and women. Nothing that has ever been proposed involved +such vital interests as the subject which now invites attention. +When the negro was freed the question was asked if he was capable +of voting intelligently. It was answered in this way: that if a +sober negro knows as much as a drunken white man he is capable of +exercising the elective franchise.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lavinia C. Dundore</span>, introduced as the lady who had made +application for an appointment as a constable and been refused, +made a pithy address, in which she alluded to her recent +disappointment.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Matilda Joslyn Gage</span> spoke of the influence of the church on +woman's liberties, and then referred to a large number of law +books—ancient and modern, ecclesiastical and lay—in which the +liberties of woman were more or less abridged; the equality of +sexes which obtained in Rome before the Christian era, and the +gradual discrimination in favor of men which crept in with the +growth of the church.</p> + +<p>Mrs. <span class="smcap">Devereux Blake</span> said there is no aspect of this question that +strikes us so forcibly as the total ignoring of women by public +men. However polite they may be in private life, when they come +to public affairs they seem to forget that women exist. The men +who framed the last amendment to the constitution seemed to have +wholly forgotten that women existed or had rights.... Huxley said +in reply to an inquiry as to woman suffrage, "Of course I'm in +favor of it. Does it become us to lay additional burdens on those +who are already overweighted?" It is always the little men who +oppose us; the big-hearted men help us along. All in this +audience are of the broad-shouldered type, and I hope all will go +out prepared to advocate our principles. In reply to the +objection that women do not need the right to vote because men +represent them so well, she asked if any man in the audience ever +asked his wife how he should vote, and told him to stand up if +there was such a one. [Here a young man in the back part of the +hall stood up amidst loud applause.]</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The various resolutions were discussed at great length and +adopted, though much difference of opinion was expressed on the +last, which demands that intelligence shall be made the basis of +suffrage:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the National Constitution should be so amended +as to secure to United States citizens at home the same +protection for their individual rights against State tyranny, as +is now guaranteed everywhere against foreign aggressions.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the civil and political rights of the educated +tax-paying women of this nation should take precedence of all +propositions and debates in the present congress as to the future +status of the Chinese and Indians under the flag of the United +States.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The essential elements of justice are already recognized +in the constitution; and, whereas, our fathers proposed to +establish a purely secular government in which all forms of +religion should be equally protected, therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That it is preëminently unjust to tax the property of +widows and spinsters to its full value, while the clergy are made +a privileged class by exempting from taxation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> $1,500 of their +property in some States, while in all States parsonages and other +church property, amounting to millions of dollars, are exempted, +which, if fairly taxed, would greatly lighten the national debt, +and thereby the burdens of the laboring masses.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That thus to exempt one class of citizens, one kind +of property, from taxation, at the expense of all others, is a +great national evil, in a moral as well as a financial point of +view. It is an assumption that the church is a more important +institution than the family; that the influence of the clergy is +of more vital consequence in the progress of civilization than +that of the women of this republic; from which we emphatically +dissent.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That universal education is the true basis of +universal suffrage; hence the several States should so amend +their constitutions as to make education compulsory, and, as a +stimulus to the rising generation, declare that after 1885 all +who exercise the right of suffrage must be able to read and write +the English language. For, while the national government should +secure the equal right of suffrage to all citizens, the State +should regulate its exercise by proper attainable qualifications. </p></blockquote> + +<p>On January 10, 1878, our champion in the Senate, Hon. A. A. +Sargent, of California, by unanimous consent, presented the +following joint resolution, which was read twice and referred to +the Committee on Privileges and Elections:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Joint Resolution</span> <i>proposing an Amendment to the Constitution of +the United States</i>.—</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i> by the Senate and House of Representatives of the +United States of America in congress assembled, two-thirds of +each House concurring therein, 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 the said constitution, namely:</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Article 16, Sec. 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">Sec. 2.</span>—Congress shall have power to enforce this article by +appropriate legislation. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The Committee on Privileges and Elections granted hearings to the +National Association on January 11, 12, when the delegates,<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a> +representing the several States, made their respective arguments +and appeals. Clemence S. Lozier, M. D., president of the +association, first addressed the committee and read the following +extract from a recent letter from Victor Hugo:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Our ill-balanced society seems as if it would take from woman all +that nature had endowed her with. In our codes there is something +to recast. It is what I call the woman-law. Man has had his law; +he has made it for himself. Woman has only the law of man. She by +this law is civilly a minor and morally a slave. Her education is +embued with this twofold character of inferiority. Hence many +sufferings to her which man must justly share. There must be +reform here, and it will be to the benefit of civilization, +truth, and light.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span></p> + +<p>In concluding, Dr. Lozier said: I have now the honor to introduce +Miss Julia E. Smith, of Glastonbury, Conn., who will speak to you +concerning the resistance of her sister and herself to the +payment of taxes in her native town, on the ground that they are +unrepresented in all town meetings, and therefore have no voice +in the expenditure of the taxes which they are compelled to pay.</p> + +<p>Miss <span class="smcap">Smith</span> said: <i>Gentlemen of the Committee</i>—This is the first +time in my life that I have trod these halls, and what has +brought me here? I say, oppression—oppression of women by men. +Under the law they have taken from us $2,000 worth of +meadow-land, and sold it for taxes of less than $50, and we were +obliged to redeem it, for we could not lose the most valuable +part of our farm. They have come into our house and said, "You +must pay so much; we must execute the laws"; and we are not +allowed to have a voice in the matter, or to modify laws that are +odious.</p> + +<p>I have come to Washington, as men cannot address you for us. We +have no power at all; we are totally defenseless. [Miss Smith +then read two short letters written by her sister Abby to the +Springfield <i>Republican</i>.] These tell our brief story, and may I +not ask, gentlemen, that they shall so plead with you that you +will report to the Senate unanimously in favor of the sixteenth +amendment, which we ask in order that the women of these United +States who shall come after us may be saved the desecration of +their homes which we have suffered, and our country may be +relieved from the disgrace of refusing representation to that +half of its people that men call the better half, because it +includes their wives and daughters and mothers?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth Boynton Harbert</span>, vice-president for Illinois: +<i>Gentlemen of the Committee</i>—We recognize your duty as men +intrusted with the control and guidance of the government to +carefully weigh every phase of this momentous question. Has the +time arrived when it will be safe and expedient to make a +practical application of these great principles of our government +to one-half of the governed, one-half of the citizens of the +United States? The favorite argument of the opposition has been +that women are represented by men, hence have no cause for +complaint. Any careful student of the progress of liberty must +admit that the only possible method for securing justice to the +represented is for their representatives to be made entirely +responsible to their constituents, and promptly removable by +them. We are only secure in delegating power when we can dictate +its use, limit the same, or revoke it. How many of your honorable +committee would vote to make the presidency an office for life, +said office to descend to the heirs in a male line forever, with +no reserved power of impeachment? Yet you would be more fairly +represented than are American women, since they have never +elected their representatives. So far as women are concerned you +are self-constituted rulers. We cannot hope for complete +representation while we are powerless to recall, impeach, or +punish our representatives. We meet with a case in point in the +history of Virginia. Bancroft gives us the following quotation +from the official records: <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>The freedom of elections was further impaired by "frequent false +returns," made by the sheriffs. Against these the people had no +sufficient redress, for the sheriffs were responsible neither to +them nor to officers of their appointment. And how could a more +pregnant cause of discontent exist in a country where the +elective franchise was cherished as the dearest civil +privilege?—If land is to be taxed, none but landholders should +elect the legislature.—The other freemen, who are the more in +number, may refuse to be bound by those laws in which they have +no representation, and we are so well acquainted with the temper +of the people that we have reason to believe they had rather pay +their taxes than lose that privilege. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Would those statesmen have dared to tax those landholders and yet +deny them the privilege of choosing their representatives? And if, +forsooth, they had, would not each one of you have declared such +act unconstitutional and unjust? We are the daughters of those +liberty-loving patriots. Their blood flows in our veins, and in +view of the recognized physiological fact that special +characteristics are transmitted from fathers to daughters, do you +wonder that we tax-paying, American-born citizens of these United +States are here to protest in the name of liberty and justice? We +recognize, however, that you are not responsible for the present +political condition of women, and that the question confronting +you, as statesmen called to administer justice under existing +conditions, is, "What are the capacities of this great class for +self-government?" You have cautiously summoned us to adduce proof +that the ballot in the hands of women would prove a help, not a +hindrance; would bring wings, not weights.</p> + +<p>First, then, we ask you in the significant name of history to read +the record of woman as a ruler from the time when Deborah judged +Israel, and the land had rest and peace forty years, even down to +this present when Victoria Regina, the Empress Queen, rules her +vast kingdom so ably that we sometimes hear American men talk about +a return "to the good old ways of limited monarchy," with woman for +a ruler. John Stuart Mill, after studious research, testifies as +follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>When to queens and emperors we add regents and viceroys of +provinces, the list of women who have been eminent rulers of +mankind swells to a great length. The fact is so undeniable that +some one long ago tried to retort the argument by saying that +queens are better than kings, because under kings women govern, +but under queens, men. Especially is her wonderful talent for +governing evinced in Asia. If a Hindoo principality is strongly, +vigilantly, and economically governed; if order is preserved +without oppression; if cultivation is extending, and the people +prosperous, in three cases out of four that principality is under +a woman's rule. This fact, to me an entirely unexpected one, I +have collected from a long official knowledge of Hindoo +governments. There are many such instances; for though by Hindoo +institutions a woman cannot reign, she is the legal regent of a +kingdom during the minority of the heir—and minorities are +frequent, the lives of the male rulers being so often prematurely +terminated through their inactivity and excesses. When we +consider that these princesses have never been seen in public, +have never conversed with any man not of their own family, except +from behind a curtain; that they do not read, and if they did, +there is no book in their languages which can give them the +smallest instruction on political affairs, the example they +afford of the natural capacity of women for government is very +striking. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In view of these facts, does it not appear that if there is any one +distinctively feminine characteristic, it is the mother-instinct +for government?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> But now with clearer vision we reread the record +of the past. True, we find no Raphael or Beethoven, no Phidias or +Michael Angelo among women. No woman has painted the greatest +picture, carved the finest statue, composed the noblest oratorio or +opera. Not many women's names appear after Joan of Arc's in the +long list of warriors; but, as a ruler, woman stands to-day the +peer of man.</p> + +<p>While man has rendered such royal service in the realm of art, +woman has not been idle. Infinite wisdom has intrusted to her the +living, breathing marble or canvas, and with smiles and tears, +prayers and songs has she patiently wrought developing the latent +possibilities of the divine Christ-child, the infant Washington, +the baby Lincoln. Ah! since God and men have intrusted to woman the +weightiest responsibility known to earth, the development and +education of the human soul, need you fear to intrust her with +citizenship? Is the ballot more precious than the soul of your +child? If it is safe in the home, in the school-room, the +Sunday-school, to place in woman's hands the education of your +children, is it not safe to allow that mother to express her choice +in regard to which one of these sons, her boys whom she has taught +and nursed, shall make laws for her guidance?</p> + +<p>Just here, in imagination, is heard the question, "How much help +could we expect from women on financial questions?" We accept the +masculine idea of woman's mathematical deficiencies. We have had +slight opportunity for discovering the best proportions of a silver +dollar, owing to the fact that the family specimens have been +zealously guarded by the male members; and yet, we may have some +latent possibilities in that direction, since already the +"brethren" in our debt-burdened churches wail out from the depths +of masculine indebtedness and interest-tables, "Our sisters, we +pray you come over and help us!" And, in view of the fact of the +present condition of finances, in view of the fact of the enormous +taxes you impose upon us, can you look us calmly in the face and +assert that matters might, would, should, or could have been worse, +even though Julia Ward Howe, Mary A. Livermore, or Elizabeth Cady +Stanton, had voted on the silver bill?</p> + +<p>A moment since I referred to the great responsibilities of +motherhood, and doubtless your mental comment was, "Yes, that is +woman's peculiar sphere; there she should be content to remain." It +<i>is</i> our sphere—beautiful, glorious, almost infinite in its +possibilities. We accept the work; we only ask for opportunity to +perform it. The sphere has enlarged, that is all. There has been a +new revelation. That historic "first gun" proclaimed a wonderful +message to the daughters of America; for, when the smoke of the +cannonading had lifted, the entire horizon of woman was broadened, +illuminated, glorified. On that April morn, when a nation of +citizens suddenly sprang into an army of warriors, with a +patriotism as intense, a consecration as true, American women +quietly assumed their vacated places and became citizens. New +boundaries were defined. A Mary Somerville or Maria Mitchell seized +the telescope and alone with God and the stars, cast a new +horoscope for woman. And the new truth, electrifying, glorifying +American womanhood to-day, is the discovery that the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> State is but +the larger family, the nation the old homestead, and that in this +national home there is a room and a corner and a duty for "mother." +A duty recognized by such a statesman as John Adams, who wrote to +his wife in regard to her mother:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Your mother had a clear and penetrating understanding and a +profound judgment, as well as an honest, a friendly and +charitable heart. There is one thing, however, which you will +forgive me if I hint to you. Let me ask you rather if you are not +of my opinion. Were not her talents and virtues too much confined +to private, social and domestic life? My opinion of the duties of +religion and morality comprehends a very extensive connection +with society at large and the great interests of the public. Does +not natural morality and, much more, Christian benevolence make +it our indispensable duty to endeavor to serve our +fellow-creatures to the utmost of our power in promoting and +supporting those great political systems and general regulations +upon which the happiness of multitudes depends? The benevolence, +charity, capacity and industry which exerted in private life +would make a family, a parish or a town happy, employed upon a +larger scale and in support of the great principles of virtue and +freedom of political regulations, might secure whole nations and +generations from misery, want and contempt. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Intense domestic life is selfish. The home evidently needs fathers +as much as mothers. Tender, wise fatherhood is beautiful as +motherhood, but there are orphaned children to be cared for. These +duties to the State and nation as mothers, true to the highest +needs of our children, we dare not ignore; and the nation cannot +much longer afford to have us ignore them.</p> + +<p>As statesmen, walking on the shore piled high with the "drift-wood +of kings," the wrecks of nations and governments, you have +discovered the one word emblazoned as an epitaph on each and every +one, "Luxury, luxury, luxury!" You have hitherto placed a premium +upon woman's idleness, helplessness, dependence. The children of +most of our fashionable women are being educated by foreign nurses. +How can you expect them to develop into patriotic American +statesmen? For the sake of country I plead—for the sake of a +responsible, exalted womanhood; for the sake of a purer womanhood; +for home and truth, and native land. As a daughter, with holiest, +tenderest, most grateful memories clinging to the almost sacred +name of father; as a wife, receiving constant encouragement, +support, and coöperation from one who has revealed to her the +genuine nobility of true manhood; as a mother, whose heart still +thrills at the first greeting from her little son; and as a sister, +watching with intense interest the entrance of a brother into the +great world of work, I could not be half so loyal to woman's cause +were it not a synonym for the equal rights of humanity—a diviner +justice for all!</p> + +<p>With one practical question I rest my case. The world objected to +woman's entrance into literature, the pulpit, the lyceum, the +college, the school. What has she wrought? Our wisest thinkers and +historians assert that literature has been purified. Poets and +judges at international collegiate contests award to woman's +thought the highest prize. Miss Lucia Peabody received upon the +occasion of her second election to the Boston school board the +highest vote ever polled for any candidate. Since woman has proved +faithful over a few things, need you fear to summon her to your +side to assist you in executing the will of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> the nation? And now, +yielding to none in intense love of womanhood; standing here +beneath the very dome of the national capitol overshadowed by the +old flag; with the blood of the revolutionary patriots coursing +through my veins; as a native-born, tax-paying American citizen, I +ask equality before the law.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth Cady Stanton</span> said: <i>Gentlemen of the Committee</i>: In +appearing before you to ask for a sixteenth amendment to the United +States Constitution, permit me to say that with the Hon. Charles +Sumner, we believe that our constitution, fairly interpreted, +already secures to the humblest individual all the rights, +privileges and immunities of American citizens. But as statesmen +differ in their interpretations of constitutional law as widely as +they differ in their organizations, the rights of every class of +citizens must be clearly defined in concise, unmistakable language. +All the great principles of liberty declared by the fathers gave no +protection to the black man of the republic for a century, and +when, with higher light and knowledge his emancipation and +enfranchisement were proclaimed, it was said that the great truths +set forth in the prolonged debates of thirty years on the +individual rights of the black man, culminating in the fourteenth +and fifteenth amendments to the constitution, had no significance +for woman. Hence we ask that this anomalous class of beings, not +recognized by the supreme powers as either "persons" or "citizens" +may be defined and their rights declared in the constitution.</p> + +<p>In the adjustment of the question of suffrage now before the people +of this country for settlement, it is of the highest importance +that the organic law of the land should be so framed and construed +as to work injustice to none, but secure as far as possible perfect +political equality among all classes of citizens. In determining +your right and power to legislate on this question, consider what +has been done already.</p> + +<p>As the national constitution 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," it is evident: <i>First</i>—That the immunities +and privileges of American citizenship, however defined, are +national in character, and paramount to all State authority. +<i>Second</i>—That while the constitution leaves the qualification of +electors to the several States, it nowhere gives them the right to +deprive any citizen of the elective franchise; the State may +regulate but not abolish the right of suffrage for any class. +<i>Third</i>—As the Constitution of the United States expressly +declares that no State shall make or enforce any law that shall +abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United +States, those provisions of the several State constitutions that +exclude citizens from the franchise on account of sex, alike +violate the spirit and letter of the Federal constitution. +<i>Fourth</i>—As the question of naturalization is expressly withheld +from the States, and as the States would 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 right.</p> + +<p>Let me give you a few extracts from the national constitution upon +which these propositions are based: <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Preamble:</i> We, the people of the United States, in order to form +a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic +tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general +welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our +posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution. </p></blockquote> + +<p>This is declared to be a government "of the people." All power, it +is said, centers in the people. Our State constitutions also open +with the words, "We, the people." Does any one pretend to say that +men alone constitute races and peoples? When we say parents, do we +not mean mothers as well as fathers? When we say children, do we +not mean girls as well as boys? When we say people, do we not mean +women as well as men? When the race shall spring, Minerva-like, +from the brains of their fathers, it will be time enough thus to +ignore the fact that one-half the human family are women. +Individual rights, individual conscience and judgment are our great +American ideas, the fundamental principles of our political and +religious faith. Men may as well attempt to do our repenting, +confessing, and believing, as our voting—as well represent us at +the throne of grace as at the ballot-box.</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Article 1, Sec. 9.</span>—No bill of attainder, or <i>ex post facto</i> law +shall be passed; no title of nobility shall be granted by the +United States.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec. 10.</span>—No State shall pass any bill of attainder, <i>ex post +facto</i> law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts, or +grant any title of nobility. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Notwithstanding these provisions of the constitution, bills of +attainder have been passed by the introduction of the word "male" +into all the State constitutions denying to woman the right of +suffrage, and thereby making sex a crime. A citizen disfranchised +in a republic is a citizen attainted. When we place in the hands of +one class of citizens the right to make, interpret and execute the +law for another class wholly unrepresented in the government, we +have made an order of nobility.</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Article 4, Sec. 2.</span>—The citizens of each State shall be entitled +to all the privileges and immunities of citizens in the several +States. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The elective franchise is one of the privileges secured by this +section approved in Dunham <i>vs.</i> Lamphere (3 Gray Mass. Rep., 276), +and Bennett <i>vs.</i> Boggs (Baldwin's Rep., p. 72, Circuit Court U. +S.).</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Article 4, Sec. 4.</span>—The United States shall guarantee to every +State in the Union a republican form of government. </p></blockquote> + +<p>How can that form of government be called republican in which +one-half the people are forever deprived of all participation in +its affairs?</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Article 6.</span>—This Constitution, and the laws of the United States +which shall be made in pursuance thereof, ... shall be the +supreme law of the land; and the judges in every State shall be +bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State +to the contrary notwithstanding.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Article 14, Sec. 1.</span>—All persons born or naturalized in the +United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are +citizens of the United States.... No State shall make or enforce +any law which shall abridge the privileges and immunities of +citizens of the United States. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In the discussion of the enfranchisement of woman, suffrage is now +claimed by one class of thinkers as a privilege based upon +citizenship and secured by the Constitution of the United States, +as by lexicographers as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> well as by the constitution itself, the +definition of citizen includes women as well as men. No State can +rightfully deprive a woman-citizen of the United States of any +fundamental right which is hers in common with all other citizens. +The States have the right to regulate, but not to prohibit the +elective franchise to citizens of the United States. Thus the +States may determine the qualifications of electors. They may +require the elector to be of a certain age—to have had a fixed +residence—to be of sane mind and unconvicted of crime,—because +these are qualifications or conditions that all citizens, sooner or +later, may attain. But to go beyond this, and say to one-half the +citizens of the State, notwithstanding you possess all of these +qualifications, you shall never vote, is of the very essence of +despotism. It is a bill of attainder of the most odious character.</p> + +<p>A further investigation of the subject will show that the +constitutions of all the States, with the exception of Virginia and +Massachusetts, read substantially alike. "White male citizens" +shall be entitled to vote, and this is supposed to exclude all +other citizens. There is no direct exclusion except in the two +States above named. Now the error lies in supposing that an +enabling clause is necessary at all. The right of the people of a +State to participate in a government of their own creation requires +no enabling clause, neither can it be taken from them by +implication. To hold otherwise would be to interpolate in the +constitution a prohibition that does not exist.</p> + +<p>In framing a constitution, the people are assembled in their +sovereign capacity, and being possessed of all rights and powers, +what is not surrendered is retained. Nothing short of a direct +prohibition can work a deprivation of rights that are fundamental. +In the language of John Jay to the people of New York, urging the +adoption of the constitution of the United States: "Silence and +blank paper neither give nor take away anything." And Alexander +Hamilton says (<i>Federalist</i>, No. 83):</p> + +<blockquote><p>Every man of discernment must at once perceive the wide +difference between silence and abolition. The mode and manner in +which the people shall take part in the government of their +creation may be prescribed by the constitution, but the right +itself is antecedent to all constitutions. It is inalienable, and +can neither be bought nor sold nor given away. </p></blockquote> + +<p>But even if it should be held that this view is untenable, and that +women are disfranchised by the several State constitutions, +directly or by implication, then I say that such prohibitions are +clearly in conflict with the Constitution of the United States and +yield thereto.</p> + +<p>Another class of thinkers, equally interested in woman's +enfranchisement, maintain that there is, as yet, no power in the +United States Constitution to protect the rights of all United +States citizens, in all latitudes and longitudes, and in all +conditions whatever. When the constitution was adopted, the fathers +thought they had secured national unity. This was the opinion of +Southern as well as Northern statesmen. It was supposed that the +question of State rights was then forever settled. Hon. Charles +Sumner, speaking on this point in the United States Senate, March +7, 1866, said the object of the constitution was to ordain, under +the authority of the people, a national government possessing unity +and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> power. The confederation had been merely an agreement "between +the States," styled, "a league of firm friendship." Found to be +feeble and inoperative through the pretension of State rights, it +gave way to the constitution which, instead of a "league," created +a "union," in the name of the people of the United States. +Beginning with these inspiring and enacting words, "We, the +people," it was popular and national. Here was no concession to +State rights, but a recognition of the power of the people, from +whom the constitution proceeded. The States are acknowledged; but +they are all treated as component parts of the Union in which they +are absorbed under the constitution, which is the supreme law. +There is but one sovereignty, and that is the sovereignty of the +United States. On this very account the adoption of the +constitution was opposed by Patrick Henry and George Mason. The +first exclaimed, "That this is a consolidated government is +demonstrably clear; the question turns on that poor little thing, +'We, the people,' instead of the States." The second exclaimed, +"Whether the constitution is good or bad, it is a national +government, and no longer a confederation." But against this +powerful opposition the constitution was adopted in the name of the +people of the United States. Throughout the discussions, State +rights was treated with little favor. Madison said: "The States are +only political societies, and never possessed the right of +sovereignty." Gerry said: "The States have only corporate rights." +Wilson, the philanthropic member from Pennsylvania, afterward a +learned Judge of the Supreme Court of the United States and author +of the "Lectures on Law," said: "Will a regard to State rights +justify the sacrifice of the rights of men? If we proceed on any +other foundation than the last, our building will neither be solid +nor lasting."</p> + +<p>Those of us who understand the dignity, power and protection of the +ballot, have steadily petitioned congress for the last ten years to +secure to the women of the republic the exercise of their right to +the elective franchise. We began by asking a sixteenth amendment to +the national constitution. March 15, 1869, the Hon. George W. +Julian submitted a joint resolution to congress, to enfranchise the +women of the republic, by proposing a sixteenth amendment:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Article 16.</span>—The right of suffrage in the United States shall be +based on citizenship, and shall be regulated by Congress, and all +citizens of the United States, whether native or naturalized, +shall enjoy this right equally, without any distinction or +discrimination whatever founded on sex. </p></blockquote> + +<p>While the discussion was pending for the emancipation and +enfranchisement of the slaves of the South, and popular thought led +back to the consideration of the fundamental principles of our +government, it was clearly seen that all the arguments for the +civil and political rights of the African race applied to women +also. Seeing this, some Republicans stood ready to carry these +principles to their logical results. Democrats, too, saw the drift +of the argument, and though not in favor of extending suffrage to +either black men, or women, yet, to embarrass Republican +legislation, it was said, they proposed amendments for woman +suffrage to all bills brought forward for enfranchising the +negroes.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p> + +<p>And thus, during the passage of the thirteenth, fourteenth and +fifteenth amendments, and the District suffrage bill, the question +of woman suffrage was often and ably discussed in the Senate and +House, and received both Republican and Democratic votes in its +favor. Many able lawyers and judges gave it as their opinion that +women as well as Africans were enfranchised by the fourteenth and +fifteenth Amendments. Accordingly, we abandoned, for the time +being, our demand for a sixteenth amendment, and pleaded our right +of suffrage, as already secured by the fourteenth amendment—the +argument lying in a nut-shell. For if, as therein asserted, all +persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens of +the United States; and if a citizen, according to the best +authorities, is one possessed of all the rights and privileges of +citizenship, namely, the right to make laws and choose lawmakers, +women, being persons, must be citizens, and therefore entitled to +the rights of citizenship, the chief of which is the right to vote.</p> + +<p>Accordingly, women tested their right, registered and voted—the +inspectors of election accepting the argument, for which inspectors +and women alike were arrested, tried and punished; the courts +deciding that although by the fourteenth amendment they were +citizens, still, citizenship did not carry with it the right to +vote. But granting the premise of the Supreme Court decision, "that +the constitution does not confer suffrage on any one," then it +inhered with the citizen before the constitution was framed. Our +national life does not date from that instrument. The constitution +is not the original declaration of rights. It was not framed until +eleven years after our existence as a nation, nor fully ratified +until nearly fourteen years after the inauguration of our national +independence.</p> + +<p>But however the letter and spirit of the constitution may be +interpreted by the people, the judiciary of the nation has +uniformly proved itself the echo of the party in power. When the +slave power was dominant the Supreme Court decided that a black man +was not a citizen, because he had not the right to vote; and when +the constitution was so amended as to make all persons citizens, +the same high tribunal decided that a woman, though a citizen, had +not the right to vote. An African, by virtue of his United States +citizenship, is declared, under recent amendments, a voter in every +State of the Union; but when a woman, by virtue of her United +States citizenship, applies to the Supreme Court for protection in +the exercise of this same right, she is remanded to the State, by +the unanimous decision of the nine judges on the bench, that "the +Constitution of the United States does not confer the right of +suffrage upon any one." Such vacillating interpretations of +constitutional law must unsettle our faith in judicial authority, +and undermine the liberties of the whole people. Seeing by these +decisions of the courts that the theory of our government, the +Declaration of Independence, and recent constitutional amendments, +have no significance for woman, that all the grand principles of +equality are glittering generalities for her, we must fall back +once more to our former demand of a sixteenth amendment to the +federal constitution, that, in clear, unmistakable language, shall +declare the status of woman in this republic.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Declaration of Independence struck a blow at every existent +form of government by making the individual the source of all +power. This is the sun, and the one central truth around which all +genuine republics must keep their course or perish. National +supremacy means something more than power to levy war, conclude +peace, contract alliances, establish commerce. It means national +protection and security in the exercise of the right of +self-government, which comes alone by and through the use of the +ballot. Women are the only class of citizens still wholly +unrepresented in the government, and yet we possess every requisite +qualification for voters in the United States. Women possess +property and education; we take out naturalization-papers and +passports and register ships. We preëmpt lands, pay taxes (women +sometimes work out the road-tax with their own hands) and suffer +for our own violation of laws. We are neither idiots, lunatics, nor +criminals, and according to our State constitution lack but one +qualification for voters, namely, sex, which is an insurmountable +qualification, and therefore equivalent to a bill of attainder +against one-half the people, a power neither the States nor the +United States can legally exercise, being forbidden in article 1, +sections 9, 10, of the constitution. Our rulers have the right to +regulate the suffrage, but they cannot abolish it for any class of +citizens, as has been done in the case of the women of this +republic, without a direct violation of the fundamental law of the +land. All concessions of privileges or redress of grievances are +mockery for any class that have no voice in the laws, and +law-makers; hence we demand the ballot, that scepter of power in +our own hands, as the only sure protection for our rights of person +and property under all conditions. If the few may grant and +withhold rights at their pleasure, the many cannot be said to enjoy +the blessings of self-government.</p> + +<p>William H. Seward said in his great speech on "Freedom and Union," +in the United States Senate, February 29, 1860:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Mankind have a natural right, a natural instinct, and a natural +capacity for self-government; and when, as here, they are +sufficiently ripened by culture, they will and must have +self-government, and no other. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Jefferson said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The God who gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time; the +hand of freedom may destroy, but cannot disjoin them. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Few people comprehend the length and breadth of the principle we +are advocating to-day, and how closely it is allied to everything +vital in our system of government. Our personal grievances, such as +being robbed of property and children by unjust husbands; denied +admission into the colleges, the trades and professions; compelled +to work at starving prices, by no means round out this whole +question. In asking for a sixteenth amendment to the United States +Constitution, and the protection of congress against the injustice +of State law, we are fighting the same battle as Jefferson and +Hamilton fought in 1776, as Calhoun and Clay in 1828, as Abraham +Lincoln and Jefferson Davis in 1860, namely, the limit of State +rights and federal power. The enfranchisement of woman involves the +same vital principle of our government that is dividing and +distracting the two great political parties at this hour.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span></p> + +<p>There is nothing a foreigner coming here finds it so difficult to +understand as the wheel within a wheel in our national and State +governments, and the possibility of carrying them on without +friction; and this is the difficulty and danger we are fast finding +out. The recent amendments are steps in the right direction toward +national unity, securing equal rights to all citizens, in every +latitude and longitude. But our congressional debates, judicial +decisions, and the utterances of campaign orators, continually +falling back to the old ground, are bundles of contradictions on +this vital question. Inasmuch as we are, first, citizens of the +United States, and second, of the State wherein we reside, the +primal rights of all citizens should be regulated by the national +government, and complete equality in civil and political rights +everywhere secured. When women are denied the right to enter +institutions of learning, and practice in the professions, unjust +discriminations made against sex even more degrading and +humiliating than were ever made against color, surely woman, too, +should be protected by a civil-rights bill and a sixteenth +amendment that should make her political status equal with all +other citizens of the republic.</p> + +<p>The right of suffrage, like the currency of the post-office +department, demands national regulation. We can all remember the +losses sustained by citizens in traveling from one State to another +under the old system of State banks. We can imagine the confusion +if each State regulated its post-offices, and the transit of the +mails across its borders. The benefits we find in uniformity and +unity in these great interests would pervade all others where equal +conditions were secured. Some citizens are asking for a national +bankrupt law, that a person released from his debts in one State +may be free in every other. Some are for a religious freedom +amendment that shall forever separate church and State; forbidding +a religious test as a condition of suffrage or a qualification for +office; forbidding the reading of the Bible in the schools and the +exempting of church property and sectarian institutions of learning +or charity from taxation. Some are demanding a national marriage +law, that a man legally married in one State may not be a bigamist +in another. Some are asking a national prohibitory law, that a +reformed drunkard who is shielded from temptation in one State may +not be environed with dangers in another. And thus many individual +interests point to a growing feeling among the people in favor of +homogeneous legislation. As several of the States are beginning to +legislate on the woman suffrage question, it is of vital moment +that there should be some national action.</p> + +<p>As the laws now are, a woman who can vote, hold office, be tried by +a jury of her own peers—yea, and sit on the bench as justice of +the peace in the territory of Wyoming, may be reduced to a +political pariah in the State of New York. A woman who can vote and +hold office on the school board, and act as county superintendent +in Kansas and Minnesota, is denied these rights in passing into +Pennsylvania. A woman who can be a member of the school board in +Maine, Wisconsin, Iowa, and California, loses all these privileges +in New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware. When representatives from +the territories are sent to congress by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> votes of women, it is +time to have some national recognition of this class of citizens.</p> + +<p>This demand of national protection for national citizens is fated +to grow stronger every day. The government of the United States, as +the constitution is now interpreted, is powerless to give a just +equivalent for the supreme allegiance it claims. One sound +democratic principle fully recognized and carried to its logical +results in our government, declaring all citizens equal before the +law, would soon chase away the metaphysical mists and fogs that +cloud our political views in so many directions. When congress is +asked to put the name of God in the constitution, and thereby +pledge the nation to some theological faith in which some United +States citizens may not believe and thus subject a certain class to +political ostracism and social persecution, it is asked not to +protect but to oppress the citizens of the several States in their +most sacred rights—to think, reason, and decide all questions of +religion and conscience for themselves, without fear or favor from +the government. Popular sentiment and church persecution is all +that an advanced thinker in science and religion should be called +on to combat. The State should rather throw its shield of +protection around those uttering liberal, progressive ideas; for +the nation has the same interest in every new thought as it has in +the invention of new machinery to lighten labor, in the discovery +of wells of oil, or mines of coal, copper, iron, silver or gold. As +in the laboratory of nature new forms of beauty are forever +revealing themselves, so in the world of thought a higher outlook +gives a clearer vision of the heights man in freedom shall yet +attain. The day is past for persecuting the philosophers of the +physical sciences. But what a holocaust of martyrs bigotry is still +making of those bearing the richest treasures of thought, in +religion and social ethics, in their efforts to roll off the +mountains of superstition that have so long darkened the human +mind!</p> + +<p>The numerous demands by the people for national protection in many +rights not specified in the constitution, prove that the people +have outgrown the compact that satisfied the fathers, and the more +it is expounded and understood the more clearly its monarchical +features can be traced to its English origin. And it is not at all +surprising that, with no chart or compass for a republic, our +fathers, with all their educational prejudices in favor of the +mother country, with her literature and systems of jurisprudence, +should have also adopted her ideas of government, and in drawing up +their national compact engrafted the new republic on the old +constitutional monarchy, a union whose incompatibility has involved +their sons in continued discussion as to the true meaning of the +instrument. A recent writer says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Constitution of the United States is the result of a fourfold +compromise: <i>First</i>—Of unity with individual interests; of +national sovereignty with the so-called sovereignty of States; +<i>Second</i>—Of the republic with monarchy; <i>Third</i>—Of freedom with +slavery; <i>Fourth</i>—Of democracy with aristocracy. </p></blockquote> + +<p>It is founded, therefore, on the fourfold combination of principles +perfectly incompatible and eternally excluding each other; founded +for the purpose of equally preserving these principles in spite of +their incompatibility,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> and of carrying out their practical +results—in other words, for the purpose of making an impossible +thing possible. And a century of discussion has not yet made the +constitution understood. It has no settled interpretation. Being a +series of compromises, it can be expounded in favor of many +directly opposite principles.</p> + +<p>A distinguished American statesman remarked that the war of the +rebellion was waged "to expound the constitution." It is a +pertinent question now, shall all other contradictory principles be +retained in the constitution until they, too, are expounded by +civil war? On what theory is it less dangerous to defraud twenty +million women of their inalienable rights than four million +negroes? Is not the same principle involved in both cases? We ask +congress to pass a sixteenth amendment, not only for woman's +protection, but for the safety of the nation. Our people are filled +with unrest to-day because there is no fair understanding of the +basis of individual rights, nor the legitimate power of the +national government. The Republican party took the ground during +the war that congress had the right to establish a national +currency in every State; that it had the right to emancipate and +enfranchise the slaves; to change their political status in +one-half the States of the union; to pass a civil rights bill, +securing to the freedman a place in the schools, colleges, trades, +professions, hotels, and all public conveyances for travel. And +they maintained their right to do all these as the best measures +for peace, though compelled by war.</p> + +<p>And now, when congress is asked to extend the same protection to +the women of the nation, we are told they have not the power, and +we are remanded to the States. They say the emancipation of the +slave was a war measure, a military necessity; that his +enfranchisement was a political necessity. We might with propriety +ask if the present condition of the nation, with its political +outlook, its election frauds daily reported, the corrupt action of +men in official position, governors, judges, and boards of +canvassers, has not brought us to a moral necessity where some new +element is needed in government. But, alas! when women appeal to +congress for the protection of their natural rights of person and +property, they send us for redress to the courts, and the courts +remand us to the States. You did not trust the Southern freedman to +the arbitrary will of courts and States! Why send your mothers, +wives and daughters to the unwashed, unlettered, unthinking masses +that carry popular elections?</p> + +<p>We are told by one class of philosophers that the growing tendency +to increase national power and authority is leading to a dangerous +centralization; that the safety of the republic rests in local +self-government. Says the editor of the Boston <i>Index</i>:</p> + +<blockquote><p>What is local self-government? Briefly, that without any +interference from without, every citizen should manage his own +personal affairs in his own way, according to his own pleasure; +that every town should manage its own town affairs in the same +manner and under the same restriction; every county its own +county affairs, every State its own State affairs. But the +independent exercise of this autonomy, by personal and corporate +individuals, has one fundamental condition, viz.: the maintenance +of all these individualities intact, each in its own sphere of +action, with its rights uninfringed and its freedom uncurtailed +in that sphere, yet each also preserving its just relation to all +the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> rest in an all comprehensive social organization. Every +citizen would thus stand, as it were, in the center of several +concentric and enlarging circles of relationship to his kind; he +would have duties and rights in each relation, not only as an +individual but also as a member of town, county, State and +national organization. His local self-government will be at his +highest possible point of realization, when in each of these +relations his individual duties are discharged and his rights +maintained. </p></blockquote> + +<p>On the other hand, what is centralization?</p> + +<blockquote><p>It is such a disorganization of this well-balanced, harmonious +and natural system as shall result in the absorption of all +substantial power by a central authority, to the destruction of +the autonomy of the various individualities above mentioned; such +as was produced, for instance, when the <i>municipia</i> of the Roman +empire lost their corporate independence and melted into the vast +imperial despotism which prepared the way for the collapse of +society under the blows of Northern barbarism. Such a +centralization must inevitably be produced by decay of that +stubborn stickling for rights, out of which local self-government +has always grown. That is, if individual rights in the citizen, +the town, the county, the State, shall not be vindicated as +beyond all price, and defended with the utmost jealousy, at +whatever cost, the spirit of liberty must have already died out, +and the dreary process of centralization be already far advanced. +It will thus be evident that the preservation of individual +rights is the only possible preventative of centralization, and +that free society has no interest to be compared for an instant +in importance with that of preserving these individual rights. No +nation is free in which this is not the paramount concern. Woe to +America when her sons and her daughters begin to sneer at rights! +Just so long as the citizens are protected individually in their +rights, the towns and counties and States cannot be stripped; but +if the former lose all love for their own liberties as equal +units of society, the latter will become the empty shells of +creatures long perished. The nation as such, therefore, if it +would be itself free and non-centralized, must find its own +supreme interest in the protection of its individual citizens in +the fullest possible enjoyment of their equal rights and +liberties. </p></blockquote> + +<p>As this question of woman's enfranchisement is one of national +safety, we ask you to remember that we are citizens of the United +States, and, as such, claim the protection of the national flag in +the exercise of our national rights, in every latitude and +longitude, on sea, land, at home as well as abroad; against the +tyranny of States, as well as against foreign aggressions. Local +authorities may regulate the exercise of these rights; they may +settle all minor questions of property, but the inalienable +personal rights of citizenship should be declared by the +constitution, interpreted by the Supreme Court, protected by +congress and enforced by the arm of the executive. It is nonsense +to talk of State rights until the graver question of personal +liberties is first understood and adjusted. President Hayes, in +reply to an address of welcome at Charlottesville, Va., September +25, 1877, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Equality under the laws for all citizens is the corner-stone of +the structure of the restored harmony from which the ancient +friendship is to rise. In this pathway I am going, the pathway +where your illustrious men led—your Jefferson, your Madison, +your Monroe, your Washington. </p></blockquote> + +<p>If, in this statement, President Hayes is thoroughly sincere, then +he will not hesitate to approve emphatically the principle of +national protection for national citizens. He will see that the +protection of all the national citizens in all their rights, civil, +political, and religious—not by the muskets of United States +troops, but by the peaceable authority of United<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> States courts—is +not a principle that applies to a single section of the country, +but to all sections alike; he will see that the incorporation of +such a principle in the constitution cannot be regarded as a +measure of force imposed upon the vanquished, since it would be law +alike to the vanquished and the victor. In short, he will see that +there is no other sufficient guarantee of that equality of all +citizens, which he well declares to be the "corner-stone of the +structure of restored harmony." The Boston <i>Journal</i> of July 19, +said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>There are cases where it seems as if the constitution should +empower the federal government to step in and protect the citizen +in the State, when the local authorities are in league with the +assassins; but, as it now reads, no such provision exists. </p></blockquote> + +<p>That the constitution does not make such provision is not the fault +of the president; it must be attributed to the leading Republicans +who had it in their power once to change the constitution so as to +give the most ample powers to the general government. When +Attorney-General Devens was charged last May with negligence in not +prosecuting the parties accused of the Mountain Meadow massacre, +his defense was, that this horrible crime was not against the +United States, but against the territory of Utah. Yet, it was a +great company of industrious, honest, unoffending United States +citizens who were foully and brutally murdered in cold blood. When +Chief-Justice Waite gave his charge to the jury in the Ellentown +conspiracy cases, at Charleston, S. C., June 1, 1877, he said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>That a number of citizens of the United States have been killed, +there can be no question; but that is not enough to enable the +government of the United States to interfere for their +protection. Under the constitution that duty belongs to the State +alone. But when an unlawful combination is made to interfere with +any of the rights of natural citizenship secured to citizens of +the United States by the national constitution, then an offense +is committed against the laws of the United States, and it is not +only the right but the absolute duty of the national government +to interfere and afford the citizens that protection which every +good government is bound to give. </p></blockquote> + +<p>General Hawley, in an address before a college last spring, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Why, it is asked, does our government permit outrages in a State +which it would exert all its authority to redress, even at the +risk of war, if they were perpetrated under a foreign government? +Are the rights of American citizens more sacred on the soil of +Great Britain or France than on the soil of one of our own +States? Not at all. But the government of the United States is +clothed with power to act with imperial sovereignty in the one +case, while in the other its authority is limited to the degree +of utter impotency, in certain circumstances. The State +sovereignty excludes the Federal over most matters of dealing +between man and man, and if the State laws are properly enforced +there is not likely to be any ground of complaint, but if they +are not, the federal government, if not specially called on +according to the terms of the constitution, is helpless. Citizen +A.B., grievously wronged, beaten, robbed, lynched within a hair's +breadth of death, may apply in vain to any and all prosecuting +officers of the State. The forms of law that might give him +redress are all there; the prosecuting officers, judges, and +sheriffs, that might act, are there; but, under an oppressive and +tyrannical public sentiment, they refuse to move. In such an +exigency the government of the United States can do no more than +the government of any neighboring State; that is, unless the +State concerned calls for aid, or unless the offense rises to the +dignity of insurrection or rebellion. The reason is, that the +framers of our governmental system left to the several States the +sole guardianship of the personal and relative private rights of +the people. </p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span></p> + +<p>Such is the imperfect development of our own nationality in this +respect that we have really no right as yet to call ourselves a +nation in the true sense of the word, nor shall we have while this +state of things continues. Thousands have begun to feel this +keenly, of which a few illustrations may suffice. A communication +to the New York <i>Tribune</i>, June 9, signed "Merchant," said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Before getting into a quarrel and perhaps war with Mexico about +the treatment of our flag and citizens, would it not be as well, +think you, for the government to try and make the flag a +protection to the citizens on our own soil? </p></blockquote> + +<p>That is what it has never been since the foundation of our +government in a large portion of our common country. The kind of +government the people of this country expect and intend to +have—State rights or no State rights, no matter how much blood and +treasure it may cost—is a government to protect the humblest +citizen in the exercise of all his rights.</p> + +<p>When the rebellion of the South against the government began, one +of the most noted secessionists of Baltimore asked one of the +regular army officers what the government expected to gain by +making war on the South. "Well," the officer replied, laying his +hand on the cannon by which he was standing, "we intend to use +these until it is as safe for a Northern man to express his +political opinions in the South, as it is for a Southern man to +express his in the North." Senator Blaine, at a banquet in Trenton, +N. J., July 2, declared that a "government which did not offer +protection to every citizen in every State had no right to demand +allegiance." Ex-Senator Wade, of Ohio, in a letter to the +Washington <i>National Republican</i> of July 16, said of the +president's policy:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I greatly fear this policy, under cover of what is called local +self-government, is but an ignominious surrender of the +principles of nationality for which our armies fought and for +which thousands upon thousands of our brave men died, and without +which the war was a failure and our boasted government a myth. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Behind the slavery of the colored race was the principle of State +rights. Their emancipation and enfranchisement were important, not +only as a vindication of our great republican idea of individual +rights, but as the first blow in favor of national unity—of a +consistent, homogeneous government. As all our difficulties, State +and national, are finally referred to the constitution, it is of +vital importance that that instrument should not be susceptible of +a different interpretation from every possible standpoint. It is +folly to spend another century in expounding the equivocal language +of the constitution. If under that instrument, supposed to be the +<i>Magna Charta</i> of American liberties, all United States citizens do +not stand equal before the law, it should without further delay be +so amended as in plain, unmistakable language to declare what are +the rights, privileges, and immunities that belong to citizens of a +republic.</p> + +<p>There is no reason why the people of to-day should be governed by +the laws and constitutions of men long since dead and buried. +Surely those who understand the vital issues of this hour are +better able to legislate for the living present than those who +governed a hundred years ago. If the nineteenth century is to be +governed by the opinions of the eighteenth,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> and the twentieth by +the nineteenth, the world will always be governed by dead men....</p> + +<p>The cry of centralization could have little significance if the +constitution were so amended as to protect all United States +citizens in their inalienable rights. That national supremacy that +holds individual freedom and equality more sacred than State rights +and secures representation to all classes of people, is a very +different form of centralization from that in which all the forces +of society are centered in a single arm. But the recognition of the +principle of national supremacy, as declared in the fourteenth and +fifteenth amendments, has been practically nullified and the +results of the war surrendered, by remanding woman to the States +for the protection of her civil and political rights. The Supreme +Court decisions and the congressional reports on this point are in +direct conflict with the idea of national unity, and the principle +of States rights involved in this discussion must in time remand +all United States citizens alike to State authority for the +protection of those rights declared to inhere in the people at the +foundation of the government.</p> + +<p>You may listen to our demands, gentlemen, with dull ears, and smile +incredulously at the idea of danger to our institutions from +continued violation of the civil and political rights of women, but +the question of what citizens shall enjoy the rights of suffrage +involves our national existence; for, if the constitutional rights +of the humblest citizen may be invaded with impunity, laws +interpreted on the side of injustice, judicial decisions based not +on reason, sound argument, nor the spirit and letter of our +declarations and theories of government, but on the customs of +society and what dead men are supposed to have thought, not what +they said—what will the rights of the ruling powers even be in the +future with a people educated into such modes of thought and +action? The treatment of every individual in a community—in our +courts, prisons, asylums, of every class of petitioners before +congress—strengthens or undermines the foundations of that temple +of liberty whose corner-stones were laid one century ago with +bleeding hands and anxious hearts, with the hardships, privations, +and sacrifices of a seven years' war. He who is able from the +conflicts of the present to forecast the future events, cannot but +contemplate with anxiety the fate of this republic, unless our +constitution be at once subjected to a thorough emendation, making +it more comprehensively democratic.</p> + +<p>A review of the history of our nation during the century will show +the American people that all the obstacles that have impeded their +political, moral and material progress from the dominion of slavery +down to the present epidemic of political corruptions, are directly +and indirectly traceable to the federal constitution as their +source and support. Hence the necessity of prompt and appropriate +amendments. Nothing that is incorrect in principle can ever be +productive of beneficial results, and no custom or authority is +able to alter or overrule this inviolate law of development. The +catch-phrases of politicians, such as "organic development," "the +logic of events," and "things will regulate themselves," have +deceived the thoughtless long enough. There is just one road to +safety,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> and that is to understand the law governing the situation +and to bring the nation in line with it. Grave political problems +are solved in two ways—by a wise forethought, and reformation; or +by general dissatisfaction, resistance, and revolution.</p> + +<p>In closing, let me remind you, gentlemen, that woman has not been a +heedless spectator of all the great events of the century, nor a +dull listener to the grand debates on human freedom and equality. +She has learned the lesson of self-sacrifice, self-discipline, and +self-government in the same school with the heroes of American +liberty.<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Matilda Joslyn Gage</span>, of New York, corresponding secretary of the +association, said: <i>Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the +Committee</i>—You have heard the general argument for woman from Mrs. +Stanton, but there are women here from all parts of the Union, and +each one feels that she must say a word to show how united we +stand. It is because we have respect for law that we come before +you to-day. We recognize the fact that in good law lies the +security of all our rights, but as woman has been denied the +constructive rights of the declaration and constitution, she is +obliged to ask for a direct recognition in the adoption of a +sixteenth amendment.</p> + +<p>The first principle of liberty is division of power. In the country +of the czar or the sultan there is no liberty of thought or action. +In limited monarchies power is somewhat divided, and we find larger +liberty and a broader civilization. Coming to the United States we +find a still greater division of power, a still more extended +liberty—civil, religious, political. No nation in the world is as +respected as our own; no title so proud as that of American +citizen; it carries with it abroad a protection as large as did +that of Rome two thousand years ago. But as proud as is this name +of American citizen, it brings with it only shame and humiliation +to one-half of the nation. Woman has no part nor lot in the matter. +The pride of citizenship is not for her, for woman is still a +political slave. While the form of our government seems to include +the whole people, one-half of them are denied a right to +participate in its benefits, are denied the right of +self-government. Woman equally with man has natural rights; woman +equally with man is a responsible being.</p> + +<p>It is said women are not fit for freedom. Well, then, secure us +freedom and make us fit for it. Macaulay said many politicians of +his time were in the habit of laying it down as a self-evident +proposition that no people were fit to be free till they were in a +condition to use their freedom;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> "but," said Macaulay, "this maxim +is worthy of the fool in the old story, who resolved not to go into +the water till he had learned to swim. If men [or women] are to +wait for liberty till they become good and wise in slavery, they +may indeed wait forever."</p> + +<p>There has been much talk about precedent. Many women in this +country vote upon school questions, and in England at all municipal +elections. I wish to call your attention a little further back, to +the time that the Saxons first established free government in +England. Women, as well as men, took part in the Witenagemote, the +great national council of our Saxon ancestors in England. When +Whightred, king of Kent, in the seventh century, assembled the +national legislature at Baghamstead to enact a new code of laws, +the queen, abbesses, and many ladies of quality signed the decrees. +Also, at Beaconsfield, the abbesses took part in the council. In +the reign of Henry III. four women took seats in parliament, and in +the reign of Edward I. ten ladies were called to parliament and +helped to govern Great Britain. Also, in 1252, Henry left his Queen +Elinor as keeper of the great seal, or lord chancellor, while he +went abroad. She sat in the Aula Regia, the highest court of the +kingdom, holding the highest judicial power in great Britain. Not +only among our forefathers in Britain do we find that women took +part in government, but, going back to the Roman Empire, we find +the Emperor Heliogabalus introducing his mother into the senate, +and giving her a seat near the consuls. He also established a +senate of women, which met on the Collis Quirinalis. When Aurelian +was emperor he favored the representation of women, and determined +to revive this senate, which in lapse of time had fallen to decay. +Plutarch mentions that women sat and deliberated in councils, and +on questions of peace and war. Hence we have precedents extending +very far back into history.</p> + +<p>It is sometimes said that women do not desire freedom. But I tell +you the desire for freedom lives in every heart. It may be hidden +as the water of the never-freezing, rapid-flowing river Neva is +hidden. In the winter the ice from Lake Lagoda floats down till it +is met by the ice setting up from the sea, when they unite and form +a compact mass over it. Men stand upon it, sledges run over it, +splendid palaces are built upon it; but beneath all the Neva still +rapidly flows, itself unfrozen. The presence of these women before +you shows their desire for freedom. They have come from the North, +from the South, from the East, from the West, and from the far +Pacific slope, demanding freedom for themselves and for all women.</p> + +<p>Our demands are often met by the most intolerable tyranny. The +Albany <i>Law Journal</i>, one of the most influential legal journals of +the great State of New York, had the assurance a few years ago to +tell Miss Anthony and myself if we were not suited with "our laws" +we could leave the country. What laws did they mean? Men's laws. If +we were not suited with these men's laws, made by them to protect +themselves, we could leave the country. We were advised to +expatriate ourselves, to banish ourselves. But we shall not do it. +It is our country, and we shall stay here and change the laws. We +shall secure their amendment, so that under them there shall be +exact and permanent political equality<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span> between men and women. +Change is not only a law of life; it is an essential proof of the +existence of life. This country has attained its greatness by ever +enlarging the bounds of freedom.</p> + +<p>In our hearts we feel that there is a word sweeter than mother, +home, or heaven. That word is <span class="smcap">liberty</span>. We ask it of you now. We say +to you, secure to us this liberty—the same liberty you have +yourselves. In doing this you will not render yourselves poor, but +will make us rich indeed.</p> + +<p>Mrs. <span class="smcap">Stewart</span> of Delaware, in illustrating the folly of adverse +arguments based on woman's ignorance of political affairs, gave an +amusing account of her colored man servant the first time he voted. +He had been full of bright anticipations of the coming election +day, and when it dawned at last, he asked if he could be spared +from his work an hour or so, to vote. "Certainly, Jo," said she, +"by all means; go to the polls and do your duty as a citizen." +Elated with his new-found dignity, Jo ran down the road, and with a +light heart and shining face deposited his vote. On his return Mrs. +Stewart questioned him as to his success at the polls. "Well," said +he, "first one man nabbed me and gave me the tickets he said I +ought to vote, and then another man did the same. I said yes to +both and put the tickets in my pocket. I had no use for those +Republican or Democratic bits of paper." "Well, Jo," said Mrs. +Stewart, "what did you do?" "Why I took that piece of paper that I +paid $2.50 for and put it in the box. I knew that was worth +something." "Alas! Jo," said his mistress, "you voted your tax +receipt, so your first vote has counted nothing." Do you think, +gentlemen, said Mrs. Stewart, that such women as attend our +conventions, and speak from our platform, could make so ludicrous a +blunder? I think not.</p> + +<p>The Rev. <span class="smcap">Olympia Brown</span>, a delegate from Connecticut, addressed the +committee as follows: <i>Gentlemen of the Committee</i>—I would not +intrude upon your time and exhaust your patience by any further +hearing upon this subject if it were not that men are continually +saying to us that we do not want the ballot; that it is only a +handful of women that have ever asked for it; and I think by our +coming up from these different States, from Delaware, from Oregon, +from Missouri, from Connecticut, from New Hampshire, and giving our +testimony, we shall convince you that it is not a few merely, but +that it is a general demand from the women in all the different +States of the Union; and if we come here with stammering tongues, +causing you to laugh by the very absurdity of the manner in which +we advocate our opinions, it will only convince you that it is not +a few "gifted" women, but the rank and file of the women of our +country unaccustomed to such proceedings as these, who come here to +tell you that we all desire the right of suffrage. Nor shall our +mistakes and inability to advocate our cause in an effective manner +be an argument against us, because it is not the province of voters +to conduct meetings in Washington. It is rather their province to +stay at home and quietly read the proceeding of members of +congress, and if they find these proceedings correct, to vote to +return them another year. So that our very mistakes shall argue for +us and not against us.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p> + +<p>In the ages past the right of citizenship meant the right to enjoy +or possess or attain all those civil and political rights that are +enjoyed by any other citizen. But here we have a class who can bear +the burdens and punishments of citizens, but cannot enjoy their +privileges and rights. But even the meanest may petition, and so we +come with our thousands of petitions, asking you to protect us +against the unjust discriminations imposed by State laws. Nor do we +find that there is any conflict between the duties of the national +government and the functions of the State. The United States +government has to do with general interests, but everything that is +special, has to do with sectional interests, belongs to the State. +Said Charles Sumner:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The State exercises its proper functions when it makes local +laws, promotes local charities, and by its local knowledge brings +the guardianship of government to the homes of its citizens; but +the State transcends its proper functions when in any manner it +interferes with those equal rights recorded in the Declaration of +Independence. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The State is local, the United States is universal. And, says +Charles Sumner, "What can be more universal than the rights of +man?" I would add, "What can be more universal than the rights of +woman?" extending further than the rights of man, because woman is +the heaven-appointed guardian of the home; because woman by her +influence and in her office as an educator makes the character of +man; because women are to be found wherever men are to be found, as +their mothers bringing them into the world, watching them, teaching +them, guiding them into manhood. Wherever there is a home, wherever +there is a human interest, there is to be felt the interest of +women, and so this cause is the most universal of any cause under +the sun; and, therefore, it has a claim upon the general +government. Therefore we come petitioning that you will protect us +in our rights, by aiding us in the passage of the sixteenth +amendment, which will make the constitution plain in our favor, or +by such actions as will enable us to cast our ballots at the polls +without being interfered with by State authorities. And we hope you +will do this at no distant day. I hope you will not send my sister, +the honorable lady from Delaware, to the boy, Jo, to ask him to +define her position in the republic. I hope you will not bid any of +these women at home to ask ignorant men whether they may be allowed +to discharge their obligations as citizens in the matter of +suffrage. I hope you will not put your wives and mothers in the +power of men who have never given a half hour's consideration to +the subject of government, and who are wholly unfit to exercise +their judgment as to whether women should have the right of +suffrage.</p> + +<p>I will not insult your common sense by bringing up the old +arguments as to whether we have the right to vote. I believe every +man of you knows we have that right—that our right to vote is +based upon the same authority as yours. I believe every man +understands that, according to the declaration and the +constitution, women should be allowed to exercise the right of +suffrage, and therefore it is not necessary for me to do more than +bear my testimony from the State of Connecticut, and tell you that +the women from the rank and file, the law-abiding women, desire +the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> ballot; not only that they desire it, but they mean to have +it. And to accomplish this result I need not remind you that they +will work year in and year out, that they will besiege members of +congress everywhere, and that they will come here year after year +asking you to protect them in their rights and to see that justice +is done in the republic. Therefore, for your own peace, we hope you +will not keep us waiting a long time. The fact that some States +have made, temporarily, some good laws, does not weaken our demand +upon you for the protection which the ballot gives to every +citizen. Our interests are still uncared for, and we do not wish to +be thus sent from pillar to post to get our rights. We wish to take +our stand as citizens of the United States, as we have been +declared to be by the Supreme Court, and we wish to be protected in +the rights of citizenship. We hope the day is at hand when our +prayers will be heard by you. Let us have at an early day in the +<i>Congressional Record</i>, a report of the proceedings of this +committee, and the action of the Senate in favor of woman's right +to vote. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Brief remarks were also made by Mrs. Lawrence of Massachusetts, +Mary A. Thompson, M. D., of Oregon, Mary Powers Filley of New +Hampshire, Mrs. Blake of New York, Mrs. Hooker of Connecticut, and +Sara Andrews Spencer of Washington.</p> + +<p>At the close of these two day's hearings before the Committee on +Privileges and Elections,<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a> Senator Hoar of Massachusetts, +offered, and the committee adopted the following complimentary +resolution:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That the arguments upon the very important questions +discussed before the committee have been presented with +propriety, dignity and ability, and that the committee will +consider the same on Tuesday next, at 10 <span class="smcap">a.m.</span> </p></blockquote> + +<p>The Washington <i>Evening Star</i> of January 11, 1876, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The woman suffrage question will be a great political issue some +day. A movement in the direction of alleged rights by a body of +American citizens cannot be forever checked, even though its +progress may for many years be very gradual. Now that the +advocates of suffrage for woman have become convinced that the +thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth amendments are not +sufficiently explicit to make woman's right to vote unquestioned, +and that a sixteenth amendment is necessary to effect the +practical exercise of the right, the millennial period that they +look for is to all intents and purposes indefinitely postponed, +for constitutional amendments are not passed in a day. But there +are so many sound arguments to be advanced in favor of woman +suffrage that it cannot fail in time to be weighed as a matter of +policy, after it shall have been overwhelmingly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> conceded as a +matter of right. And it is noticeable that the arguments of the +opponents are coming more and more to be based on expediency, and +hardly attempt to answer the claim that as American citizens +women are entitled to the right. If the whole body of American +women desired the practical exercise of this right, it is hard to +see what valid opposition to their claims could be made. All this +however does not amend the constitution. Woman suffrage must +become a matter of policy for a political party before it can be +realized. Congress does not pass revolutionary measures on +abstract considerations of right. This question is of a nature to +become a living political issue after it has been sufficiently +ridiculed. </p></blockquote> + +<p>On Saturday evening, January 12, a reception was given to the +delegates to the convention by Hon. Alexander H. Stephens of +Georgia, at the National Hotel. The suite of rooms so long occupied +by this liberal representative of the South, was thus opened to +unwonted guests—women asking for the same rights gained at the +point of the sword by his former slaves! Seated in his wheel-chair, +from which he had so often been carried by a faithful attendant to +his place in the House of Representatives, he cordially welcomed +the ladies as they gathered about him, assuring them of his +interest in this question and promising his aid.</p> + +<p>For the first time Miss Julia Smith of anti-tax fame, of +Glastonbury, Connecticut, was present at a Washington convention. +She was the recipient of much social attention. A reception was +tendered her by Mrs. Spofford of the Riggs House, giving people an +opportunity to meet this heroic woman of eighty-three, who, with +her younger sister Abby, had year after year suffered the sale of +their fine Jersey cows and beautiful meadow lands, rather than pay +taxes while unrepresented. Many women, notable in art, science and +literature, and men high in political station were present on this +occasion. All crowded about Miss Smith, as, supported by Mrs. +Hooker, in response to a call for a speech, particularly in regard +to the Gladstonbury cows, as famous as herself, she said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>There are but two of our cows left at present, Taxey and Votey. +It is something a little peculiar that Taxey is very obtrusive; +why, I can scarcely step out of doors without being confronted by +her, while Votey is quiet and shy, but she is growing more docile +and domesticated every day, and it is my opinion that in a very +short time, wherever you find Taxey there Votey will be also. </p></blockquote> + +<p>At the close of Miss Smith's remarks, Abby Hutchinson Patton sang +"Auld Lang Syne" in a very effective manner; one or two readings +followed, a few modern ballads were sung, and thus<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> closed the +first of the many delightful receptions given by Mr. and Mrs. +Spofford to the officers and members of the National Association.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Hooker spent several weeks at the Riggs House, holding +frequent woman suffrage conversazioni in its elegant parlors; also +speaking upon the question at receptions given in her honor by the +wives of members of congress, or residents of Washington.<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a></p> + +<p>During the week of the convention, public attention was called to a +scarcely known Anti-Woman Suffrage Society, formed in 1871, of +which Mrs. General Sherman, Mrs. Admiral Dahlgren and Mrs. Almira +Lincoln Phelps were officers, by the publication of an undelivered +letter from Mrs. Phelps to Mrs. Hooker:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>To the Editor of the Post:</i></p> + +<p>The following was written nearly seven years since, but was never +sent to Mrs. Hooker. The letter chanced to appear among old +papers, and as there is a meeting of women suffragists, with Mrs. +Hooker present, and, moreover, as they have mentioned the names +of Mrs. Dahlgren and Mrs. General Sherman, opposers, I am willing +to bear my share of the opposition, as I acted as corresponding +secretary to the Anti-Suffrage Society, which was formed under +the auspices of these ladies.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">Mrs. Dahlgren.</p> + + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="ltr-date ltr-break"><span class="smcap">Eutaw Place, Baltimore</span>, January, 30, 1871.</p> + +<p><i>To Mrs. Beecher Hooker:</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Madam</span>—Hoping you will receive kindly what I am about to +write, I will proceed without apologies. I have confidence in your +nobleness of soul, and that you know enough of me to believe in my +devotion to the best interests of woman. I can scarcely realize +that you are giving your name and influence to a cause, which, with +some good but, as I think, misguided women, numbers among its +advocates others with loose morals. * * * We are, my dear madam, as +I suppose, related through our common ancester Thomas Hooker. * * * +Your husband, I believe, stands in the same relation to that good +and noble man. Perhaps he may think with you on this woman suffrage +question, but it does seem to me that a wife honoring her husband +would not wish to join in such a crusade as is now going on to put +woman on an equality with the rabble at the "hustings." If we could +with propriety petition the Almighty to change the condition of the +sexes and let men take a turn in bearing children and in suffering +the physical ailments peculiar to women, which render them unfit +for certain positions and business, why, in this case, if we really +wish to be men, and thought God would change the established order, +we might make our petition; but why ask congress to make us men? +Circumstances drew me from the quiet of domestic life while I was +yet young; but success in labors which involved publicity, and +which may have been of advantage to society, was never considered +as an equivalent to my own heart for the loss of such retirement. +In the name of my sainted sister, Emma Willard, and of my friend +Lydia Sigourney, and I think I might say in the name of the women +of the past generation, who have been prominent as writers and +educators (the exception may be made of Mary Wollstonecraft, +Frances Wright, and a few licentious French writers) in our own +country and in Europe, let me urge the high-souled and honorable of +our sex to turn their energies into that channel which will enable +them to act for the true interests of their sex.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Almira Lincoln Phelps</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Yours respectfully,</p> +</blockquote> + + +<p>To which Mrs. Hooker, through <i>The Post</i>, replied:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Washington</span>, January 15, 1878.</p> + +<p>Mrs. <span class="smcap">Dahlgren</span>—<i>Dear Madam</i>: Permit me to thank you for the +opportunity to exonerate myself and the women of the suffrage +movement all over the United States from the charge of favoring +immorality in any form. I did not know before that Mrs. Phelps, +whom I have always held in highest esteem as an educator and as +one of the most advanced thinkers of her day, had so misconceived +the drift of our movement; and you will pardon me, dear madam, +for saying that it is hardly possible that Mrs. Sherman and +yourself, in your opposition to it, can have been influenced by +any apprehension that the women suffragists of the United States +would, if entrusted with legislative power, proceed to use it for +the desecration of their own sex, and the pollution of the souls +of their husbands, brothers and sons. But having been publicly +accused through your instrumentality of sympathy with the +licentious practices of men, I shall take the liberty to send you +a dozen copies of a little book entitled, "Womanhood; its +Sanctities and Fidelities," which I published in 1874 for the +specific purpose of bringing to the notice of American women the +wonderful work being done across the water in the suppression of +"State Patronage of Vice." <span class="spacious">* * *</span> It is with a deep sense of +gratitude to God that I am able to say that, according to my +knowledge and belief, every woman in our movement, whether +officer or private, is in sympathy with the spirit of this little +book. I know of no inharmony<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> here, however we may differ upon +minor points of expediency as to the best methods of working for +the political advancement of woman. And further, it is the deep +conviction of us all that the chief stumbling-block in the way of +our obtaining the use of the ballot, is the apprehension among +men of low degree that they will surely be limited in their base +and brutal and sensual indulgencies when women are armed with +equal political power.</p> + +<p>As to my husband, to whose ancestry Mrs. Phelps so kindly +alludes, permit me to say that he is not only descended from +Thomas Hooker, the beloved first pastor of the old Centre Church +in Hartford, and founder of the State of Connecticut, but further +back his lineage takes root in one of England's most honored +names, Richard Hooker, surnamed "The Judicious"; and I have been +accustomed to say that, however it may be as to learning and +position, the characteristic of judiciousness has not departed +from the American stock. I will only add that Mr. Hooker is +treasurer of our State suffrage association, and has spoken on +the platform with me as president, whenever his professional +duties would permit, and that he is the author of a tract on "The +Bible and Woman Suffrage." Our society has printed several +thousand copies of this tract, and the London National Women's +Suffrage Society has reprinted it with words of high commendation +for distribution in Great Britain. * * * And now, dear madam, +thanking you once more for this most unexpected and most grateful +opportunity for correcting misapprehensions that others may have +entertained as well as Mrs. Phelps in regard to the design and +tendencies of our movement, may I not ask that you will kindly +read and consider the papers I shall take the liberty to send +you, and hand them to your co-workers at your convenience?</p> + +<p>That we all, as women who love our country and our kind, may be +led to honor each other in our personal relations, while we work +each in her respective way for that higher order of manhood and +womanhood that alone can exalt our nation to the ideal of the +fathers and mothers of the early republic, and preserve us an +honored place among the peoples of the earth, is the prayer of</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Isabella Beecher Hooker</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Yours sincerely,</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Evidently left without even the name of Mrs. Sherman or the +Anti-Suffrage Society to sustain her, Mrs. Dahlgren memorialized +the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections against the +submission of the sixteenth amendment:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>To the Honorable Committee on Privileges and Elections:</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Gentlemen</span>—Allow me, in courtesy, as a petitioner, to present one +or two considerations regarding a sixteenth amendment, by which +it is proposed to confer the right of suffrage upon the women of +the United States. I ask this favor also in the interests of the +masses of silent women, whose silence does not give consent, but +who, in most modest earnestness, deprecate having the political +life forced upon them.</p> + +<p>This grave question is not one of simple expediency or the +reverse; it might properly be held, were this the case, as a +legitimate subject for agitation.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> Our reasons of dissent to this +dangerous inroad upon all precedent, lie deeper and strike +higher. They are based upon that which in all Christian nations +must be recognized as the higher law, the fundamental law upon +which Christian society in its very construction must rest; and +that law, as defined by the Almighty, is immutable. Through it +the women of this Christian land, as mothers, wives, sisters, +daughters, have distinct duties to perform of the most complex +order, yet of the very highest and most sacred nature.</p> + +<p>If in addition to all these responsibilities, others, +appertaining to the domain assigned to men, are allotted to us, +we shall be made the victims of an oppression not intended by a +kind and wise Providence, and from which the refining influences +of Christian civilization have emancipated us. We have but to +look at the condition of our Indian sister, upon whose bended +back the heavy pack is laid by her lord and master; who treads in +subjection the beaten pathway of equal rights, and compare her +situation with our own, to thank the God of Christian nations who +has placed us above that plane, where right is might, and might +is tyranny. We cannot without prayer and protest see our +cherished privileges endangered, and have granted us only in +exchange the so-called equal rights. We need more, and we claim, +through our physical weakness and your courtesy as Christian +gentlemen, that protection which we need for the proper discharge +of those sacred and inalienable functions and rights conferred +upon us by God. To these the vote, which is not a natural right +(otherwise why not confer it upon idiots, lunatics, and adult +boys) would be adverse.</p> + +<p>When women ask for a distinct political life, a separate vote, +they forget or they willfully ignore the higher law, whose logic +may be thus condensed: Marriage is a sacred unity. The family, +through it, is the foundation of the State. Each family is +represented by its head, just as the State ultimately finds the +same unity, through a series of representations. Out of this come +peace, concord, proper representation, and adjustment—union.</p> + +<p>The new doctrine, which is illusive, may be thus defined: +Marriage is a mere compact, and means diversity. Each family, +therefore, must have a separate individual representation, out of +which arises diversity or division, and discord is the +corner-stone of the State.</p> + +<p>Gentlemen, we cannot displace the corner-stone without +destruction to the edifice itself! The subject is so vast, has so +many side issues, that a volume might as readily be laid before +your honorable committee as these few words hastily written with +an aching woman's heart. Personally, if any woman in this vast +land has a grievance by not having a vote, I may claim that +grievance to be mine. With father, brother, husband, son, taken +away by death, I stand utterly alone, with minor children to +educate and considerable property interests to guard. But I would +deem it unpatriotic to ask for a general law which must prove +disastrous to my country, in order to meet that exceptional +position in which, by the adorable will of God, I am placed. I +prefer, indeed, to trust to that moral influence over men which +intelligence never fails to exercise, and which is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> really more +potent in the management of business affairs than the direct +vote. In this I am doubtless as old-fashioned as were our +grandmothers, who assisted to mold this vast republic. They knew +that the greatest good for the greatest number was the only safe +legislative law, and that to it all exceptional cases must +submit.</p> + +<p>Gentlemen, in conclusion, a sophism in legislation is not a mere +abstraction; it must speedily bear fruit in material results of +the most disastrous nature, and I implore your honorable +committee, in behalf of our common country, not to open a +Pandora's box by way of experiment from whence so much evil must +issue, and which once opened may never again be closed.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Madeleine Vinton Dahlgren</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Very respectfully,</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Dahlgren was ably reviewed by Virginia L. Minor of St. Louis, +and the Toledo Woman Suffrage Association. Mrs. Minor said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In assuming to speak for the "silent masses" of women, Mrs. +Dahlgren declares that silence does not give consent; very +inconsequently forgetting, that if it does not on one side of the +question, it may not on the other, and that she may no more +represent them than do we. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The Toledo society, through its president Mrs. Rose L. Segur, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We agree with you that this grave question is not one of +expediency. It is simply one of right and justice, and therefore +a most legitimate subject for agitation. As a moral force woman +must have a voice in the government, or partial and unjust +legislation is the result from which arise the evils consequent +upon a government based upon the enslavement of half its +citizens. </p></blockquote> + +<p>To this Mrs. Dahlgren replied briefly, charging the ladies with +incapacity to comprehend her.</p> + +<p>The week following the convention a hearing was granted by the +House Judiciary Committee to Dr. Mary Walker of Washington, Mary A. +Tillotson of New Jersey and Mrs. N. Cromwell of Arkansas, urging a +report in favor of woman's enfranchisement. On January 28, the +House sub-committee on territories granted a hearing to Dr. Mary +Walker and Sara Andrews Spencer, in opposition to the bill +proposing the disfranchisement of the women of Utah as a means of +suppressing polygamy.</p> + +<p>On January 30 the House Judiciary Committee granted Mrs. Hooker a +hearing. Of the eleven members of the committee nearly all were +present.<a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a> The room and all the corridors leading to it were +crowded with men and women eager to hear Mrs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> Hooker's speech. At +the close of the two hours occupied in its delivery, Chairman Knott +thanked her in the name of the committee for her able argument.</p> + +<p>Immediately after this hearing Mr. Frye of Maine, in presenting in +the House of Representatives the petitions of 30,000 persons asking +the right of women to vote upon the question of temperance, +referred in a very complimentary manner to Mrs. Hooker's argument, +to which he had just listened. Upon this prayer a hearing was +granted to the president and ex-president of the Woman's Christian +Temperance Union, Frances E. Willard and Annie E. Wittenmyer.</p> + +<p>Hon. George F. Hoar of Massachusetts, February 4, presented in the +Senate the 120 petitions with their 6,261 signatures, which, by +special request of its officers, had been returned to the +headquarters of the American Association, in Boston. In her appeal +to the friends to circulate the petitions, both State and national, +Lucy Stone, chairman of its executive committee, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The American Suffrage Association has always recommended +petitions to congress for a sixteenth amendment. But it +recognizes the far greater importance of petitioning the State +legislatures. <i>First</i>—Because suffrage is a subject referred by +the constitution to the voters of each State. <i>Second</i>—Because +we cannot expect a congress composed solely of representatives of +States which deny suffrage to women, to submit an amendment which +their own States have not yet approved. Just so it would have +been impossible to secure the submission of negro suffrage by a +congress composed solely of representatives from States which +restricted suffrage to white men. While therefore we advise our +friends to circulate both petitions together for signature, we +urge them to give special prominence to those which apply to +their own State legislatures, and to see that these are presented +and urged by competent speakers next winter. </p></blockquote> + +<p>By request of a large number of the senators,<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a> the Committee on +Privileges and Elections granted a special hearing to Mrs. Hooker +on Washington's birthday—February 22, 1878. It being understood +that the wives of the senators were bringing all the forces of +fashionable society to bear in aid of Mrs. Dahlgren's protest +against the pending sixteenth amendment, the officers of the +National Association issued cards of invitation asking their +presence at this hearing. We copy from the Washington <i>Post</i>:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>The conflicting rumors as to who would be admitted to hear Mrs. +Hooker's argument before the Senate Committee on Privileges and +Elections, led to the assembling of large numbers of women in +various places about the capitol yesterday morning. At 11 o'clock +the doors were opened and the committee-room at once filled.<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a> +Mrs. Hooker, with the fervor and eloquence of her family, +reviewed all the popular arguments against woman suffrage. She +said she once believed that twenty years was little time enough +for a foreigner to live in this country before he could cast a +ballot. She understands the spirit of our institutions better +now. If disfranchisement meant annihilation, there might be +safety in disfranchising the poor, the ignorant, the vicious. But +it does not. It means danger to everything we hold dear.</p> + +<p>The corner-stone of this republic is God's own doctrine of +liberty and responsibility. Liberty is the steam, responsibility +the brakes, and election-day, the safety-valve. The foreigner +comes to this country expecting to find it a paradise. He finds, +indeed, a ladder reaching to the skies, but resting upon the +earth, and he is at the bottom round. But on one day in the year +he is as good as the richest man in the land. He can make the +banker stand in the line behind him until he votes, and if he has +wrongs he learns how to right them. If he has mistaken ideas of +liberty, he is instructed what freedom means.</p> + +<p>Wire-pulling politicians may well fear to have women +enfranchised. There are too many of them, and they have had too +much experience in looking after the details of their households +to be easily duped by the tricks of politicians. You can't keep +women away from primary meetings as you do intelligent men. Women +know that every corner in the house must be inspected if the +house is to be clean. Fathers and brothers want women to vote so +that they can have a decent place for a primary meeting, a decent +place to vote in and a decent man to vote for.</p> + +<p>The Indian question would have been peacefully and righteously +settled long ago without any standing army, if Lucretia Mott +could have led in the councils of the nation, and the millions +spent in fighting the Indians might have been used in +kindergartens for the poor, to some lasting benefit. Down with +the army, down with appropriation bills to repair the +consequences of wrong-doing, when women vote. Millions more of +women would ask for this if it were not for the cruelty and abuse +men have heaped upon the advocates of woman suffrage. Men have +made it a terrible martyrdom for women even to ask for their +rights, and then say to us, "convert the women." No, no, men have +put up the bars. They must take them down. Mrs. Hooker reviewed +the Chinese question,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> the labor question, the subjects of +compulsory education, reformation, police regulations, the social +evil, and many other topics upon which men vainly attempt to +legislate without the loving wisdom of mothers, sisters and +daughters. The senators most interested in the argument were +observed to be those previously most unfriendly to woman +suffrage. </p></blockquote> + +<p>It was during this winter that Marilla M. Ricker of New Hampshire, +then studying criminal law in Washington and already having quite +an extensive practice, applied to the commissioners of the District +of Columbia for an appointment as notary public. The question of +the eligibility of woman to the office was referred to the +district-attorney, Hon. Albert G. Riddle, formerly a member of +congress from Ohio, and at that time one of the most prominent +criminal and civil lawyers before the bar. Mr. Riddle's reply was +an able and exhaustive argument, clearly showing there was no law +to prevent women from holding the office. But notwithstanding this +opinion from their own attorney, the commissioners rejected Mrs. +Ricker's application.<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a></p> + +<p>Bills to prohibit the Supreme Court from denying the admission of +lawyers on the ground of sex had been introduced at each session of +congress during the past four years. The House bill No. 1,077, +entitled "A bill to relieve certain disabilities of women," was +this year championed by Hon. John M. Glover of Missouri, and passed +by a vote of 169 ayes to 87 nays. In the Senate, Hon. George F. +Edmunds of Vermont, chairman of the Judiciary Committee reported +adversely. While the question was pending, Mrs. Lockwood addressed +a brief to the Senate, ably refuting the assertion of the Court +that it was contrary to English precedent:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>To the Honorable, the Senate of the United States:</i></p> + +<p>The provisions of this bill are so stringent, that to the +ordinary mind it would seem that the conditions are hard enough +for the applicant to have well earned the honor of the +preferment, without making <i>sex</i> a disability. The fourteenth +amendment to the constitution declares that:</p> + +<blockquote><p>All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject +to the jurisdiction thereof, are <i>citizens</i> 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. Nor shall any State deprive any +person of life, liberty or property without due process of law, +nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal +protection of the laws. </p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p> + +<p>To deny the right asked in this bill would be to deny to women +citizens the rights guaranteed in the Declaration of Independence +to be self-evident and inalienable, "life, liberty and the pursuit +of happiness"; a denial of one of the fundamental rights of a +portion of the citizens of the commonwealth to acquire property in +the most honorable profession of the law, thereby perpetuating an +invidious distinction between male and female citizens equally +amenable to the law, and having an equal interest in all of the +institutions created and perpetuated by this government. The +articles of confederation declare that:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The free inhabitants of each of these States—paupers and +fugitives from justice excepted—shall be entitled to all +privileges and immunities of free citizens in the several States. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Article 4 of the constitution says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Full faith and credit shall be given in each State to the public +acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other State. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Wyoming, +Utah, and the District of Columbia admit women to the bar. What +then? Shall the second coördinate branch of the government, the +judiciary, refuse to grant what it will not permit the States to +deny, the privileges and immunities of citizens, and say to +women-attorneys when they have followed their cases through the +State courts to that tribunal beyond which there is no appeal, "You +cannot come in here we are too holy," or in the words of the +learned chancellor declare that:</p> + +<blockquote><p>By the uniform practice of the court from its organization to the +present time, and by a fair construction of its rules, none but +men are admitted to practice before it as attorneys and +counselors. This is in accordance with immemorial usage in +England, and the law and practice in all the States until within +a recent period, and the court does not feel called upon to make +a change until such a change is required by statute, or a more +extended practice in the highest courts of the States. </p></blockquote> + +<p>With all due respect for this opinion, we beg leave to quote the +rule for admission to the bar of that court as laid down in the +rule book:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Rule No. 2.</span>—<i>Attorneys</i>: It shall be requisite to the admission +of attorneys or counselors to practice in this court, that they +shall have been such for three years past in the Supreme Courts +of the States to which they respectively belong, and that their +private and professional character shall appear to be fair. </p></blockquote> + +<p>There is nothing in this rule or in the oath which follows it, +either express or implied, which confines the membership of the bar +of the United States Supreme Court to the male sex. Had any such +term been included therein it would virtually be nullified by the +first paragraph of the United States Revised Statutes, ratified by +the forty-third congress, June 20, 1875, in which occur the +following words:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In determining the meaning of the Revised Statutes, or of any act +or resolution of congress passed subsequent to February 25, 1871, +words importing the singular number may extend and be applied to +several persons or things; words importing the masculine gender +may be applied to <i>females</i>, etc., etc. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Now, as to "immemorial usage in England." The executive branch of +that government has been vested in an honored and honorable woman +for the past forty years. Is it to be supposed if this +distinguished lady<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> or any one of her accomplished daughters should +ask to be heard at the bar of the Court of the Queen's Bench, the +practice of which the United States Supreme Court has set up as its +model, that she would be refused?</p> + +<p>Blackstone recounts that Ann, Countess of Pembroke, held the office +of sheriff of Westmoreland and exercised its duties in person. At +the assizes at Appleby she sat with the judges on the bench. (See +Coke on Lit., p. 326.) The Scotch sheriff is properly a judge, and +by the statute 20, Geo., <span class="smcap">ii</span>, c. 43, he must be a lawyer of three +years standing.</p> + +<p>Eleanor, Queen of Henry III. of England, in the year 1253, was +appointed lady-keeper of the great seal, or the supreme chancellor +of England, and sat in the <i>Aula Regia</i>, or King's Court. She in +turn appointed Kilkenny, arch-deacon of Coventry, as the sealer of +writs and common-law instruments, but the more important matters +she executed in person.</p> + +<p>Queen Elizabeth held the great seal at three several times during +her remarkable reign. After the death of Lord-keeper Bacon she +presided for two months in the <i>Aula Regia</i>.</p> + +<p>It is claimed that "admission to the bar constitutes an office." +Every woman postmaster, pension agent and notary public throughout +the land is a bonded officer of the government. The Western States +have elected women as school superintendents and appointed them as +enrolling and engrossing clerks in their several legislatures, and +as State librarians. Of what use are our seminaries and colleges +for women if after they have passed through the curriculum of the +schools there is for them no preferment, and no emolument; no +application of the knowledge of the arts and sciences acquired, and +no recognition of the excellence attained?</p> + +<p>But this country, now in the second year of the second century of +her history, is no longer in her leading strings, that she should +look to Mother England for a precedent to do justice to the +daughters of the land. She had to make a precedent when the first +male lawyer was admitted to the bar of the United States Supreme +Court. Ah! this country is one that has not hesitated when the +necessity has arisen to make precedents and write them in blood. +There was no precedent for this free republican government and the +war of the rebellion; no precedent for the emancipation of the +slave; no precedent for the labor strikes of last summer. The more +extended practice, and the more extended public opinion referred to +by the learned chancellor have already been accomplished. Ah! that +very opinion, telegraphed throughout the land by the associated +press, brought back the response of the people as on the wings of +the wind asking you for that special act now so nearly consummated, +which shall open this professional door to women.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"><span class="smcap">Belva A. Lockwood</span>, <i>Attorney and Solicitor</i>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left0"><i>Washington, D. C.</i>, March 7, 1878.</p> +</blockquote> + + +<p>Mrs. Lockwood's bill, with Senator Edmond's adverse report, was +reached on the Senate calendar April 22, 1878, and provoked a +spirited discussion. Hon. A. A. Sargent, made a gallant fight in +favor of the bill, introducing the following amendment:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote> +<blockquote><p>No person shall be excluded from practicing as an attorney +and counselor at law in any court of the United States on +account of sex. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Sargent</span>: Mr. President, the best evidence that members of the +legal profession have no jealousy against the admission of women to +the bar who have the proper learning, is shown by this document +which I hold in my hand, signed by one hundred and fifty-five +lawyers of the District of Columbia, embracing the most eminent men +in the ranks of that profession. That there is no jealousy or +consideration of impropriety on the part of the various States is +shown by the fact that the legislatures of many of the States have +recently admitted women to the bar; and my own State, California, +has passed such a law within the last week or two; Illinois has +done the same thing; so have Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri and +North Carolina; and Wyoming, Utah and the District of Columbia +among the territories have also done it. There is no reason in +principle why women should not be admitted to this profession or +the profession of medicine, provided they have the learning to +enable them to be useful in those professions, and useful to +themselves. Where is the propriety in opening our colleges, our +higher institutions of learning, or any institutions of learning, +to women, and then when they have acquired in the race with men the +cultivation for higher employment, to shut them out? There +certainly is none. We should either restrict the laws allowing the +liberal education of women, or, we should allow them to exercise +the talents which are cultivated at the public expense in such +departments of enterprise and knowledge as will be useful to +society and will enable them to gain a living. The tendency is in +this direction. I believe the time has passed to consider it a +ridiculous thing for women to appear upon the lecture platform or +in the pulpit, for women to attend to the treatment of diseases as +physicians and nurses, to engage in any literary employment, or +appear at the bar. Some excellent women in the United States are +now practicing at the bar, acceptably received before courts and +juries; and when they have conducted their cases to a successful +issue or an unsuccessful one in any court below, why should the +United States courts to which an appeal may be taken and where +their adversaries of the male sex may follow the case up, why +should these courts be closed to these women? <span class="spacious">* * *</span></p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Garland</span>: I should like to ask the senator from California if +the courts of the United States cannot admit them upon their own +motion anyhow?</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Sargent</span>: I think there is nothing in the law prohibiting it, +but the Supreme Court of the United States recently in passing upon +the question of the admission of a certain lady, said that until +some legislation took place they did not like to depart from the +precedent set in England, or until there was more general practice +among the States. The learned chief-justice, perhaps, did not +sufficiently reflect when he stated that there were no English +precedents. The fact is that Elizabeth herself sat in the <i>Aula +Regia</i> and administered the law, and in both Scotland and England +women have fulfilled the function of judges. The instances are not +numerous but they are well established in history. I myself have +had my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> attention called to the fact that in the various States the +women are now admitted by special legislation to the bar. I do not +think there is anything in the law, properly considered, that would +debar a woman from coming into this profession. I think the Supreme +Court should not have required further legislation, but it seems to +have done so, and that makes the necessity for the amendment which +I have now offered.</p> + +<p>The chairman of the committee in reporting this bill back from the +Judiciary Committee said that the bill as it passed the House of +Representatives gave privileges to women which men did not enjoy; +that is to say, the Supreme Court can by a change of rule require +further qualification of men, whereas in regard to women, if this +provision were put into the statute, the Supreme Court could not +rule them out even though it may be necessary in its judgment to +get a higher standard of qualifications than its present rules +prescribe. Although I observe that my time is up, I ask indulgence +for a moment or two longer. As this is a question of some interest +and women cannot appear here to speak for themselves, I hope I may +be allowed to speak for them a moment. Now, there is something in +the objection stated by the chairman of the Committee on the +Judiciary—that is to say, the bill would take the rule of the +Supreme Court and put it in the statute and apply it to women, +thereby conferring exceptional privileges; but that is not my +intention at all, and therefore I have proposed that women shall +not be excluded from practicing law, if they are otherwise +qualified, on account of sex, and that is the provision which I +want to send back to the Judiciary Committee.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Garland</span>: I wish to ask one question of the senator from +California. Suppose the court should exclude women, but not on +account of sex, then what is their remedy?</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Sargent</span>: I do not see any pretense that the court could exclude +them on except on account of sex.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Garland</span>: If I recollect the rule of the Supreme Court in regard +to the admission of practitioners (and I had to appear there twice +to present my claim before I could carry on my profession in that +court), I do not think any legislation is necessary to aid them by +giving them any more access to that court than they have at present +under the rules of the Supreme Court.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Sargent</span>: I believe if the laws now existing were properly +construed (of course I speak with all deference to the Supreme +Court, but I express the opinion) they would be admitted, but +unfortunately the court does not take that view of it, and it will +wait for legislation. I purpose that the legislation shall follow. +If there is anything in principle why this privilege should not be +granted to women who are otherwise qualified, then let the bill be +defeated on that ground; but I say there is no difference in +principle whatever, not the slightest. There is no reason because a +citizen of the United States is a woman that she should be deprived +of her rights as a citizen, and these are rights of a citizen. She +has the same right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness +and employment, commensurate with her capacities, as a man has; +and,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> as to the question of capacity, the history of the world +shows from Queen Elizabeth and Queen Isabella down to Madame +Dudevant and Mrs. Stowe, that capacity is not a question of sex.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">McDonald</span>: I have simply to say, Mr. President, that a number of +States and territories have authorized the admission of women to +the legal profession, and they have become members of the bar of +the highest courts of judicature. It may very frequently occur, and +has in some instances I believe really occurred, that cases in +which they have been thus employed have been brought to the Supreme +Court of the United States. To have the door closed against them +when the cause is brought here, not by them, or when in the +prosecution of the suits of their clients they find it necessary to +come here, seems to me entirely unjust. I therefore favor the bill +with the amendment. The proposed amendment is perhaps better +because it does away with any tendency to discrimination in regard +to the admissibility of women to practice in the Supreme Court.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Presiding Officer</span>: The senator from California moves that the +bill be recommitted to the Committee on Judiciary.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Sargent</span>: I have the promise of the chairman of the committee +that the bill will soon be reported back, and therefore I am +willing that it go to the committee, and I make the motion that it +be recommitted. [The motion was agreed to.]</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Sargent</span>: I ask that the amendment which I propose be printed.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Presiding Officer</span>: The order to print will be made. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mary Clemmer, the gifted correspondent of the New York +<i>Independent</i>, learning that Senator Wadleigh was about to report +adversely upon the sixteenth amendment, wrote the following private +letter, which, as a record of her own sentiments on the question, +she gave to Miss Anthony for publication in this history:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Hon. <span class="smcap">Bainbridge Wadleigh</span>—<i>Dear Sir</i>: The more I think of it the +more I regret that, as chairman of the Committee on Privileges +and Elections, you regard with less favor the enfranchisement of +women than did your distinguished predecessor, Senator Morton. At +this moment, when your committee is discussing that subject, I +sigh for the large outlook, the just mind, the unselfish decision +of that great legislator. You were his friend, you respected his +intellect, you believed in his integrity, you sit in his seat. +You are to prepare the report that he would prepare were he still +upon the earth. May I ask you to bring to that labor as fair a +spirit, as unprejudiced an outlook, as just a decision as he +would have done?</p> + +<p>I ask this not as a partisan of woman's rights, but as a lover of +the human race. In this faint dawn of woman's day, I discern not +woman's development of freedom merely, but the promise of that +higher, finer, purer civilization which is to redeem the world, +the lack of which makes men tyrants and women slaves. You cannot +be unconscious of the fact that a new race of women is born into +the world, who, while they lack no womanly attribute, are the +peers of any man in intellect and aspiration.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> It will be +impossible long to deny to such women that equality before the +law granted to the lowest creature that crawls, if he happens to +be a man; denied to the highest creature that asks it, if she +happens to be a woman.</p> + +<p>On what authority, save that of the gross regality of physical +strength, do you deny to a thoughtful, educated, tax-paying +person the common rights of citizenship because she is a woman? I +am a property-owner, the head of a household. By what right do +you assume to define and curtail for me my prerogatives as a +citizen, while as a tax-payer you make not the slightest +distinction between me and a man? Leave to my own perception what +is proper for me as a lady, to my own discretion what is wise for +me as a woman, to my own conscience what is my duty to my race +and to my God. Leave to unerring nature to protect the subtle +boundaries which define the distinctive life and action of the +sexes, while you as a legislator do everything in your power to +secure to every creature of God an equal chance to make the best +and most of himself.</p> + +<p>If American men could say as Huxley says, "I scorn to lay a +single obstacle in the way of those whom nature from the +beginning has so heavily burdened," the sexes would cease to war, +men and women would reign together, the equal companions, +friends, helpers, and lovers that nature intended they should be. +But what is love, tenderness, protection, even, unless rooted in +justice? Tyranny and servitude, that is all. Brute supremacy, +spiritual slavery. By what authority do you say that the country +is not prepared for a more enlightened franchise, for political +equality, if six women citizens, earnest, eloquent, +long-suffering, come to you and demand both? No words can express +my regret if to the minority report I see appended only the +honored name of George F. Hoar of Massachusetts.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Mary Clemmer</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Your friend,</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>In response to all these arguments, appeals and petitions, Senator +Wadleigh, from the Committee on Privileges and Elections, presented +the following adverse report, June 14, 1878:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hang"><i>The Committee on Privileges and Elections, to whom was referred +the Resolution (S. Res. 12) proposing an Amendment to the +Constitution of the United States, and certain Petitions for and +Remonstrances against the same, make the following Report:</i></p> + +<p>This proposed amendment forbids the United States, or any State +to deny or abridge the right to vote on account of sex. If +adopted, it will make several millions of female voters, totally +inexperienced in political affairs, quite generally dependent +upon the other sex, all incapable of performing military duty and +without the power to enforce the laws which their numerical +strength may enable them to make, and comparatively very few of +whom wish to assume the irksome and responsible political duties +which this measure thrusts upon them. An experiment so novel, a +change so great, should only be made slowly and in response to a +general public demand, of the existence of which there is no +evidence before your committee.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 373px;"> +<a name="v3_112" id="v3_112"> +<img src="images/v3_112.jpg" width="373" height="500" alt="Marilla M. Ricker" title="" /></a> +</div> + + +<p>Petitions from various parts of the country, containing by +estimate about 30,000 names, have been presented to congress +asking for this legislation. They were procured through the +efforts of woman suffrage societies, thoroughly organized, with +active and zealous managers. The ease with which signatures may +be procured to any petition is well known. The small number of +petitioners, when compared with that of the intelligent women in +the country, is striking evidence that there exists among them no +general desire to take up the heavy burden of governing, which so +many men seek to evade. It would be unjust, unwise and impolitic +to impose that burden on the great mass of women throughout the +country who do not wish for it, to gratify the comparatively few +who do.</p> + +<p>It has been strongly urged that without the right of suffrage, +women are, and will be, subjected to great oppression and +injustice.</p> + +<p>But every one who has examined the subject at all knows that, +without female suffrage, legislation for years has improved and +is still improving the condition of woman. The disabilities +imposed upon her by the common law have, one by one, been swept +away, until in most of the States she has the full right to her +property and all, or nearly all, the rights which can be granted +without impairing or destroying the marriage relation. These +changes have been wrought by the spirit of the age, and are not, +generally at least, the result of any agitation by women in their +own behalf.</p> + +<p>Nor can women justly complain of any partiality in the +administration of justice. They have the sympathy of judges and +particularly of juries to an extent which would warrant loud +complaint on the part of their adversaries of the sterner sex. +Their appeals to legislatures against injustice are never +unheeded, and there is no doubt that when any considerable part +of the women of any State really wish for the right to vote, it +will be granted without the intervention of congress.</p> + +<p>Any State may grant the right of suffrage to women. Some of them +have done so to a limited extent, and perhaps with good results. +It is evident that in some States public opinion is much more +strongly in favor of it than it is in others. Your committee +regard it as unwise and inexpedient to enable three-fourths in +number of the States, through an amendment to the national +constitution, to force woman suffrage upon the other fourth in +which the public opinion of both sexes may be strongly adverse to +such a change.</p> + +<p>For these reasons, your committee report back said resolution +with a recommendation that it be indefinitely postponed. </p></blockquote> + +<p>This adverse report was all the more disappointing because Mr. +Wadleigh, as Mrs. Clemmer's letter states, filled the place of Hon. +Oliver P. Morton of Indiana, one of the most steadfast friends of +woman suffrage, who, at the last session of congress, had asked as +a special favor the reference of our petitions to the Committee on +Privileges and Elections, of which he was chairman, that they might +receive proper attention and that he might report favorably upon +them. In the discussion on the Pembina<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> bill in 1874, Senator +Morton made an earnest speech in favor of woman's enfranchisement. +In his premature death our cause lost one of its bravest champions.</p> + +<p>Senator Wadleigh's report called forth severe criticism; notably +from the <i>New Northwest</i> of Oregon, the <i>Woman's Journal</i> of +Boston, the <i>Inter-Ocean</i> of Chicago, the <i>Evening Telegram</i> and +the <i>National Citizen</i> of New York. We quote from the latter:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The report is not a statesman-like answer based upon fundamental +principles, but a mere politician's dodge—a species of +dust-throwing quite in vogue in Washington. "Several millions of +voters totally inexperienced in political affairs"! They would +have about as much experience as the fathers in 1776, as the +negroes in 1870, as the Irish, English, Italians, Norwegians, +Danes, French, Germans, Portuguese, Scotch, Russians, Turks, +Mexicans, Hungarians, Swedes and Indians, who form a good part of +the voting population of this country. Did Mr. Wadleigh never +hear of Agnes C. Jencks—the woman who has stirred up politics to +its deepest depth; who has shaken the seat of President Hayes; +who has set in motion the whole machinery of government, and who, +when brought to the witness stand has for hours successfully +baffled such wily politicians as Ben Butler and McMahon;—a woman +who thwarts alike Republican and Democrat, and at her own will +puts the brakes on all this turmoil of her own raising? Does +Senator Wadleigh know nothing of that woman's "experience in +politics"?</p> + +<p>"Quite dependent upon the other sex." It used to be said the +negroes were "quite dependent" upon their masters, that it would +really be an abuse of the poor things to set them free, but when +free and controlling the results of their own labor, it was found +the masters had been the ones "quite dependent," and thousands of +them who before the war rolled in luxury, have since been in the +depths of poverty—some of them even dependent upon the bounty of +their former slaves. When men cease to rob women of their +earnings they will find them generally, as thousands now are, +capable of self-care.<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a></p> + +<p>"Military duty." When women hold the ballot there will not be +quite as much military duty to be done. They will then have a +voice and a vote in the matter, and the men will no longer be +able to throw the country into a war to gratify spite or +ambition, tearing from woman's arms her nearest and dearest. All +men do not like "military duty." "The key to that horrible +enigma, German socialism, is antagonism to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> the military system," +and nations are shaken with fear because of it. But when there is +necessity for military duty, women will be found in line. The +person who planned the Tennessee campaign, in which the Northern +armies secured their first victories, was a woman, Anna Ella +Carroll. Gen. Grant acted upon her plan, and was successful. She +was endorsed by President Lincoln, Seward, Stanton, Wade, Scott, +and all the nation's leaders in its hour of peril, and yet +congress has not granted her the pension which for ten years her +friends have demanded. Mr. Wadleigh holds his seat in the United +States Senate to-day, because of the "military duty" done by this +woman.</p> + +<p>"About 30,000 names," to petitions. There have been 70,000 sent +in during the present session of congress, for a sixteenth +amendment, besides hundreds of individual petitions from women +asking for the removal of their own political disabilities. Men +in this country are occasionally disfranchised for crime, and +sometimes pray for the removal of their political disabilities. +Nine such disfranchised men had the right of voting restored to +them during the last session of congress. But not a single one of +the five hundred women who individually asked to have their +political disabilities removed, was even so much as noticed by an +adverse report, Mr. Wadleigh knows it would make no difference if +300,000 women petitioned. But whether women ask for the ballot or +not has nothing to do with the question. Self-government is the +natural right of every individual, and because woman possesses +this natural right, she should be secured in its exercise.</p> + +<p>Mr. Wadleigh says, "nor can woman justly complain of any +partiality in the administration of justice." Let us examine: A +few years ago a married man in Washington, in official position, +forced a confession from his wife at the mouth of a pistol, and +shot his rival dead. Upon trial he was triumphantly acquitted and +afterwards sent abroad as foreign minister. A few months ago a +married woman in Georgia, who had been taunted by her rival with +boasts of having gained her husband's love, found this rival +dancing with him. She drew a knife and killed the woman on the +spot. She was tried, convicted, and, although nursing one infant, +and again about to become a mother, was sentenced to be hanged by +the neck till she was 'dead, dead, dead.' There is Mr. Wadleigh's +equal administration of justice between man and woman! There is +"the sympathy of judges and juries." There is the "extent which +would warrant loud complaint on the part of their adversaries of +the sterner sex." And this woman escaped the gallows not because +of "the sympathy of the judge" or "jury," but because her own sex +took the matter up, and from every part of the country sent +petitions by the hundreds to Governor Colquitt of Georgia, asking +her pardon. That pardon came in the shape of ten years' +imprisonment;—ten years in a cell for a woman, the mother of a +nursing and an unborn infant, while for General Sickles the +mission to Madrid with high honors and a fat salary.</p> + +<p>Messrs. Wadleigh of New Hampshire, McMillan of Minnesota, Ingalls +of Kansas, Saulsbury of Delaware, Merrimon of North Carolina and +Hill of Georgia, all senators of the United States, are the +committee that report<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> it "inexpedient" to secure equal rights to +the women of the United States. But we are not discouraged; we +are not disheartened; all the Wadleighs in the Senate, all the +committees of both Houses, the whole congress of the United +States against us, would not lessen our faith, nor our efforts. +We know we are right; we know we shall be successful; we know the +day is not far distant, when this government and the world will +acknowledge the exact and permanent political equality of man and +woman, and we know that until that hour comes woman will be +oppressed, degraded; a slave, without a single right that man +feels himself bound to respect. Work then, women, for your own +freedom. Let the early morning see you busy, and dusky evening +find you planning how you may become <span class="smcap">free</span>. </p></blockquote> + +<p>But the most severe judgment upon Mr. Wadleigh's action came from +his own constituents, who, at the close of the forty-fifth congress +excused his further presence in the United States Senate, sending +in his stead the Hon. Henry W. Blair, a valiant champion of +national protection for national citizens.<a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a></p> + +<p>In April, 1878, Mrs. Williams transferred the <i>Ballot-Box</i> to Mrs. +Gage, who removed it to Syracuse, New York, and changed its name to +the <i>National Citizen</i>. In her prospectus Mrs. Gage said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The <i>National Citizen</i> will advocate the principle that suffrage +is the citizen's right, and should be protected by national law, +and that, while States may regulate the suffrage, they should +have no power to abolish it. Its especial object will be to +secure national protection to women in the exercise of their +right to vote; it will oppose class legislation of whatever form. +It will support no political party until one arises which is +based upon the exact equality of man and woman.</p> + +<p>As the first step towards becoming well is to know you are ill, +one of the principal aims of the <i>National Citizen</i> will be to +make those women discontented who are now content; to waken them +to self-respect and a desire to use the talents they possess; to +educate their consciences aright; to quicken their sense of duty; +to destroy morbid beliefs, and fit them for their high +responsibilities as citizens of a republic. The <i>National +Citizen</i> has no faith in that old theory that "a woman once lost +is lost forever," neither does it believe in the assertion that +"a woman who sins, sinks to depths of wickedness lower than man +can reach." On the contrary it believes there is a future for the +most abandoned, if only the kindly hand of love and sympathy be +extended to rescue them from the degradation into which they have +fallen. The <i>National Citizen</i> will endeavor to keep its readers +informed of the progress of women in foreign countries, and will, +as far as possible, revolutionize this country, striving to make +it live up to its own fundamental principles and become in +reality what it is but in name—a genuine republic. </p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span></p> + +<p>Instead of holding its usual May anniversary in New York city, the +National Association decided to meet in Rochester to celebrate the +close of the third decade of organized agitation in the United +States, and issued the following call:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The National Association will hold a convention in Rochester, N. +Y., July 19, 1878. This will be the thirtieth anniversary of the +first woman's rights convention, held July 19, 1848, in the +Wesleyan church at Seneca Falls, N. Y., and adjourned to meet, +August 2, in Rochester. Some who took part in that convention +have passed away, but many others, including both Mrs. Mott and +Mrs. Stanton, are still living. This convention will take the +place of the usual May anniversary, and will be largely devoted +to reminiscences. Friends are cordially invited to be present.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"><span class="smcap">Clemence S. Lozier</span>, M. D., <i>President</i>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left0"><span class="smcap">Susan B. Anthony</span>, <i>Chairman Executive Committee</i>.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The meeting was held in the Unitarian church on Fitzhugh street, +occupied by the same society that had opened its doors in 1848; and +Amy Post, one of the leading spirits of the first convention, still +living in Rochester and in her seventy-seventh year, assisted in +the arrangements. Rochester, known as "The Flower City," +contributed of its beauty to the adornment of the church. It was +crowded at the first session. Representatives from a large number +of States were present,<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a> and there was a pleasant interchange of +greetings between those whose homes were far apart, but who were +friends and co-workers in this great reform. The reunion was more +like the meeting of near and dear relatives than of strangers whose +only bond was work in a common cause. Such are the compensations +which help to sustain reformers while they battle ignorance and +prejudice in order to secure justice. In the absence of the +president, Dr. Clemence S. Lozier, Mrs. Stanton took the chair and +said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We are here to celebrate the third decade of woman's struggle in +this country for liberty. Thirty years have passed since many of +us now<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> present met in this place to discuss the true position of +woman as a citizen of a republic. The reports of our first +conventions show that those who inaugurated this movement +understood the significance of the term "citizens." At the very +start we claimed full equality with man. Our meetings were +hastily called and somewhat crudely conducted; but we intuitively +recognized the fact that we were defrauded of our natural rights, +conceded in the national constitution. And thus the greatest +movement of the century was inaugurated. I say greatest, because +through the elevation of woman all humanity is lifted to a higher +plane. To contrast our position thirty years ago, under the old +common law of England, with that we occupy under the advanced +legislation of to-day, is enough to assure us that we have passed +the boundary line—from slavery to freedom. We already see the +mile-stones of a new civilization on every highway.</p> + +<p>Look at the department of education, the doors of many colleges +and universities thrown wide open to women; girls contending for, +yea, and winning prizes over their brothers. In the working world +they are rapidly filling places and climbing heights unknown to +them before, realizing, in fact, the dreams, the hopes, the +prophesies of the inspired women of by-gone centuries. In many +departments of learning woman stands the peer of man, and when by +higher education and profitable labor she becomes self-reliant +and independent, then she must and will be free. The moment an +individual or a class is strong enough to stand alone, bondage is +impossible. Jefferson Davis, in a recent speech, says: "A Cæsar +could not subject a people fit to be free, nor could a Brutus +save them if they were fit for subjugation."</p> + +<p>Looking back over the past thirty years, how long ago seems that +July morning when we gathered round the altar in the old Wesleyan +church in Seneca Falls! It taxes and wearies the memory to think +of all the conventions we have held, the legislatures we have +besieged, the petitions and tracts we have circulated, the +speeches, the calls, the resolutions we have penned, the +never-ending debates we have kept up in public and private, and +yet to each and all our theme is as fresh and absorbing as it was +the day we started. Calm, benignant, subdued as we look on this +platform, if any man should dare to rise in our presence and +controvert a single position we have taken, there is not a woman +here that would not in an instant, with flushed face and flashing +eye, bristle all over with sharp, pointed arguments that would +soon annihilate the most skilled logician, the most profound +philosopher.</p> + +<p>To those of you on this platform who for these thirty years have +been the steadfast representatives of woman's cause, my friends +and co-laborers, let me say our work has not been in vain. True, +we have not yet secured the suffrage, but we have aroused public +thought to the many disabilities of our sex, and our countrywomen +to higher self-respect and worthier ambition, and in this +struggle for justice we have deepened and broadened our own lives +and extended the horizon of our vision. Ridiculed, persecuted, +ostracised, we have learned to place a just estimate on popular +opinion, and to feel a just confidence in ourselves. As the +representatives<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> of principles which it was necessary to explain +and defend, we have been compelled to study constitutions and +laws, and in thus seeking to redress the wrongs and vindicate the +rights of the many, we have secured a higher development for +ourselves. Nor is this all. The full fruition of these years of +seed-sowing shall yet be realized, though it may not be by those +who have led in the reform, for many of our number have already +fallen asleep. Another decade and not one of us may be here, but +we have smoothed the rough paths for those who come after us. The +lives of multitudes will be gladdened by the sacrifices we have +made, and the truths we have uttered can never die.</p> + +<p>Standing near the gateway of the unknown land and looking back +through the vista of the past, memory recalls many duties in +life's varied relations we would had been better done. The past +to all of us is filled with regrets. We can recall, perchance, +social ambitions disappointed, fond hopes wrecked, ideals in +wealth, power, position, unattained—much that would be +considered success in life unrealized. But I think we should all +agree that the time, the thought, the energy we have devoted to +the freedom of our countrywomen, that the past, in so far as our +lives have represented this great movement, brings us only +unalloyed satisfaction. The rights already obtained, the full +promise of the rising generation of women more than repay us for +the hopes so long deferred, the rights yet denied, the +humiliation of spirit we still suffer.</p> + +<p>And for those of you who have been mere spectators of the long, +hard battle we have fought, and are still fighting, I have a +word. Whatever your attitude has been, whether as cold, +indifferent observers—whether you have hurled at us the shafts +of ridicule or of denunciation, we ask you now to lay aside your +old educational prejudices and give this question your earnest +consideration, substituting reason for ridicule, sympathy for +sneers. I urge the young women especially to prepare themselves +to take up the work so soon to fall from our hands. You have had +opportunities for education such as we had not. You hold to-day +the vantage-ground we have won by argument. Show now your +gratitude to us by making the uttermost of yourselves, and by +your earnest, exalted lives secure to those who come after you a +higher outlook, a broader culture, a larger freedom than have yet +been vouchsafed to woman in our own happy land. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Congratulatory letters<a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a> and telegrams were received from all +portions of the United States and from the old world. Space<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> admits +the publication of but a few, yet all breathed the same hopeful +spirit and confidence in future success. Abigail Bush, who presided +over the first Rochester convention, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>No one knows what I passed through upon that occasion. I was born +and baptized in the old Scotch Presbyterian church. At that time +its sacred teachings were, "if a woman would know anything let +her ask her husband at home." <span class="spacious">* * *</span> I well remember the incidents +of that meeting and the thoughts awakened by it. <span class="spacious">* * *</span> Say to +your convention my full heart is with them in all their +deliberations and counsels, and I trust great good to women will +come of their efforts. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Ernestine L. Rose, a native of Poland, and, next to Frances Wright, +the earliest advocate of woman's enfranchisement in America, wrote +from England:</p> + +<blockquote><p>How I should like to be with you at the anniversary—it reminds +me of the delightful convention we had at Rochester, long, long +ago—and speak of the wonderful change that has taken place in +regard to woman. Compare her present position in society with the +one she occupied <i>forty</i> years ago, when I undertook to +emancipate her from not only barbarous laws, but from what was +even worse, a barbarous public opinion. No one can appreciate the +wonderful change in the social and moral condition of woman, +except by looking back and comparing the past with the present. <span class="spacious">* * *</span> +Say to the friends, Go on, go on, halt not and rest not. +Remember that "eternal vigilance is the price of liberty" and of +right. Much has been achieved; but the main, the vital thing, has +yet to come. The suffrage is the magic key to the statute—the +insignia of citizenship in a republic. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Caroline Ashurst Biggs, editor of the <i>Englishwoman's Review</i>, +London, wrote:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I have read with great interest in the <i>National Citizen</i> and the +<i>Woman's Journal</i> the announcement of the forthcoming convention +in Rochester. <span class="spacious">* * *</span> I cannot refrain from sending you a cordial +English congratulation upon the great advance in the social and +legal position of women in America, which has been the result of +your labor. The next few years will see still greater progress. +As soon as the suffrage is granted to women, a concession which +will not be many years in coming either in England or America, +every one of our questions will advance with double force, and +meanwhile our efforts in that direction are simultaneously +helping forward other social, legal, educational and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> moral +reforms. Our organization in England does not date back so far as +yours. There were only a few isolated thinkers when Mrs. John +Stuart Mill wrote her essay on the enfranchisement of women in +1851. For twenty years, however, it has progressed with few +drawbacks. In some particulars the English laws in respect of +women are in advance of yours, but the connection between England +and America is so close that a gain to one is a gain to the +other. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Lydia E. Becker, editor of the <i>Women's Suffrage Journal</i>, +Manchester, England, wrote:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="spacious">* * *</span> I beg to offer to the venerable pioneers of the movement, +more especially to Lucretia Mott, a tribute of respectful +admiration and gratitude for the services they have rendered in +the cause of enfranchisement. <span class="spacious">* * *</span> As regards the United +kingdom, the movement in a practical form is but twelve years +old, and in that period, although we have not obtained the +parliamentary franchise, we have seen it supported by at least +one-third of the House of Commons, and our claim admitted as one +which must be dealt with in future measures of parliamentary +reform. We have obtained the municipal franchise and the +school-board franchise. Women have secured the right to enter the +medical profession and to take degrees in the University of +London, besides considerable amendment of the law regarding +married women, though much remains to be done. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Senator Sargent, since minister to Berlin, wrote:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I regret that the necessity to proceed at once to California will +deprive me of the pleasure of attending your convention of July +19, the anniversary of the spirited declaration of rights put +forth thirty years ago by some of the noblest and most +enlightened women of America. Women's rights have made vast +strides since that day, in juster legislation, in widened spheres +of employment, and in the gradual but certain recognition by +large numbers of citizens of the justice and policy of extending +the elective franchise to women. It is now very generally +conceded that the time is rapidly approaching when women will +vote. The friends of the movement have faith in the result; its +enemies grudgingly admit it. Courage and work will hasten the +day. The worst difficulties have already been overcome. The +movement has passed the stage of ridicule, and even that of +abuse, and has entered that of intelligent discussion, its worst +adversaries treating it with respect. You are so familiar with +all the arguments in favor of this great reform that I will not +attempt to state them; but I wish to say that as an observer of +public events, it is my deliberate judgment that your triumph is +near at hand. There are vastly more men and women in the United +States now who believe that women should have the right to vote +than there were in 1848 who believed the slave should be freed. +This is a government of opinions and the growing opinion will be +irresistible.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">A. A. Sargent</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Respectfully yours,</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The following letters from the great leaders of the anti-slavery +movement were gratefully received. As Mr. Garrison soon after<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> +finished his eventful life, this proved to be his last message to +our association:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Boston</span>, June 30, 1878.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Miss Anthony</span>—Your urgent and welcome letter, inviting me +to the thirtieth anniversary of the woman's rights movement at +Rochester, came yesterday. Most earnestly do I wish I could be +present to help mark this epoch in our movement, and join in +congratulating the friends on the marvelous results of their +labors. No reform has gathered more devoted and self-sacrificing +friends. No one has had lives more generously given to its +service; and you who have borne such heavy burdens may well +rejoice in the large harvest; for no reform has, I think, had +such rapid success. You who remember the indifference which +almost discouraged us in 1848, and who have so bravely faced +ungenerous opposition and insult since, must look back on the +result with unmixed astonishment and delight. Temperance, and +finance—which is but another name for the labor movement—and +woman's rights, are three radical questions which overtop all +others in value and importance. Woman's claim for the ballot-box +has had a much wider influence than merely to protect woman. +Universal suffrage is itself in danger. Scholars dread it; social +science and journalists attack it. The discussion of woman's +claim has done much to reveal this danger, and rally patriotic +and thoughtful men in defense. In many ways the agitation has +educated the people. Its success shows that the masses are sound +and healthy; and if we gain, in the coming fifteen years, half as +much as we have in the last thirty, woman will hold spear and +shield in her own hands. If I might presume to advise, I should +say close up the ranks and write on our flag only one claim—the +ballot. Everything helps us, and if we are united, success cannot +long be delayed.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Wendell Phillips</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Very cordially yours,</p> + + +<p class="ltr-date ltr-break"><span class="smcap">Boston</span>, July 16, 1878.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Friend</span>—The thirtieth anniversary of the first woman's +rights convention ever held with special reference to demanding the +elective franchise irrespective of sex well deserves to be +commemorated in the manner set forth in the call for the same, at +Rochester, on the 19th instant. As a substitute for my personal +attendance, I can only send a brief but warm congratulatory epistle +on the cheering progress which the movement has made within the +period named. For how widely different are the circumstances under +which that convention was held, and those which attend the +celebration of its third decade! Then, the assertion of civil and +political equality, alike for men and women, excited widespread +disgust and astonishment, as though it were a proposition to repeal +the laws of nature, and literally to "turn the world upside down"; +and it was ridiculed and caricatured as little short of lunacy. +Now, it is a subject of increasing interest and grave +consideration, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and what at first +appeared to be so foolish in pretension is admitted by all +reflecting and candid minds to be deserving of the most respectful +treatment. Then, its avowed friends, were indeed "few and far<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> +between," even among those disfranchised as the penalty of their +womanhood. Now, they can be counted by tens of thousands, and their +number is augmenting—foremost in intelligence, in weight of +character, in strength of understanding, in manly and womanly +development, and in all that goes to make up enlightened +citizenship. Then, with rare exceptions, women were everywhere +remanded to poverty and servile dependence, being precluded from +following those avocations and engaging in those pursuits which +make competency and independence not a difficult achievement. Now, +there is scarcely any situation or profession, in the arrangements +of society, to which they may not and do not aspire, and in which +many of them are not usefully engaged; whether in new and varied +industrial employment, in the arts and sciences, in the highest +range of literature, in philosophic and mathematical +investigations, in the professions of law, medicine, and divinity, +in high scholarship, in educational training and supervision, in +rhetoric and oratory, in the lyceum, or in discharging the official +duties connected with the various departments of the State and +national governments.</p> + +<p>Almost all barriers are down except that which prevents women from +going to the polls to help decide who shall be the law-makers and +what shall be the laws, so that the general welfare may be +impartially consulted, and the blessings of freedom and equal +rights be enjoyed by all. That barrier, too, must give way wherever +erected, as sure as time outlasts and baffles every device of +wrong-doing, and truth is stronger than falsehood, and the law of +eternal justice is as reliable as the law of gravitation. Yes! the +grand fundamental truths of the Declaration of Independence shall +yet be reduced to practice in our land—that the human race are +created free and equal; that government derives its just powers +from the consent of the governed, and that taxation without +representation is tyranny. And I confidently predict that this will +be witnessed before the expiration of another decade.</p> + +<p class="ltr-closing">Yours, to abate nothing of heart or hope,</p> +<p class="ltr-from">William Lloyd Garrison.</p> +</blockquote> + + +<p>Mrs. Mott never seemed more hopeful for the triumph of our +principles than on this occasion. She expressed great satisfaction +in the number of young women who for the first time that day graced +our platform.<a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a> Though in her eighty-sixth year, her enthusiasm +in the cause for which she had so long labored seemed still +unabated, and her eye sparkled with humor as of yore while giving +some amusing reminiscences of encounters with opponents in the +early days. Always apt in biblical quotations she had proved +herself a worthy antagonist of the clergy on our platform. She had +slain many Abimelechs with short texts of Scripture,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> whose defeat +was the more humiliating because received at the hand of a woman. +As she recounted in her happiest vein the triumphs of her +coadjutors she was received with the heartiest manifestations of +delight by her auditors. She took a lively interest in the +discussion of the resolutions that had been presented by the +chairman of the committee, Matilda Joslyn Gage:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That a government of the people, by the people and +for the people is yet to be realized; for that which is formed, +administered and controlled only by men, is practically nothing +more than an enlarged oligarchy, whose assumptions of natural +superiority and of the right to rule are as baseless as those +enforced by the aristocratic powers of the old world.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That in celebrating our third decade we have reason +to congratulate ourselves on the marked change in woman's +position—in her enlarged opportunities for education and labor, +her greater freedom under improved social customs and civil laws, +and the promise of her speedy enfranchisement in the minor +political rights she has already secured.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the International Congress<a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a> called in Paris, +July 20, to discuss the rights of woman—the eminent Victor Hugo, +its presiding officer—is one of the most encouraging events of +the century, in that statesmen and scholars from all parts of the +world, amid the excitement of the French Exposition, propose to +give five days to deliberations upon this question.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the majority report of the chairman of the +Committee on Privileges and Elections, Senator Wadleigh of New +Hampshire, against a sixteenth amendment to secure the political +rights of woman in its weakness, shows the strength of our +reform.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the national effort to force citizenship on the +Indians, the decision of Judge Sawyer in the United States +Circuit Court of California against the naturalization of the +Chinese, and the refusal of congress to secure the right of +suffrage to women, are class legislation, dangerous to the +stability of our institutions.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, Woman's rights and duties in all matters of legislation +are the same as those of man.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the problems of labor, finance, suffrage, +international rights, internal improvements, and other great +questions, can never be satisfactorily adjusted without the +enlightened thought of woman, and her voice in the councils of +the nation.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the question of capital and labor is one of +special interest to us. Man, standing to woman in the position of +capitalist, has robbed her through the ages of the results of her +toil. No just settlement of this question can be attained until +the right of woman to the proceeds of her labor in the family and +elsewhere is recognized, and she is welcomed into every industry +on the basis of equal pay for equal work.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That as the first duty of every individual is +self-development, the lessons of self-sacrifice and obedience +taught woman by the Christian church have been fatal, not only to +her own vital interests, but through her, to those of the race.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the great principle of the Protestant +Reformation, the right of individual conscience and judgment +heretofore exercised by man alone, should now be claimed by +woman; that, in the interpretation of Scripture, she should be +guided by her own reason, and not by the authority of the church.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That it is through the perversion of the religious +element in woman—playing upon her hopes and fears of the future, +holding this life with all its high duties in abeyance to that +which is to come—that she and the children she has trained have +been so completely subjugated by priestcraft and superstition. </p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span></p> + +<p>This was the last convention ever attended by Lucretia Mott. Her +family had specially requested that she should not be urged to go; +but on seeing the call, she quietly announced her intention to be +at the meeting, and, with the ever faithful Sarah Pugh as her +companion, she made the journey from Philadelphia in the intense +heat of those July days. Mrs. Mott was the guest of her husband's +nephew, Dr. E.M. Moore, who, fearing that his aunt would be utterly +exhausted, called for her while she was in the midst of her closing +remarks. As she descended the platform, she continued speaking +while she slowly moved down the aisle, shaking hands upon either +side. The audience simultaneously rose, and on behalf of all, +Frederick Douglass ejaculated, "Good-by, dear Lucretia!"</p> + +<p>The last three resolutions called out a prolonged discussion<a name="FNanchor_42_42" id="FNanchor_42_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a> +not only in the convention but from the pulpit and press of the +State.</p> + +<p>One amusing encounter in the course of the debate is worthy of +note. Perhaps it was due to the intense heat that Mr. Douglass, +usually clear on questions of principle, was misled into opposing +the resolutions. He spoke with great feeling and religious +sentiment of the beautiful Christian doctrine of self-sacrifice. +When he finished, Mrs. Lucy Coleman, always keen in pricking +bubbles, arose and said: "Well, Mr. Douglass, all you say may be +true; but allow me to ask you why you did not remain a slave in +Maryland, and sacrifice yourself, like a Christian, to your master, +instead of running off to Canada to secure your liberty, like a +man? We shall judge your faith, Frederick, by your deeds."</p> + +<p>An immense audience assembled at Corinthian Hall in the evening to +listen to the closing speeches<a name="FNanchor_43_43" id="FNanchor_43_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_43_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a> of the convention. Mrs. Robinson +of Boston gave an exhaustive review of the work in Massachusetts, +and her daughter, Mrs. Shattuck, gave many amusing experiences as +her father's<a name="FNanchor_44_44" id="FNanchor_44_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_44_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a> clerk in the legislature of that State.</p> + +<p>The resolutions provoked many attacks from the clergy throughout +the State, led by Rev. A.H. Strong, D.D., president of the Baptist +Theological Seminary in Rochester, Of his sermon the <i>National +Citizen</i> said:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>None too soon have we issued our resolutions, proclaiming woman's +right to self-development—to interpret Scripture for herself, to +use her own faculties. In speaking of what Christianity has done +for woman, Dr. Strong stultifies his own assertions by referring +to Switzerland and Germany "where you may see any day hundreds of +women wheeling earth for railroad embankments." Does he not +remember that Switzerland and Germany are Christian countries and +that it is part of their civilization that while women do this +work, some man takes the pay and puts it in his own pocket quite +in heathen fashion? The reverend doctor in the usual style of +opposition to woman—which is to quote something or other having +no bearing upon the question—refers to Cornelia's "jewels," +forgetting to say that Cornelia delivered public lectures upon +philosophy in Rome, and that Cicero paid the very highest tribute +to her learning and genius.</p> + +<p>Dr. Strong advocates the old theory that woman and man are not +two classes standing upon the same level, but that the two are +one—that one on the time-worn theory of common law, the husband; +and talks of the "dignity and delicacy of woman" being due to the +fact of her not having been in public life, and that this +"dignity and delicacy" would all evaporate if once she were +allowed to vote, which reminds one of the story of Baron +Munchausen's horn, into which a certain coach-driver blew all +manner of wicked tunes. The weather being very cold, these tunes +remained frozen in the horn. When hung by the fire, the horn +began to thaw out, and these wicked tunes came pealing forth to +the great amazement of the by-standers. The reverend gentlemen +seems to think women are full of frozen wickedness, which if they +enter public life will be thawed out to the utter demolition of +their "dignity and delicacy" and the disgust of society. He deems +it "too hazardous" to allow women to vote. "Bad women would +vote." Well, what of it? Have they not equal right with bad men, +to self-government? Bad is a relative term. It strikes us that +the very reverend Dr. Strong is a "bad" man—a man who does not +understand true Christianity—who is not just—who would strike +those who are down—who would keep woman in slavery—who quotes +the Bible as his authority: thus fettering woman's conscience, +binding her will, and playing upon her hopes and fears to keep +her in subjection.</p> + +<p>From Augustine, down, theologians have tried to compel people to +accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the +tortures of the inquisition, the rack, the thumb-screw, the +stake, the persecutions of witchcraft, the whipping of naked +women through the streets of Boston, banishment, trials for +heresy, the halter about Garrison's neck, Lovejoy's death, the +branding of Captain Walker, shouts of infidel and atheist, have +all been for this purpose.</p> + +<p>We know the ignorance that exists upon these points. Few have yet +begun to comprehend the influence that ecclesiasticism has had +upon law. Wharton, a recognized authority upon criminal law, +issued his seventh edition before he ascertained the vast bearing +canon law had had upon the civil code, and we advise readers to +consult the array of authorities, English, Latin, German, to +which he, in his preface, refers. We hope to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> arouse attention +and compel investigation of this subject by lawyers and +theologians as well as by women themselves. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Francis E. Abbot, editor of <i>The Index</i>, the organ of the Free +Religious Association, spoke grandly in favor of the resolutions. +He said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>These resolutions we have read with astonishment, admiration and +delight. We should not have believed it possible that the +convention could have been induced to adopt them. They will make +forever memorable in the history of the organized woman movement, +this thirtieth anniversary of its birth. They put the National +Woman Suffrage Association in an inconceivably higher and nobler +position than that occupied by any similar society. They go to +the very root of the matter. They are a bold, dignified, and +magnificent utterance. We congratulate the convention on a record +so splendid in the eyes of all true liberals. From this day forth +the whole woman movement must obey the inspiration of a higher +courage and a grander spirit than have been known to its past. +Opposition must be encountered, tenfold more bitter than was ever +yet experienced. But truth is on the side of these brave women; +the ringing words they have spoken at Rochester will thrill many +a doubting heart and be echoed far down the long avenue of the +years. </p></blockquote> + +<p>During the same week of the Rochester convention, the Paris +International Congress opened it sessions, sending us a telegram of +greeting to which we responded with two hundred and fifty francs as +a tangible evidence of our best wishes. The two remarkable features +of that congress were the promise of so distinguished a man as +Victor Hugo to preside over its deliberations, though at last +prevented by illness; and the fact that the Italian government sent +Mlle. Mozzoni as an official delegate to the congress to study the +civil position of woman in various countries, in order that an +ameliorating change of its code, in respect to woman, could be +wisely made.</p> + +<p>The newspapers of the French capital in general treated the +congress with respect. The <i>Rappel</i>, Victor Hugo's organ, spoke of +it in a most complimentary manner. Theodore Stanton, in a letter to +the <i>National Citizen</i>, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In one important respect this congress differed entirely from an +American convention of like character—it made no demand for +suffrage. The word was never mentioned except by the American +delegates. In continental Europe the idea of demanding for woman +a share in the government, is never considered. This is the more +remarkable in France, as this claim was made at the time of the +revolution. But every imaginable side of the question was +discussed, except the side that comprehends all the others. To an +American, therefore, European woman's rights is rather tame; it +is like the play of Hamlet with Hamlet left out. But<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> Europe is +moving, and the next international congress will, undoubtedly, +give more attention to suffrage and less to hygiene. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The Eleventh Washington Convention was held January 9, 10, 1879. +The resolutions give an idea of the status of the question, and the +wide range of discussion covered by the speakers:<a name="FNanchor_45_45" id="FNanchor_45_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_45_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a></p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That the forty-fifth congress, in ignoring the +individual petitions of more than three hundred women of high +social standing and culture, asking for the removal of their +political disabilities, while promptly enacting special +legislation for the removal of the political disabilities of +every man who petitioned, furnishes an illustration of the +indifference of this congress to the rights of citizens deprived +of political power.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, Senator Blaine says, it is the very essence of tyranny +to count any citizens in the basis of representation who are +denied a voice in their laws and a choice in their rulers; +therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That counting women in the basis of representation, +while denying them the right of suffrage, is compelling them to +swell the number of their tyrants and is an unwarrantable +usurpation of power over one-half the citizens of this republic.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, In President Hayes' last message, he makes a truly +paternal review of the interests of this republic, both great and +small, from the army, the navy, and our foreign relations, to the +ten little Indians in Hampton, Va., our timber on the western +mountains, and the switches of the Washington railroads; from the +Paris Exposition, the postal service, the abundant harvests, and +the possible bull-dozing of some colored men in various southern +districts, to cruelty to live animals, and the crowded condition +of the mummies, dead ducks and fishes in the Smithsonian +Institute—yet forgets to mention twenty million women robbed of +their social, civil and political rights; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That a committee of three be appointed from this +convention to wait upon the president and remind him of the +existence of one-half of the American people whom he has +accidentally overlooked, and of whom it would be wise for him to +make some mention in his future messages.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, All of the vital principles involved in the thirteenth, +fourteenth and fifteenth constitutional amendments have been +denied in their application to women by courts, legislatures and +political parties; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That it is logical that these amendments should fail +to protect even the male African for whom said courts, +legislatures and parties declare they were expressly designed and +enacted.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the judges of the Supreme Court of the United +States in denying Belva A. Lockwood admission to its bar, while +she was entitled under the law and under its rules to that right, +violated their oath of office.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the Senate Judiciary Committee, Mr. Edmonds +chairman, in its report on the bill to allow women to practice +law in the courts of the United States in which it declares that +"further legislation is not necessary," evaded the plain question +at issue before it in a manner unworthy of judges learned in the +honorable profession of the law, and thereby sanctioned an +injustice to the women of the whole country.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The general government has refused to exercise federal +power to protect women in their right to vote in the various +States and territories; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That it should forbear to exercise federal power to +disfranchise the women of Utah, who have had a more just and +liberal spirit shown them by Mormon men than Gentile women in the +States have yet perceived in their rulers.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The proposed legislation for the Chinese women on the +Pacific slope and for outcast women in our cities, and the +opinion of the press that no respectable woman should be seen in +the streets after dark, are all based upon the presumption that +woman's freedom must be forever sacrificed to man's licence; +therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the ballot in woman's hand is the only power by +which she can restrain the liberty of those men who make our +streets and highways dangerous to her, and secure the freedom +that belongs to her by day and by night. </p></blockquote> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 371px;"> +<a name="v3_129" id="v3_129"> +<img src="images/v3_129.jpg" width="371" height="500" alt="Frances E. Willard" title="" /></a> +</div> + + +<p>At the close of the convention it was decided at a meeting of the +executive committee to present an address to the president and both +houses of congress, and that a printed copy of the resolutions +should be laid on the desk of every member. The president having +granted a hearing,<a name="FNanchor_46_46" id="FNanchor_46_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_46_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a> the following address was presented:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>To his Excellency, the President of the United States</i>:</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, Representatives of associations of women waited upon +your excellency before the delivery of your first and second +annual messages, asking that in those documents you would +remember the disfranchised millions of citizens of the United +States; and,</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, Upon careful examination of those messages, we find +therein specifically enumerated, the interests, great and small, +of all classes of men, and recommendations of needful legislation +to protect their civil and political rights, but find no mention +made of any need of legislation to protect the political, civil, +or social rights of one-half of the people of this republic, and,</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, There is pending in the Senate a constitutional +amendment to prohibit the several States from disfranchising +United States citizens on account of sex, and a similar amendment +is pending upon a tie vote in the House Judiciary Committee; and +as petitions to so amend the constitution have been presented to +both houses of congress from more than 40,000 well-known citizens +of thirty-five States and five territories,</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Therefore</span>, we respectfully ask your excellency, in your next +annual message, to make mention of the disfranchised millions of +wives, mothers and daughters of this republic, and to recommend +to congress that women equally with men be protected in the +exercise of their civil and political rights.</p> + +<p>On behalf of the National Woman Suffrage Association.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"><span class="smcap">Elizabeth Cady Stanton</span>, <i>President</i>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left0"><span class="smcap">Matilda Joslyn Gage</span>, <i>Corresponding Secretary</i>.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Susan B. Anthony</span>, <i>Chairman Executive Committee</i>.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The delegates from the territory of Utah were also received by the +president. They called his attention to the effect of the +enforcement of the law of 1862 upon 50,000 Mormon women, to render +them outcasts and their children nameless, asking the chief +executive of the nation to give some time to the consideration<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> of +the bill pending under different headings in both houses. The +president asked them to set forth the facts in writing, that he +might carefully weigh so important a matter. A memorial was also +presented to congress by these ladies, closing thus:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We further pray that in any future legislation concerning the +marriage relation in any territory under your jurisdiction you +will consider the rights and the consciences of the women to be +affected by such legislation, and that you will consider the +permanent care and welfare of children as the sure foundation of +the State.</p> + +<p>And your petitioners will ever pray.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">Emmeline B. Wells.<br /> +Zina Young Williams.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Mr. Cannon of Utah moved that the memorial be referred to the +Committee on the Judiciary with leave to report at any time. It was +so referred. The Judiciary Committee of the Senate brought in a +bill legitimatizing the offspring of plural marriages to a certain +date; also authorizing the president to grant amnesty for past +offenses against the law of 1862.</p> + +<p>The <i>Congressional Record</i> of January 24, under the head of +petitions and memorials, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The vice-president, Mr. Wheeler of New York, presented the +petition of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Matilda Joslyn Gage and Susan +B. Anthony, officers of the National Association, praying for the +passage of Senate joint resolution No. 12, providing for an +amendment to the Constitution of the United States, protecting +the rights of women, and also that the House Judiciary Committee +be relieved from the further consideration of a similar +resolution.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Ferry</span>—If there be no objection I ask that the petition be +read at length.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Vice-president</span>—The Chair hears no objection, and it will be +reported by the secretary.</p> + +<p>The petition was read and referred to the Committee on Privileges +and Elections, as follows:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hang"><i>To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, +in Congress assembled:</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, More than 40,000 men and women, citizens of thirty-five +States and five territories, have petitioned the forty-fifth +congress asking for an amendment to the federal constitution +prohibiting the several States from disfranchising United States +citizens on account of sex; and</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, A resolution providing for such constitutional amendment +is upon the calendar (Senate resolution No. 12, second session +forty-fifth congress), and a similar resolution is pending upon a +tie vote in the Judiciary Committee of the House of +Representatives; and</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The women of the United States constitute one-half of +the people of this republic and have an inalienable right to an +equal voice with men in the nation's councils; and</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, Women being denied the right to have their opinions +counted at the ballot-box, are compelled to hold all other rights +subject to the favors and caprices of men; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, In answer to the appeals of so large a number of +honorable petitioners, it is courteous that the forty-fifth +congress should express its opinion upon this grave question of +human rights; therefore,</p> + +<p>We pray your honorable body to take from the calendar and pass +Senate resolution No. 12, providing for an amendment to the +constitution protecting the rights of women; and</p> + +<p>We further pray you to relieve the House Judiciary Committee from +the further consideration of the woman suffrage resolution +brought to a tie vote in that committee, February 5, 1878, that +it may be submitted to the House of Representatives for immediate +action.</p> + +<p>And your petitioners will ever pray.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"><span class="smcap">Elizabeth Cady Stanton</span>, <i>President</i>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left0"><span class="smcap">Matilda Joslyn Gage</span>, <i>Corresponding Secretary</i>.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Susan B. Anthony</span>, <i>Chairman Executive Committee</i>.</p> +</blockquote> +</blockquote> + +<p>At the opening of the last session of the forty-fifth congress most +earnest appeals (copies of which were sent to every member of +congress) came from all directions for the presentation of a +minority report from the Committee on Privileges and Elections. The +response from our representatives was prompt and most encouraging. +The first favorable report our question had ever received in the +Senate of the United States was presented by the Hon. George F. +Hoar, February 1, 1879:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hang"><i>The undersigned, a minority of the Committee on Privileges and +Elections, to whom were referred the resolution proposing an +amendment to the constitution prohibiting discrimination in the +right of suffrage on account of sex, and certain petitions in aid +of the same, submit the following minority report:</i></p> + +<p>The undersigned dissent from the report of the majority of the +committee. The demand for the extension of the right of suffrage +to women is not new. It has been supported by many persons in +this country, in England and on the continent, famous in public +life, in literature and in philosophy. But no single argument of +its advocates seems to us to carry so great a persuasive force as +the difficulty which its ablest opponents encounter in making a +plausible statement of their objections. We trust we do not fail +in deference to our esteemed associates on the committee when we +avow our opinion that their report is no exception to this rule.</p> + +<p>The people of the United States and of the several States have +founded their political institutions upon the principle that all +men have an equal right to a share in the government. The +doctrine is expressed in various forms. The Declaration of +Independence asserts that "all men are created equal" and that +"governments derive their just powers from the consent of the +governed." The Virginia bill of rights, the work of Jefferson and +George Mason, affirms that "no man or set of men are entitled to +exclusive or separate emoluments or privileges from the rest of +the community but in consideration of public services." The +Massachusetts bill of rights, the work of John Adams, besides +reaffirming these axioms, declares that "all the inhabitants of +this commonwealth, having such<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> qualifications as they shall +establish by their frame of government, have an equal right to +elect officers, and to be elected for public employment." These +principles, after full and profound discussion by a generation of +statesmen whose authority upon these subjects is greater than +that of any other that ever lived, have been accepted by +substantially the whole American people as the dictates alike of +practical wisdom and of natural justice. The experience of a +hundred years has strengthened their hold upon the popular +conviction. Our fathers failed in three particulars to carry +these principles to their logical result. They required a +property qualification for the right to vote and to hold office. +They kept the negro in slavery. They excluded women from a share +in the government. The first two of these inconsistencies have +been remedied. The property test no longer exists. The fifteenth +amendment provides that race, color, or previous servitude shall +no longer be a disqualification. There are certain qualifications +of age, of residence, and, in some instances of education, +demanded; but these are such as all sane men may easily attain.</p> + +<p>This report is not the place to discuss or vindicate the +correctness of this theory. In so far as the opponents of woman +suffrage are driven to deny it, for the purpose of an argument +addressed to the American people, they are driven to confess that +they are in the wrong. This people are committed to the doctrine +of universal suffrage by their constitutions, their history and +their opinions. They must stand by it or fall by it. The poorest, +humblest, feeblest of sane men has the ballot in his hand, and no +other man can show a better title to it. Those things wherein men +are unequal—intelligence, ability, integrity, experience, title +to public confidence by reason of previous public service—have +their natural and legitimate influence under a government wherein +each man's vote is counted, to quite as great a degree as under +any other form of government that ever existed.</p> + +<p>We believe that the principle of universal suffrage stands to-day +stronger than ever in the judgment of mankind. Some eminent and +accomplished scholars, alarmed by the corruption and recklessness +manifested in our great cities, deceived by exaggerated +representations of the misgovernment of the Southern States by a +race just emerging from slavery, disgusted by the extent to which +great numbers of our fellow-citizens have gone astray in the +metaphysical subtleties of financial discussion, have uttered +their eloquent warnings of the danger of the failure of universal +suffrage. Such utterances from such sources have been frequent. +They were never more abundant than in the early part of the +present century. They are, when made in a serious and patriotic +spirit, to be received with the gratitude due to that greatest of +public benefactors—he who points out to the people their dangers +and their faults.</p> + +<p>But popular suffrage is to be tried not by comparison with ideal +standards of excellence, but by comparison with other forms of +government. We are willing to submit our century of it to this +test. The crimes that have stained our history have come chiefly +from its denial, not from its establishment. The misgovernment +and corruption of our great cities have been largely due to men +whose birth and training have been under<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> other systems. The +abuses attributed by political hostility to negro governments at +the South—governments from which the intelligence and education +of the State held themselves sulkily aloof—do not equal those +which existed under the English or French aristocracy within the +memory of living men. There have been crimes, blunders, +corruptions, follies in the history of our republic. Aristides +has been banished from public employment, while Cleon has been +followed by admiring throngs. But few of these things have been +due to the extension of the suffrage. Strike out of our history +the crimes of slavery, strike out the crimes, unparalleled for +ferocity and brutality, committed by an oligarchy in its attempt +to overthrow universal suffrage, and we may safely challenge for +our national and State governments comparison with monarchy or +aristocracy in their best and purest periods.</p> + +<p>Either the doctrines of the Declaration of Independence and the +bills of rights are true, or government must rest on no principle +of right whatever, but its powers may be lawfully taken by force +and held by force by any person or class who have strength to do +it, and who persuade themselves that their rule is for the public +interest. Either these doctrines are true, or you can give no +reason for your own possession of the suffrage except that you +have got it. If this doctrine be sound, it follows that no class +of persons can rightfully be excluded from their equal share in +the government, unless they can be proved to lack some quality +essential to the proper exercise of political power.</p> + +<p>A person who votes helps, first, to determine the measures of +government; second, to elect persons to be intrusted with public +administration. He should therefore possess, first, an honest +desire for the public welfare; second, sufficient intelligence to +determine what measure or policy is best; third, the capacity to +judge of the character of persons proposed for office; and, +fourth, freedom from undue influence, so that the vote he casts +is his own, and not another's. That person or class casting his +or their own vote, with an honest desire for the public welfare, +and with sufficient intelligence to judge what measure is +advisable and what person may be trusted, fulfill every condition +that the State can rightfully impose.</p> + +<p>We are not now dealing with the considerations which should +affect the admission of citizens of other countries to acquire +the right to take part in our government. All nations claim the +right to impose restrictions on the admission of foreigners +trained in attachment to other countries or forms of rule, and to +indifference to their own, whatever they deem the safety of the +State requires. We take it for granted that no person will deny +that the women of America are inspired with a love of country +equal to that which animates their brothers and sons. A capacity +to judge of character, so sure and rapid as to be termed +intuitive, is an especial attribute of woman. One of the greatest +orators of modern times has declared:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I concede away nothing which I ought to assert for our sex when I +say that the collective womanhood of a people like our own seizes +with matchless facility and certainty on the moral and personal +peculiarities and character of marked and conspicuous men, and +that we may very wisely address ourselves to such a body to learn +if a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> competitor for the highest honors has revealed that truly +noble nature that entitled him to a place in the hearts of a +nation. </p></blockquote> + +<p>We believe that in that determining of public policies by the +collective judgment of the State which constitutes self-government, +the contribution of woman will be of great importance and value. To +all questions into the determination of which considerations of +justice or injustice enter, she will bring a more refined moral +sense than that of man. The most important public function of the +State is the provision for the education of youths. In those States +in which the public school system has reached its highest +excellence, more than ninety per cent. of the teachers are women. +Certainly the vote of the women of the State should be counted in +determining the policy that shall regulate the school system which +they are called to administer.</p> + +<p>It is seldom that particular measures of government are decided by +direct popular vote. They are more often discussed before the +people after they have taken effect, when the party responsible for +them is called to account. The great measures which go to make up +the history of nations are determined not by the voters, but by +their rulers, whether those rulers be hereditary or elected. The +plans of great campaigns are conceived by men of great military +genius and executed by great generals. Great systems of finance +come from the brain of statesmen who have made finance a special +study. The mass of the voters decide to which party they will +intrust power. They do not determine particulars. But they give to +parties their general tone and direction, and hold them to their +accountability. We believe that woman will give to the political +parties of the country a moral temperament which will have a most +beneficent and ennobling effect on politics.</p> + +<p>Woman, also, is specially fitted for the performance of that +function of legislative and executive government which, with the +growth of civilization, becomes yearly more and more important—the +wise and practical economic adjustment of the details of public +expenditures. It may be considered that it would not be for the +public interest to clothe with the suffrage any class of persons +who are so dependent that they will, as a general rule, be governed +by others in its exercise. But we do not admit that this is true of +women. We see no reason to believe that women will not be as likely +to retain their independence of political judgment, as they now +retain their independence of opinion in regard to the questions +which divide religious sects from one another. These questions +deeply excite the feelings of mankind, yet experience shows that +the influence of the wife is at least as great as that of the +husband in determining the religious opinion of the household. The +natural influence exerted by members of the same family upon each +other would doubtless operate to bring about similarity of opinion +on political questions as on others. So far as this tends to +increase the influence of the family in the State, as compared with +that of unmarried men, we deem it an advantage. Upon all questions +which touch public morals, public education, all which concern the +interest of the household, such a united exertion of political +influence cannot be otherwise than beneficial.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span></p> + +<p>Our conclusion, then, is that the American people must extend the +right of suffrage to woman or abandon the idea that suffrage is a +birthright. The claim that universal suffrage will work mischief in +practice is simply a claim that justice will work mischief in +practice. Many honest and excellent persons, while admitting the +force of the arguments above stated, fear that taking part in +politics will destroy those feminine traits which are the charm of +woman, and are the chief comfort and delight of the household. If +we thought so we should agree with the majority of the committee in +withholding assent to the prayer of the petitioners. This fear is +the result of treating the abuses of the political function as +essential to its exercise. The study of political questions, the +forming an estimate of the character of public men or public +measures, the casting a vote, which is the result of that study and +estimate, certainly have in themselves nothing to degrade the most +delicate and refined nature. The violence, the fraud, the crime, +the chicanery, which, so far as they have attended masculine +struggles for political power, tend to prove, if they prove +anything, the unfitness of men for the suffrage, are not the result +of the act of voting, but are the expressions of course, criminal +and evil natures, excited by the desire for victory. The admission +to the polls of delicate and tender women would, without injury to +them, tend to refine and elevate the politics in which they took a +part. When, in former times, women were excluded from social +banquets, such assemblies were scenes of ribaldry and excess. The +presence of women has substituted for them the festival of the +Christian home.</p> + +<p>The majority of the committee state the following as their reasons +for the conclusion to which they come:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>First</i>—If the petitioners' prayer be granted it will make +several millions of female voters.</p> + +<p><i>Second</i>—These voters will be inexperienced in public affairs.</p> + +<p><i>Third</i>—They are quite generally dependent on the other sex.</p> + +<p><i>Fourth</i>—They are incapable of military duty.</p> + +<p><i>Fifth</i>—They are without the power to enforce the laws which +their numerical strength may enable them to make.</p> + +<p><i>Sixth</i>—Very few of them wish to assume the irksome and +responsible duties which this measure thrusts upon them.</p> + +<p><i>Seventh</i>—Such a change should only be made slowly and in +obedience to a general public demand.</p> + +<p><i>Eighth</i>—There are but thirty thousand petitioners.</p> + +<p><i>Ninth</i>—It would be unjust to impose "the heavy burden of +governing, which so many men seek to evade, on the great mass of +women who do not wish for it, to gratify the few who do."</p> + +<p><i>Tenth</i>—Women now have the sympathy of judges and juries "to an +extent which would warrant loud complaint on the part of their +adversaries of the sterner sex."</p> + +<p><i>Eleventh</i>—Such a change should be made, if at all, by the +States. Three-fourths of the States should not force it on the +others. In any State in which "any considerable part of the women +wish for the right to vote, it will be granted without the +intervention of congress." </p></blockquote> + +<p>The first objection of the committee is to the large increase of +the number of the voting population. We believe on the other hand, +that to double the numbers of the constituent body, and to compose +one-half<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> that body of women, would tend to elevate the standard of +the representative both for ability and manly character. Macaulay +in one of his speeches on the Reform bill refers to the quality of +the men who had for half a century been members for the five most +numerous constituencies in England—Westminster, Southwark, +Liverpool, Bristol and Norwich. Among them were Burke, Fox, +Sheridan, Romilly, Windham, Tierney, Canning, Huskisson. Eight of +the nine greatest men who had sat in parliament for forty years sat +for the five largest represented towns. To increase the numbers of +constituencies diminishes the opportunity for corruption. Size is +itself a conservative force in a republic. As a permanent general +rule the people will desire their own best interest. Disturbing +forces, evil and selfish passions, personal ambitions, are +necessarily restricted in their operation. The larger the field of +operation, the more likely are such influences to neutralize each +other.</p> + +<p>The objection of inexperience in public affairs applies, of course, +alike to every voter when he first votes. If it be valid, it would +have prevented any extension of the suffrage, and would exclude +from the franchise a very large number of masculine voters of all +ages.</p> + +<p>That women are quite generally dependent on the other sex is true. +So it is true that men are quite generally dependent on the other +sex. It is impossible so to measure this dependence as to declare +that man is more dependent on woman or woman upon man. It is by no +means true that the dependence of either on the other affects the +right to the suffrage.</p> + +<p>Capacity for military duty has no connection with capacity for +suffrage. The former is wholly physical. It will scarcely be +proposed to disfranchise men who are unfit to be soldiers by reason +of age or bodily infirmity. The suggestion that the country may be +plunged into wars by a majority of women who are secure from +military dangers is not founded in experience. Men of the military +profession, and men of the military age are commonly quite as eager +for war as non-combatants, and will hereafter be quite as +indifferent to its risks and hardships as their mothers and wives.</p> + +<p>The argument that women are without the power to enforce the laws +which their numerical strength may enable them to make, proceeds +from the supposition that it is probable that all the women will +range themselves upon one side in politics and all the men on the +other. Such supposition flatly contradicts the other arguments +drawn from the dependence of women and from their alleged +unwillingness to assume political burdens. So men over fifty years +of age are without the power to enforce obedience to laws against +which the remainder of the voters forcibly rebel. It is not +physical power alone, but power aided by the respect for law of the +people, on which laws depend for their enforcement.</p> + +<p>The sixth, eighth and ninth reasons of the committee are the same +proposition differently stated. It is that a share in the +government of the country is a burden, and one which, in the +judgment of a majority of the women of the country, they ought not +to be required to assume. If any citizen deem the exercise of this +franchise a burden and not a privilege, such person is under no +constraint to exercise it. But if it be a birthright, then it is +obvious that no other power than that of the individual<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> concerned +can rightfully restrain its exercise. The committee concede that +women ought to be clothed with the ballot in any State where any +considerable part of the women desire it. This is a pretty serious +confession. On the vital, fundamental question whether the +institutions of this country shall be so far changed that the +number of persons in it who take a part in the government shall be +doubled, the judgment of women is to be and ought to be decisive. +If woman may fitly determine this question, for what question of +public policy is she unfit? What question of equal importance will +ever be submitted to her decision? What has become of the argument +that women are unfit to vote because they are dependent on men, or +because they are unfit for military duty, or because they are +inexperienced, or because they are without power to enforce +obedience to their laws?</p> + +<p>The next argument is that by the present arrangement the +administration of justice is so far perverted that one-half the +citizens of the country have an advantage from the sympathies of +juries and judges which "would warrant loud complaint" on the part +of the other half. If this be true, it is doubtless due to an +instinctive feeling on the part of juries and judges that existing +laws and institutions are unjust to women, or to the fact that +juries composed wholly of men are led to do injustice by their +susceptibility to the attractions of women. But certainly it is a +grave defect in any system of government that it does not +administer justice impartially, and the existence of such a defect +is a strong reason for preferring an arrangement which would remove +the feeling that women do not have fair play, or for so composing +juries that, drawn from both sexes, they would be impartial between +the two.</p> + +<p>The final objection of the committee is that "such a change should +be made, if at all, by the States. Three-fourths of the States +should not force it upon the others. Whenever any considerable part +of the women in any State wish for the right to vote, it will be +granted without the intervention of congress." Who can doubt that +when two-thirds of congress and three-fourths of the States have +voted for the change, a considerable number of women in the other +States will be found to desire it, so that, according to the +committee's own belief, it can never be forced by a majority on +unwilling communities? The prevention of unjust discrimination by +States against large classes of people in respect to suffrage is +even admitted to be a matter of national concern and an important +function of the national constitution and laws. It is the duty of +congress to propose amendments to the constitution whenever +two-thirds of both houses deem them necessary. Certainly an +amendment will be deemed necessary, if it can be shown to be +required by the principles on which the constitution is based, and +to remove an unjust disfranchisement from one-half the citizens of +the country. The constitutional evidence of general public demand +is to be found not in petitions, but in the assent of three-fourths +of the States through their legislatures or conventions.</p> + +<p>The lessons of experience favor the conclusion that woman is fit +for a share in government. It may be true that in certain +departments of intellectual effort the greatest achievements of +women have as yet never<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> equaled the greatest achievements of men. +But it is equally true that in those same departments women have +exhibited an intellectual ability very far beyond that of the +average of men and very far beyond that of most men who have shown +very great political capacity. But let the comparison be made in +regard to the very thing with which we have to deal. Of men who +have swayed chief executive power, a very considerable proportion +have attained it by usurpation or by election, processes which +imply extraordinary capacity on their part as compared with other +men. The women who have held such power have come to it as +sovereigns by inheritance, or as regents by the accident of bearing +a particular relation to the lawful sovereign when he was under +some incapacity. Yet it is an undisputed fact that the number of +able and successful female sovereigns bears a vastly greater +proportion to the whole number of such sovereigns, than does the +number of able and successful male sovereigns to the whole number +of men who have reigned. An able, energetic, virtuous king or +emperor is the exception and not the rule in the history of modern +Europe. With hardly an exception the female sovereigns or regents +have been wise and popular. Mr. Mill, who makes this point, says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We know how small a number of reigning queens history presents in +comparison with that of kings. Of this small number a far larger +proportion have shown talents for rule, though many of them have +occupied the throne in difficult periods. When to queens and +empresses we add regents and viceroys of provinces, the list of +women who have been eminent rulers of mankind swells to a great +length.... Especially is this true if we take into consideration +Asia as well as Europe. If a Hindoo principality is strongly, +vigilantly and economically governed; if order is preserved +without oppression; if cultivation is extending and the people +prosperous, in three cases out of four that principality is under +a woman's rule. This fact, to me an entirely unexpected one, I +have collected from a long official knowledge of Hindoo +governments. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Certainly history gives no warning that should deter the American +people from carrying out the principles upon which their government +rests to this most just and legitimate conclusion. Those persons +who think that free government has anywhere failed, can only claim +that this tends to prove, not the failure of universal suffrage, +but the failure of masculine suffrage. Like failure has attended +the operation of every other great human institution, the family, +the school, the church, whenever woman has not been permitted to +contribute to it her full share. As to the best example of the +perfect family, the perfect school, the perfect church, the love, +the purity, the truth of woman are essential, so they are equally +essential to the perfect example of the self-governing State.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from"> +Geo. F. Hoar,<br /> +John H. Mitchell,<br /> +Angus Cameron.</p> +</blockquote> + + +<p>Thousands of copies of this report were published and franked to +every part of the country. On February 7, just one week after the +presentation of the able minority report, the bill allowing women +to practice before the Supreme Court passed the Senate<a name="FNanchor_47_47" id="FNanchor_47_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_47_47" class="fnanchor">[47]<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span></a> and +received the signature of President Hayes. Senators McDonald, Hoar +and Sargent made the principal speeches. We give Mr. Hoar's speech +in full because of its terse and vigorous presentation of the fact +that congress is a body superior to the Supreme Court of the United +States. Mr. Hoar said:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Mr. President</i>—I understand the brief statement which was made, +I think, during this last session by the majority of the +Judiciary Committee in support of their opposition to this bill, +did not disclose that the majority of that committee were opposed +to permitting women to engage in the practice of law or to be +admitted to practice it in the Supreme Court of the United +States, but the point they made, was that the legislation of the +United States left to the Supreme Court the power of determining +by rule who should be admitted to practice before that tribunal, +and that we ought not by legislation to undertake to interfere +with its rules. Now, with the greatest respect for that tribunal, +I conceive that the law-making and not the law-expounding power +in this government ought to determine the question what class of +citizens shall be clothed with the office of the advocate. I +believe that leaving to the Supreme Court by rule to determine +the qualifications or disqualifications of attorneys and +counselors in that court is an exception to the nearly uniform +policy of the States of the Union. Would it be tolerated if the +Supreme Court undertook by rule to establish any other +disqualification, any of those disqualifications which have +existed in regard to holding any other office in the country? +Suppose the court were of the opinion we had been too fast in +relieving persons who took part in the late rebellion from their +disabilities, and that it would not admit persons who had so +taken part to practice before the Supreme Court; is there any +doubt that congress would at once interfere? Suppose the Supreme +Court were of opinion that the people of the United States had +erred in the amendment which had removed the disqualification +from colored persons and declined to admit such persons to +practice in that court; is there any doubt that congress would +interfere and would deem it a fit occasion for the exercise of +the law-making power?</p> + +<p>Now, Mr. President, this bill is not a bill merely to admit women +to the privilege of engaging in a particular profession; it is a +bill to secure to the citizen of the United States the right to +select his counsel, and that is all. At present a case is tried +and decided in the State courts of any State of this Union which +may be removed to the Supreme Court of the United States. In the +courts of the State, women are permitted to practice as +advocates, and a woman has been the advocate under whose +direction and care and advocacy the case has been won in the +court below. Is it tolerable that the counsel who has attended +the case from its commencement to its successful termination in +the highest court of the State<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> should not be permitted to attend +upon and defend the rights of that client when the case is +transferred to the Supreme Court of the United States? Everybody +knows, at least every lawyer of experience knows, the +impossibility of transferring with justice to the interests of a +client, a cause from one counsel to another. A suit is instituted +under the advice of a counsel on a certain theory, a certain +remedy is selected, a certain theory of the cause is the one on +which it is staked. Now that must be attended to and defended by +the counsel under whose advice the suit has taken its shape; the +pleadings have been shaped in the courts below.</p> + +<p>Under the present system, a citizen of any State in the Union +having selected a counsel of good moral character who has +practiced three years, who possesses all-sufficient professional +and personal qualifications, and having had a cause brought to a +successful result in the State court, is denied by the present +existing and unjust rule having counsel of his choice argue the +cause in the Supreme Court of the United States.</p> + +<p>The greatest master of human manners, who read the human heart +and who understood better than any man who ever lived the +varieties of human character, when he desired to solve just what +had puzzled the lawyers and doctors, placed a woman upon the +judgment seat; and yet, under the present existing law, if Portia +herself were alive, she could not defend the opinion she had +given, before the Supreme Court of the United States. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The press commented favorably upon this new point gained for women. +We give a few extracts:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The senators who voted to-day against the bill "to relieve +certain legal disabilities of women" are marked men and have +reason to fear the result of their action.—[Telegraph to the New +York <i>Tribune</i>, February 7.</p> + +<p>The women get into the Supreme Court in spite of the +determination of the justices. They gained a decided advantage +to-day in the passage by the Senate of a bill providing that any +woman who shall have been a member of the highest court in any +State or territory, or of the Supreme Court of the District of +Columbia, for three years, may be admitted to the Supreme Court. +The bill was called up by Senator McDonald, in antagonism to Mr. +Edmunds' amendment to the constitution which was the pending +order. Mr. Edmunds objected to the consideration of the bill and +voted against it. There was not much discussion, the main +speeches being by Mr. Sargent and Mr. Hoar.—[Special dispatch to +the New York <i>World</i>, February 7.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A Woman's Rights Victory in the Senate</span>.—The Lockwood bill, +giving women authority to practice before the Supreme Court of +the United States, passed the Senate yesterday by a vote of two +to one, and now it only requires the approval of Mr. Hayes to +become a law. The powerful effect of persistent and industrious +lobbying is manifested in the success of this bill. When it was +first introduced, it is doubtful if one-fourth the members of +congress would have voted for it. Some of the strong-minded +women, who were interested in the bill, stuck to it, held the +fort from day to day, and talked members and senators into +believing it a just measure. Senator McDonald gave Mr. Edmunds a +rebuff yesterday that he will not soon forget. The latter +attempted to administer a rebuke to the Indiana senator for +calling up a bill during the absence of the senator who had +reported it. Mr. McDonald retorted that he knew the objection of +the senator from Vermont was made for the purpose of defeating +the bill and not, as pretended, to give an absent senator +opportunity to speak upon it.—[Washington <i>Post</i>, February 8.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span></p> + +<p>The credit for this victory belongs to Mrs. Belva Lockwood, of +this city, who, having been refused admission to the bar of the +United States Supreme Court, appealed to congress, and by dint of +hard work has finally succeeded in having her bill passed by both +houses. She called on Mrs. Hayes last evening, who complimented +her upon her achievement, and informed her that she had sent a +bouquet to Senator Hoar, in token of his efforts in behalf of the +bill.—[Washington <i>Star</i>, February 8.</p> + +<p>The bill was carried through merely by the energetic advocacy of +Senators McDonald, Sargent and Hoar, whose oratorical efforts +were reënforced by the presence of Mrs. Lockwood. After the +struggle was over, all the senators who advocated the bill were +made the recipients of bouquets, while the three senators whose +names we have given received large baskets of flowers. This is a +pleasing omen of that purification of legal business which it is +hoped will flow from the introduction of women to the courts. It +was not flowers that used to be distributed at Washington and +Albany in the old corrupt times, among legislators, in testimony +of gratitude for their votes. Let us hope that venal legislation +at Washington will be extirpated by the rise of this beautiful +custom.—[New York <i>Nation</i>.</p> + +<p>It was noticeable that all the presidential candidates dodged the +issue except Senator Blaine, who voted for the bill.—[Chicago +<i>Inter-Ocean</i>.</p> + +<p>How humiliated poor old Judge Magruder must feel, since the +congress of the United States paid the woman whom he forbade to +open her mouth in his august presence, in his little court, so +much consideration as to pass an act opening to her the doors of +the Supreme Court of the United States. All honor to the brave +woman, who by her own unaided efforts thus achieved honor, +fortune and fame—the just rewards of her own true +worth.—[<i>Havre Republican</i>, Havre de Grace, Maryland.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Enter Portia</span>.—An act of congress was not necessary to authorize +women to be lawyers, if their legal acquirements fitted them for +that vocation; nor was it necessary to state, as an expression of +opinion by the national legislature, that some women are so fully +qualified for the legal profession that no barriers should be +permitted to stand in their way. It was needed simply as a key +whereby the hitherto locked door of the Supreme Court of the +United States may be opened if a woman lawyer, with the usual +credentials, should knock thereon. That is all; and there is no +new question opened for profitless debate. The ability of some +women to be lawyers is like the ability of others to make +bread—it rests upon the facts. There is no room for elaborate +argument to prove either their fitness or unfitness for legal +studies, so long as in Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan, the +District of Columbia, Iowa and North Carolina there are women in +more or less successful practice and repute. <span class="spacious">* * *</span> Nowhere are +these great attributes of civilization and regulated +liberty—law, conservatism, justice, equity and mercy in the +administration of human affairs put in broader light or truer, +than they are by the words that Shakespeare puts in the mouth of +this woman jurist.—[<i>Public Ledger</i>, Philadelphia, February 12.</p> + +<p>When congress recently passed a law allowing women to practice in +the Supreme Court, it was not a subject of any special or eager +comment. A woman who is a lawyer sent flowers to the desks of the +members who voted for the bill, and before they had faded, +comment was at an end. The home was still safe and the country +was not in peril. It was one of the questions which had settled +itself and was a foregone conclusion. <span class="spacious">* * *</span> United States Senator +Edmunds of Vermont, has fallen into disfavor with the ladies for +voting against the above bill.—[From John W. Forney's +<i>Progress</i>, February 22. </p></blockquote> + +<p>On March 3, by motion of Hon. A. G. Riddle, Mrs. Lockwood was +admitted to the bar of the United States Supreme Court,<a name="FNanchor_48_48" id="FNanchor_48_48"></a><a href="#Footnote_48_48" class="fnanchor">[48]<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span></a> taking +the official oath and receiving the classic sheep-skin; and the +following week she was admitted to practice before the Court of +Claims. The forty-sixth congress contained an unusually large +proportion of new representatives, fresh from the people, ready for +the discussion of new issues, and manifesting a chivalric spirit +toward the consideration of woman's claims as a citizen. On +Tuesday, April 29, the following resolution was submitted to the +Committee on Rules in the House of Representatives:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That a select committee of nine members be appointed +by the speaker, to be called a Committee on the Rights of Women, +whose duty it shall be to consider and report upon all petitions, +memorials, resolutions and bills that may be presented in the +House relating to the rights of women. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Admitting the justice of a fair consideration of a question +involving every human right of one-half of the population of this +country, Alex. H. Stephens of Georgia, James A. Garfield of Ohio, +Wm. P. Frye of Maine, immediately declared themselves in favor of +the appointment of said committee, and Speaker Randall, the +chairman, ordered it reported to the House. A similar resolution +was introduced in the Senate, before the adjournment of the special +session. This showed a clearer perception of the magnitude of the +question, and the need of its early and earnest consideration, than +at any time during the previous thirty years of argument, heroic +struggle and sacrifice on the altar of woman's freedom.</p> + +<p>The anniversary of 1879 was held in St. Louis, Missouri, May 7, 8, +9. Mrs. Virginia L. Minor and Miss Phœbe W. Couzins made all +possible arrangements for the success of the meeting and the +comfort of the delegates.<a name="FNanchor_49_49" id="FNanchor_49_49"></a><a href="#Footnote_49_49" class="fnanchor">[49]</a> Mrs. Minor briefly stated the object +of the convention and announced that, as the president of the +association had not arrived, Mrs. Joslyn Gage would take the chair. +Miss Couzins gave the address of welcome:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Mrs. President and Members of the National Woman Suffrage +Association:</i></p> + +<p>It becomes my pleasant duty to welcome you to the hospitalities +of my native city. To extend to you who for the first time meet +beyond the Mississippi, a greeting—not only in behalf of the +friends of woman suffrage, but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> for those of our citizens who, +while not in full sympathy with your views, have a desire to hear +you in deliberative council and to cordially tender you the same +courtesies offered other conventions which have chosen St. Louis +as their place of annual gathering.</p> + +<p>And I am the more happy to do this because of the opportunity it +affords me to disabuse your minds of certain impressions which +have gone abroad concerning our slowness of action in the line of +advanced ideas. Certainly in some phases of that reformation to +which you and your co-laborers have pledged your lives, your +fortunes—the cause of woman—St. Louis is the leader.</p> + +<p>When, eighteen or twenty years since, Harriet Hosmer desired to +study anatomy, to perfect herself in her art, not a college in +New England would open its doors to her; she traveled West, and +through the generous patronage of Wayman Crow of this city, she +became a pupil of the dean of the St. Louis Medical college.</p> + +<p>When other cities had refused equality of wages and position, St. +Louis placed Miss Brackett at the head of our normal school, +giving her—a heretofore exclusively male prerogative—the +highest wages, added to the highest educational rank.</p> + +<p>And here in St. Louis began the advance march which has finally +broken down the walls of the highest judicial fortress, the +Supreme Court of the United States. Washington University, in +response to my request, unhesitatingly opened its doors, and for +the first time in the history of America, woman was accorded the +right to a legal course of training with man, and, at its close, +after successful examination, I was freely accorded the degree of +Bachelor of Laws! A city or a State that could perpetrate the +anomaly of a female bachelor, is certainly not far behind the +radicalism of the age.</p> + +<p>Again, as I turn to its record on suffrage, I find as early as +1866 the Hon. B. Gratz Brown of Missouri made a glowing speech +for woman's enfranchisement, in the United States Senate, on Mr. +Cowan's motion to strike out "male" from the District of Columbia +suffrage bill, which resulted in an organization in 1867, through +the efforts of Mrs. Virginia L. Minor, its first president. And +again, I remember when that hydra-headed evil arose in our midst, +degrading all women and violating all the sweet and sacred +sanctities of life—a blow at our homes and a lasting stigma on +our civilization—the people of this community, led by the +chancellor of Washington University, at the ballot-box but +recently laid that monster away in a tomb, never, I trust, to be +resurrected.</p> + +<p>And now, Mrs. President, let me add, in words which but faintly +express the emotion of my heart, the gratitude we feel towards +the noble women who have borne the burden and heat of the day. +They who have been ridiculed, villified, maligned, but through it +all maintained an unswerving allegiance to truth. In the name of +all true womanhood I welcome this association in our midst as +worthy of the highest honor.</p> + +<p>We have lived to see the enlargement of woman's thought in all +directions. From our laboratories, libraries, observatories, +schools of medicine and law, universities of science, art and +literature, she is advancing to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> examination of the problems +of life, with an eye single only to the glory of truth. Like the +Spartan of old she has thrown her spear into the thickest of the +fray, and will fight gloriously in the midst thereof till she +regains her own. No specious sophistry or vain delusion—no +time-honored tradition or untenable doctrine can evade her +searching investigation. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Gage responded to this address in a few earnest, appropriate +words.</p> + +<p>Of the many letters<a name="FNanchor_50_50" id="FNanchor_50_50"></a><a href="#Footnote_50_50" class="fnanchor">[50]</a> read in the convention none was received +with greater joy than the few lines, written with trembling hand, +from Lucretia Mott, then in the eighty-seventh year of her age:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Roadside</span>, Fourth Month, 26, 1879.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Susan Anthony</span>—It would need no urgent appeal to draw me +to St. Louis had I the strength for the journey. You will have no +need of my worn-out powers. Our cause itself has become +sufficiently attractive. Edward M. Davis has a joint letter on +hand for my signature, so this is enough, with my mite toward +expenses. And to all assembled in St. Louis best wishes for—yes, +full faith in your success. I have signed Edward's letter, so it +is hardly necessary for me to say,</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">Lucretia Mott.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The distinguishing feature of this convention was an afternoon +session of ladies alone, prompted by an attempt to reënact a law +for the license of prostitution, which had been enforced in St. +Louis a few years before and repealed through the united efforts of +the best men and women of the city. Mrs. Joslyn Gage opened the +meeting by reading extracts from the Woman's Declaration of Rights +presented at the centennial celebration, and drew especial +attention to the clause referring to two separate codes of morals +for men and women, arising from woman's inferior political +position:</p> + +<blockquote><p>There are two points which may be considered open for discussion +during the afternoon—one, the fact that there are existing in +all forms of society, barbaric, semi-civilized, civilized or +enlightened, two separate<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> codes of morals; the strict code to +which women are held accountable, and the lax code which governs +the conduct of men.</p> + +<p>The other question which can very properly be discussed at the +present time is, "Why in this country, and in all civilized +nations, do one-half of the population die under five years of +age, and in some countries a very large proportion under one +year?" </p></blockquote> + +<p>A letter was read from Mrs. Josephine E. Butler. As the experiment +of licensing prostitution had been extensively tried in England, +and she had watched the effects of the system not only in her own +country but on the continent, her opinions on this question are +worthy of consideration:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>To the Annual Meeting of the National Suffrage Association in +St. Louis:</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Friends</span>—As I am unable to be present at your convention on +May 7, 8, 9, and as you ask for a communication from me, I gladly +write you on some of the later phases of our struggle against +legalized prostitution. A brave battle has been fought in St. +Louis against that iniquity, and we have regarded it with +sympathy and admiration; but you are not yet safe against the +devices of those who uphold this white slavery, nor are we safe, +although we know that in the end we shall be conquerors. You tell +me that "England is held up as an example of the beneficial +working of the legalizing of vice." England holds a peculiar +position in regard to the question. She was the last to adopt +this system of slavery and she adopted it in that thorough manner +which characterizes the Anglo-Saxon race. In no other country has +prostitution been regulated by law. It has been understood by the +Latin races, even when morally enervated, that the law could not +without risk of losing its majesty violate justice. In England +alone the regulations are law. Their promoters, by their +hardihood in asking parliament to decree injustice, have brought +on unconsciously to themselves, the beginning of the end of the +whole system. The Englishman is a powerful agent for evil as for +good. In the best times of our history my countrymen possessed +preëminently vigorous minds in vigorous bodies. But when the +animal nature has outgrown the moral, the appetites burst their +proper restraints, and man has no other notion of enjoyment save +bodily pleasure; he passes by a quick and easy transition into a +powerful brute. And this is what the upper-class Englishman has +to a deplorable extent become. There is no creature in the world +so ready as he to domineer, to enslave, to destroy. But together +with this development towards evil, there has been in our country +a counter development. Moral faith is still strong among us. +There are powerful women, as well as strong, pure, and +self-governed men, of the real old Anglo-Saxon type. It was in +England then, which adopted last the hideous slavery, that there +arose first a strong national protest in opposition. English +people rose up against the wicked law before it had been in +operation three months. English men and women determined to carry +abolition not at home only, but abroad, and they promptly carried +their standard to every country on the continent of Europe. In +all these countries men and women came forward at the first +appeal, and said, "We are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> ready, we only waited for you, +Anglo-Saxons, to take the lead; we have groaned under the +oppression, but there was not force enough among us to take the +initiative step."</p> + +<p>We have recently had a visit from Monsieur Aimi Humbert of +Switzerland, our able general secretary for the continent. Much +encouragement was derived from the reports which reached us from +France, Holland, Denmark, Sweden and even Spain, where a noble +lady, Donna Concepcion Arenal of Madrid, and several gentlemen +have warmly espoused our cause. The progress is truly +encouraging; yet, on the other hand, it is obvious that the +partisans of this legislation have recently been smitten with a +kind of rage for extending the system everywhere, and are on the +watch to introduce it wherever we are off our guard. In almost +all British colonies they are very busy. At the Cape of Good +Hope, where the Cape parliament had repealed the law, the +governor, Sir Bartle Frere, has been induced by certain +specialists and immoral men, to reïntroduce it. But since he +could not count on the parliament at Cape Town for doing this, he +has reintroduced the miserable system by means of a proclamation +or edict, without the sanction and probably, to a great extent, +without the knowledge of parliament. The same game is being +played in other colonies. These facts seem to point to a more +decided and bitter struggle on the question than we have yet +seen. An energetic member of our executive committee, M. Pierson +of Zetten, in Holland, says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I look upon legalized prostitution as the system in which the +immorality of our age is crystalized, and that in attacking it we +attack in reality the great enemies which are hiding themselves +behind its ramparts. But if we do not soon overthrow these +ramparts we must not think our work is fruitless. A great work is +already achieved; sin is once more called sin instead of +necessary evil, and the true standard of morality—equal for men +and women, for rich and poor—is once more raised in the face of +all the nations. </p></blockquote> + +<p>This legalization of vice which recognized the "necessity" of +impurity for man and the institution of slavery for woman, is the +most open denial which modern times have seen of the principle of +the sacredness of the individual human being. It is the embodiment +of socialism in its worst form. An English high-class journal +confessed this, when it dared to demand that women who are unchaste +shall henceforth be dealt with "not as human beings, but as foul +sewers," or some such "material nuisance" without souls, without +rights and without responsibilities. When the leaders of public +opinion in a country have arrived at such a point of combined +depotism as to recommend such a manner of dealing with human +beings, there is no crime which that country may not legalize. Were +it possible to secure the absolute physical health of a whole +province, or an entire continent by the destruction of one, only +one poor and sinful woman, woe to that nation which should dare, by +that single act of destruction, to purchase this advantage to the +many! It will do it at its peril.</p> + +<p>We entreat our friends in America to renew their alliance with us +in the sacred conflict. Union will be strength. The women of +England are beginning to understand their responsibilities. Like +yourselves, we are laboring to obtain the suffrage. The wrong which +has fallen upon us in this legalizing of vice has taught us the +need of power in legislation.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> Meanwhile, the crusade against +immorality is educating women for the right use of suffrage when +they obtain it. The two movements must go hand in hand. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Altogether this was an impressive occasion in which women met heart +to heart in discussing the deepest humiliations of their sex. After +eloquent speeches by Mrs. Meriwether, Mrs. Spencer, Mrs. Leonard, +Mrs. Thompson and Rev. Olympia Brown, the audience slowly +dispersed.</p> + +<p>The closing scenes of the evening were artistic and interesting. +The platform was tastefully decked with flags and flowers, and the +immense audience that had assembled at an early hour—hundreds +unable to gain admission—made this the crowning session of the +convention. Miss Couzins announced the receipt of an invitation +from Mr. John Wahl, inviting the convention to visit the Merchants' +Exchange, "with assurances of high regard." The announcement was +heard with considerable merriment by those who remembered her +criticisms on Mr. Wahl for his failure to deliver the address of +welcome at the opening of the convention. She also announced the +receipt of an invitation from Secretary Kalb to visit the +fair-grounds, and moved that the convention first visit the +Exchange and then proceed to the fair-grounds in carriages, the +members of the Merchants' Exchange, of course paying the bill. The +motion was carried amidst applause. An invitation was also received +from Dr. Eliot, chancellor of Washington University, to attend the +art lecture of Miss Schoonmaker at the Mary Institute, Monday +evening. In a letter to the editor of the <i>National Citizen</i>, Mrs. +Stanton thus describes the incident of the evening:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The delegates from the different States, through May Wright +Thompson of Indianapolis, presented Miss Anthony with two baskets +of exquisite flowers. She referred in the most happy way to Miss +Anthony's untiring devotion to all the unpopular reforms through +years of pitiless persecution, and thanked her in behalf of the +young womanhood of the nation, that their path had been made +smoother by her brave life. Miss Anthony was so overcome with the +delicate compliments and the fragrant flowers at her feet, that +for a few moments she could find no words to express her +appreciation of the unexpected acknowledgement of what all +American women owe her. As she stood before that hushed audience, +her silence was more eloquent than words, for her emotion was +shared by all. With an effort she at last said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Friends, I have no words to express my gratitude for this marked +attention. I have so long been the target for criticism and +ridicule, I am so unused to praise, that I stand before you +surprised and disarmed. If any one had come to this platform and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> +abused all womankind, called me hard names, ridiculed our +arguments or denied the justice of our demands, I could with +readiness and confidence have rushed to the defence, but I cannot +make any appropriate reply for this offering of eloquent words +and flowers, and I shall not attempt it. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Being advertised as the speaker of the evening, she at once began +her address, and as she stood there and made an argument worthy a +senator of the United States, I recalled the infinite patience with +which, for upwards of thirty years, she had labored for temperance, +anti-slavery and woman suffrage, with a faithfulness worthy the +martyrs in the early days of the Christian church, and said to +myself, verily the world now as ever crucifies its saviors.</p> + +<p>Thanks to the untiring industry of Mrs. Minor and Miss Couzins, the +convention was in every way a success, morally, financially, in +crowded audiences, and in the fair, respectful and complimentary +tone of the press. Looking over the proceedings and resolutions, +the thought struck me that the National Association is the only +organization that has steadily maintained the doctrine of federal +power against State rights. The great truths set forth in the +fourteenth and fifteenth amendments of United States supremacy, so +clearly seen by us, seem to be vague and dim to our leading +statesmen and lawyers if we may judge by their speeches and +decisions. Your superb speech on State rights should be published +in tract form and scattered over this entire nation. How can we +ever have a homogeneous government so long as universal principles +are bounded by State lines. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The delegates remaining in the city went on Change in a body at 12 +o'clock Saturday, on invitation of the president, John Wahl. They +were courteously received and speeches were made by Mesdames +Couzins, Stanton, Anthony, Meriwether and Thompson. Mrs. +Meriwether's speech was immediately telegraphed in full to Memphis. +All wore badges of silk on which in gold letters appeared "N. W. S. +A., May 10, 1879, Merchants' Exchange." From the Exchange the +ladies proceeded in carriages to the fair-grounds, and Zoölogical +Gardens where they took refreshments.</p> + +<p>On Saturday evening Miss Couzins gave a delightful reception. Her +parlors were crowded until a late hour, where the friends of woman +suffrage had an opportunity to use their influence socially in +converting many distinguished guests. On Sunday night Mrs. Stanton +was invited by the Rev. Ross C. Houghton to occupy his pulpit in +the Union Methodist church, the largest in the city of that +denomination. She preached from the text in Genesis i., 27, 28. The +sermon was published in the <i>St. Louis Globe</i> the next morning.<a name="FNanchor_51_51" id="FNanchor_51_51"></a><a href="#Footnote_51_51" class="fnanchor">[51]</a> +Mrs. Thompson was also invited<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> to occupy a Presbyterian pulpit, +but imperative duties compelled her to leave the city.</p> + +<p>The enthusiasm aroused by the convention in woman's enfranchisement +was encouraging to those who had so long and earnestly labored in +this cause.<a name="FNanchor_52_52" id="FNanchor_52_52"></a><a href="#Footnote_52_52" class="fnanchor">[52]</a> This was indeed a week of profitable work. With +arguments and appeals to man's reason and sense of justice on the +platform, to his religious emotions and conscience in the pulpit, +to his honor and courtesy in the parlor, all the varied influences +of public and private life were exerted with marked effect; while +the press on the wings of the wind carried the glad tidings of a +new gospel for woman to every town and hamlet in the State.</p> + + +<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> +The annual convention of the National Woman Suffrage +Association will be held in Lincoln Hall, Washington, D. C., +January 16, 17, 1877. +</p><p> +As by repeated judicial decisions, woman's right to vote under the +fourteenth amendment has been denied, we must now unitedly demand a +sixteenth amendment to the United States Constitution, that shall +secure this right to the women of the nation. In certain States and +territories where women had already voted, they have been denied +the right by legislative action. Hence it must be clear to every +thinking mind that this fundamental right of citizenship must not +be left to the ignorant majorities in the several States; for +unless it is secured everywhere, it is safe nowhere. +</p><p> +We urge all suffrage associations and friends of woman's +enfranchisement throughout the country to send delegates to this +convention, freighted with mammoth petitions for a sixteenth +amendment. Let all other proposed amendments be held in abeyance to +the sacred rights of the women of this nation. The most reverent +recognition of God in the constitution would be justice and +equality for woman.</p> + +<p class="ltr-closing">On behalf of the National Woman Suffrage Association,</p> +<p class="ltr-from2"><span class="smcap">Elizabeth Cady Stanton</span>, <i>President</i>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left0"><span class="smcap">Matilda Joslyn Gage</span>, <i>Chairman Ex. Committee</i>.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Susan B. Anthony</span>, <i>Corresponding Secretary</i>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left0"><i>Tenafly, N. J.</i>, November 10, 1876.</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> Committees: <i>Finance</i>—Sara A. Spencer, Ellen Clark +Sargent, Lillie Devereux Blake. <i>Resolutions</i>—Matilda Joslyn Gage, +Susan B. Anthony. Belva A. Lockwood, Edward M. Davis, C. B. Purvis, +M. D., Jane G. Swisshelm. <i>Business</i>—John Hutchinson. Mary F. +Foster, Rosina M. Parnell, Mary A. S. Carey, Ellen H. Sheldon, S. +J. Messer, Susan A. Edson, M. D.</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> The speakers at this May anniversary were Mrs. +Devereux Blake, Rev. Olympia Brown, Clara Neyman, Helen Cooke, +Helen M. Slocum, Mrs. Hooker, Mrs. Gage and Acting-Governor Lee of +Wyoming territory.</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> This reception-room, a great convenience to the +ladies visiting the Capitol, has since been removed; and a small, +dark, inaccessible room on the basement floor set aside for their +use.</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> <i>Yeas</i>—Anthony, Bruce, Burnside, Cameron of Wis., +Dawes, Ferry, Hoar, Matthews, Mitchell, Rollins, Sargent, Saunders, +Teller—13. +</p><p> +<i>Nays</i>—Bailey, Bayard, Beck, Booth, Butler, Christiancy, Cockrell, +Coke, Conkling, Davis of W. Va., Eaton, Edmunds, Eustis, Grover, +Hamlin, Harris, Hereford, Hill, Howe, Kernan, Kirkwood, Lamar, +McDonald, McMillan, McPherson, Morgan, Plumb, Randolph, Saulsbury, +Thurman, Wadleigh—31.</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> Grace Greenwood, Clara Barton, Abby Hutchinson +Patton, Mrs. Juan Lewis, Mrs. Morgan of Mississippi, Dr. Mary A. +Thompson of Oregon, Marilla M. Ricker, Julia E. Smith, Rev. Olympia +Brown, Mrs. Blake, Mrs. Lockwood, Mrs. Spencer, Mrs. Gage, Mrs. +Stanton, Dr. Lozier and others.</p></div> + +<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 argument was subsequently given before the +Committee on Privileges and Elections and will be found on page +80.</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 members of the committee were Belva A. Lockwood, +Matilda Joslyn Gage, Mary A. Thompson, M. D., Marilla M. Ricker, +Elizabeth Boynton Harbert.</p></div> + +<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> At this hearing the speakers were Clemence S. Lozier, +M. D., New York; Julia E. Smith, Connecticut; Elizabeth Cady +Stanton, New Jersey; Elizabeth Boynton Harbert, Illinois; Matilda +Joslyn Gage, New York; Priscilla Rand Lawrence, Massachusetts; Rev. +Olympia Brown, Connecticut; Mary A. Thompson, M. D., Oregon; Mary +Powers Filley, New Hampshire; Lillie Devereux Blake, New York; Sara +Andrews Spencer, District of Columbia; Isabella Beecher Hooker, +Connecticut; Mary A. Stewart, Delaware.</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> In the whole course of our struggle for equal rights +I never felt more exasperated than on this occasion, standing +before a committee of men many years my juniors, all comfortably +seated in armchairs, I pleading for rights they all enjoyed though +in no respect my superiors, denied me on the shallow grounds of +sex. But this humiliation I had often felt before. The peculiarly +aggravating feature of the present occasion was the studied +inattention and contempt of the chairman, Senator Wadleigh of New +Hampshire. Having prepared my argument with care, I naturally +desired the attention of every member of the committee, all of +which, with the exception of Senator Wadleigh, I seemingly had. He +however took special pains to show that he did not intend to +listen. He alternately looked over some manuscripts and newspapers +before him, then jumped up to open or close a door or window. He +stretched, yawned, gazed at the ceiling, cut his nails, sharpened +his pencil, changing his occupation and position every two minutes, +effectually preventing the establishment of the faintest magnetic +current between the speakers and the committee. It was with +difficulty I restrained the impulse more than once to hurl my +manuscript at his head.—[E. C. S.</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> The first hearing was held in the committee room, but +that not being large enough to accommodate the crowds that wished +to hear the arguments, the use of the Senate reception room was +granted for the second, which although very much larger, was +packed, with the corridors leading to it, long before the committee +took their places.</p></div> + +<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> Mr. and Mrs. Holt, of 1,339 L street, entertained +their friends and a numerous company of distinguished guests on +Friday evening, in honor of Mrs. Beecher Hooker. She delivered one +of her ablest speeches on the woman suffrage question. She was +listened to with breathless silence by eminent men and women, who +confessed, at the termination of her speech, that they were "almost +persuaded" to join her ranks—the highest tribute to her eloquent +defense of her position. Mrs. Hooker's intellect is not her only +charm. Her beautiful face and attractive manners all help to make +converts. Mrs. Julia N. Holmes, the poet, one of the most admired +ladies present, and Mrs. Southworth, the novelist, wore black +velvet and diamonds. Mrs. Hodson Burnett, that "Lass o' Lowrie," in +colored and rose silk with princess scarf, looked charmingly. Mrs. +Senator Sargent, Mrs. Charles Nordhoff and her friends, the elegant +Miss Thurman, of Cincinnati, and Miss Joseph, a brilliant brunette +with scarlet roses and jet ornaments, of Washington, were much +observed. Mrs. Dr. Wallace, of the <i>New York Herald</i>, wore cuir +colored gros-grain with guipure lace trimmings, flowers and +diamonds. Miss Coyle was richly attired. Mrs. Ingersoll, wife of +the exceptional orator, was the center of observation with Mrs. +Hooker; she wore black velvet, roses, and diamonds—has a noble +presence and Grecian face. General Forney, of Alabama, Hon. John F. +Wait, M. C., Captain Dutton and Colonel Mallory, of U. S. Army, +Judge Tabor (Fourth Auditor), Dr. Cowes, Col. Ingersol, Mrs. +Hoffman, of New York, a prominent lady of the Woman's Congress, +lately assembled in this city, wore a distinguished toilette. Mrs. +Spofford, of the Riggs House, was among the most noticeable ladies +present, elegant and delightful in style and manner. Dr. Josephs +and Col. G. W. Rice, of Boston, were of the most conspicuous +gentlemen present, who retired much edified with the entertainment +of the evening. +</p> +<p class="ltr-from">H. Louise Gates.</p> +<p> +Society was divided Saturday evening between the literary club +which met at Willard's under the auspices of Mrs. Morrell, and the +reception given at the residence of Senator Rollins, on Capitol +Hill, to Mrs. Beecher Hooker, who spoke on the question of woman +suffrage. It was said of Theodore Parker, if all his hearers stood +on the same lofty plane that he did, his theology would be all +right for them, and so in this matter of woman's rights. If all the +advocates were as cultivated, refined, and convincing as Mrs. +Hooker, one might almost be tempted to surrender. She certainly +possesses that rare magnetic influence which seems to say, "Lend me +your ears and I shall take your heart." Among her listeners we +noticed Mrs. Joseph Ames, Grace Greenwood, Senator and Mrs. +Rollins, Senator and Mrs. Wadleigh, Miss Rollins, Mrs. Solomon +Bundy, Mrs. J. M. Holmes, Mrs. Brainerd, Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle, +Dr. Patton and son, Prof. Thomas Taylor, Miss Robena Taylor, Mrs. +Spofford, of the Riggs House, Prof. G. B. Stebbins, Mrs. Captain +Platt, and Mr. and Mrs. Holt.—[Washington <i>Post</i>. +</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> The members of the committee present were Hon. +Proctor Knott (the chairman), General Benjamin F. Butler, Messrs. +Lynde, Frye, Conger, Lapham, Culberson, McMahon. Among the ladies +were Mesdames Knott, Conger, Lynde, Frye.</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> Mrs. Hooker has won, just as we predicted she would. +Senators Howe, Ferry, Coke, Randolph, Jones, Blaine, Beck, Booth, +Allison, Wallace, Eaton, Johnston, Burnside, Saulsbury, Merrimon, +and Presiding-officer Wheeler, together with nineteen other +senators, have formally invited her to address the Committee on +Privileges and Elections on February 22, an invitation which she +has enthusiastically accepted. Nobody but congressmen will be +admitted to hear the distinguished advocate of woman +suffrage.—[Washington <i>Post</i>.</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> Among those present were Mrs. Senator Beck, Mrs. +Stanley Matthews, Mrs. Sargent, Mrs. Spofford, Mrs. Holmes, Mrs. +Snead, Mrs. Baldwin, Miss Blodgett of New York; Mrs. Baldwin, Mrs. +Spencer, Mrs. Juan Lewis of Philadelphia; Mrs. Morgan of +Mississippi, Mrs. Brooks, Mrs. Olcott, Mrs. Bartlett, Miss Sweet, +Mrs. Myers, Mrs. Gibson, Miss Jenners, Mrs. Levison, Mrs. Hereford, +Mrs. Folsom, Mrs. Mitchell, Mrs. Lynde, Mrs. Eldridge, Miss Snowe, +Mrs. Curtis, Mrs. Hutchinson Patton, Mrs. Boucher and many others. +Of the committee and Senate there were Senators Wadleigh, Cameron +of Wisconsin; Merrimon, Mitchell, Hoar, Vice-president Wheeler, +Senators Jones, Bruce, Beck and others. Several representatives and +their wives also were there, and seemed deeply +interested.—[Washington <i>Post</i>.</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> Mrs. Ricker makes a specialty of looking after the +occupants of the jail—so freely is her purse opened to the poor +and unfortunate that she is known as the prisoners' friend. Many an +alleged criminal owes the dawning of a new life, and the +determination to make it a worthy one, to the efforts of this noble +woman. And Mrs. Ricker's special object in seeking this office was +that prisoners might make depositions before her and thus be saved +the expense of employing notaries from the city.</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> <span class="smcap">The Selfish Rats</span>—<span class="smcap">A Fable by Lillie Devereux +Blake.</span>—Once some gray old rats built a ship of State to save +themselves from drowning. It carried them safely for awhile until +they grew eager for more passengers, and so took on board all +manner of rats that had run away from all sorts of places—Irish +rats and German rats, and French rats, and even black rats and +dirty sewer rats. +</p><p> +Now there were many lady mice who had followed the rats, and the +rats therefore thought them very nice, but in spite of that would +not let them have any place on the ship, so that they were forced +to cling to a few planks and were every now and then overwhelmed by +the waves. But when the mice begged to be taken on board saying, +"Save us also, we beg you!" The rats only replied, "We are too +crowded already; we love you very much, and we know you are very +uncomfortable, but it is not expedient to make room for you." So +the rats sailed on safely and saw the poor little mice buffeted +about without doing the least thing to save them. +</p><p> +<i>Moral</i>: Woe to the weaker.</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 Blair has just been elected (June, 1885) to a +second term, thus insuring his services to our cause in the Senate +for another six years.</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> <span class="smcap">Delegates to the Thirtieth Anniversary.</span>—Alabama, +Priscilla Holmes Drake; California, Ellen Clark Sargent; District +of Columbia, Frederick Douglass, Belva A. Lockwood, Sara Andrews +Spencer, Caroline B. Winslow, M. D.; Indiana, Margaret C. Conklin, +Mary B. Naylor, May Wright Thompson; Massachusetts, Harriet H. +Robinson, Harriette R. Shattuck; Maryland, Lavinia C. Dundore; +Michigan, Catherine A. F. Stebbins, Frances Titus, Sojourner Truth; +Missouri, Phoebe W. Couzins; New Hampshire, Parker Pillsbury; North +Carolina, Elizabeth Oakes Smith; New Jersey, Elizabeth Cady +Stanton, Sarah M. Hurn; New York, <i>Albany county</i>, Arethusa L. +Forbes; <i>Dutchess</i>, Helen M. Loder; <i>Lewis</i>, Mrs. E. M. Wilcox; +<i>Madison</i>, Helen Raymond Jarvis; <i>Monroe</i>, Susan B. Anthony, Amy +Post, Sarah H. Willis, Mary H. Hallowell, Mary S. Anthony, Lewia C. +Smith and many others; <i>Orleans</i>, Mrs. Plumb, Mrs. Clark; +<i>Onondaga</i>, Lucy N. Coleman, Dr. Amelia F. Raymond, Matilda Joslyn +Gage; <i>Ontario</i>, Elizabeth C. Atwell, Catherine H. Sands, Elizabeth +Smith Miller, Helen M. Pitts; <i>Queens</i>, Mary A. Pell; <i>Wayne</i>, +Sarah K. Rathbone, Rebecca B. Thomas; <i>Wyoming</i>, Charlotte A. +Cleveland; <i>Genesee</i>, the Misses Morton; <i>New York</i>, Clemence S. +Lozier, M. D., Helen M. Slocum, Sara A. Barret, M. D., Hamilton +Wilcox; Ohio, Mrs. Ellen Sully Fray; Pennsylvania, Lucretia Mott, +Sarah Pugh, Adeline Thomson, Maria C. Arter, M. D., Mrs. Watson; +South Carolina, Martha Schofield; Wisconsin, Mrs. C. L. Morgan.</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> From Wendell Phillips, William Lloyd Garrison, Lucy +Stone, Caroline H. Dall, Boston; Hon. A. A. Sargent, Washington; +Clara Barton, Mathilde F. Wendt, Abby Hutchinson Patton, Aaron M. +Powell, Father Benson, Margaret Holley, Mary L. Booth, Sarah +Hallock, Priscilla R. Lawrence, Lillie Devereux Blake, New York; +Samuel May, Elizabeth Powell Bond, John W. Hutchinson, Lucinda B. +Chandler, Sarah E. Wall, Massachusetts; Caroline M. Spear, Robert +Purvis, Edward M. Davis, Philadelphia; Isabella Beecher Hooker, +Julia E. Smith, Lavinia Goodell, Connecticut; Lucy A. Snowe, Ann T. +Greeley, Maine; Caroline F. Barr, Bessie Bisbee Hunt, Mary A. +Powers Filley, New Hampshire; Catherine Cornell Knowles, Rhode +Island; Antoinette Brown Blackwell, New Jersey; Annie Laura Quinby, +Joseph B. Quinby, Sarah R. L. Williams, Rosa L. Segur, Ohio; Sarah +C. Owen, Michigan; Laura Ross Wolcott, M. D., Mary King, Angie +King, Wisconsin; Frances E. Williard, Clara Lyons Peters, Elizabeth +Boynton Harbert, Illinois; Rachel Lockwood Child, Janet Strong, +Nancy R. Allen, Amelia Bloomer, Iowa; Sarah Burger Stearns, Hattie +M. White, Minnesota; Mary F. Thomas, M. D., Emma Molloy, Indiana; +Matilda Hindman, Sarah L. Miller, Pennsylvania; Anna K. Irvine, +Virginia L. Minor, Missouri; Elizabeth H. Duvall, Kentucky; Mrs. +G.W. Church, Tennessee; Mrs. Augusta Williams, Elsie Stuart, +Kansas; Ada W. Lucas, Nebraska; Emeline B. Wells, Annie Godbe, +Utah; Mary F. Shields, Alida C. Avery, M. D., Colorado; Harriet +Loughary, Mrs. L. F. Proebstel, Mrs. Coburn, Abigail Scott Duniway, +Oregon; Clarina I. H. Nichols, Elizabeth B. Schenck, Sarah J. +Wallis, Abigail Bush, Laura de Force Gordon, California; Mrs. +A.H.H. Stuart, Washington Territory; Helen M. Martin, Arkansas; +Helen R. Holmes, District of Columbia; Caroline V. Putnam, +Virginia; Elizabeth Avery Meriwether, Tennessee; Elizabeth L. +Saxon, Louisiana; Martha Goodwin Tunstall, Texas; Priscilla Holmes +Drake, Buell D. M'Clung, Alabama; Ellen Sully Fray, Ontario; +Theodore Stanton, France; Ernestine L. Rose, Caroline Ashurst +Biggs, Lydia E. Becker, England.</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> While May Wright Thompson was speaking she turned to +Mrs. Stanton and said. "How thankful I am for these bright young +women now ready to fill our soon-to-be vacant places. I want to +shake hands with them all before I go, and give them a few words of +encouragement. I do hope they will not be spoiled with too much +praise."</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> For account of this International Congress, see +chapter on Continental Europe in this volume.</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> Mrs. Mott, Mrs. Gage, Mrs. Stanton, Mrs. Coleman, Mr. +Wilcox, Mrs. Slocum, Mrs. Dundore, Mrs. Stebbins, Mrs. Sands, Mrs. +Amy Post, and Mrs. Elizabeth Oakes-Smith, who having resided in +North Carolina had not been on our platform for many years, were +among the speakers.</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> By Miss Couzins, Mr. Douglass, Mrs. Spencer.</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> Mr. Robinson, as "Warrington," was well known as one +of the best writers on the <i>Springfield Republican</i>.</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> Ellen Clark Sargent, California; Elizabeth Oakes +Smith, North Carolina; Elizabeth Cady Stanton, New Jersey; Mrs. +Devereux Blake, Mrs. Joslyn Gage, Helen M. Slocum, Helen Cooke, +Susan B. Anthony, New York; Julia Brown Dunham, Iowa; Marilla M. +Ricker, New Hampshire; Lavinia C. Dundore, Maryland; Robert Purvis, +Julia and Rachel Foster, Pennsylvania; Emeline B. Wells, Zina Young +Williams, Utah; Ellen H. Sheldon, Dr. Caroline Winslow, Sara +Andrews Spencer, Belva A. Lockwood, Frederick Douglass, Julia A. +Wilbur, Dr. Cora M. Bland, Washington.</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> The president invited the ladies into the library, +that they might be secure from interruption, and gave them +throughout a most respectful and courteous hearing, asking +questions and showing evident interest in the subject, and at the +close promising sincere consideration of the question.</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> At its final action, the bill was called up by Hon. +J. E. McDonald of Indiana. After some discussion it was passed +without amendment—40 to 20. <i>Yeas</i>—Allison, Anthony, Barnum, +Beck, Blaine, Booth, Burnside, Cameron (Pennsylvania), Cameron +(Wisconsin), Dawes, Dorsey, Ferry, Garland, Gordon, Hamlin, Hoar, +Howe, Ingalls, Jones (Florida), Jones (Nevada), Kellogg, Kirkwood, +McCreery, McDonald, McMillan, McPherson, Matthews, Mitchell, +Oglesby, Ransom, Rollins, Sargent, Teller, Voorhees, Wadleigh, +Windom, Withers. <i>Nays</i>—Baily, Chaffee, Coke, Davis (Illinois), +Davis (West Virginia), Eaton, Edmunds, Eustis, Grover, Harris, +Hereford, Hill, Kernan, Maxey, Merrimon, Morgan, Randolph, +Saulsbury, Wallace, White.</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> Conspicuous in the large and distinguished audience +present were Senator M'Donald, Attorney-general Williams, Hon. +Jeremiah Wilson, Judge Shellabarger, Hon. George W. Julian, who +with many others extended hearty congratulations to Mrs. Lockwood.</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> <i>Washington, D. C.</i>—Sara A. Spencer. +<i>Illinois</i>—Clara Lyon Peters, Watseka; Mrs. G. P. Graham, Martha +L. Mathews, Amanda E. and Matilda S. Frazer, Aledo; Hannah J. +Coffee, Abby B. Trego, Orion; Mrs. Senator Hanna, Fairfield; Sarah +F. Nourse, Moline; Mrs. E. P. Reynolds, Rock Island; Cynthia +Leonard, Chicago. <i>Missouri</i>—Virginia L. Minor, Mrs. M. A. +Peoquine, Mrs. P. W. Thomas, Eliza J. Patrick, Mrs. E. M. Dan, +Eliza A. Robbins, Phœbe W. Couzins, Alex. Robbins, St. Louis; +James L. Allen, Oregon; Miss A. J. Sparks, Warrensburg. +<i>Wisconsin</i>—Rev. Olympia Brown, Racine. <i>New York</i>—Susan B. +Anthony, Matilda Joslyn Gage, Mary R. Pell, Florence Pell. +<i>Indiana</i>—Helen Austin, Richmond; May Wright Thompson, Amy E. +Dunn, Gertrude Garrison, Mary E. Haggart, Indianapolis. +<i>Tennessee</i>—Elizabeth Avery Meriwether, Minor Lee Meriwether, +Memphis, <i>Kentucky</i>—Mary B. Clay, Richmond. <i>Louisiana</i>—Emily P. +Collins, Ponchatoula. <i>Ohio</i>—Eva L. Pinney, South Newbury. +<i>Pennsylvania</i>—Mrs. L. P. Danforth, Julia and Rachel Foster, +Philadelphia.</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> Letters sympathizing with the purposes of the +convention were received from Lucretia Mott, Pa.; Clarina I. H. +Nichols, Cal.; Lucinda B. Chandler, N. J.; Annie Laura Quinby, Ky.; +Mrs. N. R. Allen, Ia.; Isabella B. Hooker, Ct.; Emeline B. Wells, +Utah; Sarah Burger Stearns, Minn.; Mary A. Livermore, Mass.; +Elizabeth Oakes Smith, N. Y.; Hannah Tracy Cutler, M. D., Ill.; +Mrs. S. F. Proebstell, Ore.; Mrs. C. C. Knowles, R. I.; Dr. +Clemence S. Lozier, Lillie Devereux Blake, N. Y. (with a fable, +"Nothing New"); Lavinia Goodell, Wis.; Elizabeth H. Duvall, Ky.; +Alida C. Avery, M. D., Col.; Hattie M. Crumb, Mo.; Mrs. J. H. +Pattee, Ill.; Caroline B. Winslow, M. D., Washington; Miss Kate +Trimble, Ky.; Mrs. M. M'Clellan Brown, Pa.; Alice Black, Mo.; +Margaret M. Baker, Mo.; Mrs. Elsie Stewart, Kan.; Edward M. Davis, +Pa.; Mrs. Scott Saxton, Louisville; Kate Gannett Wells, Boston; +Anna R. Irvine, Mo.; Sarah M. Kimball, Salt Lake; Lelia E. +Partridge, Pa.; Ellen H. Sheldon, D. C.; Rev. W. C. Gannett, Minn.; +Elizabeth L. Saxon, New Orleans; Mrs. J. Swain, Ill.; Geo. M. +Jackson, John Finn, A Practical Woman, St. Louis; Maria Harkner, +Mrs. J. Martin, Kate B. Ross, Ill.; Emma Molloy, Ind.; Maria J. +Johnston, Mo.; Zenas Brockett, N.Y.; Kate N. Doggett, president of +the Association for the Advancement of Women; Rebecca N. Hazard, +president of the American Woman Suffrage Society; Madam Anneke, for +the Wisconsin Suffrage Association; The Hutchinson Family ("Tribe +of John"); South Newbury Ohio Woman Suffrage Society. Foreign +letters were also received from Jessie Morrison Wellstood, +Edinburgh; Lydia E. Becker, Manchester, England, editor <i>Woman's +Suffrage Journal</i>.</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> Though an extra edition was struck off not a paper +was to be had by 10 o'clock in the morning. Gov. Stannard and other +prominent members of the suffrage association bought and mailed +every copy they could obtain.</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> On the Tuesday following the convention a large +number of St. Louis people met and formed a woman suffrage society, +auxiliary to the National. Miss Anthony who had remained over, +called the meeting to order; Mrs. E. C. Johnson made an effective +speech; Mrs. Minor was chosen president. Over fifty persons +enrolled as members. The second meeting held a fortnight after, was +also crowded—twenty-five new members were obtained.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2> + +<h3>CONGRESSIONAL REPORTS AND CONVENTIONS.</h3> + +<h3>1880-1881.</h3> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>Why we Hold Conventions in Washington—Lincoln Hall +Demonstration—Sixty-six Thousand Appeals—Petitions Presented in +Congress—Hon. T. W. Ferry of Michigan in the Senate—Hon. George +B. Loring of Massachusetts in the House—Hon. J. J. Davis of +North Carolina Objected—Twelfth Washington Convention—Hearings +before the Judiciary Committees of both Houses—1880—May +Anniversary at Indianapolis—Series of Western +Conventions—Presidential Nominating Conventions—Delegates and +Addresses to each—Mass-meeting at Chicago—Washington +Convention, 1881—Memorial Service to Lucretia Mott—Mrs. +Stanton's Eulogy—Discussion in the Senate on a Standing +Committee—Senator McDonald of Indiana Championed the +Measure—May Anniversary in Boston—Conventions in the Chief +Cities of New England. </p> +</div> + + +<p><span class="sc">The</span> custom of holding conventions at the seat of government in +mid-winter has many advantages. Congress is then in session, the +Supreme Court sitting, and society, that mystic, headless, power, +at the height of its glory. Being the season for official +receptions, where one meets foreign diplomats from every civilized +nation, it is the time chosen by strangers to visit our beautiful +capital. Washington is the modern Rome to which all roads lead, the +bright cynosure of all eyes, and is alike the hope and fear of +worn-out politicians and aspiring pilgrims. From this great center +varied influences radiate to the vast circumference of our land. +Supreme-court decisions, congressional debates, presidential +messages and popular opinions on all questions of fashion, +etiquette and reform are heralded far and near, awakening new +thought in every State in our nation and, through their +representatives, in the aristocracies of the old world. Hence to +hold a suffrage convention in Washington is to speak to the women +of every civilized nation.</p> + +<p>The Twelfth Annual Convention of the National Association assembled +in Lincoln Hall, January 21, 1880. Many distinguished ladies and +gentlemen occupied the platform, which was tastefully decorated +with flags and flowers, and around the walls<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> hung familiar +mottoes,<a name="FNanchor_53_53" id="FNanchor_53_53"></a><a href="#Footnote_53_53" class="fnanchor">[53]</a> significant of the demands of the hour. On taking the +chair Susan B. Anthony made some appropriate remarks as to the +importance of the work of the association during the presidential +campaign. Mrs. Spencer called the roll, and delegates<a name="FNanchor_54_54" id="FNanchor_54_54"></a><a href="#Footnote_54_54" class="fnanchor">[54]</a> from +sixteen States responded.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Gage read the call:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The National Association will hold its twelfth annual convention +in Lincoln Hall, Washington, D. C., January 21, 22, 1880.</p> + +<p>The question as to whether we are a nation, or simply a +confederacy of States, that has agitated the country from the +inauguration of the government, was supposed to have been settled +by the war and confirmed by the amendments, making United States +citizenship and suffrage practically synonymous. Not, however, +having been pressed to its logical results, the question as to +the limits of State rights and national power is still under +discussion, and is the fundamental principle that now divides the +great national parties. As the final settlement of this principle +involves the enfranchisement of woman, our question is one of +national politics, and the real issue of the hour. If it is the +duty of the general government to protect the freedmen of South +Carolina and Louisiana in the exercise of their rights as United +States citizens, the government owes the same protection to the +women in Massachusetts and New York. This year will again witness +an exciting presidential election, and this question of momentous +importance to woman will be the issue then presented. Upon its +final decision depends not only woman's speedy enfranchisement, +but the existence of the republic.</p> + +<p>A sixteenth amendment to the national constitution, prohibiting +the States from disfranchising United States citizens on the +ground of sex, will be urged upon the forty-sixth congress by +petitions, arguments and appeals. The earnest, intelligent and +far-seeing women of every State should assemble at the coming +convention, and show by their wise counsels that they are worthy +to be citizens of a free republic. All associations<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> in the +United States which believe it is the duty of congress to submit +an amendment protecting woman in the exercise of the right of +suffrage, are cordially invited to send delegates. Those who +cannot attend the convention, are urged to address letters to +their representatives in congress, asking them to give as careful +attention to the proposed amendment and to the petitions and +arguments urged in its behalf, as though the rights of men, only, +were involved. A delegate from each section of the country will +be heard before the committees of the House and Senate, to whom +our petitions will be referred.<a name="FNanchor_55_55" id="FNanchor_55_55"></a><a href="#Footnote_55_55" class="fnanchor">[55]</a> </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Spencer presented a series of resolutions which were ably +discussed by the speakers and adopted:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That we are a nation and not a mere confederacy, and +that the right of citizens of the United States to +self-government through the ballot should be guaranteed by the +national constitution and protected everywhere under the national +flag.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That while States may have the right to regulate the +time, place and manner of elections, and the qualifications of +voters upon terms equally applicable to all citizens, they should +be forbidden under heavy penalties to deprive any citizen of the +right to self-government on account of sex.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That it is the duty of the forty-sixth congress to +immediately submit to the several States the amendment to the +national constitution recently proposed by Senator Ferry and +Representative Loring, and approved by the National Suffrage +Association.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That it is the duty of the House of Representatives +to pass immediately the resolution recommended by the Committee +on Rules directing the speaker to appoint a committee on the +rights of women.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the giant labor reform of this age lies in +securing to woman, the great unpaid and unrecognized laborer and +producer of the whole earth, the fruits of her toil.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the theory of a masculine head to rule the +family, the church, or the State, is contrary to republican +principles, and the fruitful source of rebellion and corruption.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the assumption of the clergy, that woman has no +right to participate in the ministry and offices of the church is +unauthorized theocratic tyranny, placing a masculine mediator +between woman and her God, which finds no authority in reason, +and should be resisted by all women as an odious form of +religious persecution.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That it is the duty of the congress of the United +States to provide a reform school for girls and a home for the +children whom no man owns or protects, and who are left to die +upon the streets of the nation's capital, or to grow up in +ignorance, vice and crime.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That since man has everywhere committed to woman the +custody and ownership of the child born out of wedlock, and has +required it to bear its mother's name, he should recognize +woman's right as a mother to the custody of the child born in +marriage, and permit it to bear her name.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the National Association will send a delegate +and an alternate to each presidential nominating convention to +demand the rights of woman, and to submit to each party the +following plank for presidential platform: <i>Resolved</i>, That the +right to use the ballot <i>inheres</i> in the citizen of the United +States, and we pledge ourselves to secure protection in the +exercise of this right to all citizens irrespective of sex.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That one-half of the number of the supervisors of the +tenth census, and one-half of the collectors of said census, +should be educated, intelligent women, who can be safely +entrusted to enumerate women and children, their occupations, +ages,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> diseases and deaths, and who would not be likely to +overlook ten millions of housekeepers.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That Ulysses S. Grant won his first victories through +the military plans and rare genius of a woman, Anna Ella Carroll, +of Maryland, and while he has been rewarded with the presidential +office through two terms, and a royal voyage around the world, +crowned with glory and honor, Miss Carroll has for fifteen years +been suffering in poverty unrecognized and unrewarded.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the thanks of this association are hereby +tendered to Governor Chas. B. Andrews, of Connecticut, for +remembering in each annual message to ask for justice to women. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The comments of the press<a name="FNanchor_56_56" id="FNanchor_56_56"></a><a href="#Footnote_56_56" class="fnanchor">[56]</a> were very complimentary, and their +daily reports of the convention full and fair. Among the many +letters<a name="FNanchor_57_57" id="FNanchor_57_57"></a><a href="#Footnote_57_57" class="fnanchor">[57]</a> to the convention, the following from a Southern lady +is both novel and amusing:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Memphis</span>, Tenn., December 11, 1889.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Mrs. Spencer</span>: You want petitions. Well I have two which I +got up some time ago, but did not send on because I thought the +names too few to count much. The one is of <i>white</i> women 130 in +number. The other contains 110 names of black women. This last is +a curiosity, and was gotten up under the following circumstances:</p> + +<p>Some ladies were dining with me and we each promised to get what +names we could to petitions for woman suffrage. My servant who +waited<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> on table was a coal-black woman. She became interested +and after the ladies went away asked me to explain the matter to +her, which I did. She then said if I would give her a paper she +could get a thousand names among the black women, that many of +them felt that they were as much slaves to their husbands as ever +they had been to their white masters. I gave her a petition, and +said to her, "Tell the women this is to have a law passed that +will not allow the men to <i>whip their wives</i>, and will put down +drinking saloons." "Every black woman will go for that law!" She +took the paper and procured these 110 signatures against the +strong opposition of black men who in some cases threatened to +whip their wives if they signed. At length the opposition was so +great my servant had not courage to face it. She feared some +bodily harm would be done her by the black men. You can see this +is a genuine negro petition from the odd way the names are +written, sometimes the capital letter in the middle of the name, +sometimes at the end.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF40"><span class="smcap">Elizabeth Avery Meriwether</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Yours,</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>In response to 66,000 documents containing appeals to women, issued +by the National Association, 250 petitions, signed by over 12,000, +arrived in Washington in time for presentation to congress before +the assembling of the convention, and were read on the floor of the +Senate, with the leading names, January 14, 16, 20, 21, by +forty-seven senators.</p> + +<p>In the House of Representatives this courtesy (reading petitions +and names), requires unanimous consent, and one man, Hon. J. J. +Davis of North Carolina, who had no petition from the women of his +State, objected. Sixty-five representatives presented the petitions +at the clerk's desk, under the rule, January 14, 15, 16. In answer +to these appeals to both Houses, on Monday, January 19, Hon. T. W. +Ferry, of Michigan, introduced in the Senate a joint resolution for +a sixteenth amendment, which with all the petitions was referred to +the Committee on the Judiciary. Tuesday, January 20, Hon. George B. +Loring, of Massachusetts, introduced the same resolution in the +House of Representatives, and it was referred, with all the +petitions, to the Committee on the Judiciary. There were also +during this congress presented over 300 petitions from law-abiding, +tax-paying women, praying for the removal of their political +disabilities.</p> + +<p>On Friday and Saturday, January 23, 24, these committees granted +hearings of two hours each to delegates from ten States who had +been in attendance at the convention. Thoughtful attention was +given to arguments upon every phase of the question, and senators +and representatives expressed a strong determination to bring the +subject fairly before the people.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span></p> + +<p>The committees especially requested that only the delegates should +be present, wishing, as they said, to give their sole attention to +the arguments undisturbed by the crowds who usually seek +admittance. Even the press was shut out. These private sessions +with most of the members present, and the close attention they gave +to each speaker, were strong proof of the growth of our reform, as +but a few years before representatives sought excuses for absence +on all such occasions.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"> +<span class="smcap">The Committee on the Judiciary, U. S. Senate,</span> }<br /> +Friday, Jan. 23, 1880. }</p> + +<p>The committee assembled at half-past 10 o'clock <span class="smcap">a.m.</span> Present, Mr. +Thurman, <i>chairman</i>, Mr. McDonald, Mr. Bayard, Mr. Davis of +Illinois, Mr. Edmunds.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Chairman</span>: Several members of the committee are unable to be +here. Mr. Lamar is detained at his home in Mississippi by +sickness; Mr. Carpenter is confined to his room by sickness; Mr. +Conkling has been unwell; I do not know how he is this morning; +and Mr. Garland is chairman of the Committee on Territories, +which has a meeting this morning that he could not fail to +attend. I do not think we are likely to have any more members of +the committee than are here now, and we will hear you, ladies.</p> + +<p>Mrs. <span class="smcap">Zerelda G. Wallace</span> of Indiana said: <i>Mr. Chairman, and +Gentlemen of the Committee</i>: It is scarcely necessary to say that +there is not an effect without a cause. Therefore it would be +well for the statesmen of this nation to ask themselves the +question, What has brought the women from all parts of this +nation to the capital at this time? What has been the strong +motive that has taken us away from the quiet and comfort of our +own homes and brought us before you to-day? As an answer to that +question I will read an extract from a speech made by one of +Indiana's statesmen. He found out by experience and gave us the +benefit of it:</p> + +<blockquote><p>You can go to meetings; you can vote resolutions; you can attend +great demonstrations in the street; but, after all, the only +occasion where the American citizen expresses his acts, his +opinions, and his power is at the ballot-box; and that little +ballot that he drops in there is the written sentiment of the +times, and it is the power that he has as a citizen of this great +republic. </p></blockquote> + +<p>That is the reason why we are here; the reason why we want to vote. +We are not seditious women, clamoring for any peculiar rights; it +is not the woman question that brings us before you to-day; it is +the human question underlying this movement. We love and appreciate +our country; we value its institutions. We realize that we owe +great obligations to the men of this nation for what they have +done. To their strength we owe the subjugation of all the material +forces of the universe which give us comfort and luxury in our +homes. To their brains we owe the machinery that gives us leisure +for intellectual culture and achievement. To their education we owe +the opening of our colleges and the establishment of our public +schools, which give us these great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> and glorious privileges. This +movement is the legitimate result of this development, and of the +suffering that woman has undergone in the ages past.</p> + +<p>A short time ago I went before the legislature of Indiana with a +petition signed by 25,000 of the best women in the State. I appeal +to the memory of Judge McDonald to substantiate the truth of what I +say. Judge McDonald knows that I am a home-loving, law-abiding, +tax-paying woman of Indiana, and have been for fifty years. When I +went before our legislature and found that one hundred of the +vilest men in our State, merely by the possession of the ballot, +had more influence with our lawmakers than the wives and mothers it +was a startling revelation.</p> + +<p>You must admit that in popular government the ballot is the most +potent means for all moral and social reforms. As members of +society, we are deeply interested in all the social problems with +which you have grappled so long unsuccessfully. We do not intend to +depreciate your efforts, but you have attempted to do an impossible +thing; to represent the whole by one-half, and because we are the +other half we ask you to recognize our rights as citizens of this +republic.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Julia Smith Parker</span> of Glastonbury, Conn., said: <i>Gentlemen</i>: You +may be surprised to see a woman of over four-score years appear +before you at this time. She came into the world and reached years +of discretion before any person in this room was born. She now +comes before you to plead that she can vote and have all the +privileges that men have. She has suffered so much individually +that she thought when she was young she had no right to speak +before the men; but still she had courage to get an education equal +to that of any man at the college, and she had to suffer a great +deal on that account. She went to New Haven to school, and it was +noised around that she had studied the languages. It was such an +astonishing thing for girls at that time to have the advantages of +education, that I had actually to go to cotillon parties to let +people see that I had common sense. [Laughter.]</p> + +<p>She has had to pay $200 a year in taxes without knowing what +becomes of it. She does not know but that it goes to support +grog-shops. She knows nothing about it. She has had to suffer her +cows to be sold at the sign-post six times. She suffered her meadow +land, worth $2,000, to be sold for a tax less than $50. If she +could vote as the men do she would not have suffered this insult; +and so much would not have been said against her as has been said +if men did not have the whole power. I was told that they had the +power to take anything that I owned if I would not exert myself to +pay the money. I felt that I ought to have some little voice in +determining what should be done with what I paid. I felt that I +ought to own my own property; that it ought not to be in these +men's hands; and I now come to plead that I may have the same +privileges before the law that men have. I have seen what a +difference there is, when I have had my cows sold, by having a +voter to take my part.</p> + +<p>I have come from an obscure town on the banks of the Connecticut, +where I was born. I was brought up on a farm. I never had an idea +that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> I should come all the way to Washington to speak before those +who had not come into existence when I was born. Now, I plead that +there may be a sixteenth amendment, and that women may be allowed +the privilege of owning their own property. I have suffered so much +myself that I felt it might have some effect to plead before this +honorable committee. I thank you, gentlemen, for hearing me so +kindly.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Elizabeth L. Saxon</span> of Louisiana, said: <i>Gentlemen</i>: I feel that +after Mrs. Wallace's plea there is no necessity for me to say +anything. I come from the extreme South, she from the West. People +have asked me why I came. I care nothing for suffrage merely to +stand beside men, or rush to the polls, or to take any privilege +outside of my home, only, as Mrs. Wallace says, for humanity. I +never realized the importance of this cause, until we were beaten +back on every side in the work of reform. If we attempted to put +women in charge of prisons, believing that wherever woman sins and +suffers women should be there to teach, help and guide, every place +was in the hands of men. If we made an effort to get women on the +school-boards we were combated and could do nothing.</p> + +<p>In the State of Texas, I had a niece living whose father was an +inmate of a lunatic asylum. She exerted as wide an influence as any +woman in that State; I allude to Miss Mollie Moore, who was the +ward of Mr. Cushing. I give this illustration as a reason why +Southern women are taking part in this movement. Mr. Wallace had +charge of that lunatic asylum for years. He was a good, honorable, +able man. Every one was endeared to him; the State appreciated him +as superintendent of this asylum. When a political change was made +and Gov. Robinson came in, Dr. Wallace was ousted for political +purposes. It almost broke the hearts of some of the women who had +sons, daughters or husbands there. They determined at once to try +and have him reinstated. It was impossible, he was out, and what +could they do?</p> + +<p>A gentleman said to me a few days ago, "These women ought to +marry." I am married; I am a mother; and in our home the sons and +brothers are all standing like a wall of steel at my back. I have +cast aside the prejudices of the past. They lie like rotted hulks +behind me.</p> + +<p>After the fever of 1878, when our constitutional convention was +about to convene, I suppressed the agony and grief of my own heart +(for one of my children had died) and took part in the suffrage +movement in Louisiana with the wife of Chief-Justice Merrick, Mrs. +Sarah A. Dorsey, and Mrs. Harriet Keating of New York, the niece of +Dr. Lozier. These three ladies aided me faithfully and ably. I went +to Lieutenant-Governor Wiltz, and asked him if he would present or +consider a petition which I wished to bring before the convention. +He read the petition. One clause of our State law is that no woman +can sign a will. Some ladies donated property to an asylum. They +wrote the will and signed it themselves, and it was null and void, +because they were women. That clause, perhaps, will be wiped out. +Many gentlemen signed the petition on that account. Governor Wiltz, +then lieutenant-governor, told me he would present the petition. He +was elected president of the convention. I presented my first +petition, signed by the best names in the city of New Orleans and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> +in the State. I had the names of seven of the most prominent +physicians. Three prominent ministers signed it for moral purposes +alone. When Mrs. Dorsey was on her dying bed the last time she ever +signed her name was to a letter to go before that convention. Mrs. +Merrick and myself addressed the convention. We made the petition +then that we make here; that we, the mothers of the land, should +not be barred on every side in the cause of reform. I pledged my +father on his dying bed that I would never cease work until woman +stood with man equal before the law.</p> + +<p>I beg of you, gentlemen, to consider this question seriously. We +stand precisely in the position of the colonies when they plead, +and, in the words of Patrick Henry, were "spurned with contempt +from the foot of the throne." We have been jeered and laughed at; +but the question has passed out of the region of ridicule. This +clamor for woman suffrage, for woman's rights, for equal +representation, is extending all over the land.</p> + +<p>I plead because my work has been combated in the cause of reform +everywhere that I have tried to accomplish anything. The children +that fill the houses of prostitution are not of foreign blood and +race. They come from sweet American homes, and for every woman that +went down some mother's heart broke. I plead by the power of the +ballot to be allowed to help reform women and benefit mankind.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mary A. Stewart</span> of Delaware said: The negroes are a race inferior, +you must admit, to your daughters, and yet that race has the +ballot, and why? It is said they earned it and paid for it with +their blood. Whose blood paid for yours? The blood of your +forefathers and our forefathers. Does a man earn a hundred thousand +dollars and lie down and die, saying, "It is all my boys'"? Not a +bit of it. He dies saying, "Let my children, be they cripples, be +they idiots, be they boys, or be they girls, inherit all my +property alike." Then let us inherit the sweet boon of the ballot +alike. When our fathers were driving the great ship of State we +were willing to sail as deck or cabin passengers, just as we felt +disposed; we had nothing to say; but to-day the boys are about to +run the ship aground, and it is high time that the mothers should +be asking, "What do you mean to do?" In our own little State the +laws have been very much modified in regard to women. My father was +the first man to blot out the old English law allowing the eldest +son the right of inheritance to the real-estate. He took the first +step, and like all those who take first steps in reform he received +a mountain of curses from the oldest male heirs.</p> + +<p>Since 1868 I have, by my own individual efforts, by the use of +hard-earned money, gone to our legislature time after time and have +had this law and that law passed for the benefit of women; and the +same little ship of State has sailed on. To-day our men are just as +well satisfied with the laws in force in our State for the benefit +of women as they were years ago. A woman now has a right to make a +will. She can hold bonds and mortgages of her own. She has a right +to her own property. She cannot sell it though, if it is +real-estate, simply because the moment she marries, her husband has +his right of courtesy. The woman does not grumble at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> that; but +still when he dies owning real-estate, she gets only the rental +value of one-third, which is called the widow's dower. Now I think +the man ought to have the rental value of one-third of the woman's +maiden property or real-estate, and it ought to be called the +widower's dower. It would be just as fair for one as for the other. +All that I want is equality.</p> + +<p>The women of our State, as I said before, are taxed without +representation. The tax-gatherer comes every year and demands +taxes. For twenty years I have paid tax under protest, and if I +live twenty years longer I shall pay it under protest every time. +The tax-gatherer came to my place not long since. "Well," said I, +"good morning, sir." Said he, "Good morning." He smiled and said, +"I have come bothering you." Said I, "I know your face well. You +have come to get a right nice little woman's tongue-lashing." Said +he, "I suppose so, but if you will just pay your tax I will leave." +I paid the tax, "But," said I, "remember I pay it under protest, +and if I ever pay another tax I intend to have the protest written +and make the tax-gatherer sign it before I pay the tax, and if he +will not sign that protest then I shall not pay, and there will be +a fight at once," Said he, "Why do you keep all the time protesting +against paying this small tax?" Said I, "Why do you pay your tax?" +"Well," said he, "I would not pay it if I did not vote." Said I, +"That is the very reason why I do not want to pay it. I cannot +vote." Who stay at home from the election? The women, and the black +and white men who have been to the whipping-post. Nice company to +put your wives and daughters in.</p> + +<p>It is said that the women do not want to vote. Every woman sitting +here wants to vote, and must we be debarred the privilege of voting +because some luxurious woman, rolling around in her carriage in her +little downy nest that some good, benevolent man has provided for +her, does not want to vote? There was a society that existed up in +the State of New York called the Covenanters that never voted. Were +all you men disfranchised because that class or sect up in New York +would not vote? Did you all pay your taxes and stay at home and +refrain from voting because the Covenanters did not vote? Not a bit +of it. You went to the election and told them to stay at home if +they wanted to, but that you, as citizens, were going to take care +of yourselves. That was right. We, as citizens, want to take care +of ourselves.</p> + +<p>One more thought, and I will be through. The fourteenth and +fifteenth amendments, in my opinion, and in the opinion of a great +many smart men in the country, and smart women, too, give the right +to women to vote without any "if's" or "and's" about it, and the +United States protects us in it; but there are a few who construe +the law to suit themselves, and say that those amendments do not +mean that, because the congress which passed the fourteenth and +fifteenth amendments had no such intention. Well, if that congress +overlooked us, let the wiser congress of to-day take the eighth +chapter and the fourth verse of the Psalms, which says, "What is +man that Thou art mindful of him?" and amend it by adding, "What is +woman, that they never thought of her?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Nancy R. Allen</span> of Iowa said: <i>Mr. Chairman, and Gentlemen of the +Judiciary Committee</i>: I am a representative of a large class of +women of Iowa, who are heavy taxpayers. There is now a petition +being circulated throughout our State, to be presented to the +legislature, praying that women be exempted from taxation until +they have some voice in the management of the affairs of the State. +You may ask, "Do not your husbands protect you? Are not all the men +protecting you?" We answer that our husbands are grand, noble men, +who are willing to do all they can for us, but there are many who +have no husbands and who own a great deal of property in the State +of Iowa. Particularly in great moral reforms the women there feel +the need of the ballot. By presenting long petitions to the +legislature they have succeeded in having better temperance laws +enacted, but the men have failed to elect the officials who will +enforce those laws. Consequently they have become as dead letters +upon the statute books.</p> + +<p>To refer again to taxes. I have a list showing that in my city +three women pay more taxes than all the city officials together. +They are good temperance women. Our city council is composed almost +entirely of saloon-keepers, brewers and men who patronize them. +There are some good men, but they are in the minority, and the +voices of these women are but little regarded. All these officials +are paid, and we have to help support them. As Sumner said, +"Equality of rights is the first of rights." If we can only be +equal with man under the law, it is all that we ask. We do not +propose to relinquish our domestic life, but we do ask that we may +be represented. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Remarks were also made by Mrs. Chandler, Mrs. Archibald and Mrs. +Spencer. The time having expired, the committee voted to give +another hour to Miss Anthony to state the reasons why we ask +congress to submit a proposition to the several legislatures for a +sixteenth amendment, instead of asking the States to submit the +question to the popular vote of their electors.<a name="FNanchor_58_58" id="FNanchor_58_58"></a><a href="#Footnote_58_58" class="fnanchor">[58]</a> When Miss +Anthony had finished, the chairman, Senator Thurman of Ohio, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I have to say, ladies, that you will admit that we have listened +to you with great attention, and I can certainly say, with great +interest; your appeals will be duly and earnestly considered by +the committee.</p> + +<p>Mrs. <span class="smcap">Wallace</span>: I wish to make just one remark in reference to what +Senator Thurman said as to the popular vote being against woman +suffrage. The popular vote is against it, but not the popular +voice. Owing to the temperance agitation in the last six years, +the growth of the suffrage sentiment among the wives and mothers +of this nation has largely increased.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span></p> + +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">House of Representatives, Washington, D. C.</span>, Jan. 24, 1880.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Chairman</span> <i>pro tem.</i> (Mr. <span class="smcap">Harris</span> of Virginia): The order of +business for the present session of the committee is the delivery +of arguments by delegates of the Woman Suffrage Convention now +holding its sessions in Washington. I am informed that the +delegates are in attendance upon the committee. We will be +pleased to hear them. A list of the names, of the ladies +proposing to speak, with a memorandum of the limit of time +allotted to each, has been handed to me for my guidance; and, in +the absence of the chairman [Mr. Knott] it will be my duty to +confine the speakers to the number of minutes apportioned to them +respectively upon the paper before me. As an additional +consideration for adhering to the regulation, I will mention that +members of the committee have informed me that, having made +engagements to be at the departments and elsewhere on business +appointments, they will be compelled to leave the committee-room +upon the expiration of the time assigned. The first name upon the +list is that of Mrs. Emma Mont. McRae of Indiana, to whom five +minutes are allowed.</p> + +<p>Mrs. <span class="smcap">McRae</span> said: <i>Mr. Chairman, and Gentlemen of the Judiciary +Committee</i>: In Indiana the cause of woman has made marked +advancement. At the same time we realize that we need the right +to vote in order that we may have protection. We need the ballot +because through the medium of its power alone we can hope to +wield that influence in the making of laws affecting our own and +our children's interests.</p> + +<p>Some recent occurences in Indiana, one in particular in the +section of the State from which I come, have impressed us more +sensibly than ever before with the necessity of this right. The +particular incident to which I refer was this: In the town of +Muncie, where I reside, a young girl, who for the past five years +had been employed as a clerk in the post-office, and upon whom a +widowed mother was dependent for support, was told on the first +of January that she was no longer needed in the office. She had +filled her place well; no complaint had been made against her. +She very modestly asked the postmaster the cause of her +discharge, and he replied: "We have a man who has done work for +the party and we must give that man a place; I haven't room for +both of you." Now, there you have at once the reason why we want +the ballot; we want to be able to do something for the party in a +substantial way, so that men may not tell us they have no room +for us because we do nothing <i>for the party</i>. When they have the +ballot women will work for "the party" as a means of enabling +them to hold places in which they may get bread for their mothers +and for their children if necessity requires.</p> + +<p>Miss <span class="smcap">Jessie T. Waite</span> of Illinois said: <i>Mr. Chairman, and +Gentlemen of the Judiciary Committee</i>: In the State of Illinois +we have attained to almost every right except that of the ballot. +We have been admitted to all the schools and colleges; we have +become accustomed to parliamentary usages; to voting in literary +societies and in all matters connected with the interests of the +colleges and schools; we are considered members in good standing +of the associations, and, in some cases, the young ladies in the +institutes have been told they hold the balance of power. The +same<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> reason for woman suffrage that has been given by the +delegate from Indiana [Mrs. McRae] holds good with reference to +the State of Illinois. Women must have the ballot that they may +have protection in getting bread for themselves and their +families, by giving to the party that looks for their support +some substantial evidence of their strength. Experience has +demonstrated, especially in the temperance movement, how +fruitless are all their efforts while the ballot is withheld from +their hands. They have prayed; they have petitioned; they have +talked; they have lectured; they have done all they could do, +except to vote; and yet all avails them nothing. Miss Frances +Williard presented to the legislature of Illinois a petition of +such length that it would have reached around this room. It +contained over 180,000 signatures. The purpose of the petition +was to have the legislature give the women of the State the right +to vote upon the question of license or no license in their +respective districts.</p> + +<p>In some of the counties of our State we have ladies as +superintendents of schools and professors in colleges. One of the +professors in the Industrial University at Champaign is a lady. +Throughout the State you may find ladies who excel in every +branch of study and in every trade. It was a lady who took the +prize at "the Exposition" for the most beautiful piece of +cabinet-work. This is said to have been a marvel of beauty and +extraordinary as a specimen of fine art. She was a foreigner; a +Scandinavian, I believe. Another lady is a teacher of +wood-carving. We have physicians, and there are two attorneys, +Perry and Martin, now practicing in the city of Chicago. +Representatives of our sex are also to be found among real-estate +agents and journalists, while, in one or two instances as +preachers they have been recognized in the churches.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Catherine A. Stebbins</span> of Michigan said: "Better fifty years of +Europe than a cycle of Cathay!" So said the poet; and I say, +Better a week with these inspired women in conference than years +of an indifferent, conventional society! Their presence has been +a blessing to the people of this District, and will prove in the +future a blessing to our government. These women from all +sections of our country, with a moral and spiritual enthusiasm +which seeks to lift the burdens of our government, come to you, +telling of the obstacles that have beset their path. They have +tried to heal the stricken in vice and ignorance; to save our +land from disintegration. One has sought to reform the drunkard, +to save the moderate drinker, to convert the liquor-seller; +another, to shelter the homeless; another, to lift and save the +abandoned woman. "Abandoned?" once asked a prophet-like man of +our time, who added, "There never was an abandoned woman without +an abandoned man!" Abandoned of whom? let us ask. Surely not by +the merciful Father. No; neither man nor woman is ever abandoned +by him, and he sends his instruments in the persons of some of +these great-hearted women, to appeal to you to restore their +God-given freedom of action, that "the least of these" may be +remembered.</p> + +<p>But in our councils no one has dwelt upon <i>one</i> of the great +evils of our civilization, the scourge of war; though it has been +said that women will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> fight. It is true there are instances in +which they have considered it a duty; there were such in the +rebellion. But the majority of women would not declare war, would +not enlist soldiers and would not vote supplies and equipments, +because many of the most thoughtful believe there <i>is</i> a better +way, and that women can bring a moral power to bear that shall +make war needless.</p> + +<p>Let us take one picture representative of the general features of +the war—we say nothing of our convictions in regard to the +conflict. Ulysses S. Grant or Anna Ella Carroll makes plans and +maps for the campaign; McClellan and Meade are commanded to +collect the columbiads, muskets and ammunition, and move their +men to the attack. At the same time the saintly Clara Barton +collects her cordials, medicines and delicacies, her lint and +bandages, and, putting them in the ambulance assigned, joins the +same moving train. McClellan's men meet the enemy, and +men—brothers—on both sides fall by the death-dealing missiles. +Miss Barton and her aids bear off the sufferers, staunch their +bleeding wounds, soothe the reeling brain, bandage the crippled +limbs, pour in the oil and wine, and make as easy as may be the +soldier's bed. What a solemn and heartrending farce is here +enacted! And yet in our present development men and women seek to +reconcile it with the requirements of religion and the +necessities of our conflicting lives. So few recognize the +absolute truth!</p> + +<p>Mrs. <span class="smcap">Devereux Blake</span> said: <i>Mr. Chairman, and Gentlemen of the +Committee</i>: I come here with your own laws in my hands—and the +volume is quite a heavy one, too—to ask you whether women are +citizens of this nation? I find in this book, under the heading +of the chapter on "Citizenship," the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Sec. 1,992. All persons born in the United States and not subject +to any foreign power, excluding Indians not taxed, are declared +to be citizens of the United States. </p></blockquote> + +<p>I suppose you will admit that women are, in the language of the +section, "persons," and that we cannot reasonably be included in +the class spoken of as "Indians not taxed." Therefore I claim that +we are "citizens." The same chapter also contains the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Sec. 1,994. Any woman who is now or may hereafter be married to a +citizen of the United States, and who might herself be lawfully +naturalized, shall be deemed a citizen. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Under this section also we are citizens. I am myself, as indeed are +most of the ladies present, married to a citizen of the United +States; so that we are citizens under this count if we were not +citizens before. Then, further, in the legislation known as "The +Civil Rights Bill," I find this language:</p> + +<blockquote><p>All persons within the jurisdiction of the United States shall +have the same right, in every State and territory, to make and +enforce contracts, to sue, be parties, give evidence, and to the +full and equal benefit of all laws and proceedings for the +security of persons and property as is enjoyed by white citizens, +and shall be subject to like punishments, pains, penalties, etc. </p></blockquote> + +<p>One would think the logical conclusion from that which I have last +read would be that <i>all citizens</i> are entitled to equal protection +everywhere.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> It appears to mean that. Then I turn to another piece +of legislation—that which is known as "The Enforcement Act"—one +which some of you, gentlemen, did not like very much when it was +enacted—and there I find another declaration on the same question. +The act is entitled "An Act to Enforce the Right of Citizens of the +United States to Vote in the Several States of this Union, and for +other purposes." The right of "citizens" to vote appears to be +conceded by this act. In the second section it says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It shall be the duty of every such person and officer to give to +all citizens of the United States the same and equal opportunity +to perform such prerequisite, and to become qualified to vote, +without distinction of race, color or previous condition of +servitude. </p></blockquote> + +<p>I ask you, gentlemen of the committee, as lawyers, whether you do +not think that, after we have been declared to be citizens, we have +the right to claim the protection of this enforcement act? When you +gentlemen from the North rise in your places in the halls of +congress and make these walls ring with your eloquence, you are +prone to talk a great deal about the right of every United States +citizen to the ballot, and the necessity of protecting every such +citizen in its exercise. What do you mean by it?</p> + +<p>It occurs to me here to call your attention to a matter of recent +occurrence. As you know, there has been a little unpleasantness in +Maine—a State which is not without a representative among the +members of the Judiciary Committee—and certain gentlemen there, +especially Mr. Blaine, have been greatly exercised in their minds +because, as they allege, the people of Maine have not been +permitted to express their will at the polls. Why, gentlemen, I +assert that a majority of the people of Maine have never been +permitted to express their will at the polls. A majority of the +people of Maine are women, and from the foundation of this +government have never exercised any of the inalienable rights of +citizens. Mr. Blaine made a speech a day or two ago in Augusta. He +began by reciting the condition of affairs, owing to the effort, as +he states, "to substitute a false count for an honest ballot," and +congratulated his audience upon the instrumentalities by which they +had triumphed—</p> + +<blockquote><p>Without firing a gun, without shedding a drop of blood, without +striking a single blow, without one disorderly assemblage. <i>The +people</i> have regained their own right through the might and +majesty of their own laws. </p></blockquote> + +<p>He goes on in this vein to speak of those whom he calls "the people +of Maine." Well, gentlemen, I do not think you will deny that +<i>women are people</i>. It appears to me that what Mr. Blaine said in +that connection was nonsense, unless indeed he forgot that there +were any others than men among the people of the State of Maine. I +don't suppose that you, gentlemen, are often so forgetful. Mr. +Blaine said further:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Republicans of Maine and throughout the land felt that they +were not merely fighting the battle of a single year, but for all +the future of the State; not merely fighting the battle of our +own State alone, but for all the States that are attempting the +great problem of State government throughout the world. The +corruption or destruction of the ballot is a crime against free +government, and when successful is a subversion of free +government. </p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p> + +<p>Does that mean the ballot <i>for men only</i> or the ballot <i>for the +people</i>, men and women too? If it is to be received as meaning +anything, it ought to mean not for one sex alone, but for both. Mr. +Lincoln declared, in one of his noblest utterances, that no man was +good enough to govern another man without that man's consent. Of +course he meant it in its broadest terms; he meant that no man or +woman was good enough to govern another man or woman without that +other man's or woman's consent.</p> + +<p>Mr. Blaine, on another occasion, in connection with the same +subject-matter, had much to say of the enormity of the oppression +practiced by his political opponents in depriving the town of +Portland of the right of representation in view of its paying such +heavy taxes as it does pay. He expressed the greatest indignation +at the attempt, forgetting utterly that great body of women who pay +taxes but are deprived of the right of representation. In this +connection it may be pertinent for me to express the hope, by way +of a suggestion, that hereafter, when making your speeches, you +will not use the term "citizens" in a broad sense, unless you mean +to include women as well as men, and that when you do not mean to +include women you will speak of male citizens as a separate class, +because the term, in its general application, is illogical and its +meaning obscure if not self-contradictory.</p> + +<p>President Hayes was so pleased with one of the sentences in his +message of a year ago that in his message of this year he has +reiterated it. It reads thus:</p> + +<blockquote><p>That no temporary or administrative interests of government will +ever displace the zeal of our people in defense of the primary +rights of citizenship, and that the power of public opinion will +override all political prejudices and all sectional and State +attachments in demanding that all over our wide territory the +name and character of citizen of the United States shall mean one +and the same thing and carry with them unchallenged security and +respect. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Let me suggest what he ought to have said unless he intended to +include women, although I am afraid that Mr. Hayes, when he wrote +this, forgot that there were women in the United States, +notwithstanding that his excellent wife, perhaps, stood by his +side. He ought to have said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>An act having been passed to enforce the rights of <i>male</i> +citizens to vote, the true vigor of <i>half</i> the population is thus +expressed, and no interests of government will ever displace the +zeal of <i>half</i> of our people in defense of the primary rights of +our <i>male</i> citizens. <i>The prosperity of the States depends upon +the protection afforded to our male citizens</i>; and the name and +character of <i>male</i> citizens of the United States shall mean one +and the same thing and carry with them unchallenged security and +respect. </p></blockquote> + +<p>If Mr. Hayes had thus expressed himself, he would have made a +perfectly logical and clear statement. Gentlemen, I hope that +hereafter, when speaking or voting in behalf of the citizens of the +United States, you will bear this in mind and will remember that +women are citizens as well as men, and that they claim the same +rights.</p> + +<p>This question of woman suffrage cannot much longer be ignored. In +the State from which I come, although we have not a right to vote, +we are confident that the influence which women brought to bear in +determining the result of the election last fall had something to +do with sending into retirement a Democratic governor who was +opposed to our reform, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> electing a Republican who was in favor +of it. Recollect, gentlemen, that the expenditure of time and money +which has been made in this cause will not be without its effect. +The time is coming when the demand of an immense number of the +women of this country cannot be ignored. When you see these +representatives coming from all the States of the Union to ask for +this right, can you doubt that, some day, they will succeed in +their mission? We do not stand before you to plead as beggars; we +ask for that which is our right. We ask it as due to the memory of +our ancestors, who fought for the freedom of this country just as +bravely as did yours. We ask it on many considerations. Why, +gentlemen, the very furniture here, the carpet on this floor, was +paid for with our money. We are taxed equally with the men to +defray the expenses of this congress, and we have a right equally +with them to participate in the government.</p> + +<p>In closing, I have only to ask, is there no man here present who +appreciates the emergencies of this hour? Is there no one among you +who will rise on the floor of congress as the champion of this +unrepresented half of the people of the United States? The time is +not far distant when we shall have our liberties, and the +politician who can now understand the importance of our cause, the +statesman who can now see, and will now appreciate the justice of +it, that man, if true to himself, will write his name high on the +scroll of fame beside those of the men who have been the saviors of +the country. Gentlemen I entreat you not to let this hearing go by +without giving due weight to all that we have said. You can no more +stay the onward current of this reform than you can fight against +the stars in their courses.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Willits</span> of Michigan: <i>Mr. Chairman</i>: I would like to make a +suggestion here. The regulation amendment, as it has heretofore +been submitted, provided that the right of citizens of the United +States to vote should not be abridged on account of sex. I notice +that the amendment which the ladies here now propose has prefixed +to it this phrase: "The right of suffrage in the United States +shall be based on citizenship." I call attention to this because I +would like to have them explain as fully as they may why they +incorporate the phrase, "shall be based on citizenship." Is the +meaning this, that all citizens shall have the right to vote, or +simply that citizenship shall be the basis of suffrage? The words, +"or for any reason not applicable to all citizens of the United +States," also seem to require explanation. The proposition in the +form in which it is now submitted, I understand, covers a little +more than has been covered by the amendment submitted in previous +years.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sara A. Spencer</span> of Washington, D. C.: If the committee will permit +me, I will say that the amendment in its present form is the +concentrated wish of the women of the United States. The women of +the country sent to congress petitions asking for three different +forms of constitutional amendment, and when preparing the one now +before the committee these three were concentrated in the one now +before you (identical with that of the resolution offered in the +House by Hon. George B. Loring and by Hon. T. W. Ferry in the +Senate), omitting, at the request of each of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> three classes of +petitioners, all phrases which were regarded by any of them as +objectionable. The amendment as now presented is therefore the +combined wish of the women of the country, viz., that citizenship +in the United States shall mean suffrage, and that no one shall be +deprived of the right to vote for reasons not equally applicable to +all citizens.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Matilda Joslyn Gage</span> said: It is necessary to refer to a remarkable +decision of the Supreme Court. The case of Virginia L. Minor, +claiming the right to vote under the fourteenth amendment, was +argued before the Supreme Court of the United States, October term, +1874; decision rendered adversely by Chief-Justice Waite, March, +1875, upon the ground that "the United States had no voters in the +States of its own creation." This was a most amazing decision to +emanate from the highest judicial authority of the nation, and is +but another proof how fully that body is under the influence of the +dominant political party.</p> + +<p>Contrary to this decision, I unhesitatingly affirm that the United +States has possessed voters in States of its own creation from the +very date of the constitution. In Article I, Sec. 2, the +constitution provides that</p> + +<blockquote><p>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></blockquote> + +<p>The persons so designated are voters under State laws; but by this +section of the national constitution they are made United States +voters. It is directed under what conditions of State qualification +they may cast votes in their respective States for members of the +lower house of congress. The constitution here created a class of +United States voters by adoption of an already voting class. Did +but this single instance exist, it would be sufficient to nullify +Chief-Justice Waite's decision, as Article VI, Sec. 2, declares</p> + +<blockquote><p>The constitution and the laws of the United States which shall be +made in pursuance thereof <span class="spacious">* * *</span> shall be the supreme law of the +land. </p></blockquote> + +<p>This supreme law at its very inception created a class of United +States voters. If in the Minor case alone, the premises of the +Supreme Court and Chief-Justice Waite were wrong, the decision +possesses no legal value; but in addition to this class, the United +States, by special laws and amendments has from time to time +created other classes of United States voters.</p> + +<p>Under the naturalization laws citizenship is recognized as the +basis of suffrage. No State can admit a foreigner to the right of +the ballot, even under United States laws, unless he is already a +citizen, or has formally declared his intention of becoming a +citizen of the United States. The creation of the right here is +national; its regulation, local.</p> + +<p>Men who commit crimes against the civil laws of the United States +forfeit their rights of citizenship. State law cannot re-habilitate +them, but within the last five years 2,500 such men have been +pardoned by congressional enactment, and thus again been made +voters in States by United States law. Is it not strange that with +a knowledge of these facts before him Chief-Justice Waite could +base his decision against the right of a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> woman to the ballot, on +the ground that the United States had no voters in the States of +its own creation?</p> + +<p>Criminals against the military law of the United States, who +receive pardon, are still another class of voters thus created. A +very large body of men, several hundred thousand, forfeited their +rights of citizenship, their ballot, by participation in the +rebellion; they were political criminals. When general amnesty was +proclaimed they again secured the ballot. They had been deprived of +the suffrage by United States law and it was restored to them by +the same law.</p> + +<p>It may be replied that the rebellious States had been reduced to +the condition of territories, over whose suffrage the general +government had control. But let me ask why, then, a large class of +men remained disfranchised after these States again took up local +government? A large class of men were especially exempted from +general amnesty and for the restoration of their political rights +were obliged to individually petition congress for the removal of +their political disabilities, and these men then became "voters in +States," by action of the United States. Here, again, the United +States recognized citizenship and suffrage as synonymous. If the +United States has no voters of its own creation in the States, what +are these men? A few, the leaders in the rebellion, are yet +disfranchised, and no State has power to change this condition. +Only the United States can again make them voters in States.</p> + +<p>Under the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments the colored men of +the South, who never had possessed the ballot, and those colored +men of the North over whom some special disqualification hung, were +alike made voters by United States law. It required no action of +Delaware, Indiana, New York, or any of those States in which the +colored man was not upon voting equality with the white men, to +change their constitutions or statutes in order to do away with +such disqualifications. The fourteenth amendment created another +class of United States voters in States, to the number of a million +or more. The fourteenth amendment, and the act of congress to +enforce it, were at once recognized to be superior to State +law—abrogating and repealing State constitutions and State laws +contradictory to its provisions.</p> + +<p>By an act of congress March 3, and a presidential proclamation of +March 11, 1865, all deserters who failed to report themselves to a +provost marshall within sixty days, forfeited their rights of +citizenship as an additional penalty for the crime of desertion, +thus losing their ballot without possibility of its restoration +except by an act of congress. Whenever this may be done +collectively or individually, these men will become State voters by +and through the United States law.</p> + +<p>As proving the sophistry used by legal minds in order to hide from +themselves and the world the fact that the United States has power +over the ballot in States, mention may be made of a case which, in +1866, came before Justice Strong, then a member of the Supreme +Court of Pennsylvania, but since a justice of the Supreme Court of +the United States. For sophistical reasoning it is a curiosity in +legal decisions. One point made by Judge Strong was, that congress +may deprive a citizen of the opportunity<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> to enjoy a right +belonging to him as a citizen of a State even the right of voting, +but cannot deprive him of the right itself. This is on a par with +saying that congress may deprive a citizen of the opportunity to +enjoy a right belonging to him as an individual, even the right of +life, but cannot deprive him of life itself.</p> + +<p>A still more remarkable class of United States voters than any yet +mentioned, exists. Soon after the close of the war congress enacted +a law that foreigners having served in the civil war and been +honorably discharged from the army, should be allowed to vote. And +this, too, without the announcement of their intention of becoming +citizens of the republic. A class of United States voters were thus +created out of a class of non-citizens.</p> + +<p>I have mentioned eight classes of United States voters, and yet not +one of the States has been deprived of the powers necessary to +local self-government. To States belong all matters of strictly +local interest, such as the incorporation of towns and cities, the +settlement of county and other boundaries; laws of marriage, +divorce, protection of life and property, etc. It has been said, +the ordaining and establishment of a constitution for the +government of a State is always the act of a State in its highest +sovereign capacity, but if any question as to nationality ever +existed, it was settled by the war. Even State constitutions were +found unable to stand when in conflict with a law of the United +States or an amendment to its constitution. All are bound by the +authority of the nation.</p> + +<p>This theory of State sovereignty must have a word. When the Union +was formed several of the States did not even frame a constitution. +It was in 1818 that Connecticut adopted her first State +constitution. Rhode Island had no constitution until 1842. Prior to +these years the government of these States was administered under +the authority of royal charters brought out from England.</p> + +<p>Where was their State sovereignty? The rights even of suffrage +enjoyed by citizens of these States during these respective periods +of forty-two and sixty-six years, were either secured them by +monarchial England or republican United States. If by the latter +all voters in these two States during these years were United +States voters. It is a historical fact that no State save Texas was +ever for an hour sovereign or independent. The experience of the +country proves there is but one real sovereignty. It has been said, +with truth,</p> + +<blockquote><p>There is but one sovereign State on the American continent known +to international or constitutional law, and that is the republic +itself. This forms the United States and should be so called. </p></blockquote> + +<p>I ask for a sixteenth amendment because this republic is a nation +and not a confederacy of States. I ask it because the United States +not only possesses inherent power to protect its citizens but also +because of its national duty to secure to all its citizens the +exercise of their rights of self-government. I ask it because +having created classes of voters in numberless instances, it is +most flagrant injustice to deny this protection to woman. I ask it +because the Nation and not the State is supreme.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Phœbe W. Couzins</span> of Missouri, to whom had been assigned the next +thirty minutes, said: <i>Mr. Chairman, and Gentlemen of the Judiciary +Committee</i>: I am invited to speak of the dangers which beset us at +this hour in the decision of the Supreme Court of the United States +in Mrs. Minor's case, which not only stultifies its previous +interpretation of the recent constitutional amendments and makes +them a dead letter, but will rank, in the coming ages, in the +history of the judiciary, with the Dred Scott decision. The law, as +explained in the Dred Scott case, was an infamous one, which +trampled upon the most solemn rights of the loyal citizens of the +government, and declared the constitution to mean anything or +nothing, as the case might be. Yet the decision in that case had a +saving clause, for it was not the unanimous voice of a Democratic +judiciary. Dissenting opinions were nobly uttered from the bench. +In the more recent case, under the rule of a Republican judiciary +created by a party professing to be one of justice, the rights of +one-half of the people were deliberately abrogated without a +dissenting voice. This violation of the fundamental principles of +our government called forth no protest. In all of the decisions +against woman in the Republican court, there has not been found one +Lord Mansfield, who, rising to the supreme height of an unbiased +judgment, would give the immortal decree that shall crown with +regal dignity the mother of the race: "I care not for the dictates +of judges, however eminent, if they be contrary to principle. If +the parties will have judgment, let justice be done, though the +heavens fall."</p> + +<p>The Dred Scott decision declared as the law of citizenship, "to be +a citizen is to have actual possession and enjoyment, or the +perfect right to the acquisition and enjoyment of an entire +equality of privileges, civil and political." But the slave-power +was then dominant and the court decided that a black man was not a +citizen because he had not the right to vote. But when the +constitution was so amended as to make "all persons born or +naturalized in the United States citizens thereof," a negro, by +virtue of his United States citizenship, was declared, under the +amendments, a voter in every State in the Union. And the Supreme +Court reaffirmed this right in the celebrated slaughter-house cases +(16 Wallace, 71). It said, "The negro, having by the fourteenth +amendment, been declared to be a citizen of the United States, is +thus made a voter in every State in the Union."</p> + +<p>But when the loyal women of Missouri, apprehending that "all +persons beneath the flag were made citizens and voters by the +fourteenth amendment," through Mrs. Minor, applied to the Supreme +Court for protection in the exercise of that same right, this high +tribunal, reversing all its former decisions, proclaims State +sovereignty superior to national authority. This it does in this +strange language: "Being born in the United States, a woman is a +person and therefore a citizen"—we are much obliged to them for +that definition of our identity as persons—"but the constitution +of the United States does not confer the right of suffrage upon any +one." And then, in the face of its previous decisions, the court +declared: "The United States has no voters in the States of its own +creation", that the elective officers of the United States are all +elected, directly or indirectly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> by State voters. It remands woman +to the States for her protection, thus giving to the State the +supreme authority and overthrowing the entire results of the war, +which was fought to maintain national supremacy over any and all +subjects in which the rights and privileges of the citizens of the +United States are involved.</p> + +<p>No supreme allegiance, gentlemen of the committee, can be claimed +for or by a government, if it has no citizens of its own creation, +and constitutional amendments cannot confer authority over matters +which have no existence in the constitution. Thus, our supreme +law-givers hold themselves up for obloquy and ridicule in their +interpretation of the most solemn rights of loyal citizens, and +make our constitutional law to mean anything or nothing as the case +may be. You will see, gentlemen, that the very point which the +South contended for as the true one is here acknowledged to be the +true one by the Supreme Court—that of State rights superior to +national authority. The whole of the recent contest hinged upon +this. The appeal to arms and the constitutional amendments were to +establish the subordination of the State to national supremacy, to +maintain the national authority over any and all subjects in which +the rights and privileges of the citizens of the United States were +involved; but this decision in Mrs. Minor's case completely +nullifies the supreme authority of the government, and gives the +States more than has hitherto been claimed for them by the +advocates of State rights. The subject of the franchise is thus +wholly withdrawn from federal supervision and control. If "the +United States has no citizens of its own creation," of course no +supreme allegiance can be claimed over the various citizens of the +States.</p> + +<p>The constitutional amendments cannot confer authority over a matter +which has no existence in the constitution. If it has no voters, it +can have nothing whatever to do with the elections and voting in +the States; yet the United States invaded the State of New York, +sent its officers there to try, convict, and sentence Miss Anthony +for exercising a right in her own State which they declared the +United States had no jurisdiction over. They send United States +troops into the South to protect the negro in his right to vote, +and then declare they have no jurisdiction over his voting. Then, +mark the grave results which may and can follow this decision and +legislation. I do not imagine that the Supreme Court, in its +cowardly dodging of woman's right to all the rights and privileges +which citizenship involves, designed to completely abrogate the +principles established by the recent contest, or to nullify the +ensuing legislation on the subject. But it certainly has done all +this; for it must logically follow that if the United States has no +citizens, it cannot legislate upon the rights of citizens, and the +recent amendments are devoid of authority. It has well been +suggested by Mr. Minor, in his criticism of the decision, that if +members of the House of Representatives are elected by <i>State</i> +voters, as the Supreme Court has declared, there is no reason why +States may not refuse to elect them as in 1860, and thus deprive +congress of its power. And if a sufficient number could be united +to recall at their pleasure these representatives, what authority +has the federal government,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> under this decision, for coërcing them +into subjection or refusing them a separation, if all these voters +in the States desired an independent existence? None whatever. Mr. +Garfield, in the House, in his speech last March, calls attention +to this subject, but does not allude to the fact that the Supreme +Court has already opened the door. He says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>There are several ways in which our government may be annihilated +without the firing of a gun. For example, suppose the people of +the United States should say, we will elect no representatives to +congress. Of course this is a violent supposition; but suppose +that they do not. Is there any remedy? Does our constitution +provide any remedy whatever? In two years there would be no House +of Representatives; of course, no support of the government and +no government. Suppose, again, the States should say, through +their legislatures, we will elect no senators. Such abstention +alone would absolutely destroy this government; and our system +provides no process of compulsion to prevent it. Again, suppose +the two houses were to assemble in their usual order, and a +majority of one in this body or in the Senate should firmly band +themselves together and say, we will vote to adjourn the moment +the hour of meeting arrives, and continue so to vote at every +session during our two years of existence—the government would +perish, and there is no provision of the constitution to prevent +it. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The States may inform their representatives that they can do this; +and, under this position, they have the power and the right so to +do.</p> + +<p>Gentlemen, we are now on the verge of one of the most important +presidential campaigns. The party in power holds its reins by a +very uncertain tenure. If the decision shall favor the one which +has been on the anxious bench for lo! these twenty years, and in +probation until hope has well-nigh departed, what may be its action +if invested again with the control of the destinies of this nation? +The next party in power may inquire, and answer, by what right and +how far the Southern States are bound by the legislation in which +they had no part or consent. And if the Supreme Court of a +Republican judiciary now declares, <i>after</i> the war, <i>after</i> the +constitutional amendments, that federal suffrage does not exist and +never had an existence in the constitution, it follows that the +South has the right to regulate and control all of the questions +arising upon suffrage in the several States without any +interference on the part of an authority which declares it has no +jurisdiction. An able writer has said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>All injustice at last works out a loss. The great ledger of +nations does not report a good balance for injustice. It has +always met fearful losses. The irrepealable law of justice will, +sooner or later, grind a nation to powder if it fail to establish +that equilibrium of allegiance and protection which is the +essential end of all government. Woe to that nation which thinks +lightly of the duties it owes to its citizens and imagines that +governments are not bound by moral laws. </p></blockquote> + +<p>It was the tax on tea—woman's drink prerogative—which +precipitated the rebellion of 1776. To allay the irritation of the +colonies, all taxes were rescinded save that on tea, which was left +to indicate King George's dominion. But our revolutionary fathers +and mothers said, "No; the tax is paltry, but the principle is +great"; and Eve, as usual, pointed the moral for Adam's benefit. A +most suggestive picture, one which aroused the intensest patriotism +of the colonies, was that of a woman pinioned by her arms to the +ground by a British peer, with a British red-coat holding her with +one hand and with the other forcibly thrusting down her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> throat the +contents of a tea-pot, which she heroically spewed back in his +face; while the figure of Justice, in the distance, wept over this +prostrate Liberty. Now, gentlemen, we might well adopt a similar +representation. Here is Miss Smith of Glastonbury, Conn., whose +cows have been sold every year by the government, contending for +the same principle as our forefathers—that of resistance to +taxation without representation. We might have a picture of a cow, +with an American tax-collector at the horns, a foreign-born +assessor at the heels, forcibly selling the birthright of an +American citizen, while Julia and Abby Smith, in the background, +with veiled faces, weep over the degeneracy of Republican +leadership.</p> + +<p>But there are those in authority in the government who do not +believe in this decision by the Supreme Court of the United States. +The attorney-general, in his instructions to the United States +marshals and their deputies or assistants in the Southern States, +when speaking of the countenance and support of all good citizens +of the United States in the respective districts of the marshals, +remarks:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It is not necessary to say that it is upon such countenance and +support that the United States mainly rely in their endeavor to +enforce the right to vote which they have given or have secured. </p></blockquote> + +<p>You notice the phraseology. Again, he says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The laws of the United States are supreme, and so, consequently, +is the action of officials of the United States in enforcing +them. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Secretary Sherman said in his speech at Steubenville, July 6:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The negroes are free and are citizens and voters. That, at least, +is a part of the constitution and cannot be changed. </p></blockquote> + +<p>And President Hayes in his two last messages, as Mrs. Blake recited +to you, has declared that—</p> + +<blockquote><p>United States citizenship shall mean one and the same thing and +carry with it all over our wide territory unchallenged security +and respect. </p></blockquote> + +<p>And that is what we ask for women.</p> + +<p>In conclusion, gentlemen, I say to you that a sense of justice is +the sovereign power of the human mind, the most unyielding of any; +it rewards with a higher sanction, it punishes with a deeper agony +than any earthly tribunal. It never slumbers, never dies. It +constantly utters and demands justice by the eternal rule of right, +truth and equity. And on these eternal foundation-stones we stand.</p> + +<p>Crowning the dome of this great building there stands the majestic +figure of a woman representing Liberty. It was no idealistic +thought or accident of vision which gave us Liberty prefigured by a +woman. It is the great soul of the universe pointing the final +revelation yet to come to humanity, the prophecy of the ages—the +last to be first.<a name="FNanchor_59_59" id="FNanchor_59_59"></a><a href="#Footnote_59_59" class="fnanchor">[59]</a> </p></blockquote> + +<p>When the proposition to print these speeches came before the House +a prolonged debate against it showed the readiness of the +opposition to avail themselves of every legal technicality to +deprive<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> women of equal rights and privileges. But the measure +finally passed and the documents were printed. To the Hon. Elbridge +G. Lapham of New York we were largely indebted for the success of +this measure.</p> + +<p>The Washington <i>Republican</i> of February 6, 1880, describes a novel +event that took place at that time:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In the Supreme Court of the United States, on Monday, on motion +of Mrs. Belva Lockwood, Samuel R. Lowry of Alabama was admitted +to practice. Mr. Lowry is president of the Huntsville, Ala., +industrial school, and a gentleman of high attainments. It was +quite fitting that the first woman admitted to practice before +this court should move the admission of the first Southern +colored man. Both will doubtless make good records as +representatives of their respective classes. This scene was +characterized by George W. Julian as one of the most impressive +he ever witnessed—a fitting subject for an historical painting. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1880, women were for the first time appointed census +enumerators. Gen. Francis Walker, head of that department, said +there was no legal obstacle to the appointment of women as +enumerators, and he would gladly confirm the nomination of suitable +candidates. Very different was the action of the head of the +post-office department, who refused, on the ground of sex, the +application of 500 women for appointment as letter-carriers.</p> + +<p>In view of the important work to be done in a presidential +campaign, the National Association decided to issue an appeal to +the women of the country to appoint delegates from each State and +territory, and prepare an address to each of the presidential +nominating conventions. In Washington a move was made for an act of +incorporation in order that the Association might legally receive +bequests. Tracts containing a general statement of the status of +the movement were mailed to all members of congress and officers of +the government.</p> + +<p>At a meeting of the Committee on Rules, Mr. Randall, a Democratic +member of Pennsylvania, and Mr. Garfield, a Republican member of +Ohio, reminded Mr. Frye of Maine that he had been instructed by +that committee, nearly a year before, to present to the House a +resolution on the rights of women. The <i>Congressional Record</i> of +March 27 contains the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Frye</span>: I am instructed by the Committee on Rules to report a +resolution providing for the appointment of a special committee +on the political rights of women, and to move that it be placed +on the House calendar.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Conger</span>: Let it be read.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span></p> + +<p>The clerk read the resolution as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved by the House of Representatives</i>, That the speaker +appoint a special committee of nine members, to whom shall be +referred all memorials, petitions, bills and resolutions relating +to the rights of the women of the United States, with power to +hear the same and report thereon by bill or otherwise. The +resolution was referred to the House calendar. </p></blockquote> +</blockquote> + +<p>This was a proof of the advancing status of our question that both +Republican and Democratic leaders regarded the "rights of women" +worthy the consideration of a special committee.</p> + +<p>In the spring of 1880, the National Association held a series of +mass meetings in the States of Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and +Michigan, commencing with the May anniversary in Indianapolis, at +which sixteen States were represented.<a name="FNanchor_60_60" id="FNanchor_60_60"></a><a href="#Footnote_60_60" class="fnanchor">[60]</a> The convention was held +in Park Theatre, Miss Anthony presiding. The arrangements devolved +chiefly on Mrs. May Wright Thompson, who discharged her +responsibilities in a most praiseworthy manner, providing +entertainment for the speakers, and paying all the expenses from +the treasury of the local association. A series of resolutions was +presented, discussed by a large number of the delegates, and +adopted.</p> + +<p>In accordance with the plan decided upon in Washington of attending +all the nominating conventions, the next meeting was held in +Chicago, beginning on the same day with the Republican convention. +Farwell Hall was filled at an early hour; Miss Anthony in the +chair. A large number of delegates<a name="FNanchor_61_61" id="FNanchor_61_61"></a><a href="#Footnote_61_61" class="fnanchor">[61]</a> were present<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> from every +part of the Union, among whom were many of the most distinguished +advocates of woman suffrage. Mrs. Harbert gave an eloquent address +of welcome.</p> + +<p>Committees were appointed to visit the delegates from the different +States to the Republican convention, to secure seats for the +members of the National Association, and to ask that a plank +recommending a sixteenth amendment be incorporated in the platform +adopted by the Republican party. The proprietor of the Palmer House +gave the use of a large parlor to the Association for business +meetings and the reception of Republican delegates, many of whom +were in favor of a woman's plank in their platform, and of giving +the ladies seats in the convention. Strenuous efforts had been made +to this end. One hundred and eighteen senators and representatives +addressed a letter to the chairman of the National Republican +committee—Don Cameron—asking that seventy-six seats should be +given in the convention to the representatives of the National +Woman Suffrage Association. It would naturally be deemed that a +request, proceeding from such a source, would be heeded. The men +who made it were holding the highest positions in the body politic; +but the party managers presumed to disregard this request, and also +the vote of the committee. The question of furnishing seats for our +delegates was brought up before the close of their deliberations by +Mr. Finnell, of Kentucky, who said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>A committee of women have been here and they ask for seventy-six +seats in this convention. I move that they be furnished. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mr. Cary of Wyoming, made some remarks showing that woman suffrage +in his territory had been to the advantage of the Republican party, +and seconded the motion of Mr. Finnell, which was adopted. The +following resolution of the Arkansas delegation to the National +Republican convention was read and received with enthusiasm:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That we pledge ourselves to secure to women the +exercise of their right to vote. </p></blockquote> + +<p>It is here to be noted that not only were the Arkansas delegation +of Republicans favorable to the recognition of woman suffrage in +the platform of that party, but that the Southern delegates were +largely united in that demand. Mr. New told the ladies that the +Grant men had voted as a unit in favor of the women, while the +Blaine and Sherman men unanimously voted against them.</p> + +<p>But the ladies, well knowing the uncertainty of politicians, were +soon upon the way to the committee-room, to secure positive +assurance from the lips of the chairman himself—Don Cameron of +Pennsylvania—that such tickets should be forthcoming, when they +were stopped by a messenger hurrying after them to announce the +presence of the secretary of the committee, Hon. John New, at their +headquarters, in the grand parlor of the Palmer House, with a +communication in regard to the tickets. He said the seventy-six +seats voted by the committee had been reduced to <i>ten</i> by its +chairman, and these ten were not offered to the Association in its +official capacity, but as complimentary or "guest tickets," for a +seat on the platform back of the presiding officers.</p> + +<p>The Committee on Resolutions, popularly known as the platform +committee, held a meeting in the Palmer House, June 2, to which +Belva A. Lockwood obtained admission. On motion of Mr. Fredley of +Indiana, Mrs. Lockwood was given permission to present the memorial +of the National Woman Suffrage Association to the Republican party.</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>To the Republican Party in Convention assembled, Chicago, June +2, 1880</i>:</p> + +<p>Seventy-six delegates from local, State and National suffrage +associations, representing every section of the United States, +are here to-day to ask you to place the following plank in your +platform:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That we pledge ourselves to secure to women the +exercise of their right to vote. </p></blockquote> + +<p>We ask you to pledge yourselves to protect the rights of one-half +of the American people, and to thus carry your own principles to +their logical results. The thirteenth amendment of 1865, abolishing +slavery, the fourteenth of 1867, defining citizenship, and the +fifteenth of 1870, securing United States citizens in their right +to vote, and your prolonged and powerful debates on all the great +issues involved in our civil conflict, stand as enduring monuments +to the honor of the Republican party. Impelled by the ever growing +demand among women for a voice in the laws they are required to +obey, for their rightful share in the government of this republic,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> +various State legislatures have conceded partial suffrage. But the +great duty remains of securing to woman her right to have her +opinions on all questions counted at the ballot-box.</p> + +<p>You cannot live on the noble words and deeds of those who +inaugurated the Republican party. You should vie with those men in +great achievements. Progress is the law of national life. You must +have a new, vital issue to rouse once more the enthusiasm of the +people. Our question of human rights answers this demand. The two +great political parties are alike divided upon finance, free-trade, +labor reform and general questions of political economy. The +essential point in which you differ from the Democratic party is +national supremacy, and it is on this very issue we make our +demand, and ask that our rights as United States citizens be +secured by an amendment to the national constitution. To carry this +measure is not only your privilege but your duty. Your pledge to +enfranchise ten millions of women will rouse an enthusiasm which +must count in the coming closely contested election. But above +expediency is right, and to do justice is ever the highest +political wisdom. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The committee then adjourned to meet at the Sherman-house club +room, where they reässembled at 8 o'clock. Soon after the calling +to order of our own convention in Farwell Hall, word came that a +hearing had been accorded before the platform committee. This +proved to be a sub-committee. Ten minutes were given Miss Anthony +to plead the cause of 10,000,000—yes, 20,000,000 citizens of this +republic(?), while, watch in hand, Mr. Pierrepont sat to strike the +gavel when this time expired. Ten minutes!! Twice has the great +Republican party, in the plentitude of its power, allowed woman +<i>ten</i> minutes to plead her cause before it. Ten minutes twice in +the past eight years, while all the remainder of the time it has +been fighting for power and place and continued life, heedless of +the wrongs and injustice it was constantly perpetrating towards +one-half the people. Ten minutes! What a period in the history of +time. Small hope remained of a committee, with such a chairman, +introducing a plank for woman suffrage.</p> + +<p>The whole Arkansas delegation had expressed itself in favor; most +of the Kentucky delegation were known to be so, while New York not +only had friends to woman suffrage among its number, but even an +officer of the State association was a delegate to the Republican +convention. These men were called upon, a form of plank placed in +their hands and they were asked to offer it as an amendment when +the committee reported, but that plan was blocked by a motion that +all resolutions should be referred to the committee for action.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span></p> + +<p>Senator Farr of Michigan, a colored man, was the only member of the +platform committee who suggested the insertion of a woman suffrage +plank, the Michigan delegation to a man, favoring such action. The +delegates were ready in case opportunity offered, to present the +address to the convention. But no such moment arrived.</p> + +<p>The mass convention had been called for June 2, but the crowds in +the city gave promise of such extended interest that Farwell Hall +was engaged for June 1, and before the second day's proceedings +closed, funds were voluntarily raised by the audience to continue +the meeting the third day. So vast was the number of letters and +postals addressed to the convention from all parts of the country +from women who desired to vote, that the whole time of each session +could have been spent in reading them—one day's mail alone +bringing letters and postals from twenty-three States and three +territories. Some of these letters contained hundreds of names, +others represented town, county, and State societies. Many were +addressed to the different nominating conventions, Republican, +Greenback, Democratic, while the reasons given for desiring to +vote, ranged from the simple demand, through all the scale of +reasons connected with good government and morality. So highly +important a contribution to history did the Chicago Historical +Society<a name="FNanchor_62_62" id="FNanchor_62_62"></a><a href="#Footnote_62_62" class="fnanchor">[62]</a> deem these expressions of woman's desire to vote, that +it made a formal request to be put in possession of <i>all</i> letters +and postals, with a promise that they should be carefully guarded +in a fire-proof safe.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span></p> + +<p>After the eloquent speeches<a name="FNanchor_63_63" id="FNanchor_63_63"></a><a href="#Footnote_63_63" class="fnanchor">[63]</a> of the closing session, Miss Alice +S. Mitchell sang Julia Ward Howe's "Battle Hymn of the Republic," +Mrs. Harbert playing the accompaniment, and the immense audience of +3,000 people joining in the chorus. This convention held three +sessions each day, and at all except the last an admission fee was +charged, and yet the hall was densely crowded throughout. For +enthusiasm, nothing ever surpassed these meetings in the history of +the suffrage movement. A platform and resolution were adopted as +the voice of the convention.</p> + +<blockquote><p>The special object of the National Woman Suffrage Association is +to secure national protection for women in the exercise of their +right of suffrage. It recognizes the fact that our government was +formed on the political basis of the consent of the governed, and +that the Declaration of Independence struck a blow at every +existing form by declaring the individual to be the source of all +power. The members of this association, outside of our great +question, have diverse political affiliations, but for the +purpose of gaining this great right to the ballot, its members +hold their party predilections in abeyance; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That in this year of presidential nominations and +political campaigns, we announce our determination to support no +party by whatever name called, unless such party shall, in its +platform, first emphatically endorse our demand for a recognition +of the exact and permanent political equality of all citizens. </p></blockquote> + +<p>A delegation<a name="FNanchor_64_64" id="FNanchor_64_64"></a><a href="#Footnote_64_64" class="fnanchor">[64]</a> went to the Greenback convention and presented the +following memorial:</p> + +<blockquote><p>When a new political party is formed it should be based upon the +principles of justice to all classes hitherto unrecognized. The +finance question, as broad as it is, does not reach down to the +deepest wrong in the nation. Beneath this question lies that of +the denial of the right of self-government to one-half the +people. It is impossible to secure the property rights of the +people without first recognizing their personal rights. More than +any class of men, woman represents the great unpaid laborer of +the world—a slave, who, as wife and daughter, absolutely works +for her board and clothes. The question of finance deeply +interests<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> woman, but her opinions upon it are valueless while +deprived of the right of enforcing them at the ballot box. You +are here in convention assembled, not alone to nominate a +candidate for president, but also to promulgate your platform of +principles to the world. Now is your golden opportunity. The +Republican party presents no vital issue to the country; its +platform is a repetition of the platitudes of the past twenty +years. It has ceased to be a party of principles. It lives on the +past. The deeds of dead men hold it together. Its disregard of +principles has thrown opportunity into your hands. Will you make +yourselves the party of the future? Will you recognize woman's +right of self-government? Will you make woman suffrage an +underlying principle in your platform? If you will make these +pledges, the National Association will work for the triumph of +your party in the approaching closely contested campaign. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The ladies were accorded hearings by several delegations previous +to the assembling of the convention. A resolution committee of one +from each State was appointed, and each member allowed two minutes +to present either by speech or writing such principles as it +requested incorporated in the platform. Lucinda B. Chandler, being +a Greenbacker on principle, was a regularly elected delegate and by +courtesy was added to a sub-committee on resolutions. The one +prepared by the National Association was placed in her hands, but, +as she was forbidden to speak upon it, her support could only be +given by vote, and a meaningless substitute took its place. The +courtesy of placing Mrs. Chandler upon the committee was like much +of man's boasted chivalry to woman, a seeming favor at the expense +of right.</p> + +<p>After trying in vain for recognition as a political factor from the +Republican and Greenback nominating conventions the delegates went +to Cincinnati.<a name="FNanchor_65_65" id="FNanchor_65_65"></a><a href="#Footnote_65_65" class="fnanchor">[65]</a></p> + +<p>Committees were at once appointed to visit the different +delegations. Women were better treated by the Democrats at +Cincinnati than by the Republicans at Chicago. A committee-room in +Music Hall was at once placed at their disposal, placards pointing +to their headquarters were printed by the local committee at its +own expense, and sixteen seats given to the ladies upon the floor +of the house, just back of the regular delegates. A hearing<a name="FNanchor_66_66" id="FNanchor_66_66"></a><a href="#Footnote_66_66" class="fnanchor">[66]</a> +before the platform committee was granted with no limit as to time. +At the close a delegate approached the table, saying,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> "I favor +giving woman a plank," "So do I," replied Mr. Watterson, chairman +of the committee. Many delegates in conversation, favored the +recognition of woman's political rights, and a large number of the +platform committee favored the introduction of the following plank:</p> + +<blockquote><p>That the Democratic party, recognizing the rapid growth of the +woman suffrage question, suggests a consideration of this +important subject by the people in anticipation of the time, near +at hand, when it must become a political issue. </p></blockquote> + +<p>But although the platform committee sat until 2 <span class="smcap">a.m.</span>, no such +result was reached, in consequence, it was said, of the objection +of the extreme Southern element which feared the political +recognition of negro women of the South.</p> + +<p>The delegations from Maine, Kansas and New York were favorable, and +offered the Association the use of their committee-rooms at the +Burnett House and the Grand Hotel whenever desired. Mayor Prince of +Boston not only offered a committee-room but secured seats for the +delegates on the floor of the house. Mr. Henry Watterson, of the +Louisville <i>Courier-Journal</i>, as chairman of the Platform +Committee, extended every courtesy within his power. Mayor Harrison +of Chicago did his best to secure to the delegates a hearing before +the convention. He offered to escort Miss Anthony to the platform +that she might at least present the address. "You may be +prevented," suggested one. "I'd like to see them do it," he +replied. "Have I not just brought about a reconciliation between +Tammany and the rest of New York?" Taking Miss Anthony upon his arm +and telling her not to flinch, he made his way to the platform, +when the chairman, Hon. Wade Hampton of South Carolina, politely +offered her a seat, and ordered the clerk to read the address:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hang"><i>To the Democratic Party in Nominating Convention Assembled, +Cincinnati, June 22, 1880:</i></p> + +<p>On behalf of the women of the country we appear before you, +asking the recognition of woman's political rights as one-half +the people. We ask no special privileges, no special legislation. +We simply ask that you live up to the principles enunciated by +the Democratic party from the time of Jefferson. By what +principle of democracy do men assume to legislate for women? +Women are part of the people; your very name signifies government +by the people. When you deny political rights to women you are +false to your own principles.</p> + +<p>The Declaration of Independence recognized human rights as its +basis. Constitutions should also be general in character. But in +opposition to this principle the party in power for the last +twenty years has<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> perverted the Constitution of the United States +by the introduction of the word "male" three times, thereby +limiting the application of its guarantees to a special class. It +should be your pride and your duty to restore the constitution to +its original basis by the adoption of a sixteenth amendment, +securing to women the right of suffrage; and thus establish the +equality of all United States citizens before the law.</p> + +<p>Not for the first time do we make of you these demands. At your +nominating convention in New York, in 1868, Susan B. Anthony +appeared before you, asking recognition of woman's inherent +natural rights. At your convention of 1872, in Baltimore, +Isabella Beecher Hooker and Susan B. Anthony made a similar +appeal. In 1876, at St. Louis, Phœbe W. Couzins and Virginia +L. Minor presented our claims. Now, in 1880, our delegates are +present here from the Middle States, from the West and from the +South. The women of the South are rapidly uniting in their demand +for political recognition, as they have been the most deeply +humiliated by a recognition of the political rights of their +former slaves.</p> + +<p>To secure to 20,000,000 of women the rights of citizenship is to +base your party on the eternal principles of justice; it is to +make yourselves the party of the future; it is to do away with a +more extended slavery than that of 4,000,000 of blacks; it is to +secure political freedom to half the nation; it is to establish +on this continent the democratic theory of the equal rights of +the people.</p> + +<p>In furtherance of this demand we ask you to adopt the following +resolution:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, Believing in the self-evident truth that all persons are +created with certain inalienable rights, and that for the +protection of these rights governments are instituted, deriving +their just powers from the consent of the governed; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the Democratic party pledges itself to use all +its powers to secure to the women of the nation protection in the +exercise of their right of suffrage. </p></blockquote> + +<p>On behalf of the National Woman Suffrage Association.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"><span class="smcap">Matilda Joslyn Gage</span>, <i>Chairman Executive Committee</i>.</p> +</blockquote> + + +<p>That the women however, in the campaign of 1880, received the best +treatment at the hands of the National Prohibition party is shown +by the following invitation received at the Bloomington convention:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p><i>To the National Woman Suffrage Association of the United +States:</i></p> + +<p>The woman suffragists are respectfully invited to meet with and +participate in the proceedings of the National Prohibition +Convention to be held at Cleveland, Ohio, June, 1880.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"> +<span class="smcap">James Black</span>, <i>Chairman of National Committee.</i></p> +<p class="ltr-to">Per <span class="smcap">J. W. Haggard</span>.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>A letter was received from Mr. Black urging the acceptance of the +invitation. Accordingly Miss Phœbe Couzins was sent as a +delegate from the association. The Prohibition party in its +eleventh plank said:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>We also demand that women having privileges as citizens in other +respects, shall be clothed with the ballot for their own +protection, and as a rightful means for a proper settlement of +the liquor question. </p></blockquote> + +<p>After attending all these nominating conventions, some of the +delegates<a name="FNanchor_67_67" id="FNanchor_67_67"></a><a href="#Footnote_67_67" class="fnanchor">[67]</a> went to Wisconsin where the State and National +Associations held a joint convention, in the Opera House at +Milwaukee, June 4, 5. Madam Anneke gave the address of welcome.<a name="FNanchor_68_68" id="FNanchor_68_68"></a><a href="#Footnote_68_68" class="fnanchor">[68]</a> +Fresh from the exciting scenes of the presidential conventions, the +speakers were unusually earnest and aggressive. The resolutions +discussed at the Indianapolis convention were considered and +adopted. Carl Doerflinger read a greeting in behalf of the German +Radicals of the city. Letters were read from prominent persons, +expressing their interest in the movement.<a name="FNanchor_69_69" id="FNanchor_69_69"></a><a href="#Footnote_69_69" class="fnanchor">[69]</a> Dr. Laura Ross +Wolcott made all the arrangements and contributed largely to the +expenses of the convention. The roll of delegates shows that the +State, at least, was well represented.<a name="FNanchor_70_70" id="FNanchor_70_70"></a><a href="#Footnote_70_70" class="fnanchor">[70]</a></p> + +<p>Thus through the terrible heat of June this band of earnest women +held successive conventions in Bloomington, Ill., Grand Rapids, +Mich., Lafayette and Terre Haute, Ind. They were most hospitably +entertained, and immense audiences greeted them at every point. +Mrs. Cordelia Briggs took the entire responsibility of the social +and financial interests of the convention at Grand Rapids, which +continued for three days with increasing enthusiasm to the close. +Mrs. Helen M. Gougar made the arrangements for Lafayette which were +in every way successful.</p> + +<p>After the holding of these conventions, delegations from the +National Association called on the nominees of the two great +parties to ascertain their opinions and proposed action, if any, on +the question of woman suffrage. Mrs. Blake, and other ladies +representing the New York city society, called on General Hancock +at his residence and were most courteously received. In<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> the course +of a long conversation in which it was evident that he had given +some thought to the question, he said he would not veto a District +of Columbia Woman Suffrage bill, provided such a bill should pass +congress, thereby putting himself upon better record than Horace +Greely the year of his candidacy, who not only expressed himself as +opposed to woman suffrage, but also declared that, if elected, he +would veto such a bill provided it passed congress.</p> + +<p>Miss Anthony visited James A. Garfield at his home in Mentor, Ohio. +He was very cordial, and listened with respect to her presentation +of the question. Although from time to time in congress he had +uniformly voted with our friends, yet he expressed serious doubts +as to the wisdom of pressing this measure during the pending +presidential campaign.</p> + +<p>As it was deemed desirable to get some expression on paper from the +candidates the following letter, written on official paper, was +addressed to the Republican and Democratic nominees:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Rochester, N. Y.</span>, August 17, 1880.</p> + +<p>Hon. <span class="smcap">James A. Garfield</span>: <i>Dear Sir</i>: As vice-president-at-large of +the National Woman Suffrage Association, I am instructed to ask +you, if, in the event of your election, you, as President of the +United States, would recommend to congress, in your message to +that body, the submission to the several legislatures of a +sixteenth amendment to the national constitution, prohibiting the +disfranchisement of United States citizens on account of sex. +What we wish to ascertain is whether you, as president, would use +your <i>official influence</i> to secure to the women of the several +States a <i>national guarantee</i> of their right to a voice in the +government on the same terms with men. Neither platform makes any +pledge to secure political equality to women—hence we are +waiting and hoping that one candidate or the other, or both, will +declare favorably, and thereby make it possible for women, with +self-respect, to work for the success of one or the other or both +nominees. Hoping for a prompt and explicit statement, I am, sir, +very respectfully yours,</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">Susan B. Anthony.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>To this General Hancock vouchsafed no reply, while General Garfield +responded as follows:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Mentor, O.</span>, August 25, 1880.</p> + +<p>Dear <span class="smcap">Miss Anthony</span>: Your letter of the 17th inst. came duly to +hand. I take the liberty of asking your personal advice before I +answer your official letter. I assume that all the traditions and +impulses of your life lead you to believe that the Republican +party has been and is more nearly in the line of liberty than its +antagonist the Democratic party; and I know you desire to advance +the cause of woman. Now, in view of the fact that the Republican +convention has not discussed your question, do you not think it +would be a violation of the trust they have reposed in me, to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> +speak, "as their nominee"—and add to the present contest an +issue that they have not authorized? Again, if I answer your +question on the ground of my own private opinion, I shall be +compelled to say, that while I am open to the freest discussion +and fairest consideration of your question, I have not yet +reached the conclusion that it would be best for woman and for +the country that she should have the suffrage. I may reach it; +but whatever time may do to me, that fruit is not yet ripe on my +tree. I ask you, therefore, for the sake of your own question, do +you think it wise to pick my apples now? Please answer me in the +frankness of personal friendship. With kind regards, I am very +truly yours,</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">James A. Garfield.</p> +<p class="ltr-to">Miss <span class="smcap">Susan B. Anthony</span>, Rochester, N. Y.</p> + + +<p class="ltr-date ltr-clear"><span class="smcap">Rochester, N. Y.</span>, September 9, 1880.</p> + +<p>Hon. <span class="smcap">James A. Garfield</span>: <i>Dear Sir</i>: Yours of the 25th ult. has +waited all these days that I might consider and carefully reply.</p> + +<p><i>First</i>. The Republican party did run well for a season in the +"line of liberty"; but since 1870, its congressional enactments, +majority reports, Supreme Court decisions, and now its presidential +platform, show a retrograde movement—not only for women, but for +colored men—limiting the power of the national government in the +protection of United States citizens against the injustice of the +States, until what we gained by the sword is lost by political +surrenders. And we need nothing but a Democratic administration to +demonstrate to all Israel and the sun the fact, the sad fact, that +all <i>is lost</i> by the <i>Republican</i> party, and not <i>to be lost</i> by +the <i>Democratic</i> party. I mean, of course, the one vital point of +national supremacy in the protection of United States citizens in +the enjoyment of their right to vote, and the punishment of States +or individuals thereof, for depriving citizens of the exercise of +that right. The first and fatal mistake was in ceding to the States +the right to "abridge or deny" the suffrage to foreign-born men in +Rhode Island, and all women throughout the nation, in direct +violation of the principle of national supremacy. And from that +time, inch by inch, point by point has been surrendered, until it +is only in <i>name</i> that the Republican party is the party of +national supremacy. Grant did not protect the negro's ballot in +1876—Hayes cannot in 1880—nor could Garfield in 1884—for the +"sceptre has departed from Judah."</p> + +<p><i>Second</i>. For the candidate of a party to <i>add</i> to the discussions +of the contest an issue unauthorized or unnoted in its platform, +when that issue was one vital to its very life, would, it seems to +me, be the grandest act imaginable. And, for doing that very thing, +with regard to the protection of the negroes of the South, you are +to-day receiving more praise from the best men of the party, than +for any and all of your utterances <i>inside</i> the line of the +platform. And I <i>know</i>, if you had in your letter of acceptance, or +in your New York speech, declared yourself in favor of "perfect +equality of rights for women, civil and political," you would have +touched an electric spark that would have fired the heart of the +women of the entire nation, and made the triumph of the Republican +party more grand and glorious than any it has ever seen.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>Third</i>. As to picking fruit before it is ripe! Allow me to remind +you that very much fruit is <i>never</i> picked; some gets nipped in the +blossom; some gets worm-eaten and falls to the ground; some rots on +the trees before it ripens; some, too slow in ripening, gets bitten +by the early frosts of autumn; while some rich, rare, ripe apples +hang unpicked, frozen and worthless on the leafless trees of +winter! Really, Mr. Garfield, if, after passing through the war of +the rebellion and sixteen years in congress;—if, after seeing, and +hearing, and repeating, that <i>no class</i> ever got justice and +equality of chances from any government except it had the +power—the ballot—to clutch them for itself;—if, after all your +opportunities for growth and development, you cannot yet see the +truth of the great principle of individual self-government;—if you +have only reached the idea of class-government, and that, too, of +the most hateful and cruel form—bounded by sex—there must be some +radical defect in the ethics of the party of which you are the +chosen leader.</p> + +<p>No matter which party administers the government, women will +continue to get only subordinate positions and half-pay, not +because of the party's or the president's lack of chivalric regard +for woman, but because, in the nature of things, it is impossible +for any government to protect a disfranchised class in equality of +chances. Women, to get justice, must have political freedom. But +pardon this long trespass upon your time and patience, and please +bear in mind that it is not for the many <i>good</i> things the +Republican party and its nominee have done in extending the area of +liberty, that I criticise them, but because they have failed to +place the women of the nation on the plane of political equality +with men. I do not ask you to go beyond your convictions, but I do +most earnestly beg you to look at this question from the +stand-point of woman—alone, without father, brother, husband, +son—battling for bread! It is to help the millions of these +unfortunate ones that I plead for the ballot in the hands of all +women. With great respect for your frank and candid talk with one +of the disfranchised, I am very sincerely yours,</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">Susan B. Anthony.</p> +</blockquote> + + +<p>As Mr. Garfield was the only presidential nominee of either of the +great parties who deigned a reply to the National Association, we +have given his letter an honored place in our history, and desire +to pay this tribute to his memory, that while not fully endorsing +our claims for political equality he earnestly advocated for woman +all possible advantages of education, equal rights in the trades +and professions, and equal laws for the protection of her civil +rights.</p> + +<p>The Thirteenth Annual Washington Convention assembled in Lincoln +Hall, January 18, 1881. The first session was devoted to memorial +services in honor of Lucretia Mott. A programme<a name="FNanchor_71_71" id="FNanchor_71_71"></a><a href="#Footnote_71_71" class="fnanchor">[71]<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span></a> for the +occasion was extensively circulated, and the response in character +and numbers was such an audience as had seldom before crowded that +hall. The spacious auditorium was brilliant with sunlight and the +gay dresses, red shawls and flowers of the ladies of the +fashionable classes. Mrs. Hayes with several of her guests from the +White House occupied front seats. The stage was crowded with +members of the association, Mrs. Mott's personal friends and wives +of members of congress. The decorations which had seldom been +surpassed in point of beauty and tastefulness of arrangement, +formed a fitting setting for this notable assemblage of women. The +background was a mass of colors, formed by the graceful draping of +national flags, here and there a streamer of old gold with heavy +fringe to give variety, while in the center was a national shield +surmounted by two flags. On each side flags draped and festooned, +falling at the front of the stage with the folds of the rich maroon +curtains. Graceful ferns and foliage plants had been arranged, +while on a table stood a large harp formed of beautiful red and +white flowers.<a name="FNanchor_72_72" id="FNanchor_72_72"></a><a href="#Footnote_72_72" class="fnanchor">[72]</a> At the other end was a stand of hot-house +flowers, while in the center, resting on a background of maroon +drapery, was a large crayon picture of Lucretia Mott. Above the +picture a snow-white dove held in its beak sprays of smilax, +trailing down on either side, and below was a sheaf of ripened +wheat, typical of the life that had ended. The occasion which had +brought the ladies together, the placid features of that kind and +well-remembered face, had a solemnizing effect upon all, and +quietly the vast audience passed into the hall. The late-comers +finding all the seats occupied stood in the rear and sat in the +aisles.</p> + +<p>Presently Miss Couzins, stepping to the front of the stage said +gently, "In accordance with the custom of Mrs. Mott and the +time-honored practice of the Quakers, I ask you to unite in an +invocation to the Spirit." She bowed her head. The audience +followed her example. For several minutes the solemn stillness of +devotion pervaded the hall. When Miss Couzins had taken her seat +the quartette choir of St. Augustine's church (colored) which was +seated on the platform, sang sweetly an appropriate selection, +after which Mrs. Stanton delivered the eulogy,<a name="FNanchor_73_73" id="FNanchor_73_73"></a><a href="#Footnote_73_73" class="fnanchor">[73]</a> holding<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> the +rapt attention of her audience over an hour. At the close Frederick +Douglass said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>He had listened with interest to the fine analysis of the life +and services of Lucretia Mott. He was almost unwilling to have +his voice heard after what had been said. He was there to show by +his presence his profound respect and earnest love for Lucretia +Mott. He recognized none whose services in behalf of his race +were equal to hers. Her silence even in that cause was more than +the speech of others. He had no words for this occasion. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Robert Purvis at the request of a number of colored citizens of +Washington, presented a beautiful floral harp to Mr. Davis, the +son-in-law of Lucretia Mott, the only representative of her family +present. He paid a tender tribute to the noble woman whose +life-long friendship he had enjoyed. Mr. Davis having a seat on the +platform, received the gift with evident emotion, and returning +thanks, he said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>He would follow the example of Mrs. Mott who seldom kept a gift +long, and present these rare flowers to Mrs. Spofford, the +treasurer of the Association.</p> + +<p>Miss <span class="smcap">Anthony</span> said: The highest tribute she could pay, was, that +during the past thirty years she had always felt sure she was +right when she had the approval of Lucretia Mott. Next to that of +her own conscience she most valued the approval of her sainted +friend. And it was now a great satisfaction that in all the +differences of opinion as to principles and methods in our +movement, Mrs. Mott had stood firmly with the National +Association, of which she was to the day of her death the honored +and revered vice-president. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Sewall, after speaking of the many admirable qualities of Mrs. +Mott, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In looking around this magnificent audience I cannot help asking +myself the question, Where are the young girls? They should be +here. It is the birthright of every girl to know the life and +deeds of every noble woman. I think Lucretia Mott was as much +above the average woman as Abraham Lincoln above the average man. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Couzins closed with a few graceful words. She expressed her +pleasure in meeting so magnificent an audience, and thought the +whole occasion was a beautiful tribute to one of America's best and +noblest women. She hoped the mothers present would carry away the +impressions they had received and teach their daughters to hold the +name of Lucretia Mott ever in grateful remembrance. The choir sang +"Nearer, My God, to Thee." The entire audience arose and joined in +the singing, after which they slowly dispersed, feeling that it had +indeed been a pentacostal occasion.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span></p> + +<p>An able paper from Alexander Dumas, on "Woman Suffrage as a means +of Moral Improvement and Prevention of Crime,"<a name="FNanchor_74_74" id="FNanchor_74_74"></a><a href="#Footnote_74_74" class="fnanchor">[74]</a> was translated +for this meeting by Thomas Mott, the only son of James and Lucretia +Mott. This convention continued two days, with the usual number of +able speakers.<a name="FNanchor_75_75" id="FNanchor_75_75"></a><a href="#Footnote_75_75" class="fnanchor">[75]</a> It was announced at the last session that an +effort would be made by Senator McDonald, next day, to call up a +resolution providing for the appointment of a standing committee +for women; accordingly the ladies' gallery in the Senate was well +filled with delegates.</p> + +<p>From the <i>Congressional Record</i>, January 20, 1881:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Mr. <span class="smcap">McDonald</span>: On February 16, 1880, I submitted a resolution +providing for the appointment of a committee of nine senators, +whose duty it shall be to receive, consider and report upon all +petitions, memorials, resolutions and bills relating to the +rights of women of the United States, said committee to be called +"Committee on the Rights of Women." It is on the calendar, and I +ask for its present consideration.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Vice-president</span> (Mr. Wheeler of New York): The senator from +Indiana calls up for consideration a resolution on the calendar, +which will be reported.</p> + +<p>The chief clerk read the resolution, as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That a committee of nine senators be appointed by the +Senate, whose duty it shall be to receive, consider and report +upon all petitions, memorials, resolutions and bills relating to +the rights of women of the United States, said committee to be +called the Committee on the Rights of Women. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Vice-president</span>: The question is, Will the Senate agree to the +resolution?</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">McDonald</span>: Mr. President, it seems to me that the time has +arrived when the rights of the class of citizens named in the +resolution should have some hearing in the national legislature. We +have standing committees upon almost every other subject, but none +to which this class of citizens can resort. When their memorials +come in they are sometimes sent to the Committee on the Judiciary, +sometimes to the Committee on Privileges and Elections, and +sometimes to other committees. The consequence is that they pass +around from committee to committee and never receive any +consideration. In the organization and growth of the Senate a +number of standing committees have been from time to time created +and continued from congress to congress, until many of them have +but very little duty now to perform. It seems to me to be very +appropriate to consider this question now, and provide some place +in the capitol, some room of the Senate, some branch of the +government, where this class of applicants can have a full and fair +hearing, and have such measures as may be desired to secure to them +such rights brought fairly and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> properly before the country. I hope +there will be no opposition to the resolution but that it will be +adopted by unanimous consent.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Conkling</span>: Does the senator from Indiana wish to raise a +permanent committee on this subject to take its place and remain on +the list of permanent committees?</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">McDonald</span>: That is precisely what I propose to do.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Conkling</span>: Mr. President, I was in hopes that the honorable +senator from Indiana, knowing how sincere and earnest he is in this +regard, intended that an end should be made soon of this subject; +that the prayer of these petitioners should be granted and the +whole right established; but now it seems that he wishes to create +a perpetual committee, so that it is to go on interminably, from +which I infer that he intends that never shall these prayers be +granted. I suggest to the senator from Indiana that, if he be in +earnest, if he wishes to crown with success this great and +beneficent movement, he should raise a special committee, which +committee would understand that it was to achieve and conclude its +purpose, and this presently, and not postpone indefinitely in the +vast forever the realization of this hope. I trust, therefore, that +the senator from Indiana will make this a special committee, and +will let that special committee understand that before the sun goes +down on the last day of this session it is to take final, serious, +intelligent action, for which it is to be responsible, whether that +action be one way or the other.<a name="FNanchor_76_76" id="FNanchor_76_76"></a><a href="#Footnote_76_76" class="fnanchor">[76]</a></p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">McDonald</span>: The senator from New York misapprehends one purpose +of this committee. I certainly have no desire that the rights of +this class of our citizens should be deferred to that far-distant +future to which he has made reference, nor would this committee so +place them. If it be authorized by the Senate, it will be the duty +of the committee to receive all petitions, memorials, resolutions +and bills relating to the rights of women, not merely presented now +but those presented at any future time. It is simply to provide a +place where one-half the people of the United States may have a +tribunal in this body before which they can have their cases +considered. I apprehend that these rights are never to be ended. I +do not suppose that the time will ever come in the history of the +human race when there will not be rights of women to be considered +and passed upon. Therefore, to make this merely a special committee +would not accomplish the purpose I had in view. While it would of +course give a committee that would receive and hear such petitions +as are now presented and consider such bills as should now be +brought forward, it would be better to have a committee from term +to term, where these same plaints could be heard, the same +petitions presented, the same bills considered, and where new +rights, whatever they might be, can be discussed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> and acted upon. +Therefore I cannot accept the suggestion of the senator from New +York to make this a special committee.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Davis</span> of West Virginia: I think it a bad idea to raise an extra +committee. I move that the resolution be referred to the Committee +on Rules, I think it ought to go there. That is where the rules +generally require all such resolutions to be referred.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Vice-president</span>: The question is on the motion of the senator +from Virginia, that the resolution be referred to the Committee on +Rules.</p> + +<p>Which was agreed to by a vote of 26 yeas to 23 nays.<a name="FNanchor_77_77" id="FNanchor_77_77"></a><a href="#Footnote_77_77" class="fnanchor">[77]</a> </p></blockquote> + +<p>Amid all the pleasure of political excitement the social amenities +were not forgotten. A brilliant reception<a name="FNanchor_78_78" id="FNanchor_78_78"></a><a href="#Footnote_78_78" class="fnanchor">[78]</a> and supper were given +to the delegates by Mrs. Spofford at the Riggs House. During the +evening Mrs. Stanton presented the beautiful life-size photograph +of Lucretia Mott which had adorned the platform at the convention, +to Howard University, and read the following letter from Edward M. +Davis:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Mrs. <span class="smcap">Elizabeth Cady Stanton</span>—<i>Dear Madam</i>: As an expression of my +gratitude to the colored people of the District for their +beautiful floral tribute to the memory of my dear mother, I +desire in the name of her children to present to Howard +University the photograph of Lucretia Mott which adorned the +platform during the convention. It is a fitting gift to an +institution that so well illustrates her principles in opening +its doors to all youth without regard to sex or color. With +sincere regret that I cannot be present this evening at the +reception, I am gratefully yours,</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">Edward M. Davis.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>In receiving the beautiful gift, Dr. Patton, president of the +institution, made a graceful response.</p> + +<p>In the spring of 1881, the National Association held a series of +conventions through New England, beginning with the May anniversary +in Boston, of which we give the following description from the +<i>Hartford Courant</i>:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Among the many anniversaries in Boston the last week in May, one +of the most enthusiastic was that of the National Woman Suffrage +Association, held in Tremont Temple. The weather was cool and +fair and the audience fine throughout, and never was there a +better array of speakers at one time on any platform. The number +of thoughtful, cultured young women appearing in these +conventions, is one of the hopeful features for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> the success of +this movement. The selection of speakers for this occasion had +been made at the Washington convention in January, and different +topics assigned to each that the same phases of the question +might not be treated over and over again.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 349px;"> +<a name="v3_192" id="v3_192"> +<img src="images/v3_192.jpg" width="349" height="500" alt="Jane H. Spofford" title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p>Mrs. Harriet Hansom Robinson (wife of "Warrington," so long the +able correspondent of the <i>Springfield Republican</i>), who with her +daughter made the arrangements for our reception, gave the +address of welcome, to which the president, Mrs. Stanton, +replied. Rev. Frederic Hinckley of Providence, spoke on "Unity of +Principle in Variety of Method," and showed that while differing +on minor points the various woman suffrage associations were all +working to one grand end. Anna Garlin Spencer made a few remarks +on "The Character of Reformers." Rev. Olympia Brown gave an +exceptionally brilliant speech a full hour in length on +"Universal Suffrage"; Harriette Robinson Shattuck's theme was +"Believing and Doing"; Lillie Devereux Blake's, "Demand for +Liberty"; Matilda Joslyn Gage's, "Centralization"; Belva A. +Lockwood's, "Woman and the Law". Mary F. Eastman followed showing +that woman's path was blocked at every turn, in the professions +as well as the trades and the whole world of work; Isabella +Beecher Hooker gave an able argument on the "Constitutional Right +of Women to Vote"; Martha McLellan Brown spoke equally well on +the "Ethics of Sex"; Mrs. Elizabeth Avery Meriwether of +Tennessee, gave a most amusing commentary on the spirit of the +old common law, cuffing Blackstone and Coke with merciless +sarcasm. Mrs. Elizabeth L. Saxon of Louisiana spoke with great +effect on "Woman's Intellectual Powers as Developed by the +Ballot." These two Southern ladies are alike able, witty and +pathetic in their appeals for justice to woman. Mrs. May Wright +Sewall's essay on "Domestic Legislation," showing how large a +share of the bills passed every year directly effect home life, +was very suggestive to those who in answer to our demand for +political power, say "Woman's sphere is home," as if the home +were beyond the control and influence of the State. Beside all +these thoroughly prepared addresses, Susan B Anthony, Dr. +Clemence Lozier, Dr. Caroline Winslow, ex-Secretary Lee of +Wyoming, spoke briefly on various points suggested by the several +speakers.</p> + +<p>The white-haired and venerable philosopher, A. Bronson Alcott, +was very cordially received, after being presented in +complimentary terms by the president. Mr. Alcott paid a glowing +tribute to the intellectual worth of woman, spoke of the divinity +of her character, and termed her the inspiration font from which +his own philosophical ideas had been drawn. Not until the women +of our nation have been granted every privilege would the liberty +of our republic be assured.<a name="FNanchor_79_79" id="FNanchor_79_79"></a><a href="#Footnote_79_79" class="fnanchor">[79]</a> The well-known Francis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> W. Bird +of Walpole, who has long wielded in the politics of the Bay +State, the same power Thurlow Weed did for forty years in New +York, being invited to the platform, expressed his entire +sympathy with the demand for suffrage, notwithstanding the common +opinion held by the leading men of Massachusetts, that the women +themselves did not ask it. He recommended State rather than +national action.</p> + +<p>Rev. Ada C. Bowles of Cambridge, and Rev. Olympia Brown, of +Racine, Wis., opened the various sessions with prayer—striking +evidence of the growing self-assertion of the sex, and the rapid +progress of events towards the full recognition of the fact that +woman's hour has come. Touching deeper and tenderer chords in the +human soul than words could reach, the inspiring strains of the +celebrated organist, Mr. Ryder, rose ever and anon, now soft and +plaintive, now full and commanding, mingled in stirring harmony +with prayer and speech. And as loving friends had covered the +platform with rare and fragrant flowers, the æsthetic taste of +the most fastidious artist might have found abundant +gratification in the grouping and whole effect of the assemblage +in that grand temple. Thus through six prolonged sessions the +interest was not only kept up but intensified from day to day.</p> + +<p>The National Association was received right royally in Boston. On +arriving they found invitations waiting to visit Governor Long at +the State House, Mayor Prince at the City Hall, the great +establishment of Jordan, Marsh & Co., and the Reformatory Prison +for Women at Sherborn. Invitations to take part were extended to +woman suffrage speakers in many of the conventions of that +anniversary week. Among those who spoke from other platforms, +were Matilda Joslyn Gage, Ellen H. Sheldon, Caroline B. Winslow, +M. D., editor of <i>The Alpha</i>, and Rev. Olympia Brown. The +president of the association, Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, +received many invitations to speak at various points, but had +time only for the "Moral Education," "Heredity," and "Free +Religious" associations. Her engagement at Parker Memorial Hall, +prevented her from accepting the governor's invitation, but +Isabella Beecher Hooker and Susan B Anthony led the way to the +State house and introduced the delegates from the East, the West, +the North and the South, to the honored executive head of the +State, who had declared himself, publicly, in favor of woman +suffrage. The ceremony of hand-shaking over, and some hundred +women being ranged in a double circle about the desk, Mrs. Hooker +stepped forward, saying:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Speak a word to us, Governor Long, we need help. Stand here, +please, face to face with these earnest women and tell us where +help is to come from. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The Governor responded, and then introduced his secretary, who +conducted the ladies through the building.</p> + +<blockquote><p>Mrs. <span class="smcap">Hooker</span> said: Permit me, sir, to thank you for this +unlooked-for and unusual courtesy in the name of our president +who should be here to speak for herself and for us, and in the +name of these loyal women who ask only that the right of the +<i>people</i> to govern themselves shall be maintained. In this great +courtesy extended us by good old Massachusetts as citizens of +this republic unitedly protesting against being taxed without +representation, and governed without our consent, we see the +beginning of the end—the end of our wearisome warfare—a warfare +which though bloodless, has<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> cost more than blood, by as much as +soul-suffering exceeds that of mere flesh. I see as did Stephen +of old, a celestial form close to that of the Son of Man, and her +name is Liberty—always a woman—and she bids us go on—go +on—even unto the end. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Anthony standing close to the governor, said in low, pathetic +tones:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Yes, we are tired. Sir, we are weary with our work. For forty +years some of us have carried this burden, and now, if we might +lay it down at the feet of honorable men, such as you, how happy +we should be. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The next day Mayor Prince, though suffering from a late severe +attack of rheumatism, cordially welcomed the delegates in his room +at the City Hall, and chatting familiarly with those who had been +at the Cincinnati convention and witnessed his great courtesy, some +one remarked that from that time Miss Anthony had proclaimed him +the prince among men, and Mrs. Stanton immediately suggested that +if the party with which he was identified were wise in their day +and generation they would accept his leadership, even to the +acknowledgement of the full citizenship of this republic, and thus +secure not only their gratitude but their enthusiastic support in +the next presidential election. Having compassion upon his Honor +because of his manifest physical disability, the ladies soon +withdrew and went directly to the house of Jordan, Marsh & Co., +where were assembled in a large hall at the top of the building +such a crowd of handsome, happy, young girls as one seldom sees in +this work-a-day world; that well-known Boston firm within the last +six months having fitted up a large recreation room for the use of +their employés at the noon hour. Half a hundred girls were merrily +dancing to the music of a piano, but ceased in order to listen to +words of cheer from Mrs. Lockwood, Mrs. Hooker and Mrs. Sewall. At +the close of their remarks Mr. Jordan brought forward a reluctant +young girl who could give us, if she would, a charming recitation +from "That Lass o' Lowrie's," in return for our kindness in coming +to them. And after saying in a whisper to one who kindly urged +compliance to this unexpected call, that this had been such a busy +day she feared her dress was not all right, her face became +unconscious of self in a moment, and with true dramatic instinct, +she gave page after page of that wonderful story of the descent +into the mine and the recognition there of one whom she loved, +precisely as you would desire to hear it were the scene put upon +the stage with all the accessories of scenery and companion actors.</p> + +<p>From Jordan, Marsh & Co.'s a large delegation proceeded to visit +the Reformatory Prison at Sherborn which was established three or +four years ago. The board of directors, consisting of three women +and two men, has charge of all the prisons of the State. Mrs. +Johnson, one of the directors, a noble, benevolent woman, +interested in the great charities of Boston, was designated by +Governor Long—through whose desire the Association visited the +prison—to do the honors and accompany the party from Boston. The +officers, matron and physician of the Sherborn prison, are all +women. Dr. Mosher, the superintendent, formerly the physician, is a +fair, noble-looking woman about thirty-five years of age. She has +her own separate house connected with the building.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> The present +physician, a delicate, cultured woman, with sympathy for her +suffering charges, is a recent graduate of Ann Arbor.</p> + +<p>The entire work is done by the women sent there for restraint, and +the prison is nearly self-supporting; it is expected that within +another year it will be entirely so. Laundry work is done for the +city of Boston, shirts are manufactured, mittens knit, etc. The +manufacturing machinery will be increased the coming year. The +graded system of reward has been found successful in the +development of better traits. It has four divisions, and through it +the inmates are enabled to work up by good behavior toward more +pleasant surroundings, better clothes and food and greater liberty. +From the last grade they reach the freedom of being bound out; of +seventy-eight thus bound during the past year but seven were +returned. The whole prison, chapel, school-room, dining-room, etc., +possesses a sweet, clean, pure atmosphere. The rooms are light, +well-ventilated, vines trailing in the windows from which glimpses +of green trees and blue sky can be seen.</p> + +<p>Added to all the other courtesies, there came the invitation to a +few of the representatives of the movement to dine with the Bird +Club at the Parker House, in the same cozy room where these astute +politicians have held their councils for so many years, and whose +walls have echoed to the brave words of many of New England's +greatest sons. The only woman who had ever been thus honored before +was Mrs. Stanton, who, "escorted by Warrington," dined with these +honorable gentlemen in 1871. On this occasion Susan B. Anthony and +Harriet H. Robinson accompanied her. Around the table sat several +well-known reformers and distinguished members of the press and +bar. There was Elizur Wright whose name is a household word in many +homes as translator of La Fontaine's fables for the children. +Beside him sat the well-known Parker Pillsbury and his nephew, a +promising young lawyer in Boston. At one end of the table sat Mr. +Bird with Mrs. Stanton on his right and Miss Anthony on his left. +At the other end sat Frank Sanborn with Mrs. Robinson (wife of +"Warrington") on his right. On either side sat Judge Adam Thayer of +Worcester, Charles Field, Williard Phillips of Salem, Colonel Henry +Walker of Boston, Mr. Ernst of the Boston <i>Advertiser</i>, and Judge +Henry Fox of Taunton. The condition of Russia and the Conkling +imbroglio in New York; the new version of the Testament and the +reason why German Liberals, transplanted to this soil, immediately +become conservative and exclusive, were all considered. Carl +Schurz, with his narrow ideas of woman's sphere and education, was +mentioned by way of example. In reply to the question how the +Suffrage Association felt in regard to Conkling's reëlection. Mrs. +Robinson said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>That the leaders, who are students of politics were unitedly +against him. Their only hope is in the destruction of the +Republican party, which is too old and corrupt to take up any new +reform. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Frank Sanborn, fresh from the perusal of the New Testament, asked +if women could find any special consolation in the Revised Version +regarding everlasting punishment. Mrs. Stanton replied: <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>Certainly, as we are supposed to have brought "original sin" into +the world with its fearful forebodings of eternal punishment, any +modification of Hades in fact or name, for the <i>men</i> of the race, +the innocent victims of our disobedience, fills us with +satisfaction. </p></blockquote> + +<p>From the club the ladies hastened to the beautiful residence of +Mrs. Fenno Tudor, fronting Boston Common, where hundreds of friends +had already gathered to do honor to the noble woman so ready to +identify herself with the unpopular reforms of her day. Among the +many beautiful works of art, a chief attraction was the picture of +the grand-mother of Parnell, the Irish agitator, by Gilbert Stuart. +The house was fragrant with flowers, and the unassuming manners of +Mrs. Tudor, as she moved about among her guests, reflected the +glory of our American institutions in giving the world a generation +of common-sense women who do not plume themselves on any +adventitous circumstances of wealth or position, but bow in respect +to morality and intelligence wherever they find it. At the close of +the evening Mrs. Stanton presented Mrs. Tudor with the "History of +Woman Suffrage" which she received with evident pleasure and +returned her sincere thanks. </p></blockquote> + +<p>At the close of the anniversary week in Boston, successful meetings +were held in various cities,<a name="FNanchor_80_80" id="FNanchor_80_80"></a><a href="#Footnote_80_80" class="fnanchor">[80]</a> beginning at Providence, where Dr. +Wm. F. Channing made the arrangements. These conventions were the +first that the National Association ever held in the New England +States, presenting the national plan of woman's enfranchisement +through a sixteenth amendment to the United States Constitution.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<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> "True labor reform: the ballot for woman, the unpaid +laborer of the whole earth." +</p> +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Man's work is from sun to sun,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">But woman's work is never done."<br /></span> +</div></div> +<p> +"Taxation without representation is tyranny. Woman is taxed to +support pauperism and crime, and is compelled to feed and clothe +the law-makers who oppress her." +</p><p> +"Women are voting on education, the bulwark of the republic, in +Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Colorado, Oregon, New Hampshire and +Massachusetts." +</p><p> +"Women are voting on all questions in Wyoming and Utah. The vote of +women transformed Wyoming from barbarism to civilization." +</p><p> +"The financial problem for woman: equal pay for equal work, and one +hundred cents on the dollar." +</p><p> +"When a woman <i>Will</i>, she <span class="smcap">Will</span>, and you may depend on it, she WILL +vote."</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> <i>California</i>, Jane B. Archibald; <i>Connecticut</i>, Julia +E. Smith (Parker), E. C. Champion; <i>Delaware</i>, Mary A. Stuart; +<i>District of Columbia</i>, Sara Andrews Spencer, Jane H. Spofford, +Ellen H. Sheldon, Sara J. Messer, Amanda M. Best, Belva A. +Lockwood, Mary A. S. Carey, Rosina M. Parnell, Mary L. Wooster, +Helen Rand Tindall, Lura McNall Orme; <i>Illinois</i>, Miss Jessie +Waite, daughter of Caroline V. and Judge Waite; <i>Indiana</i>, Zerelda +G. Wallace, Emma Mont McRae; Flora M. Hardin; <i>Iowa</i>, Nancy R. +Allen; <i>Kansas</i>, Della Ross; <i>Louisiana</i>, Elizabeth L. Saxon, +<i>Maine</i>, Sophronia C. Snow; <i>Maryland</i>, Lavinia Dundore; +<i>Michigan</i>, Catherine A. F. Stebbins; <i>Missouri</i>, Phœbe W. +Couzins; <i>New Hampshire</i>, Marilla M. Ricker; <i>New Jersey</i>, Lucinda +B. Chandler; <i>New York</i>, Susan B. Anthony, Matilda Joslyn Gage, +Lillie Devereux Blake, Dr. A. W. Lozier, Jennie de M. Lozier, M. +D., Helen M. Slocum; <i>Pennsylvania</i>, Rachel G. Foster, Julia T. +Foster; <i>South Carolina</i>, Mary R. Pell.</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> Signed by Matilda Joslyn Gage, <i>Chairman Executive +Committee</i>: Susan B. Anthony, <i>Vice-president-at-large</i>; Sara +Andrews Spencer, <i>Corresponding Secretary</i>: Jane H. Spofford, +<i>Treasurer</i>.</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> This week has been devoted almost exclusively to the +women, who as temperance leaders, female suffragists and general +reformers, have become a power in the land which can no longer be +ridiculed or ignored. Yesterday Lincoln Hall was packed to its +utmost capacity with such an audience as no other entertainment or +amusement has ever before gathered in this city. Women of +refinement and cultivation, of thought and purpose, women of +standing and position in society, mothers of families, wives of +clergymen, were there by the hundreds, to listen to the words of +wisdom and eloquence that fell from the lips of that assembly, the +most carefully organized, thoroughly governed, harmoniously acting +association in this great country. Members of congress, professors +of colleges, judges and gentlemen of leisure, sat or stood in +admiration of the progress of the women, who are so earnestly +striving to regenerate our beloved republic, over which the shadow +of anarchy and dissolution is hovering with outspread wings. These +women are no longer trembling suppliants, feeling their way +cautiously and feebly amid an overpowering mass of obstructions; +they are now strong in their might, in their unity, and in the +righteousness of their cause. Men will do wisely if they attract +this power instead of repelling it; if they permit women to work in +concert with them, instead of compelling them to be arrayed against +them. The fate of Governor Robinson and Senator Ecelstine of New +York, indicates what they can do, and what they will do, if obliged +to assume the attitude of aggressors. Congress has heard no such +eloquence upon its floors this week as we have listened to from the +lips of these noble women.—[Washington correspondent of the +Portland (Me.) <i>Transcript</i>, Jan. 23, 1880. +</p><p> +These conventions occur yearly and although the ladies have fought +long and hard, and seem to have not yet reached a positive +assurance of success, still they continue to force the fight with +greater earnestness and redoubled energy, and their meetings are +conducted with much wisdom and decided spirit. There is one thing +to the credit of these ladies which cannot be said of the opposite +sex, and that is, their conventions are models of good order and +parliamentary eloquence, and they put their work through in a +graceful, business-like manner.—[Washington <i>Critic</i>, Jan. 21, +1880. +</p><p> +The announcement that the public session of the National Woman +Suffrage Convention would begin at one o'clock yesterday afternoon +at Lincoln Hall sufficed to attract a most brilliant audience, +composed principally of ladies, occupying every seat and thronging +the aisles. The inconvenience of remaining standing was patiently +endured by hundreds who seemed loth to leave while the convention +was in progress.—[Washington <i>National Republican</i>, Jan. 22, 1880. +</p><p> +The session of the Woman Suffrage Convention in Washington this +week has developed the fact that these strong-minded women are +making progress. The convention itself was composed of women of +marked ability, and its proceedings were marked by dignity and +decorum. The very best citizens of the city attended the +meetings.—[Washington correspondent Syracuse <i>Daily Standard</i>.</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> Letters were read from Mary Powers Filley, N. H.; +Martha G. Tunstall, Texas; M. A. Darling, Mich.; May Wright +Thompson, Ind.; Sarah Burger Stearns, Minn.; Miss Martin, Ill.; W. +G. Myers, O.; Annie L. Quinby, Ky.; Zina Young Williams, Utah; +Barbara J. Thompson, Neb.; Mira L. Sturgis, Me.; Orra Langhorne, +Va.; Emily P. Collins, La.; Charles P. Wellman, esq., Ga.</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> Judge Edmunds meeting Miss Anthony afterwards, +complimented her on having made an argument instead of what is +usually given before committees, platform oratory. He said her +logic was sound, her points unanswerable. Nor were the delegates +familiar with that line of argument less impressed by it, given as +it was without notes and amid many interruptions. It was one of +those occasions rarely reached, in which the speaker showed the +full height to which she was capable of rising. We have not space +for the whole argument, and the train of reasoning is too close to +be broken.—[M. J. G.</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> Speeches were also made by Mrs. Saxon, Mrs. Spencer +and Miss Anthony.</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> <i>Alabama</i>, Mrs. P. Holmes Drake, Huntsville. +<i>Connecticut</i>, Elizabeth C. Champion, Bridgeport. <i>District of +Columbia</i>, Belva A. Lockwood, Eveleen L. Mason, Jerusha G. Joy, +Ellen H. Sheldon, Sara Andrews Spencer, Jane H. Spofford. +<i>Illinois</i>, Elizabeth Boynton Harbert, vice-president of the +National Association and editor of the "Woman's Kingdom" in the +<i>Chicago Inter-Ocean</i>, Evanston; Dr. Ann M. Porter, Danville. +<i>Indiana</i>, Mary E. Haggart, vice-president; Martha Grimes, Zerelda +G. Wallace, May Wright Thompson, A. P. Stanton, Indianapolis; +Salome McCain, Frances Joslin, Crawfordsville; Mrs. Helen M. +Gougar, editor of the "Bric-a-brac department" of the <i>Lafayette +Courier</i>, Lafayette; Thomas Atkinson, Oxford; Mrs. Dr. Rogers, +Greencastle; Florence M. Hardin, Pendelton. <i>Iowa</i>, Mrs. J. C. +M'Kinney, Mrs. Weiser, Decorah. <i>Kentucky</i>, Mary B. Clay, Richmond; +Mrs. Carr, Mrs. E. T. Housh, Louisville. <i>Louisiana</i>, Elizabeth L. +Saxon, New Orleans, <i>Maryland</i>; Mary A. Butler, Baltimore. +<i>Michigan</i>, Catherine A. F. Stebbins, Detroit. <i>Missouri</i>, Mrs. +Virginia L. Minor, Mrs. Eliza J. Patrick, Mrs. Annie T. Anderson, +Mrs. Caroline Johnson Todd, Mrs. Endie J. Polk, Miss Phœbe +Couzins, Miss M. A. Baumgarten, Miss Emma Neave, Miss Eliza B. +Buckley, St. Louis; Mrs. Frances Montgomery, Oregon. <i>New +Hampshire</i>, Parker Pillsbury, Concord. <i>New Jersey</i>, Lucinda B. +Chandler. <i>New York</i>, Mrs. Blake, Mrs. Gage, Miss Anthony. <i>Ohio</i>, +Mrs. Amanda B. Merrian, Mrs. Cordelia A. Plimpton, Cincinnati; +Sophia L. O. Allen, Eva L. Pinney, South Newberry; Mrs. N. L. +Braffet, New Paris. <i>Pennsylvania</i>, Rachel Foster, Julia T. Foster, +Philadelphia. <i>South Carolina</i>, Mary R. Pell, Cowden P. O.</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> <i>Colorado</i>, Florence M. Haynes, Greely. +<i>Connecticut</i>, Elizabeth C. Champion, Bridgeport. <i>District of +Columbia</i>; Belva A. Lockwood, Sara Andrews Spencer, Jane H. +Spofford, Ellen H. Sheldon, Eveleen L. Mason, Jersuha G. Joy, Helen +Rand Tindall, Amanda M. Best, Washington. <i>Illinois</i>, Elizabeth +Boynton Harbert, Sarah Hackett Stephenson, Kate Newell Doggett, +Catherine V. Waite, Elizabeth J. Loomis, Alma Van Winkle, Chicago; +Dr. Ann Porter, Danville; Mrs. F. Lillebridge, Rockford; Ann L. +Barnett, Lockport; Mrs. F. A. Ross, Mrs. I. R. Lewison, Mansfield; +Amanda Smith, Prophetstown. <i>Indiana</i>, Helen M. Gougar, Lafayette; +Dr. Rachel B. Swain, Gertrude Garrison, Indianapolis. <i>Iowa</i>, Nancy +R. Allen, Maquoketa; Jane C. M'Kinney, Mrs. Weiser, Decorah; +Virginia Cornish, Hamburg; Ellen J. Foster, Clinton; Clara F. +Harkness, Humboldt. <i>Kansas</i>, Amanda B. Way, Elizabeth M'Kinney, +Kenneth. <i>Kentucky</i>, Mary B. Clay, Sallie Clay Bennett, Richmond. +<i>Louisiana</i>, Elizabeth L. Saxon, New Orleans. <i>Maryland</i>, Mary A. +Butler, Baltimore. <i>Massachusetts</i>, Addie N. Ayres, Boston. +<i>Minnesota</i>, A. H. Street, Albert Lee. <i>Michigan</i>, Catherine A. F. +Stebbins, Detroit; Eliza Burt Gamble, Miss Mattie Smedly, East +Saginaw; P. Engle Travis, Hartford; Dr. Elizabeth Miller, South +Frankford. <i>Missouri</i>, Virginia L. Minor, Phœbe W. Couzins, +Annie T. Anderson, Caroline J. Todd, St. Louis; Dr. Augusta Smith, +Springfield. <i>New Hampshire</i>, Parker Pillsbury, Concord. +<i>Nebraska</i>, Harriet S. Brooks, Omaha; Dr. Amy R. Post, Hastings. +<i>New Jersey</i>, Margaret H. Ravenhill. <i>New York</i>, Susan B. Anthony, +Rochester; Matilda Joslyn Gage, Fayetteville; Lillie Devereux +Blake, New York city. <i>Ohio</i>, Eva L. Pinney, South Newbury; Julia +B. Cole. <i>Oregon</i>, Mrs. A. J. Duniway (as substitute), Portland. +<i>Pennsylvania</i>, Rachel Foster, Julia T. Foster, Lucinda B. +Chandler, Philadelphia; Cornelia H. Scarborough, New Hope. <i>South +Carolina</i>, Mary R. Pell, Cowden P. O. <i>Tennessee</i>, Elizabeth Avery +Meriwether, Memphis. <i>Wisconsin</i>, Rev. Olympia Brown, Racine; +Almedia B. Gray, Schofield Mills. <i>Wyoming Territory</i>, Amelia B. +Post.</p></div> + +<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> +</p> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Historical Society Rooms, 140-42 Dearborn Ave., Chicago</span>, May 19, 1880.</p> +<p> +<i>Mrs. E. C. Stanton, President National Woman Suffrage Association, +476 West Lake street:</i> +</p><p> +<i>Dear Madam:</i> I write you in behalf of the Chicago Historical +Society, and with the hope that you will obligingly secure for and +present to this society a full manuscript record of the +<i>mass-meeting</i> to be held in Farwell Hall in this city, June 2, +1880, duly signed by its officers. We hope too you will do the +society the great favor to deposit in its archives all the letters +and postals which you may receive in response to your invitations +to attend that meeting. +</p><p> +This meeting may be an important one and long to be remembered. It +is hard to measure the possibilities of 1880. I hope this meeting +will mark an epoch in American history equal to the convention held +in Independence Hall in 1776. How valuable would be the attested +manuscript record of that convention and the correspondence +connected therewith! The records of the Farwell-hall meeting may be +equally valuable one hundred years hence. Please let the records be +kept in the city in which the convention or mass-meeting is held. +</p><p> +I am a Republican. I hope the party to which I belong will be +consistent. On the highest stripe of its banner is inscribed +"Freedom and Equal Rights." I hope the party will not be so +inconsistent as to refuse to the "better half" of the people of the +United States the rights enjoyed by the liberated slaves at the +South. +</p><p> +The leaders should not be content <i>to suffer it to be so</i>, but +should work with a will to make it so. I have but little confidence +in the sincerity of the man who will shout himself hoarse about +"shot guns" and "intimidation" at the South, when ridicule and +sneers come from his "shot gun" pointed at those who advocate the +doctrine that our mothers, wives and sisters are as well qualified +to vote and hold official position as the average Senegambian of +Mississippi. +</p><p> +We should be glad to have you and your friends call at these rooms, +which are open and free for all. +</p> +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">A. D. Hager</span>, <i>Librarian</i>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Very Respectfully,</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> By Mrs. Saxon of New Orleans, La.; Mrs. Meriwether of +Memphis, Mrs. Sallie Clay Bennett, daughter of Cassius M. Clay of +Richmond Ky.; and others. Mrs. Bennett related a little home +incident. She said: A few days ago she was in her front yard +planting with her own hands some roses, when "our ex-governor," +passing by, exclaimed: "Mrs. Bennett, I admire that in you; +whatever one wants well done he must do himself." She immediately +answered: "That is true Governor, and that is why we women +suffragists have determined to do our own voting hereafter." She +then informed him that she wanted to speak to him on that great +question. He was rather anxious to avoid the argument, and +expressed his surprise and "was sorry to see a woman like her, +surrounded by so many blessings, with a kind husband, numerous +friends and loving children, advocating woman suffrage! She ought +to be contented with these. She was not like Miss Anthony—" "Stop, +Governor," I exclaimed, "Don't think of comparing me to that lady, +for I feel that I am not worthy to touch the hem of her garments." +She was, she said, indeed the mother of five dear children, but she +[Miss Anthony] is the mother of a nation of women. She thought the +women feared God rather than man, and it was only this which +encouraged them to speak on this subject, so dear to their hearts, +in public. One lady gave as a reason why she wanted to vote, that +it was because "the men did not want them to," which evoked +considerable merriment. This induced the chair to remind the +audience of Napoleon's rule: "Go, see what your enemy does not want +you to do and do it." Of the audience the <i>Inter-Ocean</i> said: "The +speakers of all the sessions were listened to with rapt attention +by the audience, and the points made were heartily applauded. It +would be difficult to gather so large an audience of our sex whose +appearance would be more suggestive of refinement and +intelligence."</p></div> + +<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> Miss Anthony, Mrs. Gage, Mrs. Chandler, Mrs. Spencer +and Mrs. Haggart.</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> Twenty delegates from eleven different States, who +had been in attendance at Chicago, went to Cincinnati.</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> Before which Mrs. Gage, Mrs. Meriwether, Miss +Anthony, Mrs. Spencer and Mrs. Blake spoke.</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> Miss Anthony, Mrs. Gage, Mrs. Blake, Mrs. Meriwether, +Mrs. Saxon, Miss. Couzins, Rev. Olympia Brown, Misses Rachel and +Julia Foster.</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> This was the last time this noble German woman +honored our platform, as her eventful life closed a few years +after.</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> Among others, from Assemblyman Lord, +State-Superintendent-of-Public-Instruction Whitford, J. M. Bingham +and Superintendent MacAlister.</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> The delegates were Olympia Brown, <i>Racine</i>; L. C. +Galt, M. M. Frazier, <i>Mukwonago</i>; E. A. Brown, <i>Berlin</i>; E. M. +Cooley, <i>Eureka</i>; E. L. Woolcott, <i>Ripon</i>; O. M. Patton, M. D., +<i>Appleton</i>; H. Suhm, E. Hohgrave, <i>Sauk City</i>; M. W. Mabbs, C. M. +Stowers, <i>Manitowoc</i>; S. C. Guernsey, <i>Janesville</i>; H. T. Patchin, +<i>New London</i>; Jennie Pomeroy, <i>Grand Rapids</i>; Mrs. H. W. Rice, +<i>Oconomowoc</i>; Amy Winship, <i>Racine</i>; Almedia B. Gray, Matilda +Graves, Jessie Gray, <i>Scholfield Mills</i>; Mrs. Mary Collins, +<i>Mukwonago</i>; Mrs. Jere Witter, <i>Grand Rapids</i>; Mrs. Lucina E. +DeWolff, <i>Whitewater</i>. The Milwaukee delegates were: Dr. Laura R. +Wolcott, Mme. Mathilde Franceske Anneke, Mrs. A. M. Bolds, Mrs. A. +Flagge, Agnes B. Campbell, Mary A. Rhienart, Matilda Pietsch, N. J. +Comstock, Sarah R. Munro, M. D., Juliet H. Severance, M. D., Mrs. +Emily Firega, Carl Doerflinger. Maximillian Grossman and Carl +Herman Boppe.</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> 1. Silent Invocation. 2. Music. 3. Eulogy, Elizabeth +Cady Stanton. 4. Tributes, Frederick Douglass, Susan B. Anthony. 5. +Music. 6. Tributes, Robert Purvis, May Wright Sewall, Phœbe W. +Couzins. 7. Closing Hymn—"<i>Nearer, my God, to Thee</i>."</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> Of the floral decorations, to which reference is made +above as contributing so largely to the handsome appearance of the +stage, the harp was furnished through Mr. Wormley in behalf of the +colored admirers of Mrs. Mott, and the <i>epergne</i> was provided for +the occasion by the National Association. There was also a basket +of flowers, conspicuous for its beauty, sent in by Senator Cameron +of Pennsylvania.</p></div> + +<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> The eulogy will be found in Volume I., page <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_407">407</a>.</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 <i>National Citizen</i> of February, 1881.</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> Edward M. Davis, Susan B. Anthony, Marilla M. Ricker, +Rachel and Julia Foster, Frederick Douglass, Belva A. Lockwood, +Robert Purvis, Elizabeth Cady Stanton. This was the first time that +Mrs. Martha M'Clellan Brown, Miss Jessie Waite, Mrs. May Wright +Sewall and Mrs. Thornton Charles were on our Washington platform. +The latter read a poem on woman's sphere.</p></div> + +<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> A standing committee is a permanent one about which +no question can be raised in any congress. A special committee is a +transient one to be decided upon at the opening of each congress; +hence may be at any time voted out of existence. No one understood +this better than New York's Stalwart senator, and his plausible +manner of killing the measure deceived the very elect. Enough +senators were pledged to have carried Mr. McDonald's motion had it +been properly understood, but they, as well as some of the ladies +in the gallery, were entirely misled by Mr. Conkling's seeming +earnest intention to hasten the demands of the women by a +short-lived committee, and while those in the gallery applauded, +those on the floor defeated the measure they intended to carry.</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> <i>Yeas</i>—Messrs. Beck, Booth, Brown, Coke, Davis (W. +Va.), Eaton, Edmunds, Farley, Garland, Groome, Hill (Ga.), Harris, +Ingalls, Kernan, Lamar, Morgan, Morrill, Pendleton, Platt, Pugh, +Ransom, Saulsbury, Slater, Vance, Vest and Withers—26. +</p><p> +<i>Nays</i>—Messrs. Anthony, Blair, Burnside, Butler, Call, Cameron +(Pa.), Cameron (Wis.), Conkling, Dawes, Ferry, Hoar, Johnston, +Jonas, Kellogg, Logan, McDonald, McMillan, McPherson, Rollins, +Saunders, Teller, Williams and Windom—23.</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> Of this reception the <i>National Republican</i> said: The +attractions presented by the fair seekers of the ballot were so +much superior to those of the dancing reception going on in the +parlors above, that it was almost impossible to form a set of the +lanciers until after the gathering in the lower parlors had +entirely dispersed.</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> Miss Anthony was presented with a beautiful basket of +flowers from Mrs. Mary Hamilton Williams of Fort Wayne, Ind., and +returned her thanks. Another interesting incident during the +proceedings of the convention was the presentation of an exquisite +gold cross from the "Philadelphia Citizens' Suffrage Association," +to Miss Anthony. Mrs. Sewall of Indianapolis, in a speech so tender +and loving as to bring tears to many eyes, conveyed to her the +message and the gift. Miss Anthony's acceptance was equally happy +and impressive. As during the last thirty years the press of the +country has made Susan B. Anthony a target for more ridicule and +abuse than any other woman on the suffrage platform, it is worth +noting that all who know her now vie with each other in +demonstrations of love and honor.—[E. C. S.</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> <span class="smcap">Providence</span>, R. I.—First Light Infantry Hall, May 30, +31. Rev. Frederick A. Hinckley gave the address of welcome. +</p><p> +<span class="smcap">Portland</span>, Me.—City Hall, June 2, 3. Rev. Dr. McKeown of the M. E. +Church made the address of welcome. Letter read from Dr. Henry C. +Garrish. Among the speakers were Charlotte Thomas, A. J. Grover. +</p><p> +<span class="smcap">Dover</span>, N. H.—Belknap Street Church, June 3, 4. Marilla M. Ricker +took the responsibility of this meeting. +</p><p> +<span class="smcap">Concord</span>, N. H.—White's Opera House, June 4, 5. Speakers +entertained by Mrs. Armenia Smith White. Olympia Brown and Miss +Anthony spoke before the legislature in Representatives +Hall—nearly all the members present—the latter returned on Sunday +and spoke on temperance and woman suffrage at the Opera House in +the afternoon, Universalist church in the evening. +</p><p> +<span class="smcap">Keene</span>, N. H.—Liberty, Hall, June 9, 10. Prayer offered by Rev. Mr. +Enkins. Mayor Russell presided and gave the address of welcome. +</p><p> +<span class="smcap">Hartford</span>, Ct.—Unity Hall. June 13, 14. Mrs. Hooker presiding; +Frances Ellen Burr, Emily P. Collins, Rev. Phebe A. Hanaford, +Caroline Gilkey Rogers, Mary A. Pell taking part in the meetings. +</p><p> +<span class="smcap">New Haven</span>, Ct.—Athæneum, June 15, 16. Joseph and Abby Sheldon, +Catherine Comstock and others entertained the visitors and +speakers. +</p><p> +The speakers who made the entire New England tour were Rev. Olympia +Brown, Mrs. Gage, Mrs. Saxon, Mrs. Meriwether, the Misses Foster +and Miss Anthony. The arrangements for all these conventions were +made by Rachel Foster of Philadelphia.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX.</h2> + +<h3>CONGRESSIONAL DEBATES AND CONVENTIONS.</h3> + +<h3>1882-1883.</h3> + + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>Prolonged Discussions in the Senate on a Special Committee to +Look After the Rights of Women, Messrs. Bayard, Morgan and Vest +in Opposition—Mr. Hoar Champions the Measure in the Senate, Mr. +Reed in the House—Washington Convention—Representative Orth and +Senator Saunders on the Woman Suffrage Platform—Hearings Before +Select Committees of Senate and House—Reception Given by Mrs. +Spofford at the Riggs House—Philadelphia Convention—Mrs. Hannah +Whitehall Smith's Dinner—Congratulations from the Central +Committee of Great Britain—Majority and Minority Reports in the +Senate—Nebraska Campaign—Conventions in Omaha—Joint Resolution +Introduced by Hon. John D. White of Kentucky, Referred to the +Select Committee—Washington Convention, January 24, 25, 26, +1883—Majority Report in the House. </p> +</div> + +<p><span class="sc">Although</span> the effort to secure a standing committee on the political +rights of women was defeated in the forty-sixth congress, by New +York's Stalwart Senator, Roscoe Conkling, motions were made early +in the first session of the forty-seventh congress, by Hon. George +F. Hoar in the Senate, and Hon. John D. White in the House, for a +special committee to look after the interests of women.<a name="FNanchor_81_81" id="FNanchor_81_81"></a><a href="#Footnote_81_81" class="fnanchor">[81]</a> It +passed by a vote of 115 to 84 in the House, and by 35 to 23 in the +Senate. On December 13, 1881, the Senate Committee on Rules +reported the following resolution for the appointment of a special +committee on woman suffrage:</p> + +<blockquote> +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That a select committee of seven senators be +appointed by the Chair, to whom shall be referred all +petitions, bills and resolves providing for the extension of +suffrage to women or the removal of their legal +disabilities. </p></blockquote> + +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">December</span> 14.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hoar</span>: I move to take up the resolution reported by the +Committee on Rules yesterday, for the appointment of a select +committee on the subject of woman suffrage.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Vest</span>: Mr. President, I am constrained to object to the passage +of this resolution, and I do it with considerable reluctance. At +present we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> have thirty standing committees of the Senate; four +joint and seven special committees, in addition to the one now +proposed.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: The Chair will inform the senator from +Missouri that a majority of the Senate has to decide whether the +resolution shall be considered.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Vest</span>: I understood the Chair to state that it was before the +Senate.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: It is before the Senate if there be no +objection. The Chair thought the senator made objection to its +consideration.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hoar</span>: It went over under the rule yesterday and comes up now.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Edmunds</span>: It is the regular order now.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: Certainly. The Chair thought the +senator from Missouri objected to its consideration.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Vest</span>: No, sir.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: The resolution is before the Senate +and open to debate.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Vest</span>: I have had the honor for a few years to be a member of +the Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds, and my colleagues on +that committee will bear witness with me to the trouble and +annoyance which at every session have arisen in regard to giving +accommodations to the special committees. Two sessions ago there +was a conflict between the Senate and House in regard to furnishing +committee-rooms for three special committees, and it is only upon +the doctrine of <i>pedis possessio</i> that the Senate to-day holds +three committee-rooms in the capitol, the House still laying claim +as a matter of law, through their Committee on Public Buildings and +Grounds, for the possession of these rooms. At the special session, +on account of the exigencies in regard to rooms, we were compelled +to take the retiring-room assigned near the gallery to the ladies, +and cut it into two rooms, to accommodate select committees.</p> + +<p>At this session we have created two special committees more, and I +should like to make the inquiry when and where this manufacture of +special committees is to cease? As soon as any subject becomes one +of comment in the newspapers, or, respectfully I say it, a hobby +with certain zealous partisans throughout the country, application +is made to the Senate of the United States and a special committee +is to be appointed. For this reason, and for the simple reason that +a stop must be had somewhere to the raising of special committees, +I oppose the proposition now before the Senate.</p> + +<p>But, Mr. President, I will be entirely ingenuous and give another +reason. This is simply a step toward the recognition of woman +suffrage, and I am opposed to it upon principle in its inception. +In my judgment it has nothing but mischief in it to the +institutions and to the society of this whole country. I do not +propose to enter into a discussion of that subject to-day, but it +will be proper for me to make this statement, and I make it +intending no reflection upon the zealous ladies who have engaged +for the past ten years in manufacturing a public sentiment upon +this question. I received to-day a letter from a distinguished lady +in my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> own State, for whom I have personally the greatest +admiration and respect, calling my attention to the fact that I +propose to deny justice to the women of the country. Mr. President, +I deny it. It is because I believe that the conservative influence +of society in the United States rests with the women of the country +that I propose not to degrade the wife and mother to the ward +politician, the justice of the peace, or the notary public. It is +because I believe honestly that all the best influences for the +conservation of society rest upon the women of the country in their +proper sphere that I shall oppose this and every other step now and +henceforth as violating, as I believe, one of the great essential +fundamental laws of nature and of society.</p> + +<p>Mr. President, the revenges of nature are sure and unerring, and +these revenges are just as certain in political matters and in +social matters as in the physical world. Now and here I desire to +record once for all my conviction that in this movement to take the +women of the country out of their proper sphere of social +influence, that great and glorious sphere in which nature and +nature's God have placed them, and rush them into the political +arena, the attempt is made to put them where they were never +intended to be; and I now and here record my opposition to it. This +may seem to be but a small matter, but as this letter shows, and I +reveal no private confidence, it recognizes the first great step in +this reform, as its advocates are pleased to term it. My practice +and conviction as a public man is to fight every wrong wherever I +believe it to exist. I am opposed to this movement. I am opposed to +it upon principle, upon conviction, and I shall call for the yeas +and nays in order to record my vote against it.</p> + + +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">December</span> 15.</p> + +<p>The Senate resumed the consideration of the resolution reported +from the Committee on Rules by Mr. Hoar on the 13th inst.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Vest</span>: Mr. President, I disclaim any intention again to incite +or excite any general discussion in regard to woman suffrage. The +senator from Massachusetts [Mr. Hoar], for whom I have very great +regard, was yesterday pleased to observe that the State governments +furnished by the senator from Missouri and other senators in the +past had been no argument in favor of manhood suffrage. Mr. +President, I have been under the impression that the American +people to-day are the best governed, the best clothed, the best +fed, the best housed, the happiest people upon the face of the +globe, and that, too, notwithstanding the fact that they have been +under the domination of the Republican party for twenty long years. +I have also been under the impression that the institutions of the +States and of the United States are an improvement upon all +governmental theories and schemes hitherto known to mortal man; but +we are to learn to-day from the senator from Massachusetts that +this government and the State governments have been failures, and +that woman suffrage must be introduced in order to purify the +political atmosphere and elevate the suffrage.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hoar</span>: Will the senator allow me to interrupt him for a moment?</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Vest</span>: Of course.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hoar</span>: I desire to disclaim the meaning which the honorable +senator seems to have put upon my words. I agree with him that the +American governments have been the best on the face of the earth, +but it is because of their adoption of that principle of equality +more than any other government, the logical effect of which will +compel them to yield the right prayed for to women, that they are +the best. But still best as they are, I said, and mean to say, that +the business of governing mankind has been the one business on the +face of the earth which has been done most clumsily, which has +been, even where most excellent, full of mistakes, expense, +injustice, and wrong-doing. What I said was that I did not think +the persons to whom that privileged function had been committed so +far were entitled to claim any special superiority for the +masculine intellect in the results which it had achieved.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Vest</span>: To say that the governments, State and national, now in +existence upon this continent are imperfect is but to announce the +truism that everything made by man is necessarily imperfect. But I +stand here to declare to-day that the governments of the States, +and the national government, in theory, although failing sometimes +in practice, are a standing monument to the genius and intellect of +the men who created them. But the senator from Massachusetts was +pleased to say further, that woman suffrage should obtain in this +country in the interest of education. I permit not that senator to +go further than myself in the line of universal public education. I +have declared, over and over again, in every county in my State for +the past ten years, that universal education should accompany +universal suffrage, that the school-house should crown every mound +in prairie and forest, that it was the temple of liberty and the +altar of law and order.</p> + +<p>I well remember that I was thrilled with the eloquence of the +distinguished senator from Massachusetts at the last session of the +last congress, when, upon a bill to provide for general education +by a donation of the public lands, he so pathetically and justly +described the mass of dark ignorance and illiteracy projected upon +the people of the South under the policy of the Republican party, +and the senator then stood here and said that the people of +Massachusetts extended the public lands to relieve the people of +the South from this monstrous burden. What does the senator propose +to do to-day? He proposes with one stroke of the pen to double, and +more than double, the illiterate suffrage of the United States. The +senator says that one-half the people of the United States are +represented in this measure of woman suffrage. I deny it, sir. If +the senator means that the women of America, comprising one-half of +the population, are interested in this measure, I deny it most +emphatically and most peremptorily. Not one-tenth of them want it. +Not one-tenth of the mothers and sisters and Christian women of +this land want to be turned into politicians or to meddle in a +sphere to which God and nature have not assigned them.</p> + +<p>Sir, there are some ladies—and I do not intend to term them +anything but ladies—who are zealously engaged in this cause, and +they have flooded this hall with petitions, and have called their +women's rights conventions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> all over the land. I assail not their +motives, but I deny that they represent the women of the United +States. I say that if woman suffrage obtains, the worst class of +the women of the country will rush to the polls and the best class +will remain away by a large majority. That is my deliberate +judgment and firm conviction. But, Mr. President, a word in regard +to the committees. I desire no general discussion upon woman +suffrage, and simply alluded in passing to what had been said by +the senator from Massachusetts.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: The hour of one o'clock has arrived, +and the morning hour is closed.</p> + + +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">December</span> 16.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Jones</span> of Florida: I desire to call up a resolution now lying on +the table, which I introduced on the 14th instant, calling for +information from the Secretary of War touching a ship-canal across +the peninsula of Florida.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hoar</span>: Mr. President—</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: The senator from Florida asks leave to +call up a resolution submitted by him.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hoar</span>: My resolution was before the Senate yesterday, and comes +up in order. I hope we shall vote on it.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Jones</span> of Florida: I will only say that my resolution was laid +over temporarily on the objection of the senator from Vermont [Mr. +Edmunds], which he will not insist upon.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hoar</span>: Allow me to call the attention of the Chair to the fact; +it is not the question of a resolution which has not been taken up. +The resolution reported by me from the Committee on Rules was taken +up, and was under discussion when the senator from Missouri [Mr. +Vest] was taken from the floor by the expiration of the morning +hour, in the midst of his remarks. Certainly his right to conclude +his remarks takes precedence of other business under the usual +practice of the Senate.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: The Chair thought the senator from +Missouri had ended his remarks, or he would not have interposed +when he did.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hoar</span>: No, sir.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Jones</span> of Florida: My resolution involves no debate. It is +merely a resolution of inquiry.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hoar</span>: The other will be disposed of, I hope, in a few moments.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Jones</span> of Florida: The resolution to which I refer went over +informally on the objection of the senator from Vermont, and I +think he has no objection now.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hoar</span>: The other will be disposed of in a moment, and I hope we +shall vote on it.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: The Chair lays before the Senate the +resolution of the senator from Massachusetts [Mr. Hoar].</p> + +<p>The Senate resumed the consideration of the resolution reported +from the Committee on Rules by Mr. Hoar on the 13th instant.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: The Chair would state to the senator +from Missouri [Mr. Vest] that the Chair supposed yesterday that he +had finished<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> his remarks, or the Chair would not have stopped him +at that moment. The question is on agreeing to the resolution, on +which the senator from Missouri [Mr. Vest] is entitled to the +floor.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Vest</span>: Mr. President, I was on the eve of finishing my remarks +yesterday when the morning hour expired, and I do not now wish to +detain the Senate. I was about to say at that time that the Senate +now has forty-one committees, with a small army of messengers and +clerks, one-half of whom, without exaggeration, are literally +without employment. I shall not pretend to specify the committees +of this body which have not one single bill, resolution, or +proposition of any sort pending before them, and have not had for +months. I am very well aware that if I should name one of them, +Liberty would lie bleeding in the streets at once, and that +committee would become the most important on the list of committees +of the Senate. I shall not venture to do that. I am informed by the +Sergeant-at-arms that if this resolution is adopted he must have +six additional messengers to be added to that body of ornamental +employés who now stand or sit at the doors of the respective +committee-rooms. I have heard that this committee is for the +purpose of giving a committee to a senator in this body. I have +heard the statement made, but I cannot believe it, and I am very +certain that no senator will undertake to champion the resolution +upon any such ground.</p> + +<p>The senator from Massachusetts was pleased to say that the +Committee on the Judiciary had so many important questions pending +before it, that the subject of woman suffrage should not be added +to them. The Committee on Territories is open to any complaint or +suggestion by the ladies who advocate woman suffrage, in regard to +this subject in the territories; and the Committee on Privileges +and Elections to which this subject should go most appropriately, +as affecting the suffrage, has not now before it, as I am informed, +one single bill, resolution, or proposition of any sort whatever. +That committee is also open to inquiry upon this subject.</p> + +<p>But, Mr. President, out of all committees without business, and +habitually without business, in this body, there is one that beyond +any question could take jurisdiction of this matter and do it ample +justice. I refer to that most respectable and antique institution, +the Committee on Revolutionary Claims. For thirty years it has been +without business. For thirty long years the placid surface of that +parliamentary sea has been without one single ripple. If the +senator from Massachusetts desires a tribunal for calm judicial +equilibrium and examination, a tribunal far from the "madding +crowd's ignoble strife," a tribunal eminently respectable, +dignified and unique, why not send this question to the Committee +on Revolutionary Claims? When I name the <i>personnel</i> of that +committee it will be evident that any consideration on any subject +touching the female sex would receive not only deliberate but +immediate attention, for the second member upon that committee is +my distinguished friend from Florida [Mr. Jones], and who can doubt +that he would give his undivided attention to the subject? +[Laughter.] It is eminently proper that this subject should go to +that committee because if there is any revolutionary claim in this +country it is that of woman suffrage. [Laughter.] It +revolutionizes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> society; it revolutionizes religion; it +revolutionizes the constitution and laws; and it revolutionizes the +opinions of those so old-fashioned among us as to believe that the +legitimate and proper sphere of woman is the family circle as wife +and mother and not as politician and voter—those of us who are +proud to believe that—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">A woman's noblest station is retreat;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Her fairest virtues fly from public sight;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Domestic worth—that shuns too strong a light.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>Before that Committee on Revolutionary Claims why could not this +most revolutionary of all claims receive immediate and ample +attention? More than that, as I said before, if there is any +tribunal that could give undivided time and dignified attention, is +it not this committee? If there is one peaceful haven of rest, +never disturbed by any profane bill or resolution of any sort, it +is the Committee on Revolutionary Claims. It is, in parliamentary +life, described by that ecstatic verse in Watts' hymn:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">There shall I bathe my wearied soul<br /></span> +<span class="i1">In seas of endless rest,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And not one wave of trouble roll<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Across my peaceful breast.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>For thirty years there has been no excitement in that committee, +and it needs to-day, in Western phrase, some "stirring-up." By all +natural laws stagnation breeds disease and death; and what could +stir up this most venerable and respectable institution more than +an application of the strong-minded, with short hair and shorter +skirts, invading its dignified realm and elucidating all the +excellences of female suffrage? Moreover, if these ladies could +ever succeed, in the providence of God, in obtaining a report from +that committee, it would end this question forever; for the public +at large and myself included, in view of that miracle of female +blandishment and female influence, would surrender at once, and +female suffrage would become constitutional and lawful. Sir, I +insist upon it that in deference to this committee, in deference to +the fact that it needs this sort of regimen and medicine, this +whole subject should be so referred. [Laughter.]</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Morrill</span>: Mr. President, I do not desire to say anything as to +the merits of the resolution, but I understand the sole purpose of +raising this committee is to have a committee-room. So far as I +know, there are some five or six committees now which are destitute +of rooms, and it would be impossible for the Committee on Public +Buildings and Grounds to assign any room to this committee—the +object which I understand is at the foundation of the introduction +of the proposition; that is to say, to give these ladies an +opportunity to be heard in some appropriate committee-room on the +questions which they wish to agitate and submit.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hoar</span>: They would find room in some other committee-room. They +could have the room of the Committee on Privileges and Elections, +if there were no other place.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: The question is on the adoption of the +resolution reported by the senator from Massachusetts.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Harris</span>: Did not the senator from Missouri [Mr. Vest] offer an +amendment?</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Garland</span>: As I understand, he moved to refer the subject to the +Committee on Revolutionary Claims.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: Does the Chair understand that the +senator from Missouri has offered an amendment?</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Vest</span>: Yes, sir; I move to refer the matter to the Committee on +Revolutionary Claims.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Conger</span>: Let the resolution be reported.</p> + +<p>The acting secretary read the resolution.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: The senator from Missouri offers an +amendment, that the subject be referred to the standing Committee +on Revolutionary Claims. The question is on the amendment of the +senator from Missouri. [Putting the question.] The noes appear to +have it.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Farley</span> called for the yeas and nays, and they were ordered and +taken.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Blair</span> [after having voted in the negative]: I have voted +inadvertently. I am paired with the senator from Alabama [Mr. +Pugh]. Were he present he would have voted "yea," as I have voted +"nay." I withdraw my vote.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Windom</span>: I am paired with the senator from West Virginia [Mr. +Davis], but as I understand he would vote "nay" on this question, I +vote "nay."</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Ingalls</span>: I am paired with the senator from Mississippi [Mr. +Lamar].</p> + +<p>The result was announced—yeas 22, nays 31. So the motion was not +agreed to.</p> + +<p>The<span class="smcap"> President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: The question recurs on the adoption of +the resolution.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Bayard</span>: Is it in order for me to move the reference of the +subject to the Committee on the Judiciary?</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: It is in order to move to refer the +resolution to the Committee on the Judiciary, the Chair +understands.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Bayard</span>: Then I make a motion that the resolution be sent to the +Committee on the Judiciary. I would state that I voted with some +regret and hesitancy upon the motion of the senator from Missouri +[Mr. Vest] to refer this matter to the Committee on Revolutionary +Claims. My regret was owing to the fact that I do not wish even to +seem to treat a subject of this character in a spirit of levity, or +to indicate the slightest disrespect by such a reference, to those +whose opinions upon this subject differ essentially from my own. I +cast the vote because I considered it would be taking the subject +virtually away from the consideration of congress at its present +session. I do, however, hold that there is no necessity for the +creation of a special committee to attend to this subject. The +Committee on the Judiciary has within the last few years, upon many +occasions, attempted to deal with it. Since you, sir, and I have +been members of that committee—</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hoar</span>: Mr. President<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span>—</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: Will the senator from Delaware yield +to the senator from Massachusetts?</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Bayard</span>: I will, if he thinks it necessary to interrupt me.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hoar</span>: I desire to ask the senator, if he is willing, having +been lately a member of the committee to which he refers, whether +it is not the rule of that committee to allow no hearings to +individual petitioners, a rule which is departed from only in very +rare and peculiar cases?</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Bayard</span>: I will reply to the honorable senator that the occasion +which arose to my mind and caused me to remember the action of that +committee was the audience given by it to a very large delegation +of woman suffragists, <i>to wit</i>, the representatives of a convention +held in this city, who to the number, I think, of twenty-five, came +into the committee-room of the Committee on the Judiciary, and were +heard, as I remember, for more than one day, or certainly had more +than one hearing, before that committee, of which you, sir, and I +were members.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hoar</span>: If the senator will pardon me, however, he has not +answered my question. I asked the senator not whether on one +particular occasion they gave a hearing on this subject, but +whether it is not the rule of that committee, occasioned by the +necessity of its business, from which it departs only in very rare +cases, not to give hearings?</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Bayard</span>: I cannot answer whether a rule so defined as that +suggested by the honorable senator from Massachusetts exists in +that committee. It is my impression, however, that cases are +frequently, by order of that committee, argued before it. We have +had very elaborate and able arguments upon subjects connected with +the Pacific railroads, I remember; and we have had arguments upon +various subjects. It is constantly our pleasure to hear members of +the Senate upon a variety of questions before that committee. It +may be only a proof that women's rights are not unrecognized nor +their influence unfelt when I state the fact that if there be such +a rule as is suggested by the honorable senator from Massachusetts +of excluding persons from the audience of that committee, on the +occasion of the application of the ladies a hearing was granted, +and they came in force,—not only force in numbers, but force in +the character and intelligence of those who appeared before the +committee. They were listened to with great respect, but their +views were not concurred in by the committee as it was then +composed. We were all entertained by the bright wit, the clever +and, in my judgment, in many respects, the just sarcasm of our +honorable friend from Missouri [Mr. Vest], but my habit is not to +consider public measures in a jocular light; it is not to consider +a question of this kind in a jocular light. Whatever may be the +merits or demerits of this proposition, whatever may be the reasons +for or against it, no man can doubt that it will strike at the very +roots of the present organization of society, and that its +consequences will be most profound and far-reaching should the +advocates of the measure proposed prevail.</p> + +<p>Therefore it is that I think this subject should not be considered +separately; it should not have a special committee—either of +advocates or opponents arranged for its consideration; but it +should go where proposed amendments to the fundamental law of the +land have always been sent for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> consideration,—to that committee +to which judicial questions, questions of a constitutional nature, +have always in the history of this government been committed. There +is no need, there is no justice, there is no wisdom in attempting +to separate the fate of this question, which affects society so +profoundly and generally, from the other questions that affect +society. It cannot be made a specialty: it ought not to be. You +cannot tear this question from the great contest of human passions, +affections, and interests which surround it, and treat it as a +thing by itself. It has many sides from which it may be viewed, +some that are not proper or fitting for this forum, and a +discussion now in public. There are the claims of religion itself +to be considered in connection with this case. Civil rights, social +rights, political rights, religious rights, all are bound up in the +consideration of a measure like this. In its consideration you +cannot safely attempt to segregate this question and leave it +untouched and uninfluenced by all those other questions by which it +is surrounded and in the consideration of which it is bound to be +connected and concerned. Therefore, without going further, +prematurely, into a discussion of the merits of the proposition +itself or its desirability, I say that it should take the usual +course which the practice and laws of this body have given to grave +public questions. Let it go to the Committee on the Judiciary, and +let them, under their sense of duty, deal with it according to its +gravity and importance, and if it be here returned let it be passed +upon by the grave deliberations of the Senate itself. I hope the +special committee proposed will not be raised, and I trust the +Senate will concur with me in thinking that the subject should be +sent to the Committee on the Judiciary.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Logan</span> rose.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: The morning hour has expired.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Logan</span>: I want to say just one word.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: It requires unanimous consent.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Logan</span>: I do not wish to make a speech; I merely desire to say a +word in response to what the senator from Delaware [Mr. Bayard] has +said in relation to the reference to the Judiciary Committee.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Harris</span>: I ask unanimous consent that the senator from Illinois +may proceed.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: There being no objection unanimous +consent will be presumed to have been given for the senator from +Illinois to make his explanation.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Logan</span>: This question having been once before the Judiciary +Committee, and it being a request by many ladies, who are citizens +of the United States just as we are, that they should have a +special committee of the Senate before which they can be heard, I +deem it proper and right, without any committal whatever in +reference to my own views, that they should have that committee. It +is nothing but fair, just, and right that they should have a +committee organized as nearly as can be in the Senate in favor of +the views they desire to present. It is treating them only as other +citizens would desire to be treated before a body of this +character. I am, therefore, opposed to the reference of the +proposition to the Judiciary Committee, and I hope the Senate will +give these ladies a special committee<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> where they can be heard, and +that that committee may be so organized as that it will be as +favorable to their views as possible, so that they may have a fair +hearing. That is all I desire to say.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Morrill</span>: I hope this subject will be concluded this morning, +otherwise it is to come up constantly and monopolize all the time +of the morning hour. I do not think it will require many minutes +more to dispose of it now.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: The Chair will entertain a motion on +that subject.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Morrill</span>: I move to set aside other business until this +resolution shall be disposed of. If it should continue any length +of time of course I would withdraw the suggestion.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: The senator from Vermont—</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Voorhees</span>: Mr. President, I feel constrained to call for the +regular order.</p> + + +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">December</span> 19, 1881.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: Are there further "concurrent or other +resolutions"?</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hoar</span>: I call up the resolution in regard to woman suffrage, +reported by me from the Committee on Rules.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Jones</span> of Florida: I ask for information how long the morning +hour is to extend?</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: The regular business of the morning +hour is closed. The morning hour, however, will not expire until +twenty minutes past one. The senator from Massachusetts asks to +have taken up the resolution reported by him from the Committee on +Rules.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hoar</span>: I hope we may have a vote on the resolution this morning.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: The question is on the amendment +proposed by the senator from Delaware [Mr. Bayard], that the +subject be referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hoar</span>: It is not intended by the resolution to commit the +Senate, or any senator in the slightest degree to any opinion upon +the question of woman suffrage, but it is merely the question of a +convenient mode of hearing. I hope we shall be allowed to have a +vote on the resolution.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: Is the Senate ready for the question +on the motion of the senator from Delaware?</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Bayard</span> and Mr. <span class="smcap">Farley</span> called for the yeas and nays, and they +were ordered.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Beck</span>: Mr. President, I have received a number of communications +from very respectable ladies in my own State upon this important +question; but I am unable to comply with their request and support +the female suffrage which they advocate. I shall vote for the +reference to the Committee on the Judiciary in order that there may +be a thorough investigation of the question. I wholly disagree with +the suggestion of the senator from Illinois [Mr. Logan], that a +committee ought to be appointed as favorable to the views of these +ladies as possible. I desire a committee that will have no views, +for or against them, except what is best for the public good. Such +a committee I understand the Committee on the Judiciary to be.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span></p> + +<p>I desire to say only in a word that the difficulty I have and the +question I desire the Committee on the Judiciary to report upon is, +the effect of this question upon suffrage. By the fifteenth +amendment to the Constitution of the United States there can be no +discrimination made in regard to voting on account of race, color +or previous condition. Intelligence is properly regarded as one of +the fundamental principles of fair suffrage. We have been compelled +in the last ten years to allow all the colored men of the South to +become voters. There is a mass of ignorance there to be absorbed +that will take years and years of care in order to bring that class +up to the standard of intelligent voters. The several States are +addressing themselves to that task as earnestly as possible. Now it +is proposed that all the women of the country shall vote; that all +the colored women of the South, who are as much more ignorant than +the colored men as it is possible to imagine, shall vote. Not one +perhaps in a hundred of them can read or write. The colored men +have had the advantages of communication with other men in a +variety of forms. Many of them have considerable intelligence; but +the colored women have not had equal chances. Take them from their +wash-tubs and their household work and they are absolutely ignorant +of the new duties of voting citizens. The intelligent ladies of the +North and the West and the South cannot vote without extending that +privilege to that class of ignorant colored people. I doubt whether +any man will say that it is safe for the republic now, when we are +going through the problem we are obliged to solve, to fling in this +additional mass of ignorance upon the suffrage of the country. Why, +sir, a rich corporation or a body of men of wealth could buy them +up for fifty cents apiece, and they would vote without knowing what +they were doing for the side that paid most. Yet we are asked to +confer suffrage upon them, and to have a committee appointed as +favorable to that view as possible, so as to get a favorable report +upon it!</p> + +<p>I want the Committee on the Judiciary to tell the congress and the +country whether they think it is good policy now to confer suffrage +on all the colored women of the South, ignorant as they are known +to be, and thus add to the ignorance that we are now struggling +with, and whether the republic can be sustained upon such a basis +as that. For that reason, and because I want that information from +an unbiased committee, because I know that suffrage has been +degraded sufficiently already, and because it would be degraded +infinitely more if a report favorable to this extension of suffrage +should be adopted and passed through congress, I am opposed to this +movement. No matter if there are a number of respectable ladies who +are competent to vote and desire it to be done, because of the very +fact that they cannot be allowed this privilege without giving all +the mass of ignorant colored women in the country the right to +vote, thus bringing in a mass of ignorance that would crush and +degrade the suffrage of this country almost beyond conception, I +shall vote to refer the subject to the Judiciary Committee, and I +shall await their report with a good deal of anxiety.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Morgan</span>: Mr. President<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span>—</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: The morning hour has expired, and the +unfinished business is before the Senate.</p> + + +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">December 20, 1881.</span></p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hoar</span>: I now call up the resolution for appointing a special +committee on woman suffrage.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: The morning hour having expired, the +senator from Massachusetts calls up the resolution which was under +consideration yesterday.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Ingalls</span>: What is the regular order?</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: There is no regular unfinished +business. The senator from Florida [Mr. Call] gave notice yesterday +that he would ask the indulgence of the Senate to-day to consider +the subject of homestead rights.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hoar</span>: I hope this matter may be disposed of. It is very +unpleasant to me to stand before the Senate in this way, taking up +its time with this matter in a five minutes' debate every day in +succession for an unlimited period of time. It is a matter which +every senator understands. It has nothing to do with the merits of +the woman suffrage question at all. It is a mere desire on the part +of these people to have a particular form of hearing, which seems +to me the most convenient for the Senate, and I hope the Senate +will be willing to vote on the resolution and let it pass.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Morgan</span>: I have no objection to proceeding to the consideration +of the resolution, but I desire to address the Senate upon it.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hoar</span>: I think I must ask now as a favor of the senator from +Alabama that he let the resolution be disposed of promptly.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: The senator from Alabama states that +he has no objection to the present consideration of the resolution, +but he asks leave to make some remarks upon it. The Chair hearing +no objection to the consideration of the resolution, it is before +the Senate.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Farley</span>: I object to the consideration of the resolution.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hoar</span>: I move to take it up.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: The senator from Massachusetts calls +it up as a matter of right. If a majority of the Senate agree to +take up the resolution it is before the Senate, and the Chair will +put the question. The question is on agreeing to the motion of the +senator from Massachusetts to proceed to the consideration of the +resolution. [The motion was agreed to; and the Senate resumed the +consideration of the resolution reported from the Committee on +Rules by Mr. Hoar on the 13th instant, which was read.]</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: The pending question is on the motion +of the senator from Delaware [Mr. Bayard] to refer the subject to +the Committee on the Judiciary, on which the yeas and nays have +been ordered.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Morgan</span>: Mr. President, I stand in a different relation to this +question from that of the senator from Kentucky [Mr. Beck], who +said yesterday that he had received a number of communications from +very respectable ladies in his own State upon this very important +subject, and yet felt constrained by a sense of duty to deny the +action which they solicited at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> the hands of congress. I am not +informed that any woman from Alabama has ever sent a petition to +the Senate, or to either house, upon this matter. Indeed, it is my +impression that no petitions or letters have ever been addressed by +any lady in the State of Alabama to either house of congress upon +this question. It may be that that peculiar type of civilization +which drives women from their homes to the ballot-box to seek +redress and protection against their husbands has never yet reached +the State of Alabama, and I shall not be disagreeably disappointed +if it should never come upon our people, for they have lived in +harmony and in prosperity now for many years. Besides the relief +which the State has seen proper to give to married women in respect +of their separate estates, we have not thought it wise or politic +in any sense to go further and undertake to make a line of +demarkation between the husband and wife as politicians. On the +contrary, according to our estimate of a proper civilization, we +look to the family relation as being the true foundation of our +republican institutions. Strike out the family relation, disband +the family, destroy the proper authority of the person at the head +of the family, either the wife or the husband, and you take from +popular government all legitimate foundation.</p> + +<p>The measure which is now brought before the Senate of the United +States is but the initial measure of a series which has been urged +upon the attention of States and territories, and upon the +attention of the Congress of the United States in various forms to +draw a line of political demarkation through a man's household, +through his fireside, and to open to the intrusion of politics and +politicians that sacred circle of the family where no man should be +permitted to intrude without the consent of both the heads of the +family. What picture could be more disagreeable or more disgusting +than to have a pot-house politician introduce himself into a +gentleman's family, with his wife seated at one side of the +fireplace and himself at the other, and this man coming between to +urge arguments why the wife should oppose the policy that the +husband advocates, or that the husband should oppose the policy +that the wife advocates?</p> + +<p>If this measure means anything it is a proposition that the Senate +of the United States shall first vote to carry into effect this +unjust and improper intrusion into the home circle. Suppose this +resolution to raise a select committee should be passed: that +committee will have its hands full and its ears full of petitions +and applications and speeches from strong-minded women, and of +course it must make some report to the Senate; and we shall have +this subject introduced in here as one that requires a peculiar +application of the powers of the Senate for its digestion and for +the completion of the bills and measures founded upon it. At the +next session of congress this select committee will become a +standing committee of the Senate, and then we shall have that which +appears to be the most potential and at the same time the most +dangerous element in politics to-day, agitation, agitation, +agitation. It seems that the legislators of the United States +Government are not to be allowed to pass in quiet judgment upon +measures of this character, but like many other things which are +addressing themselves to the attention of the people on this side +of the water and the other, they must all be moved against the +Senate and against the House<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> by agitation. You raise your +committee and allow the agitators to come before them, yea, more +than that, you invite them to come; and what is the result? The +Congress of the United States will for the next ten or perhaps +twenty years be continually assailed for special and peculiar +legislation in favor of the women of the land.</p> + +<p>I do not understand that a woman in this country has any more right +to a select committee than a man has. It would be just as rational +and as proper in every legislative and parliamentary sense to have +a select committee for the consideration of the rights of men as to +have a committee for the consideration of the rights of women. I +object, sir, to this disseverance between the sexes, and I object +to the Senate of the United States giving its sanction in advance +or in any way to this character of legislation. It is a false +principle, and it will work evil, and only evil, in this country.</p> + +<p>What jurisdiction do you expect to exercise in the Senate of the +United States for the benefit of the women in respect of suffrage +or in respect of separate estates? Where are the boundaries of your +jurisdiction? You find them in the territories and in the District +of Columbia. If you expect to proceed into the States you must have +the Constitution of the United States amended so as to put our +wives and our daughters upon the footing of those who are provided +for in the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments. Your jurisdiction +is limited to the territories and to the District of Columbia.</p> + +<p>Inasmuch as this measure, I understand, has been made a party +measure by the decree of a caucus, I propose to make some little +inquiry into the past legislation of the Congress of the United +States under Republican rule in respect of the extension of the +right of suffrage to certain classes of people in this country. I +will take up first the territories.</p> + +<p>Let us look for a moment at the result of woman suffrage in some of +the territories. The territorial legislature of Utah has gone +forward and conferred the right of suffrage upon women. The +population in the last decade has reached from 64,000, I believe, +to about 150,000. The territorial legislature of Utah conferred +upon the females of that territory the right of suffrage, and how +have they exercised that right? Sir, I am ashamed to say it, but it +is known to the world that the power of Mormonism and polygamy in +Utah territory is sustained by female suffrage. You cannot get rid +of those laws. Ninety per cent. of the legislative power of Utah +territory is Mormon and polygamous. If female suffrage is to be +incorporated into the laws of our country with a view to the +amelioration of our morals or our political sentiments, we stand +aghast at the spectacle of what has been wrought by its exercise in +the territory of Utah. There stands a power supporting the crime of +polygamy through what they call a divine inspiration, or teaching +from God, and all the power of the judges of the United States and +of the Congress of the United States has been unavailing to break +it down. Who have upheld it? Those who in the family circle +represent one husband to fifteen women. A continual accumulation of +the power of the church and of polygamy is going on, and when the +Gentiles, as they are called, enter that territory with the view of +breaking it up they are confronted by the women, who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> are allowed +to vote, and from whom we should naturally expect a better and a +higher morality in reference to subjects of the kind. But this only +shows the power of man over woman. It only shows how through her +tender affections, her delicate sensibilities, and her confiding +spirit she can be made the very slave and bond-servant of man, and +can scarcely ever be made an independent participant in the +stronger exercise of the powers which God seems to have intrusted +to him. Never was there a picture more disgusting or more +condemnatory of the extension of the franchise to women as +contradistinguished from men than is presented in the territory of +Utah to-day.</p> + +<p>Where is the necessity of raising the number of voters in the +United States from 10,000,000 to 20,000,000? That would be the +direct effect of conferring suffrage upon the women, for they are +at least one-half, if not a little more than one-half, of the +entire population of the country above the age of twenty-one. We +have now masses of voters so enormous in numbers as that it seems +to be almost beyond the power of the law to execute the purposes of +the elective franchise with justice, with propriety, and without +crime. How much would these difficulties and these intrinsic +troubles be increased if we should raise the number of voters from +10,000,000 to 20,000,000 in the United States? That would be the +direct and immediate effect of conferring the franchise upon the +women. What would be the next effect of such an extension of the +suffrage? It was described by my friend from Missouri [Mr. Vest] +and by other senators who have spoken upon this subject. The effect +would be to drive the ladies of the land, as they are termed, the +well-bred and well-educated women, the women of nice sensibilities, +within their home circle, there to remain, while the ruder of that +sex would thrust themselves out on the hustings and at the +ballot-box, and fight their way to the polls through negroes and +others who are not the best of company even at the polls, to say +nothing of the disgrace of association with them. You would +paralyze one-third at least of the women of this land by the very +vulgarity of the overture made to them that they should go +struggling to the polls in order to vote in common with the herd of +men. They would not undertake it. The most intelligent and +trustworthy part of the suffrage thus placed upon the land would +never be available, while that which was not worthy of respect +either for its character or for its information would take the +matter in hand and move along in the circle of politicians to cast +their suffrages at the ballot-box.</p> + +<p>As the States to be formed out of the territories are admitted into +the Union, they will come stamped with the characteristics which +the legislatures of the territories have imprinted upon them; and +if after due consideration in those territories the men who have +the regulation of public affairs should come to the conclusion that +it was best to have woman suffrage, then we can allow them, under +existing laws, to go on and perfect their systems and apply for +admission into the Union with them as they may choose to adopt them +and to shape them. The law upon that subject as it exists is +liberal enough, for it gives to the legislatures the right to +regulate the qualifications of suffrage. It leaves it to each +local<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> community, wherever it may be throughout the territories of +the United States, to determine for itself what it may prefer to +have.</p> + +<p>Is it the object in the raising of this committee only that it +shall have so many speeches made, so much talk about it, or is it +to be the object of the committee to have legislation brought here? +If you bring legislation here, what will you bring? An amendment to +the constitution like the fourteenth amendment, or else some +provision obligatory upon the territories by which female suffrage +shall be allowed there, whether the people want it or whether they +do not? For my part, before this session of congress ends I intend +to introduce a bill to repeal woman suffrage in the territory of +Utah, knowing and believing that that will be the most effectual +remedy for the extirpation of polygamy in that unfortunate +territory. If you choose to repeal the laws of any territory +conferring the right of suffrage upon women you have the power in +congress to do it; but there are no measures introduced here and +none advocated in that direction. The whole drift of this movement +is in the other direction. This committee is sought to be raised +either for the accommodation of some senator who wants a +chairmanship and a clerk, or it is sought to be raised for the +purpose of encouraging a raid on the laws and traditions of this +country, which I think would end in our total demoralization, I +therefore oppose this measure in the beginning, and I expect to +oppose it as far as it may go.</p> + +<p>Now let us notice for a moment the case of the District of +Columbia. There are some senators here who have given themselves a +great deal of trouble in the advocacy of the right of suffrage of +the people of the United States, and especially of the colored +people. They put themselves to great trouble, and doubtless at some +expense of feeling, to worry and beset and harry gentlemen who come +from certain States of this Union, in reference to the votes of the +negroes: and yet these very gentlemen have been either in this +House or in the other when the Republican party has had a +two-thirds majority of both branches and has deliberately taken +from the people of the District of Columbia the right to elect any +officer from a constable to a mayor, all because when the +experiment was tried here it was found that the negroes were a +little too strong. There was too much African suffrage in the +ballot-box, and they must get rid of it, and to get rid of it on +terms of equality they have disfranchised every man in the District +of Columbia.</p> + +<p>I shall have more faith in the sincerity of the declarations of +gentlemen of their desire to have the women vote when I see that +they have made some step toward the restoration of the right of +suffrage to the people of the District of Columbia. While they let +this blot remain upon our law, while they allow this damning +conviction to stand, they may stare us in the face and accuse us +continually of a want of candor and sincerity on this subject, but +they will address their arguments to me in vain, even as coming +from men who have an infatuation upon the subject. I do not believe +a word of it, Mr. President.</p> + +<p>I cannot be convinced against these facts that this new movement in +favor of female suffrage means anything more than to add another +patch<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> to the worn-out garment of Republicanism, which they patched +with Mahoneism in Virginia, with repudiation elsewhere, and which +they now seek to patch further by putting on the delicate little +silk covering of woman suffrage. I do not believe that this +movement has its root and branch in any sincere desire to give to +the women of this land the right of suffrage. I think it is a mere +party movement with a view of attempting to draw into the reach of +the Republican party some little support from the sympathy and +interest they suppose the ladies will take in their cause if they +should advocate it here. No bill, perhaps, is expected to be +reported. The committee will sit and listen and profess to be +charmed and enlightened and instructed by what may be said, and +then the subject will be passed by without any actual effort to +secure the passage of a bill.</p> + +<p>Introduce your bills and let them go to the Judiciary Committee, +where the rights of men are to be considered as well as the rights +of women. If this subject is of that pressing national importance +which senators seem to think it is, it is not to be supposed that +the Committee on the Judiciary will fail to give it profound and +early attention. When you bring a select committee forward under +the circumstances under which this is to be raised, you must not +expect us to give credit generally to the idea that the real +purpose is to advance the cause of woman suffrage, but rather that +the real purpose is to advance the cause of political domination in +this country. I can see no reason for the raising of this select +committee, unless it be to furnish some senator, as I have +remarked, with a clerk and messenger. If that were the avowed +reason or could even be intimated, I think I should be disposed to +yield that courtesy to the senator, whoever he might be; but I +cannot do it under the false pretext that the real object is to +bring forward measures here for the introduction of woman suffrage +into the District of Columbia, where we have no suffrage, or into +the territories, where they have all the suffrage that the +territorial legislatures see proper to give them. I therefore shall +oppose the resolution.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Bayard</span>: I move the that Senate proceed to the consideration of +executive business. [The motion was agreed to.]</p> + + +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">January</span> 9, 1882.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hoar</span>: I now ask for the consideration of the resolution +relating to a select committee on woman suffrage.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: There being ten minutes left of the +morning hour, the senator from Massachusetts [Mr. Hoar] asks for +the consideration of the resolution relating to woman suffrage. The +pending question is on the motion of the senator from Delaware [Mr. +Bayard] to refer the subject-matter to the Committee on the +Judiciary, on which the yeas and nays have been ordered.</p> + +<p>The principal legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Butler</span> (when Mr. Pugh's name was called): I was requested by +the senator from Alabama [Mr. Pugh] to announce his pair with the +senator from New York [Mr. Miller].</p> + +<p>The roll-call was concluded.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Teller</span>: On this question I am paired with the senator from +Alabama [Mr. Morgan]. If the senator from Alabama were present, I +should vote "nay."</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">McPherson</span> (after having voted in the affirmative): I rise to +ask the privilege of withdrawing my vote. I am paired with my +colleague [Mr. Sewell] on all political questions, and this seems +to have taken a political shape.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: The senator from New Jersey withdraws +his vote.</p> + +<p>The result was announced—yeas 27, nays 31. So the motion was not +agreed to.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: The question recurs on the adoption of +the resolution.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Edmunds</span>: Let it be read for information. The secretary read the +resolution.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Edmunds</span>: "Shall" ought to be stricken out and "may" inserted, +because the Senate ought always to have the power to refer any +particular measure as it pleases.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hoar</span>: I have no objection to that modification.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: The senator from Massachusetts accepts +the suggestion of the senator from Vermont, and the word "may" will +be substituted for "shall."</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hill</span> of Georgia: I wish to say that I have opposed all +resolutions, whether originating on the other side of the chamber +or on this side, appointing special committees. They are all wrong. +They are not founded, in my judgment, on a correct principle. There +is no necessity to raise a select committee for this business. The +standing committees of the Senate are ample to do everything that +it is proposed the select committee asked for shall do. The only +result of appointing more special committees is to have just that +many more clerks, just that much more expense, just that many more +committee-rooms. This is not the first time I have opposed the +raising of a select committee.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: The morning hour has expired, and it +requires unanimous consent for the senator from Georgia to proceed +with his remarks.</p> + + +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">January</span> 21, 1882.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hoar</span>: I move that the Senate proceed with the consideration of +the resolution.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: If there is no objection, unanimous +consent will be assumed.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Farley</span> and others: I object.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hoar</span>: I move that the Senate proceed with the consideration of +the resolution.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Sherman</span>: Let it be proceeded with informally, subject to the +call for other business.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: The question is on the motion of the +senator from Massachusetts. [Putting the question.] The Chair is +uncertain from the sound and will ask for a division.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span></p> + +<p>The motion was agreed to; there being on a division—ayes 32, noes +20.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: The resolution is before the Senate +and the senator from Georgia [Mr. Hill] has the floor.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hill</span> of Georgia: Mr. President, I do not intend to say one word +on the subject of woman suffrage. I shall not get into that +discussion which was alluded to by the senator from Massachusetts. +The senator will remember, if he refreshes his recollection, that +when my late colleague, now no longer a senator, made a motion for +the appointment of a select committee in relation to the +inter-oceanic canal, I opposed it distinctly, though it came from +my colleague, upon the ground that the appointment of select +committees ought to stop, that it was wrong; and I oppose this +resolution for the same reason. I voted against a resolution to +raise a select committee offered by a senator on this side of the +chamber at the present session, and I have voted against all +resolutions of that character.</p> + +<p>No senator, in my judgment, will rise in his place in the Senate +and say that it is necessary to appoint a special committee to +consider the matters referred to in the resolution. It is true I am +a member of the committee, and perhaps ought not to refer to it, +but we have a standing committee, of which the distinguished +senator from Massachusetts [Mr. Hoar] is chairman, the Committee on +Privileges and Elections, that, I take occasion to say, is a very +proper committee for this matter to go to; and that committee has +almost nothing on earth to do. There is but one single +subject-matter now before it, and I believe there will be scarcely +another question before that committee at this session. There is +not a contested election; there is not a dispute about anybody's +seat; and yet it is a Committee on Privileges and Elections. What +is the reason for going on continually and appointing these select +committees, when there are standing committees here, properly +organized to consider the very question specified by the +resolution, with nothing to do?</p> + +<p>Now, I am going to say one other thing, I do not pretend that the +purpose I am now about to state is the purpose of the senator from +Massachusetts. I have no reflections to make as to what this +resolution is intended for, but we do know that there is an idea +abroad that select committees are generally appointed for the +purpose of giving somebody a chairmanship, that somebody may have a +clerk. That is not the case here, I dare say. I do not mean to +intimate that it is the case here, but it ought to be put a stop +to; it is all wrong. I think, though, that there ought to be a +resolution passed by this body giving every senator who has not a +committee a clerk. Everybody knows that every chairman of a +committee has a clerk in the clerk of that committee. The other +senators, at least in my opinion, ought each to have a clerk. I +would vote for such a resolution. I believe it would be right, and +I believe the country would approve it. Every senator knows that he +has more business to attend to here than he can possibly perform. +Why, sir, if I were to attend to all the business in the +departments and otherwise that my constituents ask me to perform, I +could not discharge half my duties in this chamber; and every +senator, I dare say, has the same experience. It is to the public<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> +interest, therefore, in my judgment, that every senator should have +a clerk. I am unable to employ a clerk from my own funds; many +other senators are more fortunately situated; but still I must do +that or move the appointment of a special committee for the purpose +in an indirect way of getting a clerk. It is not right.</p> + +<p>It has been said that if senators each have a clerk, for instance, +a clerk at $100 a month salary during the session, which would be a +very small matter, the members of the other House would each want a +clerk. It does not follow. There is a vast difference. A member of +the other House represents a narrow district, a single district; a +senator represents a whole State. Take the State of New York. There +are thirty-three representatives in the House from the State of New +York; there are but two senators here from that State. Those two +senators in all likelihood have as much business to perform here +for their constituents as the thirty-three members of the House. +There is, therefore, an eminent reason why a senator should have a +clerk and why a member of the House should not.</p> + +<p>I cannot vote for the appointment of select committees unless you +raise a select committee for every senator in the body so as to +give him a clerk. You have appointed select committees for this +business and for that. It gives a few men an advantage when the +business of the country does not require it, whereas if you +appointed a clerk for each senator, with a nominal salary of $100 +per month during the session, it would enable every senator to do +his work more efficiently both here and for his constituents; it +would put all the senators on a just equality; it would be in +furtherance of the public interest; and it would avoid what I +consider (with all due deference and not meaning to be offensive) +the unseemly habit of constantly moving the appointment of select +committees in this body. This is all I have to say. I vote against +the resolution simply because I am opposed to the appointment of a +select committee for this or any other purpose that I can now think +of.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: The question is on the adoption of the +resolution.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Vest</span> called for the yeas and nays, and they were ordered, and +the principal legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Jones</span> of Florida (when his name was called): I propose to vote +for this resolution, but at the same time I do not regard my vote +as in any way committing myself on the subject of female suffrage. +If they think an investigation of this subject should be had in +this way, I for one am willing to have it. I vote "yea."</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Teller</span>, (when his name was called): On this question I am +paired with the senator from Alabama [Mr. Morgan]; otherwise I +should vote "yea."</p> + +<p>The roll-call having been concluded, the result was announced—yeas +35, nays 23; so the resolution was agreed to.<a name="FNanchor_82_82" id="FNanchor_82_82"></a><a href="#Footnote_82_82" class="fnanchor">[82]</a><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span></p> + +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">In the House of Representatives</span>, December 20, 1881.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">White</span> of Kentucky: I ask consent to offer for consideration at +this time the resolution which I send to the clerk's desk.</p> + +<p>The clerk read as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That a select committee of seven members of the House +of Representatives be appointed by the Speaker, to whom shall be +referred all petitions, bills and resolves providing for the +extension of suffrage to women, or for the removal of legal +disabilities. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Mills</span> of Texas: I object.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Kelley</span> of Pennsylvania: A similar resolution has already been +referred to the Committee on Rules.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Speaker</span> (Mr. Keifer of Ohio): Objection being made to its +consideration at this time, the resolution will be referred to the +Committee on Rules.</p> + +<p>The resolution was referred accordingly.</p> + +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">In the House of Representatives</span>, February 25, 1882.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Reed</span> of Maine: I rise to make a privileged report. The +Committee on Rules, to whom were referred sundry resolutions +relating to the subject, have instructed me to report the +resolution which I send to the desk.</p> + +<p>The clerk read as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That a select committee of nine members be appointed, +to whom shall be referred all petitions, bills and resolves +asking for the extension of suffrage to women or the removal of +their legal disabilities. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Speaker</span>: The question is on the adoption of the report of the +Committee on Rules.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Holman</span> of Indiana: I ask that the latter portion of the +resolution be again read. It was not heard in this part of the +house.</p> + +<p>The resolution was again read.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Townshend</span> of Illinois: I rise to make a parliamentary inquiry.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Speaker</span>: The gentleman will state it.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Townshend</span>: My inquiry is whether that resolution should not go +to the House calendar.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Speaker</span>: It is a privileged report under the rules of the House +from the Committee on Rules. The question is on the adoption of the +resolution.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">McMillin</span> of Tennessee: I make the point of order that it must +lie over for one day.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Speaker</span>: It is the report of a committee privileged under the +rules.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">McMillin</span>: The committee are privileged to report, but under the +rule the report has to lie over a day.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span></p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Speaker</span>: The gentleman from Tennessee will oblige the Chair by +directing his attention to any rule which requires such a report to +lie over one day. It changes no standing rule or order of the +House.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">McMillin</span>: It does, by making a change in the number and nature +of the committees. All measures of a particular class, the +resolution states, must be referred to the proposed committee, +whereas heretofore they have been referred to a different +committee. Therefore the resolution changes the rules of the House.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Speaker</span>: The Chair is of opinion the resolution does not +rescind or change any standing rule of the House. The question is +on the adoption of the resolution.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Springer</span>: Mr. Speaker, I desire to call the attention of the +Chair to the fact that this does distinctly change one of the +standing rules of the House. One of the standing rules is—</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Speaker</span>: The Chair has passed on that question, and no appeal +has been taken from his decision.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Springer</span>: I desire to call the attention of the Chair to Rule +10, which specifically provides for the appointment of the full +number of committees this House is to have, and this is not one of +them.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Speaker</span>: Not one of the standing committees, but a select +committee.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Springer</span>: That rule provides there shall be a certain number of +committees, the names of which are therein given.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Reed</span>: I sincerely hope this will not be made a matter of +technical discussion or debate. It is a matter upon which members +of this House must have opinions which they can express by voting, +in a very short time, without taking up the attention of the House +beyond what is really necessary for a bare discussion of the merits +of the question.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">McMillin</span>: Will the gentleman permit me to ask him a question?</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Reed</span>: Certainly.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">McMillin</span>: Would you not, as a parliamentarian, concede that +this does change the existing rules of the House?</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Reed</span>: By no manner of means, especially when the accomplished +Speaker has decided the other way, and no gentleman has taken an +appeal from his decision. [Laughter.]</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">McMillin</span>: Then you have no opinion beyond his decision?</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Speaker</span>: The Chair will state to the gentleman from Illinois +[Mr. Springer] that this resolution does not change any of the +standing committees of the House which are provided for in Rule 10.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Springer</span>: It provides for a new committee.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Speaker</span>: It provides for a select committee. The subject was +referred to the Committee on Rules by order of the House, and this +is a report on the resolution so referred.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Springer</span>: The rule provides that no standing rule or order of +the House shall be rescinded or changed without one day's notice.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Speaker</span>: The Chair would decide that this does not propose any +change or rescinding of any standing rule of the House.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Springer</span>: Does the Chair hold that the making of a new rule is +not a change of the existing rules?</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Speaker</span>: The Chair does not decide anything of the kind.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Springer</span>: What does the Chair decide?</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Speaker</span>: The Chair does not undertake to decide any such +question, for it is not now presented.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Springer</span>: Is this not a new rule?</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Speaker</span>: It is not.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Springer</span>: It is not?</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Speaker</span>: It is a provision for a select committee.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Springer</span>: Can you have a committee without a rule of the House +providing for it?</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Speaker</span>: The question is on the adoption of the resolution +reported from the Committee on Rules.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Atkins</span>: On that question I call for the yeas and nays.</p> + +<p>The yeas and nays were ordered.</p> + +<p>The question was taken and there were—yeas 115, nays 84, not +voting 93; so the resolution was carried.<a name="FNanchor_83_83" id="FNanchor_83_83"></a><a href="#Footnote_83_83" class="fnanchor">[83]</a></p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Reed</span> moved to reconsider the vote by which the resolution was +adopted; and also moved that the motion to reconsider be laid on +the table. The latter motion was agreed to.</p> + +<p>On Monday, March 13, 1882, the Chair announced the appointment of +the following gentlemen as the Select Committee on Woman Suffrage +authorized by the House: Mr. Camp of New York, Mr. White of +Kentucky, Mr. Sherwin of Illinois, Mr. Stone of Massachusetts, Mr. +Hepburn of Iowa, Mr. Springer of Illinois, Mr. Vance of North +Carolina, Mr. Muldrow of Mississippi and Mr. Stockslager of +Indiana. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The Annual Washington Convention was held in Lincoln Hall as usual, +January 18, 19, 20, 1882. The afternoon before the convention, at +an executive session held at the Riggs House,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> forty delegates were +present from fourteen different States.<a name="FNanchor_84_84" id="FNanchor_84_84"></a><a href="#Footnote_84_84" class="fnanchor">[84]</a> Among these were five +from Massachusetts, and for the first time that State was +represented on the platform of the National Association. Mrs. +Stanton gave the opening address, and made some amusing criticisms +on a recent debate on Senator Hoar's proposition for a special +committee on the rights and disabilities of women. Such a committee +had been under debate for several years and it was during this +convention that the bill passed the Senate.</p> + +<p>Invitations to attend the convention were sent to all the members +of congress, and many were present during the various sessions. +Miss Ellen H. Sheldon, secretary, read the minutes of the last +convention, and, instead of the usual dry skeleton of facts, she +gave a glowing description of that eventful occasion. Clara B. +Colby gave an interesting narration of the progress of woman +suffrage in Nebraska, and of the efforts being made to carry the +proposition pending before the people, to strike the word "male" +from the constitution in the coming November election.</p> + +<p>Rev. Frederick A. Hinckley of Providence, R. I., spoke upon "Our +Demand in the Light of Evolution." He said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It is about a century since our forefathers declared that +"governments derive their just powers from the consent of the +governed," and about a half century since woman began to see that +she ought to be included in this declaration. At present the +expressions of the Declaration of Independence are a "glittering +generality," for only one-half of the people "consent." Modern +science has demonstrated the truth of evolution—like causes +produce like results—and this is seen in the progress of +government and of woman. From the time when physical force ruled, +up to the present, when <i>ostensibly</i> in the United States every +person is his own ruler, there have been many steps. The +importance of the masses has steadily taken the place of the +importance of individuals. At first the idea was "You shall obey +because I say so"; then, "You shall obey because I am your +superior, and will protect you"; now it is "Everyone shall be his +own protector." But we do not live up to this idea while only +one-half instead of the whole of "everyone" is his own protector. +The phases of woman's advancement are fitly described by the four +words—slave, subject, inferior, dependent; and no step in this +advance has been<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> accomplished without a hard struggle. The logic +of evolution in government points to universal suffrage. The same +logic points to unqualified individual freedom for woman. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Blake in reporting from her State said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Governor Cornell was the first New York Governor to mention woman +in an inaugural address, and the bill allowing women to vote in +school elections was passed the same winter. There was a great +deal of opposition in different parts of the State to the voting +of women. In some country districts where the polls are in the +school-houses, certain men went early and locked the doors, +filled the room with smoke and even put tobacco on the stoves to +make it as disagreeable for the women as possible. More +respectable men had to ventilate and clean the rooms to make them +decent for either man or woman. From this lowest class of +opponents up to those who say: "My dear, you'd better not make +yourself conspicuous!" the spirit is the same. Believing that +under our constitution women are already entitled to the ballot, +we do not ask for a constitutional amendment, but for a bill +extending the suffrage at once.</p> + +<p>Mrs. <span class="smcap">Colby</span> in contrast to this stated that in Nebraska the +greatest courtesy had always been shown to women who voted at +school elections. There is only one organized effort against +woman suffrage, and that is made by the "Sons of Liberty!" "O, +Consistency, thou art a jewel!" </p></blockquote> + +<p>The following resolution introduced into the Senate, January 11, by +Mr. Morgan of Alabama, was finally referred to the Committee on +Woman Suffrage. This was the first subject brought before them for +action.</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That the committee on "The extension of suffrage +to women, or the removal of their disabilities," be directed +to examine into the state of the law regulating the right of +suffrage in the territory of Utah, and report a bill to set +aside and annul any law or laws enacted by the legislature +of said territory conferring upon women the right of +suffrage. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Couzins made an admirable speech on the following resolution:</p> + +<blockquote> +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That Senator Morgan's bill to deprive the +<i>women</i> of Utah of the right of suffrage because of the +social institutions and religious faith originated and +maintained by the <i>men</i> of the territory, is a travesty on +common justice. While the wife has not absolute possession +of even one husband, and the husband has many wives, surely +the men and not the women, if either, should be deprived of +the suffrage. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss <span class="smcap">Couzins</span> said: The task of dealing fairly and justly with this +territorial complication should never be committed to the +blundering legislation of man alone. His success as a legislator +and executive for woman in the past does not inspire a confidence +that in this most serious problem he will be any the less an +unbiased judge and law-giver. This government of men permitted the +establishment of a religious colony, so called, whose basis of +faith was the complete humiliation of women; recognized the system +by appointing its chief, Brigham Young, governor of the territory, +under whose fostering care polygamy grew to its present +proportions.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span></p> + +<p>That woman has not thrown off the yoke of religious despotism can +be readily appreciated when we recognize the fact that man, from +time immemorial, has played upon her religious faith to exalt his +own attributes and degrade hers; that through this teaching her +abiding belief in his superior capacity to interpret scriptural +truths for her has been the means of sacrificing her power of mind, +her tender affections, her delicate sensibilities, on the altar of +his base selfishness throughout the ages. Orthodoxy recognizes no +"inspiration" for woman to-day. She is not "called" save to serve +man. Under its teaching her thought has been padlocked in the name +of Divinity, and her lips sealed in sacrilegious pretense of +authority from heaven; and nothing so clearly bespeaks the +degenerating influence of the ages of this masculine teaching as +the absolute faith manifested by the women of Utah in this <i>ipse +dixit</i> of man's religious doctrine. Their emancipation must +necessarily be slow.</p> + +<p>The paternal government allowed polygamy to be planted, take root, +and grow in a wilderness where the attraction of nobler minds and +freer thoughts was not known. The victims came from the political +despotisms of the old world to be shackled in a land of freedom +with a still darker despotism, and under the ægis of the American +flag they have borne children as a religious duty they owed to God +and man; and surely it can not be expected, even with that grand +emancipator, from king and priestcraft rule, the ballot, that at +once they will vote themselves outcast and their children +illegitimate.</p> + +<p>It took the white men of this nation one hundred years to put away +that relic of barbarism, slavery; the removal of the twin relic +will come through liberty for woman, higher education for children, +and the incoming tide of Gentile immigration. The fitting act of +justice is not disfranchisement of woman, as Senator Morgan +proposes, and the reënactment of that old Adamic cry: "The woman +whom thou gavest," but the disfranchisement of man, who is the only +polygamist, and the stepping down and out of the sex as a +legislator under whose fostering care this evil has grown. Retire +to your sylvan groves and academic shades, gentlemen, as Mrs. +Stanton suggests, and let the Deborahs, the Huldahs, and the +Vashtis come to the front, and let us see what we can do toward the +remedy of your wretched legislation. But suffrage for women in Utah +has accomplished great good. I spent one week there in close +observation. Outside of their religious convictions, the women are +emphatic in condemnation of wrong. Their votes banished the liquor +saloon. I saw no drunkenness anywhere; the poison of tobacco smoke +is not allowed to vitiate the air of heaven, either on the streets +or in public assemblies. Their court-room was a model of neatness +and good order. Plants were in the windows and handsome carpets +graced the floor. During my stay, the daughter of a Mormon, the +then advocate-general of the territory, was admitted to the bar by +Chief-Justice McKean of the United States Court, who, in fitting +and beautiful language, welcomed her to the profession as a woman +whose knowledge of the law fitted her to be the peer of any man in +his court. She told me that she detested polygamy, but felt that +she could render greater service to the emancipation of her sex +inside of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> Utah than out. At midnight I wandered, with one of my +own sex, about the streets to test the assertion that it was as +safe for women then as at mid-day. No bacchanalian shout rent the +air; no man was seen reeling in maudlin imbecility to his home. No +guardians put in an appearance, save the stars above our heads; no +sound awoke the stillness but the purling of the mountain brooks +which washed the streets in cleanliness and beauty. What other city +on this continent can present such a showing? With murder for man +and rapine for woman where man alone is maker and guardian of the +laws, it behooves him to pause ere he launches invectives at the +one result of woman's votes. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Gougar, on our Washington platform for the first time, +delighted the audience with her readiness and wit. She has a good +voice, fine presence, and speaks fluently, without notes.</p> + +<blockquote><p>She spoke of the reformatory prison for women in her State, and +said that the statistics showed that eighty-two per cent. of the +women confined there were sent out reformed. Speaking of the +gallantry of men, she cited a case of a man who came to an +Indiana lawyer and desired him to make a will. The following +conversation ensued: "I want you to make this will so that my +wife will have $400 a year; that's enough for any woman." "Is she +the only wife you ever had?" "Yes." "How long have you been +married?" "Forty-two years." "How many children have you had?" +"Eleven." "Did you have all your property before marriage?" "No; +didn't have a cent; I've earned it all." "Has your wife helped +you in any way to earn it?" "Why, yes, I suppose she has; but +then I want to fix my will so she can only have $400 a year; it's +enough." "Well, sir, you will have to move out of the State of +Indiana then, for the law provides for the wife better than that, +and you will have to get another lawyer." It is needless to say +that this lawyer is a staunch champion of woman suffrage, and it +is pleasant to know that there are more such men being educated +by this agitation. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Maxwell gave a fine recitation of "The Dying Soldier," at one +of the evening sessions. It was evident by the sparkling eyes of +the Indiana delegation that the ladies had in reserve some pleasant +surprise for the convention, which at last revealed itself in the +person of Judge Orth, a live member of congress from Indiana, who +stood up like a man and avowed his belief in woman suffrage. His +words were few but to the point, and his hearers all knew exactly +where he stood on the question.</p> + +<p>The next evening the Nebraska delegation, determining not to be +outdone, captured one of their United States senators and +triumphantly brought him on the platform. It was a point gained to +have a congressman publicly give in his adhesion to the question, +but how much greater the achievement to appear in the convention +with a United States senator. It was a proud<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> moment for Mrs. Colby +when Senator Saunders, a large man of fine proportions, stepped to +the front. But alas! her triumph over the Indiana ladies was short +indeed, for while the senator surpassed the representative in size +and official honors, he fell far below him in the logic of his +statements and the earnestness of his principles. In fact the +audience and the platform were in doubt at the close of his remarks +as to his true position on the question. Mrs. May Wright Sewall, +who followed him, sparkled with the satisfaction she expressed in +paying most glowing tributes to the men of Indiana and their State +institutions. She said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The principal objection to woman suffrage has always been that it +will take women from their homes and destroy all home life. She +showed that there is not an interest of home which is not +represented in the State, and that the subordination of the State +to the family has kept pace with the subordination of physical to +spiritual force. Woman has an interest in everything which +affects the State, and only lacks the legitimate instrument of +these interests—the ballot—with which to enforce them. Life +regulates legislation. Domestic life is woman's sphere, but a +sphere of much larger dimensions than has ever yet been accorded +it, these dimensions reaching out and controlling the functions +of the State. The ballot is not a political or a military, but a +domestic necessity. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Harriette R. Shattuck spoke on the golden rule, asking men to +put themselves in the place of disfranchised women, and then +legislate for them as they would be legislated for. Mrs. Robinson +gave a résumé of the legal, political and educational position of +women in Massachusetts. Mrs. Hooker showed that political equality +would dignify woman in home life, give added weight to her opinions +on all questions, and command new respect for her from all classes +of men. Mrs. Colby gave an interesting address on "The Social +Evolution of Woman":</p> + +<blockquote><p>She traced the history of woman from the time when she was bought +and sold, up to the present. She said that the first believer in +woman's rights was the one who first proposed that women should +be allowed to eat with their husbands. This once granted, +everything else has followed of necessity, and the ballot will be +the crowning right. Once women were not allowed to sing soprano +because it was the "governing part." From these and many like +indignities woman has gradually evolved until she now stands on +an equality with man in many social rights. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Martha McClellan Brown read an able essay on "The Power of the +Veto." She is a woman of fine presence, pleasing manners and a well +trained voice that can fill any hall. Her address was one of the +best in the convention and all felt that in her we had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> a valuable +acquisition to our Association. Mrs. Gage gave an able address on +"The Moral Force of Woman Suffrage."</p> + +<p>During the first day of the convention a request, signed by the +officers of the association, was sent to the Special Committee on +Woman Suffrage in the Senate, asking for a hearing on the sixteenth +amendment to the constitution. The hearing was granted on Friday +morning, January 20, 1882. A distinguished speaker in England +having advised the friends of suffrage there to employ young and +attractive women to advocate the measure, as the speediest means of +success, Miss Anthony took the hint in making the selection for the +first hearing before the committee of those who had never been +heard before,<a name="FNanchor_85_85" id="FNanchor_85_85"></a><a href="#Footnote_85_85" class="fnanchor">[85]</a> of whom some were young, and all attractive as +speakers. Miss Anthony said that she would introduce some new +speakers to the committee, in order to disprove the allegation that +"it was always the same old set." The committee listened to them +with undivided attention throughout, and at the conclusion of the +hearing the following resolution, offered by Senator George of +Mississippi, was adopted unanimously:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That the committee are under obligations to the +representatives of the women of the United States for their +attendance this morning, and for the able and instructive +addresses which have been made, and that the committee +assure them that they will give to the subject of woman +suffrage the careful and impartial consideration which its +grave importance demands. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In describing the occasion for the <i>Boston Transcript</i>, Mrs. +Shattuck said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>As we stood in the committee-room and presented our plea for +freedom, we felt that at last we had obtained a fair hearing, +whatever its result might be. And the most encouraging sign of +the impression made by our words was the change in the faces of +some of the members of the committee as the speaking went on. At +first there was a look of indifference and scorn—merely +toleration; this gradually changed to interest mingled with +surprise; finally, as Miss Anthony closed with one of her most +eloquent appeals, all the faces showed a decided and almost eager +interest in what we had to say. Senator George, who certainly +looked more unpropitious than any other one, assured the ladies +that he would give to the subject of woman suffrage that careful +and impartial consideration which its grave importance demands. +This, from one who heralded his entrance by inquiring of Miss +Anthony, in stentorian tones, if she "wanted to go to war," was, +to say the least, a concession. The speakers were closely +questioned by some members of the committee, who afterwards told +us "that they had never heard a speech on the subject before<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> and +were surprised to find so much in the demand, and to see such +ability as was manifested by the women before them." </p></blockquote> + +<p>The committee having expressed a wish to hear others on the +subject, appointed the next morning at 10 o'clock.<a name="FNanchor_86_86" id="FNanchor_86_86"></a><a href="#Footnote_86_86" class="fnanchor">[86]</a> Mrs. +Stanton, being introduced by the chairman, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Gentlemen, when the news of the appointment of this committee was +flashed over the wires, you cannot imagine the satisfaction that +thrilled the hearts of your countrywomen. After fourteen years of +constant petitioning, we are grateful for even this slight +recognition at last. I never before felt such an interest in any +congressional committee, and I have no doubt that all who are +interested in this reform, share in my feelings. Fortunately your +names make a great couplet in rhyme,</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Lapham, Anthony and Blair,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Jackson, George, Ferry and Fair.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>which will enable us to remember them always. This I discovered +in writing your names in this volume, which allow me to present +you. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The gentlemen rising in turn received with a gracious bow "The +History of Woman Suffrage" which, Mrs. Stanton told them, would +furnish all the arguments they needed to defend their clients +against the ignorance and prejudice of the world. Mr. George of +Mississippi asked why this agitation was confined to Northern +women; he had never heard the ladies of the South express the wish +to vote. Mrs. Stanton referred him to those to whom the volume +before him was dedicated. "There," said she, "you will find the +names of two ladies from one of the most distinguished families in +South Carolina, who came North over forty years ago, and set this +ball for woman's freedom in motion. But for those noble women, +Sarah and Angelina Grimkè, we might not stand here to-day pleading +for justice and equality." As the speakers had requested the +committee to ask questions, they were frequently interrupted. All +urged the importance of a national protection, preferring +congressional action, to submitting the proposition to the popular +vote of the several States. On this point Mr. Jackson of Tennessee +asked many pertinent questions. Mrs. Shattuck, writing of this +occasion to the <i>Boston Transcript</i>, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>One of the speakers eloquently testified to the interest of many +Southern women in this subject, and urged the Southern members of +the committee not to declare that the women of the South do not +want the ballot until they have investigated the matter. After +the hearing three Southern<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> ladies, wives of congressmen, thanked +her for what she had said. The member from Mississippi showed a +great deal of interest and really became quite waked up before +the session ended. But, when we look at it in one light, there is +something exceedingly humiliating in the thought that women +representing the best intellect and the highest morality of our +country, should come here in their grand old age and ask men for +that which is theirs by right. Is it not time that this +aristocracy of sex should be overthrown? Several of the senators +were so moved by the speeches that they personally expressed +their thanks, and one who has long been friendly, said the +speeches were far above the average committee-hearings on any +subject. We might well have replied that the reason is because +all the speakers feel what they say and know that the question is +one of vital importance.</p> + +<p>In securing these hearings before this special committee of the +Senate the friends feel they have reached a milestone in the +progress of their reform. To secure the attention for four hours +of seven representative men of the United States, must have more +effect than would a hundred times that amount of time and labor +expended upon their constituents. If one of these senators, for +instance, should become convinced of the justice of woman's claim +to the ballot, his constituency would begin to look upon that +question with respect, whereas it would take years to bring that +same constituency up to the position where they could elect such +a representative. To convince the representatives is to sound the +keynote, and it is for this reason that these hearings before the +Senate committee are of such paramount importance to the suffrage +cause.</p> + +<p>At the close of the hearing Mrs. Robinson presented each member +of the committee with her little volume, "Massachusetts in the +Woman Suffrage Movement." </p></blockquote> + +<p>January 23 the House Committee on Rules<a name="FNanchor_87_87" id="FNanchor_87_87"></a><a href="#Footnote_87_87" class="fnanchor">[87]</a> gave a hearing to Mrs. +Jane Graham Jones of Chicago, Mrs. May Wright Sewall and Miss +Anthony. During this congress the question of admitting the +territory of Dakota as a State was discussed in the Senate. Our +committee stood ready to oppose it unless the word "male" were +stricken from the proposed constitution.</p> + +<p>Immediately after this most of the speakers went<a name="FNanchor_88_88" id="FNanchor_88_88"></a><a href="#Footnote_88_88" class="fnanchor">[88]</a> to +Philadelphia where Rachel Foster had made arrangements for a +two-days convention. Rev. Charles G. Ames gave the address of +welcome.</p> + +<blockquote><p>He told of his conversion to woman suffrage from the time when he +believed women and men were ordained to be unequal, just as in +nature the mountain is different from the valley—he looking down +at her, she gazing up at him—until the time when he began to see +that women are not of necessity the valleys, nor men of necessity +the mountains; and so on, until<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> now he believes women entitled +to stand on an equal plane with men, socially and politically. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The President, Mrs. Stanton, responded. Hannah Whitehall Smith of +Germantown, prominent in the temperance movement, spoke of the +hardship of farmers' wives, and asked:</p> + +<blockquote><p>If that condition was not one of slavery which obliged a woman to +rise early and cook the family breakfast while her husband lay in +bed; to work all day long, and then in the evening, while he +smoked his pipe or enjoyed himself at the corner grocery, to mend +and patch his old clothes. But she thought the position of woman +was changing for the better. Even among the Indians a better +feeling is beginning to prevail. It is Indian etiquette for the +man to kill the deer or bear, and leave it on the spot where it +is struck down for the woman to carry home. She must drag it over +the ground or carry it on her back as best she may, while he +quietly awaits her coming in the family wigwam. A certain Indian, +after observing that white folks did differently by their women, +once resolved to follow their example. But such was the force of +public opinion that, when it was discovered that he brought home +his own game, both he and his wife were murdered. This shows what +fearful results prejudice may bring about; and the only +difference between the prejudice which ruled his tribe in regard +to woman and that which rules white American men to-day, is a +difference in degree, dependent upon the difference in +enlightenment. The principle is the same. The result would be the +same were each equally ignorant. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The familiar faces of Edward M. Davis, Mary Grew, Adeline Thompson, +Sarah Pugh, Anna McDowell and two of Lucretia Mott's noble +daughters, gladdened many a heart during the various sessions of +the convention. Beautiful tributes were paid to Mrs. Mott by +several of the speakers. The Philadelphia convention was +supplemented by a most delightful social gathering, without mention +of which a report of the occasion would be incomplete:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Like many historical events, this was entirely unpremeditated, no +one who participated in its pleasures had any forewarning, aside +from an informal invitation to lunch with Mrs. Hannah Whitehall +Smith and her generous husband, both earnest friends of +temperance and important allies of the woman suffrage movement. +Mrs. Smith met the guests at the station in Philadelphia, tickets +in hand, marshaling them to their respective seats in the cars as +if born to command, and on arriving at Germantown, transferred +them to carriages in waiting, with the promptness of a railroad +official. Without noise or confusion one and all crossed the +threshold of her well-ordered mansion, and with other invited +guests were soon seated in the spacious parlor, talking in groups +here and there. "Ah!" said Mrs. Smith on entering, "this will +never do, think of all the good things that will be lost in these +side talks. My plan is to have a general conversation, a kind of +love-feast, each telling her experience. It would be pleasant to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> +know how each has reached the same platform, through the tangled +labyrinths of human life." Soon all was silence and one after +another related the special incidents in childhood, girlhood and +mature years that had turned her thoughts to the consideration of +woman's position. The stories were as varied as they were +pathetic and amusing, and were listened to amidst smiles and +tears with the deepest interest. And when all<a name="FNanchor_89_89" id="FNanchor_89_89"></a><a href="#Footnote_89_89" class="fnanchor">[89]</a> had finished +the tender revelations of the hopes and fears, the struggles and +triumphs through which each soul had passed, these sacred +memories seemed to bind us anew together in a friendship that we +hope may never end. A sumptuous lunch followed, and amid much +gaiety and laughter the guests dispersed, giving the hospitable +host and hostess a warm farewell—a day to be remembered by all +of us. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Our Senate committee, through its chairman, Hon. Elbridge G. +Lapham, very soon reported in favor of the submission of a +sixteenth amendment. We had had a favorable minority report in the +House in 1871 and in the Senate in 1879—but this was the first +favorable majority report we had ever had in either house:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">In the Senate, Monday</span>, June 5, 1882.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Lapham</span>: I am instructed by the Select Committee on Woman +Suffrage, to whom was referred the joint resolution (S. R. No. +60) proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United +States, to report it with a favorable recommendation, without +amendment, for the consideration of the Senate. This is a +majority report, and the minority desire the opportunity to +present their report also, and have printed the reasons which +they give for dissenting. As this is a question of more than +ordinary importance, I should like to have 1,000 extra copies of +the report printed for the use of the committee.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">George</span>: I present the views of the minority of the committee, +consisting of the senator from Tennessee [Mr. Jackson], the +senator from Nevada [Mr. Fair], and myself.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">President</span> <i>pro tempore</i>: It is moved that 1,000 extra copies +of the report be printed for the use of the Senate.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Anthony</span>: The motion should go by the statute to the Committee +on Printing.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Lapham</span>: I will present it in the form of a resolution for +reference to the Committee on Printing.</p> + +<p>The resolution was referred to the Committee on Printing, as +follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That 1,000 additional copies of the report and views +of the minority on Senate Joint Resolution No. 60 be printed for +the use of the Select Committee on Woman Suffrage. </p></blockquote> +</blockquote> + +<p>In the Senate of the United States, June 5, 1882, Mr. Lapham, from +the Committee on Woman Suffrage, submitted the following report:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hang"><i>The Select Committee on Woman Suffrage, to whom was referred +Senate Resolution No. 60, proposing an amendment to the +Constitution of the United States to secure the right of suffrage +to all citizens without regard to sex, having considered the +same, respectfully report: </i></p> + +<p>The gravity and importance of the proposed amendment must be +obvious to all who have given the subject the consideration it +demands.</p> + +<p>A very brief history of the origin of this movement in the United +States and of the progress made in the cause of female suffrage +will not be out of place at this time. A World's Anti-slavery +Convention was held in London on June 12, 1840, to which +delegates from all the organized societies were invited. Several +of the American societies sent women as delegates. Their +credentials were presented, and an able and exhaustive discussion +was had by many of the leading men of America and Great Britain +upon the question of their being admitted to seats in the +convention. They were allowed no part in the discussion. They +were denied seats as delegates, and, by reason of that denial, it +was determined to hold conventions after their return to the +United States, for the purpose of asserting and advocating their +rights as citizens, and especially the right of suffrage. Prior +to this, and as early as the year 1836, a proposal had been made +in the legislature of the State of New York to confer upon +married women their separate rights of property. The subject was +under consideration and agitation during the eventful period +which preceded the constitutional convention of New York in the +year 1846, and the radical changes made in the fundamental law in +that year. In 1848 the first act "For the More Effectual +Protection of the Property of Married Women" was passed by the +legislature of New York and became a law. It passed by a vote of +93 to 9 in the Assembly and 23 to 1 in the Senate. It was +subsequently amended so as to authorize women to engage in +business on their own account and to receive their own earnings. +This legislation was the outgrowth of a bill prepared several +years before under the direction of the Hon. John Savage, +chief-justice of the Supreme Court, and of the Hon. John C. +Spencer, one of the ablest lawyers in the State, one of the +revisers of the statutes of New York, and afterward a cabinet +officer. Laws granting separate rights of property and the right +to transact business, similar to those adopted in New York, have +been enacted in many, if not in most of the States, and may now +be regarded as the settled policy of American legislation on the +subject.</p> + +<p>After the enactment of the first law in New York, as before +stated, and in the month of July, 1848, the first convention +demanding suffrage for women was held at Seneca Falls in said +State. The same persons who had been excluded from the World's +Convention in London were prominent and instrumental in calling +the meeting and in framing the declaration of sentiments adopted +by it, which, after reciting the unjust limitations and wrongs to +which women are subjected, closed in these words:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Now, in view of this entire disfranchisement of one-half of the +people of this country and their social and religious +degradation; in view of the unjust laws above mentioned, and +because women do feel themselves aggrieved, oppressed and +fraudulently deprived of their most sacred rights, we insist that +they have immediate admission to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> all the rights and privileges +which belong to them as citizens of the United States. In +entering upon the great work before us we anticipate no small +amount of misconception, misrepresentation and ridicule; but we +shall use every instrumentality within our power to effect our +object. We shall employ agents, circulate tracts, petition the +State and national legislatures, and endeavor to enlist the +pulpit and the press in our behalf. We hope this convention will +be followed by a series of conventions embracing every part of +the country. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The meeting also adopted a series of resolutions, one of which was +in the following words:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That it is the duty of the women of this country to +secure to themselves their sacred right to the elective +franchise. </p></blockquote> + +<p>This declaration was signed by seventy of the women of Western New +York, among whom was one or more of those who addressed your +committee on the subject of the pending amendment, and there were +present, participating in and approving of the movement, a large +number of prominent men, among whom were Elisha Foote, a lawyer of +distinction, and since that time Commissioner of Patents, and the +Hon. Jacob Chamberlain, who afterwards represented his district in +the other House. From the movement thus inaugurated, conventions +have been held from that time to the present in the principal +villages, cities and capitals of the various States, as well as the +capital of the nation.</p> + +<p>The First National Convention upon the subject was held at +Worcester, Mass., in October, 1850, and had the support and +encouragement of many leading men of the republic, among whom we +name the following: Gerrit Smith, Joshua R. Giddings, Ralph Waldo +Emerson, John G. Whittier, A. Bronson Alcott, Samuel J. May, +Theodore Parker, William Lloyd Garrison, Wendell Phillips, Elizur +Wright, William J. Elder, Stephen S. Foster, Horace Greeley, Oliver +Johnson, Henry Ward Beecher, Horace Mann. The Fourth National +Convention was held at the city of Cleveland, Ohio, October, 1853. +The Rev. Asa Mahan, president of Oberlin College, and Hon. Joshua +R. Giddings were there. Horace Greeley and William Henry Channing +addressed letters to the convention. The letter of Mr. Channing +stated the proposition to be that—</p> + +<blockquote><p>The right of suffrage be granted to the people, universally, +without distinction of sex; and that the age for attaining legal +and political majority be made the same for women as for men. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1857, Hon. Salmon P. Chase, chief-justice of the Supreme Court +of the United States, then governor of Ohio, recommended to the +legislature a constitutional amendment on the subject, and a select +committee of the Senate made an elaborate report, concluding with a +resolution in the following words:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That the Judiciary Committee be instructed to report +to the Senate a bill to submit to the qualified electors, at the +next general election for senators and representatives, an +amendment to the constitution, whereby the elective franchise +shall be extended to the citizens of Ohio <i>without distinction of +sex</i>. </p></blockquote> + +<p>During the same year a similar report was made in the legislature +of Wisconsin. From the report on the subject we quote the +following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We believe that political equality, by leading the thoughts and +purposes of men and women into the same channel, will more +completely carry out the designs of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> nature. Woman will be +possessed of a positive power, and hollow compliments will be +exchanged for well-grounded respect when we see her nobly +discharging her part in the great intellectual and moral +struggles of the age that wait their solution by a direct appeal +to the ballot-box. Woman's power is at present poetical and +unsubstantial; let it be practical and real. There is no reality +in any power that cannot be coined in votes. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The effect of these discussions and efforts has been the gradual +advancement of public sentiment towards conceding the right of +suffrage without distinction of sex. In the territories of Wyoming +and Utah, full suffrage has already been given. In regard to the +exercise of the right in the territory of Wyoming, the present +governor of that territory, Hon. John W. Hoyt, in an address +delivered in Philadelphia, April 3, 1882, in answer to a question +as to the operation of the law, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>First of all, the experience of Wyoming has shown that the only +actual trial of woman suffrage hitherto made—a trial made in a +new country where the conditions were not exceptionably +favorable—has produced none but the most desirable results. And +surely none will deny that in such a matter a single ounce of +experience is worth a ton of conjecture. But since it may be +claimed that the sole experiment of Wyoming does not afford a +sufficient guaranty of general expediency, let us see whether +reason will not furnish a like answer. The great majority of +women in this country already possess sufficient intelligence to +enable them to vote judiciously on nearly all questions of a +local nature. I think this will be conceded. Secondly, with their +superior quickness of perception, it is fair to assume that when +stimulated by a demand for a knowledge of political +principles—such a demand as a sense of the responsibility of the +voter would create—they would not be slow in rising to at least +the rather low level at present occupied by the average masculine +voter. So that, viewing the subject from an intellectual +stand-point merely, such fears as at first spring up, drop away, +one by one, and disappear. But it must not be forgotten that a +very large proportion of questions to be settled by the ballot, +both those of principle and such as refer to candidates, have in +them a <i>moral</i> element which is vital. And here we are safer with +the ballot in the hands of woman; for her keener insight and +truer moral sense will more certainly guide her aright—and not +her alone, but also, by reflex action, all whose minds are open +to the influence of her example. The weight of this answer can +hardly be overestimated. In my judgment, this moral consideration +far more than offsets all the objections that can be based on any +assumed lack of an intellectual appreciation of the few questions +almost wholly commercial and economical. Last of all, a majority +of questions to be voted on touch the interests of woman as they +do those of man. It is upon her finer sensibilities, her purer +instincts, and her maternal nature that the results of immorality +and vice in every form fall with more crushing weight. </p></blockquote> + +<p>A criticism has been made upon the exercise of this right by the +women of Utah that the plural wives in that territory are under the +control of their polygamous husbands. Be that as it may, it is an +undoubted fact that there is probably no city of equal size on this +continent where there is less disturbance of the peace, or where +the citizen is more secure in his person or property, either by day +or night, than in the city of Salt Lake. A qualified right of +suffrage has also been given to women in Oregon, Colorado, +Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, +Michigan, Kentucky, and New York. Of the operation of the law in +the last-named State, Governor Cornell in a message to the +legislature on May 12, said: <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>The recent law, 1882, making women eligible as school trustees, +has produced admirable results, not only in securing the election +of many of them as trustees of schools, but especially in +elevating the qualifications of men proposed as candidates for +school-boards, and also in stimulating greater interest in the +management of schools generally. The effect of these new +experiences is to widen the influence and usefulness of women. </p></blockquote> + +<p>So well satisfied are the representatives in the legislature of +that State with these results that the assembly, by a large +majority, recently passed to a third reading an act giving the full +right of suffrage to women, the passage of which has been arrested +in the Senate by an opinion of the attorney-general that a +constitutional amendment is necessary to accomplish the object. In +England women are allowed to vote at all municipal elections, and +hold the office of guardian of the poor. In four States, Nebraska, +Indiana, Oregon, and Iowa, propositions have passed their +legislatures and are now pending, conferring the right of suffrage +upon women.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding all these efforts, it is the opinion of the best +informed men and women, who have devoted more than a third of a +century to the consideration and discussion of the subject, that an +amendment to the federal constitution, analogous to the fifteenth +amendment of that instrument, is the most safe, direct, and +expeditious mode of settling the question. It is the question of +the enfranchisement of half the race now denied the right, and +that, too, the most favored half in the estimation of those who +deny the right. Petitions, from time to time, signed by many +thousands, have been presented to congress, and there are now upon +our files seventy-five petitions representing eighteen different +States. Two years ago treble the number of petitions, representing +over twenty-five States, were presented.</p> + +<p>If congress should adopt the pending resolution, the question would +go before the intelligent bodies who are chosen to represent the +people in the legislatures of the various States, and would receive +a more enlightened and careful consideration than if submitted to +the masses of the male population, with all their prejudices, in +the form of an amendment to the constitutions of the several +States. Besides, such an amendment, if adopted, would secure that +uniformity in the exercise of the right which could not be expected +by action from the several States. We think the time has arrived +for the submission of such an amendment to the legislatures of the +States. We know the prejudices which the movement for suffrage to +all without regard to sex, had to encounter from the very outset, +prejudices which still exist in the minds of many. The period for +employing the weapons of ridicule and enmity has not yet passed. +Now, as in the beginning, we hear appeals to prejudice and the +baser passions of men. The anathema, "woe betide the hand that +plucks the wizard beard of hoary error," is yet employed to deter +men from acting upon their convictions as to what ought to be done +with reference to this great question. To those who are inclined to +cast ridicule upon the movement, we quote the answer made while one +of the early conventions was in session in the State of New York:</p> + +<blockquote><p>A collection of women arguing for political rights and for the +privileges usually conceded only to the other sex is one of the +easiest things in the world to make fun<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> of. There is no end to +the smart speeches and the witty remarks that may be made on the +subject. But when we seriously attempt to show that a woman who +pays taxes ought not to have a voice in the manner in which the +taxes are expended, that a woman whose property and liberty and +person are controlled by the laws should have no voice in framing +those laws, it is not so easy. If women are fit to rule in a +monarchy, it is difficult to say why they are not qualified to +vote in a republic; nor can there be greater indelicacy in a +woman going to the ballot-box than there is in a woman opening a +legislature or issuing orders to an army. </p></blockquote> + +<p>To all who are more serious in their opposition to the movement, we +would remind them of the words of a few distinguished men:—</p> + +<blockquote><p>I go for all sharing the privileges of the government who assist +in bearing its burdens, by no means excluding women.—[<span class="smcap">Abraham +Lincoln</span>.</p> + +<p>I believe that the vices in our large cities will never be +conquered until the ballot is put into the hands of +women.—[Bishop <span class="smcap">Simpson</span>.</p> + +<p>I do not think our politics will be what it ought to be till +women are legislators and voters.—[Rev. <span class="smcap">James Freeman Clarke</span>.</p> + +<p>Women have quite as much interest in good government as men, and +I have never heard or read of any satisfactory reason for +excluding them from the ballot-box; I have no more doubt of their +ameliorating influence upon politics than I have of the influence +they exert everywhere else.—[<span class="smcap">George William Curtis</span>.</p> + +<p>In view of the terrible corruption of our politics, people ask, +can we maintain universal suffrage? I say no, not without women. +The only bear-gardens in our community are the town-meeting and +the caucus. Why is this? Because these are the only places at +which women are not present.—[Bishop <span class="smcap">Gilbert Haven</span>.</p> + +<p>I repeat my conviction of the right of woman suffrage. Because +suffrage is a right and not a grace, it should be extended to +women who bear their share of the public cost, and who have the +same interest that I have in the selection of officials and the +making of laws which affect their lives, their property, and +their happiness.—[Governor <span class="smcap">Long</span> of Massachusetts.</p> + +<p>However much the giving of political power to woman may disagree +with our notions of propriety, we conclude that, being required +by that first prerequisite to greater happiness, the law of equal +freedom, such a concession is unquestionably right and +good.—[<span class="smcap">Herbert Spencer</span>.</p> + +<p>In the administration of a State neither a woman as a woman, nor +a man as a man has any special functions, but the gifts are +equally diffused in both sexes. The same opportunity for +self-development which makes man a good guardian will make woman +a good guardian, for their original nature is the same.—[<span class="smcap">Plato</span>. </p></blockquote> + +<p>It has become a custom, almost universal, to invite and to welcome +the presence of women at political assemblages, to listen to +discussions upon the topics involved in the canvass. Their presence +has done much toward the elevation, refinement, and freedom from +insincerity and hypocrisy, of such discussions. Why would not the +same results be wrought out by their presence at the ballot-box? +Wherever the right has been exercised by law, both in England and +this country, such has been its effect in the conduct of elections.</p> + +<p>The framers of our system of government embodied in the Declaration +of Independence the statement that to secure the rights which are +therein declared to be inalienable and in respect to which all men +are created equal, "governments are instituted among men deriving +their just powers from the consent of the governed." The system of +representative government they inaugurated can only be maintained +and perpetuated by allowing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> all citizens to give that consent +through the medium of the ballot-box—the only mode in which the +"consent of the governed" can be obtained. To deny to one-half of +the citizens of the republic all participation in framing the laws +by which they are to be governed, simply on account of their sex, +is political despotism to those who are excluded, and "taxation +without representation" to such of them as have property liable to +taxation. Their investiture with separate estates leads, logically +and necessarily, to their right to the ballot as the only means +afforded them for the protection of their property, as it is the +only means of their full protection in the enjoyment of the +immeasurably greater right to life and liberty. To be governed +without such consent is clear denial of a right declared to be +inalienable.</p> + +<p>It is said that the majority of women do not desire and would not +exercise the right, if acknowledged. The assertion rests in +conjecture. In ordinary elections multitudes of men do not exercise +the right. It is only in extraordinary cases, and when their +interests and patriotism are appealed to, that male voters are with +unanimity found at the polls. It would doubtless be the same with +women. In the exceptional instances in which the exercise of the +right has been permitted, they have engaged with zeal in every +important canvass. Even if the statement were founded in fact, it +furnishes no argument in favor of excluding women from the exercise +of the franchise. <i>It is the denial of the right of which they +complain.</i> There are multitudes of men whose vote can be purchased +at an election for the smallest and most trifling consideration. +Yet all such would spurn with scorn and unutterable contempt a +proposition to purchase their <i>right to vote</i>, and no consideration +would be deemed an equivalent for such a surrender. Women are more +sensitive upon this question than men, and so long as this right, +deemed by them to be sacred, is denied, so long the agitation which +has marked the progress of this contest thus far will be continued.</p> + +<p>Entertaining these views, your committee report back the proposed +resolution without amendment for the consideration of the Senate, +and recommend its passage.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from"> +E. G. Lapham,<br /> +T. M. Ferry,<br /> +H. W. Blair.</p> + +<p>The constitution is wisely conservative in the provision for its +own amendment. It is eminently proper that whenever a large number +of the people have indicated a desire for an amendment, the +judgment of the amending power should be consulted. In view of the +extensive agitation of the question of woman suffrage, and the +numerous and respectable petitions that have been presented to +congress in its support, I unite with the committee in recommending +that the proposed amendment be submitted to the States.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">H. B. Anthony.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>June 5, 1882, Mr. George, from the Committee on Woman Suffrage, +submitted the following views of the minority:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The undersigned are unable to concur in the report of the +majority recommending the adoption of the joint resolution +proposing an amendment<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> to the Constitution of the United States, +for reasons which they will now proceed to state.</p> + +<p>We do not base our dissent upon any ground having relation to the +expediency or inexpediency of vesting in women the right to vote. +Hence we shall not discuss the very grave and important social +and political questions which have arisen from the agitation to +admit to equal political rights the women of our country, and to +impose on them the burden of discharging, equally with men, +political and public duties. Whether so radical a change in our +political and social system would advance the happiness and +welfare of the American people, considered as a whole, without +distinction of sex, is a question on which there is a marked +disagreement among the most enlightened and thoughtful of both +sexes. Its solution involves considerations so intimately +pertaining to all the relations of social and private life—the +family circle—the status of women as wives, mothers, daughters, +and companions, to the functions in private and public life which +they ought to perform, and their ability and willingness to +perform them—the harmony and stability of marriage, and the +division of the labors and cares of that union—that we are +convinced that the proper and safe discussion and weighing of +them would be best secured by deliberations in the separate +communities which have so deep an interest in the rightful +solution of this grave question. Great organic changes in +government, especially when they involve, as this proposed change +does, a revolution in the modes of life, long-standing habits, +and the most sacred domestic relations of the people, should +result only upon the demand of the people, who are to be affected +by them. Such changes should originate with, and be molded and +guided in their operation and extent by, the people themselves. +They should neither precede their demand for them, nor be delayed +in opposition to their clearly expressed wishes. Their happiness, +their welfare, their advancement, are the sole objects of the +institution of government; of these they are not only the best, +but they are the exclusive judges. They have commissioned us to +exercise for their good the great powers which they have +intrusted to us by their letter of attorney, the constitution; +not to assume to ourselves a superior wisdom, or usurp a +guardianship over them, dictating reforms not demanded by them, +and attempting to grasp power not granted.</p> + +<p>The organization of our political institutions is such that the +great mass of the powers of government, the proper exercise of +which so deeply concerns the welfare of the people, is left to +the States. In that depository the will of the people is most +certainly ascertained, and the exercise of power is more directly +under their guidance. Our free institutions have had their great +development and owe their stability more to causes connected with +the direct exercise of the power of the people in local +self-government than to all other causes combined. Recent events, +though tending strongly to centralization, have not destroyed in +the public mind the inestimable value of local self-government. +Among the powers which have hitherto been esteemed as most +essential to the public welfare is the power of the States to +regulate their domestic institutions in their own way; and among +those institutions none has been preserved by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> States with +greater jealousy than their absolute control over marriage and +the relation between the sexes.</p> + +<p>Another power of the States, deemed by the people when they +assented to the Constitution of the United States most essential +to the public welfare, was the right of each State to determine +the qualifications of electors. Wherever the federal constitution +speaks of elections for a federal office, it adopts the +qualifications for electors prescribed by the State in which the +election is to be held.</p> + +<p>Nor has this fundamental rule been departed from in the fifteenth +amendment. That impairs it only to the extent that race, color, +or previous condition of servitude shall not be made a ground of +exclusion from the right of suffrage. In all else that pertains +to the qualifications of electors the absolute will of the State +prevails. This amendment was inserted from considerations which +pertain to no other part of the question of suffrage. The negro +race had been recently emancipated; it was supposed that the +antagonism between them and their old masters and the prejudice +of race would be such as to obstruct the equal enjoyment of the +rights of freedom conferred by the national forces, and would +prevent the white race of the South from admitting the negro +race, however deserving it might be, to equal political +privileges. And, moreover, it was deemed by the North a point of +honor that, having conferred freedom on the negro, he should be +provided with the right of suffrage.</p> + +<p>None of these considerations applies in the present case. It is +not pretended that any such antagonism or prejudice exists +between the sexes. It is not pretended that women have been +redeemed from an intolerable slavery by the power of the +government. It is not pretended that the sex in whose hands is +the political power of the States is unwilling, from any cause, +to do full justice to the other; for it is conceded that if the +proposed amendment should be adopted, its incorporation into the +constitution must result from the voluntary action of that sex in +which is vested this political power. No good reason has been +given why the congress of the United States should force or even +hasten the States into such action, and no such reason can be +given without a reversal of the theories on which our free +institutions are based.</p> + +<p>The history given by the majority, of the legislation of the +several States in relation to the rights of persons and property +of married women showing as it does a steady advance in the +abolition of their common-law disabilities, conclusively +demonstrates that this question may be safely left for solution +where it now is and has always hitherto belonged. The public mind +is now being agitated in many of the States as to the rights of +women, not only as to suffrage, but as to their engaging in the +various employments from which they have hitherto been excluded. +This exclusion from certain employments has not been the result +of municipal but of social laws—the strongest of all human +regulations. As these social laws have been modified, so the +sphere of woman's activities and usefulness has been enlarged. +These social laws are in the main the groundwork of the exclusion +of women from the right of suffrage. In the establishment of +these laws, as in their modification, women themselves<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span> have even +a greater influence than men. Their disability to vote is, +therefore, self-imposed; when they shall will otherwise, it is +not too much to say that the disability will no longer exist. If +in the future it shall be found that these laws deny a right to +women the enjoyment of which they desire, and for the exercise of +which they are qualified, it cannot be doubted that they will +give way. If, on the contrary, neither of these shall be +discovered, it will happen that the exclusion of suffrage will +not be considered as a denial of a right, but as an exemption +granted to women from cares and burdens which a tender and +affectionate regard for womanhood refuses to cast on them.</p> + +<p>We are convinced, therefore, that the best mode of disposing of +the question is to leave its solution to that power most amenable +to the influences and usages of society in which women have so +large and so potential a share, confident that at no distant day +a right result will be reached in each State which will be +satisfactory to both sexes and perfectly consistent with the +welfare and happiness of the people. Certainly this must be so if +the people themselves, the source and foundation of all power, +are capable of self-government.</p> + +<p>At two of its meetings the committee listened with great pleasure +to several eminent ladies who appeared before it as advocates of +the proposed amendment. At none of the meetings of the committee, +including that at which the members voted on the proposed +amendment, was there any discussion of this important subject; +none was asked for or desired by any member of the committee, and +the vote was taken. The reports of the majority and of the +minority of the committee are therefore to be construed only as +the individual opinions of the members who respectively concur in +them. They are in no sense to be treated as the judgment of a +deliberative body charged with the examination of this important +subject.</p> + +<p>The foregoing leads us to but one recommendation: that the +committee should be discharged from the further consideration of +the subject, that the resolution raising it be rescinded, and +that the proposed amendment be rejected.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from"> +J. Z. George,<br /> +Howell E. Jackson,<br /> +James G. Fair.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>In a letter from Miss Caroline Biggs to the president of the +National Association the following congratulations came from the +friends of suffrage in England:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"> +<span class="smcap">Central Committee of the National Society for</span> }<br /> +<span class="smcap">Woman Suffrage</span>, 64 Berners Street, <span class="smcap">London</span>, W. }<br /> +</p> + +<p>At a meeting of the Executive Committee, on May 18, 1882, the +following resolution was proposed by Mrs. Lucas, seconded by Miss +Jane Cobden, and passed unanimously:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That the Executive Committee of the National Society +for Woman Suffrage have heard with hearty satisfaction that a +select committee of the United States Senate in Washington has +passed by a majority of votes the recommendation to adopt a +constitutional amendment in favor of women's suffrage. They feel +that the cause of woman is one in all countries, and they offer +their most cordial congratulations to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> the women of America on +the important step which has just been gained, and their warmest +good-wishes for a speedy success in obtaining a measure which +will guarantee justice and equal rights to half the population of +a sister country. </p></blockquote> +</blockquote> + +<p>Nebraska now became the center of interest, as a constitutional +amendment to secure the right of suffrage to woman was submitted to +be voted upon in the November election. As the submission of such a +proposition makes an important crisis in the history of a State, as +well as in the suffrage movement, the notes of preparation were as +varied as multitudinous throughout the nation, rousing all to +renewed earnestness in the work. Both the American and National +associations decided to hold their annual conventions in Omaha, the +chief city of the State, and to support as many speakers<a name="FNanchor_90_90" id="FNanchor_90_90"></a><a href="#Footnote_90_90" class="fnanchor">[90]</a> as +possible through the campaign, that meetings might be held and +tracts distributed in every county of the State, an Herculean +undertaking, as Nebraska comprises 230,000 inhabitants scattered +over an area of 76,000 square miles, divided into sixty-six +counties; and yet this is what the friends of the measure proposed +to do. The American Association<a name="FNanchor_91_91" id="FNanchor_91_91"></a><a href="#Footnote_91_91" class="fnanchor">[91]</a> held its convention September +12, 13, 14. The National<a name="FNanchor_92_92" id="FNanchor_92_92"></a><a href="#Footnote_92_92" class="fnanchor">[92]</a> continued three days, September 27, +28, 29.</p> + +<p>The Opera House, in which the National Association held its +meeting, was completely filled during all the sessions. The address +of welcome was given by Hon. A. J. Poppleton, one of the most +distinguished lawyers in that State. He said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I deem it no light compliment that, in the face of an explicit +declaration that I am not in favor of woman suffrage, I have been +asked to make, on behalf of the people of Omaha and the State, an +address of welcome to the many distinguished men and women whom +this occasion has brought together. Doubtless the consideration +shown me is a recognition of the fact that I have been a +life-long advocate of the advancement of women through the +agencies of equality in education, equality in employment, +equality in wages, equality in property-rights and personal +liberty, in short, a fair, open, equal field in the struggle for +life. That I cannot go beyond this and embrace equal suffrage, is +due rather to long adherence<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> to the political philosophy of +Edmund Burke than any lack of conviction of the absolute equality +of men and women in natural rights.</p> + +<p>In the winter of 1852-3, when a student at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., +while the spot on which we now stand was Indian country as yet +untouched by the formative power of national legislation, I +listened to Miss Susan B. Anthony, Miss Antoinette Brown and +others in the advocacy of the rights of women. It seems a strange +fortune that brings now, nearly thirty years after, one of those +speakers, crowned with a national reputation, into a State carved +out of that Indian country and containing 60,000 people, in +advocacy of equal suffrage for her sex. This single fact +proclaims in thunder tones the bravery, the fidelity, the +devotion of these pioneers of reform, and challenges for them the +sympathy, respect, esteem and admiration of every good man and +woman in America.</p> + +<p>The thirty years commencing about 1850 have been prolific of +momentous changes. It is the era of the sewing machine, of the +domestication of steam and electricity, the overthrow of the +great rebellion, the destruction of slavery, the consolidation of +the German empire, the fall of the second Napoleon, the birth of +the French republic, the incorporation of India into the British +empire, and the revolution of commerce by the Pacific railways +and the Suez canal. Great changes have likewise taken place in +the structure of our own State and national legislation, the most +conspicuous and pronounced result being the centralization of +power in the federal government. It has been preëminently a +period of amelioration, a long stride in the direction of +tolerance of opinion, belief, speech and creed. Hospitals, +asylums, schools, colleges and the manifold agencies of an +advanced Christian civilization for alleviating the average lot +of humanity, have grown and multiplied beyond the experience of +former times, and men like Matthew Vassar, George Peabody and +John Hopkins have hastened to consecrate the abundant fruits of +honorable lives to the exaltation and advancement of the race.</p> + +<p>But in no direction have greater changes occurred in this country +than in the condition of woman in respect to employment, wages, +personal and property rights. In all heathen countries at this +hour the mass of women are slaves or worse, wholly deprived of +civil rights. In most Christian countries their legal status is +one of absolute subordination in person and property to men. In +this republic alone have we attained an altitude where some small +measure of justice is meted out to women by the laws. In 1850 a +fair measure of her rights was the grim edict of the common law +holding her in guardianship prior to marriage, and upon marriage +making her and all her possessions practically the property of +her husband, while a cruel, unreasonable and vicious public +opinion excluded her from all except menial and ill-paid service. +One by one and year by year these barriers have given way, until +in many States her property and personal rights enjoy the +complete shelter of the law. Now more than half the occupations +and employments of this age of industrial activity and progress +are thronged with the faithful, efficient and contented labor of +women.</p> + +<p>The law has broken forever the thraldom of an odious and hopeless +marriage by reasonable laws for divorce for just cause, given her +the custody<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> of her children, vested her with the absolute power +of disposition and control over her property, inherited or +acquired, freed it from the claims of her husband's creditors, +and clothed her with ample legal remedies even against her +husband. Perhaps Nebraska alone of all the States, by its court +of last resort, has upheld the power of the wife to make +contracts with her husband and enforce them against him in her +own name by the appropriate legal remedies. This surely is +progress. Beyond this there lies but one field to win or fortress +to reduce. Then surely the worn soldier in the long campaign +crowned with the garlands of victory may rest from the battle.</p> + +<p>Not many years ago, coming from Wisconsin, I think, a girl +presented herself in the Illinois courts for admission to the +bar, and after a rigid and unsparing examination she was admitted +with public compliment. She took an office in the great city of +Chicago and in the short remnant of an uncertain life so wrought +in her profession as to attain an average professional income, +and win the undivided respect and esteem of her professional +associates. And when from a far country, whither she had gone in +hope to escape a fell disease, her lifeless corpse was brought +back for sepulture, many of the foremost lawyers of Chicago +gathered about her bier and bore emphatic testimony to her +virtues as a woman and her attainments as a lawyer. To me no +greater work has been done by any American woman. When Alta +Hulett unobtrusively, silently but indomitably pressed her way to +the front of the legal profession, and established herself there, +she vindicated the right of her sex to contend for the highest +prizes of life, and left her countrywomen a legacy which will +ultimately blazon her name imperishably in the history of the +advancement of women; and every American woman who, like her, +goes to the front of any honorable occupation, employment or +profession, and stays there, becomes her coädjutor in work and a +sharer in her reward.</p> + +<p>Laden with the trophies of thirty years of conflict, of progress, +of measurable success, the vice-president of the National Woman +Suffrage Association and her associates present themselves to +Nebraska and ask a hearing upon the final issue, "Shall this work +be crowned by granting to women in this State the highest +privilege of the citizen—suffrage?" On behalf of the people of a +State whose legislature has granted everything else to +women—whose devotion to free speech, untrammeled discussion and +an independent press has been conspicuous in its constitutional +and legislative history—I welcome them to this city and State, +and bespeak for them a patient, candid, respectful, appreciative +hearing. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Anthony replied briefly to Mr. Poppleton's eloquent address +and returned the thanks of the convention for the courtesy with +which its members had been received by the citizens of Omaha.<a name="FNanchor_93_93" id="FNanchor_93_93"></a><a href="#Footnote_93_93" class="fnanchor">[93]</a> +She then read a letter from the president of the convention:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Toulouse</span>, France, September 1, 1882.</p> + +<p><i>To the National Woman Suffrage Association in Convention +assembled:</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Friends</span>: People never appreciate the magnitude and +importance on any step in progress, at the time it is taken, nor +the full moral worth of the characters who inspire it, hence it +will be in line with the whole history of reform from the +beginning if woman's enfranchisement in Nebraska should in many +minds seem puerile and premature, and its advocates fanatical and +unreasonable. Nevertheless the proposition speaks for itself. A +constitutional amendment to crown one-half of the people of a +great State with all their civil and political rights, is the +most vital question the citizens of Nebraska have ever been +called on to consider; and the fact cannot be gainsaid that some +of the purest and ablest women America can boast, are now in the +State advocating the measure.</p> + +<p>For the last two months I have been assisting my son in the +compilation of a work soon to be published in America, under the +title, "The Woman Question in Europe," to which distinguished +women in different nations have each contributed a sketch of the +progress made in their condition. One interesting and significant +fact as shown in this work, is, that in the very years we began +to agitate the question of equal rights, there was a simultaneous +movement by women for various privileges, industrial, social, +educational, civil and political, throughout the civilized world. +And this without the slightest concert of action, or knowledge of +each other's existence, showing that the time had come in the +natural evolution of the species, in the order of human +development, for woman to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> assert her rights, and to demand the +recognition of the feminine element in all the vital interests of +life.</p> + +<p>To battle against a palpable fact in philosophy and the +accumulated facts in achievement that can be seen on all sides in +woman's work for the last forty years, from slavery to equality, +is as vain as to fight against the law of gravitation. We shall +as surely reach the goal we purposed when we started, as that the +rich prairies of Nebraska will ere long feed and educate millions +of brave men and women, gathered from every nation on the globe. +Every consideration for the improvement of your home life, for +the morality of your towns and cities, for the elevation of your +schools and colleges, and the loftiest motives of patriotism +should move you, men of Nebraska, to vote for this amendment. +Galton in his great work on Heredity says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We are in crying want of a greater fund of ability in all +stations of life, for neither the classes of statesmen, +philosophers, artisans nor laborers, are up to the modern +complexity of their several professions. An extended civilization +like ours comprises more interests than the ordinary statesmen or +philosophers of our race are capable of dealing with, and it +exacts more intelligent work than our ordinary artisans and +laborers, are capable of performing. Our race is overweighted, +and appears likely to be dragged into degeneracy by demands that +exceed its powers. If its average ability were raised a grade or +two, a new class of statesmen would conduct our complex affairs +at home and abroad, as easily as our best business men now do +their own private trades and professions. The needs of +centralization, communication, and culture, call for more brains +and mental stamina, than the average of our race possesses. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Does it need a prophet to tell us where to begin this work? Does +not the physical and intellectual condition of the women of a +nation decide the capacity and power of its men? If we would give +our sons the help and inspiration of woman's thought and interest +in the complex questions of our present civilization, we must first +give her the power that political responsibility secures. With the +ballot in her own right hand, she would feel a new sense of +dignity, and command among men a respect they have never felt +before.</p> + +<p>Nebraska has now the opportunity of making this grand experiment of +securing justice, liberty, equality, for the first time in the +world's history, to woman, through her education and +enfranchisement, of lifting man to that higher plane of thought +where he may be able wisely to meet all the emergencies of the +period in which he is called on to act. Let every man in Nebraska +now so do his duty, that, when the sun goes down on the eighth of +November, the glad news may be sent round the world that at last +one State in the American republic has fully accorded the sacred +right of self-government to all her citizens, black and white, men +and women. With sincere hope for this victory,</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Elizabeth Cady Stanton</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Cordially yours,</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Many interesting letters were received from friends at home and +abroad, of which we give a few. The following is from our Minister +Plenipotentiary at the German Court:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Berlin</span>, September 9, 1882.</p> + +<p>Miss <span class="smcap">Anthony</span>: <i>Esteemed Friend</i>: At this great distance I can +only sympathize with the earnest effort to be made this fall to +secure political<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> recognition for women in Nebraska. I am glad +that the prospect is so good and that Nebraska, which gave a +name, with Kansas, to the first successful resistance to the +encroachments of slavery, is the arena where the battle is to be +fought under such promise of a just result. By recognizing the +right of its women to an equal share in all the duties and +responsibilities of life, Nebraska will honor itself while +securing for all time wholesome laws and administration.</p> + +<p>I believe society would more benefit itself than grant a favor to +women by extending the suffrage to them. All the interests of +women are promoted by a government that shall guard the family +circle, restrain excess, promote education, shield the young from +temptation. While the true interests of men lie in the same +direction, women more generally appreciate these facts and +illustrate in their lives a desire for their attainment. Could we +bring to the ballot-box the great fund of virtue, intelligence +and good intention stored up in the minds and hearts of our wives +and sisters, how great the reinforcement would be for all that is +noble, patriotic and pure in public life! Who should fear the +result who desires the public welfare? From the stand-point of +better principles applied to the direction of public affairs and +the best individuals in office, the argument seems impregnable.</p> + +<p>It is getting late to resist this measure on the ground that the +character of women themselves would be lowered by contact with +politics. That objection is identical with the motive which +causes the Turk to shut up his women in a harem and closely veil +them in public. He fears their delicacy will be tarnished if they +speak to any man but their proprietor. So prejudice feared woman +would be unsexed if she had equal education with man. The +professions were closed to women for the same consideration. +Women have vindicated their ability to endure the education and +engage in the dreaded pursuits, yet society is not dissolved, and +these fearful imaginings have proved idle dreams. As every +advance made by woman since the days when it was a mooted +law-point how large could be the stick with which her husband +could punish her, down to the day when congress opened to her the +bar of the United States Supreme Court, has been accompanied by +constantly refuted assertions that she and society were about to +be ruined. I think we can safely trust to her good sense, virtue +and delicacy to preserve for us the loved and venerated object we +have always known, even if society shall yield the still further +measure of complete enfranchisement, and thus add to her social +dignity, duties and responsibilities.</p> + +<p>No class has ever been degraded by the ballot. All have rather +been elevated by it. We cannot rationally anticipate less +desirable personal consequences to those whose tendencies are +naturally good, than to those on whom the ballot has been +conferred belonging to a lower plane of being. But these +considerations go only to show the policy of granting suffrage to +women. From the stand-point of justice the argument is more +pressing. If woman asks for the ballot shall man deny it? By what +right? Certainly not by the right of a majority; for women are at +least as numerous. Certainly not by any right derived from +nature; for our common mother has set no brand on woman. If one +woman shall ask<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> for a voice in the regulation of society of +which she is at least one-half, who shall say her nay? If any +woman shall ask it, who shall deny it because another woman does +not ask it? There are many men who do not value their +citizenship; shall other men therefore be deprived of the ballot? +Suppose many women would not avail themselves of such a function, +are those with higher, or other views, to be therefore kept in +tutelage?</p> + +<p>I trust you may succeed in this work in Nebraska. It is of +supreme importance to the cause. The example of Nebraska would +soon be followed by other States. The current of such a reform +knows no retiring ebb. The suffrage once acquired will never be +relinquished; first, because it will recommend itself, as it has +in Wyoming, by its results; second, because the women will +jealously guard their rights, and defend them with their ballots. +Wishing I could do more than send you good wishes for the +cause,<a name="FNanchor_94_94" id="FNanchor_94_94"></a><a href="#Footnote_94_94" class="fnanchor">[94]</a> I am, respectfully yours,</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">A. A. Sargent.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The following letter is from a daughter of Elizabeth Cady Stanton +(a graduate of Vassar College, and classmate of Miss Elizabeth +Poppleton), who two years before, on the eve of her departure for +Europe, gave her eloquent address on Edmund Burke in that city:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Toulouse</span>, France, September 3, 1882.</p> + +<p><i>To the Voters of my Generation in Nebraska:</i></p> + +<p>It is not my desire to present to you any argument, but only to +give you an episode in my own life. I desire to lay before you a +fact, not a fiction; a reality, not a supposition; an experience +not a theory.</p> + +<p>I was born in a free republic and in my veins runs very +rebellious blood. An ancestor of my father was one of those +intrepid men who left the shores of old England and sailed forth +to establish on a distant continent the grandest republic that +has ever yet been known. That, you see, is not good blood to +submit to injustice. And on my mother's side we find a sturdy old +Puritan from whom our stock is traced, fleeing from England +because of the faith that was in him, and joining his rebellious +life to one of that honest Holland nation which had defied so +nobly the oppressions of the Catholic church and Spanish +inquisition. As if this were not sufficiently independent blood +to pass on to other generations, my own father became an +abolitionist, and step by step fought his belief to victory, and +my mother early gave her efforts to the elevation of woman. It is +all this, together with my living in the freëst land on the globe +and in a century rife with discussions of all principles of +government, that has made me in every fiber a believer in +republican institutions.</p> + +<p>Having been reared in a large family of boys where we enjoyed +equal freedom, and having received the same collegiate education +as my brothers, it is not until lately that I have felt the crime +of my womanhood. I have dwelt thus upon the antecedents and +influences of my life in order to ask you one question: Do you +not think I can appreciate the real meaning, the true sacredness +of a republic? Do you not believe I feel<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> the duties it demands +of its citizens? But I want you to hold your reply in abeyance, +till I give you one bit more of history.</p> + +<p>A ship at sea crossing on the Atlantic between Europe and +America. Of two persons on this vessel I wish to speak to you. Of +one I have already told you much; I need but add that my two +years spent in Europe,<a name="FNanchor_95_95" id="FNanchor_95_95"></a><a href="#Footnote_95_95" class="fnanchor">[95]</a> previous to my return to America for a +few months last winter, had not made me less American, less a +lover of republicanism. And now this ship, baffling the February +storm, was sweeping nearer the land where the people reign. My +heart beat high as I thought it was in my native country where +women were free, more honored than in any nation in the world. As +I stood on the deck, the strong sea-wind blowing wildly about me, +and the ocean bearing on its heart-wave mountains, visions of the +grandeur of the nation lying off beyond the western horizon, rose +before me. And it was a proud heart that cried—"My Country!"</p> + +<p>And the other person I want to speak of? It is a man, a German, +coming to the United States to escape military service in +Prussia. He came in the steerage; was poor and ignorant. He could +speak no English, not one word of your language and mine. His +fellows were all Irish, so I offered to be an interpreter for +him. I visited the steerage quarters, and returned with a heavy +heart. Such brutal faces as I saw! Ignorance, cruelty, +subserviency, were everywhere depicted. Herds of human beings +that I feared, they looked so dull and brutal. The full meaning +of a terrible truth rushed upon me. Soon these men would be my +sovereigns—I their subject!</p> + +<p>I had just spent a year in that German's native land, and I +remembered that I had seen their women doing the work of men in +the fields, husbands returning from their day's labor +empty-handed, and their wives toiling on behind bent under heavy +burdens, and as I thought on this, our ship bore him and me +towards the land that glories in having given birth to Lucretia +Mott. In the country where he had been reared, I had seen women +harnessed with beasts of burden, dragging laden wagons, and yet +our vessel carried him and me at each moment towards a safe +harbor, in a land that pays homage to the memory of Margaret +Fuller. Our ship sailed on, taking him from a land where he had +been taught to worship royalty, whatever its worth or crime; +where he had paid cringing submission to an arbitrary rule of +police; where he had been surrounded by the degrading effects of +the mightiest military system on the globe. The ship plowed on +and on through the waves, bringing him to a republic, not one +principle of which he comprehended.</p> + +<p>And now we sail up New York bay. The day is bright, and a +softening haze hangs over all. Surely this is some vision-land. +Yes, it is indeed a vision-land, for it has never known the +presence of a royal line; against its oppressors it fought in no +mean rebellious spirit, but rose in revolution with its motto, +"Governments derive their just powers from the consent of the +governed," written on its brow to be known of all men. And I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span> +think as we slowly sail up the bay on our vessel, Does that +deadened soul respond to what lies before him? Does there in his +heart rise the prayer, Oh, God! make me true to the duties about +to be laid upon me; make me worthy of being free? Yes, then, for +the first time I felt the full depth of the indignity offered to +my womanhood. I felt my enthusiasm for America wavering—love of +country dead. <i>My</i> country!—I have no country.</p> + +<p>Young men of Nebraska, I ask you to free your minds from +prejudice, to be just towards the demands of another human soul, +to be frank, to be wholly truthful, and answer my demand: Why +should I not be a citizen of this republic? In replying, read +between the lines of my tedious story and bear in mind the words +of Voltaire: "Who would dare change a law that time has +consecrated? Is there anything more respectable than an ancient +abuse! Reason is more ancient, replied Zadig."</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Harriot Stanton</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Respectfully,</p> + + +<p class="ltr-date ltr-clear"> +<span class="smcap">Manchester National Society for Woman Suffrage</span>, }<br /> +<span class="smcap">Manchester</span>, England, September 5, 1882. }</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Miss Anthony</span>: Will you accept a word of cheer and God-speed +from your sisters in England in your crusade for the emancipation +of woman in Nebraska? You carry with you the hopes and +sympathetic wishes of all on this side of the water. If you win, +as I trust you may, your victory will have a distinct influence +on the future of our parliamentary campaign, which we hope to +begin in early spring in England. In the name of English women I +would appeal to the men of Nebraska to assent to the great act of +justice to women which is proposed to them by their elected +representatives, and by so doing to aid in the enfranchisement of +women all over the world.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Lydia E. Becker</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Yours faithfully,</p> + + +<p class="ltr-date ltr-clear"><span class="smcap">London</span>, September 1, 1882.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Miss Anthony</span>: Having heard that the next convention of the +National Woman Suffrage Association will meet at Omaha this +month, I cannot refrain from sending a few lines to assure our +friends who are working so steadfastly in America for the same +sacred cause as our own, of our loving sympathy and good-wishes +for success in the coming struggle. The eyes and hearts of +hundreds of women are, like my own, turned to Nebraska, where so +momentous an issue is to be decided two months hence. The news of +their vote, if rightly given, will "echo round the world" like +the first shot fired at Concord. It will be the expression of +their determination to establish their freedom by giving freedom +to others, and their example will be followed by Indiana and +Oregon, and soon by the other States of the Union and by England. +Everything points with us to a speedy triumph of the principle of +equal justice for woman. Next November, about the time when +Nebraska will be voting for equal suffrage, the women in Scotland +will be voting for the first time in their municipal elections. +The session of 1882 will be memorable in future for having passed +the act which gives a married woman the right to hold her own +property, make contracts, sue and be sued, in the same manner as +if she were a single woman. It is nearly thirty years since we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> +first began our efforts in this matter, and each succeeding step +has been won very slowly and with great difficulty through the +efforts of those who are working to obtain the suffrage. Mr. +Gladstone still expresses the hope that next session will place +the franchise on a "fair" basis, meaning thereby the same right +of voting for counties as for boroughs. We maintain that the +franchise can never be said to be on a fair basis while women are +debarred from the right of voting. Our progress and your progress +will keep even pace together, for if women are free in America no +long time can elapse before they are free here. We can but offer +you our sympathy and we beg this favor of you, that as soon as +you have the returns of the vote ascertained, you will telegraph +the news to us, that our English societies may keep the day of +rejoicing heart in heart with the American National Association.</p> + +<p>With cordial sympathy in all your efforts, I am, faithfully +yours,</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">Carolyn Ashurst Biggs.</p> + + +<p class="ltr-break"><i>To the National Woman Suffrage Association, in Convention +assembled, at Omaha, Nebraska, September 26, 27, 28:</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Friends</span>: The most pressing work before the National Woman +Suffrage Convention, is bringing all its forces to bear upon +congress for the submission of a sixteenth amendment to the +national constitution, which shall prohibit States from +disfranchising citizens of the United States, on the ground of +sex, or for any cause not equally applicable to all citizens. +While we of the National are glad to see an amendment to a State +constitution proposed, securing suffrage to woman, as is the case +in Nebraska this fall, we must not be led by it to forget or +neglect our legitimate work, an amendment to the national +constitution, which will secure suffrage at one and the same +moment to the women of each State. While all action of any kind +and everywhere is good because it is educational, the only real, +legitimate work of the National Woman Suffrage Association, is +upon congress. Never have our prospects been brighter than +to-day. A select committee on woman suffrage having been +appointed in both houses during the last session of congress, and +a resolution introduced in the Senate, proposing an amendment to +the Constitution of the United States, to secure the right of +suffrage to all citizens irrespective of sex, having been +referred to this select committee and receiving a favorable +majority report thereon, we have every reason to expect the +submission of such an amendment at the next session of congress.</p> + +<p>The work then, most necessary, is with each representative and +senator; and the legislatures of the several States should be +induced to pass resolutions requesting the senators and +representatives from each State to give voice and vote in favor +of the submission of such an amendment. This work is vitally +important for the coming winter, and none the less so, even +should Nebraska vote aye November 7, upon the woman suffrage +amendment to its own constitution. In view of the probability of +the submission of a sixteenth amendment at the coming session of +congress, I offer the following resolution, which I consider one +of the most important of the series I have been asked to prepare +for adoption by the convention: <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That it is the duty of every woman to work with the +legislature of her own State, to secure from it the passage of a +joint resolution requesting its senators and representatives in +congress to use voice and vote in favor of the submission of an +amendment to the national constitution which shall prohibit +States from disfranchising citizens on the ground of sex. </p></blockquote> + +<p>I hope the above resolution will be unanimously adopted, and that +each woman will strive to carry its provisions into effect as a +religious duty. With my best wishes for a grand and successful +convention, and the hope that Nebraska will set itself right before +the world by the adoption of the woman suffrage amendment this +fall, I am,</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Matilda Joslyn Gage</span>.<a name="FNanchor_96_96" id="FNanchor_96_96"></a><a href="#Footnote_96_96" class="fnanchor">[96]</a></p> +<p class="ltr-left">Very truly yours,</p> +</blockquote> + + +<p><i>The Republican</i> in describing the closing scenes of the +convention, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Fully 2,500 people assembled last evening to listen to the +closing proceedings of the convention. The stage, which was +beautifully furnished and upholstered, was completely occupied by +the ladies of the Association; and as they all were in full +dress, in preparation for the reception at the Paxton Hotel, the +sight was a brilliant one. As respects the audience, not only the +seats, but the lobbies were crowded, and hundreds upon hundreds +were turned away. Manager Boyd remarked as we passed in, "You +will see to-night the most magnificent gathering that has ever +been in the Opera House," and such truly it was—the intellect, +fashion and refinement of the city. Addresses were given by M'me +Neyman, whose earnest and eloquent words were breathlessly heard; +Mrs. Minor of St. Louis, whose utterances were serious and +weighty; and Miss Phœbe Couzins, who touched the springs of +sentiment, sympathy, pathos and humor by turns. After answering +two or three objections that had not been fully touched upon, +Miss Couzins fairly carried away the house, when she said in +conclusion, "Miss Anthony and myself, and another who has +addressed you are the only spinsters in the movement. We, indeed, +expect to marry, but we don't want our husbands to marry slaves +[great merriment]; we are waiting for our enfranchisement. And +now, if you want Miss Anthony and myself to move into your +State—" this hit, with all it implied, set the audience into a +convulsion of cheers and laughter which was quite prolonged; and +after the merriment had subsided, Miss Couzins completed her +sentence by saying, "We are under sailing orders to receive +proposals!" whereupon the applause broke out afresh. "However," +she added, seeing Miss Anthony shake her head, "it takes a very +superior woman to be an old maid, and on this principle I think +Miss Anthony will stick to her colors." Miss Couzins quoted +Hawthorne as speaking through "Zenobia":</p> + +<blockquote><p>"It is my belief, yea, my prophecy, that when my sex shall have +attained its freedom there will be ten eloquent women where there +is now one eloquent man," and instanced this convention as an +illustration of what might be expected. </p></blockquote> +</blockquote> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span></p> + +<p>Miss Couzins was followed by Mrs. Saxon, Mrs. Neyman and Miss +Hindman. The resolutions,<a name="FNanchor_97_97" id="FNanchor_97_97"></a><a href="#Footnote_97_97" class="fnanchor">[97]</a> which were presented by Mrs. Sewall, +among their personal commendations expressed the appreciation of +the Association for the services rendered by Mrs. Clara Bewick +Colby, in making preparations for the convention. Mrs. Colby in +making her acknowledgments said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>There was another to whom the Association owed much for the work +done which has made possible the brilliant success of the +convention—one to whom, while across the water their thoughts +and hearts had often turned; and she was sure that all present +would gladly join in extending a welcome to the late president, +and now chairman of the executive committee of the State +association, Mrs. Harriet S. Brooks. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Brooks came forward amid applause, and said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>That at this late hour while a speech might be silvern, silence +was golden; and she would say no more than, on behalf of all the +members and officers of the State association, and the friends of +the cause in Omaha, to tender their most grateful thanks to the +National Association for "the feast of reason and the flow of +soul" with which they have been favored during the last three +days. </p></blockquote> + +<p>At the close of the convention the spacious parlors of the Paxton +House were crowded. Over a thousand ladies and gentlemen passed +through, shaking hands with the delegates and congratulating them +on the great success of the convention.</p> + +<p>Another enthusiastic meeting was held at Lincoln, the capital of +the State, and radiating from this point in all directions these +missionaries of the new gospel of woman's equality traversed the +entire State, scattering tracts and holding meetings in churches, +school-houses and the open air, and thus the agitation was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> kept up +until the day of election. As it was the season for agricultural +fairs, the people were more easily drawn together, and the ladies +readily availed themselves, as they had opportunity, of these great +gatherings. Two notable debates were held in Omaha in answer to the +many challenges sent by the opposition. Miss Couzins, the first to +enter the arena, was obliged to help her antagonist in his +scriptural quotations, while Miss Anthony was compelled to supply +hers with well-known statistics. It was evident that neither of the +gentlemen had sharpened his weapons for the encounter.</p> + +<p>To look over the list of counties visited and the immense distances +traveled in public and private conveyances, enables one in a +measure to appreciate the physical fatigue these ladies endured. In +reading of their earnest speeches, debates, conversations at every +fireside and dinner-table, in every car and carriage as they +journeyed by the way or waited at the station, their untiring +perseverance must command the unqualified admiration of those who +know what a political campaign involves. During those six weeks of +intense excitement they were alike hopeful and anxious as to the +result. At last the day dawned when the momentous question of the +enfranchisement of 75,000 women was to be decided. Every train +brought some of the speakers to their headquarters in Omaha, with +cheering news from the different localities they had canvassed. And +now one last effort must be made, they must see what can be done at +the polls. Some of the ladies went in carriages to each of the +polling booths and made earnest appeals to those who were to vote +for or against the woman's amendment. Others stood dispensing +refreshments and the tickets they wished to see voted, all day +long. And while the men sipped their coffee and ate their viands +with evident relish, the women appealed to their sense of justice, +to their love of liberty and republican institutions. Vain would be +the attempt to describe the patient waiting, the fond hopes, the +bright visions of coming freedom, that had nerved these brave women +to these untiring labors, or to shadow in colors dark enough the +fears, the anxieties, the disappointments, all centered in that +November election. A fitting subject for an historical picture was +that group of intensely earnest women gathered there, as the last +rays of the setting sun warned them that whether for weal or for +woe the decisive hour had come; no word of theirs could turn defeat +to victory.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span></p> + +<p>The hours of anxious waiting were not long, the verdict soon came +flashing on every wire, from the north, the south, the west: "No!" +"No!" "No!" The mothers, wives and daughters of Nebraska must still +wear the yoke of slavery; they who endured with man the hardships +of the early days and bravely met the dangers of a pioneer life, +they who have reared two generations of boys and taught them the +elements of all they know, who have stood foremost in all good +works of charity and reform, who appreciate the genius of free +institutions, native-born American citizens, are still to be +governed by the ignorant, vicious classes from the old world. What +a verdict was this for one of the youngest States in the American +republic in the nineteenth century!</p> + +<p>But these heroic women did not sit down in sackcloth and ashes to +weep over the cruel verdict. Anticipating victory, they had engaged +the Opera House to hold their jubilee if the women of Nebraska were +enfranchised; or, if the returns brought them no cause for +rejoicing, they would at least exalt the educational work that had +been done in the State, and dedicate themselves anew to this +struggle for liberty. They had survived three defeats, in Kansas, +Michigan, Colorado, and tasted the bitterness of repeated +disappointments, and another could not crush them. When the hour +arrived, an immense audience welcomed them in the Opera House, and +from this new baptism of sorrow they spoke more eloquently than +ever before. In their calm, determined manner they seemed to say +with Milton's hero:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"All is not lost: the unconquerable will is ours." </p></blockquote> + +<p>A report of the Fifteenth Annual Washington Convention, Jan. 23, +24, 25, 1883, was written by Miss Jessie Waite of Chicago, and +published in the <i>Washington Chronicle</i>, from which we give the +following extracts:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The proceedings of the Association were inaugurated at Lincoln +Hall Monday evening by a novel lecture, entitled "Zekle's Wife," +by Mrs. Amy Talbot Dunn of Indianapolis. The personality of Mrs. +Dunn is so entirely lost in that of Zekle's wife that it is hard +to realize that the old lady of so many and so varied experiences +is a happy young wife. As a character sketch Mrs. Dunn's "Zekle's +Wife" stands on an equality with Denman Thompson's "Joshua +Whitcomb" and with Joe Jefferson's "Rip Van Winkle." To sustain a +conception so foreign to the natural characteristics of the actor +without once allowing the interest of the audience to flag, +requires originality of thought, independence of idea, and genius +for action. Mrs. Dunn, herself the author of her sketch, +possesses to a remarkable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> degree the power to impress upon her +audience the feeling that the old lady from "Kaintuck" is before +them, not only to say things for their amusement, but also to +impress upon them those great truths which have presented +themselves to her mind during the fifty years of her married +life. "Zekle's Wife" is a keen, shrewd, warm-hearted, lovable old +woman, without education or culture, yet with an innate sense of +refinement and a touching undercurrent of desire "not to be too +hard on Zekle." As she tells her story, which she informs us is a +true one from real life, she engages the attention and wins the +sympathy of all her hearers, and frequent bursts of applause +evidence the satisfaction of the audience.</p> + +<p>The convention proper opened on Tuesday morning with the +appointment of various committees,<a name="FNanchor_98_98" id="FNanchor_98_98"></a><a href="#Footnote_98_98" class="fnanchor">[98]</a> and reports<a name="FNanchor_99_99" id="FNanchor_99_99"></a><a href="#Footnote_99_99" class="fnanchor">[99]</a> from the +different States filled up most of the time during the day. May +Wright Sewall said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Women must learn that power gives power; that intelligence alone +can appreciate or be influenced by intelligence; that justice +alone is moved by appeals based on justice. More than anything in +the course of suffrage labor does the Nebraska campaign justify +the primary method of this National Association. We have a right +to expect that each legislature will be composed of the picked +men of the State. We have a right to believe that as the +intelligence, wisdom and justice of the picked men of the nation +are superior to the same qualities in the mass of men, so is the +fitness of national and State legislators to consider the demands +for the ballot. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Mills of Washington sang, as a solo, "Barbara Fritchie," in +excellent style. Mrs. Caroline Hallowell Miller (wife of Francis +Miller, esq., late assistant attorney for the District of Columbia) +spoke with the greatest ease and most remarkable command of +language. She is in every sense a strong woman. She said that, born +and reared as she was in a Virginia town noted for its intense +conservatism, where she had seen a woman stripped to the waist and +brutally beaten by order of the law (her skin happened to be of a +dark color) whose only crime was that of alleged impertinence, and +that impertinence provoked by improper conduct on the part of a +young man; that, reared in such a cradle as this, still, through +the blessing of a good home, she had learned to deeply appreciate +the noble efforts of women who dared to tread new paths, to break +their own way through the dense forest of prejudice and ignorance. +Man cannot represent woman. If woman breaks any law of man, of +nature, or of God, she alone must suffer the penalty. "This fact +seems to me," said Mrs. Miller, "to settle the whole question."</p> + +<p>Miss Anthony read the following letter from Hon. Benjamin F. +Butler, who, she said, had the honor of being an advocate of this +cause, in addition to being governor of Massachusetts:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Washington</span>, D. C., Jan. 23, 1883.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Miss Anthony</span>: I received your kind note asking me to +attend the National Convention of the friends of woman suffrage +at Washington, for which courtesy I am obliged. My engagements, +which have taken me out of the commonwealth, cover all, and more +than all, of my time, and I find I am to hurry back, leaving<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> +some of them undisposed of. It will therefore be impossible for +me to attend the convention.</p> + +<p>As I have already declared my conviction that the fourteenth +amendment fully covers the right of all persons to vote, and as I +assume that the women of the country are persons, and very +important persons to its happiness and prosperity, I never have +been able to see any reason why women do not come within its +provisions. I think such will be the decision of the court, +perhaps quite as early as you may be able to get through congress +and the legislatures of the several States another amendment. But +both lines of action may well be followed, as they do not +conflict with each other. This course was taken in the case of +the fifteenth amendment, which was supposed to be necessary to +cover the case of the negro, although many of the friends of the +colored man looked coldly upon that amendment, because it seemed +to be an admission that the fourteenth amendment was not +sufficient. Therefore I can without inconsistency, I think, bid +you "God speed" in your agitation for the sixteenth amendment. It +will have the effect to enlighten the public mind as to the scope +of the fourteenth amendment. I am very truly, your friend and +servant,</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">Benj. F. Butler.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Blake presented a series of resolutions, which were laid on +the table for consideration:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, In larger numbers than ever before the women of the +United States are demanding the repeal of arbitrary restrictions +which now debar them from the use of the ballot; and</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The recent defeat in Nebraska of a constitutional +amendment, giving the women of the State the right to vote, +proves that failure is the natural result of an appeal to the +masses on a question which is best understood and approved by the +more intelligent citizens; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we call upon this congress to pass, without +delay, the sixteenth amendment to the federal constitution now +pending in the Senate.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That all competitive examinations for places in the +civil service of the United States should be open on equal terms +to citizens of both sexes, and that any so-called civil service +reform that does not correct the existing unjust discrimination +against women employés, and grade all salaries on merit and not +sex, is a dishonest pretense at reform.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The Constitution of the United States declares that no +State shall be admitted to the Union unless it have a republican +form of government; and whereas, no true republic can exist +unless all the inhabitants are given equal civil and political +rights; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we earnestly protest against the admission of +Dakota as a State, unless the right of suffrage is secured on +equal terms to all her citizens.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the women of these United States have not +deserved the infliction of this punishment of disfranchisement, +and do most earnestly demand that they be relieved from the +cruelties it imposes upon them.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, During the war hundreds of women throughout our land +entered the service of the nation as hospital nurses; and</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, Many of these women were disabled by wounds and by +disease, while many were reduced to permanent invalidism by the +hardships they endured; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That these women should be placed on the pension list +and rewarded for their services. </p></blockquote> + +<p>After the reading of the resolutions an animated discussion +followed, Miss Anthony showing in scathing terms the injustice of +the employment of women to do equal work with men at half the +salaries, in the departments at Washington and elsewhere. An +additional resolution was adopted declaring that paying Dr. Susan +A. Edson for her services as attendant physician to President +Garfield, $1,000 less than was paid for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span> an equivalent service +rendered by Dr. Boynton, a more recent graduate of the same college +from which she received her diploma, is an unjust discrimination on +account of sex.</p> + +<blockquote><p>Mrs. <span class="smcap">Sewall</span> said men in the departments were given extra leave of +absence each year to go home to vote, and suggested that women be +given (until the time comes for them to vote) extra leave to +meditate upon the ballot.</p> + +<p>Miss <span class="smcap">Anthony</span> said she had addressed a letter to each secretary +asking that such women as desired be given permission to attend +the meetings of this convention without loss of time to them. She +had received but one answer, which was from Secretary Folger, who +wrote: "<i>The condition of the public business prevents us from +acceding to your request</i>."</p> + +<p>Mrs. <span class="smcap">Harriette R. Shattuck</span> of Boston said: Tired as some of the +audience must be of hearing the same old argument in favor of the +ballot for women repeated from year to year, they could not +possibly be more tired than the friends of the cause were of +hearing the same old objections repeated from year to year. While +the forty-year-old objections are raised the forty-year-old +rejoinders must be given. We must continue to agitate until we +force people to listen. It is like the ringing of a bell. At +first no one notices it; in a little while, a few will listen; +finally, the perpetual ding-dong, ding-dong, will force itself to +be heard by every one. The oldest of all the old arguments is +that of right and justice, and the tune which my little bell +shall ring is merely this: "<i>It is right!</i>" This cry of woman for +liberty and equality increases every day, and it is a cry that +must some day be heard and responded to. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Virginia L. Minor of St. Louis was then introduced as the +woman who stands to this cause in the same relation that Dred Scott +had stood to the Republican party. Miss Couzins said that in +introducing Mrs. Minor she wanted to say one word about the work +Mrs. Minor had done for the soldiers, during the sanitary fair and +all through the war. She had canned fruit, refusing the money +offered in payment, returning it all to be used for the sick and +wounded soldiers [applause]. Mrs. Minor spoke in a calm, deliberate +manner, with perfect conviction in the truth of her statements and +with a winning sweetness of expression that indicated the highest +sensibilities of a refined nature. She showed that women voted in +the early days of the country, and that undoubtedly it was the +intention of the framers of the constitution that they should do +so. This right had been taken away when the constitution was +amended and the word "male" inserted. What is now desired is simply +restoration of that which had been taken away. She believed that +this restoration was made, unwittingly, by the addition of the +fourteenth amendment, which, without doubt, makes women citizens. +It is men who have abused the republican institution of suffrage; +it is women who desire to restore it to its proper exercise. Miss +Anthony read a letter from Mrs. Wallace, the wife of one of the +former governors of Indiana:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Indianapolis</span>, Ind., January 21, 1883.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Miss Anthony</span>: When in the call I read that for fourteen +consecutive years the National Woman Suffrage Association had +held a convention in Washington, I was oppressed by two thoughts: +First, how hard it is to overcome prejudice and ignorance when +they have been fortified by the usages and customs of ages; and +secondly, the sublime faith, courage and perseverance of the +advocates of woman's enfranchisement, and their confidence in the +ultimate triumph of justice. After all, by what are governments +organized and maintained? By brute force alone? Despotisms may +be, but republics never. What are the qualifications for the +ballot? The power to fight? Are they not rather intelligence, +virtue, truth and patriotism? I scarce<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> think the most obstinate +and egotistical of our opponents will assert that men possess a +monopoly of these virtues, or even a moiety of them. As to their +fighting capacities, of which we hear so much, I think they would +have cut a sorry figure in the wars which they have been +compelled to wage in order to establish and maintain this +government, if they had not had the sympathy and coöperation of +woman. I entirely agree with you that, while agitation in the +States is necessary as a means of education, a sixteenth +amendment to the national constitution is the quickest, surest +and least laborious way to secure the success of this great work +for human liberty. Any legislature of Indiana in the last six +years would have ratified such an amendment. With highest regards +for yourself and the best wishes for the success of the +convention, I remain,</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Zerelda G. Wallace</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Yours, etc.,</p> +</blockquote> + + +<p>After several other speakers,<a name="FNanchor_100_100" id="FNanchor_100_100"></a><a href="#Footnote_100_100" class="fnanchor">[100]</a> Madame Clara Neyman of New York +city, delivered what was, without question, one of the best +addresses of the convention. She spoke with a slightly German +accent, which only served to enhance the interest and hold the +attention of the audience. Her eloquence and argument could not +fail to convince all of her earnest purpose. After showing the +philosophy of reform movements, and every step of progress, she +said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Woman's enfranchisement will be wrought out by peaceful means. We +shall use no fire-arms, no torpedoes, no heavy guns to gain our +freedom. No precious human lives will be sacrificed; no tears +will be shed to establish our right. We shall capture the +fortresses of prejudice and injustice by the force of our +arguments; we shall send shell after shell into these strongholds +until their defective reasoning gives way to victorious truth. +"Inability to bear arms," says Herbert Spencer, "was the reason +given in feudal times for excluding woman from succession," and +to-day her position is lowest where the military spirit prevails. +A sad illustration of this is my own country. Being a born +German, and in feeling, kindred, and patriotism attached to the +country of my birth and childhood, it is hard for me to make such +a confession. But the truth must be told, even if it hurts. It +has been observed by those who travel in Europe, that Germany, +which has the finest and best universities, which stands highest +in scholarship, nevertheless tolerates, nay, enforces the +subjection of woman. The freedom of a country stands in direct +relation to the position of its women. America, which has +proclaimed the freedom of man, has developed <i>pari passu</i> a finer +womanhood, and has done more for us than any other nation in +existence. A new type of manhood has been reared on American +soil—a type which Tennyson describes in his Princess:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">Man shall be more of woman, she of man;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">He gain in sweetness and in moral height,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nor lose the thews that wrestle with the world;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She, mental breadth, nor fail in childward care,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Nor lose the childlike in the larger mind;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Till at the last they set them each to each,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Like perfect music unto noble words.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Then comes the statelier Eden back to man;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Then springs the crowning race of human kind.<br /></span> +</div></div> + +</blockquote> + +<p>At the evening session the time was divided between Lillie Devereux +Blake and Phœbe W. Couzins. Mrs. Blake spoke on the question, +"Is it a Crime to be a Woman?"</p> + +<blockquote><p>She showed in a clear, logical manner that wherever a woman was +apprehended for crime the discrimination against her was not +because of the crime she had committed, but because the crime was +committed by a woman. Every woman in this country is treated by +the law as if she were to blame for being a woman. In New York an +honorable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span> married woman has no right to her children. A man may +beat his wife all he pleases; but if he beats another man the law +immediately interferes, showing that the woman is not protected +simply because she is so indiscreet as to <i>be a woman</i>. If it is +not a crime to be a woman, why are women subjected to unequal +payment with men for the same service? Why are they forced at +times to don men's clothes in order to obtain employment that +will keep them from starvation?</p> + +<p>Miss <span class="smcap">Couzins</span> said that the American-born woman was "a woman +without a country"; but before she had closed she had proved that +this country belonged exclusively to the women. It was a woman, +Queen Isabella, that enabled a man to discover this country, and +in the old flag the initials were "I" and "F," representing +Isabella and Ferdinand, showing that it was acknowledged that the +woman's initial was the more important in this matter and to be +first considered. It was a woman, Mary Chilton, that first landed +on Plymouth rock. It was a woman, Betsy Ross, that designed our +beautiful flag, the original eagle on our silver dollar, and the +seal of the United States without which no money is legal. All +the way down in our national history woman has been hand in hand +with man, has assisted, supported and encouraged him, and now +there are women ready to help reform the life of the body +politic, and side by side with man work to purify, refine and +ennoble the world. Miss Couzins seemed Inspired by her own +thoughts and carried the audience along with her in her flights +of eloquence. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Being asked to make a few closing remarks, Mrs. May Wright Sewall +said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Difficult, indeed, is the task of closing a three days' +convention; vain is the hope to do it with fitting words which +shall not be mere repetitions of what has been said on this +platform. The truth which bases this claim lies in a nut-shell, +and the shell seems hard to be cracked. It is unfair, when +comparing the ability of men and women, to compare the average +woman to the exceptional man, but this is what man always does. +If, perchance, he admits not only the equality but the +superiority of woman, he tells her she must not vote because she +is so nearly an angel, so much better than he is, and this, in +the face of the fact that every angel represented or revealed has +been shown in the form of a <i>handsome young man</i>. If any class +then must abstain from meddling in politics on account of +relation to the angels, it is the men! But she informed the +gentlemen she had no fears for them on that ground, for their +relationship was not <i>near</i> enough to cause any serious +inconvenience. Speaking of the objections to women undertaking +grave or deep studies, that woman lacks the logical faculty, that +she has only intuition, nerve-force, etc., Mrs. Sewall said: It +is true of every woman who has done the worthiest work in +science, literature, or reform, from Diotima, the teacher of +Socrates, to Margaret Fuller, the pupil of Channing and the peer +of Emerson, that ignoring the methods of nerves and instincts, +she has placed herself squarely on the basis of observation, +investigation and reason. Men will admit that these women had +strength and logic, but say they are exceptional women. So are +Gladstone, Bismarck, Gambetta, Lincoln and Garfield exceptional +men. She mentioned Miss Anthony's proposed trip to Europe, and +said that she had not had a holiday for thirty years.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span></p><p>Miss <span class="smcap">Anthony</span> said she wished to call attention to the report of +the Special Committee of the Senate, which distinctly stated that +the question had had "general agitation," and that the petitions +at different times presented were both "<i>numerous</i> and +respectable." This was sufficient answer, coming from such high +authority, that of Senator Anthony, to all the insinuations and +unjust remarks about the petitions presented to congress, and +with regard to the assertion that women themselves did not want +the ballot. She expressed her obligations to the press, and +mentioned that the <i>Sunday Chronicle</i> had announced its intention +of giving much valuable space to the proceedings, and that when +she had learned this, she had ordered 1,000 copies, which she +would send to the address of any friend in the audience free of +charge. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The "Star Spangled Banner" was then sung, Miss Couzins and Mrs. +Shattuck singing the solos, Mr. Wilson of the Foundry M. E. Church, +leading the audience in the chorus, the whole producing a fine +effect. Miss Anthony said the audience could see how much better it +was to have a man to help, even in singing. This brought down the +house.</p> + +<p>In closing this report, a word may be said of the persons most +conspicuous in it. This year several remarkable additions have been +made to our number, and it is of these especially that we would +speak. Mrs. Minor of St. Louis, in her manner has all the +gentleness and sweetness of the high-born Southern lady; her +personal appearance is very pleasant, her hair a light chestnut, +untouched with gray; her face has lost the color of youth, but her +eyes have still their fire, toned down by the sorrow they have +seen. Madame Neyman is also new to the Washington platform. She is +a piquant little German lady, with vivacious manner, most agreeable +accent, and looked in her closely-fitting black-velvet dress as if +she might have just stepped out of a painting. In direct contrast +is Mrs. Miller of Maryland—a large, dark-haired matron, past +middle age, but newly born in her enthusiasm for the cause. She is +a worker as well as a talker, and is a decided acquisition to the +ranks. The other novice in the work is Mrs. Amy Dunn, who has taken +such a novel way to render assistance. Mrs. Dunn is tall and +slender, with dark hair and eyes. She is a shrewd observer, does +not talk much socially, but when she says anything it is to the +point. Her character sketch, "Zekle's Wife," will be a +stepping-stone to many a woman on her way to the suffrage platform.</p> + +<p>Two women who have done and are doing a great work in this city, +and who are not among the public speakers, are Mrs. Spofford, the +treasurer, wife of the proprietor of the Riggs House, and Miss +Ellen H. Sheldon, secretary of the Association. To these ladies is +due much of the success of the convention. Mrs. Sheldon is of +diminutive stature, with gray hair, and Mrs. Spofford is of large +and queenly figure, with white hair. Her magnificent presence is +always remarked at the meetings.</p> + +<p>The following were among the letters read at this convention:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"> +10 <span class="smcap">Duchess Street, Portland Place, London</span>, Eng., Jan. 12.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Miss Anthony</span>: To you and our friends in convention +assembled, I send greeting from the old world. It needs but +little imagination to bring Lincoln Hall, the usual fine +audiences, and the well-known faces on the platform, before my +mind, so familiar have fifteen years of these conventions in +Washington made such scenes to me. How many times, as I have sat +in your midst and listened to the grand speeches of my noble +coädjutors, I have wondered how much longer we should be called +upon to rehearse the oft-repeated arguments in favor of equal +rights to all. Surely the grand declarations of statesmen at +every period in our history should make the principle of equality +so self-evident as to end at once all class legislation.</p> + +<p>It is now over half a century since Frances Wright with eloquent +words first asserted the political rights of women in our +republic; and from that day to this, inspired apostles in an +unbroken line of succession have proclaimed the new gospel of the +motherhood of God and of humanity. We have plead our case in +conventions of the people, in halls of legislation, before +committees of congress, and in the Supreme Court of the United +States, and our arguments still remain unanswered. History shows +no record of a fact like this, where so large a class of +virtuous, educated, native-born citizens have been subjugated by +the national government to foreign domination.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> While our +American statesmen scorn the thought that even the most gifted +son of a monarch, an emperor or a czar should ever occupy the +proud position of a president of these United States, and by +constitutional provision deny to all foreigners this high +privilege, they yet allow the very riff-raff of the old world to +make laws for the proudest women of the republic, to make the +moral code for the daughters of our people, to sit in judgment on +all our domestic relations.</p> + +<p>England has taken two grand steps within the last year in +extending the municipal suffrage to the woman of Scotland and in +passing the Married Woman's Property bill. They are holding +meetings all over the country now in favor of parliamentary +suffrage. Statistics show that women generally <i>exercise</i> the +rights already accorded. They have recently passed through a very +heated election for members of the school-board in various +localities. Miss Lydia Becker was elected in Manchester, and Miss +Eva Müller in one of the districts of London, and several other +women in different cities.</p> + +<p>A little incident will show you how naturally the political +equality of woman is coming about in Queen Victoria's dominions. +I was invited to dine at Barn Elms, a beautiful estate on the +banks of the Thames, a spot full of classic associations, the +residence of Mr. Charles McLaren, a member of parliament. +Opposite me at dinner sat a bright young girl tastefully attired; +on my right the gentleman to whom she was engaged; at the head of +the table a sparkling matron of twenty-five, one of the most +popular speakers here on the woman suffrage platform. The +dinner-table talk was such as might be heard in any cultivated +circle—art, literature, amusements, passing events, etc., +etc.—and when the repast was finished, ladies and gentlemen, in +full dinner dress, went off to attend an important school-board +meeting, our host to preside and the young lady opposite me to +make the speech of the evening, and all done in as matter-of-fact +a way as if the party were going to the opera. Members of +parliament and lord-mayors preside and speak at all their public +meetings and help in every way to carry on the movement, giving +money most liberally; and yet how seldom any of our senators or +congressmen will even speak at our meetings, to say nothing of +sending us a check of fifty or a hundred dollars. I trust that we +shall accomplish enough this year to place the women of +republican America at least on an even platform with monarchical +England. With sincere wishes for the success of the convention, +cordially yours,</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">Elizabeth Cady Stanton.</p> + + +<p class="ltr-date ltr-break"><span class="smcap">London</span>, January 10, 1883.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Miss Anthony</span>: I was very glad indeed to receive notice of +your mid-winter conference in time to send you a few words about +the progress of our work in England. I believe our disappointment +at the result of the vote in Nebraska must have been greater than +yours, as, being on the spot, you saw the difficulties to be +surmounted. I had so hoped that the men of a free new State would +prove themselves juster and wiser than the men of our older +civilizations, whose prejudice and precedents are such formidable +barriers. But we cannot, judging from a distance, look upon the +work of the campaign as thrown away. Twenty-five thousand votes +in favor of woman suffrage in the face of such enormous odds is +really a victory, and the legislatures of these States are deeply +pledged to ratify the constitutional amendment, if passed by +congress. We look forward hopefully to the discussion in +congress. The majority report of the Senate cannot fail to secure +attention, and I hope your present convention will bring together +national forces that will greatly influence the debate.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">Caroline A. Biggs.</p> + + +<p class="ltr-date ltr-break">51 <span class="smcap">Rue de Varenne, Paris</span>, January 15, 1883.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Miss Anthony</span>: Perhaps a brief account of what has been +done with the two packages of "The History of Woman Suffrage" +which you sent me for distribution in Europe may prove +interesting to the convention. In the first place, sets in sheep +have been deposited already, or will have been before spring, in +all the great continental libraries from Russia to France, and +from Denmark to Turkey. In the second place, copies in cloth have +been presented to reformers, publicists, editors, etc,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> in every +country of the old world. This generous distribution of a costly +work has already begun to produce an effect. Besides a large +number of private letters from all parts of Europe acknowledging +the receipt of the volumes and bestowing on their contents the +highest praise, the History has been reviewed in numerous reform, +educational and socialistic periodicals and newspapers in almost +every modern European tongue. Nor is this all. Every week a new +pamphlet or book is sent me, or comes under my notice, in which +this History is cited, sometimes at great length, and is +pronounced to be the authority on the American women's movement. +I have carefully kept all these letters, newspaper notices, etc., +and at the proper time I hope to prepare a little pamphlet for +your publisher on European opinion concerning your great work.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Theodore Stanton</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Very truly yours,</p> + + +<p class="ltr-date ltr-break"> +51 <span class="smcap">Rue de Varenne, Paris</span>, January 15, 1883.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Miss Anthony</span>: My husband has just read me a letter he has +written you concerning the enthusiastic reception your big +History has had among liberal people on this side of the +Atlantic, but he did not inform you that he should send the +American public next spring a similar though much smaller work, +entitled "The Woman Question in Europe." The Putnams of New York +are now busy on the volume. You in the new world have little idea +how the leaders of the women's movement here watch everything you +do in the United States. The great fact which my husband's volume +will teach you in America is the important and direct influence +your movement is having on the younger, less developed, but +growing revolution in favor of our sex, now in progress in every +country of the old world. While assisting in the preparation of +the manuscript for this book this fact has been thrust upon my +notice at every instant, and never before did I fully realize the +grand rôle the United States is acting in this nineteenth +century, for, rest assured, the moment European women are +emancipated monarchy gives way to the republic everywhere.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF40"><span class="smcap">Margueritte Berry Stanton</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Most sincerely yours,</p> + + +<p class="ltr-date ltr-break"> +134 <span class="smcap">Pennsylvania Avenue</span>, S. E., January 25, 1883.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Susan Anthony</span>: I believe that this is the only week of the +whole winter when I could not come to you nor attend your +convention, much as I wish to do so. It has been an exceptional +week to me in the way of work and engagements, full of both as I +always am. I could not call on you last Monday, as I was in my +own crowded parlors from 1 till 10 o'clock at night. I tell you +this that you may know that I did not of my own accord stay away +from you. I have not had a moment to write you a coherent letter, +such as I would be willing you should read. But I <i>have</i> saved +the best reports of the convention, and it shall have a good +notice in the <i>Independent</i> of week after next. It shall have +only praise. Of course I could write a brighter, more +characteristic notice could I myself have attended. Should you +stay over next Sunday I can see you yet; but if not, remember I +think of you always with the warmest interest, and meet you +always with unchanged affection.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Mary Clemmer</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Ever your friend,</p> + +<p>May God bless and keep you, I ever pray.<a name="FNanchor_101_101" id="FNanchor_101_101"></a><a href="#Footnote_101_101" class="fnanchor">[101]</a> </p></blockquote> + + +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">House of Representatives, Thursday</span>, March 1, 1883.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">White</span>, by unanimous consent, from the Special Committee on +Woman Suffrage, reported back the joint resolution (H. Res., 255) +proposing an amendment to the constitution, which was referred to +the House calendar, and, with the accompanying report, ordered to +be printed.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Springer</span>: As a member of that committee I have not seen the +report, and do not know whether it meets with my concurrence.<a name="FNanchor_102_102" id="FNanchor_102_102"></a><a href="#Footnote_102_102" class="fnanchor">[102]</a></p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">White</span>: I ask by unanimous consent that the minority may have +leave to submit their views, to be printed with the majority +report.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Speaker</span>: The Chair hears no objection.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mr. White</span>, from the Select Committee on Woman Suffrage, submitted +the following:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hang"><i>The Select Committee on Woman Suffrage, to whom was referred +House Resolution No. 255, proposing an amendment to the +Constitution of the United States to secure the right of suffrage +to citizens of the United States without regard to sex, having +considered the same, respectfully report:</i></p> + +<p>In attempting to comprehend the vast results that could and would +be attained by the adoption of the proposed article to the +constitution, a few considerations are presented that are claimed +by the friends of woman suffrage to be worthy of the most serious +attention, among which are the following:</p> + +<p>I. There are vast interests in property vested in women, which +property is affected by taxation and legislation, without the +owners having voice or representation in regard to it. The +adoption of the proposed amendment would remove a manifest +injustice.</p> + +<p>II. Consider the unjust discriminations made against women in +industrial and educational pursuits, and against those who are +compelled to earn a livelihood by work of hand or brain. By +conferring upon such the right of suffrage, their condition, it +is claimed, would be greatly improved by the enlargement of their +influence.</p> + +<p>III. The questions of social and family relations are of equal +importance to and affect as many women as men. Giving to women a +voice in the enactment of laws pertaining to divorce and the +custody of children and division of property would be merely +recognizing an undeniable right.</p> + +<p>IV. Municipal regulations in regard to houses of prostitution, of +gambling, of retail liquor traffic, and of all other abominations +of modern society, might be shaped very differently and more +perfectly were women allowed the ballot.</p> + +<p>V. If women had a voice in legislation, the momentous question of +peace and war, which may act with such fearful intensity upon +women, might be settled with less bloodshed.</p> + +<p>VI. Finally, there is no condition, status in life, of rich or +poor; no question, moral or political; no interest, present or +future; no ties, foreign or domestic; no issues, local or +national; no phase of human life, in which the mother is not +equally interested with the father, the daughter with the son, +the sister with the brother. Therefore the one should have equal +voice with the other in molding the destiny of this nation.</p> + +<p>Believing these considerations to be so important as to challenge +the attention of all patriotic citizens, and that the people have +a right to be heard in the only authoritative manner recognized +by the constitution, we report the accompanying resolution with a +favorable recommendation in order that the people, through the +legislatures of their respective States, may express their views:</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Joint Resolution</span> <i>proposing an amendment to the Constitution of +the United States</i>:</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i> by the Senate and House of Representatives of the +United States of America in congress assembled, (two-thirds of +each House concurring therein), 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:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Section</span> 1. 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">Sec.</span> 2. The congress shall have power, by appropriate +legislation, to enforce the provisions of this article. </p></blockquote> +</blockquote> + +<p>Thus closed the forty-seventh congress, and although with so little +promise of any substantial good for women, yet this slight +recognition in legislation was encouraging to those who had so long +appealed in vain for the attention of their representatives. A +committee to even consider the wrongs of woman was more than had +ever been secured before, and one to propose some measures of +justice, sustained by the votes of a few statesmen awake to the +degradation of disfranchisement, gave some faint hope of more +generous action in the near future. The tone of the debates<a name="FNanchor_103_103" id="FNanchor_103_103"></a><a href="#Footnote_103_103" class="fnanchor">[103]</a> in +these later years even, on the nature and rights of women, is +wholly unworthy the present type of developed womanhood and the age +in which we live.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<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> During the autumn Miss Anthony, Mrs. Jones, Miss Snow +and Miss Couzins, spending some weeks in Washington, asked for an +audience with President Chester A. Arthur, and urged him to +recommend in his first message to congress the appointment of a +standing committee and the submission of a sixteenth amendment.</p></div> + +<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> <i>Yeas</i>—Aldrich, Allison, Anthony, Blair, Cameron of +Pa., Cameron of Wis., Conger, Davis of Ill., Dawes, Edmunds, Ferry, +Frye, Harrison, Hawley, Hill of Col., Hoar, Jones of Fla., Jones of +Nev., Kellogg, Lapham, Logan, McDill, McMillan, Miller of Cal., +Mitchell, Morrill, Platt, Plumb, Ransom, Rollins, Saunders, Sawyer, +Sewell, Sherman, Windom—35. +</p><p> +<i>Nays</i>—Bayard, Beck, Brown, Butler, Camden, Cockrell, Coke, Davis +of W. Va., Fair, Farley, Garland, Hampton, Hill of Ga., Jackson, +Jonas, McPherson, Maxey, Saulsbury, Slater, Vance, Vest, Walker, +Williams—23. +</p><p> +<i>Absent</i>—Call, George, Gorman, Groome, Grover, Hale, Harris, +Ingalls, Johnston, Lamar, Mahone, Miller of N. Y., Morgan, +Pendleton, Pugh, Teller, Van Wyck, Voorhees—18. +</p><p> +The members of the committee were Senators Lapham of New York, +Anthony of Rhode Island, Blair of New Hampshire, Jackson of +Tennessee, George of Mississippi, Ferry of Michigan and Fair of +Nevada.</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> <i>Yeas</i>—Aldrich, Anderson, Bayne, Beach, Belford, +Bingham, Black, Bliss, Brewer, Briggs, Browne, Brumm, Buck, +Burrows, Julius C., Butterworth, Calkins, Camp, Campbell, Candler, +Cannon, Carpenter, Caswell, Converse, Crapo, Davis, George R., +Dawes, Deering, De Motte, Dezendorf, Dingley, Dwight, Farwell, +Sewall S., Finley, Flower, Geddes, Grout, Hardenburgh, Harris, +Henry, S., Haseltine, Haskell, Hawk, Hazelton, Heilman, Henderson, +Hepburn, Hill, Hiscock, Horr, Houk, Hubbell, Humphrey, Hutchinson, +Jacobs, Jadwin, Jones, Phineas, Kasson, Kelley, Ladd, Lord, Marsh, +Mason, McClure, McCoid, McCook, McKinley, Miles, Miller, Moulton, +Murch, Nolan, Norcross, O'Neill, Orth, Page, Parker, Paul, Payson, +Poole, Pierce, Pettibone, Pound, Prescott, Ranney, Ray, Reed, Rice. +Theron M., Richardson, D. P., Ritchie, Robeson, Robinson, Geo. D., +Robinson, James S., Ryan, Scranton, Shallenberger, Sherwin, +Skinner, Smith, A. Herr, Smith, Dietrich C., Spaulding, Spooner, +Steele, Stephens, Stone, Strait, Taylor, Updegraff, J. T., +Updegraff, Thomas, Valentine, Van Aernam, Walker, Watson, West, +White, Williams, Chas. G., Willits—115. +</p><p> +<i>Nays</i>—Aiken, Atkins, Berry, Blackburn, Bland, Blount, Bragg, +Buchanan, Buckner, Cabell, Caldwell, Cassiday, Chapman, Clark, +Clements, Cobb, Colerick, Cox, William R., Covington, Cravens, +Culberson, Curtin, Deuster, Dibrell, Dowd, Evins, Forney, Frost, +Fulkerson, Garrison, Guenther, Gunter, Hammond, N. J., Hatch, +Herbert, Hewitt, G. W. Hoge, Holman, House, Jones, George W., +Jones, James K., Joyce, Kenna, Klotz, Knott, Latham, Leedom, +Manning, Martin, Matson, McMillin, Mills, Money, Morrison, +Mutchler, Oates, Phister, Reagan, Rosecrans, Ross, Schackleford, +Shelley, Simonton, Singleton, Jas. W., Singleton, Otho R., Sparks, +Speer, Springer, Stockslager, Thompson, P. B., Thompson, Wm. G., +Tillman, Tucker, Turner, Henry G., Turner, Oscar, Upson, Vance, +Warner, Whittihore, Williams, Thomas, Willis, Wilson, Wise, George +D., Young—84.</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> <i>Connecticut</i>, Isabella Beecher Hooker, Frances Ellen +Burr. <i>Colorado</i>, Mrs. Elizabeth G. Campbell, <i>District of +Columbia</i>, Ellen H. Sheldon, Jane H. Spofford, Dr. Caroline B. +Winslow, Ellen M. O'Conner, Eliza Titus Ward, Belva A. Lockwood, +Mrs. H. L. Shephard, Martha Johnson. <i>Indiana</i>, Helen M. Gongar, +May Wright Sewall, Laura Kregelo, Alexiana S. Maxwell. <i>Maine</i>, +Sophronia C. Snow. <i>Massachusetts</i>, Mrs. Harriet H. Robinson, +Harriette R. Shattuck, Laura E. Brooks, Mary R. Brown, Emma F. +Clary. <i>Nebraska</i>, Clara B. Colby. <i>New Jersey</i>, Mrs. Stanton, Mrs. +Chandler. <i>New York</i>, Mrs. Caroline Gilkey Rogers, Mrs. Blake, Mrs. +Gage, Miss Anthony, Mrs. Helen M. Loder. <i>Pennsylvania</i>, Mrs. +McClellan Brown, Rachel G. Foster, Emma C. Rhodes. <i>Rhode Island</i>, +Rev. Frederick A Hinckley, Mrs. Burgess. <i>Wisconsin</i>, Miss Eliza +Wilson and Mrs. Painter.</p></div> + +<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> Short speeches were made by Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. +Shattuck of Massachusetts, Mrs. Sewall and Mrs. Gougar of Indiana, +Mrs. Saxon of Louisiana, Mrs. Colby of Nebraska.</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> When Mrs. Stanton, Mrs. Gage and Mrs. Blake of New +York, Mrs. Hooker of Connecticut and Mrs. Saxon of Louisiana, and +Mrs. Sewall, by special request of the chairman, again addressed +the committee.</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> Mr. Blackburn, Mr. Robeson, and Mr. Reed were +present.</p></div> + +<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> Mrs. Saxon, Mrs. Gage, Mrs. Sewall, Mrs. McClellan +Brown, Mrs. Colby, Miss Couzins, Miss Anthony, Edward M. Davis, +Robert Purvis, Mrs. Shattuck, Rev. Frederick A. Hinckley, Mrs. +Robinson.</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> Those present were Mesdames Spofford, Stanton, +Robinson, Shattuck, Sewall and Saxon; Misses Thompson, Anthony, +Couzins and Foster. Many pleasant ladies from the Society of +Friends were there also and contributed to the dignity and interest +of the occasion.</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> The speakers in the American convention were Lucy +Stone, Henry B. Blackwell, Margaret W. Campbell, Mary E. Haggart, +Judge Kingman and Governor Hoyt of Wyoming, Hannah Tracy Cutler, +Mary B. Clay, Dr. Mary F. Thomas, Rebecca N. Hazzard, Ada M. +Bittenbender, Mrs. O. C. Dinsmore, Matilda Hindman, Rev. W. E. +Copeland, Erasmus M. Correll. +</p><p> +The speakers at the National convention were Virginia L. Minor, +Phœbe Couzins, Mrs. Saxon, Mrs. Bloomer, Mrs. McKinney, Mrs. +Shattuck, Mrs. Neyman, Mrs. Colby, Mrs. Sewall, Mrs. Mason, Mrs. +Brooks, Mrs. Blake, Miss Anthony, Mrs. Dinsmore, Miss Hindman, Mrs. +Gougar, Mr. Correll and Mrs. Harbert. Many of those from both +associations took part in the canvass. Miss Rachel G. Foster went +out in the spring and made all the arrangements for the work of the +National. She studied the geography of the State, and the +railroads, and mapped out all the meetings for its twelve +speakers.</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> For full reports of the American convention see the +<i>Woman's Journal</i>, edited by Lucy Stone and published in Boston.</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 reports of the National see <i>Our Herald</i>, edited +by Helen M. Gougar and published in Lafayette, Ind. The daily +papers of Omaha had full reports, the most fair by the +<i>Republican</i>, edited by Mr. Brooks.</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> Their many courtesies are well summed up by Miss +Foster in a letter to <i>Our Herald</i>:—<span class="smcap">Dear Herald</span>: As your readers +will know from the report of the executive meetings, it was decided +to have a headquarters for National Woman Suffrage Association +speakers at Omaha. When your editor left, the arrangements had not +been completed for office-room and furnishings. It is finally +decided that I, as secretary of the National Woman's Suffrage +Association, remain in charge of this Omaha office, with Mrs. C. B. +Colby as my associate, while Mrs. Bittenbender has charge of the +headquarters at Lincoln, and manages the American and State +speakers, these two officers of the campaign committee being in +constant consultation. +</p><p> +I cannot too strongly express the gratitude which our committee, +and especially our National Woman's Suffrage Association, owes to +the kind firm of Kitchen Brothers, proprietors of the Paxton Hotel. +During our late convention their attention has been unremitting, +and they now crown it by giving us, rent free, a large, +well-lighted office to be occupied until election as the Omaha +headquarters of our campaign committee. I was somewhat puzzled +about the suitable furnishings for the room, but Mr. Kitchen told +me he would attend to that himself, and through his kindness it +will be made very comfortable for us to occupy for the next five +weeks. +</p><p> +Messrs. Dewey and Stone of this city, large dealers in furniture, +have given the use of a handsome and convenient desk which will +enable us to bring order out of chaos. So you can imagine us, +surrounded by all convenient appliances, hard at work in our new +quarters a good part of every day for this last month before +election. We can certainly not complain that we are not made +welcome to the best the city affords by these kind citizens of +Omaha. Why, we even had a special engine and car given us by the +accommodating manager of the Burlington & Missouri railroad to run +one of our speakers from Omaha to Lincoln to enable her to attend a +meeting which would otherwise have lacked a speaker. Mr. +Montmorency, on behalf of the Burlington & Missouri railroad, +extended this courtesy (and in our need at that hour it was highly +appreciated) to us because of the work in which we are engaged. As +all know ere this, both this road and the Union Pacific have given +to our speakers and delegates generous reductions over all their +lines in this State. +</p><p> +Mayor Boyd, owner of the Opera House, has also done his share to +aid us toward success, in his great reduction of ordinary rates to +us while we occupy his handsome building with our suffrage mass +meetings. We have the Opera House now secured for October 4, 13, +19, 26, November 2 and 6, on which dates large meetings will be +addressed by some of our principal speakers. The first date is to +be filled by Miss Phœbe Couzins, on "The Woman Without a +Country." +</p><p> +The full report of our proceedings at the Omaha and Lincoln +conventions, with the newspaper comments upon the size and +character of the audiences there assembled, as well as the +courtesies which I have just mentioned, will convince our readers +that we are seemingly welcome guests here in Nebraska, and I may +say especially in Omaha. I will keep the <i>Herald</i> posted from week +to week upon campaign committee work. +</p> +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Rachel G. Foster</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Yours for success,</p> +<p> +Headquarters of Suffrage Campaign Committee, Paxton House, Omaha, +October 2, 1882.</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> A private letter was received from Mrs. Ellen Clark +Sargent, enclosing a check for $50.</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> Miss Stanton, having studied astronomy with Professor +Maria Mitchell, went to Europe to take a degree in Mathematics from +the College of France; but before completing her course, she shared +the fate of too many of our American girls; she expatriated herself +by marrying a foreigner.</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> Letters were also received from Rebecca Moore, +England; Mrs. Z. G. Wallace, Indianapolis; Frederick Douglass, +Washington, D. C.; Theodore Stanton, Paris, France; Sarah Knox +Goodrich, Clarina Howard Nichols, California, and many others.</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> <span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The National Woman Suffrage Association has +labored unremittingly to secure the appointment of a committee in +the congress of the United States to receive and consider the +petitions of women and whereas, this Association realizes the +importance of such a committee, +</p><p> +<i>Resolved</i>, That the thanks of this Association are due and are +hereby tendered to congress for the appointment at its last session +of a Select Woman Suffrage Committee in each house. +</p><p> +<i>Resolved</i>, That the thanks of this Association are hereby tendered +to Senators Lapham, Ferry, Blair and Anthony, of the Select +Committee, for their able majority report. +</p><p> +<i>Resolved</i>, That it is the paramount duty of congress at its next +session to submit a sixteenth amendment to the constitution which +shall secure the enfranchisement of the women of the republic. +</p><p> +<i>Resolved</i>, That the recent action of King Christian of Denmark, in +conferring the right of municipal suffrage upon the women in +Iceland, and the similar enlargement of woman's political freedom +in Scotland, India and Russia, are all encouraging evidences of the +progress of self-government even in monarchical countries. And +farther, that while the possession of these privileges by our +foreign sisters is an occasion of rejoicing to us, it still but +emphasizes the inconsistency of a republic which refuses political +recognition to one-half of its citizens. +</p><p> +<i>Resolved</i>, That the especial thanks of the officers and delegates +of this convention are due and are hereby most cordially tendered +to Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby, for the exceptionally efficient manner +in which she has discharged the onerous duties which devolved upon +her in making all preparations for this convention and for the +grand success which her efforts have secured. +</p><p> +<i>Resolved</i>, That the National Woman Suffrage Association on the +occasion of this, its fourteenth annual convention, does, in the +absence of its honored president, desire to send greeting to +Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and to express to her the sympathetic +admiration with which the members of this body have followed her in +her reception in a foreign land.</p></div> + +<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> Committee on Resolutions, composed of Lillie Devereux +Blake of New York city, Virginia L. Minor of St. Louis, Harriet R. +Shattuck of Boston, May Wright Sewall of Indianapolis, and Ellen H. +Sheldon of the District of Columbia.</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> Mrs. Spofford, the treasurer, reported that $5,000 +were spent in Nebraska in the endeavor to carry the amendment in +that State.</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> Short speeches were made by Mrs. Rogers, Mrs. +Lockwood, Mrs. McKinney, Mrs. Loder and others.</p></div> + +<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> This was the last word from this dear friend to one +of our number. I met her afterward as Mrs. Hudson with her husband +in London. We dined together one evening at the pleasant home of +Moncure D. Conway. She was as full as ever of plans for future +usefulness and enjoyment. From England she went for a short trip on +the continent. In parting I little thought she would so soon finish +her work on earth. E. C. S.</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> Mr. Springer had never been present at a single +meeting of the committee, though always officially notified. +Neither did Mr. Muldrow of Mississippi ever honor the committee +with his presence. However, Mr. Stockslager of Indiana and Mr. +Vance of North Carolina were always in their places, and the +latter, we thought, almost persuaded to consider with favor the +claims of women to political equality.</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> Reports of congressional action and the conventions +of 1884-85 have been already published in pamphlet form, and we +shall print the reports hereafter once in two years, corresponding +with the terms of congress. Our plan is to bind these together once +in six years, making volumes of the size of those already +published. These pamphlets, as well as the complete History in +three volumes, are for sale at the publishing house of Charles +Mann, 8 Elm Park, Rochester, N. Y.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI"></a>CHAPTER XXXI.</h2> + +<h3>MASSACHUSETTS.</h3> + +<h4>BY HARRIET H. ROBINSON.</h4> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>The Woman's Hour—Lydia Maria Child Petitions Congress—First New +England Convention—The New England, American and Massachusetts +Associations—<i>Woman's Journal</i>—Bishop Gilbert Haven—The +Centennial Tea-party—County Societies—Concord +Convention—Thirtieth Anniversary of the Worcester +Convention—School Suffrage Association—Legislative +Hearing—First Petitions—The Remonstrants Appear—Women in +Politics—Campaign of 1872—Great Meeting in Tremont +Temple—Women at the Polls—Provisions of Former State +Constitutions—Petitions, 1853—School-Committee Suffrage, +1879—Women Threatened with Arrest—Changes in the Laws—Woman +Now Owns her own Clothing—Harvard Annex—Woman in the +Professions—Samuel E. Sewall and William I. Bowditch—Supreme +Court Decisions—Sarah E. Wall—Francis Jackson—Julia Ward +Howe—Mary E. Stevens—Lucia M. Peabody—Lelia Josephine +Robinson—Eliza (Jackson) Eddy's Will. </p> +</div> + + +<p><span class="sc">From</span> 1860 to 1866 there is no record to be found of any public +meeting on the subject of woman's rights, in Massachusetts.<a name="FNanchor_104_104" id="FNanchor_104_104"></a><a href="#Footnote_104_104" class="fnanchor">[104]</a> +During these years the war of the rebellion had been fought. +Pending the great struggle the majority of the leaders, who were +also anti-slavery, had thought it to be the wiser policy for the +women to give way for a time, in order that all the working energy +might be given to the slave. "It is not the woman's but the negro's +hour"; "After the slave—then the woman," said Wendell Phillips in +his stirring speeches, at this date. "Keep quiet, work for us," +said other of the anti-slavery leaders to the women. "Wait! help us +to abolish slavery, and then we will work for you." And the women, +who had the welfare of the country as much at heart as the men, +kept quiet; worked in hospital and field; sacrificed sons and +husbands; did what is always woman's part in wars between man and +man—and waited. If anything can make the women of the State regret +that they were silent as to their own claims for six eventful years +that the freedom of the black man might be secured, it is the fact +that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> now in 1885 his vote is ever adverse to women's +enfranchisement. When the fourteenth amendment to the United States +Constitution was proposed, in which the negro's liberty and his +right to the ballot were to be established, an effort was made to +secure in it some recognition of the rights of woman. Massachusetts +sent a petition, headed with the name of Lydia Maria Child, against +the introduction of the word "male" in the proposed amendment. When +this petition was offered to the greatest of America's emancipation +leaders, for presentation to congress, he received and presented it +under protest. He thought the woman question should not be forced +at such a time, and the only answer from congress this +"woman-intruding" petition received was found in the fourteenth +amendment itself, in which the word "male," with unnecessary +iteration, was repeated, so that there might be no mistake in +future concerning woman's rights, under the Constitution of the +United States.<a name="FNanchor_105_105" id="FNanchor_105_105"></a><a href="#Footnote_105_105" class="fnanchor">[105]</a></p> + +<p>The war was over. The rights of the black man, for whom the women +had worked and waited, were secured, but under the new amendment, +by which his race had been made free, the white women of the United +States were more securely held in political slavery. It was time, +indeed, to hold conventions and agitate anew the question of +woman's rights. The lesson of the war had been well learned. Women +had been taught to understand politics, the "science of +government," and to take an interest in public events; and some who +before the war had not thought upon the matter, began to ask +themselves why thousands of ignorant <i>men</i> should be made voters +and they, or their sex, still kept in bondage under the law.</p> + +<p>In 1866, May 31, the first meeting of the American Equal Rights +Association was held at the Meionaon in Boston.<a name="FNanchor_106_106" id="FNanchor_106_106"></a><a href="#Footnote_106_106" class="fnanchor">[106]</a> In 1868 the +call for a New England convention was issued and the meeting was +held November 18, 19, at Horticultural Hall, Boston. James Freeman +Clarke presided. In this convention sat many of the distinguished +men and women of the New England States,<a name="FNanchor_107_107" id="FNanchor_107_107"></a><a href="#Footnote_107_107" class="fnanchor">[107]<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span></a> old-time advocates, +together with newer converts to the doctrine, who then became +identified with the cause of equal rights irrespective of sex. This +convention was called by the Rev. Olympia Brown.<a name="FNanchor_108_108" id="FNanchor_108_108"></a><a href="#Footnote_108_108" class="fnanchor">[108]</a> The hall was +crowded with eager listeners anxious to hear what would be said on +a subject thought to be ridiculous by a large majority of people in +the community. Some of the teachers of Boston sent a letter to the +convention, signed with their names, expressing their interest as +women. Henry Wilson avowed his belief in the equal rights of woman, +but thought the time had not yet come for such a consummation, and +said that, for this reason, he had voted against the question in +the United States Senate; "though," he continued, "I was afterwards +ashamed of having so voted." Like another celebrated Massachusetts +politician, he believed in the principle of the thing, but was +"agin its enforcement." At this date the popular interest +heretofore given to the anti-slavery question was transferred to +the woman suffrage movement.</p> + +<p>The New England Woman Suffrage Association was formed at this +convention. Julia Ward Howe was elected its president, and made her +first address on the subject of woman's equality with man. On its +executive board were many representative names from the six New +England States.<a name="FNanchor_109_109" id="FNanchor_109_109"></a><a href="#Footnote_109_109" class="fnanchor">[109]</a> By the formation of this society, a great +impetus was given to the suffrage cause in New England. It held +conventions and mass-meetings, printed tracts<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> and documents, and +put lecturers in the field. It set in motion two woman suffrage +bazars, and organized subscription festivals, and other enterprises +to raise money to carry on the work. It projected the American, and +Massachusetts suffrage associations; it urged the formation of +local and county suffrage societies, and set up the <i>Woman's +Journal</i>. The New England Association held its first anniversary in +May, 1869, and the meeting was even more successful than the +opening one of the preceding year. On this occasion Mrs. Livermore +spoke in Boston for the first time, and many new friends coming +forward gave vigor and freshness to the movement.<a name="FNanchor_110_110" id="FNanchor_110_110"></a><a href="#Footnote_110_110" class="fnanchor">[110]</a> Wendell +Philips, Lucy Stone and Gilbert Haven, spoke at this convention. It +was on this occasion that the "good Bishop," as he afterward came +to be called, was met on leaving the meeting by one who did not +know his opinion on the subject. This person expressed surprise on +seeing him at a woman's rights meeting, and said: "<i>What! you</i> +here?" "Yes," said he, "I <i>am</i> here! I <i>believe</i> in this reform. I +am going to start in the beginning, and ride with the procession." +After this, not until his earthly journey was finished, was his +place in "the procession" found vacant. Since 1869 the New England +Association has held its annual meeting in Boston during +anniversary week, in May, when reports from various States are +offered, concerning suffrage work done during the year. The +American Woman Suffrage Association was organized in 1869. Since +its formation it has held its annual conventions in some of the +chief cities of the several States.<a name="FNanchor_111_111" id="FNanchor_111_111"></a><a href="#Footnote_111_111" class="fnanchor">[111]</a> A meeting was held in +Horticultural Hall, Boston, January 28, 1870, to organize the +Massachusetts Woman Suffrage Association.<a name="FNanchor_112_112" id="FNanchor_112_112"></a><a href="#Footnote_112_112" class="fnanchor">[112]<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span></a></p> + +<p>The Massachusetts Association is the most active of the three +societies named. Its work is generally local though it has sent +help to Colorado, Michigan, and other Western States. It has kept +petitions in circulation, and has presented petitions and memorials +to the State legislatures. It has asked for hearings and secured +able speakers for them. It has held conventions, mass-meetings, +Fourth of July celebrations. It has helped organize local Woman +suffrage clubs and societies, and has printed for circulation +numerous woman suffrage tracts. The amount of work done by its +lecturing agents can be seen by the statement of Margaret W. +Campbell, who alone, as agent of the American, the New England and +the Massachusetts associations, traveled in twenty different States +and two territories, organizing and speaking in conventions.<a name="FNanchor_113_113" id="FNanchor_113_113"></a><a href="#Footnote_113_113" class="fnanchor">[113]</a> +As part of the latest work of this society may be mentioned its +efforts to present before the women of the State, in clear and +comprehensive form, an explanation of the different sections of the +new law "allowing women to vote for school committees." As soon as +the law passed the legislature of 1879, a circular of instructions +to women was carefully prepared by Samuel E. Sewall, an eminent +lawyer and member of the board of the Massachusetts Association, in +which all the points of law in relation to the new right were ably +presented. Thousands of copies of this circular were sent to women +all over the State.</p> + +<p>The Centennial Tea Party was held in Boston, December 15, 1873, in +response to the following call:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The women of New England who believe that "taxation without +representation is tyranny," and that our forefathers were +justified in defying despotic power by throwing the tea into +Boston harbor, invite the men and women of New England to unite +with them in celebrating the one-hundredth anniversary of that +event in Fanueil Hall.<a name="FNanchor_114_114" id="FNanchor_114_114"></a><a href="#Footnote_114_114" class="fnanchor">[114]</a> </p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span></p> + +<p>Three thousand people were in attendance, and it was altogether an +enthusiastic occasion and one long to be remembered.</p> + +<p>The record of conventions and meetings held by the Massachusetts +Association by no means includes all such gatherings held in +different towns and cities of the State. The county and local +societies have done a vast amount of work. The Hampden society was +started in 1868, with Eliphalet Trask, Frank B. Sanborn and +Margaret W. Campbell as leading officers. This was the first county +society formed in the State. Julia Ward Howe, a fresh convert of +the recent convention went to Salem to lecture on woman suffrage, +and the Essex county society was formed with Mrs. Sarah G. Wilkins +and Mrs. Delight R. P. Hewitt—the only two Salem women who went to +the 1850 convention at Worcester—on its executive board. The +Middlesex county society followed, planned by Ada C. Bowles and +officered by names well known in that historic old county. The +Hampshire and Worcester societies brought up the rear; the former +planned by Seth Hunt of Northampton. Notable conventions were held +by the Middlesex society in 1876—one in Malden, one in Melrose and +one in Concord, organized and conducted by its president, Harriet +H. Robinson. This last celebrated town had never before been so +favored. These meetings were conducted something after the style of +local church conferences. They were well advertised, and many +people came. A collation was provided by the ladies of each town, +and the feast of reason was so judiciously mingled with the +triumphs of cookery, that converts to the cause were never so +easily won. Many women present said to the president: "I never +before heard a woman's rights speech. If these are the reasons why +women should vote, I believe in voting."</p> + +<p>The Concord convention was held about a month after the great +centennial celebration of April 19, 1875—a celebration in which no +woman belonging to that town took any official part. Nor was there +any place of honor found for the more distinguished women who had +come long distances to share in the festivities. Some of the women +were descendents of Governor John Hancock, Dr. Samuel Prescott, +Major John Buttrick, Rev. William Emerson and Lieutenant Emerson +Cogswell. Though no seat of honor in the big tent in which the +speeches were made was given to the women of to-day, silent +memorials of those who had taken part in the events of one hundred +years ago, had found<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> a conspicuous place there—the scissors that +cut the immortal cartridges made by the women on that eventful day, +and the ancient flag that the fingers of some of the mothers of the +Revolution had made. Though the Concord women were not permitted to +share the centennial honors, they were not deprived of the +privilege of paying their part of the expenses incident to the +occasion. To meet these, an increased tax-rate was assessed upon +all the property owners in the town; and, since one-fifth of the +town tax of Concord is paid by women, it will be seen what was +their share in the great centennial celebration of 1876.</p> + +<p>The knowledge of the proceedings at Concord added new zest to the +spirit of the three conventions, and the events of the day were +used by the speakers to point the moral of the woman's rights +question. Lucy Stone made one of her most effective and eloquent +speeches upon this subject. She said:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Fellow Citizens</span> (I had almost said fellow subjects): What we need +is that women should feel their mean position; when that happens, +they will soon make an effort to get out of it. Everything is +possible to him that wills. All that is needed for the success of +the cause of woman suffrage is to have women know that they want +to vote. Concord and Lexington got into a fight about the +centennial, and Concord voted $10,000 for the celebration in +order to eclipse Lexington. One-fifth of the tax of Concord is +paid by the women, yet not one of these women dared to go to the +town hall and cast her vote upon that subject. This is exactly +the same thing which took place one hundred years ago—taxation +without representation, against which the <i>men</i> of Concord then +rebelled. If I were an inhabitant of Concord, I would let my +house be sold over my head and my clothes off my back and be +hanged by the neck before I would pay a cent of it! Men of +Melrose, Concord and Malden, why persecute us? Would you like to +be a slave? Would you like to be disfranchised? Would you like to +be bound to respect the laws which you cannot make? There are +15,000,000 of women whom the government denies legal rights. </p></blockquote> + +<p>It might be supposed that a spot upon which the battle for freedom +and independence was first begun would always be the vantage ground +of questions relating to personal liberty. But such is not the +fact. Concord was never an anti-slavery town, though some of its +best citizens took active part in all the abolition movements. When +the time came that women were allowed to vote for school +committees, the same intolerant spirit which ignored and shut them +out of the centennial celebration was again manifested toward +them—not only by the leading magnates, but also by the petty +officials of the town. Some of them have from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> the first shown a +great deal of ingenuity in inventing ways to intimidate and mislead +the women voters.</p> + +<p>At the annual convention of the Massachusetts Association, in May, +1880, the following resolution was passed:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, We believe in keeping the land-marks and traditions of +our movement; and</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, It will be thirty years next October since the first +woman's rights meeting was held in the State, and it seems +fitting that there should be some celebration of the event; +therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we will hold a woman suffrage jubilee in +Worcester, October 23 and 24 next, to commemorate the anniversary +of our first convention. </p></blockquote> + +<p>A committee<a name="FNanchor_115_115" id="FNanchor_115_115"></a><a href="#Footnote_115_115" class="fnanchor">[115]</a> of arrangements was chosen, and the meeting was +held. There were present many whose silver hairs told of long and +faithful service. The oldest ladies there were Mrs. Lydia Brown of +Lynn, Mrs. Wilbour of Worcester, and Julia E. Smith Parker of +Glastonbury, Conn. On the afternoon of the first day there was an +informal gathering of friends in the ante-room of Horticultural +Hall. Old-time memories were recalled by those who had not seen +each other for many years, and the common salutation was: "How gray +you've grown!" Many of them had indeed grown gray in the service, +and their faces were changed, but made beautiful by a life devoted +to a noble purpose. There were many present who had attended the +convention of thirty years ago—Abby Kelley Foster, Lucy Stone, +Antoinettë Brown Blackwell, Paulina Gerry, Rev. Samuel May, Rev. W. +H. Channing, Joseph A. Howland, Adeline H. Howland, Dr. Martha H. +Mowry and many, many others. It was very pleasant indeed to hear +these veterans whose clear voices have spoken out so long and so +bravely for the cause. The speaking<a name="FNanchor_116_116" id="FNanchor_116_116"></a><a href="#Footnote_116_116" class="fnanchor">[116]</a> at all the sessions was +excellent, and the spirit of the convention was very reverent and +hopeful.</p> + +<p>The tone of the press concerning woman's rights meetings had +changed greatly since thirty years before. "Hen conventions" had +gone by, and a woman's meeting was now called by its proper<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> name. +Representatives of leading newspapers from all parts of the State +were present, and the reports were written in a just and friendly +spirit.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 365px;"> +<a name="v3_273" id="v3_273"> +<img src="images/v3_273.jpg" width="365" height="500" alt="Harriet H. Robinson" title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p>The Massachusetts School Suffrage Association was formed in 1880, +Abby W. May, president.<a name="FNanchor_117_117" id="FNanchor_117_117"></a><a href="#Footnote_117_117" class="fnanchor">[117]</a> Its efforts are mostly confined to +Boston. An independent movement of women voters in Boston, distinct +from all organizations, was formed in 1884, and subdivided into +ward and city committees. These did much valuable work and secured +a larger number of voters than had qualified in previous years. In +1880 the number of registered women in the whole State was 4,566, +and in Boston 826. In 1884, chiefly owing to the ward and city +committees, the number in Boston alone was 1,100. This year (1885) +a movement among the Roman Catholic women has raised the number who +are assessed to vote to 1,843; and it is estimated that when the +tax-paying women are added, the whole number will be about 2,500.</p> + +<p>The National Woman Suffrage Association<a name="FNanchor_118_118" id="FNanchor_118_118"></a><a href="#Footnote_118_118" class="fnanchor">[118]</a> of Massachusetts was +formed in January, 1882, of members who had joined the National +Association at its thirteenth annual meeting, held in Tremont +Temple, Boston, May 26, 27, 1881. According to Article II. of its +constitution, its object is to secure to women their right to the +ballot, by working for national, State, municipal, school, or any +other form of suffrage which shall at the time seem most expedient. +While it is auxiliary to the National Association, it reserves to +itself the right of independent action. It has held +conventions<a name="FNanchor_119_119" id="FNanchor_119_119"></a><a href="#Footnote_119_119" class="fnanchor">[119]</a> in Boston and some of the chief cities of the +State, sent delegates to the annual Washington<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> Convention<a name="FNanchor_120_120" id="FNanchor_120_120"></a><a href="#Footnote_120_120" class="fnanchor">[120]</a> and +published valuable leaflets.<a name="FNanchor_121_121" id="FNanchor_121_121"></a><a href="#Footnote_121_121" class="fnanchor">[121]</a> It has rolled up petitions to the +State legislature and to congress. Its most valuable work has been +the canvass made in certain localities in the city and country in +1884, to ascertain the number of women in favor of suffrage, the +number opposed and the number indifferent. The total result showed +that there were 405 in favor, 44 opposed, 166 indifferent, 160 +refusing to sign, 39 not seen; that is, over nine who would sign +themselves in favor to one who would sign herself opposed. This +canvass was made by women who gave their time and labor to this +arduous work, and the results were duly presented to the +legislature.</p> + +<p>In 1883 this Association petitioned the legislature to pass a +resolution recommending congress to submit a proposition for a +sixteenth amendment to the national constitution. The Senate +Committee on Woman Suffrage granted a hearing March 23, and soon +after presented a favorable report; but the resolution, when +brought to a vote, was lost by 21 to 11. This was the first time +that the National doctrine of congressional action was ever +presented or voted upon in the Massachusetts legislature. A second +hearing<a name="FNanchor_122_122" id="FNanchor_122_122"></a><a href="#Footnote_122_122" class="fnanchor">[122]</a> was granted on February 28, 1884, before the Committee +on Federal Relations. They reported leave to withdraw.</p> + +<p>The associations mentioned are not the only ones that are aiding +the suffrage movement. Its friends are found in all the women's +clubs, temperance associations, missionary movements, charitable +enterprises, educational and industrial unions and church +committees. These agencies form a network of motive power which is +gradually carrying the reform into all branches of public work.</p> + +<p>The <i>Woman's Journal</i> was incorporated in 1870 and is owned by a +joint stock company, shares being held by leading members of the +suffrage associations of New England. Shortly after it was +projected, the <i>Agitator</i>, then published in Chicago by Mary A. +Livermore, was bought by the New England Association on condition +that she should "come to Boston for one year, at a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> reasonable +compensation, to assist the cause by her editorial labor and +speaking at conventions." Lucy Stone and Henry B. Blackwell, +invited by the same society to "return to the work in +Massachusetts," at once assumed the editorial charge. T. W. +Higginson, Julia Ward Howe and W. L. Garrison were assistant +editors. "Warrington," Kate N. Doggett, Samuel E. Sewall, F. B. +Sanborn, and many other good writers, lent a helping hand to the +new enterprise. The <i>Woman's Journal</i> has been of great value to +the cause. It has helped individual women and brought their +enterprises into public notice. It has opened its columns to +inexperienced writers and advertised young speakers. To sustain the +paper and furnish money for other work, two mammoth bazars or fairs +were held in Music Hall in 1870, 1871. Nearly all the New England +States and many of the towns in Massachusetts were represented by +tables in these bazars. Donations were sent from all directions and +the women worked, as they generally do in a cause in which they are +interested, to raise money to furnish the sinews of war. The +newspapers from day to day were full of descriptions of the +splendors of the tables, and the reporters spoke well of the women +who had taken this novel method to carry on their movement. People +who had never heard of woman suffrage before came to see what sort +of women were those who thus made a public exhibition of their zeal +in this cause. In remote places, as well as nearer the scene of +action, many people who had never thought of the significance of +the woman's rights movement, began to consider it through reading +the reports of the woman suffrage bazar.</p> + +<p>Female opponents of the suffrage movement began to make a stir as +early as 1868. A remonstrance was sent into the legislature, from +two hundred women of Lancaster, giving the reasons why women should +not enjoy the exercise of the elective franchise: "It would +diminish the purity, the dignity and the moral influence of woman, +and bring into the family circle a dangerous element of discord." +In <i>The Revolution</i> of August 5, 1869, Parker Pillsbury said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Dolly Chandler and the hundred and ninety-four other women who +asked the Massachusetts legislature not to allow the right of +suffrage, were very impudent and tyrannical, too, in petitioning +for any but themselves. They should have said: "We, Dolly +Chandler and her associates, to the number of a hundred and +ninety-five in all, do not want the right of suffrage; and we +pray your honorable bodies to so decree and enact that we shall +never have it." So far they might go. But when they undertake<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> to +prevent a hundred and ninety-four thousand other women who do +want the ballot and who have an acknowledged right to it, and are +laboring for it day and night, it is proper to ask, What business +have Dolly Chandler and her little coterie to interpose? Nobody +wants them to vote unless they themselves want to. They can stay +at home and see nobody but the assessor, the tax-gatherer and the +revenue collector, from Christmas to Christmas, if they so +prefer. Those gentlemen they will be pretty likely to see, +annually or quarterly, and to feel their power, too, if they have +pockets with anything in them, in spite of all petitions to the +legislature. </p></blockquote> + +<p>It did not occur to these women that by thus remonstrating they +were doing just what they were protesting against. What <i>is</i> a +vote? An expression of opinion or a desire as to governmental +affairs, in the shape of a ballot. The "aspiring blood of +Lancaster" should have mounted higher than this, since, if it +really was the opinion of these remonstrants that woman cannot vote +without becoming defiled, they should have kept themselves out of +the legislature, should have kept their hands from petitioning and +their thoughts from agitation on either side of the subject. Just +such illogical reasoning on the woman suffrage question is often +brought forward and passes for the profoundest wisdom and +discreetest delicacy! The same arguments are used by the +remonstrants of to-day, who are now fully organized and doing very +efficient political work in opposing further political action by +women. In their carriages, with footman and driver, they solicit +names to their remonstrances. As a Boston newspaper says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The anti-woman suffrage women get deeper and deeper into politics +year by year in their determination to keep out of politics. By +the time they triumph they will be the most accomplished +politicians of the sex, and unable to stop writing to the papers, +holding meetings, circulating remonstrances, any more than the +suffrage sisterhood. </p></blockquote> + +<p>These persons, men and women, bring their whole force to bear +before legislative committees at woman suffrage hearings, and use +arguments that might have been excusable forty years ago. However +this is merely a phase of the general movement and will work for +good in the end. It can no more stop the progress of the reform +than it can stop the revolution of the globe.</p> + +<p>Political agitation on the woman suffrage question began in +Massachusetts in 1870. A convention to discuss the feasibility of +forming a woman suffrage political party was held in Boston, at +which Julia Ward Howe presided, and Rev. Augusta Chapin offered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> +prayer. The question of a separate nomination for State officers +was carefully considered.<a name="FNanchor_123_123" id="FNanchor_123_123"></a><a href="#Footnote_123_123" class="fnanchor">[123]</a> Delegates were present from the +Labor Reform and Prohibition parties, and strong efforts were made +by them to induce the convention to nominate Wendell Phillips, who +had already accepted the nomination of those two parties, as +candidate for governor. The convention at one time seemed strongly +in favor of this action, the women in particular thinking that in +Mr. Phillips they would find a staunch and well tried leader. But +more politic counsels prevailed, and it was finally concluded to +postpone a separate nomination until after the Republican and +Democratic conventions had been held. A State central committee was +formed, and at once began active political agitation. A memorial +was prepared to present to each of the last-named conventions; and +the candidates on the State tickets of the four political parties +were questioned by letter concerning their opinions on the right of +the women to the ballot. At the Republican State convention held +October 5, 1870, the question was fairly launched into politics, by +the admission, for the first time, of two women, Lucy Stone and +Mary A. Livermore, as regularly accredited delegates. Both were +invited to speak, and the following resolution drawn up by Henry B. +Blackwell, was presented by Charles W. Slack:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That the Republican party of Massachusetts is mindful +of its obligations to the loyal women of America for their +patriotic devotion to the cause of liberty; that we rejoice in +the action of the recent legislature in making women eligible as +officers of the State; that we thank Governor Claflin for having +appointed women to important political trusts; that we are +heartily in favor of the enfranchisement of women, and will hail +the day when the educated, intelligent and enlightened conscience +of the women of Massachusetts has direct expression at the ballot +box. </p></blockquote> + +<p>This resolution was presented to the committee, who did not agree +as to the propriety of reporting it to the convention, and they +instructed their chairman, George F. Hoar, to state the fact and +refer the resolution back to that body for its own action. A warm +debate arose, in which several members of the convention made +speeches on both sides of the question. The resolution was finally +defeated, 137 voting in its favor, and 196 against it. Although +lost, the large vote in the affirmative was thought to mean a great +deal as a guaranty of the good faith of the Republican party, and +the women were willing to trust to its promises. It was thought +then, as it has been thought since, that most of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> friends of +woman suffrage were in the Republican party, and that the interests +of the cause could best be furthered by depending on its action. +The women were, however, mistaken, and have learned to look upon +the famous resolution in its true light. It is now known as the +<i>coup d'état</i> of the Worcester convention of 1870, which really had +more votes than it was fairly entitled to. After +that,—"forewarned, forearmed," said the enemies of the enterprise, +and woman suffrage resolutions have received less votes in +Republican conventions.</p> + +<p>When the memorial prepared by the State Central Committee was +presented to the Democratic State convention, that body, in +response, passed a resolution conceding the <i>principle</i> of women's +right to suffrage, but at the same time declared itself against its +being <i>enforced</i>, or put into practice. To finish the brief record +of the dealings of the Democratic party, with the women of the +State, it may be said that since 1870, it has never responded to +their appeals, nor taken any action of importance on the question.</p> + +<p>In 1871 a resolution endorsing woman suffrage was passed in the +Republican convention. In June, 1872, the national convention at +Philadelphia, passed the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That the Republican party is mindful of its +obligations to the loyal women of America for their noble +devotion to the cause of freedom; their admission to wider fields +of usefulness is viewed with satisfaction; and the honest demand +of any class of citizens for additional rights, should be treated +with respectful consideration. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The Massachusetts Republican State Convention, following this lead, +again passed a woman suffrage resolution:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That we heartily approve the recognition of the +rights of woman contained in the fourteenth clause of the +national Republican platform; that the Republican party of +Massachusetts, as the representative of liberty and progress, is +in favor of extending suffrage to all American citizens +irrespective of sex, and will hail the day when the educated +intellect and enlightened conscience of woman shall find direct +expression at the ballot-box. </p></blockquote> + +<p>This was during the campaign of 1872, when General Grant's chance +of reëlection was thought to be somewhat uncertain, and the +Republican women in all parts of the country were called on to +rally to his support. The National Woman Suffrage Association had +issued "an appeal to the women of America," asking them to +coöperate with the Republican party and work for the election of +its candidates. In response to this appeal a ratification meeting +was held at Tremont Temple, in Boston, at which hundreds stayed to +a late hour listening to speeches made by women on the political +questions of the day. An address was issued from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> the "Republican +women of Massachusetts to the women of America." In this address +they announced their faith in and willingness to "trust the +Republican party and its candidates, as saying what they mean and +meaning what they say, and in view of their honorable record we +have no fear of betrayal on their part." Mrs. Livermore, Lucy Stone +and Huldah B. Loud took part in the canvass, and agents employed by +the Massachusetts Association were instructed to speak for the +Republican party.<a name="FNanchor_124_124" id="FNanchor_124_124"></a><a href="#Footnote_124_124" class="fnanchor">[124]</a> Women writers furnished articles for the +newspapers and the Republican women did as much effective work +during the campaign as if each one had been a "man and a voter." +They did everything but vote. All this agitation was a benefit to +the Republican party, but not to woman suffrage, because for a time +it arrayed other political parties against the movement and caused +it to be thought merely a party issue, while it is too broad a +question for such limitation.</p> + +<p>General Grant was reëlected and the campaign was over. When the +legislature met and the suffrage question came up for discussion, +that body, composed in large majority of Republicans, showed the +women of Massachusetts the difference between "saying what you mean +and meaning what you say," the Woman Suffrage bill being defeated +by a large majority. The women learned by this experience that +nothing is to be expected of a political party while it is in +power. To close the subject of suffrage resolutions in the platform +of the Republican party, it may be said that they continued to be +put in and seemed to mean something until after 1875, when they +became only "glittering generalities," and were as devoid of real +meaning or intention as any that were ever passed by the old Whig +party on the subject of abolition. Yet from 1870 to 1874 the +Republican party had the power to fulfill its promises on this +question. Since then, it has been too busy trying to keep breath in +its own body to lend a helping hand to any struggling reform. At +the Republican convention, held in Worcester in 1880, an attempt +was made by Mr. Blackwell to introduce a resolution endorsing the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> +right conferred upon women in the law allowing them to vote for +school committees, passed by the legislature of 1879. This +resolution was rejected by the committee, and when offered in +convention as an amendment, it was voted down without a single +voice, except that of the mover, being raised in its support. Yet +this resolution only asked a Republican convention to endorse an +existing right, conferred on the women of the State by a Republican +legislature! A political party as a party of freedom must be very +far spent when it refuses at its annual convention to endorse an +act passed by a legislature the majority of whose members are +representatives elected from its own body. Since that time the +Republican party has entirely ignored the claims of woman. In 1884, +at its annual convention, an effort was made, as usual, by Mr. +Blackwell, to introduce a resolution, but without success, and yet +some of the best of our leaders advised the women to "stand by the +Republican party."<a name="FNanchor_125_125" id="FNanchor_125_125"></a><a href="#Footnote_125_125" class="fnanchor">[125]</a></p> + +<p>The question of forming a woman suffrage political party had, since +1870, been often discussed.<a name="FNanchor_126_126" id="FNanchor_126_126"></a><a href="#Footnote_126_126" class="fnanchor">[126]</a> In 1875 Thomas J. Lothrop proposed +the formation of a separate organization. But it was not until 1876 +that any real effort in this direction was made. The Prohibitory +(or Temperance) party sometimes holds the balance of political +power in Massachusetts, and many of the members of that party are +also strong advocates of suffrage. The feeling had been growing for +several years that if forces could be joined with the +Prohibitionists some practical result in politics might be reached, +and though there was a difference of opinion on this subject, many +were willing to see the experiment tried.</p> + +<p>The Prohibitory party had at its convention in 1876 passed a +resolution inviting the women to take part in its primary meetings, +with an equal voice and vote in the nomination of candidates and +transaction of business. After long and anxious discussions, the +Massachusetts Woman Suffrage State Central Committee, in whose +hands all political action rested, determined to accept this +invitation. A woman suffrage political convention was held, at +which the Prohibitory candidates were endorsed and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> a joint State +ticket was decided on, to be headed "Prohibition and Equal Rights." +These tickets were sent to women all over the State, and they were +strongly urged to go to the polls and distribute them on election +day. Lucy Stone, Mary A. Livermore and other leading speakers took +part in the campaign, and preparations were completed by which it +was expected both parties would act harmoniously together. Clubs +were formed at whose headquarters were seen men and women gathered +together to organize for political work. From some of these +headquarters hung transparencies with "Baker and Eddy" on one side, +and "Prohibition and Equal Rights" on the other. Caucuses and +conventions were held in Chelsea, Taunton, Malden, Lynn, Concord, +and other places. A Middlesex county (first district) senatorial +convention was called and organized by women, and its proceedings +were fully reported by the Boston newspapers.<a name="FNanchor_127_127" id="FNanchor_127_127"></a><a href="#Footnote_127_127" class="fnanchor">[127]</a></p> + +<p>The nominations made at these caucuses were generally unanimous, +and it seemed at the time as if the two wings of the so-called +"Baker party" would work harmoniously together. But, with a few +honorable exceptions, the Prohibitionists, taking advantage of the +fact that the voting power of the women was over, once outside the +caucus, repudiated the nominations, or held other caucuses and shut +the doors of entrance in the faces of the women who represented +either the suffrage or the Prohibitory party. This was the case +invariably, excepting in towns where the majority of the voting +members of the Prohibitory party were also in favor of woman +suffrage. This result is what might have been expected. Of what use +was woman in the ranks of any political party, with no vote outside +the caucus?</p> + +<p>After being thus ignored in one of their caucuses in Malden, +Middlesex county, the suffragists in that town determined to hold +another caucus. This was accordingly done, and two "straight" +candidates were nominated as town representatives to the +legislature. A "Woman Suffrage ticket"<a name="FNanchor_128_128" id="FNanchor_128_128"></a><a href="#Footnote_128_128" class="fnanchor">[128]</a> was thereupon printed +to offer to the voters on election day. The next question was, who +would distribute these ballots<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> most effectively at the polls. Some +men thought that the women themselves should go and present in +person the names of their candidates. At first the women who had +carried on the campaign shrank from this last test of their +faithfulness; but, after carefully considering the matter, they +concluded that it was the right thing to do. The repugnance felt at +that time, at the thought of "women going to the polls" can hardly +be appreciated to-day. Since they have begun to vote in +Massachusetts the terror expressed at the idea of such a proceeding +has somewhat abated; but in 1876 it was thought to be a rash act +for a woman to appear at the polls in company with men. Some +attempt was made to deter them from their purpose, and stories of +pipes and tobacco and probable insults were told; but they had no +terrors for women who knew better than to believe that their +neighbors would be turned into beasts (like the man in the fairy +tale) for this one day in the year.<a name="FNanchor_129_129" id="FNanchor_129_129"></a><a href="#Footnote_129_129" class="fnanchor">[129]</a></p> + +<p>It was a sight to be remembered, to behold women "crowned with +honor" standing at the polls to see the freed slave go by and vote, +and the newly-naturalized fellow-citizen, and the blind, the +paralytic, the boy of twenty-one with his newly-fledged vote, the +drunken man who did not know Hayes from Tilden, and the man who +read his ballot upside down. All these voted for the men they +wanted to represent them, but the women, being neither colored, nor +foreign, nor blind, nor paralytic, nor newly-fledged, nor drunk, +nor ignorant, but only <i>women</i>, could not vote for the men they +wanted to represent them.<a name="FNanchor_130_130" id="FNanchor_130_130"></a><a href="#Footnote_130_130" class="fnanchor">[130]</a></p> + +<p>The women learned several things during this campaign in +Massachusetts. One was, that weak parties are no more to be trusted +than strong ones; and another, that men grant but little until the +ballot is placed in the hands of those who make the demand. They +learned also how political caucuses and conventions are managed. +The resolution passed by the Prohibitionists enabled them to do +this. So the great "open sesame" is reached. It is but fair to +state that since 1876 the Prohibitory party has<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> treated the woman +suffrage question with consideration. In its annual convention it +has passed resolutions endorsing woman's claims to political +equality, and has set the example to other parties of admitting +women as delegates. At the State convention in 1885 the following +resolution was adopted by a good majority:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That women having interests to be promoted and rights +to be protected, and having ability for the discharge of +political duties, should have the right to vote and to be voted +for, as is accorded to man. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In the early history of Massachusetts, when the new colony was +governed by laws set down in the Province charter (1691, third year +of William and Mary) women were not excluded from voting. The +clause in the charter relating to this matter says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The great and general court shall consist of the governor and +council (or assistants for the time being) and of such +freeholders as shall be from time to time elected or deputed by +the major part of the freeholders and other inhabitants of the +respective towns or places, who shall be present at such +elections. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In the original constitution (1780) women were excluded from voting +except for certain State officers.<a name="FNanchor_131_131" id="FNanchor_131_131"></a><a href="#Footnote_131_131" class="fnanchor">[131]</a> In the constitutional +convention of 1820, the word "male" was first put into the +constitution of the State, in an amendment to define the +qualifications of voters. In this convention, a motion was made at +three different times, during the passage of the act, to strike out +the intruding word, but the motion was voted down. Long before the +second attempt was made to revise the constitution of the State, +large numbers of women began to demand suffrage. Woman's sphere of +operations and enterprise had become so widened, that they felt +they had not only the right, but also an increasing fitness for +civil life and government, of which the ballot is but the sign and +the symbol.</p> + +<p>In the constitutional convention of 1853, twelve petitions were +presented, from over 2,000 adult persons, asking for the +recognition of woman's right to the ballot, in the proposed +amendments to the constitution of the State. The committee reported +leave to withdraw, giving as their reason that the "consent of the +governed" was shown by the small number of petitioners. Hearings +before this committee were granted.<a name="FNanchor_132_132" id="FNanchor_132_132"></a><a href="#Footnote_132_132" class="fnanchor">[132]</a> The chairman of this +committee, in presenting the report, moved that all debate on the +subject should cease in thirty minutes, and on motion of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> Benjamin +F. Butler of Lowell, the whole report, excepting the last clause, +was stricken out. There was then left of the whole document +(including more than two closely-printed pages of reasoning) only +this: "It is inexpedient for this convention to take any action."</p> + +<p>Legislative action on the woman's rights question began in 1849, +when William Lloyd Garrison presented the first petition on the +subject to the State legislature. Following him was one from +Jonathan Drake and others, "for a peaceable secession of +Massachusetts from the Union." Both these petitions were probably +considered by the legislature to which they were addressed as of +equally incendiary character, since they both had "leave to +withdraw." In 1851 an order was introduced asking "whether any +legislation was necessary concerning the wills of married women?" +In 1853 a bill was enacted "to exempt certain property of widows +and unmarried women from taxation." In the legislature of 1856 the +first great and important act relating to the property rights of +women was passed. It was to the effect that women could hold all +property earned or acquired independently of their husbands. This +act was amended and improved the next session.</p> + +<p>In 1857 a hearing was held before the Committee on the Judiciary to +listen to arguments in favor of the petition of Lucy Stone and +others for equal property rights for women and for the "right of +suffrage." Another hearing was held in the same place in February, +1858, before the Joint Special Committee on the Qualifications of +Voters. A second hearing on the right of suffrage for women was +held the following week before the same committee. Thomas W. +Higginson made an address and Caroline Kealey Dall read an essay.</p> + +<p>In 1858, Stephen A. Chase of Salem, from the same Committee on the +Qualifications of Voters, made a long report on the petitions. This +report closed with an order that the State Board of Education make +inquiry and report to the next legislature "whether it is not +practicable and expedient to provide by law some method by which +the women of this State may have a more active part in the control +and management of the schools." There is nothing in legislative +records to show that the State Board of Education reported +favorably; but from the above statement it appears that ten years +before Samuel E. Sewall's petition<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> on the subject, a movement was +made towards making women "eligible to serve as members of +school-committees."</p> + +<p>The petitions for woman's rights were usually circulated by women +going from house to house. They did the drudgery, endured the +hardships and suffered the humiliations attendant upon the early +history of our cause; but their names are forgotten, and others +reap the benefit of their labors. These women were so modest and so +anxious for the success of their petitions, that they never put +their own names at the head of the list, preferring the signature +of some leading man, so that others seeing his name, might be +induced to follow his example. Among the earliest of these silent +workers was Mary Upton Ferrin. Her petitions were for a change in +the laws concerning the property rights of married women, and for +the political and legal rights of all women. In 1849 she prepared a +memorial to the Massachusetts legislature in which are embodied +many of the demands for woman's equality before the law, which have +so often been made to that body since that time.<a name="FNanchor_133_133" id="FNanchor_133_133"></a><a href="#Footnote_133_133" class="fnanchor">[133]</a></p> + +<p>In 1861 the legislature debated a bill to allow a widow, "if she +have woodland as a part of her dower, the privilege of cutting wood +enough for one fire." This bill failed, and the widow, by law, was +<i>not</i> allowed to keep herself warm with fuel from her own wood-lot. +In 1863 a bill providing that "a wife may be allowed to be a +witness and proceed against her husband for desertion," was +reported inexpedient, and a bill was passed to <i>prevent</i> women from +forming copartnerships in business. In 1865, Gov. John A. Andrew, +seeing the magnitude of the approaching woman question, in his +annual message to the legislature, made a memorable suggestion:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I know of no more useful object to which the commonwealth can +lend its aid, than that of a movement, adopted in a practical +way, to open the door of emigration to young women who are wanted +for teachers and for every appropriate, as well as domestic, +employment in the remote West, but who are leading anxious and +aimless lives in New England. </p></blockquote> + +<p>By the "anxious and aimless" it was supposed the governor meant the +widowed, single or otherwise unrepresented portion of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> the citizens +of the State. No action was taken by the legislature on this +portion of the governor's message. But a member of the Senate +actually made the following proposition before that body:</p> + +<blockquote><p>That the "anxious and aimless women" of the State should assemble +on the Common on a certain day of the year (to be hereafter +named), and that Western men who wanted wives, should be invited +to come here and select them. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Legislators who make such propositions, do not foresee that the +time may come, when perhaps those nearest and dearest to them, may +be classed among the superfluous or "anxious and aimless" women!</p> + +<p>In 1865 bills allowing married women to testify in suits at law +where their husbands are parties, and permitting them to hold trust +estates were rejected. It will be seen that though all this +legislation was adverse to woman's interest, the question had +forced itself upon the attention of the members of both House and +Senate. In 1866 a joint committee of both houses was appointed to +consider:</p> + +<blockquote><p>If any additional legislation can be adopted, whereby the means +of obtaining a livelihood by the women of this commonwealth may +be increased and a more equal and just compensation be allowed +for their labor. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1867, Francis W. Bird presented the petition of Mehitable +Haskell of Gloucester for "an amendment to the constitution +extending suffrage to women." In 1868 Mr. King of Boston presented +the same petition, and it was at this time, and in answer thereto, +that the subject first entered into the regular orders of the day, +and became a part of the official business of the House of +Representatives. Attempts to legislate on the property question +were continued in 1868, in bills "to further protect the property +of married women," "to allow married women to contract for +necessaries," and if "divorced from bed and board, to allow them to +dispose of their own property." These bills were all defeated. +Annual legislative hearings on woman suffrage began in 1869. These +were first secured through the efforts of the executive committee +of the New England Woman Suffrage Association. Eight thousand women +had petitioned the legislature that suffrage might be allowed them +on the same terms as men, and in answer, two hearings were held in +the green room at the State House.<a name="FNanchor_134_134" id="FNanchor_134_134"></a><a href="#Footnote_134_134" class="fnanchor">[134]</a> In 1870 a joint special +committee on woman suffrage<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span> was formed, and since that time there +have been one or more annual hearings on the question. To what +extent legislative sentiment has been created will be shown later +in the improvement of many laws with regard to the legal status of +woman.</p> + +<p>William Claflin was the first governor of Massachusetts to present +officially to the voters of the commonwealth the subject of woman's +rights as a citizen. In his address to the legislature of 1871, he +strongly recommended a change in the laws regarding suffrage and +the property rights of woman. His attitude toward this reform made +an era in the history of the executive department of the State. +Since that time nearly every governor of the State has, in his +annual message, recommended the subject to respectful +consideration. In 1879 Governor Thomas Talbot proposed a +constitutional amendment which should secure the ballot to women on +the same terms as to men. In response to this portion of the +governor's message, and to the ninety-eight petitions presented on +the subject, a general suffrage bill passed the Senate by a +two-thirds majority, and an act to "give women the right to vote +for members of school committees," passed both branches of the +legislature and became a law of the State.<a name="FNanchor_135_135" id="FNanchor_135_135"></a><a href="#Footnote_135_135" class="fnanchor">[135]</a> Governor John D. +Long, in his inaugural address before the legislature of 1880, +expressed his opinion in favor of woman suffrage perhaps more +decidedly than any who had preceded him in that high official +position. He said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I repeat my conviction of the right of woman suffrage. If the +commonwealth is not ready to give it in full by a constitutional +amendment, I approve of testing it in municipal elections. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The law allowing women to vote for school committees is one of the +last results of the legislative agitations, though it is true that +the petition, the answer to which was the passage of this act, did +not emanate from any suffrage association. It was the outcome of a +conference on the subject, held in the parlors of the New England +Women's Club.<a name="FNanchor_136_136" id="FNanchor_136_136"></a><a href="#Footnote_136_136" class="fnanchor">[136]</a></p> + +<p>But the petitions of the suffragists had always been for general +and unrestricted suffrage, and they opposed any scheme for securing +the ballot on a class or a restricted basis, holding that the true +ground of principle is equality of rights with man. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> practical +result, so far, of voting for school committees has justified this +position; for, as shown by the recent elections, the women of the +State have not availed themselves to any extent of their new right +to vote, and, therefore, the measure has not forwarded the cause of +general suffrage. In fact, the school-committee question is not a +vital one with either male or female voters, and it is impossible +to get up any enthusiasm on the subject. As a test question upon +which to try the desire of the women of the State to become voters, +it is a palpable sham. Our Revolutionary fathers would not have +fought, bled and died for such a figment of a right as this; and +their daughters, or grand-daughters, inherit the same spirit, and +if they vote at all, want something worth voting for. The result +is, that the voting has been largely done by those women who have +long been in favor of suffrage, and who have gone to the polls on +election day from pure principle and a sense of duty.<a name="FNanchor_137_137" id="FNanchor_137_137"></a><a href="#Footnote_137_137" class="fnanchor">[137]</a></p> + +<p>The law allowing women to vote for school committees was very +elastic and capable of many interpretations. It reminded one of the +old school exercise in transposing the famous line in Gray's Elegy,</p> + +<blockquote><p>"The ploughman homeward plods his weary way," </p></blockquote> + +<p>which has been found to be capable of over twenty different +transpositions. The collectors and registrars in some towns and +cities took advantage of this obscurity of expression, and +interpreted the law according to their individual opinion on the +woman suffrage question. In places where these officials were in +sympathy, a broad construction was put upon the provisions of the +law, the poll-tax payers were allowed to vote upon the payment of +one dollar (under the divided tax law of 1879), and the women +voters generally were given all necessary information, and treated +courteously both by the assessors and registrars and at the polls. +In places where leading officials were opposed to women's voting, +the case was far different. Without regarding the clause in the law +which said that a woman may vote upon paying either State or county +poll-tax, such officials have threatened the women with arrest when +they refused to pay both. In some towns they have been treated with +great indignity, as if they were doing an unlawful act. In one town +the women were actually required to pay a poll-tax the second year, +in spite of the clause in the law<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span> that a female citizen who has +paid a State or county tax within two years shall have the right to +vote. The town assessor, whose duty it was to inform the women on +this point of the law when asked concerning the matter, <i>willfully</i> +withheld the desired information, saying he "did not know," though +he afterwards said that he <i>did</i> know, but intended to let the +women "find out for themselves." This assessor forgot that the +women, as legal voters, had a right to ask for this information, +and that by virtue of his official position he was legally obliged +to answer. In another town two ladies who were property tax-payers +were made to pay the two dollars poll-tax, and the record of this +still stands on the town books. Some ladies were frightened and +paid the tax under protest; others ran the risk. Here is a letter +addressed to a lady 83 years of age:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Malden</span>, Dec. 2, 1879.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Harriet Hanson</span>: There is a balance of ninety cents due on your +poll-tax of 1879, duly assessed upon you. Payment of the same is +hereby demanded, and if not paid within fourteen days from this +date, with twenty cents for the summons, the collector is +required to proceed forthwith to collect the same in manner +provided by law.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"> +<span class="smcap">Theodore N. Fogue</span>, <i>Collector</i>.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Hanson paid no attention to the summons, and that was the end +of it.</p> + +<p>In 1881, under the amended act the poll-tax was reduced to fifty +cents, and the property tax-paying women (who are not required to +pay a poll-tax) are no longer obliged to make a return of property +exempt from taxation, as was required under the original statute. +Though some of the disabilities were removed, yet the privileges +are no greater; and it is for members of school-committees and for +nothing else, that the women of this State can vote. This is hardly +worthy to be called "school suffrage"! It is to be regretted that a +better test than that of school-committee suffrage, could not have +been given to the women of the State, so that the issue of what +under the circumstances cannot be called a fair trial of their +desire to vote, might be more nearly what the friends of reform had +desired.</p> + +<p>The first petition to the Massachusetts legislature, asking that +women might be allowed to serve on school-boards was presented in +1866 by Samuel E. Sewall of Boston. The same petition was again +presented in 1867. About this time Ashfield and Monroe, two of the +smallest towns in the State, elected women as members of the school +committee. Worcester and Lynn soon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> followed the good example, and +in 1874, Boston, for the first time, chose six women to serve in +this capacity.<a name="FNanchor_138_138" id="FNanchor_138_138"></a><a href="#Footnote_138_138" class="fnanchor">[138]</a> There had hitherto been no open objection to +this innovation, but the school committee of Boston not liking the +idea of women co-workers, declared them ineligible to hold such +office. Miss Peabody applied to the Supreme Court for its opinion +upon the matter, but the judges refused to answer, and dismissed +the petition on the ground that the school committee itself had +power to decide the question of the qualifications of members of +the board. The subject was brought before the legislature of the +same year, and that body, almost unanimously, passed "An Act to +Declare Women Eligible to Serve as Members of School Committees." +Thus the women members were reïnstated.<a name="FNanchor_139_139" id="FNanchor_139_139"></a><a href="#Footnote_139_139" class="fnanchor">[139]</a></p> + +<p>This refusal on the part of the Supreme Judicial Court of +Massachusetts to answer a question relating to woman's rights under +the law, was received with a knowing smile by those who remembered +the three adverse decisions relating to women which had been given +by that august body. The first of these was on the case of Sarah E. +Wall of Worcester. The second was concerning a clause in the will +of Francis Jackson of Boston, who left $5,000 and other property to +the woman's rights cause. Its third adverse decision was given in +1871. In that year, Julia Ward Howe and Mary E. Stevens were +appointed by Governor Claflin as justices of the peace. Some member +of the governor's council having doubted whether women could +legally hold the office, the opinion of the Supreme Court was asked +and it decided substantially that because women were women, or +because women were not <i>men</i>, they could <i>not</i> be justices of the +peace; and the appointment was not confirmed.</p> + +<p>Changes in the common law began in 1845 with reference to the +wife's right to hold her own property. In 1846 she could legally +sign a receipt for money earned or deposited by herself.<a name="FNanchor_140_140" id="FNanchor_140_140"></a><a href="#Footnote_140_140" class="fnanchor">[140]</a> +Before 1855 a woman could not hold her own property, either earned +or acquired by inheritance. If unmarried, she was obliged<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> to place +it in the hands of a trustee, to whose will she was subject. If she +contemplated marriage, and desired to call her property her own, +she was forced by law to make a contract with her intended husband, +by which she gave up all title or claim to it. A woman, either +married or unmarried, could hold no office of trust or power. She +was not a person. She was not recognized as a citizen. She was not +a factor in the human family. She was not a unit; but a zero, a +nothing, in the sum of civilization.</p> + +<p>To-day, a married woman can hold her own property, if it is held or +bought in her own name, and can make a will disposing of it. A man +is no longer the sole heir of his wife's property. A married woman +can make contracts, enter into co-partnerships, carry on business, +invest her own earnings for her own use and behoof,—and she is +also responsible for her own debts. She can be executor, +administrator, guardian or trustee. She can testify in the courts +for or against her husband. She can release, transfer, or convey, +any interest she may have in real estate, subject only to the life +interest which the husband may have at her death. Thirty years ago, +when the woman's rights movement began, the status of a married +woman was little better than that of a domestic servant. By the +English common law, her husband was her lord and master. He had the +sole custody of her person, and of her minor children. He could +"punish her with a stick no bigger than his thumb," and she could +not complain against him.<a name="FNanchor_141_141" id="FNanchor_141_141"></a><a href="#Footnote_141_141" class="fnanchor">[141]</a> But the real "thumb" story seems to +have originated with a certain Judge Buller of England, who lived +about one hundred years ago. In his ruling on one of those cases of +wife-beating, now so common in our police courts, he said that a +man had a right to punish his wife, "with a stick no bigger than +his thumb." That was his opinion. Shortly after this some ladies +sent the judge a letter in which they prayed him to give the size +of his thumb! We are not told whether he complied with their +request.]</p> + +<p>The common law of this State held man and wife to be one person, +but that person was the husband. He could by will deprive her of +every part of his property, and also of what had been her own +before marriage. He was the owner of all her real estate and of her +earnings. The wife could make no contract and no will, nor, without +her husband's consent, dispose of the legal interest of her real +estate. He had the income of her real estate till she died, and if +they ever had a living child his ownership of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> real estate +continued to his death. He could forbid her to buy a loaf of bread +or a pound of sugar, or contract for a load of wood to keep the +family warm. She did not own a rag of her own clothing. She had no +personal rights, and could hardly call her soul her own.</p> + +<p>Her husband could steal her children, rob her of her clothing, and +her earnings, neglect to support the family; and she had no legal +redress. If a wife earned money by her labor, the husband could +claim the pay as his share of the proceeds. There is a clause +sometimes found in old wills, to the effect that if a widow marry +again, she shall forfeit all right to her husband's property. The +most conservative judge in the commonwealth would now rule that a +widow cannot be kept from her fair share of the property, by any +such unjust restriction. In a husband's eyes of a hundred and fifty +years ago, a woman's mission was accomplished after she had been +<i>his</i> wife and borne <i>his</i> children. What more could be desired of +her, he argued, but a corner somewhere in which, respectably +dressed as his <i>relict</i>, she could sit down and mourn for him, for +the rest of her life.<a name="FNanchor_142_142" id="FNanchor_142_142"></a><a href="#Footnote_142_142" class="fnanchor">[142]</a></p> + +<p>The law no longer sanctions such a will, but provides that the +widow shall have a fair share of all personal property. If a widow +permits herself to-day to be defrauded of her legal rights in the +division of property, it is her own fault, and because she does not +study and understand for herself the general statutes of +Massachusetts, and the laws concerning the rights of married women. +The result of thirty years of property legislation for women is +well stated by Mr. Sewall in his admirable pamphlet, in which he +says, "the last thirty years have done more to improve the law for +married women than the four hundred preceding." The legislature +has, during this time, enacted laws allowing women to vote in +parishes and religious societies, declaring that women <i>must</i> +become members of the board of trustees of the three State primary +and reform schools, of the State workhouse, of the State almshouse +at Tewksbury, and of the board of prison commissioners; also, that +certain officers and managers of the reformatory prison for women +at Sherborn "shall be women." Without legislation, women now are +school supervisors, overseers of the poor, trustees of public +libraries and members of the State<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> Board of Education and of the +State Board of Health, Lunacy and Charity.<a name="FNanchor_143_143" id="FNanchor_143_143"></a><a href="#Footnote_143_143" class="fnanchor">[143]</a></p> + +<p>These great changes in legislation for the women of Massachusetts +are the result of their own labors. By conventions and documents +they have informed the people and enlightened public sentiment. By +continued agitation the question has been kept prominently before +their representatives in the legislature. And, though so much has +been gained, they are still hard at work, nor will they rest until, +woman's equality with man before the law is firmly established.</p> + +<p>Among the most important acts passed recently is one of 1879, by +which a married woman is the owner of her own clothing to the value +of $2,000, although the act granting this calls such apparel the +"gifts of her husband," not recognizing the fact that most married +women earn or help to earn their own clothes. A law was passed, in +1881, to "mitigate the evils of divorce." Two important acts were +passed by the legislature of 1882, one allowing women to become +practising attorneys, and the other providing, that in case of the +death of a married woman intestate and leaving children, one-half +only of her personal estate shall go to her husband, instead of the +whole, as in previous years. In 1883, a wife was given the right of +burial in any lot or tomb belonging to her husband. In 1884, the +only measures were a bill providing for the appointment of women on +the board of State lunatic hospitals, and another providing for the +appointment of women assistant physicians in the same hospitals, +and an act giving women the power to dispose of their separate +estates by will or deed. In 1885, very little was done to improve +the legal status of women.</p> + +<p>When any vote on the Suffrage bill is taken, it is enough to make +the women who sit in the gallery weep to hear the "O's" and the +"Mc's," almost to a man, thunder forth the emphatic "<i>No!</i>"; and to +think that these men (some of whom a few years ago were walking +over their native bogs, with hardly the right to live and breathe) +should vote away so thoughtlessly the rights of the women of the +country in which they have found a shelter and a home. When they +came to this country, poor,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span> and with no inheritance but the +"shillalah," the ballot was freely given to them, as the poor man's +weapon for defence. Why cannot men, who have been political serfs +in their own country, see the incongruity of voting against the +enfranchisement of over one-half of the inhabitants of the State +which has made free human beings of them? It is not long since one +of these adopted citizens, in a discussion, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>When the women show that they want to vote, I am willing to give +them all the rights they want. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Give! I thought. Where did you get the right to <i>give</i> +Massachusetts women the right to vote? You did not inherit it. In +what consists your prerogative over the women whose ancestors +fought to secure the very right of suffrage of which you so glibly +talk, and which neither you, nor your father before you, did aught +to establish or maintain?</p> + +<p>The improvement in the social or general condition of woman has +been even greater than that in legislation. Previous to 1840, women +were employed only as teachers of summer schools, to "spell the +men" during the haying season; and this only occasionally. They +held no responsible position in any public school in the State. +To-day there are eight women to one man employed in all grades of +this profession, and there are numerous instances where women are +head-teachers of departments, or principals of high, normal and +grammar schools. Previous to 1825, girls could attend only the +primary schools of Boston. Through the influence of Rev. John +Pierpont, the first high-school for girls was opened in that city. +There was a great outcry against this innovation; and, because of +the excitement on the subject, and the <i>great number of girls</i> who +applied for admission, the scheme was abandoned. The public-school +system, as it is now called, was established in Boston in 1789; +boys were admitted the whole year round; girls, from April to +October. This inequality in the opportunities for education roused +John Pierpont's indignation, and moved him to make strenuous +efforts to secure justice for girls. Now there are 6,246 schools, +seventy-two academies, six normal schools, two colleges, Boston +University and the "Harvard Annex" all open to girls. In the town +of Plymouth, where the Pilgrim fathers and mothers first landed, +when the question whether girls should receive any public +instruction first came up in town-meeting, there was great +opposition to it. However, the majority showed a liberal spirit, +and voted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span> to give the girls one hour of instruction daily. This +was in 1793. In 1853 a normal school for girls was established in +Boston; in 1855 its name was changed to the Girls' High and Normal +School. In 1878 the Girls' Latin School in Boston was founded. The +establishment of this successful institution was the result of +discussions on the subject first brought before the public by +ladies of Boston. High schools in almost all the towns and cities +of the State have long been established, in which the boys and +girls are educated together. In 1880 the pupils in the high and +normal schools of Boston were about 2,000 girls to 1,000 boys. In +1867 the Lowell Institute and the Massachusetts Institute of +Technology advertised classes free to both sexes in French, +mathematics and in practical science.<a name="FNanchor_144_144" id="FNanchor_144_144"></a><a href="#Footnote_144_144" class="fnanchor">[144]</a> Since that time Chauncy +Hall School and Boston University have been opened to women, with +the equal privileges of male students. It might be explained here +that the "Harvard Annex," or "Private Collegiate Instruction for +Women," is not an organic part of the University itself. Under a +certain arrangement, a limited number of young women are allowed a +few of the privileges of the young men. They are also permitted to +use all the books belonging to the library and to attend many of +the lectures. No college-building is appropriated for this purpose, +but recitation-rooms are provided in private houses. A witty +Cambridge lady called this mythical college the "Harvard Annex"; +the public adopted the name, and many people suppose that there is +such a building. From the last annual report of the "Private +Collegiate Instruction for Women," it appears that in 1885 +sixty-five women availed themselves of the privilege of attending +this course of instruction.<a name="FNanchor_145_145" id="FNanchor_145_145"></a><a href="#Footnote_145_145" class="fnanchor">[145]</a> Three-fourths of this number are +Massachusetts girls. Some of the professors say that the average of +scholarship there is higher than in the University. Fifty courses +of studies are open to women students. Miss Brown of Concord, a +graduate of 1884, astonished the faculty by her high per cent. in +the classics. Her average was higher than that reached by any young +man. These students go unattended to the lectures and to the +library of the college. A great change indeed,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span> since the time when +women began to attend the Lowell Institute lectures! Then it was +thought almost disgraceful to go to a public meeting without male +protection, and they went with veiled faces, as if ashamed to be +seen of men. The "Annex" has some advantages, but they cannot +compare with Girton and Newnham of Cambridge, England.</p> + +<p>The treasurer of the "Harvard Annex" declares the great need that +exists for funds to provide a suitable building, etc., for the +numerous women who continue to apply there for admission; and he +appeals to the generosity of the public for contributions of money +to be used for this purpose. The casual observer might suggest that +those women who will hereafter become the benefactors of this +university should remember the needs of their own sex, and leave +their donations or bequests so that they can be used for the +benefit of the "Harvard Annex," which is a wholly private +enterprise, conducted by the University instructors and supervised +by a committee of ladies.</p> + +<p>Colleges for women have also been founded. Wellesley and Smith have +long been doing good university work. Thirty years ago there was no +college in the country, except Oberlin, to which women were +admitted. To-day, even conservative Harvard begins to melt a little +under this regenerating influence, and invites women, through the +doors of its "Annex," to come and enjoy some of the privileges +found within its sacred halls of learning. This was a late act of +grace from a college whose inception was in the mind of a +woman<a name="FNanchor_146_146" id="FNanchor_146_146"></a><a href="#Footnote_146_146" class="fnanchor">[146]</a> longing for a better opportunity<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span> than the new colony +could give to educate her afterward ungrateful son.</p> + +<p>The number of young men educated by the individual efforts of women +cannot be estimated. T. W. Higginson, in the <i>Woman's Journal</i>, +says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The late President Walker once told me that, in his judgment, +one-quarter of the young men in Harvard College were being +carried through by the special self-denial and sacrifices of +women. I cannot answer for the ratio, but I can testify to having +been an instance of this, myself; and to having known a +never-ending series of such cases of self-devotion. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Some of these men, educated by the labor and self-sacrifice of +others, look down upon the social position in which their women +friends are still forced to remain. The result to the recipient has +often been of doubtful value, so far as the development of the +affections is concerned. Sometimes the great obligation has been +forgotten. Only in rare instances, to either party did the +life-long sacrifice on the part of the women of the family become +of permanent and spiritual value!</p> + +<p>The average woman of forty years ago was very humble in her notions +of the sphere of woman. What if she did hunger and thirst after +knowledge? She could do nothing with it, even if she could get it. +So she made a <i>fetich</i> of some male relative, and gave him the +mental food for which she herself was starving, and devoted all her +energies towards helping him to become what she felt, under better +conditions, she herself might have been. It was enough in those +early days to be the <i>mother</i> or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> <i>sister</i> of somebody. Women were +almost as abject in this particular as the Thracian woman of old, +who said:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"I am not of the noble Grecian race,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I'm poor Abrotonon, and born in Thrace;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Let the Greek women scorn me, if they please,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I was the mother of Themistocles."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>There are women still left who believe their husbands, sons, or +male friends can study, read and <i>vote</i> for them. They are like +some frugal house-mothers, who think their is no need of a dinner +if the good-man of the family is not coming home to share it. Just +as if the man-half of the human family can "eat, learn and inwardly +digest," to make either physical or mental strength for the other +half!</p> + +<p>Maria Mitchell of Massachusetts became Professor of Astronomy and +Mathematics at Vassar, in 1866, the first woman in the country to +hold such a position. Since that time women have become members of +the faculty in several of the large colleges in the country.</p> + +<p>In the early days of the commonwealth women practiced midwifery, +and were very successful. Mrs. John Eliot, Anne Hutchinson, Mrs. +Fuller and Sarah Alcock were the first in the State. Janet +Alexander, a Scotchwoman, was a well-trained midwife.<a name="FNanchor_147_147" id="FNanchor_147_147"></a><a href="#Footnote_147_147" class="fnanchor">[147]</a> She +lived in Boston, and was always recognized as a good practitioner +in her line by the leading doctors in that city. Dr. John C. Warren +of Boston invited this lady to come to this country. His biography, +recently published, contains a short record of the matter, in which +he says: "We determined to recommend Mrs. Alexander. She was a +Scotchwoman, regularly educated, and having Dr. Hamilton's +diploma." Quite a storm was raised among the younger physicians of +Boston by this attempted innovation, because they thought Dr. +Warren was trying to deprive them of profitable practice. But Mrs. +Alexander, supported by Dr. Warren, and perhaps other physicians, +continued her occupation and educated her daughter in the same +profession. Dr. Harriot K. Hunt practiced in Boston as early as +1835. She sought admission to the Harvard Medical School, and was +many times refused. She was not what is called a "regular +physician." In her day there existed no schools or colleges for the +medical education of women, but she studied by herself,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span> and +acquired some knowledge of diseases peculiar to women. Her success +was so great in her line of practice that she proved the need +existing for physicians of her own sex.</p> + +<p>Dr. Hunt's tussle with the medical faculty will long be remembered. +She was the first woman in the State who dared assert her right to +recognition in this profession. For this, and for her persistent +efforts to secure for them a higher education, she deserves the +gratitude of every woman who has since followed her footsteps into +a profession over which the men had long held undisputed control. +In 1853 the degree of M. D. was conferred on her by the Woman's +Medical College of Pennsylvania. The first medical college for +women, organized by Dr. Samuel Gregory of Boston, was chartered in +1856, under the name of the New England Female Medical College, and +in 1874, by an act of the legislature, united with the Boston +University School of Medicine. In 1868 it had graduated seventy-two +women, among whom were Dr. Lucy E. Sewall and Dr. Helen Morton (who +afterwards went to Paris and studied obstetrics at Madame Aillot's +Hospital of Maternity) and Dr. Mercy B. Jackson.<a name="FNanchor_148_148" id="FNanchor_148_148"></a><a href="#Footnote_148_148" class="fnanchor">[148]</a> There are now +205 regular practitioners in the State.</p> + +<p>In 1863, Dr. Zakrzewska, in coöperation with Lucy Goddard and Ednah +D. Cheney, established the New England Hospital for Women and +Children. Its avowed objects were: (1) to provide women the medical +aid of competent physicians of their own sex; (2) to assist +educated women in the practical study of medicine; (3) to train +nurses for the care of the sick. This was the first hospital in New +England over which women have had entire control, both as +physicians and surgeons. Boston University is open to both sexes, +with equal studies, duties and privileges. This institution was +incorporated in 1869, and includes, among other schools and +colleges, schools of theology, law and medicine. The faculty +consists of many distinguished men and women. Boston University +School of Medicine (homeopathic) was organized in 1873. Of the +thirty-two lecturers and professors who constitute the faculty, +five are women. In 1884 the three highest of the four prizes for +the best medical thesis were won by women. Of the 610 pupils in +1884, 155 were women; sixty of these were in the school of +medicine. There are women in all departments, except agriculture +and theology.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> They do not study theology because they cannot be +ordained to preach in any of the leading churches.</p> + +<p>The Massachusetts Medical Society in 1884, on motion of Dr. Henry +I. Bowditch, voted to admit women to membership. Dr. Emma L. Call +and Dr. Harriet L. Harrington were the first two women admitted. +January 11, 1882, at the monthly meeting of Harvard overseers, the +question of admitting women to the Medical School came before the +board. An individual desiring to contribute a fund for the medical +education of women in Harvard University asked the president and +fellows whether such a fund would be accepted and used as designed. +Majority and minority reports were submitted by the committee in +charge, and after a long discussion it was voted, 11 to 6, to +accept the fund, the income to be ultimately used for the medical +education of women. At the April meeting, the Committee on the +Medical Education of Women presented a report, which was adopted by +a vote of 13 to 12:</p> + +<blockquote><p>That, in the opinion of the board, it is not advisable for the +University to hold out any encouragement that it will undertake +the medical education of women. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The Harvard Divinity School at Cambridge sometimes admits women, +but does not recognize them publicly, nor grant them degrees; but +there are other theological schools in the State where a complete +preparation for the ministerial profession can be obtained. The +attitude of the churches toward women has changed greatly within +thirty years. As early as 1869, women began to serve on committees, +and to be ordained deaconesses of churches. They also hold +important offices connected with the different church +organizations. They serve on the boards of State and national +religious associations. There are also missionary associations, +both home and foreign, and Christian unions, all officered and +managed exclusively by women. Even the treasurers of these large +bodies are women, and their husbands or trustees are no longer +required to give bonds for them.<a name="FNanchor_149_149" id="FNanchor_149_149"></a><a href="#Footnote_149_149" class="fnanchor">[149]</a> At the general conference of +the Methodist Episcopal Church, the word "male" was stricken from +the discipline, and the word "person" inserted in its place, in all +cases save those that concerned the ordination of clergy.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span></p> + +<p>Olympia Brown was the first woman settled as pastor in the State. +Her parish was at Weymouth Landing. In 1864 she petitioned the +Massachusetts legislature "that marriages performed by a woman +should be made legal." The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom the +matter was referred, reported that no legislation was necessary, as +marriages solemnized by women were already legal.<a name="FNanchor_150_150" id="FNanchor_150_150"></a><a href="#Footnote_150_150" class="fnanchor">[150]</a> Thus the +legislature of the State established the precedent, that "he" meant +"she" under the law, in one instance at least. Phebe Hanaford, Mary +H. Graves and Lorenza Haynes were the first Massachusetts women to +be ordained preachers of the gospel. Rev. Lorenza Haynes has been +chaplain of the Maine House of Representatives.</p> + +<p>The three best-known women sculptors in this country were born and +bred in Massachusetts. They are Harriet Hosmer, Margaret Foley and +Anne Whitney. Harriet Hosmer was the first to free herself from the +traditions of her sex and follow her profession as a sculptor. When +she desired to fit herself for her vocation there was no art school +east of the Mississippi river where she could study anatomy, or +find suitable models. Margaret Foley, who, amid the hum of the +machinery of the Lowell cotton mills, first conceived the idea of +chiseling her thought on the surface of a "smooth-lipped shell," +was obliged to go to Rome in order to get the necessary instruction +in cameo-cutting. There her genius developed so much that she began +to model in clay, and soon became a successful sculptor in marble. +Lucy Larcom, in her "Idyl of Work," says of Miss Foley:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"That broad-browed delicate girl will carve at Rome<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Faces in marble, classic as her own."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>One of her finest creations is "The Fountain," first exhibited in +Horticultural Hall at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, +1876. A free art-school was opened to women in Boston in 1867, and +Anne Whitney was not obliged to go to Rome for instruction in the +appliances of her art. Harriet Hosmer and Margaret Foley have both +made statues which adorn the public buildings and parks of their +native country; and Anne Whitney's statues of Samuel Adams and +Harriet Martineau are the crowning works of her genius.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span></p> + +<p>No great work has yet been done by Massachusetts women in oil +painting; but in water colors, and in decorative art, many have +excelled, first prizes in superiority of design having been taken +by them over their masculine competitors. Lizzie B. Humphrey, +Jessie Curtis, Sarah W. Whitman and Fidelia Bridges, take high rank +as artists. Helen M. Knowlton, a pupil of William M. Hunt, is a +skillful artist in charcoal and has produced some fine pictures. +Women form a large proportion of the students in the school of +design recently opened in Boston. A great deal of the ornamental +painting now so fashionable on cards and all fancy articles is done +by the deft fingers of women. The census of 1880 reports 268 +artists and 1,270 musicians and teachers of music.</p> + +<p>Of woman as actress and public singer, it is unnecessary to speak, +since she has the right of way in both these professions. Here, +fortunately, the supply does not exceed the demand; consequently +she has her full share of rights, and what is better, equitable pay +for her labor. In 1880 there were 111 actresses. Charlotte Cushman, +Clara Louise Kellogg and Annie Louise Cary were born in +Massachusetts.</p> + +<p>The drama speaks too feebly on the right side of the woman +question. No successful modern dramatist has made this "humour" of +the times the subject of his play. An effort was made in 1879, by +the executive committee of the New England Association, to secure a +woman suffrage play: but it was not successful, and there is yet to +be written a counteractive to that popular burlesque, "The Spirit +of '76." It is to be regretted that the stage still continues to +ridicule the woman's rights movement and its leaders; for, as +Hamlet says:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i6">"The play's the thing,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>In 1650, when Anne Bradstreet lived and wrote her verses, a woman +author was almost unknown in English literature. This lady was the +wife of the governor of Massachusetts, and because of her literary +tendencies was looked upon by the people of her time as a marvel of +womankind. Her contemporaries called her the "tenth muse lately +sprung up in America," and one of them, Rev. Nathaniel Ward, was +inspired to write an address to her, in which he declares his +wonder at her success as a poet, and playfully foretells the +consequences if women are permitted to intrude farther into the +domain of man. The closing lines express<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> so well the conflicting +emotions which torment the minds of the opponents of the woman +suffrage movement, that I venture to quote them:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Good sooth," quoth the old Don, "tell ye me so?<br /></span> +<span class="i0">I muse whither at length these Girls will go.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">It half revives my chil, frost-bitten blood<br /></span> +<span class="i0">To see a woman once do aught that's good.<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And, chode by Chaucer's Boots and Homer's Furrs,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Let men look to't least Women wear the Spurrs."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>In 1818, Hannah Mather Crocker, grand-daughter of Cotton Mather, +published a book, called "Observations on the Rights of Women." In +speaking of Mary Wollstonecraft, Mrs. Crocker says, that while that +celebrated woman had a very independent mind, and her "Rights of +Woman" is replete with fine sentiments, yet, she continues, +patronizingly, "we do not coincide with her respecting the total +independence of the sex." Mrs. Crocker evidently wanted her sex to +be not too independent, but just independent enough.<a name="FNanchor_151_151" id="FNanchor_151_151"></a><a href="#Footnote_151_151" class="fnanchor">[151]</a></p> + +<p>In 1841, when Lydia Maria Child edited the <i>Anti-Slavery Standard</i>, +Margaret Fuller the <i>Dial</i>, and Harriot F. Curtis and Harriet +Farley the <i>Lowell Offering</i>, there were perhaps in New England no +other well-known women journalists or editors. Cornelia Walter of +the <i>Evening Transcript</i> was the first woman journalist in Boston. +To-day, women are editors and publishers of newspapers all over the +United States; and the woman's column is a part of many leading +newspapers. Sallie Joy White was the first regular reporter in +Boston. She began on the <i>Boston Post</i>, a Democratic newspaper, in +1870. Her first work was to report the proceedings of a woman +suffrage meeting. She is now on the staff of the <i>Boston Daily +Advertiser</i>. Lilian Whiting is on the staff of the <i>Traveller</i>, and +most of the other Boston newspapers have women among their editors +and reporters. Some of the best magazine writing of the time is +done by women; one needs but to look over the table of contents of +the leading periodicals to see how large a proportion of the +articles is written by them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> Really, the sex seems to have taken +possession of what Carlyle called the "fourth estate"—the literary +profession, and they journey into unexplored regions of thought to +give the omniverous modern reader something new to feed upon. The +census of 1880 reports 445 women as authors and literary persons.</p> + +<p>The newspaper itself, that great engine "whose ambassadors are in +every quarter of the globe, whose couriers upon every road," has +slowly swung round, and is at last headed in the right direction. +Reporters for the daily press in Massachusetts no longer write in a +spirit of flippancy or contempt, and there is not an editor in the +State of any account who would permit a member of his staff to +report a woman's meeting in any other spirit than that of courtesy. +Teachers occupying high positions and presidents of colleges have +given pronounced opinions in favor of the reform. Said President +Hopkins of Williams College, in 1875:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I would at this point correct my teaching in "The Law of Love," +to the effect that <i>home</i> is peculiarly the sphere of woman, and +civil government that of man. I now regard the home as the joint +sphere of man <i>and</i> woman, and the sphere of civil government +more of an open question between the two. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The New England Women's Club, parent<a name="FNanchor_152_152" id="FNanchor_152_152"></a><a href="#Footnote_152_152" class="fnanchor">[152]</a> of the modern clubs and +associations for the advancement of women, has been one of the +factors in the woman's rights movement. Its members have, in their +work and in their lives, illustrated the doctrine of woman's +equality with man. It was formed in February, 1868.<a name="FNanchor_153_153" id="FNanchor_153_153"></a><a href="#Footnote_153_153" class="fnanchor">[153]</a></p> + +<p>There has never been, from time immemorial, much difference of +opinion concerning woman's right to do a good share in the +<i>drudgery</i> of the world. But in the remunerative employments, +before 1850, she was but sparsely represented. In 1840, when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> +Harriet Martineau visited this country, she found to her surprise +that there were only seven vocations, outside home, into which the +women of the United States had entered. These were "teaching, +needlework, keeping boarders, weaving, type-setting, and folding +and stitching in book-bindery." In contrast, it is only necessary +to mention that in Massachusetts alone, woman's ingenuity is now +employed in nearly 300 different branches of industry. It cannot be +added that for doing the same kind and amount of work women are +paid men's wages. The census does not include the services of the +mother and daughter among the <i>paid</i> vocations, though, as is well +known, in many instances they do all the housework of the family. +They get no wages, and therefore do not appear among the "useful +classes." They are not earners, but savers of money. A +money-<i>saver</i> is not a recognized factor, either in political +economy or in the State census. The mother, daughter or wife is put +down in its pages as "keeping house." If they were paid for their +services they would be called "housekeepers," and would have their +place among the paid employments.</p> + +<p>Among the many rights woman has appropriated to herself must be +included the "patent right." The charge has often been made that +women never invent anything, but statistics on the subject declare +that in 1880 patents for their own inventions were issued to +eighty-seven different women in the United States. A fair +proportion of these were from Massachusetts.</p> + +<p>This progress in the various departments encountered great +opposition from certain teachers and writers. Dr. Bushnell's +"Reform Against Nature," Dr. Fulton's talk both in and out of the +pulpit, served to show the weakness of that side of the question. +Frances Parkman, Dr. Holland, Dr. W. H. Hammond, Rev. Morgan Dix, +and even some women have added their so-called arguments in the +vain attempt to keep woman as they think "God made her."</p> + +<p>Much the stronger writers and speakers have been found on the right +side of this question. The names of leading speakers, such as +William Lloyd Garrison, Wendell Phillips and Theodore Parker, have +already been mentioned. Perhaps the most suggestive articles in +favor of the reform were T. W. Higginson's "Ought Women to Learn +the Alphabet," published in the <i>Atlantic Monthly</i> of February, +1859, and Samuel Bowles' "The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> Woman Question and Sex in Politics," +published at a later date in the <i>Springfield Republican</i>. +"Warrington," in his letters to the same newspaper, from 1868 to +1876, never failed to present a good and favorable argument on some +phase of the woman question. Caroline Healey Dall's lectures before +1860, and her book "The College, the Market and the Court," +published in 1868, were seed-grain sown in the field of this +reform. Samuel E. Sewall's able digest of the laws relating to the +legal condition of married women, and William I. Bowditch's +admirable pamphlets,<a name="FNanchor_154_154" id="FNanchor_154_154"></a><a href="#Footnote_154_154" class="fnanchor">[154]</a> have done incalculable service.</p> + +<p>Of women in the civil service, there are: 58 clerks, 266 employés +and 387 officials—total, 411. This includes postmasters and clerks +in bureaus. In 1880, General F. A. Walker, superintendent of the +census, instructed the supervisors of the several districts to +appoint women as enumerators when practicable. They were +accordingly so appointed in many parts of the United States. +Carroll D. Wright, supervisor of the district of Massachusetts was +in favor of General Walker's instructions, and out of the 903 +enumerators appointed by him, thirty were women. This was an +exceedingly large proportion compared with the number appointed in +States where supervisors were not in favor of women enumerators.</p> + +<p>Thanks to the efforts of Caroline Healey Dall, the American Social +Science Association, formed in 1865, put women on its board of +officers, as did the Boston Social Science Association, organized +the same year. These were the first large organizations in the +country to admit women on an absolute equality with men. The result +of this action vindicated at once and forever woman's fitness to +occupy positions of honor in associations that man had hitherto +claimed for himself alone. This has encouraged women to express +themselves in the presence of the wisest men, and enabled them to +present to the public the woman side of some great questions. Women +are officers as well as members of many societies originally +established exclusively for men. A national society for political +education, formed in 1880, of which women are members, has at least +one woman on its board of officers. What would have been thought +thirty years ago, if women had studied finance, banks and banking, +money, currency, sociology and political science?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Summer School of Philosophy at Concord was founded in +1879.<a name="FNanchor_155_155" id="FNanchor_155_155"></a><a href="#Footnote_155_155" class="fnanchor">[155]</a> A majority of the students are women, as was not the +case in the elder schools of philosophy, and they come from far and +near to spend a few weeks of their summer vacation in the enjoyment +of this halcyon season of rest. Day after day they sit patiently on +the æsthetic benches of the Hillside chapel and bask in the calm +light of mild philosophy. Its seed was sown forty years ago, in +what was called the Transcendental movement in New England. The +Concord school finds in Mr. Sanborn its executive spirit, without +which it could no more have come into existence at this time than +its first seed could have been planted forty years ago, without the +conceptive thought of Mr. Emerson, Mr. Alcott and Margaret Fuller.</p> + +<p>Boston University long ago offered the advantages of its law-school +to women, but they do not much avail themselves of this privilege. +Lelia J. Robinson, in March, 1881, made her application for +admission to the bar. In presenting her claim before the court, +April 23, Mr. Charles R. Train admitted that it was a novel one; +but in a very effective manner he went on to state the cogent +reasons why a woman who had carefully prepared herself for the +profession of the law should be permitted to practice in the +courts. At the close, Chief-Justice Gray gave the opinion, +informally, that the laws, as they now exist, preclude woman from +being attorney-at-law; but he reserved the matter for the +consideration of the full bench. The Supreme Judicial Court +rendered an adverse decision. Petitions were then sent to the +legislature of 1882, and that body passed an act<a name="FNanchor_156_156" id="FNanchor_156_156"></a><a href="#Footnote_156_156" class="fnanchor">[156]</a> declaring +that, "The provisions of law relating to the qualification and +admission to practice of attorneys-at-law shall apply to women." +The petition of Lelia Josephine Robinson to the Supreme Court was +as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>1. The best administration of justice may be most safely secured +by allowing the representation of all classes of the people in +courts of justice.</p> + +<p>2. To allow women to practice at the bar as attorneys is only to +secure to the people the right to select their own counsel. It is +to give the women of Massachusetts the opportunity of consulting +members of their own sex for that advice and assistance which +none but authorized attorneys and counsellors are legally +qualified to give.</p> + +<p>3. To exclude women from the bar would be to do an injustice to +the community, in preventing free and wholesome competition of +existing talent, and to do still greater injustice to those women +who are qualified for the profession, by shutting them out from +an honorable and remunerative means of gaining a livelihood.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span></p> + +<p>4. To exclude women from the bar because there are certain +departments of the profession which are peculiarly ill-adapted to +their sex and nature, would be to assume arbitrarily that, with +entire lack of judgment or discretion, modesty or policy, they +would seek or accept such business; and to close to them those +avenues of the profession for which they are generally admitted +to be eminently well adapted, for such a reason, and upon such an +assumption, would be so grossly unjust that no argument can be +based on such an impossible contingency.</p> + +<p>Your applicant, having faithfully and diligently pursued the +study of law for three years, being a graduate of the Boston +University Law School, and having complied with the other +requirements of the statute and the rules of court upon the +subject, respectfully prays that her petition for examination, +which was duly filed, may be favorably considered, and that it be +included in the general notice to the Board of Examiners of +Suffolk county.</p> +<p class="ltr-from">Lelia Josephine Robinson.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The opinion given by the Supreme Judicial Court, so far as it +relates to the main point at issue, is as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The question presented by this petition and by the report on +which it has been reserved for our determination, is whether, +under the laws of the commonwealth, an unmarried woman is +entitled to be examined for admission as an attorney and +counsellor of this Court. This being the first application of the +kind in Massachusetts, the Court, desirous that it might be fully +argued, informed the executive committee of the Bar Association +of the city of Boston of the application, and has received +elaborate briefs from the petitioner in support of her petition +and from two gentlemen of the bar as <i>amici curiæ</i> in opposition +thereto. The statute under which the application is made is as +follows: "A citizen of this State, or an alien who has made the +primary declaration of his intention to become a citizen of the +United States, and who is an inhabitant of this State, at the age +of twenty-one years and of good moral character, may, on the +recommendation of an attorney, petition the Supreme Judicial or +Superior Court to be examined for admission as an attorney, +whereupon the Court shall assign a time and place for the +examination, and if satisfied with his acquirements and +qualifications he shall be admitted." St. 1876, c. 107.</p> + +<p>The word "citizen," when used in its most common and most +comprehensive sense, doubtless includes women; but a woman is +not, by virtue of her citizenship, vested by the Constitution of +the United States, or by the constitution of the commonwealth, +with any absolute right, independent of legislation, to take part +in the government, either as voter or as an officer, or to be +admitted to practice as an attorney. <i>Miuor vs. Happersett, 51 +Wall. 162. Bradwell vs. Illinois, 16 Wall. 130.</i> The rule that +"words importing the masculine gender maybe applied to females," +like all other general rules of construction of statutes, must +yield when such construction would be either "repugnant to the +context of the same statute," or "inconsistent with the manifest +intent of the legislature." Gen. Sts. c. 3, § 7.</p> + +<p>The only statute making any provisions concerning attorneys, that +mentions women, is the poor-debtor act, which, after enumerating +among the cases in which an arrest of the person may be made on +execution in an action of contract, that in which "the debtor is +attorney-at-law," who has unreasonably neglected to pay to his +client money collected, enacts, in the next section but one, +"that no woman shall be arrested on any civil process except for +tort." Gen. Sts. c. 124, §§ 5, 7. If these provisions do not +imply that the legislature assumed that women should not be +attorneys, they certainly have no tendency to show that it +intended that they should. The word "citizen," in the statute +under which this application is made, is but a repetition of the +word originally adopted with a view of excluding aliens, before +the statute of 1852, c. 154, allowed those aliens to be admitted +to the bar who had made the preliminary declaration of intention +to become citizens. Rev. Sts., c. 88, § 19. Gen. Sts., c. 121, § +28.</p> + +<p>The reënactment of the act relating to the admission of attorneys +in the same words without more so far as relates to the personal +qualifications of the applicant, since<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span> other statutes have +expressly modified the legal rights and capacity of women in +other important respects, tends rather to refute than to advance +the theory that the legislature intended that these words should +comprehend women. No inference of an intention of the legislature +to include women in the statutes concerning the admission of +attorneys can be drawn from the mere omission of the word "male." +The only statute to which we have referred, in which that word is +inserted, is the statute concerning the qualifications of voters +in town affairs, which, following the language of the article of +the constitution that defines the qualifications of voters for +governor, lieutenant-governor, senators and representatives, +speaks of "every male citizen of twenty-one years of age," etc. +Gen. Sts. c. 18, § 19. Const. Mass. Amendments, art. 3. Words +which taken by themselves would be equally applicable to women +and to men are constantly used in the constitution and statutes, +in speaking of offices which it could not be contended, in the +present state of law, that women were capable of holding.</p> + +<p>The Courts of the commonwealth have not assumed by their rules to +admit to the bar any class of persons not within the apparent +intent of the legislature as manifested in the statutes. The word +"persons," in the latest rule of Court upon the subject, was the +word used in the rule of 1810 and in the statutes of 1785 and +1836, at times when no one contemplated the possibility of a +woman's being admitted to practice as an attorney. 121 Mass. 600. +6. Mass. 382. St. 1785, c. 23. Rev. St. c. 18, 20. Gen. Sts. c. +121, § 29. The United States Court of Claims, at December term, +1873, on full consideration, denied an application of a woman to +be admitted to practice as an attorney upon the ground "that +under the constitution and laws of the United States a Court is +without power to grant such an application, and that a woman is +without legal capacity to take the office of an attorney." +<i>Lockwood's Case, 9 Ct. of Claims, 346, 356.</i> At October terms +1876 of the Supreme Court of the United States, the same +petitioner applied to be admitted to practice as an attorney and +counsellor of that Court, and her application was denied.</p> + +<p>The decision has not been officially reported, but upon the +record of the Court, of which we have an authentic copy, it is +thus stated: "Upon the presentation of this application, the +chief-justice said that notice of this application having been +previously brought to his attention, he had been instructed by +the Court to announce the following decision upon it: By the +uniform practice of the Court from its organization to the +present time, and by the fair construction of its rules, none but +men are permitted to practice before it as attorneys and +counsellors. This is in accordance with immemorial usages in +England, and the law and the practice in all the States until +within a recent period, and the Court does not feel called upon +to make a change until such change is required by statute or a +more extended practice in the highest Courts of the States." The +subsequent act of congress of February 15, 1879, enables only +those women to be admitted to practice before the Supreme Court +of the United States who have been for three years members of the +bar of the highest Court of a State or territory, or of the +Supreme Court of the District of Columbia.</p> + +<p>The conclusion that women cannot be admitted to the bar under the +existing statutes of the commonwealth is in accordance with +judgments of the highest Courts of the States of Illinois and +Wisconsin. <i>Bradwell's Case, 55 Ill., 525. Goodell's Case, 39 +Wis., 232.</i> The suggestion in the brief of the petitioner that +women have been admitted in other States can have no weight here, +in the absence of all evidence that (except under clear +affirmative words in a statute) they have ever been so admitted +upon deliberate consideration of the question involved, or by a +Court whose decisions are authoritative.</p> + +<p>It is hardly necessary to add that our duty is limited to +declaring the law as it is, and that whether any change in that +law would be wise or expedient is a question for the legislative +and not for the judicial department of the government.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF40"><span class="smcap">Marcus Morton</span>, <i>Chief-Justice</i>,</p> +<p class="ltr-left0">Petition dismissed.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table width="80%" summary="Authors"> +<tr><td align="left">[Signed:]</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Charles Devens</span>,</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">William E. Endicott</span>,</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">William Allen</span>,</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Otis P. Lord</span>,</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Charles Allen</span>,</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Walbridge A. Field</span>.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +</blockquote> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span></p> + +<p>The three preceding decisions of the Supreme Judicial Court of +Massachusetts against the rights of the women of the commonwealth +were as follows:</p> + +<p>The first decision was in the case of Sarah E. Wall of Worcester, +who had refused to pay her taxes under the following protest:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Believing with the immortal Declaration of Independence that +taxation and representation are inseparable; believing that the +constitution of the State furnishes no authority for the taxation +of woman; believing also that the constitution of the higher law +of God, written on the human soul, requires us, if we would be +worthy the rich inheritance of the past and true to ourselves and +the future, to yield obedience to no statute that shall tend to +fetter its aspirations, I shall henceforth pay no taxes until the +word <i>male</i> is stricken from the voting clauses of the +constitution of Massachusetts.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Sarah E. Wall</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left0">Worcester <i>Daily Spy</i>, October 5, 1858.</p> + +</blockquote> + +<p class="break">Miss Wall was prosecuted by the city collector, and she carried her +case before the Supreme Court, where she appeared for herself, W. +A. Williams appearing for the collector. In an account of this +matter in 1881, Miss Wall says: "Although it was in 1858 that my +resistance to taxation commenced, it was not until 1863 that the +contest terminated and the decision was rendered. I think the +Supreme Court would always find some way to evade a decision on +this question."</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Wheeler vs. Wall, 6 Allen, 558</i>: By the constitution of +Massachusetts, c. 1, § 1, article 4, the legislature has power to +impose taxes upon all the inhabitants of and persons resident, +and estates lying within the said commonwealth. By the laws +passed by the legislature in pursuance of this power and +authority, the defendant is liable to taxation, although she is +not qualified to vote for the officers by whom the taxes were +assessed. The Court, acting under the constitution, and bound to +support it and maintain its provisions faithfully, cannot declare +null and void a statute which has been passed by the legislature, +in pursuance of an express authority conferred by the +constitution.—[Opinion by the chief-justice, George Tyler +Bigelow. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The second decision on the will of Francis Jackson is copied +<i>verbatim</i> from <i>Allen's Reports</i>:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Jackson vs. Phillips and others, 14 Allen, 539</i>: A bequest to +trustees, to be expended at their discretion, * * * * "to secure +the passage of laws granting whether women, married or unmarried, +the right to vote, to hold office, to hold, manage and devise +property, and all other civil rights enjoyed by men," is not a +charity.</p> + +<p class="hang"><i>Bill in equity by the executor of the will of Francis Jackson of +Boston, for instructions as to the validity and effect of the +following bequests and devises:</i></p> + +<p>Art. 6th. "I give and bequeath to Wendell Phillips of said +Boston, Lucy Stone, formerly of Brookfield, Mass., now the wife +of Henry Blackwell of New York, and Susan B. Anthony of +Rochester, N. Y., their successors and assigns, $5,000, not for +their own use, but in trust, nevertheless, to be expended by them +without any responsibility to any one, at their discretion, in +such sums, at such times and in such places as they may deem fit, +to secure the passage of laws granting women, whether married or +unmarried, the right to vote, to hold office, to hold, manage and +devise property, and all other civil rights enjoyed by men; and +for the preparation and circulation of books, the delivery of +lectures, and such other means as they may judge best; and I +hereby constitute them a board of trustees for that intent and +purpose, with power to add two other persons to said board if +they deem it expedient. And I hereby appoint<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> Wendell Phillips +president and treasurer, and Susan B. Anthony secretary of said +board. I direct the treasurer of said board not to loan any part +of said bequest, but to invest, and, if need be, sell and +reïnvest the same in bank or railroad shares, at his discretion. +I further authorize and request said board of trustees, the +survivor and survivors of them, to fill any and all vacancies +that may occur from time to time by death or resignation of any +member or any officer of said board. One other bequest, +hereinafter made, will, sooner or later, revert to this board of +trustees. My desire is that they may become a permanent +organization, until the rights of women shall be established +equal with those of men; and I hope and trust that said board +will receive the services and sympathy, the donations and +bequests, of the friends of human rights. And being desirous that +said board should have the immediate benefit of said bequest, +without waiting for my exit, I have already paid it in advance +and in full to said Phillips, the treasurer of said board, whose +receipt therefor is on my files."</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Opinion</span>.—Gray, J. <span class="smcap">IV.</span> It is quite clear that the bequest in +trust to be expended "to secure the passage of laws granting +women, whether married or unmarried, the right to vote, to hold +office, to hold, manage and devise property, and all other civil +rights enjoyed by men," cannot be sustained as a charity. No +precedent has been cited in its support. This bequest differs +from the others, in aiming directly and exclusively to change the +laws; and its object cannot be accomplished without changing the +constitution also. Whether such an alteration of the existing +laws and frame of government would be wise and desirable, is a +question upon which we cannot, sitting in a judicial capacity, +properly express any opinion. Our duty is limited to expounding +the laws as they stand. And those laws do not recognize the +purpose of overthrowing or changing them, in whole or in part, as +a charitable use. This bequest, therefore, not being for a +charitable purpose, nor for the benefit of any particular +persons, and being unrestricted in point of time, is inoperative +and void. For the same reason, the gift to the same object, of +one-third of the residue of the testator's estate after the death +of his daughter, Mrs. Eddy, and her daughter, Mrs. Bacon, is also +invalid, and will go to his heirs-at-law as a resulting trust. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Decision third was on the right of women to hold judicial offices. +To quote again from <i>Allen's Reports</i>:</p> + +<blockquote><p>On June 8, 1871, the following order was passed by the governor +and council, and on June 10 transmitted to the Justices of the +Supreme Judicial Court, who, on June 29, returned the reply which +is annexed. <i>Ordered</i>, That the opinion of the Supreme Judicial +Court be requested as to the following questions: <i>First</i>—Under +the constitution of this commonwealth, can a woman, if duly +appointed and qualified as a justice of the peace, legally +perform all acts appertaining to that office? <i>Second</i>—Under the +laws of this commonwealth, would oaths and acknowledgments of +deeds, taken before a married or unmarried woman duly appointed +and qualified as a justice of the peace, be legal and valid?</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Opinion</span>.—By the constitution of the commonwealth, the office of +justice of the peace is a judicial office, and must be exercised +by the officer in person, and a woman, whether married or +unmarried, cannot be appointed to such an office. The law of +Massachusetts at the time of the adoption of the constitution, +the whole frame and purport of the instrument itself, and the +universal understanding and unbroken practical construction for +the greater part of a century afterwards, all support this +conclusion, and are inconsistent with any other. It follows that, +if a woman should be formally appointed and commissioned as a +justice of the peace, she would have no constitutional or legal +authority to exercise any of the functions appertaining to that +office. Each of the questions proposed must, therefore, be +respectfully answered in the negative.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table width="80%" summary="Authors"> +<tr><td align="left">[Signed:]</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Reuben A. Chapman</span>,</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Horace Gray, Jr.</span>,</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">John Wells</span>,</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">James D. Colt</span>,</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Seth Ames</span>,</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Marcus Morton.</span></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p><i>Boston</i>, June 29, 1871.</p> +</blockquote> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span></p> + +<p>It is to be remarked that the clause on which the court determined +its judgment was of no practical consequence, since the money +devised had already been paid to Wendell Phillips, who had disposed +of it as the bequest required, and he had given his receipt to the +testator for the amount.</p> + +<p>Even the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts has begun to +understand the trend of the woman's rights movement, and has +rendered its first favorable decision, in the famous Eddy-will +case. Wendell Phillips told me that he drew up this will, and that +its provisions were so carefully worded, that even the Supreme +Court could find no flaw in it. It is in his own hand-writing, and +Chandler R. Ransom was the executor. Eliza F. Eddy was the daughter +of Francis Jackson, and just before her death in 1882, desiring to +help the suffrage cause and thus carry out her father's intentions, +she made her will in which she bequeathed $40,000 for this purpose. +The clause relating to this bequest is as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Whatever is left, after paying the above legacies, I direct shall +be divided into equal portions. One of said portions I leave to +Susan B. Anthony of Rochester, N. Y.; and the other portion I +leave to Lucy Stone, wife of Henry B. Blackwell, as her own +absolute separate property, free from any control by him. I +request said Susan and Lucy to use said fund thus given to +further what is called the "Woman's Rights' Cause"; but neither +of them is under any legal responsibility to any one or any court +to do so. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Her will was filed and the Probate Court declared its validity. +This decision was appealed from for several unimportant reasons by +relatives of Mrs. Eddy, Francis W. and Jerome A. Bacon, minors; and +the case was carried to the Supreme Judicial Court. After many +delays it was finally decided in favor of the validity of the will, +March, 1885, R. M. Morse, jr., and S. J. Elder for the plaintiff, +and B. F. Butler and F. L. Washburn for the defendants. The court's +final decision, rendered by Hon. Charles Devens, is as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p class="center"><span class="smcap">Albert F. Bacon</span> and others, executors and others <i>vs.</i> <span class="smcap">Chandler +R. Ransom</span>, executor, and others.</p> + +<p>Suffolk. March 18, 19, 1885. <span class="smcap">W. Allen, Colburn and Holmes</span>, <i>Js.</i>, +absent.</p> + +<p>After a bequest in trust to A. and B., to be by them expended in +securing the passage of laws granting women the right to vote, +had been decreed void as not being a charity, a daughter of the +testator bequeathed the residue of her estate (being about the +amount she had received from her father's estate) to A. and B. +"as their absolute property"; and added: "I request said A. and +B. to use said fund thus given to further what is called the +Woman's Rights Cause. But neither of them is under any legal +responsibility to any one or any court to do so." <i>Held</i>, that +the bequest was valid, and did not create a trust.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span></p> + +<p>Bill in equity by the executors of the will of Lizzie F. Bacon, +and certain legatees thereunder, against the executor of the will +of Eliza F. Eddy, Lucy Stone, wife of H. B. Blackwell, Susan B. +Anthony, and other legatees thereunder, and the attorney-general, +to compel the executor of said Eddy's will to pay over to the +plaintiffs the residue of her estate. The bill alleged the +following facts:</p> + +<p>Francis Jackson, the father of said Eliza F. Eddy, died in 1861, +leaving a will, by the sixth article of which he gave $5,000 to +Wendell Phillips, Lucy Stone Blackwell and Susan B. Anthony, in +trust, "to be expended by them without any responsibility to any +one, at their discretion, in such sums, at such times, and in +such places as they may deem fit, to secure the passage of laws +granting women, whether married or unmarried, the right to vote, +to hold office, to hold, manage and devise property, and all +other civil rights enjoyed by men; and for the preparation and +circulation of books, the delivery of lectures, and such other +means as they may judge best." By the eighth article he gave +one-third of the residue to a trustee, to pay the income to his +daughter, Eliza F. Eddy, during her life, and upon her death +one-half of the income to the trustees and on the trusts named in +the sixth article, and the other half to Mrs. Eddy's daughter, +Mrs. Lizzie F. Bacon, during her life, and, on the death of Mrs. +Bacon, the principal to the trustees and on the trusts named in +the sixth article.</p> + +<p>It was held by this court that these bequests were not a charity +(see <i>Jackson vs. Phillips, 14 Allen, 539</i>).</p> + +<p>In consequence of this decision, certain agreements, releases, +and a partition were made, by which one-third of the residue of +Mr. Jackson's estate became the property of Mrs. Eddy, subject to +being held in trust for herself for life, and thereafter, as to +one-half, for her daughter, Mrs. Bacon, during her life. Mrs. +Eddy died December 29, 1881, leaving a will by which she gave +absolute legacies to the amount of $24,500 to various persons +therein named. This disposed of all her estate except what came +to her from her father's estate. Her will then provided as +follows:</p> + +<p>"What is left, after paying the above legacies, I direct shall be +divided into two equal portions; one of said portions I leave to +Miss Susan B. Anthony of Rochester, in the State of New York, as +her absolute property, and the other portion I leave to Lucy +Stone, wife of H. B. Blackwell, as her own absolute and separate +property, free from any control of him. I request said Susan and +Lucy to use said fund thus given to further what is called the +woman's rights cause; but neither of them is under any legal +responsibility to any one or any court to do so."</p> + +<p>The will further alleged that this residue was substantially the +estate received from Francis Jackson; that the will was intended +by the testatrix to defeat the decision of this court, before +mentioned; that the testatrix had no personal acquaintance with +Lucy Stone or Susan B. Anthony; that said gift was intended as a +gift <i>in perpetuam</i> to the said cause, and was, without limit of +time, upon trust in favor of said cause; and that said cause was +not a charity within the meaning of the law, and was null and +void.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span></p> + +<p>The defendants demurred to the bill for want of equity. The case +was heard by C. Allen, <i>J.</i>, on the bill and demurrer, and a +decree was entered sustaining the demurrer and dismissing the +bill. The plaintiffs appealed to the full court.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">R. M. Morse</span>, Jr., and <span class="smcap">S. J. Elder</span>, for the plaintiffs.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">B. F. Butler</span> and <span class="smcap">F. L. Washburn</span>, for the defendants.</p> + +<p>Judge <span class="smcap">Charles Devens</span>. The fact that the respective portions of +the estate bequeathed by Mrs. Eddy to Mrs. Stone and Miss Anthony +were in amount equal to-or precisely the same as those which came +to her by descent from her father, Francis Jackson, is not of +importance in the case at bar. It had been held in <i>Jackson vs. +Phillips, 14 Allen, 539</i>, that a certain bequest made by Mr. +Jackson in trust was not, legally speaking, a public charity, and +that it could not therefore pass to the beneficiaries named in +his will. The property which he thus attempted to bequeath +descended therefore to his legal representatives, of whom Mrs. +Eddy was one. She received it with the same right to deal with it +or dispose of it in her lifetime, or by will at her decease, that +she had in any other estate which was her lawful property.</p> + +<p>The bill alleges "that said will was intended by the testatrix to +defeat the decision of the court, before mentioned; that the +testatrix had no personal acquaintance with Lucy Stone or Susan +B. Anthony; that said gift was intended as a gift <i>in perpetuam</i> +to the said cause." But if Mrs. Eddy has complied with the rules +of law in the disposition of her property, even if she has hoped +thereby to attain the same object as that desired by her father, +the decision referred to is not defeated, but is recognized and +conformed to; and, whatever her intention may have been, her +bequest is to be upheld.</p> + +<p>Her gift to her beneficiaries is absolute in terms. They may do +what they will with the property bequeathed to them, as they may +with any other property which is lawfully their own. It is true +that the gift is accompanied by a request that they will use the +fund bequeathed "to further what is called the woman's rights +cause." A request made by one who has the right to direct is +often, perhaps generally, interpreted as a command. For this +reason, recommendatory or precatory words used in a bequest are +frequently treated as an express direction. Thus, if a legacy +were given to A., with a request that out of the sum bequeathed +he would pay to another a certain sum, or a portion thereof, it +might well be construed as a legacy, to the amount named, to such +person. The expression of the desire of the testator would be the +expression of his will, and the words in form recommendatory +would be held to be mandatory and imperative. Where such words +are used, it is therefore a question of the fair construction to +be attributed to them (<i>Whipple vs. Adams, 1 Met., 444; Warner +vs. Bates, 98 Mass., 274; Spooner vs. Lovejoy, 108 Mass., 529</i>).</p> + +<p>But the testatrix in the case at bar has left nothing to +construction. Apparently aware that a request, where she had a +right to direct, might be treated as a command, and desirous to +make it entirely clear that no restraint or duty in any legal +sense was imposed upon her legatees, and that the request of the +will was such in the limited sense of the word<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span> only, and in no +respect mandatory, she adds thereto, referring to the legatees, +"But neither of them is under any legal responsibility to any one +or to any court to do so." Each of the legatees is therefore the +sole judge of whether she will follow, or how far or in what way +she will follow, the suggestion of the testatrix in the +disposition of the estate absolutely bequeathed to her. It is a +matter in which she is to be guided only by her judgment and +conscience, and no trust is imposed upon the property she +receives.</p> + +<p>As no trust is created, it would be superfluous to consider +whether, if the request of the testatrix were treated as a +command, one would then be indicated capable of enforcement +according to the rules of law.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF60">[Signed:] <span class="smcap">Marcus Morton</span>, <i>Chief-Justice</i>,</p> +<p class="ltr-left0"><i>Bill dismissed.</i></p> + +<div class="center"> +<table width="80%" summary="Authors"> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Walbridge Abner Field</span>,</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Charles Devens</span>,</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">William Allen</span>,</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Charles Allen</span>,</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Waldo Coburn</span>,</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Oliver Wendell Holmes</span>, Jr.</td></tr> +</table></div> + +</blockquote> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p>From these decisions our daughters should learn the importance of +having some knowledge of law. Had not Mrs. Eddy learned from +experience in her father's case that property could not be left in +trust to any societies except those called religious and +charitable, and made her bequest absolutely to persons, the gift of +$56,000 would have been lost to the woman suffrage movement. As it +was, nearly $10,000 was swallowed up in litigation to secure what +the donees did finally obtain. Considering that Mrs. Eddy<a name="FNanchor_157_157" id="FNanchor_157_157"></a><a href="#Footnote_157_157" class="fnanchor">[157]</a> is +the only woman who has ever had both the desire and the power to +make a large bequest to this cause, its friends have great reason +to rejoice in her wisdom as well as her generosity.</p> + +<p>Civilization would have been immeasurably farther advanced than it +now is, had the many rich women, who have left large bequests to +churches, and colleges for boys, concentrated their wealth and +influence on the education, elevation and enfranchisement of their +own sex. We trust that Mrs. Eddy's example may not be lost on the +coming generation of women.—[<span class="smcap">Editors.</span></p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<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 details of early history see vol. I., chap. +viii. See also "Massachusetts in the Woman Suffrage Movement," +Roberts Bros., Boston.</p></div> + +<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> As an original question, no friend of woman suffrage +can deny that it was a mean thing to put the word "male" into the +fourteenth amendment. It was, doubtless, wise to adopt that +amendment. It was an extension of the right of suffrage, and so far +in the line of American progress, yet it was also an implied denial +of the suffrage to women.—[Warrington in the <i>Springfield +Republican</i>.</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> See <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_178">Vol. II., page 178</a>.</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> John Neal came from Maine; Nathaniel and Armenia +White from New Hampshire; Isabella Hooker from Connecticut; Thomas +W. Higginson from Rhode Island; and John G. Whittier, Samuel May, +jr., Gilbert Haven, John T. Sargent, Frank W. Bird, Wendell +Phillips, William Lloyd Garrison, William S. Robinson, Stephen and +Abby Kelley Foster, with a host of others, from Massachusetts. Lucy +Stone and Henry B. Blackwell, who then lived in New Jersey, were +also among the speakers.</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> In giving an account of her efforts in this +direction she says: "After my return from Kansas in 1867, I felt +that we ought to do something for the cause in Massachusetts. There +was at that time no organization in the State, and there had been +no revival of the subject in the minds of the people since the war, +which had swallowed up every other interest. In the spring of 1868, +I wrote to Abby Kelley Foster, telling her my wish to have +something done in our own State, and she advised me to call +together a few persons known to be in favor of suffrage, some day +during anniversary week, in some parlor in Boston. I corresponded +with Adin Ballou, E. D. Draper, and others, on the subject, and +talked the matter over with Prof. T. T. Leonard, teacher of +elocution, who offered his hall for a place of meeting. I wrote a +notice inviting all persons interested in woman suffrage to come to +Mr. Leonard's hall, on a certain day and hour. At the time +appointed the hall was full of people. I opened the meeting, and +stated why I had called it; others took up the theme, and we had a +lively meeting. All agreed that something should be done, and a +committee of seven was appointed to call a convention for the +purpose of organizing a woman suffrage association. Caroline M. +Severance, Stephen S. Foster, Sarah Southwick and myself, were of +this committee. We held a number of meetings and finally decided to +call a convention early in the autumn of 1868. This convention was +held in Horticultural Hall, and the result was the organization of +the New England Woman Suffrage Association."</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> <i>President</i>, Julia Ward Howe; <i>Vice-presidents</i>, +William Lloyd Garrison, Boston; Paulina W. Davis, Providence, R. +I.; James Freeman Clarke, Boston; Sarah Shaw Russell, Boston; Neil +Dow, Me.; Lucy Goddard, Boston; Samuel E. Sewall, Melrose; Lidian +Emerson, Concord; John Hooker, Isabella Beecher Hooker, Hartford, +Ct.; Harriot K. Hunt, Boston; James Hutchinson, jr., West Randolph, +Vt.; Armenia S. White, Concord, N. H.; Louisa M. Alcott, Concord; +L. Maria Child, Wayland; John Weiss, Watertown. <i>Corresponding +Secretary</i>, Sara Clark, Boston. <i>Recording Secretary</i>, Charles K. +Whipple, Boston. <i>Treasurer</i>, E. D. Draper, Boston. <i>Executive +Committee</i>: Lucy Stone, Newark, N. J.; T. W. Higginson, Newport, R. +I.; Caroline M. Severance, West Newton; Francis W. Bird, East +Walpole; Mary E. Sargent, Boston; Nathaniel White, Concord, N. H.; +Richard P. Hallowell, Boston; Stephen S. Foster, Worcester; Sarah +H. Southwick, Grantville; Rowland Connor, Boston; B. F. Bowles, +Cambridge; George H. Vibbert, Rockport; Olympia Brown, Weymouth; +Samuel May, jr., Leicester; Nina Moore, Hyde Park.</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> Ednah D. Cheney, Rev. C. A. Bartol, Rev. F. E. +Abbot, Rev. Phœbe Hanaford and Hon. George F. Hoar.</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> For report of American Association see +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_756">Vol. II., page 756</a>.</p></div> + +<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> Lucy Stone, Mary A. Livermore, Stephen S. and Abby +Kelley Foster, H. B. Blackwell, Rev. W. H. Channing, Rev. J. F. +Clarke, Rev. Gilbert Haven, Julia Ward Howe and Elizabeth K. +Churchill made eloquent speeches. +</p><p> +The first board of officers of the Massachusetts Woman Suffrage +Association was: <i>President</i>, Julia Ward Howe. <i>Vice-presidents</i>: +William Lloyd Garrison, Roxbury; Anne B. Earle, Worcester; John G. +Whittier, Amesbury; Lidian Emerson. Concord; Hon. Robert C. Pitman, +New Bedford; Mrs. Richmond Kingman, Cummington; Rev. R. B. +Stratton, Worcester; Edna D. Cheney, Jamaica Plain; Hon. Isaac +Ames, Haverhill; Sarah Shaw Ames, Boston; J. Ingersoll Bowditch, +West Roxbury; Lydia Maria Child, Wayland; Mary Dewey, Sheffield; +Hon. George F. Hoar, Worcester; Sarah Grimke, Hyde Park; Sarah R. +Hathaway, Boston; William I. Bowditch, Boston; Harriot K. Hunt, M. +D., Boston; Hon. Samuel E. Sewall, Melrose; A. Bronson Alcott, +Concord; Angelina G. Weld, Hyde Park; Hon. Henry Wilson, Natick; +Rev. James Freeman Clarke, Boston; Charlotte A. Joy, Mendon; Jacob +M. Manning, D. D., Lucy Sewall, M. D., Boston; Rev. Joseph May, +Newburyport; Maria Zakrzewska, M. D., Roxbury; Rev. William B. +Wright, Boston; Rev. Jesse H. Jones, Natick; Phœbe A. Hanaford, +Reading; Seth Hunt, Northampton: Maria S. Porter, Melrose. +<i>Executive Committee</i>: Rev. Rowland Connor, Boston; Caroline M. +Severance, West Newton; Rev. W. H. H. Murray, Boston; Gordon M. +Fiske, Palmer; Sarah A. Vibbert, Rockport; Rev. Gilbert Haven, +Maiden; Caroline Remond Putman, Salem; Frank B. Sanborn, +Springfield; Mercy B. Jackson, M. D., Boston; Samuel May, jr., +Leicester; Margaret W. Campbell, Springfield; Rev. C. M. Wines, +Brookline; Mary A. Livermore, Melrose; William S. Robinson, Maiden; +Henry B. Blackwell, Boston; Lucy Stone, Boston; S. S. Foster, +Worcester; Mrs. Wilcox, Worcester; Ada R. Bowles, Cambridge. +<i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, Nina Moore, Hyde Park. <i>Recording +Secretary</i>, Charles C. Whipple, Boston. <i>Treasurer</i>, E. D. Draper, +Hopedale.</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> Mary F. Eastman, Ada C. Bowles, Lorenza Haynes, +Elizabeth K. Churchill, Hulda B. Loud, Matilda Hindman and other +agents in the lecture field have also done a great deal of +missionary work.</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> The committee of arrangements were Mrs. Isaac Ames, +Harriet H. Robinson, Sarah B. Otis, Philip Wheeler, Jane Tenney, +Mrs. A. A. Fellows, Mrs. Jackson, Miss Talbot and Miss Halsey. +</p><p> +The speakers were: Wendell Phillips, Mary A. Livermore, Frederick +Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison, Elizabeth K. Churchill, Margaret +W. Campbell, Mary F. Eastman, Henry B. Blackwell, Lucy Stone and +others. Julia Ward Howe and Mr. C. P. Cranch, read original poems. +Two old-time tea-party songs, curiosities in their line, were read. +One, dated Boston, 1773, entitled "Lines on Bohea Tea," was written +by Susannah Clarke, great-aunt of W. S. Robinson; the other, copied +from Thomas' <i>Boston Journal</i>, of December 2, 1773, was written by +Mrs. Ames, a tailoress.</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> <i>Committee of Arrangements</i>—Lucy Stone, Abby Kelley +Foster, Thomas J. Lothrop, Timothy K. Earle, Sarah E. Wall, Harriet +H. Robinson and E. H. Church. At this public gathering, Athol, +Boston, Haverhill, Leicester, Leominster, Lowell, Malden, Melrose, +Milford, North Brookfield, Taunton, and many other Massachusetts +towns were well represented.</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 speakers were Lucy Stone, Rev. W. H. Channing, +Mary A. Livermore, Mary F. Eastman, Kate N. Doggett, Rev. F. A. +Hinckley, Ednah D. Cheney, T. Wentworth Higginson, Isabella Beecher +Hooker, Anna Garlin Spencer and Julia E. Parker. Harriet H. +Robinson read a condensed history of Massachusetts in the woman +suffrage movement. Interesting letters were received from Elizabeth +Stuart Phelps, F. W. Bird, H. B. Blackwell, Margaret W. Campbell, +Mrs. C. I. H. Nichols and Frances D. Gage. Two original woman +suffrage songs, written by Anna Q. T. Parsons and Caroline A. +Mason, were sung on the occasion.</p></div> + +<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> Board of officers for 1885: <i>President</i>, Miss Abby +W. May; <i>Vice-president</i>, Mrs. Edna Dean Cheney; <i>Secretary</i>, Miss +Brigham; <i>Treasurer</i>, Miss S. F. King; <i>Assistant-secretary</i>, Miss +Von Arnim; <i>Directors</i>, Miss H, Lemist, Mrs. J. W. Smith, Mrs. M. +P. Lowe, Mrs. H. G. Jackson, Mrs. L. H. Merrick, Mrs. G. L. Ruffin, +Mrs. Walton, Mrs. Whitman, Miss Rogers, Miss E. Foster, Miss Shaw, +Miss Lougee, Miss L. M. Peabody, Dr. A. E. Fisher, Mrs. Buchanan, +Mrs. O. A. Cheney, Mrs. E. Hilt, Mrs. M. W. Nash, Mrs. M. H. Bray, +Mrs. Fifield, Mrs. J. F. Clarke, Miss L. P. Hale, Mrs. A. H. +Spalding; <i>Lecture Committee</i>, Miss Lucia M. Peabody, Mrs. Fifield +and Mrs. L. H. King.</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> It is the only organization in the State whose +business is managed by its members. Its officers are a president, +one or more vice-presidents for each county, a secretary, +treasurer, auditor, and a standing committee of seven with power to +add to its number. These officers are elected annually. Executive +meetings, in which all members participate, are held monthly. +<i>President</i>, Harriette R. Shattuck; <i>Vice-presidents</i>, Dr. Salome +Merritt, Joan D. Foster, Emma F. Clarry, Louisa E. Brooks, Esther +P. Hutchinson, Sarah S. Eddy, Harriet M. Spaulding, Martha E. S. +Curtis, Dr. Sarah E. Sherman, Sarah G. Todd, Abbie M. Meserve, +Sophia A. Forbes, Esther B. Smith, Emma A. Todd. <i>Treasurer</i>, Sara +A. Underwood; <i>Auditor</i>, Lavina A. Hatch; <i>Secretaries</i>, Hannah M. +Todd, Elizabeth B. Atwell, Harriet H. Robinson; <i>Standing +Committee</i>, H. R. Shattuck, Dr. S. Merritt, H. H. Robinson, Lydia +E. Hutchings, Mary R. Brown, E. B. Attwill, Lucretia H. Jones.</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> South Framingham, South Boston, Winchester, +Rockland, Wakefield, Uxbridge, Millbury, Bedford, Westboro', Salem, +Lynn, Lowell, Rowley, Concord, Woburn, Malden, Cambridge, Beverly +Farms.</p></div> + +<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> Two of these, Harriet H. Robinson and Harriette R. +Shattuck, spoke at the first hearing before the Senate committee. +It chanced that Mrs. Robinson was the first woman to speak before +this Special Committee. The other delegates were: Mary R. Brown, +Emma F. Clarry, Louisa E. Brooks, Mrs. G. W. Simonds, Sarah S. +Eddy, Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Forbes, Mary H. Semple, Louisa A. Morrison +and Cora B. Smart.</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> The authors and compilers of these leaflets are +Harriette R. Shattuck, Sara A. Underwood, Hannah M. Todd and Mary +R. Brown.</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 speakers at these hearings were Harriette R. +Shattuck, Mary R. Brown, Sidney D. Shattuck, Nancy W. Covell, Dr. +Julia C. Smith, Mr. S. C. Fay, Louisa A. Morrison, Sara A. +Underwood and Harriet H. Robinson.</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> The speakers were Rev. J. T. Sargent, A. Bronson +Alcott, H. B. Blackwell, Dr. Mercy B. Jackson, S. S. Foster, Mary +A. Livermore, Rev. B. F. Bowles, F. B. Sanborn, W. S. Robinson, +Gilbert Haven and many others.</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> In the records of the executive meetings of this +Association I find the following votes. In October, 1872, it was +voted, That any invitation to speak at Republican meetings, +extended to our agents by Republican committees in this State, be +accepted by them until the coming election, their usual salaries +being paid by this Association; that Miss Loud be notified by Lucy +Stone of our arrangement in regard to Republican meetings, and be +requested, after the 15th instant, to hold her meetings in that +manner as far as practicable; that the balance of expenses of the +woman's meeting held at Tremont Temple be paid by this Association. +[This was a political meeting held by the Massachusetts Woman +Suffrage Association to endorse General Grant as the presidential +candidate of the Republican party.]</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> The National Association of Massachusetts at its +executive session, August 23, passed the following: +</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That while we respect the advice of our leaders, as +their private political opinion, we deem it worse than useless to +"stand by the Republican" or any other party while we are +deprived of the only means of enforcing a political opinion; and +that we advise all associations, to concentrate their efforts +upon securing the ballot to women, withholding all attempt at +political influence until they possess the right which alone can +make their influence effective. </p></blockquote> +</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> At the executive meeting of the New England +Association, May, 1874, it was voted that a circular be sent to the +friends of woman suffrage, requesting them to meet in Boston, May +25, to consider the expediency of calling a convention to form a +political party for woman suffrage.</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> The call for this convention was signed by Harriet +H. Robinson, Rev. A. D. Sargent, Rev. G. H. Vibbert, William +Johnson, Mrs. T. R. Woodman, Helen Gale and Mrs. M. Slocum. Judge +Robert C. Pitman was the candidate for governor.</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> This "Woman Suffrage ticket," the first ever offered +to a Massachusetts voter, received 41 votes out of the 1,340 cast +in all by the voters of the town, a larger proportion than that +first cast by the old Liberty party in Massachusetts, which began +with only 307 votes in the whole State, and ended in the Free Soil +and Republican parties.</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> Election day dawned and it rained hard, but the +women braved the storm. There they stood from 9 o'clock <span class="smcap">a.m.</span> till a +quarter of 5 <span class="smcap">p.m.</span> and distributed votes, only leaving their +positions long enough to get a cup of coffee and a luncheon, which +was provided at the headquarters. They distributed 1,700 woman +suffrage ballots and 1,000 circulars containing arguments on the +rights of women. They were treated with unexceptionable politeness +and kindness by the voters.</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> The first time women went to the polls in +Massachusetts was in 1870, when forty-two women of Hyde Park, led +by Angelina Grimké Weld and Sarah Grimké, deposited their ballots, +in solemn protest "against the political ostracism of women, +against leaving every vital interest of a majority of the citizens +to the monopoly of a male minority." It is hardly needful to record +that these ballots were not counted.</p></div> + +<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> For summary of voting laws relating to women from +1691 to 1822, see "Massachusetts in the Woman Suffrage Movement," +by Harriet H. Robinson: Roberts Brothers, Boston.</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> Thomas Wentworth Higginson, Lucy Stone, Theodore +Parker, Wendell Phillips, and other speakers of ability, presented +able arguments in favor of giving women the right to vote.</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> This memorial was printed by order of the +legislature (Leg. Doc. Ho. 57) and is called "Memorial of the +Female Signers of the Several Petitions of Henry A. Hardy and +Others," presented March 1, 1849. The document is not signed and +Mrs. Ferrin's name is not found with it upon the records, neither +does her name appear in the journal of the House in connection with +any of the petitions and addresses she caused to be presented to +the legislature of the State. But for the loyal friendship of the +few who knew of her work and were willing to give her due credit, +the name of Mary Upton Ferrin [see <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_208">Vol. I., page 208</a>] and the +memory of her labors as well as those of many another silent +worker, would have gone into the "great darkness."</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> The committee was addressed by Wendell Phillips, +Julia Ward Howe, Lucy Stone, Rev. James Freeman Clarke and Hon. +George F. Hoar.</p></div> + +<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> Two years before (1869), while sitting as visitor in +the gallery of the House of Representatives, I heard the whole +subject of woman's rights referred to the (bogus) committee on +graveyards!</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> It was perhaps intended to serve as a means of +reïnstating Abby W. May and other women who had been defeated as +candidates for reëlection on the Boston school-board. The names of +Isa E. Gray, Mrs. C. B. Richmond, Elizabeth P. Peabody and John M. +Forbes led the lists of petitioners.</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> At the first annual election for school committees +in cities and towns in 1879-80, about 5,000 women became registered +voters.</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> Lucretia P. Hale, Abby W. May, Lucia M. Peabody, +Mary J. S. Blake, Kate G. Wells, Lucretia Crocker.</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> This act, so brief and so <i>expressive</i>, is worthy to +be remembered. It simply reads: "<i>Be it enacted, etc., as follows</i>: +</p><p> +<span class="smcap">Sec. 1.</span> No person shall be deemed ineligible to serve upon a school +committee by reason of sex. +</p><p> +<span class="smcap">Sec. 2.</span> This act shall take effect upon its passage. (<i>Approved +June 30, 1874.</i>) +</p><p> +By force of habit, the legislature said not a word in the law about +<i>women</i>. There are now (1885) 102 women members of school-boards in +Massachusetts.</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> See "Women under the law of Massachusetts," Henry H. +Sprague. Boston: W. B. Clarke & Carruth.</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> The authority for this old "thumb" tradition, that +"a man had the right to whip his wife with a stick no bigger than +his thumb," is found in an early edition of <i>Phillip's Evidence</i>. +That book was authority in English common law and in it Phillips is +quoted as saying, that according to the law of his day a husband +"might lawfully chastise his wife with a reasonable weapon, as a +<i>broomstick</i>," adding, however, "but if he use an unreasonable +weapon, such as an iron bar, and death ensue, it would be +murder."—[Chamberlin, p. 818.</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> In an old will, made a hundred and fifty years ago, +a husband of large means bequeathed to his "dearly beloved wife" +$50 and a new suit of clothes, with the injunction that she should +return to her original, or family home. And with this small sum, as +her share of his property, he returned her to her parents.</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 little actual gain in votes since 1874, in favor +of municipal or general suffrage for women, might cause the +careless observer to draw the inference that no great progress had +been made in legislative sentiment during all these years. In 1870 +the vote in the House of Representatives on the General Woman +Suffrage Bill was 133 to 68. In 1885 the bill giving municipal +suffrage was defeated in the House by a vote of 130 to 61. But this +is not a true index of the progress of public opinion.</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> Mrs. Ellen M. Richards was the first woman who +entered.</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> The Harvard Annex, so called, began its seventh year +with sixty-five young ladies enrolled for study. The enrollment for +the preceding six years was as follows: First year, 29: second, 47; +third 40; fourth, 39; fifth, 49, sixth, 55. Some of the students +come from distant places, but a majority are from the Cambridge and +neighboring high-schools. The institution occupies this year for +the first time a building which has been conveniently arranged for +its purposes. The endowment of the association which manages the +work now amounts to $85,000.</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> This lady was Lucy Downing, a sister of the first +governor of Massachusetts. She was the wife of Emanuel Downing, a +lawyer of the Inner Temple, a friend of Governor Winthrop and +afterward a man of mark in the infant colony. In a letter to her +brother, Lucy Downing expresses the desire of herself and husband +to come to New England with their children, but laments that if +they do come her son George cannot complete his studies. She says: +"You have yet noe societies nor means of that kind for the +education of youths in learning. It would make me goe far nimbler +to New England, if God should call me to it, than otherwise I +should, and I believe a colledge would put noe small life into the +plantation." This letter was written early in 1636, and in October +of the same year the General Court of the Massachusetts colony +agreed to give £400 towards establishing a school or college in +Newtowne (two years later called Cambridge). Soon afterwards Rev. +John Harvard died and left one-half of his estate to this "infant +seminary," and in 1638 it was ordered by the General Court that the +"Colledge to be built at Cambridge shall be called Harvard +Colledge." +</p><p> +Early in 1638 Lucy Downing and her husband arrived in New England, +and the name of George Downing stands second on the list of the +first class of Harvard graduates in 1642. The Downings had other +sons who do not seem to have been educated at Harvard, and +daughters who were put out to service. The son for whom so much was +done by his mother, was afterwards known as Sir George Downing, and +he became rich and powerful in England. Downing street in London is +named for him. In after life he forgot his duty to his mother, who +so naturally looked to him for support; and her last letter written +from England after her husband died, when she was old and feeble, +tells a sad story of her son's avarice and meanness, and leaves the +painful impression that she suffered in her old age for the +necessaries of life. +</p><p> +It is hard to estimate how much influence the earnest longing of +this one woman for the better education of her son, had in the +founding of this earliest college in Massachusetts. But for her +thinking and speaking at the right time the enterprise might have +been delayed for half a century. It is to be deplored that Lucy +Downing established the unwise precedent of educating one member of +the family at the expense of the rest; an example followed by too +many women since her time. Harvard College itself has followed it +as well, in that it has so long excluded from its privileges that +portion of the human family to which Lucy Downing belonged. +</p><p> +Although women have never been permitted to become students of this +college, or of any of the schools connected with it, yet they have +always taken a great interest in its pecuniary welfare, and the +University is largely indebted to the generosity of women for its +endowment and support. From the records of Harvard College, it +appears that funds have been contributed by 167 women, which +amount, in the aggregate, to $325,000. Out of these funds a +proportion of the university scholarships were founded, and at +least one of its professors' chairs. In its Divinity school alone +five of the ten scholarships bear the names of women. Caroline A. +Plummer of Salem gave $15,000 to found the Plummer Professorship of +Christian Morals. Sarah Derby bequeathed $1,000 towards founding +the Hersey Professorship of Anatomy and Physic. The Holden Chapel +was built with money given for that purpose by Mrs. Samuel Holden +and her daughters. Anna E. P. Sever, in 1879, left a legacy to this +college of $140,000. [See Harvard Roll of Honor for women in +<i>Harvard Register</i> in 1880-81.] Other known benefactors of Harvard +University are: Lady Moulson, Hannah Sewall, Mary Saltonstall, +Dorothy Saltonstall, Joanna Alford, Mary P. Townsend, Ann Toppan, +Eliza Farrar, Ann F. Schaeffer, Levina Hoar, Rebecca A. Perkins, +Caroline Merriam, Sarah Jackson, Hannah C. Andrews, Nancy Kendall, +Charlotte Harris, Mary Osgood, Lucy Osgood, Sarah Winslow, Julia +Bullock, Marian Hovey, Anna Richmond, Caroline Richmond, Clara J. +Moore and Susan Cabot.—[H. H. R. +</p><p> +The question is often asked, why are women so much more desirous +than men to see their children educated? Because it is a right that +has been denied to themselves. To them education means liberty, +wealth, position, power. When the black race at the South were +emancipated, they were far more eager for education than the poor +whites, and for the same reason.—[<span class="smcap">Eds.</span></p></div> + +<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> Ruth Barnaby, aged 101 in 1875, Elizabeth Phillips +and Hannah Greenway were also members of this branch of the +profession. The last was midwife to Mrs. Judge Sewall, who was the +mother of nineteen children. Judge Samuel E. Sewall mentions this +fact in his diary, recently published.</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> Dr. Jackson had a large practice in Boston, and +filled for five years the chair of professor of diseases of +children in the Boston University School of Medicine.</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> In 1840, a Massachusetts woman could not legally be +treasurer of even a sewing society without having some man +responsible for her. In 1809, it was necessary that the +subscriptions of a married woman for a newspaper or for charities +should be in the name of her husband.</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> Olympia Brown's own account of this transaction is +as follows: In 1864, soon after my settlement in Weymouth, I +solemnized a marriage. It was the first time a woman had officiated +in this capacity, and there was so much talk about the legality of +the act, that I petitioned the legislature to take such action as +was necessary in order to make marriages solemnized by me legal. +The committee to whom it was referred reported that no legislation +was necessary.</p></div> + +<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> This little book is worthy of mention, from the fact +that it is probably the first publication of its kind in +Massachusetts, if not in America. The whole title of the book is, +"Observations on the Rights of Women, with their appropriate duties +agreeable to Scripture, reason and common sense." Mrs. Crocker, in +her introduction, says: "The wise author of Nature has endowed the +female mind with equal powers and faculties, and given them the +same right of judging and acting for themselves as he gave the male +sex." She further argues that, "According to Scripture, woman was +the first to transgress and thus forfeited her original right of +equality, and for a time was under the yoke of bondage, till the +birth of our blessed Savior, when she was restored to her equality +with man." +</p><p> +This is a very fine beginning, and would seem to savor strongly of +the modern woman's rights doctrine; but, unfortunately, the author, +with charming inconsistency, goes on to say,—"We shall strictly +adhere to the principle of the impropriety of females ever +trespassing on masculine grounds, as it is morally incorrect, and +physically impossible."</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> In 1836 there was a small woman's club of Lowell +factory operatives, officered and managed entirely by women. This +may be a remote first cause of the origin of the New England +Women's Club, since it bears the same relation to that flourishing +institution, that the native crab does to the grafted tree. This +was the first woman's club in the State, if not in the whole +country.</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> A few ladies met at the house of Dr. Harriot K. Hunt +to consider a plan for organization. Its avowed object was "to +supply the daily increasing need of a great central resting place, +for the comfort and convenience of those who may wish to unite with +us, and ultimately become a center for united and organized social +thought and action." Its first president was Caroline M. Severance. +On the executive board were the names of Julia Ward Howe, Ednah D. +Cheney, Lucy Goddard, Harriet M. Pitnam, Jane Alexander, Abby W. +May, and many others who have since become well known. This club +held its first meetings in private houses, but it has for several +years occupied spacious club rooms on Park street in Boston. Julia +Ward Howe is its president. The club has its own historian, and +when this official gives the result of her researches to the +public, there will be seen how many projects for the elevation of +women and the improvement of social life have had their inception +in the brains of those who assemble in the parlors of the New +England Woman's Club. In 1874, it projected the movement by which +women were first elected on the school committee of Boston, and +also prepared the petition to be sent to the Massachusetts +legislature of 1879, the result of which was the passage of the law +allowing women to vote for school committees. In the <i>Woman's +Journal</i> for 1883 will be found a sketch of this club.</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> "Taxation of Women in Massachusetts"; "Woman +Suffrage a Right, not a Privilege," and "The Forgotten Woman in +Massachusetts."</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> Its projectors were A. Bronson Alcott, Ralph Waldo +Emerson, Professor W. T. Harris, Frank B. Sanborn, Professor +Benjamin Pierce, Dr. H. K. Jones, Elizabeth P. Peabody and Ednah D. +Cheney.</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> This act is almost as brief as a certain clause in +one of the election laws of the State of Texas, which says: "The +masculine gender shall include the feminine and neuter."</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> We deeply regret that we have been unable to procure +a good photograph of our generous benefactor, as it was our +intention to make her engraving the frontispiece of this volume, +and thus give the honored place to her through whose liberality we +have been enabled at last to complete this work. We are happy to +state that Mrs. Eddy's will was not contested by any of the +descendents of the noble Francis Jackson, but by Jerome Bacon, a +millionaire, the widower of her eldest daughter who survived the +mother but one week. When the suit was entered the daughters of +Mrs. Eddy, Sarah and Amy, her only surviving children, in a letter +to the executor of the estate, Hon. C. R. Ransom, said: "We hereby +consent and agree that, in case this suit now pending in the court +shall be decided against the claims of Lucy Stone and Susan B. +Anthony, we will give to them the net amount of any sum that as +heirs may be awarded to us, in accordance with our mother's +will."</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXII" id="CHAPTER_XXXII"></a>CHAPTER XXXII.</h2> + +<h3>CONNECTICUT.</h3> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>Prudence Crandall—Eloquent Reformers—Petitions for +Suffrage—The Committee's Report—Frances Ellen Burr—Isabella +Beecher Hooker's Reminiscences—Anna Dickinson in the Republican +Campaign—State Society Formed, October 28, 29, +1869—Enthusiastic Convention in Hartford—Governor Marshall +Jewell—He Recommends More Liberal Laws for Women—Society Formed +in New Haven, 1871—Governor Hubbard's Inaugural, 1877—Samuel +Bowles of the <i>Springfield Republican</i>—Rev. Phebe A. Hanaford, +Chaplain, 1870—John Hooker, esq., Champions the Suffrage +Movement. </p> +</div> + + +<p><span class="sc">While</span> Connecticut has always been celebrated for its puritanical +theology, political conservatism and rigid social customs, it was +nevertheless the scene of some of the most hotly contested of the +anti-slavery battles. While its leading clergymen and statesmen +stoutly maintained the letter of the old creeds and constitutions, +the Burleighs, the Mays, and the Crandalls strove to illustrate the +true spirit of religion and republicanism in their daily lives by +"remembering those that were in bonds as bound with them."</p> + +<p>The example of one glorious woman like Prudence Crandall,<a name="FNanchor_158_158" id="FNanchor_158_158"></a><a href="#Footnote_158_158" class="fnanchor">[158]</a> who +suffered shameful persecutions in establishing a school for colored +girls at Canterbury, in 1833, should have been sufficient to rouse +every woman in Connecticut to some thought on the basic principles +of the government and religion of the country. Yet we have no +record of any woman in that State publicly sustaining her in that +grand enterprise, though no doubt her heroism gave fresh +inspiration to the sermons of Samuel J. May, then preaching in the +village of Brooklyn, and the speeches and poems of the two eloquent +reformers, Charles C. and William H. Burleigh. The words and deeds +of these and other great souls, though seeming to slumber for many +years, gave birth at last to new demands for another class of +outraged citizens. Thus liberty is ever born of the hateful spirit +of persecution. One question of reform settled forever by the civil +war, the initiative for the next was soon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> taken. In <i>The +Revolution</i> of January 16, 1868, we find the following +well-considered report on woman's enfranchisement, presented by a +minority of the Committee on Constitutional Amendments to the +legislature of Connecticut at its session of 1867:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The undersigned members of the committee believe that the prayer +of the petitioners ought to be granted. It would be much easier +for us to reject the petition and silently to acquiesce in the +opinions of the majority upon the subject to which it relates, +but our attention was challenged and an investigation invited by +the bold axioms upon which the cause of suffrage for woman was +claimed to rest, and the more we have examined the subject the +more convinced we have become that the logic of our institutions +requires a concession of that right. It is claimed by some that +the right to vote is not a natural right, but that it is a +privilege which some have acquired, and which may be granted to +others at the option of the fortunate holders. But they fail to +inform us how the possessors first acquired the privilege, and +especially how they acquired the rightful power to withhold that +privilege from others, according to caprice or notions of +expediency. We hold this doctrine to be pernicious in tendency, +and hostile to the spirit of a republican government; and we +believe that it can only be justified by the same arguments that +are used to justify slavery or monarchy—for it is an obvious +deduction of logic that if one thousand persons have a right to +govern another thousand without their consent, one man has a +right to govern all.</p> + +<p>Mr. Lincoln tersely said, "If slavery is not wrong nothing is +wrong." So it seems to us that if the right to vote is not a +natural right, there is no such thing as a natural right in human +relations. The right to freedom and the right to a ballot both +spring from the same source. The right to vote is only the right +to a legitimate use of freedom. It is plain that if a man is not +free to govern himself, and to have a voice in the taxation of +his own property, he is not really free in any enlightened sense. +Even Edward I. of England said, "It is a most equitable rule that +what concerns all should be approved by all." This must +rightfully apply to women the same as to men. And Locke, in his +essay on civil government, said, "Nothing is more evident than +that creatures of the same species and rank, promiscuously born +to the same advantages of nature, and the use of the same +faculties, should also be equal, one with another, without +subordination or subjection." Talleyrand said, as an argument for +monarchy, "The moment we reject an absolutely universal suffrage, +we admit the principle of aristocracy." The founders of this +nation asserted with great emphasis and every variety of +repetition, the essential equality of human rights as a +self-evident truth. The war of the Revolution was justified by +the maxim, "Taxation without representation is tyranny"; and all +republics vindicate their existence by the claim that +"Governments derive their just power from the consent of the +governed." Yet woman, in Connecticut, is governed without her +consent, and taxed without representation.</p> + +<p>Lord Camden, one of England's ablest jurists, long ago declared, +"My position is this—taxation and representation are +inseparable. The position is founded in a law of nature—nay +more, it is itself an eternal law of nature." Our forefathers +held to this principle, and fought seven years to establish it. +They maintained their favorite theory of government against +immense odds, and transmitted to their posterity the great work +of putting it logically into practice. It is acknowledged by this +legislature that "taxation without representation is tyranny," +and that "governments derive their just power from the consent of +the governed." If these phrases are anything more than the +meaningless utterances of demagogues, anything more than the +hypocritical apologies of rebellious colonies in a strait—then +we submit that a <i>primâ facie</i> case for woman's right to vote has +already been made out. To declare that a voice in the government +is the right of all, and then give it to less than half, and that +to the fraction<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span> to which the theorist himself happens to belong, +is to renounce even the appearance of principle.</p> + +<p>It is plain to your committee that neither the State nor the +nation can have peace on this suffrage question until some fair +standard shall be adopted which is not based on religion, or +color, or sex, or any accident of birth—a test which shall be +applicable to every adult human being. In a republic the ballot +belongs to every intelligent adult person who is innocent of +crime. There is an obvious and sufficient reason for excluding +minors, state-prison convicts, imbeciles and insane persons, but +does the public safety require that we shall place the women of +Connecticut with infants, criminals, idiots and lunatics? Do they +deserve the classification? It seems to your committee that to +enfranchise woman—or rather to cease to deprive her of the +ballot, which is of right hers, would be reciprocally beneficial. +We believe that it would elevate the character of our +office-holders; that it would purify our politics; that it would +render our laws more equitable; that it would give to woman a +protection against half the perils which now beset her; that it +would put into her hands a key that would unlock the door of +every respectable occupation and profession; that it would insure +a reconstruction of our statute laws on a basis of justice, so +that a woman should have a right to her own children, and a right +to receive and enjoy the proceeds of her own labor. John Neal +estimates that the ballot is worth fifty cents a day to every +American laborer, enabling each man to command that much higher +wages. Does not gentlemanly courtesy, as well as equal justice, +require that that weapon of defense shall be given to those +thousands of working women among us who are going down to +prostitution through three or four half-paid, over-crowded +occupations?</p> + +<p>It is said that woman is now represented by her husband, when she +has one; but what is this representation worth when in +Connecticut, two years ago, all of the married woman's personal +property became absolutely her husband's, including even her +bridal presents, to sell or give away, as he saw fit—a statute +which still prevails in most of the States? What is that +representation worth when even now, in this State, no married +woman has the right to the use of her own property, and no woman, +even a widow, is the natural guardian of her own children? Even +in Connecticut, under man's representation, a widow whose husband +dies without a will is regarded by law as an encumbrance on the +estate which she, through years of drudgery, has helped to +acquire. She can inherit none of the houses or land, but has +merely the use of one-third, while the balance goes to his +relatives—rich, perhaps, and persons whom she never saw. Does +not this suggest reasons why woman should wish to represent +herself?</p> + +<p>It is said that women do not desire the ballot. This is by no +means certain. It can be ascertained only by taking a vote. It is +not proved by the fact that they have not yet generally clamored +for the right, nor by the fact that some protest against it. In +Persia, it is a law of society that virtuous women shall appear +in public with their faces covered, and instead of murmuring at +the restraint, they are universal in upholding it, and wonder at +the immodesty and effrontery of English women who appear upon the +streets unveiled. Custom hardens us to any kind of degradation. +When woman was not admitted to the dinner-table as an equal with +man, she undoubtedly thought the exclusion was perfectly proper, +and quite in the nature of things, and the dinner-table became +vile and obscene. When she was forbidden to enter the church, she +approved the arrangement, and the church became a scene of +hilarity and bacchanalian revel. When she was forbidden to take +part in literature, she thought it was not her sphere, and +disdained the alphabet, and the consequence was that literature +became unspeakably impure, so that no man can now read in public +some of the books that were written before woman brought chastity +and refinement into letters. The Asiatics are probably not in +favor of political liberty, or the American Indians in favor of +civilization; but that does not prove that these would be bad for +them, especially if thousands of the most enlightened did desire +and demand the change. It is assumed that women are not in favor +of this right; how can this be better ascertained than by +submitting to them the question to vote upon—"yes" or "no."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span></p> + +<p>If this legislature shall be averse to trusting woman to give her +opinion even on the question of her own enfranchisement, we +recommend that an amendment, striking the word "male" from the +State constitution, be submitted to the qualified electors of the +State. Can there be any possible danger in trusting those who +have trusted us? They, not we, are the law-makers. An assembly is +elected only because it would be inconvenient for all the +citizens to vote upon every statute. But when any change in the +fundamental law is seriously asked, it should be remitted to the +people without hesitation, especially when that proposed change +will render our logic consistent, and our institutions +harmonious; when it will enforce the democratic doctrine that, in +society, every human being has a right to do anything that does +not interfere with the rights of others, and when it will +establish equality in place of partiality, and vindicate the +principle of All Rights for All. We therefore recommend the +adoption of the following resolution: [Here follows a resolution +submitting to the people an amendment of the constitution giving +women the right to vote equally with men.] </p></blockquote> + +<p>The members of the committee who signed this early declaration in +favor of the rights of women should be remembered with honor. They +are Henry Ashley, William Steele and J. D. Gallup, jr. The +resolution recommended received 93 votes in the House of +Representatives, against 111 in opposition. So strong an expression +in favor of it at that time is a noteworthy fact in the history of +the cause.</p> + +<p>The petitions that called out this able report were secured through +the influence of Frances Ellen Burr, who may be said to have been +the pioneer of woman suffrage in Connecticut. She had made several +attempts, through conversations with influential friends, to +organize a State society many years before. From the inauguration +of the State association until the present time Miss Burr has been +one of its most efficient members, and has done more to popularize +the question of woman suffrage throughout the State than any other +person. Her accomplishments as a writer and speaker, as a reporter +and stenographer, as well as her connection with the <i>Hartford +Times</i> (a journal that has a very large circulation in the State), +edited by her brother, have qualified her for wide and efficient +influence. Her niece, Mrs. Ella Burr McManus, edits a column in +that paper, under the head of "Social Notes." She is also an +advocate of suffrage for women, and makes telling points, from week +to week, on this question. In issuing the first numbers of <i>The +Revolution</i>, the earliest words of good cheer came from Frances +Ellen Burr.<a name="FNanchor_159_159" id="FNanchor_159_159"></a><a href="#Footnote_159_159" class="fnanchor">[159]</a></p> + +<p>The general rebellion among women against the old conditions of +society and the popular opinions as to their nature and destiny, +has been organized in each State in this Union by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span> sudden +awakening of some self-reliant woman, in whose soul had long +slumbered new ideas as to her rights and duties, growing out of +personal experiences or the distant echoes of onward steps in other +localities. In Connecticut this woman was Isabella Beecher Hooker, +who had scarcely dared to think, and much less to give shape in +words, to the thoughts that, like unwelcome ghosts, had haunted her +hours of solitude from year to year. Elizabeth Barrett Browning +describes a hero as one who does what others do but say; who says +what others do but think; and thinks what others do but dream. The +successive steps by which Mrs. Hooker's dreams at last took shape +in thoughts, words and actions, and brought her to the woman +suffrage platform, are well told by herself:</p> + +<blockquote><p>My mind had long been disturbed with the tangled problem of +social life, but it involved so many momentous questions that I +could not see where to begin nor what to do. I could only protest +in my heart, and leave the whole matter for God<a name="FNanchor_160_160" id="FNanchor_160_160"></a><a href="#Footnote_160_160" class="fnanchor">[160]</a> to deal with +in his wisdom. Thus matters stood until the year 1861, when Anna +Dickinson, then a girl of nineteen, came to Hartford to speak in +behalf of the Republican party, particularly on its hostility to +the extension of slavery. I shall never forget the dismay—I know +not what else to call it—which I felt at the announcement of her +first speech in one of our public halls, lest harm should come to +the political cause that enlisted my sympathies, and anxiety +about the speaker, who would have to encounter so much adverse +criticism in our conservative and prejudiced city. It was +certainly a most startling occurrence, that here in my very home, +where there had been hardly a lisp in favor of the rights of +women, this girl should speak on political subjects, and that, +too, upon the invitation of the leaders of a great political +party. Here was a stride, not a mere step; and a stride almost to +final victory for the suppressed rights of women.</p> + +<p>My husband and I, full of anxiety and apprehension, but full, +too, of determination to stand by one who so bravely shook off +her trammels, went to hear this new Joan of Arc, and in a few +minutes after she began we found ourselves, with the rest of the +large audience, entranced by her eloquence. At the close of the +meeting we went with many others to be introduced and give her +the right hand of fellowship. She came home with us for the +night, and after the family retired she and I communed together, +heart to heart, as mother and daughter, and from this sweet, +grand soul, born to the freedom denied to all women except those +known as Quakers, I learned to trust as never before the +teachings of the inner light, and to know whence came to them the +recognition of equal rights with their brethren in the public +assembly.</p> + +<p>It was she who brought me to the knowledge of Mrs. John Stuart +Mill, and her remarkable paper on "The Enfranchisement of Women," +in <i>The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span> Westminster Review</i>. She told me, too, of Susan B. +Anthony, a fearless defender of true liberty and woman's right of +public speech; but I allowed an old and ignorant prejudice +against her and Mrs. Stanton to remain until the year 1864, when, +going South to nurse a young soldier who was wounded in the war, +I met Mrs. Caroline Severance from Boston, who was residing in +South Carolina, where her husband was in the service of the +government, who confirmed what Miss Dickinson had told me of Miss +Anthony, and unfolded to me the whole philosophy of the woman +suffrage movement.</p> + +<p>She afterwards invited me to her home near Boston, where I joined +Mr. Garrison and others in issuing a call for a convention, which +I attended, and aided in the formation of the New England Woman +Suffrage Association. At this meeting, which I will not attempt +to describe, I met Paulina Wright Davis, whose mere presence upon +the platform, with her beautiful white hair and her remarkable +dignity and elegance, was a most potent argument in favor of +woman's participation in public affairs. I sought an introduction +to her, and confessing my prejudice against Mrs. Stanton and Miss +Anthony, whom I had never yet seen, she urged me to meet them as +guests at her home in Providence; and a few weeks later, under +the grand old trees of her husband's almost ducal estate, we went +over the whole subject of man's supremacy and woman's subjection +that had lain so many years a burden upon my heart, and, sitting +at their feet, I said: "While I have been mourning in secret over +the degradation of woman, you have been working, through +opposition and obloquy, to raise her to self-respect and +self-protection through enfranchisement, knowing that with equal +political rights come equal social and industrial opportunities. +Henceforth, I will at least share your work and your obloquy."</p> + +<p>In September, 1869, just one year from that time, after spending +several weeks in correspondence with friends all over the State, +and making careful preliminary arrangements, I issued a call for +the first woman suffrage convention that was ever held in +Connecticut, at which a State society was formed. To my surprise +and satisfaction, the city press each day devoted several columns +to reports of our proceedings, and the enthusiasm manifested by +the large audiences was as unexpected as it was gratifying. The +speakers were worthy of the reception given them, and few +occasions have gathered upon one platform so notable an +assemblage of men and women.<a name="FNanchor_161_161" id="FNanchor_161_161"></a><a href="#Footnote_161_161" class="fnanchor">[161]</a> The resolutions which formed +the basis of the discussions were prepared and presented by Mr. +Hooker:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That there is no consideration whatever that makes +the right of suffrage valuable to men, or that makes it the duty +or the interest of the nation to concede it to men, that does not +make it valuable to women, and the duty and interest of the +nation to concede it to women.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the ballot will bring to woman a higher +education, larger industrial opportunities, a wider field for +thought and action, a sense of responsibility in her relations<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span> +to the public welfare, and, in place of mere complaisance and +flattery, the higher and truer respect of men.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That political affairs, involving nearly all those +questions that relate to the welfare of the nation and the +progress of society towards a perfect Christian civilization, +ought to interest deeply every intelligent mind and every +patriotic heart; and, while women love their country and the +cause of Christian progress no less than men, they ought to have +the same opportunity with men to exert a political power in their +behalf.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That in the alarming prevalence of public dishonesty +and private immorality, which the present forces on the side of +public and private virtue are proving wholly unable to control, +it is our firm conviction that women, educated to the +responsibilities of a participation with men in political rights, +would bring to the aid of virtuous men a new and powerful element +of good, which cannot be spared, and for which there can be no +substitute.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That in advocating the opening to woman of this +larger sphere, we do not undervalue her relations as a wife and +mother, than which none can be more worthy of a true woman's love +and pride; but it is only by a full development of her faculties +and a wide range for her thought that she can become the true +companion of an intelligent husband, and the wise and inspiring +educator of her children; while mere domestic life furnishes no +occupation to the great number of women who never marry, and a +very inadequate one to those who, at middle age, with large +experience and ripe wisdom, find their children grown up around +them and no longer needing their care.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That all laws which recognize a superior right in the +husband to the children whom the wife has borne, or a right on +the part of the husband to the property of the wife, beyond the +right given to her in his property, and all laws which hold that +husband and wife do not stand in all respects in the relation of +equals, ought to be abrogated, and the perfect equality of +husband and wife established.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That this equality of position and rights we believe +to have been intended by the Creator as the ultimate perfection +of the social state, when he said, "Let us make man in our image, +after our likeness, and let <span class="smcap">them</span> have dominion"; and to have been +a part of our Savior's plan for a perfect Christian society, in +which an Apostle says, "there is neither bond nor free, there is +neither male nor female." </p></blockquote> +</blockquote> + +<p>The <i>Hartford Courant</i>, in its description of the convention, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>After a speech by Mr. Garrison, the Hutchinsons sang some of the +religious songs of the Southern negroes with excellent taste, and +then, led by them, the whole audience united in the chorus; and +as the melody rose strong and clear a pathos fell upon the +assembly that brought tears to many eyes. The tableau upon the +stage was striking and memorable. There stood the family of +singers, with the same cheerful, hopeful courage in their +uplifted faces with which for twenty years they have sung of the +good time <i>almost</i> here, of every reform; there stood William +Lloyd Garrison, stern Puritan, inflexible apostle, his work +gloriously done in one reform, lending the weight of his +unwearied, solid intellect to that which he believes is the last +needed; there was Mrs. Paulina Wright Davis, a Roman matron in +figure, her noble head covered with clustering ringlets of white, +courageous after a quarter of a century of unsullied devotion, +though she had just confessed that sometimes she was almost +weary; there was Miss Anthony, unselfish, patient, wise and +practical; the graceful Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, the poet of the +movement; the tall and elegant Mrs. Celia Burleigh; the +benevolent Dr. Clemence Lozier; Mrs. Isabella B. Hooker, with +spiritual face and firm purpose, just taking her place in the +reform that has long had her heart and deep conviction, and many +others of fine presence and commanding beauty—matrons, with gray +hair and countenances illuminated with lives of charity; young +women, flushed with hope; and as the grand Christian song went +on, many a woman, leaning against a supporting pillar, gave way +to the tears that would come, tears of hope deferred, tears of +weary longings, tears of willing, patient devotion—e'en though +it be a cross that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span> raiseth me—and then the benediction, and the +assembly dispersed, touched, it may be, into a moment's sympathy. +* * *</p> + +<p>At the closing evening session the opera house was completely +filled by an audience whose attendance was a compliment. * * * +The chairman, Rev. N. J. Burton, said: "Has not this convention +been a success? I say, emphatically, it has. We have had the very +best of audiences at every session, and we have provided speakers +as good as the audience. We have not given you even one poor +speech. I thank the audience and the speakers, one and all. I +feel like thanking everybody, myself included, as chairman. In +Stewart's store in New York they told me 1,500 persons were +employed, all guided by one brain up-stairs, and that one brain +giving the store a national reputation. This convention has been +inspired and managed by one person—Mrs. Hooker of this city." +After speculating as to the possible oratorical power of Mrs. H., +had she received the advantages and enjoyed the practice of her +brother, who spoke the previous evening, he said: "But of course +Mrs. Hooker couldn't vote, nor be a member of the legislature, or +even a justice of the peace. Insufferable nonsense! If such women +don't vote before I die—well, like Gough's obstinate deacon, I +won't die till they do."</p> + +<p>On motion of Franklin Chamberlin, esq., the thanks of the +convention were tendered to Mrs. Hooker for her efforts. At her +request the chairman said that she was wholly surprised by this +reference to herself. She would only say, "Thank God for our +success," to which the chairman added, "Amen and Amen." He then +introduced Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, daughter of the late +Judge Cady of Albany, wife of the Hon. Henry B. Stanton of New +York, and editor of <i>The Revolution</i>. She is perhaps fifty, and +in general appearance much resembles Mrs. Davis. She is +apparently in robust health, dresses in black, with just enough +of white lace, and, with her gray hair loosely gathered, and her +strong, symmetrical and refined face and perfect self-possession, +is a noble-looking woman. Her address, or oration, was before +her, but she was not hampered by it. Her voice is clear, her +gesticulation simple, and her general manner not surpassed by +Wendell Phillips. Rough notes of an oration so finished can only +indicate the main drift of her thoughts. * * * The eloquent +peroration was heard in profound silence, followed by +enthusiastic applause. * * * The chairman read the constitution +and offered it for signatures, and the officers of the +Connecticut Woman Suffrage Association were chosen.<a name="FNanchor_162_162" id="FNanchor_162_162"></a><a href="#Footnote_162_162" class="fnanchor">[162]</a> </p></blockquote> + +<p>In <i>The Revolution</i> of November 11, 1869, Mrs. Stanton giving a +description of the convention, refers to the liberality of the +governor, Marshall Jewell, and the genial hospitalities of his +noble wife:<a name="FNanchor_163_163" id="FNanchor_163_163"></a><a href="#Footnote_163_163" class="fnanchor">[163]</a></p> + +<blockquote><p>In company with Mrs. Howe and Miss Anthony, we were entertained +at the governor's mansion, a fine brick building in the heart of +the town. It has a small pond on one side, and eight acres of +land, laid out in gardens, walks and lawns, with extensive +greenhouses and graperies. The house is spacious, elegantly and +tastefully furnished, with all the comforts and luxuries that +wealth can command. With a conservatory, library, pictures, +statuary, beautiful (strong-minded) wife and charming daughters, +the noble governor is in duty bound to remain the happy, genial, +handsome man he is to-day. Though the governor, owing to his +pressing executive duties, did not honor our convention with his +presence, we feel assured, in reading over his last able message, +that he feels a deep interest in the education and elevation of +women. In speaking of their school system, he calls attention to +the low wages of female teachers, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span> the injustice of excluding +girls from the scientific schools and polytechnic institutions in +the State. He says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I would especially call the attention of the legislature to the +importance of furnishing to women such educational facilities as +will better fit them for the industrial pursuits which the true +progress of the times is opening to them. </p></blockquote> + +<p>On the rights of married women, he says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>While our laws with regard to married women have been amended +from time to time for several years past, so as to secure to them +in a more ample manner their property, held before or acquired +after marriage, yet we are still considerably behind many of our +sister States, and even conservative England, in our legislation +on the subject. I would recommend to your favorable consideration +such an amendment of our laws as will secure to a married woman +all her property, with the full control of it during her married +life, and free from liability for any debts, except those +contracted by herself or for which she has voluntarily made +herself responsible, with the same right on the part of the +husband to an interest in her property, on his surviving her, +that she now has, or that it may be best to give her, in his. </p></blockquote> + +<p>On the subject of divorce the governor says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I recommend a revision of our laws with regard to divorce. +According to the report of the State librarian there were in the +State last year 4,734 marriages and 478 divorces. Discontented +people come here from other States, to take advantage of what is +called our liberal legislation, to obtain divorces which would be +denied them at home. As the sacredness of the marriage relation +lies at the foundation of civilized society, it should be +carefully guarded. Under our present laws the causes of divorce +are too numerous, and not sufficiently defined, and too wide a +discretion is given to the courts. I think the law of 1849 should +be modified, and so much of the statute as grants divorces for +"any such misconduct as permanently destroys the happiness of the +petitioner, and defeats the purposes of the marriage relation," +should be repealed. I would also suggest that the law provide +that no decree of divorce shall take effect till one year after +it is granted.</p> + +<p>In conversation with the governor on this point in his message he +stated the singular fact that the majority of the applications +for divorce were made by women. If this be so, we suggested that +the laws of Connecticut should stand as they are until the women +have the right of suffrage, that they may have a voice in a +social arrangement in which they have an equal interest with man +himself. If Connecticut, with its blue laws, disloyal Hartford +convention, and Democracy, has, nevertheless, been a Canada for +fugitive wives from the yoke of matrimony, pray keep that little +State, like an oasis in the desert, sacred to sad wives, at least +until the sixteenth amendment of the federal constitution shall +give the women of the republic the right to say whether they are +ready to make marriage, under all circumstances, for better or +worse, an indissoluble tie. We have grave doubts as to the +sacredness of a relation in which the subject-class has no voice +whatever in the laws that regulate it. We shall never know what +"laws lie at the foundation of all civilized society" until +woman's thought finds expression in the State, the church and the +home. It is presumption for man longer to legislate alone on this +vital question, when woman, too, should have a word to say in the +matter.</p> + +<p>The morning after the convention we had a pleasant breakfast +under Mr. and Mrs. Hooker's hospitable roof, where Boston and New +York amicably broke bread and discussed the fifteenth amendment +together. All the wise and witty sayings that passed around that +social board, time fails to chronicle. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1877 Governor Hubbard called the attention of the legislature to +the wrongs of married women, in the following words:</p> + +<blockquote><p>There has been for the last few years in this State much +slip-shod and fragmentary legislation in respect to the property +rights of married women. The old common law assumed the +subjugation of the wife, and stripped her of the better part of +her rights of person and nearly all her rights of property. It is +a matter of astonishment that Christian nations should have been +willing for eighteen centuries to hold the mothers of their race +in a condition of legal servitude. It has been the scandal of +jurisprudence.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span> Some progress has been made in reforming the law +in this State, but it has been done, as I have already said, by +patch-work and shreds, sometimes ill-considered, and often so +incongruous as to provoke vexatious litigation and defy the +wisdom of the courts. The property relations of husband and wife +do not to-day rest on any just or harmonious system. Not only has +the husband absolute disposal of all his own property freed from +all dower rights, but he is practically the owner during +coverture of all his wife's estate not specially limited to her +separate use; and after her death has, in every case, a life use +in all her personal, and in most cases in all her real property, +by a title which the wife, no matter what may have been his +ill-deserts, is powerless to impair or defeat; whereas, on the +other hand, the wife has during the husband's life no more power +of her own right to sell, convey, or manage her own estate than +if she were a lunatic or slave, and in case of his death has a +life use in only one-third part of the real estate of which he +dies possessed, and no indefeasible title whatever in any of his +personal estate. As a consequence, a husband may strip his wife, +by mere voluntary disposition to strangers, of all claim on his +estate after his death, and thus add beggary to widowhood.</p> + +<p>I am sure this cannot seem right to any fair-minded man. Neither +is it strange that some of our countrywomen, stung by the +injustice of the law towards their sex, should be demanding, as a +mode of redress, a part in the making of the laws which govern +them. I am confident there is manhood enough in our own sex to +right this obvious wrong to which I have alluded.</p> + +<p>I therefore recommend that the law on this subject be so recast +that, in all marriages hereafter contracted, the wife shall hold +her property and all her earnings for personal services not +rendered to her husband or minor children, as a sole and separate +estate, with absolute power of disposition in her own name, and +that the surviving wife shall have, by law, the same measure of +estate in the property of the deceased husband, as the surviving +husband shall be allowed to have in the property of his deceased +wife. This will reduce their property relations to a principle of +equality, and, in my judgment, is demanded by the most obvious +dictates of justice and equity. Those who are not satisfied with +this can make a different law for themselves by ante-nuptial +settlements.</p> + +<p>I am not unmindful that the husband alone is liable in the first +instance for the support of the family; but this is much more +than neutralized by the fact that, in most cases, the wife's +whole life is spent in the toilsome and unpaid service of the +household, and that the whole drift of her estate, in consequence +of her more unselfish and generous nature, is towards the +husband's pockets, in spite of all the guards of the law and +every consideration of prudence. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Calling attention to this stirring appeal, the <i>Hartford Times</i>, +Democratic, used the following language:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Another notable feature of the message is its outspoken and manly +call for a reformation in our laws concerning the property rights +of married women. Here as in other points it is a model message. +The governor's experience as a lawyer has brought him often face +to face with this disgraceful one-sidedness of our laws on this +subject, and in some terse sentences he shows up the injustice +more effectively than has ever been done in any of the so-called +women's rights conventions.<a name="FNanchor_164_164" id="FNanchor_164_164"></a><a href="#Footnote_164_164" class="fnanchor">[164]</a> </p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span></p> + +<p>The following editorial from the <i>Springfield Republican</i>, gives a +good digest of the new law passed upon Governor Hubbard's +recommendation:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Connecticut has taken a great leap forward in the reform of the +property relations of married persons. The law had been long +neglected in that State, the obvious right of a married woman to +property acquired before marriage, which is now secured in most +States by constitutional provision, having been there denied. In +Massachusetts, the modification of the former inequalities has +gone on by piecemeal, till it is said that in some respects the +woman is now the more favored party.</p> + +<p>The new Connecticut statute also puts the burden of the family +maintenance on the man, as under most circumstances the real +bread-winner. It simply lays down the principle of absolute +equality in the rights and privileges of the husband and wife, +with the above exception. In all marriages hereafter contracted, +neither husband nor wife shall acquire any right to or interest +in any property of the other, whether held before the marriage or +acquired after the marriage, except as provided in this law. The +separate earnings of the wife shall be her sole property. She +shall have the same right to make contracts with third persons as +if she were not married, and to convey her real and personal +estate. Her property is liable for her debts and not for his; his +is not liable for her debts, except those contracted for the +support of the family. Purchases made by either party shall be +presumed to be on the private account of the party, but both +shall be liable where any article purchased by either shall have +in fact gone to the support of the family, or for the joint +benefit of both, or for the reasonable apparel of the wife, or +for her reasonable support while abandoned by her husband. It +shall, however, be the duty of the husband to support his family, +and his property, when found, shall be first applied to satisfy +any such joint liability. The wife shall be entitled to indemnity +for any money of her own used to pay such claims. We have used +almost the precise language of the first and second sections of +the act.</p> + +<p>On the death of either, the survivor shall be entitled to the use +for life of one-third the estate of the deceased, which right +cannot be defeated by will. If the deceased leaves no children or +representatives of children, the survivor is entitled to one-half +instead of one-third. When either party gives a legacy to the +other, the latter may choose between its rights under the will, +and those under the statute. Abandonment without cause may defeat +this provision, and a marriage contract may supersede it +entirely.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span> Parties already married may contract to surrender +their present rights for those secured by this statute, such +contracts to be recorded in the probate court.</p> + +<p>Thus we have a new and clear statute framed in accordance with a +simple principle of reform, for which the <i>Republican</i> has long +done battle—the equality of married persons in their rights and +responsibilities of property. The adoption of the reform is due +deeply to the general agitation of the rights of women, the +efforts of Mrs. Isabella Beecher Hooker, the Smith girls' cows, +and perhaps some flagrant instance of injustice to rich wives by +tyrant husbands near the capital. But the great occasion and +immediate cause, without which this generation might have pleaded +for it in vain, was the perception of the justice of it by +Governor Hubbard, and his open advocacy of it in his message. +Lawyers have one answer for all reforms regarding property or +civil contracts—they are impossible. But here was undeniably the +best lawyer in the State who said, and threw the weight of his +first State paper on the proposition, that this thing was +possible, and, if he said it was possible, there was no man who +could gainsay it. The legislature took the reform on its own +sense of justice and on the assurance of Richard D. Hubbard, that +it would work. </p></blockquote> +</blockquote> + +<p>On June 6, 1870, at a second hearing<a name="FNanchor_165_165" id="FNanchor_165_165"></a><a href="#Footnote_165_165" class="fnanchor">[165]</a> before the Joint +Committee on Woman Suffrage, in the capitol at New Haven, Rev. +Phebe A. Hanaford of the Universalist church, Mrs. Benchley and +Mrs. Russell were the speakers. During that session of the +legislature Mrs. Hanaford acted as chaplain both in the Senate and +House of Representatives, and received a check for her services +which she valued chiefly as a recognition of woman's equality in +the clerical profession.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Hooker was ably sustained in her new position by her husband, +a prominent lawyer of the State. Being equally familiar with civil +and canon law, with Blackstone and the Bible, he was well equipped +to meet the opponents of the reform at every point. While Mrs. +Hooker held meetings in churches and school-houses through the +State, her husband in his leisure hours sent the daily press +articles on the subject. And thus their united efforts stirred the +people to thought and at last roused a Democratic governor of the +State to his duty on this question. From the many able tracts +issued and articles published in the journals we give a few +extracts. In answer to the common objections of "free love" and +"easy divorce," in the <i>Evening Post</i> of January 17, 1871, Mr. +Hooker said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The persons who advocate easy divorce would advocate it just as +strongly if there was no woman suffrage movement. The two have no +necessary connection. Indeed one of the strongest arguments in +favor of woman suffrage is, that the marriage relation will be +safer with women to vote and legislate upon it than where the +voting and legislation are left wholly to the men. Women will +always be wives and mothers, above all things else. This law of +nature cannot be changed, and I know of nobody<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span> who desires to +change it. The marriage relation will therefore always be more to +woman than to man, and we, who would give her the right to vote, +have no fear to trust to her the sanctity and purity of that +relation. It is the opponents of woman suffrage who distrust the +fidelity of woman to her divine instincts and dare not let her +vote. Our little State has been two hundred years under male +legislation, and yet a long memorial from hundreds of clergymen +and other Christian men went up to our legislature two years ago, +representing our legislation on divorce as demoralizing and as +fatal to the best interests of the marriage relation. It really +seems as if the incompetency for the management of public affairs +which by mere assumption is charged in advance upon women, has +been proved with regard to men by an actual experience of many +years. The true idea is for man and woman to share together the +responsibilities and duties of legislation, and until this is +done I have no hope for any real progress towards purity in the +administration of our public affairs. We who favor woman suffrage +speak confidently on this subject because the reform works so +well wherever it has been tried, in England, Sweden, Austria and +Wyoming Territory.</p> + +<p>No rational man can suppose for a moment that with woman suffrage +established in England and on the continent of Europe, we in this +country, which so specially stands on equal representation, are +going to refuse it. It must be set down as one of the certain +things of the future. And when it has come, and women vote, it +will excite no more attention or comment than the voting of our +colored people.</p> + +<p>Now if woman suffrage is to come, is it worth while to be making +the impression that the women of our country are not to be +trusted with it, and that the marriage relation is to be +imperiled by it? Above all, is it manly or just to be charging +corrupt motives on nine-tenths of those who advocate the reform? +The notoriety which to some extent its advocates must get is +almost universally painful to the women who are the subjects of +it. One noble woman, whose whole soul is in this cause, and the +purity of whose motives in this, as in everything else, I have +had good opportunity to learn, said to me, on reading Dr. +Bushnell's remark in his book on woman suffrage, that these women +were only trying to make themselves men: "Cruel, cruel words! If +so noble a man as Dr. Bushnell so utterly fails to comprehend a +woman's nature, shall not she be allowed to speak for herself, +and no testimony be taken but hers?"<a name="FNanchor_166_166" id="FNanchor_166_166"></a><a href="#Footnote_166_166" class="fnanchor">[166]</a> </p></blockquote> + +<p>Much might be said in regard to the most famous women of +Connecticut, the historic "Maids of Glastonbury," celebrated for +their resistance to taxation. After the death of Abby, July 23, +1878, Mrs. Elizabeth Oakes Smith, in a beautiful tribute to the +sisters, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Many years ago they took a stand akin to that of the illustrious +Hampden, which has made his name a synonym for patriotism as well +as just and manly opposition to unconstitutional revenue +exaction. "The tax may be a small matter for an English gentleman +to pay, but it is too much<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span> for a British freeman to pay," was +the ground of his noble resistance, and this view precipitated +that great Revolution which more than all other modern movements +consolidated and strengthened the rights of the British subject. +These two women deserve to stand upon a platform side by side +with the great Hampden. Other women have paid their taxes under +protest, but Abby and Julia Smith have done more than protest; +they have suffered loss as well as inconvenience, their property +having been seized and sold again and again because of their +honest conviction that taxation without representation was as +unjust to women as to men. Their steadfastness has been the more +remarkable because, by their social position, their learning and +their wealth, they might be supposed to be indifferent to the +ballot-box, as so many thus situated claim to be. Abby and her +sister were no ordinary women. The family originally consisted of +five sisters, all more or less accomplished. The father was a man +of learning, a graduate of Yale and a clergyman. The mother was +familiar with French and Italian, and no mean astronomer. Thus +parented, it is not surprising that the Glastonbury sisters were +of marked individualism as well as superior scholarship. They +were more or less acquainted with Hebrew, Greek and Latin, and +have made a translation of the Bible from these sources, giving +its original meaning.</p> + +<p>The maids of Glastonbury planted themselves upon the right of the +sex to suffrage, from purely philosophic and statesman-like +grounds. They had no other disabilities of which to complain—no +other grievance—no social ostracism, as is so often charged, and +most unjustly, against other advocates of the doctrine. They were +unmarried, studious, upright, simple-minded gentlewomen, and were +much esteemed and honored in the community in which they lived. +They occupied the old homestead, doing their own work, their +interests well cared for in the person of Mr. Kellogg, an +intelligent tenant of theirs, as well as friend and neighbor.</p> + +<p><i>The Hartford Post</i>, in a tender mention of the life and death of +Abby, with a brief sketch of the family, thus bears honorable +testimony to her worthiness:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In the death of Miss Smith the cause of woman suffrage has met +with a severe loss, as her firm resistance to what she believed +to be the unjust treatment of women greatly encouraged her +companions in the contest; her sister has lost her chief support, +and the community in which she lived a faithful friend and a +worthy exponent of the virtues of truthfulness, firmness, and +adherence to the right as she understood it. </p></blockquote> + +<p><i>The Hartford Times</i> said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>A notable woman who died last week was Miss Abigail H. Smith, of +Glastonbury, Conn., one of the two sisters who resisted the +collection of their taxes on the ground that they had no voice in +the levy. It will be remembered that their cows were seized and +some of their personal property sold two years ago. Of course +there were friends who were willing and anxious to pay the taxes, +but the plucky old ladies were fighting for a principle, and they +would allow no one to stand in the way. The notoriety, which they +neither sought nor avoided, undoubtedly did a great deal to call +public attention to the anomalous condition of woman under the +law. It would be very hard for any man to argue successfully that +he possessed any stronger natural claim to the suffrage than was +possessed by these shrewd, honest, energetic old ladies. </p></blockquote> +</blockquote> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span></p> + +<p>Many encouraging letters were written the sisters during their many +trials, of which the following is a fair specimen:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date">Near <span class="smcap">Boston</span>, January 14, 1874.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Madam</span>: The account of your hardships is interesting, and +your action will be highly beneficial in bringing the subject to +public notice, and in leading to the correction of a great +injustice. The taxation of the property of women, without +allowing them any representation, even in town affairs, is so +unfair that it seems only necessary to bring it to public view to +make it odious and to bring about a change. Therefore you deserve +the greater honor, not only because you have suffered in a good +cause, but because you have set an example that will be followed, +and that will lead to happy results.</p> + +<p>Your case has its parallel in every township of New England. In +the town where this is written a widow pays into the treasury +$7,830 a year, while 600 men, a number equal to half the whole +number of voters, pay $1,200 in all. Another lady pays $5,042. +Yet neither has a single vote, not even by proxy. That is, each +one of 600 men who have no property, who pay only a poll-tax, and +many of whom cannot read or write, has the power of voting away +the property of the town, while the female <i>owners</i> have no power +at all. We have lately spent a day in celebrating the heroism of +those who threw overboard the tea; but how trifling was the +tea-tax, and how small the injustice to individuals compared with +this one of our day! The principle, however, was the same—that +there should be no taxation where there is no representation. And +this is what we ought to stand by. Please to accept the sympathy +and respect of one of your fellow citizens. No doubt you will +have the same from all in due time; or, at any rate, from all who +love to see fair play.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Amos A. Lawrence</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Very truly yours,</p> +<p class="ltr-to"><i>Miss Abby H. Smith, Glastonbury, Conn.</i></p> +</blockquote> + + +<p>A marked evidence of the advance of public sentiment was manifested +by a decision of the Supreme Court in 1882, by which the women of +Connecticut were held to have the right to practice law. The +opinion of Chief-Justice Park concerning the legality of the +admission of Miss Mary Hall of Hartford to the bar, giving her the +right to practice in the courts of the State, is as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>This is an application by a woman for admission to the bar of +Hartford county. After having completed the prescribed term of +study she has passed the examination required and has been +recommended by the bar of the county to the Superior Court for +admission, subject to the opinion of the court upon the question +whether, as a woman, she can legally be admitted. The Superior +Court has reserved the case for our advice.</p> + +<p>The statute with regard to the admission of attorneys by the +court is the 29th section of chapter 3, title 4, of the General +Statutes, and is in the following words: "The Superior Court may +admit and cause to be sworn as attorneys such persons as are +qualified therefor agreeably to the rules established by the +judges of said court; and no other person than an attorney so +admitted shall plead at the bar of any court of this State, +except in his own cause."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span></p> + +<p>It is not contended, in opposition to the application, that the +language of this statute is not comprehensive enough to include +women, but the claim is that at the time it was passed its +application to women was not thought of, while the fact that +women have never been admitted as attorneys, either by the +English courts or by any of the courts of this country, had +established a common-law disability, which could be removed only +by a statute intended to have that effect.</p> + +<p>It is hardly necessary to consider how far the fact that women +have never pursued a particular profession or occupied a +particular official position, to the pursuit or occupancy of +which some governmental license or authority was necessary, +constitutes a common-law disability for receiving such license or +authority, because here the statute is ample for removing that +disability if we can construe it as applying to women; so that we +come back to the question whether we are by construction to limit +the application of the statute to men alone, by reason of the +fact that in its original enactment its application to women was +not intended by the legislators that enacted it. And upon this +point we remark, in the first place, that an inquiry of this sort +involves very serious difficulties. No one would doubt that a +statute passed at this time in the same words would be sufficient +to authorize the admission of women to the bar, because it is now +a common fact and presumably in the minds of legislators, that +women in different parts of the country are, and for some time +have been, following the profession of law. But if we hold that +the construction of the statute is to be determined by the +admitted fact that its application to women was not in the minds +of the legislators when it was passed, where shall we draw the +line? All progress in social matters is gradual. We pass almost +imperceptibly from a state of public opinion that utterly +condemns some course of action to one that strongly approves it. +At what point, in the history of this change, shall we regard a +statute, the construction of which is to be affected by it, as +passed in contemplation of it? When the statute we are now +considering was passed, it probably never entered the mind of a +single member of the legislature that black men would ever be +seeking for admission under it. Shall we now hold that it cannot +apply to black men? We know of no distinction in respect to this +rule between the case of a statute and that of a constitutional +provision. When our State constitution was adopted in 1818 it was +provided in it that every elector should be "eligible to any +office in the State," except where otherwise provided in the +constitution. It is clear that the convention that framed, and +probably all the people who voted to adopt the constitution, had +no idea that black men would ever be electors, and contemplated +only white men as within any possible application of the +provision, for the same constitution provided that only white men +should be electors. But now that black men are made electors, +will it do to say that they are not entitled to the full rights +of electors in respect to holding office, because an application +of the provision to them was never thought of when it was +adopted? Events that gave rise to enactments may always be +considered in construing them. This is little more than the +familiar rule that in construing a statute we always inquire what +particular mischief it was designed to remedy. Thus, the Supreme +Court of the United States has held that in construing the recent +amendments of the federal constitution, although they are general +in their terms, it is to be considered that they were passed with +reference to the exigencies growing out of the emancipation of +the slaves, and for the purpose of benefiting the blacks +(<i>Slaughter-house Cases, 16 Wall., 67</i>; <i>Strauder vs. West +Virginia, 100 U. S. Reps., 306</i>). But this statute was not passed +for the purpose of benefiting men as distinguished from women. It +grew out of no exigency caused by the relation of the sexes. Its +object was wholly to secure the orderly trial of causes and the +better administration of justice. Indeed, the preamble to the +first statute providing for the admission of attorneys, states +its object to be "for the well-ordering of proceedings and pleas +at the bar."</p> + +<p>The statute on this subject was not originally passed in its +present form. The first act with regard to the admission of +attorneys was that of 1708, which was as follows: "That no +person, except in his own cause, shall be admitted to make any +plea at the bar without being first approved by the court before +whom the plea is to be made, nor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span> until he shall take in the said +court the following oath," etc. (Col. Records, 1706 to 1716, page +48). This act seems to have contemplated an approval by the court +in each particular case in which an attorney appeared before it. +The first act with regard to the general admission of attorneys +appears in the revision of 1750, and is as follows: "That the +county courts of the respective counties in this colony shall +appoint, and they are hereby empowered to approve, nominate and +appoint attorneys in their respective counties, as there shall be +occasion, to plead at the bar; * * and that no person, except in +his own case, shall make any plea at the bar in any court but +such as are allowed and qualified attorneys, as aforesaid." Thus +the statute stood until the revision of 1821; when, for the first +time, it took essentially its present form. Up to this time the +word "person" had been used in this statute only in the clause +that "no person" should be allowed to practice before the courts +except where formally admitted by the court, a use of the word +which, of course, could not be regarded as limited to the male +sex, as women would undoubtedly have been held to be included in +the term. The language of the statute as now adopted was as +follows: "The county courts may make such rules and regulations +as to them shall seem proper relative to the admission and +practice of attorneys; and may approve of, admit and cause to be +sworn as attorneys, such persons as are qualified therefor +agreeably to the rules established; * * and no person not thus +admitted, except in his own cause, shall be admitted or allowed +to plead at the bar of any court." The statute in this form +passed through the compilations of 1835 and 1838, the revision of +1849 and the compilation of 1854, and appears, with a slight +modification, in the revision of 1866. The county courts had now +been abolished, and the power to admit attorneys, as well as to +make rules on the subject, had been given to the Superior Court; +the expression, "such persons," being preserved, and the +provision that "no person" not thus admitted should be allowed to +plead, being omitted.</p> + +<p>The statute finally took its present form in the revision of +1875. It retains the provision that the Superior Court may make +rules for the admission of attorneys, and provides that the court +"may admit and cause to be sworn as attorneys such persons as are +qualified therefor agreeably to the rules established," and +restores the provision, dropt in the revision of 1866, that "no +person other than an attorney so admitted shall plead at the bar +of any court in this State, except in his own cause."</p> + +<p>These changes, though not such as to affect the meaning of the +statute at any point of importance to the present question, are +yet not wholly without importance. The adoption by the +legislature of the revision of the statutes becomes, both in law +and in fact, a reënactment of the whole body of statutes; and +though in determining the meaning of a statute, we are not to +regard it as then enacted for the first time, especially if there +be no change in its phraseology, yet, where there is such a +change, it follows that the attention of the revisers had been +particularly directed to that statute, as of course also that of +the legislature, and that with the changes made it expresses the +present intent of both. Thus, in this case, it is clear that the +revisers gave particular thought to the phraseology of the +statute we are considering, and put it in a form that seemed to +them best with reference to the present state of things, and +decided to leave the words "such persons" to stand with full +knowledge that they were sufficient to include women, and that +women were already following the profession of law in different +parts of the country. The legislators must be presumed to have +acted with the same consideration and knowledge. It would have +been perfectly easy, if either had thought best, to insert some +words of limitation or exclusion, but it was not done. Not only +so, but a clause omitted in the revision of 1866 was restored, +providing that no "person" not regularly admitted should act as +an attorney—a term which necessarily included women, and the +insertion of which made it necessary, if the word "persons" as +used in the first part of the statute should be held not to +include women, to give two entirely different meanings to the +same word where occurring twice in the same statute and with +regard to the same subject matter.</p> + +<p>The object of a revision of statutes is, that there may be such +changes made in them as the changes in political and social +matters may demand, and where no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span> changes are made it is to be +presumed that the legislature is satisfied with it in its present +form. And where some changes are made in a particular statute, +and other parts of it are left unchanged, there is the more +reason for the inference from this evidence that the matter of +changing the statute was especially considered, that the parts +unchanged express the legislative will of to-day, rather than +that of perhaps a hundred years ago, when it was originally +enacted.</p> + +<p>But this statute, in the revision of 1875, is placed immediately +after another with regard to the appointment of commissioners of +the Superior Court, the necessary construction of which, we +think, throws light upon the construction of the statute in +question. That act was passed in 1855, after women had begun, +with general acceptance, to occupy a greatly enlarged field of +industry and some professional and even public positions; and it +has been held by the Superior Court, very properly we think, as +applying to women, a woman having three years ago been appointed +commissioner under it. Its language is as follows: "The Superior +Court in any county may appoint any number of persons in such +county to be commissioners of the Superior Court, who, when +sworn, may sign writs and subpoenas, take recognizances, +administer oaths and take depositions and the acknowledgement of +deeds, and shall hold office for two years from their +appointment." Here the very language is used which is used in the +statute with regard to attorneys. In one it is, "any number of +persons," in the other, "such persons as are qualified." These +two statutes are placed in immediate juxtaposition in the +revision of 1875 and deal with kindred subjects, and it is +reasonable to presume that the revisers and legislature intended +both to receive the same construction. It would seem strange to +any common-sense observer that an entirely different meaning +should be given to the same word in the two statutes, especially +when in giving the narrower meaning to the word in the statute +with regard to attorneys, we are compelled to give it a different +meaning from that which the same word requires in the next line +of the same statute.</p> + +<p>We are not to forget that all statutes are to be construed, as +far as possible, in favor of equality of rights. All restrictions +upon human liberty, all claims for special privileges, are to be +regarded as having the presumption of law against them, and as +standing upon their defense, and can be sustained if at all by +valid legislation, only by the clear expression or clear +implication of the law.</p> + +<p>We have some noteworthy illustrations of the recognition of women +as eligible or appointable to office under statutes of which the +language is merely general. Thus, women are appointed in all +parts of the country as postmasters. The act of congress of 1825 +was the first one conferring upon the postmaster-general the +power of appointing postmasters, and it has remained essentially +unchanged to the present time. The language of the act is, that +"the postmaster-general shall establish post-offices and appoint +postmasters." Here women are not included, except in the general +term "postmasters," a term which seems to imply a male person; +and no legislation from 1825 down to the present time authorizes +the appointment of women, nor is there any reference in terms to +women until the revision of 1874, which recognizes the fact that +women had already been appointed, in providing that "the bond of +any married woman who may be appointed postmaster shall be +binding on her and her sureties." Some of the higher grades of +postmasters are appointed by the president, subject to +confirmation by the Senate, and such appointments and +confirmations have repeatedly been made. The same may be said of +pension agents. The acts of congress on the subject have simply +authorized "the President, by and with the advice and consent of +the Senate, to appoint all pension agents, who shall hold their +offices for the term of four years, and shall give bond," etc. At +the last session of congress a married woman in Chicago was +appointed for a third term pension agent for the State of +Illinois, and the public papers stated that there was not a +single vote against her confirmation in the Senate. Public +opinion is everywhere approving of such appointments. They +promote the public interest, which is benefitted by every +legitimate use of individual ability, while mere justice, which +is of interest to all, requires that all have the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span> fullest +opportunity for the exercise of their abilities. These cases are +the more noteworthy as being cases of public offices, to which +the incumbent is appointed for a term of years, upon a +compensation provided by law, and in which he is required to give +bond. If an attorney is to be regarded as an officer, it is in a +lower sense.</p> + +<p>We have had pressed upon us by the counsel opposed to the +applicant, the decisions of the courts of Massachusetts, +Wisconsin and Illinois, and the United States Court of Claims, +adverse to such an application. While not prepared to accede to +all the general views expressed in those decisions, we do not +think it necessary to go into a discussion of them, as we regard +our statute, in view of all the considerations affecting its +construction, as too clear to admit of any reasonable question as +to the interpretation and effect which we ought to give it.</p> + +<p>In this opinion Carpenter and Loomis, Js., concurred; Pardee, J., +dissented. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1884, the State society held a spirited and successful +convention.<a name="FNanchor_167_167" id="FNanchor_167_167"></a><a href="#Footnote_167_167" class="fnanchor">[167]</a> Julia Smith gave an extemporaneous talk to the +great delight of the audience, who applauded continually; Mrs. +Crane, a fine elocutionist, gave a reading from Carlyle; Mrs. +Hooker closed with a brief résumé of the work the society had +accomplished.</p> + +<p>We are also indebted to Frances Ellen Burr for many facts, as the +following letter will show:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Hartford</span>, September 17, 1885.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Miss Anthony</span>: I have received your letter of inquiry. As +to that petition in 1867, I was one of the signers, and, probably +had something to do with getting the other signatures, though I +have nothing but my memory to depend on as to that; but I was +pretty much alone here in those days, on the woman suffrage +question. Who the other signers were I made an attempt to find +out in the secretary of state's office the other day, but found +that it would take days, instead of the few hours I had at my +command. I find in my journal a reference to Lucy Stone and Mr. +Blackwell addressing the committee in the House of +Representatives, and that was the committee that made the report +afterwards published in <i>The Revolution</i>. Mr. Croffut made the +opening address on the day of the hearing. He was always ready to +aid us in whatever way he could, and I felt grateful to him, for +a helping hand was doubly appreciated in those days. I find by +the journal of the House for that year that the vote on the +question was 93 yeas to 111 nays. The name of Miss Susie +Hutchinson heads one petition, with 70 others. How many other +petitions there were that year I do not know, but I believe there +have been several every year since, besides a number of +individual petitions. Since that time the House has voted +favorably on the question twice, at least, but I believe we have +never had a majority in the Senate.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span></p> + +<p>You ask when I first wrote or spoke for the ballot. My first +venture in that line was in 1853. I was then at the age of +twenty-two, living with my sister in Cleveland, O., and had never +given any attention to the subject of woman suffrage, and cared +nothing about it any further than the spirit of rebellion—born +with me—against everything unjust, might be said to have made me +a radical by nature. In the fall of that year a woman's rights +convention met in Cleveland, and I attended it alone, none of the +rest of the family caring to go. In my old journal I find this +entry:</p> + +<blockquote><p>October 7, 1853. Attended a woman's rights convention which has +met here. Never saw anything of the kind before. A Mr. Barker +spent most of the morning trying to prove that woman's rights and +the Bible cannot agree. The Rev. Antoinette L. Brown replied in +the afternoon in defense of the Bible. She says the Bible favors +woman's rights. Miss Brown is the best-looking woman in the +convention. They appear to have a number of original and pleasing +characters upon their platform, among them Miss Lucy Stone—hair +short and rolled under like a man's; a tight-fitting velvet waist +and linen collar at the throat; bombazine skirt just reaching the +knees, and trousers of the same. She is independent in manner and +advocates woman's rights in the strongest terms:—scorns the idea +of woman <i>asking</i> rights of man, but says she must boldly assert +her own rights, and <i>take</i> them in her own strength. Mrs. +Ernestine L. Rose, a Polish lady with black eyes and curls, and +rosy cheeks, manifests the independent spirit also. She is +graceful and witty, and is ready with sharp replies on all +occasions. Mrs. Lucretia Mott, a Philadelphia Quaker, is meek in +dress but not in spirit. She gets up and hammers away at woman's +rights, politics and the Bible, with much vigor, then quietly +resumes her knitting, to which she industriously applies herself +when not speaking to the audience. She wears the plain Quaker +dress and close-fitting white cap. Mrs. Frances D. Gage, the +president, is a woman of sound sense and a good writer of prose +and poetry. Mrs. Caroline Severance has an easy, pleasing way of +speaking. Mr. Charles Burleigh, a Quaker, appears to be an +original character. He has long hair, parted in the middle like a +woman's, and hanging down his back. He and Miss Stone seem to +reverse the usual order of things. </p></blockquote> + +<p>My first speech in public, I find by my old journal—which serves +me better than I thought it would—was given in Music Hall in this +city in November, 1870. This meeting was held under the auspices of +the State association, and was presided over by the Rev. Olympia +Brown. I find that in the winter of 1871 I made addresses in +various parts of the State. The journal also tells of a good deal +of trotting about to get signatures to petitions, for I had more +time to do that thing then than I have now.</p> + +<p>The first woman suffrage meeting ever held in Hartford, and the +first, probably, in Connecticut, was the one you and Mrs. Stanton +held in Allyn Hall in December, 1867. Our State Suffrage +Association was organized in October, 1869. The signers<a name="FNanchor_168_168" id="FNanchor_168_168"></a><a href="#Footnote_168_168" class="fnanchor">[168]</a> to the +call for that convention were quite influential persons.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span></p> + +<p>In my hunt through the journals of the two legislative houses I +found in the House journal for 1878 that Mr. Pratt of Meriden had +presented the petition of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac C. Lewis. Mr. Clark of +Enfield, presented the petition of Lucy A. Allen; Mr. Gallagher of +New Haven presented several petitions that year, one of them being +headed by Mr. Henry A. Stillman of Wethersfield, followed by 532 +names, and another by Mrs. D. F. Connor, M. D. Mr. Broadhead of +Glastonbury presented the petition of the Smith sisters. This +unique petition Miss Mary Hall, who was with me in the secretary's +office, chanced to light upon, and she copied it. It is a document +well worth handing down on the page of history, and runs as +follows:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hang"><i>The Petition of Julia E. Smith and Abby H. Smith, of +Glastonbury, to the Senate of the State of Connecticut:</i></p> + +<p>This is the first time we have petitioned your honorable body, +having twice come before the House of Assembly, which the last +time gave a majority that we should vote in town affairs; but it +was negatived in the Senate.</p> + +<p>We now pray the highest court in our native State that we may be +relieved from the stigma of birth. For forty years since the +death of our father have we suffered intensely for being born +women. We cannot even stand up for the principles of our +forefathers (who fought and bled for them) without having our +property seized and sold at the sign-post, which we have suffered +four times; and have also seen eleven acres of our meadow-land +sold to an ugly neighbor for a tax of fifty dollars—land worth +more than $2,000. And a threat is given out that our house shall +be ransacked and despoiled of articles most dear to us, the work +of lamented members of our family who have gone before us, and +all this is done without the least excuse of right or justice. We +are told that it is the law of the land made by the legislature +and done to us, two defenceless women, who have never broken +these laws, made by not half the citizens of this State. And it +was said in our Declaration of Independence that "Governments +derive their just powers from the consent of the governed."</p> + +<p>For being born women we are obliged to help support those who +have earned nothing, and who, by gambling, drinking, and the +like, have come to poverty, and these same can vote away what we +have earned with our own hands. And when men meet to take off the +dollar poll-tax, the bill for the dinner comes in for the women +to pay. Neither have we husband, or brother, or son, or even +nephew, or cousin, to help us. All men will acknowledge that it +is as wrong to take a woman's property without her consent as to +take a man's without his consent; and such wrong we suffer wholly +for being born women, which we are in no wise to blame for. To be +sure, for our consolation, we are upheld by the learned, the wise +and the good, from all parts of the country, having received +communications from thirty-two of our States, as well as from +over the seas, that we are in the right, and from many of the +best men in our own State. But they have no power to help us. We +therefore now pray your honorable body, who have power, with the +House of Assembly, to relieve us of this stigma of birth, and +grant that we may have the same privileges before the law as +though we were born men. And this, as in duty bound, we will ever +pray.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF40"><span class="smcap">Julia</span> and <span class="smcap">Abby Smith</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left0"><i>Glastonbury, Conn., January 29, 1878.</i></p> +</blockquote> + +<p class="ltr-clear">The story of the Smith sisters, from 1873 and on, will be handed +down as one of the most original and unique chapters in the history +of woman suffrage. Abby Smith, with my friend Mrs. Buckingham, +attended with me the first meeting of the Woman's Congress, in New +York, in October, 1873. While there, she said she should, on her +return, address her town's people on woman suffrage and taxation, +as they had not been treated fairly in the matter of their taxes. +She did so on the fifth of November,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span> addressing the Glastonbury +town meeting in the little red-brick town-house of that place—a +building that will always hereafter be connected with the names of +Abby and Julia Smith. Several years after, wishing to address them +again, she was refused entrance there, so she and Julia addressed +the people from an ox-cart that stood in front. This was after +their continued warfare against "taxation without representation" +had aroused the opposition of their townsmen, but that first speech +in 1873 was the beginning of their fame. Abby sent it to me for +publication in the <i>Times</i> of this city, but the editor not having +room for it sent it to the <i>Courant</i>, which gave it a place in its +columns, thus (unwittingly) setting a ball in motion that ran all +round the country, and even over the ocean. The simplicity and +uniqueness of the story of "Abby Smith and her cows," gave a boom +to the cause of woman suffrage as welcome as it was unexpected. The +Glastonbury mails were more heavily laden than ever before in the +history of this hitherto unknown town, for letters came pouring in +from all quarters to the sisters. The fame did not rest entirely on +Abby and her cows; Julia and her Bible came in for an important +share, and the newspaper articles in regard to them were a +remarkable blending of cows and Biblical lore, dairy products and +Greek and Hebrew. Many of the articles were wide of the facts, +being written with a view to make a bright and readable column. For +instance, a Chicago paper got up a highly colored article in which +it said that Abby Smith's mother—Hannah Hickok—was such an +intense student that her father had a glass cage made for her to +study in. The only vestage of truth in this story was that, lacking +our modern facilities for heating, Mr. Hickok had an extra amount +of glass put into the south side of his daughter's room that the +sun might give it a little more heat in cold weather. Hannah Hickok +seems to have had a mental equipment much above that of the average +woman of that day; she had a taste for literature, and was +something of a linguist, and wrote, moreover, at different times, +quite an amount of readable verse. She had a taste for mathematics, +and also for astronomy, and made for her own use an almanac, for +these were not so plenty then as now; she could, on awakening, tell +any hour of the night by the position of the stars. Evidently +Hannah Hickok Smith was not an ordinary woman; and it is quite as +evident that her daughters were equally original, though in a +different direction. Women who have translated the Bible are not to +be met with every day—nor men either, for that matter, but Julia +Smith not only did this, but translated it five times,—twice from +the Hebrew, twice from the Greek, and once from the Latin; and +thirty years later, or after the age of eighty, published the +translation; and then, to crown the list of marvels, married at the +age of eighty-five.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 385px;"> +<a name="v3_337" id="v3_337"> +<img src="images/v3_337.jpg" width="385" height="500" alt="Phebe A. Hanaford" title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p>One point more, and the one nearest my heart. You ask me about my +"dear friend Mrs. Buckingham." I can give no details of her +suffrage work, but her heart was in it, and her name should be +handed down in your History. She was at one time chairman of the +executive committee of our State association, and she would, if she +had thought it necessary, have spent of her little income to the +last cent to help along the cause. She made public addresses and +wrote many suffrage articles and letters that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span> were published in +different papers, but she made no noise about it; her work was all +done with her own characteristic gentleness. Generous to a fault, +winning and beautiful as the flowers she scattered on the pathway +of her friends, she passed on her way; and one memorable Easter +morning she left us so gently that none knew when the sleep of life +passed into the sleep of death; we only knew that the glorious +light of her eyes—a light like that which "never shone on sea or +land"—had gone out forever.</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"She died in beauty like the dew<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Of flowers dissolved away;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She died in beauty like a star<br /></span> +<span class="i1">Lost on the brow of day."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>The Hartford Equal Rights Club<a name="FNanchor_169_169" id="FNanchor_169_169"></a><a href="#Footnote_169_169" class="fnanchor">[169]</a> was organized in March, 1885, +and holds semi-monthly meetings. Its membership is not large, but +what it lacks in numbers it makes up in earnestness. Its +proceedings are reported pretty fully and published in the +<i>Hartford Times</i>, which has a large circulation, thus gaining an +audience of many thousands and making its proceedings much more +important than they would otherwise be. It is managed as simply as +possible, and is not encumbered with a long list of officers. There +are simply a president, Mrs. Emily P. Collins;<a name="FNanchor_170_170" id="FNanchor_170_170"></a><a href="#Footnote_170_170" class="fnanchor">[170]</a> a +vice-president, Miss Mary Hall; and a secretary, Frances Ellen +Burr, who is also the treasurer. Debate is free to all, the +platform being perfectly independent, as far as a platform can be +independent within the limits of reason. Essays are read and +debated, and many interesting off-hand speeches are made. It is an +entirely separate organization from the Connecticut State Suffrage +Association, founded in 1869. But its membership is not confined to +the city; it invites people throughout the State, or in other +States, to become members—people of all classes and of all +beliefs. Opponents of woman suffrage are always welcome, for these +furnish the spice of debate. Among the topics discussed has been +that of woman and the church, and upon this subject Mrs. Stanton +has written the club several letters.</p> + +<p>Last spring (1885) a number of the members of the club were given +hearings before the Committee on Woman Suffrage in the legislature +in reference to a bill then under consideration, which was +exceedingly limited in its provisions. The House of Representatives +improved it and then passed it, but it was afterwards defeated in +the Senate. Some of the meetings of the club have been held in +Hartford's handsome capitol, a room having been allowed for its +use, and a number of members of the House of Representatives have +taken part in the discussions. Mrs. Collins, president of the club, +is always to be depended upon for good work, and Miss Hall, its +vice-president, is active and efficient. She is in herself an +illustration of what women can become if they only have sufficient +confidence and force of will. She is a practicing lawyer, and a +successful one. </p></blockquote> + + +<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 life of William Lloyd Garrison, Vol. 1.: The +Century Company, New York.</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> She was soon followed by Mrs. Middlebrook and Mrs. +Lucy R. Elms, with warm benedictions. The latter called some +meetings in her neighborhood in the autumn of 1868, and entertained +us most hospitably at her beautiful home.</p></div> + +<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> Those who leave the tangled problem of life to God +for solution find, sooner or later, that God leaves it to them to +settle in their own way.—[E. C. S.</p></div> + +<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> Among them were Paulina Wright Davis, Dr. Clemence +Lozier, Mary A. Livermore, Julia Ward Howe, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, +Susan B. Anthony, Celia Burleigh, Caroline M. Severance, Rev. +Olympia Brown, Frances Ellen Burr, Charlotte B. Wilbour, William +Lloyd Garrison, Henry Ward Beecher, Nathaniel I. Burton, John +Hooker, the Hutchinsons, with Sister Abby and her husband, Ludlow +Patton.</p></div> + +<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> <i>President</i>, Rev. N. J. Burton, Hartford. +<i>Vice-presidents</i>, Brigadier-general B. S. Roberts, U. S. A., New +Haven; Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe, Hartford; Rev. Dr. Joseph +Cummings, Middletown; Rev. William L. Gage, Hartford; Rev. Olympia +Brown, Bridgeport. <i>Secretary</i>, Miss Frances Ellen Burr. <i>Executive +Committee</i>, Mrs. Isabella B. Hooker, Mrs. Lucy Elmes, Derby; Mrs. +J. G. Parsons and Miss Emily Manning, M. D., Hartford. <i>Treasurer</i>, +John Hooker.</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> On her departure for St. Petersburg, where her +husband was minister plenipotentiary, Mrs. Jewell left a check of +$200 for the State society. She was an honored officer of the +National Suffrage Association until the time of her death, in +1883.</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> Mrs. Hooker writes us that the act passed upon +Governor Hubbard's recommendation was prepared at his request by +Mr. Hooker, and was essentially the same that had been +unsuccessfully urged by him upon the legislature eight years +before. She then goes on to say: "What part our society had in our +bringing about so beneficent a change in legislation, cannot be +better set forth than in two private letters from Samuel Bowles of +the <i>Springfield Republican</i>, and Governor Hubbard. While these +gentlemen were friends of Mr. Hooker and myself, yet, as +politically opposed to each other, their united testimony is +exceedingly valuable, and since they have both passed on to a world +of more perfect adjustments, I feel that nothing would give them +greater satisfaction than to be put upon record here as among the +earliest defenders of the rights of women. +</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"> +"<span class="smcap">Springfield</span>, Mass., March 28, 1877.</p> +<p> +"<span class="smcap">My Dear Mrs. Hooker</span>:—I return your letters and paper as you +desired. It is an interesting story, and a most gratifying +movement forward. I am more happy over the bill passed, than I am +sorry over the bill that failed. We shall move fast enough. The +first great step is this successful measure in Connecticut—the +establishment in practice of the principle of equal, mutual, +legal rights, and equal, mutual, legal responsibilities, for +which I have been preaching and praying these twenty years. We +owe the success this year, <i>first</i> to the right of the matter; +<i>second</i>, to the agitation of the whole question which has +disseminated the perception of that right; <i>third</i>, to you and +your husband in particular; and <i>fourth</i>, to the fact that you +had in Connecticut this year a governor who was recognized as the +leading lawyer of the State, a genuine natural conservative who +yet said the measure was right and ought to go. It is this last +element that has given Connecticut its chief leadership. It is a +bigger thing than it seems at first to have an eminent +conservative lawyer on the side of such legislative reform. I +hate very much to take your husband's side against you, and yet +now that I am over fifty years old, I find I more and more +sympathize with his patience and philosophy with the slow-going +march of reform. But with such things going forward in national +politics, and such a sign in the heavens as this in Connecticut, +we ought all to be very happy—and I believe I am, in spite of +debts, hard work, fatigue and more or less chronic invalidism. At +any rate I salute you both with honor and with affection." +</p> +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Samuel Bowles</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">"Very faithfully yours,</p> +<p> +"This letter I enclosed to Governor Hubbard and received the +following reply: +</p> +<p class="ltr-date">"<span class="smcap">Easter</span>, April 1, 1877.</p> +<p> +"<span class="smcap">My Good Friend</span>:—It was a 'Good Friday' indeed that brought your +friendly missive. And what a dainty and gracious epistle Sam. +Bowles does know how to write! He is a good fellow, upon my word, +full of generous instincts and ideas. He ought to be at the head +of the <i>London Times</i> and master of all the wealth it brings. Add +to this, that the Good Physician should heal him of his 'chronic +invalidism' and then—well what's the use of dreaming? Thank +<i>yourself</i>, and such as you for what there is of progress in +respect of woman's rights amongst us. I do believe our bill is a +'great leap forward' as Bowles says in his editorial. 'Alas!' +says my friend ——, 'it has destroyed the divine conception of +the unity of husband and wife.' As divine, upon my soul, as the +unity of the lamb and the devouring wolf. * * * But enough of +this. I salute you my good friend, with a thousand salutations of +respect and admiration. I do not agree with you in all things, +but I cannot tell you how much I glorify you for your courage and +devotion to womanhood. I am a pretty poor stick for anything like +good work in the world, but I am not without respect for it in +others. And so I present myself to yourself and to your good and +noble husband whom I take to be one of the best, with every +assurance of affection and esteem. Thanking you for your kind +letter, I remain, dear madam, +</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">R. D. Hubbard</span>."</p> +<p class="ltr-left">"Yours very truly,</p> +</blockquote> +</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> At the various hearings Mrs. Anna Middlebrook, Mr. +and Mrs. Joseph Sheldon, Julia and Abby Smith, Rev. Olympia Brown, +Mr. and Mrs. Hooker were the speakers.</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> See Appendix for Mr. Hooker's article, "Is the +Family the Basis of the State?"</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> At the convention of March 17 and 18, 1884, the +speakers were Mrs. Hooker, Susan B. Anthony, the Rev. Charles +Stowe, Julia Smith Parker, Mrs. Emily Collins, Abigail Scott +Duniway, Miss Leonard, Mrs. C. G. Rogers, the Rev. Dr. A. J. Sage, +Mrs. Ellis, Miss Gage, the Rev. J. C. Kimball, the Rev. Mr. Everts +of Hartford, Mary Hall and F. E. Burr. The officers elected at this +meeting were: Isabella B. Hooker, <i>President</i>: F. Ellen Burr, +<i>Secretary</i>; Mary Hall, <i>Assistant-secretary</i>; John Hooker, +<i>Treasurer</i>. <i>Executive Committee</i>; Mrs. Ellen Burr McManus, Mrs. +Emily P. Collins, Mrs. Amy A. Ellis, Mrs. J. G. Parsons Hartford; +Mrs. Susan J. Cheney, South Manchester; Mrs. John S. Dobson, Vernon +Depot; Judge Joseph Sheldon, Charles Atwater, James Gallagher, New +Haven.</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> John Hooker, Isabella B. Hooker, the Rev. N. J. +Burton, Rachel C. Burton, Franklin Chamberlin, Francis Gillette, +Eliza D. Gillette, Frances Ellen Burr, Catharine E. Beecher, Esther +E. Jewell, Calvin E. Stowe, Harriet Beecher Stowe and others, +Hartford; Joseph Cummings, Middletown, President of Wesleyan +University; Thomas Elmes, Lucy R. Elmes, Derby; Charles Atwater, +New Haven; Thomas T. Stone, Laura Stone, Brooklyn. The officers +elected for the Association were: <i>President</i>, the Rev. N. J. +Burton, Hartford; <i>Secretary</i>, Frances Ellen Burr; <i>Executive +Committee</i>, Isabella B. Hooker; Mrs. Lucy R. Elmes, Derby; Mrs. J. +G. Parsons, Miss Emily Manning, M. C., Hartford; Mr. Charles +Atwater, New Haven; Mr. Ward Cheney, Mrs. Susan J. Cheney, South +Manchester; Mrs. Virginia Smith, Hartford. <i>Treasurer</i>, William B. +Smith, Hartford. There was a long list of vice-presidents, which I +presume you do not care for, nor for the other names that were +added as changes had to be made in the years that followed.</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> A member of the club says: "We receive more of our +life and enthusiasm from Frances Ellen Burr than all other members +combined; indeed, the chief part of the work rests on her +shoulders."</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> See Mrs. Collins's Reminiscences, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_88">chapter V., Vol. I.</a>,</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXXIII.</h2> + +<h3>RHODE ISLAND.</h3> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>Senator Anthony in <i>North American Review</i>—Convention in +Providence—Work of State Association—Report of Elizabeth B. +Chace—Miss Ida Lewis—Letter of Frederick A. Hinckley—Last +Words from Senator Anthony. </p> +</div> + + +<p><span class="sc">Rhode Island</span>, though one of the smallest, is, in proportion to the +number of its inhabitants, one of the wealthiest states in the +Union. In political organization Rhode Island, in colonial times, +contrasted favorably with the other colonies, nearly all of which +required a larger property qualification, and some a religious test +for the suffrage. The home of Roger Williams knew nothing of such +narrowness, but was an asylum for those who suffered persecution +elsewhere. Nevertheless this is now, in many respects, the most +conservative of all the States.</p> + +<p>In the November number of the <i>North American Review</i> for 1883, +Senator Anthony, in an article on the restricted suffrage in Rhode +Island, stoutly maintains that suffrage is not a natural right, and +that in adhering to her property qualification for foreigners his +State has wisely protected the best interests of the people. In his +whole argument on the question, he ignores the idea of women being +a part of the people, and ranks together qualifications of sex, +age, and residence. He quite unfairly attributes much of Rhode +Island's prosperity—the result of many causes—to her restricted +suffrage. His position in this article, written so late in life, is +the more remarkable as he had always spoken and voted in his place +in the United States Senate (where he had served nearly thirty +years) strongly in favor of woman's enfranchisement. And the +<i>Providence Journal</i>, which he owned and controlled, was invariably +respectful and complimentary towards the movement.</p> + +<p>While such a man as Senator Anthony, one of the political leaders +in his State, regarded suffrage as a privilege which society may +concede or withhold at pleasure, we need not wonder that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span> so little +has been accomplished there in the way of legislative enactments +and supreme-court decisions. Nevertheless that State has shared in +the general agitation and can boast many noble men and women who +have taken part in the discussion of this subject.</p> + +<p>The first woman suffrage association was formed in Rhode Island in +December, 1868. In describing the initiative steps, Elizabeth B. +Chace in a letter to a friend, says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In October 1868, while in Boston attending the convention that +formed the New England society, Paulina Wright Davis<a name="FNanchor_171_171" id="FNanchor_171_171"></a><a href="#Footnote_171_171" class="fnanchor">[171]</a> +conceived the idea that the time had come to organize the friends +of suffrage in Rhode Island. After consultation with a few of the +most prominent friends of the cause, a call was issued for a +convention, to be held in Roger Williams Hall, Providence, +December 11th, signed by many leading names. No sooner did the +call appear than, as usual, some clergyman publicly declared +himself in opposition. The Rev. Mark Trafton, a Methodist +minister, gave a lecture in his vestry on "The Coming Woman," who +was to be a good housekeeper, dress simply, and not to vote. This +was published in the <i>Providence Journal</i>, and called out a +gracefull vindication of woman's modern demands from the pen of +Mrs. Sarah Helen Whitman, the poet, and Miss Norah Perry, a +popular writer of both prose and verse. The convention was all +that its most ardent friends could have desired, and resulted in +forming an association.<a name="FNanchor_172_172" id="FNanchor_172_172"></a><a href="#Footnote_172_172" class="fnanchor">[172]</a> The audience numbered over a +thousand, at the different sessions, and among the speakers were +some of the ablest men in the State. Though the friends were +comparatively few in the early days, yet there was no lack of +enthusiasm and self-sacrifice. Weekly meetings were held, tracts +and petitions circulated; conventions<a name="FNanchor_173_173" id="FNanchor_173_173"></a><a href="#Footnote_173_173" class="fnanchor">[173]</a> and legislative +hearings were as regular as the changing seasons, now in +Providence, and now in Newport, following the migratory +government. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Davis was president of the association for several successive +years in which her labors were indefatigable. Finally failing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span> +health compelled her to resign her position as president of the +association.<a name="FNanchor_174_174" id="FNanchor_174_174"></a><a href="#Footnote_174_174" class="fnanchor">[174]</a> Since then her able coadjutor Elizabeth B. Chace, +has been president of the Rhode Island Suffrage Association, and +with equal faithfulness and persistence, carried on the work. She +steadily keeps up the annual conventions and makes her appeals to +the legislature. Among the names<a name="FNanchor_175_175" id="FNanchor_175_175"></a><a href="#Footnote_175_175" class="fnanchor">[175]</a> of those who have appeared +from year to year before the Rhode Island legislature we find many +able men and women from other States as well as many of their own +distinguished citizens.</p> + +<p>In this State an effort was made early to get women on the board of +managers for schools, prisons and charitable institutions. In a +letter to Mrs. Davis, John Stuart Mill says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I am very glad to hear of the step in advance made by Rhode +Island in creating a board of women for some very important +administrative purpose. Your proposal that women should be +empanneled on every jury where women are to be tried seems to me +very good, and calculated to place the injustice to which women +are subjected at present by the entire legal system in a very +striking light. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1873 an effort was made to place women on the Providence School +Board, with what success the following extracts from the daily +papers show. The <i>Providence Press</i> of April 25, 1873, says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>A shabby trick was perpetrated by the friends of John W. Angell, +which was certainly anything but "angelic," and which ought to +consign the parties who committed it to political infamy.</p> + +<p>Yesterday, for the first time in the history of this city, women +were candidates for political honors—in the fifth ward, Mrs. +Sarah E. H. Doyle, and in the fourth ward, Mrs. Rhoda A. F. +Peckham, were candidates for positions on the school committee; +both, however, failed of an election. Mrs. Doyle received the +unanimous nomination of the large primary meeting of the National +Union Republican party, and Mrs. Peckham was run as an outside +candidate against the regular nominee. These ladies would +undoubtedly have made excellent members of the committee, and +unlike a great portion of that body, would have been found in +their places at the meetings, and we should have been glad to +have seen the experiment tried of women in the position for which +their names were presented. When the polls opened in the fifth +ward, instead of Mrs. Doyle's name being on the ballots for the +place to which she had been nominated there appeared the name of +John W. Angell, esq., and until about 11<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span> o'clock <span class="smcap">a. m.</span> he had +the field to himself. At that hour, however, Mrs. Doyle's friends +appeared with the "<i>regular</i>" nomination, and from that time to +the close of the polls she received 145 votes; Mr. Angell, +notwithstanding his several hours' start in the race, only +winning by a majority of 38. From this fact it is clear that had +Mrs. Doyle's name been in its proper place at the opening of the +polls she would have beaten her opponent handsomely. Mrs. +Peckham's opponent obtained but 23 majority in a poll of 349. It +is evident from the vote yesterday, that if they have but a fair +show, women will at the next election be successful as candidates +for the school committee. Had the intelligent ladies of the fifth +ward been allowed to vote, Mrs. Doyle would have led even the +gubernatorial vote of that ward. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The <i>Providence Journal</i> makes the following comment:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We are sorry to observe that the two estimable and admirably +qualified ladies whose names were presented for school committee +in this city, failed of success. Their influence in official +connection with the schools could not have been other than +salutary. The treatment accorded Mrs. Doyle in the fifth ward was +wofully shabby. Without her solicitation, the Republican caucus +unanimously nominated her for a member of the school committee. +Being a novice in political proceedings, she naturally enough +supposed that the party that desired her services so much as to +place her in nomination, would make provision for electing their +candidate. There was not gallantry enough in the ward, however, +for that duty, and it was not until 11 o'clock on election day +that any tickets bearing the name of Mrs. Doyle were to be found +in the ward-room; but a ticket with the names of two men was on +hand at sunrise, and the time lost in procuring tickets for the +regular nominee proved fatal to her success. Mrs. Doyle has now +learned something of the ways of politicians, and is not likely +to put her trust again in the faithfulness of ward committees. </p></blockquote> + +<p>At a meeting of the State association, held in Providence, on +Thursday, May 18, 1871, the following preamble and resolutions +were, after a full and earnest discussion, unanimously adopted:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, It is claimed, in opposition to the demand that the +elective franchise shall be given to women, that they are +represented in the government by men, so that they do not need +the ballot for their protection, inasmuch as all their rights are +secured to them by the interest of these men in their welfare; +and, whereas, in February last, in view of the appalling facts +frequently coming to our notice, consequent upon the +mismanagement of poor-houses and asylums for the insane, this +association did earnestly petition our State legislature to enact +a law providing for the appointment of women in all the towns in +our State to act as joint commissioners with men in the care and +control of these institutions; and, whereas, in utter disregard +of our request, the Committee on State Charities, to whom it was +referred, in reporting back our petition to the House of +Representatives, did recommend that the petitioners be given +leave to withdraw, and the House, without (so far as we could +learn) one word of protest from any member thereof, did so +dispose of our petition; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That this association do most solemnly declare, that +so far from being represented in our legislature, the rights of +the women of this State were in this instance trampled under foot +therein, and the best interests of humanity, in the persons<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span> of +the poorest and most unfortunate classes, were not sufficiently +regarded, under this system of class legislation.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That, despairing of obtaining for women even the +privileges which would enable them to look after the welfare of +the destitute and the suffering, with any power or authority to +improve their condition, until equal rights in the government +itself are guaranteed to all without regard to sex, we will +henceforth make use of this treatment we have received as a new +argument in favor of the emancipation of women from the legal +status of idiots and criminals, and, with this weapon in our +hands, we will endeavor to arouse the women of our State to a +keener sense of their degraded condition, and we will never abate +our demand until an amendment to the constitution is submitted to +the people granting suffrage to the women of Rhode Island.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That this preamble and these resolutions be offered +for publication to the daily papers of this city.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"><span class="smcap">Elizabeth B. Chace</span>, <i>President</i>.</p> +<p class="ltr-to"><span class="smcap">Susan B. P. Martin</span>, <i>Secretary</i>.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>For several years the philanthropic women of Rhode Island made many +determined efforts to secure some official positions in the +charitable institutions of the State, with what success the +following report by Elizabeth B. Chace, at the annual meeting of +the American Association, in Philadelphia, in 1876, will show:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Rhode Island Woman Suffrage Association, while holding its +monthly meetings through the year, circulating petitions to the +legislature, and, in other ways, constantly endeavoring to +revolutionize the entire sentiment of the State on the question +of woman suffrage, still has less progress to report than its +friends would have desired. Our last annual meeting, as usual, +drew together a large audience. Among our speakers from abroad +was William Lloyd Garrison, who, in a speech of almost +anti-slavery force and fervor, appeared to send conviction into +many minds. Our home speakers included a clergyman of Providence +and one of our ablest lawyers, and an ex-legislator who had never +stood on our platform before.</p> + +<p>As usual, our petitions went into the legislature. They were +referred to the Judiciary Committee, before whom we had a +hearing, at which three Providence lawyers gave us their +unqualified support and earnest advocacy. One of these men set +forth in the strongest light the injustice of our laws in regard +to the property of married women and their non-ownership of their +minor children. The committee made no report to the legislature, +and so our petitions lie over until the next session, when we +hope for some evidence of progress. In the meantime we intend to +very much increase their number. For many years we have been +begging of our law-makers to permit women to share in the +management of the penal, correctional and charitable institutions +of the State; we have, however, only succeeded in obtaining an +advisory board of women, which has been in operation for the last +six years.</p> + +<p>Last spring a majority of these women, having become weary of the +service in which they had no power to decide that any improvement +should be made in the management of these institutions, resigned +their positions on this board, some of them giving through the +press their reasons therefor. When the time came for making the +new appointments<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span> for the year, the governor earnestly urged +these women to permit him to appoint them, voluntarily pledging +himself to recommend at the opening of the next session of the +legislature, that a bill should be passed providing for the +appointment of women on the boards of management of all these +prisons and reformatories, with the same power and authority with +which the men are invested, who now alone decide all questions +concerning them. On this condition these women consented to serve +on the advisory board a few months longer, with the understanding +that, if the legislature fails to make this important provision, +their advice will be withdrawn, and the men will be left to take +care of thieves, criminals and paupers until they are ready to +ask for our help on terms of equality and justice. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In the <i>Providence Journal</i> appeared the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Mrs. Doyle seems to have learned by experience that the board, as +now constituted under the law, can have no real efficiency. The +ladies are responsible for the management of no part of any of +the institutions which they are permitted officially to visit. +Their reports are not made to the boards which are charged with +the responsibility of managing these institutions, and, in the +case of the reform school, are not made to the body which elects +and controls the board of management. The State ought not to +place ladies in such an anomalous position. The women's board +should have positive duties and direct responsibilities in its +appropriate sphere, or it should be abolished. The following is +Mrs. Doyle's letter of resignation:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>To His Excellency Henry Lippitt, Governor of the State:</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>: Please accept my resignation as member of the Board of Lady +Visitors to the Penal and Correctional Institutions of the State. +The recent action of a part of the board, in regard to the annual +report made to the General Assembly, makes it impossible for me +to continue longer as a member. Before the report was submitted, +it was carefully examined by the members signing it, and was +acquiesced in by them, as their signatures testify. Still +further, I am confirmed in the opinion that so important a trust +as this should be coupled with some power for action; without +this we are necessarily confined to suggestions only to the male +boards, which suggestions receive only the attention they may +consider proper. Believing that this board, as now empowered, can +have no efficiency except where its suggestions or criticisms +meet the entire approval of the male boards, and failing to see +any good which can result from our inspections under such +conditions, or any honor to the board thus examining, I +respectfully tender my resignation.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">Sarah E. H. Doyle,</p> +<p class="ltr-to"><i>Providence, R. I.</i></p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Three more ladies of the Women's Board of Visitors to the Penal and +Correctional Institutions of the State attest the correctness of +the repeated suggestions that the board, as organized under the +existing laws, must be comparatively powerless for good. The +question now comes, will the Rhode Island General Assembly enact a +law which shall give to women certain definite duties and +responsibilities in connection with the care and correction of +female offenders? We propose to refer to this matter further. We +are requested to publish the following communications to his +excellency, the governor: <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p><i>To Henry Lippitt, Governor of Rhode Island:</i></p> + +<p>My appointment on the Women's Board of Visitors to the Penal and +Correctional Institutions of the State, which I received from +your hands for this year, I am now compelled respectfully to +resign. My experience in this board for nearly six years has +convinced me that this office, which confers on its holders no +power to decide that any improvement shall be made in the +government or workings of these institutions, is so nearly +useless that I am forced to the conclusion that, for myself, the +time spent in the performance of its duties can be more +effectively employed elsewhere. That the influence of women is +indispensable to the proper management of these institutions I +was never more sure than I am at this moment; but to make it +effectual, that influence must be obtained by placing women on +the boards of direct control, where their judgment shall be +expressed by argument and by vote.</p> + +<p>A board of women, whose only duties, as defined by the law, are +to visit the penal and correctional institutions, elect its own +officers and report annually to the legislature, bears within +itself the elements of weakness and insufficiency. And if the +annual reports contain any exposure of abuses, they are sure to +give offense to the managers, to be followed by timidity and +vacillation in the board of women itself. Our late report, +written with great care and conscientious adherence to the truth, +which called the attention of the legislature to certain abuses +in one of our institutions, and to some defect in the systems +established in the others, has, thus far, elicited no official +action, has brought censure upon us from the press, while great +dissatisfaction has been created in our own body by the failure +of a portion of its members to sustain the allegations to which +the entire board, with the exception of one absentee, had affixed +their names.</p> + +<p>When the State of Rhode Island shall call its best women to an +equal participation with men in the direction of its penal and +reformatory institutions, I have no doubt they will gladly assume +the duties and responsibilities of such positions; and I am also +sure that the beneficent results of such coöperation will soon be +manifest, both in benefit to individuals and in safety to the +State. But under present circumstances I most respectfully +decline to serve any longer on the advisory board of women.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">Elizabeth B. Chace.</p> +<p class="ltr-to"><i>Valley Falls, R. I.</i></p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Governor Lippitt</span>: <i>Dear Sir</i>: When I accepted an appointment on +the Ladies' Board of Visitors to the Penal and Correctional +Institutions of the State, I did so with the hope that much good +might be accomplished, especially toward the young girls at the +reform school, in whose welfare I felt a deep interest. To that +institution my attention has been chiefly devoted during my brief +experience in this office. This experience, however, has +convinced me that a board of officers constituted and limited +like this can have very little influence toward improvement in an +institution whose methods are fixed, and which is under the +exclusive control of another set of officers, who see no +necessity for change. Those causes render this women's board so +weak in itself that I cannot consent to retain my position +therein. I therefore respectfully tender to you my resignation.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">Abby D. Weaver.</p> +<p class="ltr-to"><i>Providence, R. I.</i></p> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Governor Lippitt</span>: Please accept the resignation of my commission +as a member of the Ladies' Board of Visitors to the Penal and +Correctional Institutions of the State, conferred by you in June, +1875.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF">Eliza C. Weeden.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Yours respectfully,</p> +<p class="ltr-to"><i>Westerly, R. I.</i></p> +</blockquote> +</blockquote> + +<p>Early in the year 1880 the State association issued the following +address:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>To the friends of Woman Suffrage throughout the State of Rhode +Island:</i></p> + +<p>In behalf of the Rhode Island Woman Suffrage Association, we beg +leave to call your attention to the result of our last year's +work, and to our plans for future effort. We went before the +General Assembly with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span> petitions for suffrage for women on all +subjects, and also with petitions asking only for school +suffrage. The former, bearing nearly 2,500 names, was presented +in the Senate and finally referred, with other unfinished +business, to the next legislature; they will thus be subject to +attention the coming year. The latter, bearing nearly 3,500 +names, was presented in the House and referred to the Committee +on Education. This committee reported unanimously:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That the following amendment to the constitution of +the State is hereby proposed: Article ——. Women otherwise +qualified are entitled to vote in the election of school +committees and in all legally organized school-district meetings. </p></blockquote> + +<p>This resolution was adopted in the House by 48 to 11, but rejected +in the Senate by 20 to 13.<a name="FNanchor_176_176" id="FNanchor_176_176"></a><a href="#Footnote_176_176" class="fnanchor">[176]</a> Nineteen members being required to +make a majority of a full Senate, the amendment failed by six +votes. Had the ballots in the two branches been upon a proposition +to extend general suffrage to women, they would have been the most +encouraging, and, as it is, they show signs of progress; but a +resolve to submit the question of school suffrage to the voters of +Rhode Island, ought to have been successful this year. Why was it +defeated? Simply for the lack of political power behind it. To gain +this, our cause needs a foothold in every part of the State. We +need some person or persons in each town, to whom we can look for +hearty coöperation. If our work is to be effective, it must not +only continue as heretofore—one of petitioning—but must include +also a constant vigilance in securing senators and representatives +in the General Assembly, favorable to woman suffrage. We propose +the coming year:</p> + +<p><i>First</i>—To petition congress in behalf of the following amendment +to our national constitution, viz.:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Article XVI.</span> Section 1—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. Section 2—Congress +shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate +legislation. </p></blockquote> + +<p><i>Second</i>—To secure a hearing and action upon the petitions +referred from the last Assembly, for such amendment to our State +constitution as shall extend general suffrage to women.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>Third</i>—To petition the General Assembly for the necessary +legislation to secure school suffrage to women.<a name="FNanchor_177_177" id="FNanchor_177_177"></a><a href="#Footnote_177_177" class="fnanchor">[177]</a> </p></blockquote> + +<p>The arguments in the various hearings before the legislature with +the majority and minority reports, are the same as many already +published, in fact nothing new can be said on the question. As none +of the women in this State, by trying to vote, or resisting +taxation, have tested the justice of their laws, they have no +supreme-court decisions to record.</p> + +<p>Honorable mention should be made of Dr. William F. Channing, who +has stood for many years in Providence the noblest representative +of liberal thought. He is a worthy son of that great leader of +reform in New England, Rev. William Ellery Channing. In him the +advocates of woman's rights have always found a steadfast friend. +He sees that this is the fundamental reform; that it is the key to +the problems of labor, temperance, social purity and the +coöperative home. Those who have had the good fortune of a personal +acquaintance with Dr. Channing have felt the sense of dignity and +self-respect that the delicate courtesy and sincere reference of a +noble man must always give to woman.</p> + +<p>Though Mrs. Channing has not been an active participant in the +popular reforms, having led a rather retired life, yet her +sympathies have been with her husband in all his endeavors to +benefit mankind. She has given the influence of her name to the +suffrage movement, and extended the most generous hospitalities to +the speakers at the annual conventions. Their charming daughters, +Mary and Grace, fully respond to the humanitarian sentiments of +their parents, constituting a happy family united in life's +purposes and ambitions.</p> + +<p>The New York <i>Evening Post</i> of September, 1875, gives the following +of one of Rhode Island's brave women, but the State has not as yet, +thought it worth while to honor her in any fitting manner:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Yesterday noon Miss Ida Lewis again distinguished herself by +rescuing a man who was in danger of drowning in the lower Newport +harbor. Miss Lewis first came into prominence in 1866, when she +saved the life of a soldier who had set out for a sail in a light +skiff. It was one of the coldest and most blustering days ever +known in this latitude, yet a girl but 25 years old, impelled by +the noblest spirit of humanity, ventured to the assistance of a +man who had brought himself into a sorry plight through sheer +fool-hardiness. One day, during the autumn<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span> of the next year, +while a terrible gale was raging, two men sat out to cross the +harbor with several sheep. One of the animals fell overboard +while the boat was rocked by the heavy sea, and its keepers, in +trying to save it, were in imminent peril of swamping their +craft. Ida Lewis saw them from the window of her father's +lighthouse on Lime Rock, and in a few minutes was rowing them in +safety toward the shore. After landing the men, she went back +again and rescued the sheep.</p> + +<p>These brave deeds, with others of a less striking character, made +Miss Lewis' name famous throughout the world, and won for her the +title of "the Grace Darling of America"; but in 1869 the +newspapers were filled with the story of what was perhaps her +greatest exploit. On March 29 two young soldiers set sail from +Newport for Fort Adams in a small boat, under the guidance of a +boy who pretended to understand the simple rules of navigation. +Mrs. Lewis chanced to be looking out of the lighthouse window, +and saw a squall strike the boat and overturn it. She called to +her daughter, telling her of the casualty. Ida, though ill at the +time, rushed out of the house, launched her life-boat and sprang +in, with neither hat on her head nor shoes on her feet. By the +time she reached the scene of the disaster the boy had perished, +and the two soldiers were clinging desperately to the wreck, +almost ready to loose their hold from exhaustion. They were +dragged into the life-boat, and carried to Lime Rock, and, with +careful nursing, were soon sufficiently restored to proceed to +Fort Adams.</p> + +<p>Miss Lewis' repeated acts of philanthropy have been recognized by +gifts at various times, but no national testimonial, so far as we +are aware, has yet been offered to her. True generosity, like +true virtue, is its own reward, and we of the world are not often +disposed to meddle with its quiet enjoyment by its possessor. It +seems eminently fitting, however, that among the first to receive +the new decoration to be bestowed by congress for heroic deeds in +saving life, should be the heroine of Newport harbor. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Writing from Valley Falls September 9, 1885, Elizabeth B. Chace, +president of the Rhode Island Association, in summing up the steps +of progress, says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>On December 4, 1884, by unanimous consent of our General Assembly +the state-house was granted to us for the first time, for a woman +suffrage convention. A large number of our best men and women, +and some of our ablest speakers<a name="FNanchor_178_178" id="FNanchor_178_178"></a><a href="#Footnote_178_178" class="fnanchor">[178]</a> were present. An immense +audience greeted them and listened with eager interest +throughout. The occasion was one of the most pleasant and +profitable we have enjoyed in a long time. At the following +session of our Legislature, 1885, an amendment to our State +constitution was proposed giving the franchise to women, on equal +terms with men. It passed both Houses by a large majority vote, +but by some technicality,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span> for which no one seemed to blame, it +was not legally started on its round to the vote of the people. +Hence the proposition to submit the amendment will be again +passed upon this year, and with every promise of success. We have +strong hopes of making our little commonwealth the banner State +in this grand step of progress. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The following letter from Frederick A. Hinckley, makes a fitting +mention of some of the noble women who have represented this +movement in his State:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Providence</span>, R. I., Sept. 14, 1885.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Friends</span>: You ask for a few words from me concerning salient +points in the history of the woman suffrage movement in Rhode +Island. As you know, ours is a very small State—the smallest in +the Union—and has a very closely compacted population. With us +the manufacturing interest overshadows everything else, +representing large investments of capital. On the one hand we +have great accumulations of wealth by the few; on the other hand, +a large percentage of unskilled foreign labor. For good or for +ill we feel all those conservative influences which naturally +grow out of this two-fold condition. This accounts in the main, +for the Rhode Islander's extreme and exceptionally tenacious +regard for the institutions of his ancestors. This is why we have +the most limited suffrage of any State, many <i>men</i> being debarred +from voting by reason of the property qualification still +required here of foreign-born citizens. Such a social atmosphere +is not favorable to the extension of the franchise, either to men +or women, and makes peculiarly necessary with us, the educational +process of a very large amount of moral agitation before much can +be expected in the way of political changes.</p> + +<p>My own residence here dates back only to 1878, though before that +from my Massachusetts home I was somewhat familiar with +Rhode-Island people and laws. Our work has consisted of monthly +meetings, made up usually of an afternoon session for address and +discussion, followed by a social tea; of an annual State +convention in the city of Providence; and of petitioning the +legislature each year, with the appointment of the customary +committees and hearings. For many years the centre of the woman +movement with us has been the State association, and since my own +connection with that, the leader about whom we have all rallied, +has been your beloved friend and mine, Elizabeth B. Chace. Hers +is that clear conception of, and untiring devotion to principles, +which make invincible leadership, tide over all disaster, and +overcome all doubt. By her constant appearance before legislative +committees, her model newspaper articles which never fail to +command general attention even among those who would not think of +agreeing with her, and by her persistent fidelity to her sense of +duty in social life, she is the recognized head of our agitation +in Rhode Island. But she has not stood alone. She has been the +centre of a group of women whose names will always be associated +with our cause in this locality. Elizabeth K. Churchill lived and +died a faithful and successful worker. The Woman's Club in this +city was her child; temperance, suffrage, and the interests of +working-women were dear to her heart. She was independent in her +convictions, and true to herself,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span> even when it compelled dissent +from the attitude of trusted leaders and friends, but her work on +the platform, in the press, and in society, made her life a tower +of strength to the woman's rights cause and her death a +lamentable loss. Another active leader in the work here, though +not a speaker, who has passed on since my residence in +Providence, was Susan B. P. Martin. I think those of us +accustomed to act with her always respected Mrs. Martin's +judgment and felt sure of her fidelity. What more can be said of +any one than that?</p> + +<p>It is difficult to speak publicly of one's friends while living. +But no history of woman suffrage agitation in Rhode Island would +be complete which did not place among those ever to be relied on, +the names of Anna Garlin Spencer, Sarah E. H. Doyle, Anna E. +Aldrich and Fanny P. Palmer. Mrs. Spencer moved from the State +just as I came into it, but the influence of her logical mind was +left behind her and the loss of her quick womanly tact has been +keenly felt. Mrs. Doyle has long been chairman of the executive +committee of the association, Mrs. Aldrich a safe and trusted +counsellor, and Mrs. Palmer as member of the Providence school +committee, and more recently as president of the Woman's Club, +has rendered the cause eminent service.</p> + +<p>If final victory seems farther off here than in some of the newer +States, as it certainly does, that is only the greater reason for +earnest, and ceaseless work. We know we are right, and be it +short or long I am sure we have all enlisted for the war.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Frederic A. Hinckley</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Always sincerely yours,</p> + +</blockquote> + +<p>Below is the last utterance of Senator Anthony on this question. In +writing to Susan B. Anthony, he said:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">United States Senate Chamber, Washington,</span> March 4, 1884.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Cousin</span>: I am honored by your invitation to address the +National Woman Suffrage Association at the convention to be held +in this city. I regret that it is not in my power to comply with +your complimentary request. The enfranchisement of woman is one +of those great reforms which will come with the progress of +civilization, and when it comes those who witness it will wonder +that it has been so long delayed. The main argument against it is +that the women themselves do not desire it. Many men do not +desire it, as is evidenced by their omission to exercise it, but +they are not therefore deprived of it. I do not understand that +you propose compulsory suffrage, although I am not sure that that +would not be for the public advantage as applied to both sexes. A +woman has a right to vote in a corporation of which she is a +stockholder, and that she does not generally exercise that right +is not an argument against the right itself. The progress that is +making in the direction of your efforts is satisfactory and +encouraging.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">H. B. Anthony</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Faithfully yours,</p> + +</blockquote> + + +<p>Senator Anthony was one of the ever-to-be-remembered nine senators +who voted for woman suffrage on the floor of the United States +Senate in 1866. He also made a most logical speech on our behalf +and has ever since been true to our demands.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<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> To Mrs. Davis, a native of the State of New York, +belongs the honor of inaugurating this movement in New England, as +she called and managed the first convention held in Massachusetts +in 1850, and helped to arouse all these States to action in 1868. +With New England reformers slavery was always the preëminently +pressing question, even after the emancipation of the slaves, while +in New York woman's civil and political rights were considered the +more vital question.—[E. C. S.</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> <i>The Revolution</i> of December 17, 1868, says: The +meeting last week in Providence, was, in numbers and ability, +eminently successful. Mrs. Elizabeth B. Chace, of Valley Falls, +presided, and addresses were made by Colonel Higginson, Paulina +Wright Davis, Lucy Stone, Frederick Douglass, Mrs. O. Shepard, Rev. +John Boyden, Dr. Mercy B. Jackson, Stephen S. and Abbey Kelly +Foster. The officers of the association were: <i>President</i>, Paulina +Wright Davis. <i>Vice-presidents</i>, Elizabeth B. Chace of Valley +Falls, Col. T. W. Higginson of Newport, Mrs. George Cushing, J. W. +Stillman, Mrs. Buffum of Woonsocket and P. W. Aldrich. <i>Recording +Secretary</i>, Martha W. Chase. <i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, Mrs. Rhoda +Fairbanks. <i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. Susan B. Harris. <i>Executive +Committee</i>, Mrs. James Bucklin, Catharine W. Hunt, Mrs. Lewis +Doyle, Anna Aldrich, Mrs. S. B. G. Martin, Dr. Perry, Mrs. +Churchill, Arnold B. Chace.</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> Among the speakers at these annual conventions we +find Rowland G. Hazard, Rev. John Boyden, Rev. Charles Howard +Malcolm, the brilliant John Neal, Portland, Maine, Hon. James M. +Stillman Gen. F. G. Lippett, Theodore Tilton, Rev. Olympia Brown, +Rev. Phebe A. Hanaford, Elizabeth K. Churchill. For a report of the +convention held at Newport during the fashionable season, August +25, 26, 1869, see vol. II., page 403, also <i>The Revolution</i>, +September 2, 1869.</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> Mrs. Chace says in a letter, speaking of Mrs. Davis: +"After several years absence in Europe she returned, a helpless +invalid, unable to resume her labors. But her devotion in early +years will long remain fresh in the memory of those associated with +her, who were inspired by her self-sacrifice and enthusiasm." For +farther details of Mrs. Davis' earlier labors, see vol. I, pages +215, 283.</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> Julia Ward Howe, Celia Burleigh, William Lloyd +Garrison, Aaron M. Powell, Caroline H. Dall, Mrs. Ednah D. Cheney, +Miss Mary F. Eastman, Elizabeth K. Churchill, Rev. Augustus +Woodbury Hon. Amasa M. Eaton, Mr. Stillman, Hon. Thomas Davis, Hon +George L. Clarke, Rev. Frederick Hinckley, Thomas Wentworth +Higginson, Hon. A. Payne.</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> <span class="smcap">In the House</span>. <i>For the Amendment.</i>—Davis Aldrich, +North Smithfield; Thomas Arnold, Warwick; Clark Barber, Richmond; +Thos. P. Barnefield, Pawtucket; Frank M. Bates, Pawtucket; John +Beattie, Cranston; Amos M. Bowen, Providence; Issac B. Briggs, +Jamestown; Albert Buffum, Burillville; John C. Barrington, +Barrington; Chas. Capwell, West Greenwich; Geo. B. Carpenter, +Hopkinton; Obadiah Chase, Warren; Albert I. Chester, Westerly; +Chas. E. Chickering, Pawtucket; John F. Clark, Cumberland; LeBaron +B. Colt, Bristol; James Davis, Pawtucket; Benjamin T. Eames, +Providence; Henry H. Fay, Newport; Edward L. Freeman, Lincoln; Z. +Herbert Gardner, Exeter; John P. Gregory, Lincoln; Henry D. Heydon, +Warwick; Edwin Jenckes, Pawtucket; Thos. E. Kenyon, East Greenwich; +Israel B. Mason, Providence; B. B. Mitchell, jr., New Shoreham; +Francis L. O'Reilly, Woonsocket; Joseph Osborn, Tiverton; Abraham +Payne, Providence; James M. Pendleton, Westerly; Wm. A. Pirce, +Johnston; Clinton Puffer, Woonsocket; Olney W. Randall, No. +Providence; John P. Sanborn, Newport; Wm. P. Sheffield, Newport; +Israel R. Sheldon, Warwick; Martin S. Smith, Scituate; Wm. H. +Spooner, Bristol; Henry A. Stearns, Lincoln; Simon S. Steere, +Smithfield; Joseph Tillinghast, Coventry; Wm. C. Townsend, Newport; +Stephen A. Watson, Portsmouth; Stillman White, Providence; Benj. F. +Wilbor, Little Compton; Andrew Winsor, Providence—48. +</p><p> +<span class="smcap">In the Senate.</span> <i>For the Amendment.</i>—Lieut.-Gov. Howard, E. +Providence; Ariel Ballou, Woonsocket; Cyrus F. Cooke, Foster; +Edward T. DeBlois, Portsmouth; Rodney F. Dyer, Johnston; Anson +Greene, Exeter; Daniel W. Lyman, No. Providence; Jabez W. Mowry, +Smithfield; Dexter B. Potter, Coventry; Stafford W. Razee, +Cumberland; T. Mumford Seabury, Newport; Lewis B. Smith, +Barrington; John F. Tobey, Providence—13.</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> [Signed:] <i>President</i>, Elizabeth B. Chace; +<i>Secretaries</i>, Fanny P. Palmer, Elizabeth C. Hinckley; <i>Treasurer</i>, +Susan B. P. Martin; <i>Executive Committee</i>, Sarah E. H. Doyle, Susan +Sisson, William Barker, Francis C. Frost, Anna E. Aldrich, +Frederick A. Hinckley, Susan G. Kenyon, Rachael E. Fry, A. A. Tyng, +Arnold B. Chace.</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> The speakers were Abraham Payne, John Wyman, Matilda +Hindman, Frederick A. Hinckley, Rev. Mr. Wendt, Elizabeth B. Chace, +William I. Bowditch, Mary F. Eastman, William Lloyd Garrison, jr., +Lucy Stone, Susan B. Anthony, Frederick Douglass, Henry B. +Blackwell.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXXIV.</h2> + + +<h3>MAINE.</h3> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>Women on School Committees—Elvira C. Thorndyke—Suffrage +Society, 1868—Rockland—The Snow Sisters—Portland Meeting, +1870—John Neal—Judge Goddard—Colby University Open to Girls, +August 12, 1871—Mrs. Clara Hapgood Nash Admitted to the Bar, +October 26, 1872—Tax-payers Protest—Ann F. Greeley, +1872—March, 1872, Bill for Woman Suffrage Lost in the House, +Passed in the Senate by Seven Votes—Miss Frank Charles, Register +of Deeds—Judge Reddington—Mr. Randall's Motion—Moral Eminence +of Maine—Convention in Granite Hall, Augusta, January, 1873, +Hon. Joshua Nye, President—Delia A. Curtis—Opinions of the +Supreme Court in Regard to Women Holding Offices—Governor +Dingley's Message, 1875—Convention, Representatives Hall, +Portland, Judge Kingsbury, President, February 12, 1876. </p> +</div> + +<p><span class="sc">The</span> first movement in Maine, in 1868, turned on the question of +women being eligible on school committees. Here, as in Vermont, the +men inaugurated the movement. The following letter, from the +<i>Portland Press</i>, gives the initiative steps:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Hiram</span>, March 15, 1868.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mr. Editor</span>: A statement is going the rounds of the press that the +Democrats of Hiram supported a lady for a member of the school +committee. I am unwilling that any person or party shall be +ridiculed or censured for an act of which I was the instigator, +and for which I am chiefly responsible. I am in favor of electing +ladies to that office, and accordingly voted for one, without her +knowledge or consent; several Democrats as well as Republicans +voted with me. I have reason to believe that scores of Democrats +voted for the able and popular candidate of the Republicans (Dr. +William H. Smith), and but for my peculiar notion I should have +voted for him myself, as I always vote with the Republican party. +I am in favor, however, of laying aside politics in voting for +school committees, and the question of capability should outweigh +the question of sex. A few years ago we had a large number of boy +schoolmasters, but agents are learning to appreciate teachers of +tact, experience and natural qualifications, as well as +book-knowledge. Of eleven schools under the care of the writer +the past year, but one had a male teacher, and by turning to the +reports I find that of forty-nine schools in Hiram during the +past two years, forty-two were taught by ladies. Four of these +teachers of the past year have taught respectively twenty, +twenty-one, twenty-three and thirty schools. I put the question, +why should a lady who has taught thirty schools be considered +less suitable<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span> for the office of school committee than the +undersigned, who has taught but two, or scores of men who never +taught school at all? Slowly and with hesitation over the ice of +prejudice comes that unreasonable reason—"<i>O, 'cause.</i>" But +regardless of pants or crinoline, the question remains unanswered +and unanswerable. It is not deemed improper for the ladies of +Hiram to go with their husbands to the town-house to a cattle +show and fair, and serve as committees on butter and cheese, but +it is considered unreasonable for ladies to serve as +superintendents of school committees.</p> + +<p>General Washington gave a lieutenant's commission to a woman for +her skill and bravery in manning a battery at the battle of +Monmouth. He also granted her half-pay during life. It is stated +in "Lincoln's Lives of the Presidents" that "she wore an +epaulette, and everybody called her Captain Molly." And yet I do +not read in history that General Washington was ever impeached. +Females have more and better influence than males, and under +their instruction our schools have been improving for some years. +There is less kicking and cudgeling, and more attention is given +to that best of all rules, "The Golden Rule." If they are more +efficient as teachers is it not fair to presume that they would +excel as committees?</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Llewellyn A. Wadsworth</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Very respectfully yours,</p> + +</blockquote> + +<p>The editor of the <i>Press</i> adds to the above his own endorsement, in +these words:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We are pleased to have Mr. Wadsworth's explanation of the reform +movement in Hiram, which we had been misled into crediting to the +Democrats. <span class="spacious">* * *</span> Go on, Mr. Wadsworth, you have our best wishes. +There is nothing in the way of the general adoption of your ideas +but a lot of antiquated and obsolete notions, sustained by the +laughter of fools. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The same year we have the report of the first suffrage society in +that State, which seems to place Maine in the van of her New +England sisters, notwithstanding the great darkness our +correspondent deplores:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Dear Revolution</span>: A society has just been organized here called +the Equal Rights Association of Rockland. It bids fair to live, +although it requires all the courage of heroic souls to contend +against the darkness that envelopes the people. But the +foundation is laid, and many noble women are catching the +inspiration of the hour. When we are fully under way, we shall +send you a copy of our preamble and resolutions.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"><span class="smcap">Elvira C. Thorndyke</span>, <i>Cor. Sec'y</i>.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The Hon. John Neal, who was foremost in all good work in Maine, in +a letter to <i>The Revolution</i>, describes the first meeting called in +Portland, in May, 1870, to consider the subject of suffrage for +woman. He says:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Dear Revolution</span>: According to my promise, I sent an advertisement +to all three of our daily papers last Saturday, in substance like +the following, though somewhat varied in language: <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Elevation of Woman</span>.—All who favor Woman Suffrage, the Sixteenth +Amendment, and the restoration of woman to her "natural and +inalienable rights," are wanted for consultation at the audience +room of the Portland Institute and Public Library, on Wednesday +evening next, at half-past seven o'clock. Per order</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">John Neal.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The weather was unfavorable; nevertheless, the small room, holding +from sixty to seventy-five, to which the well-disposed were invited +for consultation and organization, was crowded so that near the +close not a seat could be had; and crowded, too, with educated and +intelligent women, and brave, thoughtful men, so far as one might +judge by appearances, and about in equal proportions. Among the +latter were Mr. Talbot, United States district-attorney, a good +lawyer and a self-convinced fellow laborer, so far as suffrage is +concerned; but rather unwilling to go further at present, lest if a +woman should be sent to the legislature (against her will, of +course!) she might neglect her family, or be obliged to take her +husband with her, to keep her out of mischief; just as if Portland, +with 35,000 inhabitants and four representatives, would not be +likely to find <i>two</i> unmarried women or widows, or married women +not disqualified by matrimonial incumbrances or liabilities, to +represent the sex; or lest, if she should get into the post-office, +being by nature so curious and inquisitive, she might be found +peeping—as if the chief distinction between superior and inferior +minds was not this very disposition to inquire and investigate; as +if, indeed, that which distinguishes the barbarous from the +civilized, were not this very inquisitiveness and curiosity; the +savage being satisfied with himself and averse to inquiry; the +civilized ever on the alert, in proportion to his intelligence, +and, like the Athenians, always on the look-out for some "new +thing."</p> + +<p>And then, too, we had Judge Goddard, of the Superior Court, one of +our boldest and clearest thinkers, who could not be persuaded to +take a part in the discussion, though declaring himself entirely +opposed to the movement. And yet, he is the very man who, at a +Republican convention several years ago, offered a resolution in +favor of impartial suffrage, only to find himself in a minority of +two; but persevered nevertheless, year after year, until the very +same resolution, word for word, was unanimously adopted by another +Republican convention! Of course, Judge Goddard will not be likely +to shrink from giving his reasons hereafter, if the movement should +propagate itself, as it certainly will.</p> + +<p>We had also for consideration a synopsis of what deserves to be +called most emphatically "The Maine Law," in relation to married +women, prepared by Mr. Drummond, our late speaker and formerly +attorney-general, and one of our best lawyers, where it was +demonstrated, both by enactments and adjudications, running from +March, 1844, to February, 1866, that a married woman—to say +nothing of widows and spinsters—has little to complain of in our +State, her legal rights being far ahead of the age, and not only +acknowledged, but enforced; she being mistress of herself and of +her earnings, and allowed to trade for herself, while "her +contracts for any lawful purpose are made valid and binding, and to +be enforced, as if she were sole agent of her property, but she +cannot be arrested."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span></p> + +<p>Then followed Mr. S. B. Beckett, just returned from a trip to the +Holy Land, who testified, among other things, that he had seen +women both in London and Ireland who knew "how to keep a hotel," +which is reckoned among men as the highest earthly +qualification—and proved it by managing some of the largest and +best in the world.</p> + +<p>And then Mr. Charles Jose, late one of our aldermen, who, half in +earnest and half in jest, took t'other side of the question, +urging, first, that this was a political movement—as if that were +any objection, supposing it true; our whole system of government +being a political movement, and that, by which we trampled out the +last great rebellion, another, both parties and all parties +coöperating in the work; next, that women did not ask for +suffrage—it was the men who asked for it, in their names; that +there were no complaints and no petitions from women! As if +petitions had not gone up and complaints, too, by thousands, from +all parts of the country, from school-teachers and office clerks +and others, as well as from the women at large, both over sea and +here.</p> + +<p>But enough. The meeting stands adjourned for a week. Probably no +organization will be attempted, lest it might serve to check free +discussion.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">J. N.</p> +<p class="ltr-to"><i>May 5, 1870.</i></p> +</blockquote> + + +<p>Mr. W. W. McCann wrote to the <i>Woman's Journal</i> of this suffrage +meeting in Portland, in 1870:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Judge Howe's voice, when he addressed the jury of Wyoming as +"Ladies and Gentlemen of the Grand Jury," fell upon the ears of +that crowded court-room as a strange and unusual sound. Equally +strange and impracticable seemed the call for a "woman suffrage +meeting," at the city building, to the conservative citizens of +Portland. However, notwithstanding the suspicion and prejudice +with which this movement is regarded, quite a large and highly +respectable audience assembled at an early hour to witness the +new and wonderful phenomenon of a meeting to aid in giving the +ballot to woman.</p> + +<p>Hon. John Neal, who issued the call for the meeting, was the +first to speak. He reviewed the history of this movement, both in +this country and in England. He gave some entertaining +reminiscences of his acquaintance with John Stuart Mill forty +years ago. Mr. Mill was not then in favor of universal suffrage; +he advocated the enfranchisement of the male sex only. Mr. Neal +claimed the right for women also. He was happy to learn that +since then Mr. Mill has thrown all the weight of his influence +and his masterly intellect in favor of universal suffrage. He +then entered into an elaborate discussion of some of the +objections brought against woman suffrage, and, much to the +surprise of many present, showed that the rights which women +demand are just and reasonable, and ought to be granted. John M. +Todd remarked that he was not so much impressed by the logical +arguments in favor of suffrage as by the shallow and baseless +arguments of the opposition. The friends of woman suffrage are +becoming active and earnest in their efforts, and discussion is +freely going on through the daily papers.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span></p> + +<p>To-day, the <i>Eastern Argus</i>, a leading Democratic organ of this +city, denounces this movement as the most "damnable heresy of +this generation." We venture the prediction that its friends, if +true to the progressive tendencies of the day, will realize the +consummation of their cherished heresy in the proposed sixteenth +amendment, which will abolish all distinction of class and sex. </p></blockquote> + +<p>On August 12, 1871, the announcement that Colby University would be +opened to girls gave general satisfaction to the women of Maine. A +correspondent says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Hereafter young women will be admitted to this institution on +"precisely the same terms as young men." They may take the +regular course, or such a course as they may select, taking at +least two studies each term. They will room and board in families +in the village, and simply attend the required exercises at the +college. The next examination for entrance will be on Wednesday, +August 30. One young lady has already signified her purpose to +enter the regular course. Four New England colleges are now open +to women—Bates, at Lewiston; Colby, at Waterville, Me.; Vermont +University, at Burlington, Vt., and Wesleyan, at Middletown, +Conn. Let's have no more women's colleges established, for the +next decade will make them unnecessary, as by that time all the +colleges of the country will be opened to them. </p></blockquote> + +<p>October 26, 1872, another advance step was heralded abroad:</p> + +<blockquote><p>On motion of the Hon. James S. Milliken, Mrs. Clara Hapgood Nash, +of Columbia Falls, was formally admitted to the bar as an +attorney-at-law. During the session of the court in the forenoon, +Mrs. Nash had presented herself before the examining committee, +Messrs. Granger, Milliken and Walker, and had passed a more than +commonly creditable examination. After the opening of the court +in the afternoon, Mr. Milliken arose and said: "May it please the +court, I hold in my hand papers showing that Mrs. Hapgood Nash, +of Columbia Falls, has passed the committee appointed by the +court to examine candidates for admission to the bar as +attorneys-at-law and has paid to the county treasurer the duty +required by the statute; and I now move the court that she be +admitted to this bar as an attorney-at-law. In making the motion +I am not unaware that this is a novel and unusual proceeding. It +is the first instance in this county and this State, and, so far +as I am aware, the first instance in New England, of the +application of a woman to be formally admitted to the bar as a +practitioner. But knowing Mrs. Nash to be a modest and refined +lady, of literary and legal attainments, I feel safe in assuring +Your Honor that by a course of honorable practice, and by her +courteous intercourse with the members of the profession, she +will do her full part to conquer any prejudice that may now exist +against the idea of women being admitted as attorneys at law." +Judge Barrows, after examining the papers handed to him, said: "I +am not aware of anything in the constitution or laws of this +State prohibiting the admission of a woman, possessing the proper +qualifications, to the practice of the law. I have no sympathy +with that feeling or prejudice which would exclude women<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span> from +any of the occupations of life for which they may be qualified. +The papers put into my hands show that Mrs. Nash has received the +unanimous approval of the examining committee, as possessing the +qualifications requisite for an acceptable attorney, and that she +has paid the legal duty to the county treasurer, and I direct +that she be admitted." </p></blockquote> + +<p>On May 10, 1873, the trustees of the Industrial School for Girls +issued the following appeal to the people of the State:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The undersigned, trustees of the Maine Industrial School for +Girls, hereby earnestly appeal to the generosity of the State, to +the rich and poor alike, for aid to this important movement. Our +call is to mothers and fathers blessed with virtuous and obedient +children; to those who have suffered by the waywardness of some +beloved daughter; and to all who would gladly see the neglected, +exposed and erring girls in our midst reclaimed. For six years +has this subject been agitated in the State and presented to the +consideration of several legislatures; and during that time the +objects, plans and practical workings of such an institution, +have become familiar to the public mind. The project is now so +near consummation that by prompt and liberal response to this +appeal, the school can be in active operation by the first of +July next.</p> + +<p>By the terms of the resolution of the legislature granting State +aid of five thousand dollars, the sum of twenty thousand dollars +must first be secured from other sources. Of this, five thousand +at least has been contributed by two generous ladies in +Hallowell. For the balance the trustees confidentially look to +the citizens of the whole State as equally to be benefited. Let +them send their contributions, whether large or small, freely and +at once, to either of the undersigned and the receipt of the same +shall be duly acknowledged.<a name="FNanchor_179_179" id="FNanchor_179_179"></a><a href="#Footnote_179_179" class="fnanchor">[179]</a> </p></blockquote> + +<p>Some of the women tax-payers<a name="FNanchor_180_180" id="FNanchor_180_180"></a><a href="#Footnote_180_180" class="fnanchor">[180]</a> in Ellsworth, Maine, sent the +following protest to the assessors of that city:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We the undersigned residents of the city of Ellsworth, believing +in the declaration of our forefathers, that "governments derive +their just powers from the consent of the governed," and that +"taxation without representation is tyranny," beg leave to +protest against being taxed for support of laws that we have no +voice in making. By taxing us you class us with aliens and +minors, the only males who are taxed and not allowed to vote, you +make us the political inferiors of the most ignorant foreigners, +negroes, and men who have not intellect enough to learn to write +their names, or to read the vote given them. Our property is at +the disposal of men who have not the ability to accumulate a +dollar's worth and who pay only a poll-tax. We therefore protest +against being taxed until we are allowed the rights of citizens. </p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span></p> + + +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Augusta</span>, March 1, 1872.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Editors Woman's Journal</span>: I have never seen a letter in the <i>Woman's +Journal</i> written from Augusta, the capital of Maine, and as some +things have transpired lately which might interest your readers, I +take the liberty of writing a few lines. The bill for woman +suffrage was defeated in the House, fifty-two to forty-one. In the +Senate the vote was fifteen in favor to eight against. I think the +smallness of the vote was owing to the indifference of some of the +members and the determination of a few to kill the bill. Some +politicians are afraid of this innovation just now, lest the +Republican party be more disrupted than it already is. Day after +day, when the session was drawing to a close, women went to the +state-house expecting to hear the question debated. Wednesday every +available place was filled with educated women. The day was +spent—if I should say how, my criticism might be too severe. +Gentlemen from Thomaston, Biddeford, Burlington and Waldoborough +had the floor most of the time during the afternoon. In the +evening, while those same women and some of the members of the +legislature were attending a concert, the bill was taken up and +voted upon, <i>without any discussion whatever</i>. Now, I submit to any +fair-minded person if this was right. I have listened to +discussions upon that floor this winter for which I should have +hung my head in shame had they been conducted by women. The whole +country, from Maine to California, calls loudly for better +legislation—for morality in politics.</p> + +<p>A member of the House said to me yesterday, that he thought that +some of the members from the rural districts were not sufficiently +enlightened upon the question of woman suffrage, and the bill ought +to have been thoroughly discussed. Yes, and perhaps treated with +respect by its friends. I saw the member from Calais while a vote +was being taken. Standing in his seat, with his hand stretched +toward the rear of the House, where it is generally supposed that +members sit who are a little slow in voting at the beck of +politicians, he said: "<i>Yes</i> is the way to vote, gentlemen! Yes! +Yes!" When women have such politicians for champions equal suffrage +is secured. But do we want such men? The member from Calais voted +against woman's right of suffrage. He is said to be an ambitious +aspirant in the fifth congressional district. See to it, women of +the fifth district, that you do not have him as an opponent of +equal rights in congress. There is a throne behind a throne. Let +woman be <i>regal</i> in the background, where she must stand for the +present, in Maine.</p> + +<p>But I am happy and proud to state that some very high-minded men, +and some of the best legislators in the House, did vote for the +bill, viz.: Brown of Bangor, Judge Titcomb of Augusta, General +Perry of Oxford, Porter of Burlington, Labroke of Foxcroft, and +many others; in the Senate, the president and fourteen others, the +real bone and marrow of the Senate, voted for the bill. The signs +of the times are good. The watchman of the night discerns the +morning light in the broad eastern horizon.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Patience Commonsense</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">[Signed:]</p> + +</blockquote> + +<p>The <i>Portland Press</i>, in a summary of progress in Maine for 1873, +says:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>Women certainly have no reason to complain of the year's dealings +with them, for they have been recognized in many ways which +indicate the gradual breaking down of the prejudices that have +hitherto given them a position of <i>quasi</i> subjection. Mrs. Mary +D. Welcome has been licensed to preach by the Methodists; Mrs. +Fannie U. Roberts of Kittery has been commissioned by the +governor to solemnize marriages; Clara H. Nash, of the famous law +firm of F. C. & C. H. Nash, of Columbia Falls, has argued a case +before a jury in the Supreme Court; Miss Mary C. Lowe of Colby +University has taken a college prize for declamation. They are +the first Maine women who have ever enjoyed honors of the kind. +Miss Cameron spoke, too, at the last Congregational conference, +and Miss Frank Charles was appointed register of deeds in Oxford +county.</p> + +<p>It is further to be noted that the legislature voted as follows +on the question of giving the ballot to women: Senate—14 yeas, +14 nays; House—62 yeas, 69 nays. Women are rapidly obtaining a +recognized position in our colleges. There are now five young +women at Colby, three at Bates, and three at the Agricultural +College—eleven in all. Bates has already graduated two. In the +latter college a scholarship for the benefit of women has been +endowed by Judge Reddington. Finally, the first Woman Suffrage +Association ever formed in Maine held its first meeting at +Augusta last January, and was a great success. Carmel, Monroe, +Etna and some other towns have elected women superintendents of +schools, but this has been done in other years. For a little +movement in the right direction we must credit Messrs. Amos, +Abbott & Co., woolen manufacturers of Dexter, who divide ten per +cent. of their profits with their operatives. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Clara H. Nash, the lady who, in partnership with her husband, has +recently entered upon the practice of law in Maine, says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Scarcely a day passes but something occurs in our office to rouse +my indignation afresh by reminding me of the utter insignificance +with which the law, in its every department, regards woman, and +its utter disregard of her rights as an individual. Would that +women might feel this truth; then, indeed, would their +enfranchisement be speedy. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In the <i>Woman's Journal</i> of January 1, 1873, we find the following +call:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The people of Maine who believe in the extension of the elective +franchise to women as a beneficent power for the promotion of the +virtues and the correction of the evils of society, and all who +believe in the principles of equal justice, equal liberty and +equal opportunity, upon which republican institutions are +founded, and have faith in the triumph of intelligence and reason +over custom and prejudice, are invited to meet at Granite Hall, +in the city of Augusta, on Wednesday, January 29, 1873, for the +purpose of organizing a State Woman Suffrage Association, and +inaugurating such measures for the advancement of the cause as +the wisdom of the convention may suggest.<a name="FNanchor_181_181" id="FNanchor_181_181"></a><a href="#Footnote_181_181" class="fnanchor">[181]</a> </p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span></p> + +<p>The <i>Portland Press</i>, in a leading editorial on the "Moral Eminence +of Maine," says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Maine has been first in many things. She has taught the world how +to struggle with intemperance, and pilgrims come hither from all +quarters of the earth to learn the theory and practice of +prohibition. She was among the first to practically abolish +capital punishment and to give married women their rights in +respect to property. She is, perhaps, nearer giving them +political rights, also, than any of her sister commonwealths. If +Maine should be first among the States to give suffrage to women, +she would do more for temperance than a hundred prohibitory laws, +and more for civilization and progress than Massachusetts did +when she threw the tea into Boston harbor in 1773, or when she +sent the first regiment to the relief of Washington in 1861.</p> + +<p>The leaders of the temperance reform in Maine are fully alive to +the necessity of woman suffrage as a means to that end. At the +meeting of the State Temperance Association of Maine, in Augusta, +recently, Mr. Randall said that "as the woman suffrage convention +has adjourned over this afternoon in order to attend the +temperance meeting, he would move that when we adjourn it be to +Thursday morning, as the work at both conventions is intimately +connected. If the women of Maine went to the ballot-box, we +should have officers to enforce the law." Mr. Randall's motion +was carried, and the temperance convention adjourned. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The Woman Suffrage Association assembled Wednesday, January 29, in +Granite Hall, Augusta. There was a very large attendance, a +considerable number of those present being members of the +legislature. Hon. Joshua Nye presided. He made a few remarks +relating to the removal of political disabilities from women, and +introduced Mrs. Agnes A. Houghton of Bath, who spoke on the +"Turning of the Tide," contending that woman should be elevated +socially, politically and morally, enjoying the same rights as man. +She was followed by Judge Benjamin Kingsbury, jr., of Portland, who +declared himself unequivocally in favor of giving woman the right +to vote, and who trusted that she would be accorded this right by +the present legislature. More than 1,000 persons were in the +audience, and great enthusiasm<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span> prevailed. The morning session was +devoted to business and the election of officers.<a name="FNanchor_182_182" id="FNanchor_182_182"></a><a href="#Footnote_182_182" class="fnanchor">[182]</a> In order not +to conflict with a meeting of the State Temperance Association, no +afternoon session was held, and, in return, the State Temperance +Society gave up its evening meeting to enable its members to attend +the suffrage convention.</p> + +<p>Speeches were made by Henry B. Blackwell of Boston, Rev. Ellen +Gustin of Mansfield, Mary Eastman of Lowell, and others. +Resolutions were passed pledging the association not to cease its +efforts until the unjust discrimination with regard to voting is +swept away; that in the election of president, and of all officers +where the qualifications of voters are not prescribed by the State +constitution, the experiment should be tried of allowing women to +vote; that in view of the large amount of money which has been +expended in Maine for the exclusive benefit of the Boys' Industrial +School during the past twenty years, it is the prayer of the ladies +of Maine that the present legislature vote the sum asked for the +establishment of an Industrial School for girls.</p> + +<p>In 1874 we find notices of other onward steps:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Editors Journal</span>: Woman's cause works slowly here, though in one +respect we have been successful. Our county school-superintendent +is a lady. She had a large majority over our other candidate, and +over two gentlemen, and she is decidedly "the right person in the +right place." She is a graduate from the normal school, the +mother of four children, a widow for some six years past, and a +lady. What more can we ask, unless, indeed, it be for a very +conscientious idea of duty? That, too, she has, and also energy, +with which she carries it out. The sterner sex admit that women +are competent to hold office. But some say we are not intelligent +enough to vote. What an appalling amount of wisdom they show in +this idea! It would be "unwomanly" in us to suggest such a word +as inconsistency.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF">M. J. M.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Fraternally,</p> +<p class="ltr-to"><i>Cairo, Me., April, 1874.</i></p> +</blockquote> + +<p>In Searsport a woman was elected one of the two +school-superintendents of the town. The following advertisement +appears in the local newspaper:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Searsport School Notice.</span>—The superintending school-committee of +Searsport will meet to examine teachers at the town library, +April 17 and May 1, 1874, at 1 o'clock <span class="smcap">p. m.</span></p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"> +<span class="smcap">Delia A. Curtis</span>,<br /> +<span class="smcap">John Nichols</span>,<br /> +<i>S. S. Com. of Searsport.</i></p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span></p> + +<p>Teachers will be expected to discountenance the use of tobacco +and intoxicating liquors, and to use their best endeavors to +impress on the minds of the children and youth committed to their +care and instruction a proper understanding of the evil tendency +of such habits; and no teacher need apply for a certificate to +teach in this town, the ensuing year, who uses either.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">Delia A. Curtis.</p> + + +<p class="ltr-break"><span class="smcap">Dear Journal</span>: Aroostook, though occupying the extreme northeastern +portion of our good State of Maine, and still in the blush of +youth, is not behind her sister counties in recognition of woman's +fitness for office. The returns of town elections, so far as I have +yet seen, give three towns in the county which have elected +ladies<a name="FNanchor_183_183" id="FNanchor_183_183"></a><a href="#Footnote_183_183" class="fnanchor">[183]</a> to serve as members of the school committee.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">L. J. Y. W.</p> +<p class="ltr-to"><i>Houlton, Maine.</i></p> + +</blockquote> + +<p>In the autumn of 1874 the governor and council requested the +opinion of the Supreme Judicial Court on the following questions:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>First</i>—Under the constitution and laws of this State, can a +woman, if duly appointed and qualified as a justice of the peace, +legally perform all acts pertaining to that office?</p> + +<p><i>Second</i>—Would it be competent for the legislature to authorize +the appointment of a married woman to the office of justice of +the peace; or to administer oaths, take acknowledgment of deeds +or solemnize marriages, so that the same may be legal and valid? </p></blockquote> + +<p>The following responses to these inquiries were received by the +governor: the opinion of the court, drawn by Chief-justice +Appleton, and concurred in by Justices Cutting, Peters, Danforth +and Virgin; a dissenting opinion from Justices Walton and Barrows +and one from Justice Dickerson. The opinion of the court is given +below:</p> + +<blockquote><p>To the questions proposed we have the honor to answer as follows:</p> + +<p>Whether it is expedient that women should hold the office of +justice of the peace is not an inquiry proposed for our +consideration. It is whether, under the existing constitution, +they can be appointed to such office, and can legally discharge +its duties.</p> + +<p>By the constitution of Massachusetts, of which we formerly +constituted a portion, the entire political power of that +commonwealth was vested under certain conditions, in its male +inhabitants of a prescribed age. They alone, and in the exclusion +of the other sex, as determined by its highest court of law, +could exercise the judicial function as existing and established +by that instrument.</p> + +<p>By the act relating to the separation of the district of Maine +from Massachusetts, the authority to determine upon the question +of separation, and to elect delegates to meet and form a +constitution was conferred upon the "inhabitants of the several +towns, districts and plantations in the district of Maine +qualified to vote for governor or senators," thus excluding the +female sex from all participation in the formation of the +constitution, and in the organization of the government under it. +Whether the constitution should or should not be adopted, was +especially, by the organic law of its existence, submitted to the +vote of the male inhabitants of the State.</p> + +<p>It thus appears that the constitution of the State was the work +of its male citizens. It was ordained, established, and ratified +by them, and by them alone; but by the power of government was +divided into three distinct departments: legislative, executive +and judicial. By article VI., section 4, justices of the peace +are recognized as judicial officers.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span></p> + +<p>By the constitution, the whole political power of the State is +vested in its male citizens. Whenever in any of its provisions, +reference is made to sex, it is to duties to be done and +performed by male members of the community. Nothing in the +language of the constitution or in the debates of the convention +by which it was formed, indicates any purpose whatever of any +surrender of political power by those who had previously enjoyed +it or a transfer of the same to those who had never possessed it. +Had any such design then existed, we cannot doubt that it would +have been made manifest in appropriate language. But such +intention is nowhere disclosed. Having regard then, to the rules +of the common law as to the rights of women, married and +unmarried, as then existing—to the history of the past—to the +universal and unbroken practical construction given to the +constitution of this State and to that of the Commonwealth of +Massachusetts upon which that of this State was modeled, we are +led to the inevitable conclusion that it was never in the +contemplation or intention of those framing our constitution that +the offices thereby created should be filled by those who could +take no part in its original formation, and to whom no political +power was intrusted for the organization of the government then +about to be established under its provisions, or for its +continued existence and preservation when established.</p> + +<p>The same process of reasoning which would sanction the conferring +judicial power on women under the constitution would authorize +the giving them executive power by making them sheriffs and +major-generals. But while the offices enacted by the constitution +are to be filled exclusively by the male members of the State, we +have no doubt that the legislature may create new ministerial +offices not enumerated therein, and if it deem expedient, may +authorize the performance of the duties of the offices so created +by persons of either sex.</p> + +<p>To the <i>first</i> question proposed, we answer in the negative.</p> + +<p>To the <i>second</i>, we answer that it is competent for the +legislature to authorize the appointment of married or unmarried +women to administer oaths, take acknowledgment of deeds or +solemnize marriages, so that the same shall be legal and valid.</p> + + + +<div class="center"> +<table width="80%" summary="Authors"> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">John Appleton</span>,</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">John A. Peters</span>,</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Jonas Cutting</span>,</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Wm. Wirt Virgin</span>,</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">Charles Danforth.</span></td></tr> +</table></div> + +</blockquote> + + +<p>The dissenting opinion was as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We, the undersigned, Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court, +concur in so much of the foregoing opinion as holds that it is +competent for the legislature to authorize the appointment of +women to administer oaths, take the acknowledgment of deeds and +solemnize marriages. But we do not concur in the conclusion that +it is not equally competent for the legislature to authorize the +appointment of women to act as justices of the peace.</p> + +<p>The legislature is authorized to enact any law which it deems +reasonable and proper, provided it is not repugnant to the +constitution of this State, nor to that of the United States. A +law authorizing the appointment of women to act as justices of +the peace would not, in our judgment, be repugnant to either. We +fail to find a single word, or sentence, or clause of a sentence, +which, fairly construed, either expressly or impliedly forbids +the passage of such a law. So far as the office of justice of the +peace is concerned, there is not so much as a masculine pronoun +to hang an objection upon.</p> + +<p>It is true that the right to vote is limited to males. But the +right to vote and the right to hold office are distinct matters. +Either may exist without the other. And it may be true that the +framers of the constitution did not contemplate—did not +affirmatively intend—that women should hold office. But it by no +means follows that they intended the contrary. The truth probably +is that they had no intention one way or the other; that the +matter was not even thought of. And it will be noticed that the +unconstitutionality of such a law is made to rest, not on any +expressed intention of the framers of the constitution that women +should not hold office, but upon a presumed absence of intention +that they should.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span></p> + +<p>This seems to us a dangerous doctrine. It is nothing less than +holding that the legislature cannot enact a law unless it appears +affirmatively that the framers of the constitution intended that +such a law should be enacted. We cannot concur in such a +doctrine. It would put a stop to all progress. We understand the +correct rule to be the reverse of that; namely, that the +legislature may enact any law they may think proper, unless it +appears affirmatively that the framers of the constitution +intended that such a law should not be passed. And the best and +only safe rule for ascertaining the intention of the makers of +any written law, is to abide by the language which they have +used. And this is especially true of written constitutions; for +in preparing such instruments it is but reasonable to presume +that every word has been carefully weighed, and that none is +inserted and none omitted without a design for so doing. Taking +this rule for our guide we can find nothing in the constitution +of the United States, or of this State, forbidding the passage of +a law authorizing the appointment of women to act as justices of +the peace. We think such a law would be valid.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from"> +C. W. Walton,<br /> +Wm. G. Barrows.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The right of women to hold office was affirmed in the message of +Governor Dingley, January, 1875:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In response to the questions propounded by the governor and +council, a majority of the justices of the Supreme Court have +given an opinion that, under the constitution of Maine, women +cannot act as justices of the peace, nor hold any other office +mentioned in that instrument; but that it is competent for the +legislature to authorize persons of either sex to hold any +ministerial office created by statute. As there can be no valid +objection to, but on the contrary great convenience in, having +women who may be acting as clerks in public or private offices +authorized to administer oaths and take acknowledgment of deeds, +I recommend the passage of an act providing for the appointment +of persons of either sex, to perform such official duties. +Indeed, if further legislation be necessary to establish that +principle, I suggest the justice and expediency of an enabling +act recognizing the eligibility of women to office in the same +manner as men; for I know of no sufficient reason why a woman, +otherwise qualified, should be excluded from any position adapted +to her tastes and acquirements, which the people may desire she +should fill. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The legislature passed the bill recommended by the governor.</p> + +<p>In 1875 the Constitutional Committee, by a vote of six to two, +defeated the proposition to so amend the constitution as to make +women electors under the same regulations and restrictions as men.</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Maine Woman Suffrage Association held its third annual +meeting at Augusta on January 12, 1876, in the hall of the House +of Representatives, the use of which had been courteously +extended to the association. The hall and galleries were crowded +in every part with an intelligent audience, whose close attention +through all the sessions showed an earnest interest in the cause.</p> + +<p>The meeting was called to order by Judge Kingsbury of Portland, +president of the association.<a name="FNanchor_184_184" id="FNanchor_184_184"></a><a href="#Footnote_184_184" class="fnanchor">[184]</a> Prayer was offered by Miss +Angell of Canton,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span> N. Y. Judge Kingsbury made the introductory +address. Addresses were also made by H. B. Blackwell, Miss +Eastman and Lucy Stone, showing the right and need of women in +politics, and the duty of law-makers to establish justice for +them. It was especially urged that the centennial celebration +would be only a mockery if the Fourth of July, 1876, finds this +government still doing to women what the British government did +to the colonists a hundred years ago. Rev. Mr. Gage of Lewiston +urged the right of women to vote in the interest of civilization +itself. In the perilous times upon which we have fallen in the +great experiment of self-government, some new force is needed to +check growing evils. The influence in the home is that which is +needed in legislation, and it can only be had by the ballot in +the hand of woman. Mrs. Quinby, from the Business Committee, +reported a series of resolutions. After their adoption Mrs. Abba +G. Woolson, in an earnest and forcible speech, claimed the right +of women to vote, as the final application of the theory of the +consent of the governed. She had personally noticed the good +effects of the ballot conferred upon the women in Wyoming, and +should be glad to have her native State of Maine lead in this +matter, and give an illustration of the true republic. Miss +Lorenza Haynes, who had been the day before ordained over the +Universalist Church in Hallowell, followed with a speech of +remarkable wit and brilliancy, to which no report can do justice. </p></blockquote> + +<p>A writer in the <i>Woman's Journal</i> about this time said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>During the early part of the session of our late legislature +woman suffrage petitions were numerously signed by the leading +men and women throughout the State receiving an earnest and +respectful consideration from the people generally, even from +those who were not quite ready to sign petitions. Consequently, +it seemed an easy matter to get a bill before the legislature, +and we were almost certain of a majority in one branch of the +House, at least, especially as it was generally understood that +our new governor favored the cause; and it is believed yet that +Governor Dingley does sympathize with it, even though he failed +to mention it in his otherwise admirable message. The petitions +were duly presented and referred to a joint committee, where the +matter was allowed to quietly drop.</p> + +<p>It is neither riches, knowledge, nor culture that constitutes the +electoral qualifications, but gender and a certain implied brute +force. By this standard legislative bodies have been wont to +judge the exigency of this mighty question. More influential than +woman, though unacknowledged as such by the average legislator of +States and nations, even the insignificant lobster finds earnest +champions where woman's claims fail of recognition; which +assertion the following incident will substantiate: Being present +in the Representatives Hall in Augusta when the "lobster +question" came up for discussion (the suffrage question was then +struggling before the committee), I was struck by the air of +earnestness that pervaded the entire House on that memorable +occasion. And why not? It was a question that appealed directly +to man's appetite, and there he is always interested. After the +morning hour a dozen ready debators sprang to their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span> feet, +eloquent in advocating the rights of this important member of the +crustacean family. The discussion waxed into something like +enthusiasm, when finally an old tar exclaimed with terrific +violence: "Mr. Speaker, I insist upon it, this question must be +considered. It is a great question; one before which all others +will sink into insignificance; one of vastly more importance than +any other that will come before this honorable body during this +session!"</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">Dirigo.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>In closing this chapter it is fitting to mention some of our +faithful friends in Maine, whose names have not appeared in +societies and conventions as leaders or speakers, but whose +services in other ways have been highly appreciated.</p> + +<p>Rockland is the home of Lucy and Lavinia Snow, who, from the +organization of the first society in 1868, have never failed to +send good words of cheer and liberal contributions to all our +National conventions. Another branch of the worthy Snow family, +from the town of Hamlin, has given us equally generous coädjutors +in Mrs. Spofford and her noble sisters in Washington.</p> + +<p>As early as 1857, Mrs. Anna Greeley and Miss Charlotte Hill of +Ellsworth constituted themselves a committee to inaugurate a course +of lyceum lectures in that town, taking the entire financial +responsibility. Miss Hill was an excellent violinist and taught a +large class of boys and girls, and also played at balls and +parties, thus gaining a livelihood. Some of her patrons threatened +that if she persisted in bringing such people<a name="FNanchor_185_185" id="FNanchor_185_185"></a><a href="#Footnote_185_185" class="fnanchor">[185]</a> to that town and +affiliated with them, they would no longer patronize her. "Very +well" she replied, "I shall maintain my principles, and if you +break up my classes I can go back to the sea-shore and dig clams +for a living as I have done before." Tradition says the lecture +course was a success. She continued her classes and the neighbors +danced as ever to her music.</p> + +<p>Gail Hamilton, who resides in Maine at least half her time, is one +of the most brilliant and pungent American writers. In denouncing +the follies and failures of her sex, her critical pen has +indirectly aided the suffrage movement by arousing thought upon all +phases of the question as to what are the rights and duties of +woman, though she stoutly maintains that she is opposed to woman's +enfranchisement.</p> + +<p>In Portland there has always been a circle of noble men and women, +steadfast friends alike of the anti-slavery, temperance and woman +suffrage movements. The names of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Dennett, Miss. +Charlotte A. Thomas and Mrs. Ellen French<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span> Foster are worthy of +mention. That untiring reformer, the Hon. Neal Dow, has clearly +seen and declared in the later years of his labors, that suffrage +for women is the short path to the advancement of prohibition.</p> + +<p>The Hon. Thomas B. Reed has done us great service in congress as +leader of the Republican party in the House, and member of the +Judiciary Committee. His report,<a name="FNanchor_186_186" id="FNanchor_186_186"></a><a href="#Footnote_186_186" class="fnanchor">[186]</a> in 1884, on the submission of +the sixteenth amendment has had an extended influence. It is an +able argument, and as a keen piece of irony it is worthy the pen of +a Dean Swift. In the Senate we have a fast friend in William P. +Frye, who has always voted favorably in both houses on all +questions regarding the interests of woman. In 1878, in presenting +Miss Willard's petition of 30,000 for woman's right to vote on the +temperance question, he made an able speech recommending the +measure.<a name="FNanchor_187_187" id="FNanchor_187_187"></a><a href="#Footnote_187_187" class="fnanchor">[187]</a></p> + +<p>And in closing, the name of Maine's venerable statesman, Hannibal +Hamlin, so long honored by his State in a succession of official +positions from year to year, must not be forgotten. As chairman of +the Committee on the District of Columbia in 1870 he presided at +the first hearing of the National Woman Suffrage Association, +listened with respect and courtesy, and at the close introduced the +ladies to each member of the committee, and said "he had been +deeply impressed by the arguments, and was almost persuaded to +accept the new gospel of woman's equality." Mr. Hamlin's vote has +always been favorable and we have no words of his recorded in the +opposition.</p> + +<p>Hon. James G. Blaine has generally maintained a dignified silence +on the question. Thus far in his History, a reviewer says, "he has +ignored the existence of woman"; but perhaps in his researches he +has not yet reached the garden of Eden, nor taken cognizance of the +part the daughters of Eve have played in the rise and fall of +mighty nations.</p> + +<p>Nevertheless in our prolonged struggle of half a century for equal +rights for woman, we have found in every State the traditional ten +righteous men necessary to save its people from destruction.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<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> Signed: <i>President</i>, Benj. Kingsbury, Portland; +<i>Secretary</i>, E. R. French, S. Chesterville; <i>Treasurer</i>, William +Deering Portland; <i>ex officio</i>, Gov. Sidney Perham, Secretary of +State Geo. G. Stacy, Superintendent of Schools Warren Johnson; John +B. Nealley, S. Berwick; Nelson Dingley, jr., Lewiston; J. S. +Wheelright, Bangor; H. K. Baker, Hallowell; Mrs. C. A. L. Sampson, +Bath; Mrs. James Fernald, Portland.</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> Ann F. Greely, Sarah Jarvis, C. B. Grant, E. E. +Tinker, A. D. Hight, M. J. Brooks, C. W. Jarvis, E. B. Jarvis, +Rebecca M. Avery.</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> Signed by John Neal, S. T. Pickard, Mrs. Oliver +Dennet, Mrs. Eleanor Neal, Portland; J. J. Eveleth, mayor, Joshua +Nye, Chandler Beal, William H. Libbey, George W. Quinby, William P. +Whitehouse, General Selden Conner. H. H. Hamlen, H. S. Osgood, Mrs. +C. A. Quinby, Mrs. W. K. Lancey, Mrs. D. M. Waitt, Mrs. William B. +Lapham, Mrs. S. M. Barton, Augusta; Mary A. Ross and fifty others; +Rev. W. L. Brown, Mrs. E. A. Dickerson, Mrs. W. H. Burrill, Mrs. N. +Abbott, Mrs. Thomas N. Marshall, Miss A. A. Hicks, Belfast; John D. +Hopkins, Rev. William H. Savary, C. J. Peck, mayor, A. E. +Drinkwater, Mrs. Ann F. Greely, Ellsworth; Mrs. A. H. Savary and +twenty others; Mrs. M. C. Crossman, Mrs. S. D. Morison, Mrs. J. +Tillson, Mrs. Sarah J. Prentiss, Mrs. Amos Pickard, Bangor; Miss M. +Phillips and twelve others; Rev. John W. Hinds, Lewiston; Rev. T. +P. Adams, Bowdoinham; A. H. Sweetser and twenty others, Rockland; +Rev. W. H. Bolster, Wiscasset; W. T. C. Runnels, Searsport; Rev. M. +V. B. Stinson, Kittery; John U. Hubbard, Alfred Winslow, West +Waterville; Mrs. M. S. Philbrick, Skowhegan; Mrs. Simeon Conner, +Fairfield; George Gifford, Mrs. Mary W. Southwick, H. M. N. Bush, +M. A. Bush, A. E. Prescott, Vassalboro; A. R. Dunham and fourteen +others; R. C. Caldwell and eight others, Gardiner; Albert Crosby, +Mrs. S. G. Crosby, Albion; Noah F. Norton, Mercy G. Norton, +Penobscot.</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> <i>President</i>, Benjamin Kingsbury of Portland; +<i>Secretary</i>, Miss Addie Quimby of Augusta; <i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. W. K. +Lancey of Augusta. Among the vice-presidents are the Hon. S. F. +Hersey of Bangor, and John Neal of Portland. An Executive Committee +was elected, which included John P. Whitehouse, Hon. Joshua Nye, +Neal Dow, jr., and other leading citizens.</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> Miss Louisa Coffin, Dalton; Miss Annie Lincoln, +Mapleton; Miss Ada DeLaite, Littleton.</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> The following officers were elected: <i>President</i>, +Hon. Benjamin Kingsbury of Portland; <i>Chairman Executive +Committee</i>, Hon. Joshua Nye; <i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, Mr. C. A. +Quinby, Augusta; <i>Recording Secretary</i>, Mrs. W. D. Eaton, Dexter; +<i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. W. K. Lancey, Pittsfield.</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> Those invited were Wendell Philips, Harriet K. Hunt, +Caroline H. Dall and Susan B. Anthony.</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> Mr. Reed's report is published in full in our annual +report, of 1884, which can be obtained of Susan B. Anthony, +Rochester, N. Y.</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 page <a href="#Page_104">104</a>.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXV" id="CHAPTER_XXXV"></a>CHAPTER XXXV.</h2> + +<h3>NEW HAMPSHIRE.</h3> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>Nathaniel P. Rogers—First Organized Action, 1868—Concord +Convention—William Lloyd Garrison's Letter—Rev. S. L. Blake +Opposed—Rev. Mr. Sanborn in Favor—<i>Concord Monitor</i>—Armenia S. +White—A Bill to Protect the Rights of Married Men—Minority and +Majority Reports—Women too Ignorant to Vote—Republican State +Convention—Women on School Committees—Voting at School-District +Meetings—Mrs. White's Address—Mrs. Ricker on Prison +Reform—Judicial Decision in Regard to Married Women, +1882—Letter from Senator Blair. </p> +</div> + + +<p><span class="sc">A State</span> that could boast four such remarkable families as the +Rogers, the Hutchinsons, the Fosters, and the Pillsburys, all +radical, outspoken reformers, furnishes abundant reason for its +prolonged battles with the natural conservatism of ordinary +communities. Every inch of its soil except its mountain tops, where +no man could raise a school-house for a meeting, has been overrun +by the apostles of peace, temperance, anti-slavery, and woman's +rights in succession.</p> + +<p>To the early influence of Nathaniel P. Rogers and his revolutionary +journal, <i>The Herald of Freedom</i>, we may trace the general +awakening of the true men and women of that State to new ideas of +individual liberty. But while some gladly accepted his words as +harbingers of a new and better civilization, others resisted all +innovations of their time-honored customs and opinions. And when +the clarion voices of Foster and Pillsbury arraigned that State for +its compromises with slavery, howling mobs answered their arguments +with brickbats and curses; mobs that nothing could quell but the +sweet voices of the Hutchinson family. Their peans of liberty, so +readily accepted when set to music, were obstinately resisted when +uttered by others, though in most eloquent speech. Thus with music, +meetings and mobs, New Hampshire was at least awake and watching, +and when the distant echoes of woman's uprising reverberated +through her mountains she gave a ready response.</p> + +<p>In 1868, simultaneously with other New England States, she felt the +time had come to organize for action on the question of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span> suffrage +for women. A call for a convention was issued to be held in +Concord, December 22, 23, and signed by one hundred and twenty men +and women,<a name="FNanchor_188_188" id="FNanchor_188_188"></a><a href="#Footnote_188_188" class="fnanchor">[188]</a> some of the most honored and influential classes of +all callings and professions. Nathaniel P. White, always ready to +aid genuine reformatory movements, was the first to sign the call. +As a member of the legislature he had helped to coin into law many +of the liberal ideas sown broadcast in the early days<a name="FNanchor_189_189" id="FNanchor_189_189"></a><a href="#Footnote_189_189" class="fnanchor">[189]</a> by the +anti-slavery apostles. Galen Foster, a brother of Stephen, used his +influence also as a member of the legislature, to vindicate the +rights of women to civil and political equality. This first +convention was held in Eagle Hall, Concord, with large and +enthusiastic audiences. A long and interesting letter was read from +William Lloyd Garrison:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Boston</span>, December 21, 1868.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Mrs. White</span>: I must lose the gratification of being present +at the Woman Suffrage Convention at Concord and substitute an +epistolary testimony for a speech from the platform.</p> + +<p>The two conventions recently held in furtherance of the movement +for universal and impartial suffrage—one in Boston, the other in +Providence—were eminently successful in respect to numbers, +intellectual ability, moral strength and unity of action; and +their proceedings such as to challenge attention and elicit +wide-spread commendation. I have no doubt that the convention in +Concord will exhibit the same features, be animated by the same +hopeful spirit and produce as cheering results.</p> + +<p>The only criticism seemingly of a disparaging tone, I have seen, +of the speeches made at the conventions alluded to, is, that +there was nothing new advanced on the occasion; as though novelty +were the main thing, and the reiteration of time-honored truths, +with their latest application to the duties of the hour, were +simply tedious! For one, I ask no more light upon the subject; +nor am I so vain as to assume to be capable of throwing any +additional light upon it. One drop of water is very like another, +but it is the perpetual dropping that wears away the stone. The +importunate widow had nothing fresh or new to present to the +unjust judge,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span> but by her persistent coming she wearied him into +compliance with her petition. The end of the constant assertion +of a right withheld is restitution and victory. The whole +anti-slavery controversy was expressed and included in the Golden +Rule, morally, and in the Declaration of Independence, +politically; nor could anything new be added to these by the +wisest, the most ingenious, or the most eloquent. "Line upon +line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little"; +that is the essential method of reform. If there is nothing new +to be said in favor of suffrage for women, is there anything new +to be urged against it? But though the objections are exceedingly +trite and shallow, it is still necessary to examine and refute +them by arguments and illustrations none the less forcible +because exhausted at an earlier period.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 366px;"> +<a name="v3_369" id="v3_369"> +<img src="images/v3_369.jpg" width="366" height="500" alt="Armenia S. White" title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p>The first objection is positively one of the most urgent reasons +for granting suffrage to women; for it is predicated on the +concession of the superiority of woman over man in purity of +purpose and excellence of character. Hence the cry is, that it +will not only be descending, but degrading for her to appear at +the polls. But, if government is absolutely necessary, and voting +not wrong in practice, it is surely desirable that the admittedly +purest and best in the nation should find no obstacle to their +reaching the ballot-box. Nay, the way should be opened at once, +by every consideration pertaining to the public welfare, the +justice of legislation, the preservation of popular liberty. It +is impossible for a portion of the people, to be wiser and more +trustworthy than the whole people, or better qualified to decide +what shall be the laws for the government of all. The more minds +consulted, the more souls included, the more interests at stake, +in determining the form and administration of government, the +more of justice and humanity, of security and repose, will be the +result. The exclusion of half the population from the polls, is +not merely a gross injustice, but an immense loss of brain and +conscience, in making up the public judgment. As a nation we have +discarded absolutism, monarchy, and hereditary aristocracy; but +we have not fully attained even to manhood suffrage. Men are +proscribed on account of their complexion, women because of their +sex. The entire body politic suffers from this proscription.</p> + +<p>The second objection refutes the first; it is based on the +alleged natural inferiority of woman to man, and the transition +is thus quickly made for her, from a semi-angelic state, to that +of a menial, having no rights that men are bound to respect +beyond what they choose to allow. In the scale of political +power, therefore, one male voter, however ignorant or depraved, +outweighs all the women in America! For, no matter how +intelligent, cultured, refined, wealthy, intellectually vigorous, +or morally great, any of their number may be,—no matter what +rank in literature, art, science, or medical knowledge and skill +they may reach,—they are political non-entities, unrepresented, +discarded, and left to such protection under the laws, as brute +force and absolute usurpation may graciously condescend to give. +Yet they are as freely taxed and held amendable to penal law as +strictly as though they had their full share of representation in +the legislative hall, on the bench, in the jury-box, and at the +polls. This<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span> cry of inferiority is not peculiar in the case of +woman. It was the subterfuge and defiance of negro slavery. It +has been raised in all ages by tyrants and usurpers against the +toiling, over-burdened millions, seeking redress for their +wrongs, and protection for their rights. It always indicates +intense self-conceit, and supreme selfishness. It is at war with +reason and common-sense, and is a bold denial of the oneness of +the human race.</p> + +<p>The third objection is, that women do not wish to vote. If this +were true, it would not follow that they should not be +enfranchised, and left free to determine the matter for +themselves. It was confidently declared that the slaves at the +south neither wished to be free, nor would they take their +liberty if offered them by their masters. Had that assertion been +true, it would have furnished no justification whatever, for +making man the property of his fellow-man, or for leaving the +slaves in their fetters. But it was not true. Nor is it true that +women do not wish to vote. Tens of thousands are ready to go to +the polls and assume their share of political responsibility, as +soon as they shall be legally permitted to do so; and they are +not the ignorant and degraded of their sex, but women remarkable +for their intelligence and moral worth. The great mass will, ere +long, be sufficiently enlightened to claim what belongs to them +of right. I hope to be permitted to live to see the day when +neither complexion nor sex shall be made a badge of degradation, +but men and women shall enjoy the same rights and privileges, and +possess the same means for their protection and defense.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Wm. Lloyd Garrison.</span></p> +<p class="ltr-left">Very faithfully yours,</p> +<p class="ltr-to">Mrs. <span class="smcap">A. S. White</span>.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>At the close of this convention a State association was formed with +Mrs. Armenia S. White president.<a name="FNanchor_190_190" id="FNanchor_190_190"></a><a href="#Footnote_190_190" class="fnanchor">[190]</a> This society has been +unremitting in its efforts to rouse popular thought, holding annual +conventions, scattering tracts, rolling up petitions, and +addressing legislatures. Many of the best speakers, from time to +time, from other States<a name="FNanchor_191_191" id="FNanchor_191_191"></a><a href="#Footnote_191_191" class="fnanchor">[191]</a> have rendered valuable aid in keeping +up the agitation.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span></p> + +<p>The opposition of a clergyman produced a sensation in Concord.</p> + +<blockquote><p>On last fast-day, 1871, Rev. S.L. Blake of the Congregational +church in Concord, preached a sermon in which he came out against +the woman's rights convention held there last January, bringing +the stale charge of "free-love" against its advocates—a charge +that always leaps to the lips of men of prurient +imagination—with much similar clap-trap of the Fulton type. Rev. +Mr. Sanborn of the Universalist church replied to him the next +Sunday evening, an immense audience being in attendance, and +completely disproved the baseless allegations of the reverend +maligner, to the satisfaction of all. Rev. Mr. Blake has +published his discourse in pamphlet form, repeating his disproved +charges, whereupon Rev. J.F. Lovering of the Unitarian church +came out with a reply, in which he characterized Mr. Blake's +charges as "unmitigated falsehoods" and "an insult to every +member of the convention," and demanded of the author to "unsay +his words." </p></blockquote> + +<p>Brainard Cogswell, in his journal, the <i>Concord Monitor</i>, of July +2, 1870, published the following letter:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Petitions for woman's enfranchisement have been pouring into the +New Hampshire legislature, until at last they have been referred +to a special committee. On Thursday week this committee gave the +petitioners a hearing; and on their invitation, Mrs. Julia Ward +Howe, Mrs. Elizabeth K. Churchill and ourself went to Concord to +give "the reasons why" women should have the ballot. The members +of the legislature came out in force to hear, and our good, tried +friends, Nathaniel and Armenia White, learning their intention in +advance, opened the spacious Eagle Hall for their convenience, +and that of the towns-people who wished to see and to hear. Warm +as the evening was, the thermometer up in the nineties, the hall +was packed, and great numbers went away that could not gain +admittance. Rev. Mr. Blake, a Congregationalist minister of +Concord, has done the cause good service by vilifying and abusing +it, until he roused quite an interest. It was partly owing to his +efforts that we had so grand an audience.</p> + +<p>General Wilson, who twenty years ago was famed throughout New +Hampshire for his eloquence and oratory, was chairman of the +committee, and presided at the meeting, and very handsomely +introduced the speakers. Mrs. Howe spoke with more pointed and +pungent power than usual, dwelling on the deterioration of +American womanhood, showing the cause, and suggesting the remedy. +We have never been so impressed by her as on this occasion. Mrs. +Churchill read a letter from Rev. Mr. Savage, a Congregationalist +clergyman of the State, who advocates woman suffrage, and who, in +a late ministerial gathering, took up the gauntlet thrown down by +Mr. Blake, and defended the woman's cause and its advocates from +the slanders of his brother minister. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The president of the New Hampshire association, in writing from +Concord to the <i>Woman's Journal</i>, January 30, 1871, says:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>Our second annual meeting was a grand success, if we count by +money and numbers. The intense cold on Wednesday and Thursday +made our audiences thinner than heretofore, but they were large +in spite of the elements, Mrs. Churchill and Mrs. Emma Coe Still, +who had never presented the subject here before, were well +received. Rev. Dr. Savage of Franklin made an excellent address, +and encouraged us by timely suggestions. Stephen S. Foster +aroused us, as he always does, with his bold declarations. The +resolutions adopted look toward future work, and embody the +principles which move us to act. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Lucy Stone, in the <i>Woman's Journal</i> of June 14, 1871, says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Select Committee, Harry Bingham, chairman, to whom was +referred a bill for the further protection of the rights of +married men, reported the bill in a new draft as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Marriages shall not hereafter render the husband liable for the +debts contracted by his wife prior to their marriage: <i>Second +section</i>—No marriage shall hereafter discharge the wife from +liability to pay the debts contracted by her before such +marriage, but she, and all property which she may hold in her own +right, shall be held liable for the payment of all debts, whether +contracted before or after marriage; in the same manner as if she +continued sole and unmarried. </p></blockquote> + +<p>This report was signed by eight of the ten members of the +committee. The minority, through Mr. Sprague of Swanzey, made a +report recommending that the whole subject be postponed to the time +when women in New Hampshire have the right to vote. Mr. Sprague +moved that the minority report be substituted for the majority, but +the motion was lost by an almost unanimous vote. The majority +report was sustained in remarks by Messrs. Wadleigh of Milford and +Cogswell of Gilman. The latter, hard pushed by an interrogatory +concerning his social status, admitted that he was not married, but +intended to be soon. The bill reported by the majority was then +ordered to a second reading.</p> + +<p>If this action should be sustained by the legislature, we can +imagine some future suitor for a lady's hand telling her that he +shall expect her duly to keep his house and his wardrobe in order, +to prepare his meals, to entertain his visitors, to bear his +children, and that she will be required by law to pay her own +bills; that for this inestimable privilege she shall be called Mrs. +John Snooks, and may, perhaps, have the honor of being written in +the newspapers, and on her tombstone, as the relic of Mr. John +Snooks. Could any woman withstand that? </p></blockquote> + +<p>The following statistics have been used by speakers in the +opposition, to show that women are too ignorant to vote:</p> + +<blockquote><p>A decided sensation has been produced throughout the country by +the publication in the third number of the "Transactions of the +American Social Science Association" of statistics concerning the +illiteracy of women in the United States. The subject has +received very general discussion, and these are the conclusions +reached:</p> + +<blockquote><p>1. That there is a large excess of female illiteracy. 2. That +from 1850 to 1860 there was an increase of illiterate women to +the extent of 53 per cent. in New Hampshire, 27 in Vermont, 24 in +Massachusetts, 33 in Rhode Island, 16 in Connecticut, 37<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</a></span> in the +District of Columbia, 33 in Wisconsin and 32 in Minnesota. 3. +That this state of things is alarming, and ought to be remedied. </p></blockquote> + +<p>When the London <i>Saturday Review</i> raised the cry of alcoholic +drunkenness among women, the conservative journals all over the +world swelled the sound and confirmed the charges. Now that that +story has run itself to death, a new assault is projected, and a +general clamor concerning their illiteracy follows. If the charges +are true, there is nothing very astonishing about them. The +education of women has been considered a matter of secondary +importance until very recently, and with our foreign population the +education of girls has been almost wholly neglected. When the +customs and usages of the world have made ignorance largely +compulsory in women, it is somewhat inconsistent in men to go into +spasms about the results. </p></blockquote> + +<p>January 17, 1874, at the Republican State convention, Mayor Briggs +of Manchester, on taking the chair, made a speech, rehearsing the +history of the party and laying out its programme for the future, +closing as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Republican party has future duties. Its mission cannot end +and its work should not, so long as any radical reform shall yet +urge its demands in behalf of humanity. The civil service reform +is eminent and important. In this regard the movement of the +present administration is in the right direction, and yet it is +only a first step of many which must ultimately be taken. To the +people, not to a part of the people, belongs the sovereignty of +this nation. Let them keep it. To this end great care should be +taken to guard against the caucus system. Nothing should be more +scrupulously avoided in the management of political parties. +Anti-republican in spirit, it is sometimes exclusive in practice. +The people have the same right to nominate that they have to +elect their own officers. Why not? Ultimately, too, they will +take that right, and for its own sake no party can afford to make +itself the nursery of caucus power. The political machinery +should be simplified, that nothing which mere politicians can +desire shall stand between the people and their government. In a +genuine republic, every act of the government should be but a +practical expression of its subjects. All the subjects, too, +should share equally the power of such expression. There should +be no exclusion among intelligent, qualified classes. Involved in +this principle is the idea of woman suffrage, the next great +moral issue, in my judgment, which this country must meet, and a +reform which no party can afford to despise. Indubitably right, +as I believe it to be, I regard its success as inevitable, and +that whatever party opposes it is as surely destined to defeat, +as was the party which arrayed itself in opposition to the +anti-slavery cause. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The following letter in the <i>Woman's Journal</i> shows that something +of the spirit of the Connecticut Smith-sisters has been found in +New Hampshire:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I have long felt a deep interest in the subject of woman's +rights, and some fifteen years ago I resisted taxation two +successive years. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</a></span> second year I worked out my highway tax, +for which crime I brought down upon my guilty head a severe +persecution from both men and women, from clergymen and lawyers, +as well as other classes of my fellow townsmen. The +tax-collectors came into my house and attached furniture and sold +it at auction in order to collect my tax, one of whom made me all +the cost the laws would allow. The most incensed town officers +threatened that if I resisted taxation the next year, they would +take my house from me and sell it at auction. One of the +tax-gatherers asked me what I thought I could do alone in +resisting taxation. He said he did not believe there was another +woman in the State of New Hampshire who possessed the hardihood +to take such a stand against the laws. The editor of one of our +weekly journals, who professed to be an advocate of woman's +rights, and who was a candidate for representative in the State +legislature, condemned me through the columns of his paper, in +order to secure the votes of his fellow townsmen who were opposed +to woman's rights. He had nothing to fear from me, knowing that I +was only a disfranchised slave. Such unjust treatment seemed so +cruel that I sometimes felt I could willingly lay down my life, +if it would deliver my sex from such degrading oppression. I +have, every year since, submissively paid my taxes, humbly hoping +and praying that I may live to see the day that women will not be +compelled to pay taxes without representation.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">Mary L. Harrington.</p> +<p class="ltr-to"><i>Claremont, N. H., January 17, 1874.</i></p> +</blockquote> + + +<p>In 1870 a law was passed allowing women to be members of school +committees; and eight years later a law was enacted permitting +women to vote at school meetings. On the evening of August 7, 1878, +the House Special Committee granted a hearing to the friends<a name="FNanchor_192_192" id="FNanchor_192_192"></a><a href="#Footnote_192_192" class="fnanchor">[192]</a> +of the School-suffrage bill, which had already passed the Senate by +a unanimous vote; and the next day, when the bill came up for final +action in the House, the following debate occurred:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Batchelder</span> of Littleton said: This bill is one of the +greatest importance, and before we vote upon it let us have the +views of the committee.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Galen Foster</span> of Canterbury called upon Mr. Blodgett to give +his opinion as to the power of the legislature upon the question.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Blodgett</span> of Franklin said he had no doubt of the +constitutionality of the bill. School districts were created by +statute and not by the constitution; hence the legislature had a +perfect right to say who should vote in controlling their +affairs.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Foster</span> said: The mothers of our children should have a voice +in their education. We have allowed women to hold certain offices +in connection with schools, but we have never given them a voice +in the control of the money expended upon them. The mothers take +ten times<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></span> more interest in the education of the young than the +fathers do, and should have an equal voice in the affairs of the +school districts. This is a matter of right and justice.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Sinclair</span> of Bethlehem said: There ought not to be any +objection to this bill. If there is any class that ought to have +a voice in the education of children, it is the mothers. +[Applause.] Some of the best school committees in the State are +women. If they can be elected to that office, is it proper to say +they shall have no voice in the elections?</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Whicher</span> of Strafford thought they would get a little mixed in +carrying out the provisions of this bill, in the face of the +statutes relating to school-district meetings. He would move to +indefinitely postpone the bill.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Mosher</span> of Dover said: There ought to be a new motion gotten +up; to "indefinitely postpone" is getting to be stereotyped. This +bill needs no further championing. Its justice is apparent.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Hobbs</span> of Ossippee said: If women are capable of holding +office they are also capable of saying who shall hold it. +[Applause.]</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Patten</span> of Manchester favored the bill and hoped the motion of +Mr. Whicher would be voted down.</p> + +<p>The <span class="smcap">Speaker</span> [Mr. <span class="smcap">Woolson</span> of Lisbon] said: The bill had passed the +Senate unanimously, been reported unanimously by the committee, +and he hoped it would be passed promptly by the House. +[Applause.]</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Patterson</span> of Hanover said he would congratulate the gentleman +from Bethlehem on being orthodox on this question.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Sinclair</span> congratulated his friend from Hanover on his display +of courage in waiting until the ice was broken all round before +making a forward step. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mr. Whicher withdrew his motion to postpone and then moved to lay +the bill upon the table. This being lost, the bill was passed, +August 8, 1878. Mrs. White, the president of the State association, +in a letter to a friend, wrote as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>To our surprise and delight the bill allowing women to vote at +school-district meetings passed the House yesterday amid much +cheering and clapping of hands, the ladies in the gallery joining +in the demonstration. Thus conservative New Hampshire leads New +England in this branch of reform for women. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The governor, B. F. Prescott, signed the bill without delay and +words of cheer poured into the capital city from all quarters; +especially were Mr. and Mrs. White congratulated upon this good +result of their earnest and persistent labors. The following is +from the <i>Woman's Journal</i>:</p> + +<blockquote><p>At the first election at the State capital of New Hampshire under +the new law allowing women to vote on school questions, the +result was a wonderfully full vote, not less than 2,160 ballots +being cast, of which over half were deposited by women. The +Boston <i>Investigator</i>, from which we gather these facts, says: <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>The balloting extended over three meetings and the number of +women who participated was almost exactly doubled on the second +and third evenings—150, 299, 662. Another interesting feature of +this election was the fact that the sexes did not rally to the +support of opposing tickets, but men and women divided their +votes very evenly. A ticket bearing the names of two men was +elected by a narrow majority over another which bore the names of +a man and woman. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Of the first evening's election the telegraphic dispatch to the +<i>Boston Globe</i> was headed, "Crowds of Women Voting in New +Hampshire":</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Concord</span>, N. H., March 22.—The occasion of the annual meeting of +the Union-school district of this city, which comprises all of +the city proper, this evening, was one of unprecedented interest. +For months school matters have been sharply agitated and the +election has been looked forward to as an opportunity by all +parties. To the uncommon interest centered in the matter the +right of women to vote at school meetings, delegated by the last +session of the legislature, greatly added. The new condition of +affairs had been fully canvassed and the women had determined on +making the best of their first opportunity and winning a decisive +victory if possible. The night of the meeting proved +inauspicious, but notwithstanding the severe storm of snow and +sleet that was falling the newly constituted citizens were out in +force. At the hour of opening the meeting the City Hall was +packed to suffocation, 500 of the audience, at least, being +ladies. The first business was the choice of a moderator, and in +this the ladies may claim a victory, as the candidate a majority +of them supported was elected in the person of ex-mayor John +Kimball. After this came the reading of the report of the board +of education, which was strenuously objected to by the male +supporters of the ladies. In this they were beaten by a large +majority. The reading completed, the meeting commenced to ballot +for three members of the board. The scene then became one beyond +the power of the reportorial pen to describe. It was an +old-fashioned New Hampshire town-meeting, with the concomitant +boisterousness and profanity subdued by the presence of the +ladies. A line was formed to the polls and a struggling mass of +humanity in which male and female citizens were incongruously and +indecorously mixed, surged towards the ballot-box. The crowding, +squeezing and pushing were severe enough for the taste of the +masculine voter, and were harsh enough to make it extremely +unpleasant for the dear creatures who were undergoing so much to +cast their maiden vote. To add to the delay the Hon. Nathaniel +White had planted his somewhat corpulent form directly in front +of the ballot-box and stayed the surging tide to shake hands with +every woman that voted. Having voted, the men were only too glad +to leave the crowded hall and let the anxious crowd rush in. The +vote was at last all in, and the work of counting completed +shortly before 11 o'clock. It was found that there were some ten +different tickets in the field, and forty-two candidates voted +for; but from this mass of votes there was no choice, though the +regular candidates, the outgoing members of the board, who would +have been elected had it not been for the new element in the +election, were ahead, having a plurality. The meeting was then +adjourned till next Saturday evening, when the scenes of to-night +will be intensified by a larger attendance and still greater +interest. The meeting to-night obtains importance in New +Hampshire, as this is the center of female suffrage sentiment in +this State, and the women are determined to win here if possible. </p></blockquote> +</blockquote> + +<p>In the opening convention of November 5, 1879, Mrs. White, the +president, made the following address:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends of the N. H. Woman Suffrage +Association</i>: We hold the seventh meeting of this association +under circumstances that mark an epoch in the progress of equal +rights, irrespective of sex, in this State. After more than a +decade of agitation, and petitioning of our legislature, women +hold in their hand the ballot on one important<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span> matter. Let us +exchange congratulations on this occasion, that so much has been +gained toward the final triumph of our cause.</p> + +<p>You will remember when this association was last in session, +July, 1878, that the bill giving the women of New Hampshire the +right to vote on the public-school questions, was pending in our +legislature. At our first hearing before that body, we hardly +dared anticipate the passage of the bill during that session. But +agitation, vigilance and perseverance ever bring their sure +reward in the end, therefore we continued to press our claim, and +soon learned to our great satisfaction that our allies in behalf +of this bill, were the very <i>cream</i> of our legislature. We at +once took courage, and as day after day we went up to the +state-house, with friends who plead for it before the committee, +who kindly gave us several hearings; we saw the gradual growth of +interest in behalf of this bill soon ripen into a final decision +causing it to pass; thereby enacting a law, to which our worthy +governor, B. F. Prescott, immediately gave his willing signature, +securing to the women of this State the high privilege many of +them gladly exercised last spring. Many feared this law would be +repealed; but to show with what favor it has been received, we +have only to refer to the legislature of the present year, which +passed an additional law, giving to women not only the right to +vote for and serve on school boards, but also the power to serve +as moderator or clerk in school meetings, for which the former +law did not provide. This, it would seem must remove all fears of +a repeal.</p> + +<p>Petitions asking municipal suffrage for women, were sent to our +last legislature, and a bill to that effect, introduced in the +House, was referred to a special committee, who reported in its +favor: and after more or less discussion, although the bill did +not pass, about one hundred members voted for it, and their names +are registered, and with the committee, will be kindly remembered +by those women whose cause they did not desert. From past +experience we see the importance of continued labor and proper +measures for the accomplishment of our work. The present degree +of progress indicates the fact that we are not to obtain the full +recognition of our rights at one bound, but that they are coming +step by step. To note the growth of our principles in the various +reform movements, let us look at the temperance organizations +throughout the length and breadth of this country; we find nearly +all of them now discussing the ballot for women. Why, no sooner +had Massachusetts, following the example of New Hampshire, +obtained the school ballot for women, than the Woman's Christian +Temperance Unions all over the State were a unit for the +temperance ballot, and the past year have had their agents +canvassing the State in the interest of school suffrage and "home +protection."</p> + +<p>All who read the reports last winter of Frances E. Willard's +labors in Illinois in behalf of her Home Protection bill (for it +originated with her), of the list of petitioners of both sexes +she secured and took to Springfield, of the delegation of women +who accompanied her there to advocate her bill, must acknowledge +the educating force of all such untiring devotion for the right +to vote. Although she was not victorious, she was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</a></span> successful +beyond all expectation, for it is said, "Success is not always a +victory, nor is victory always a success in the end." Let me say +here, Miss Willard believes in the entire enfranchisement of her +sex, but in her earnest and faithful labors makes a specialty of +the temperance ballot.</p> + +<p>At the annual meeting of the New Hampshire Woman's Christian +Temperance Union, held here one year ago, a resolution was +offered by a most worthy lady, indorsing suffrage for women on +all temperance questions. It was at once vigorously opposed by +some, while others, although believing in it, feared it would +divide their ranks if it passed, and felt too timid to give it +their support. The lady offering it, seeing it would be defeated, +withdrew it, at the same time giving notice that she should +present the same, or one similar, to that body every year as long +as she lived, or until it passed. Last month the same +organization held its annual meeting in Portsmouth, and that +lady, as good as her word, was there with her resolution on +temperance suffrage, and it passed unanimously, about 100 +delegates being present and voting, many of whom acknowledged the +timidity they felt last year, but now earnestly gave it their +support. Such experiences give us some idea of the different +instrumentalities by which our cause is forced upon conservative +minds for consideration, ending in honest conviction.</p> + +<p>In closing, I know you will all unite with me in tributes to Mr. +Garrison. Now that he has gone to join that innumerable host of +philanthropists in the higher life, let us rejoice that he was +one of the leaders of that reform which brings us here to-day. +And now, friends, in view of the present status of our cause, +have we not much to encourage us in our work? May we go forward +in that spirit of good-will that shall bring us a speedy victory. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Resolutions of respect to the memory of Mrs. Abby P. Ela, William +Lloyd Garrison and Angelina Grimké Weld were adopted by a rising +vote.</p> + +<p>In the <i>National Citizen</i> of December 14, 1879, we find the +following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Marilla M. Ricker of New Hampshire had an executive hearing +before the governor and council of that State, November 18, in +regard to the management of the State prison. Mrs. Ricker, who in +winter practices law in Washington, and is known as "the +prisoner's friend," referred to the cruel treatment of convicts +in various States, notably in New Hampshire, where prisoners are +not permitted to read the magazines or the weekly newspapers +which contain no record of crime, nor to receive words from their +friends, as in other States they are allowed at stated times to +do. When Mrs. Ricker desired to see a certain prisoner and let +him know he had friends who were yet mindful of his comfort, the +warden replied that he did not wish that man "to think he had a +friend in the world." Mrs. Ricker warmly protested against such +brutality. The attorney-general agreed with Mrs. Ricker, +remarking that the line between crimes punished and those not +punished, and the lines between those in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</a></span> prison and those +outside who ought to be there, were so dim and shadowy that great +care should be exercised in order to secure just and humane +treatment for prisoners. Mrs. Ricker's remarks were earnest and +dignified, and were listened to with the closest attention by the +governor and his official advisers. At the close of the hearing +the governor referred the subject to the special prison committee +of the council, directing its members to procure all possible +information as to the management of penitentiaries in other +States, and report at the next meeting. Through Mrs. Ricker's +influence the last legislature passed an act providing that any +convict may send sealed letters to the governor or council +without their being read by the warden. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1882 a judicial decision in New Hampshire recognized the advance +legislation of that State in regard to the position of married +women. This decision shows that they are no longer under the shadow +of the old common law, but now hold equal dignity and power as +individuals and joint heads in family life. The "divinely ordained +head," with absolute control in the home, to rule according to his +will and pleasure, is at last ruled out of the courts altogether, +as the following case illustrates:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Mrs. Harris and her husband sued Mrs. Webster and her husband for +slanders uttered by Mrs. Webster against Mrs. Harris. The suit +was brought on the old theory that the legal personality of the +wife is merged in that of her husband; that she is under his +control, his chattel, his ox, and therefore he is responsible for +her trespasses as for those of his other domestic cattle. The +Court held that the wife is no longer an "ox" or "chattel," but a +person responsible for her acts, and that her innocent husband +could not be held responsible for her wrong. In rendering the +decision in this case, Judge Foster further said: "It is no +longer possible to say that in New Hampshire a married woman is a +household slave or a chattel, or that in New Hampshire the +conjugal unity is represented solely by the husband. By custom +and by statute the wife is now joint master of the household, and +not a slave or a servant. The rule now is that her legal +existence is not suspended. So practically has the ancient unity +become dissevered and dissolved that the wife may not only have +her separate property, contracts, debts, wages, and causes of +separate action growing out of a violation of her personal +rights, but she may enter into legal contract with her husband +and enforce it by suit against him." </p></blockquote> + +<p>The writer of the following letter is a successful farmer, +remarkable for her executive ability in all the practical affairs +of life, as well as for her broad philanthropy. One year she sent, +as a contribution to our Washington convention, a tub of butter +holding about sixty pounds, which was sold on the platform and the +proceeds put into the treasury of the National Association:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Dear Friends assembled in the Washington Convention:</i></p> + +<p>Last week our new town-house was dedicated. The women accompanied +their husbands. One man spoke in favor of woman suffrage—said it +was "surely coming." In this town, at the Corners, for several +years they tried to get a graded school, but the men voted it +down. After the women had the school-suffrage, one lady, who had +a large family and did not wish to send her children away from +home, rallied all the women of the Corners, carried the vote, and +they now have a good graded school. Our village is moving down, +that the boys and girls may have the benefit of the good school +there. I think the women who have been indifferent and not +availed themselves of their small voting privilege, by which we +might have established the same class of school in our village, +will now regret their negligence, at least every time they have +to send three miles for a doctor. Thus, stupid people, blind to +their own interest, punish themselves. I regret not being able to +send a fuller report of the good that woman's use of the ballot, +in a limited form, has done for us in this State. The voting in +the town-hall is the "infant school" for women in the use of the +ballot. Thanking the ladies all for meeting at the capital of the +nation, and regretting not to be counted among the number, I am,</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Mary A. P. Filley</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Yours sincerely,</p> +<p class="ltr-to"><i>North Haverill, January 5, 1884.</i></p> +</blockquote> + +<p>In closing this chapter some mention should be made of the +invaluable services of Senator Blair,<a name="FNanchor_193_193" id="FNanchor_193_193"></a><a href="#Footnote_193_193" class="fnanchor">[193]</a> who, in his place, has +always nobly defended the rights of women. He was a member of the +first special committee ever appointed to look after the interests +of women in the United States Senate. The leaders of the movement +in that State claim that they helped to place Senator Blair in his +present position by defeating his predecessor, Mr. Wadleigh, who +was hostile to the enfranchisement of women.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"> +<span class="smcap">United States Senate, Washington, D. C.</span>, March 5, 1884.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Miss Anthony</span>: I had the honor duly to receive your +invitation to address the National Association during its +sessions in this city, for which I heartily thank you; but the +pressure of duties in the Senate, service upon committees being +just now specially exacting, makes it impossible for me to +accept.</p> + +<p>I trust that I need not assure you of my full belief that woman +has the right and ought to have the privilege to vote. Whenever a +fundamental right exists both public and individual welfare are +promoted by its exercise and injured by its suppression. The +exercise of rights is only another name for the discharge of +duties, and the denial of the suffrage to an adult human being, +not deprived of it for mental or penal disability, is an +intolerable wrong. Such denial is not only a deprivation of right +to the individual, but it is an injury to the State, which is +only well governed when controlled by the conflicting opinions, +sentiments and interests of the whole, harmonized in the +ballot-box, and, by its fiat, elevated to the functions<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</a></span> of law. +But you have no occasion for expression of theoretical views from +me.</p> + +<p>If I may be pardoned a suggestion, it would be the specification +to the public mind of the practical uses and benefits which would +result from the exercise of the suffrage by women. Men are not +conscious that women lack the practical protection of the laws or +the comforts and conveniences of material and social relations +more than themselves. The possession of the ballot as a practical +means of securing happiness does not appear to the masses to be +necessary to women in our country. Men say: "We do the best we +can for our wives and children and relatives. They are as well +off as we." In a certain sense this appears to be true. The other +and higher truth is that woman suffrage is necessary in order +that society may advance. The natural conservatism of an existing +order of things will not give way to a new factor in the control +of affairs, until it has been shown in what way enlightened +selfishness may hope for good to society if the change be made. +Here it seems to me that the convention may now strike a blow +more powerful than for many years. Society has not so labored +with the great problems which concern its own salvation for +generations.</p> + +<p>What would woman do with the ballot if she had it? What for +education? What for sobriety? What for social purity? What for +equalizing the conditions and the rewards of labor—the labor of +her own sex first—and towards a just division of production +among all members of the community? What for the removal, or for +the amelioration when removal is impossible, of hunger, cold, +disease and degradation, from the daily lives of human beings? +What could and what <i>would</i> woman do with the ballot which is not +now as well done by man alone, to improve the conditions which +envelope individual existence as with bands of iron? What good +things—state them <i>seriatim</i>, as the lawyers say—could woman do +in New Hampshire and in New York city, and ultimately among the +savage tribes of the earth, which she cannot do as well without +as with the suffrage? Would woman by her suffrage even <i>help</i> to +remove illiteracy from Louisiana, intemperance from New England, +and stop society from committing murder by the tenement-house +abuses of New York? Let the convention specify what practical +good woman will try to achieve with her God-given rights, +provided that men will permit her to enjoy them. Show us wherein +you will do <i>us</i> good if we will rob you no longer. It might +influence us greatly. Why should we do right for nothing? In +fact, unless you show that the exercise of your alleged right +will be useful, can you logically conclude that you have any? We +must have proof that the experiment will not fail before we will +even try it. You must connect the ballot with progress and reform +and convince men that they, as well as women, will be better off +for its possession by the whole of the adult community rather +than only by a part. Theories may be true, but they are seldom +reduced to practice by society unless it can be clearly seen that +their adoption will heal some hurt or introduce some broad and +general good.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</a></span></p> + +<p>The increasing discussion of industrial, educational, sanitary, +and social questions generally, indicates the domain of argument +and effort where victories for the advocates of enlarged suffrage +are most likely, and I think are sure to be won. Woman should +study specially what is called, for the want of a better term, +the labor problem—a problem which includes in its scope almost +everything important to everybody. I know this is an unnecessary +suggestion, for it is just what you are doing. I only write it +because repetition of the important is better than to recite +platitudes or even to quote the declaration. I believe in your +success because I believe in justice and in the advancement of +mankind.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Henry W. Blair</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Very respectfully, your obedient servant,</p> + +</blockquote> + + + +<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> <i>Concord</i>, Nathaniel P. White, Mrs. Sarah Pillsbury, +Rev. J. F. Lovering, P. B. Cogswell, Mrs. Eliza Morrill, Mrs. +Louisa W. Wood, Col. James E. Larkin, Mrs. J. F. Lovering, Charles +S. Piper, Mrs. Armenia S. White, Mrs. M. M. Smith, Mrs. F. E. +Kittredge, Mrs. Sarah Piper, Mrs. Ira Abbott, Mrs. L. M. Bust, Dr. +A. Morrill, Mrs. P. Ladd, Mrs. R. A. Smith, George W. Brown, Mr. +and Mrs. J. V. Aldrich, Mr. and Mrs. M. B. Smith, Mrs. T. H. Brown, +Mrs. R. Hatch, Mrs. J. L. Crawford, Mrs. Anna Dumas, Miss Harriet +C. Edmunds, Miss Salina Stevens, Miss Mary A. Denning, Miss N. E. +Fessender, Miss M. L. Noyes, Miss Clara Noyes, James H. Chase, +Peter Sanborn; <i>Lancaster</i>, Rev. J. M. L. Babcock; <i>Rochester</i>, +Mrs. Abby P. Ela; <i>Bradford</i>, Mrs. L. A. T. Lane, Miss M. J. +Tappan; <i>Laconia</i>, Rev. J. L. Gorman, William M. Blair; +<i>Manchester</i>, Dr. M. O. A. Hunt; <i>Plymouth</i>, Hon. D. R. Burnham; +<i>Portsmouth</i>, Hon. A. W. Haven; <i>Canterbury</i>, Mr. and Mrs. D. M. +Clough; <i>Lebanon</i>, A. M. Shaw; <i>Keene</i>, Col. and Mrs. Wilson; +<i>Grafton</i>, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Kimball; <i>Northfield</i>, Mrs. D. E. +Hill; <i>Franklin</i>, Rev. Wm. T. Savage; <i>Canaan</i>, William W. George; +<i>Littleton</i>, R. D. Runneville.</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> They had their influence in the church as well as +the State, as the following item in <i>The Revolution</i>, July 16, +1868, shows: "The New Hampshire convention of Universalists, at +their late anniversary, adopted unanimously a resolution in favor +of woman's elevation to entire equality with man in every civil, +political and religious right."</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> <i>President</i>, Mrs. Armenia S. White. +<i>Vice-Presidents</i>, Rev. J.F. Lovering, Concord; Mrs. A.L. Thomas, +Laconia; Ossian Ray, Lancaster; Mrs. S. Pillsbury, Concord; J.V. +Aldrich, West Concord; Mrs. Mary Worcester, Nashua; Mrs. Mary +Barker, Alton; Peter Kimball, Grafton; E.J. Durant, Lebanon; Mrs. +Fannie V. Roberts, Dover; Miss A.C. Payson, Peterboro; Mrs. E.A. +Bartlett, Kingston; Mr. Springfield, South Wolfboro; Galen Foster, +Canterbury; Mrs. R.M. Miller, Manchester; Mrs. Nancy Gilman, +Tilton; C. Ballou, North Weare; D. Burnham, Plymouth. <i>Executive +Committee</i>, Nathaniel White, Mrs. E.C. Lovering, Col. J.E. Larkin, +Concord; Mrs. J. Abby Ela, Rochester; Rev. Wm. T. Savage, Franklin; +Mrs. Eliza Morrill, Mrs. Daniel Holden, West Concord; Miss Caroline +Foster, Canterbury; P.B. Cogswell, Mrs. Louisa Wood, Mrs. M.M. +Smith, Concord; Dr. M.V.A. Hunt, Manchester. <i>Recording Secretary</i>, +Mrs. E.C. Lovering, Concord. <i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, Dr. J. +Gallinger. <i>Treasurer</i>, Jas. H. Chase.</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> Wendell Phillips, William Lloyd Garrison, Thomas +Wentworth Higginson, Frederick Hinckley, Lucy Stone, Frances Ellen +Harper, Dr. Sarah H. Hathaway, Rev. Phebe A. Hanaford, Rev. Mr. +Connor, Rev. Ada C. Bowles, Emma Coe Still, Rev. Lorenza Haynes, +Mary Grew, Mary A. Livermore, Elizabeth K. Churchill, Margaret W. +Campbell, Anna Dickinson, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Matilda Joslyn +Gage, Rev. Olympia Brown, Lillie Devereux Blake, Elizabeth A. +Meriwether, Elizabeth Lisle Saxon, Susan B. Anthony.</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> The speakers at this hearing were Mr. Galen Foster +of Canterbury, Senators Gallinger and Shaw, Mrs. Abby Goold +Woolson, H. P. Rolfe, S. B. Page, Rev. E. L. Conger and Mrs. +Armenia S. White.</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> Reëlected to the Senate, June, 1885.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXXVI.</h2> + +<h3>VERMONT.</h3> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>Clarina Howard Nichols—Council of Censors—Amending the +Constitution—St. Andrew's Letter—Mr. Reed's Report—Convention +Called—H. B. Blackwell on the <i>Vermont Watchman</i>—Mary A. +Livermore in the <i>Woman's Journal</i>—Sarah A. Gibbs' Reply to Rev. +Mr. Holmes—School Suffrage. </p> +</div> + + +<p><span class="sc">After</span> the miseries growing out of the civil war were in a measure +mitigated, there was a general awakening in the New England States +on the question of suffrage for women, and in 1868 one after +another organized for action. What Nathaniel P. Rogers was to New +Hampshire in the anti-slavery struggle that was Clarina Howard +Nichols<a name="FNanchor_194_194" id="FNanchor_194_194"></a><a href="#Footnote_194_194" class="fnanchor">[194]</a> to Vermont in early calling attention to the unjust +laws for woman. From 1843 to 1853 she edited the <i>Windham County +Democrat</i>, in which she wrote a series of editorials on the +property rights of women, and from year to year made her appeals in +person to successive legislatures. Her patient labors for many +years prepared the way for the organized action of 1868. The women +of that State can never too highly appreciate all that it cost that +noble woman to stand alone, as she did, through such bitter +persecutions, vindicating for them the great principles of +republican government.</p> + +<p>And now, after a quarter of a century, instead of that one solitary +voice in the district school-house and the State capitol, are heard +in all Vermont's towns and cities, echoing through her valleys and +mountains, the clarion voices of a whole band of distinguished men +and women from all the Eastern States. The revival of the woman +question in Vermont began with propositions to amend the +constitution. We are indebted to a series of letters, written by a +citizen of Burlington, signed "St. Andrew,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</a></span> for many of the +interesting incidents and substantial facts as to the initiative +steps taken in this campaign. He said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The only way of amending the constitution is for the people +(meaning the male voters) to elect, every seventh year, a board +called the Council of Censors, consisting of thirteen persons. +This council can, within a certain time, propose amendments to +the constitution, and call a convention of one delegate from each +town, elected by the freemen, to adopt or reject the articles of +amendment proposed by the council. The Council of Censors, +elected in March, 1869, proposed six amendments: (1) In relation +to the creation of corporations; (2) in relation to biënnial +sessions and elections; (3) in relation to filling vacancies in +the office of senators and town representatives; (4) in relation +to the appointment, terms, etc., of judges of the Supreme Court; +(5) providing that women shall be entitled to vote, and with no +other restrictions than the law shall impose on men; (6) in +relation to the manner of amending the constitution.</p> + +<p>The election of delegates occurs on Tuesday, May 10, and the +convention meets on the first Wednesday in June. There is no +general excitement in the State in relation to any of the +proposed changes; and now, upon the eve of the election, it is +impossible for the most sagacious political observer to predict +the fate of any of the amendments. The fifth is the only one in +support of which public meetings have been held, and those took +place the early part of the spring at the larger places in the +State. The friends have never expected to obtain a majority, nor +even a considerable vote in the convention, and the meetings that +have been held were not expected to settle the question, but to +awaken the public mind upon the subject. These meetings have been +a decided success, attended by hundreds of intelligent citizens, +many of whom for the first time listened to an address upon the +subject. It is true that ladies were advised to remain away, but +such advice generally resulted in a larger attendance; and to-day +the measure has a firmer support than ever before, and its +advocates are more confident of final success. We may not have +more than "<i>ten righteous</i>" men elected to the convention, but +that number was enough to save the cities of the <i>plain</i>, and we +have full faith that as small a number can save the cities of the +<i>mountains</i>.</p> + +<p>The press of the State is divided on the subject. We have two +dailies—one, the <i>Rutland Herald</i>, the oldest paper in the +State, in favor of the movement, and the <i>Free Press</i> of +Burlington, opposed to it. After the coming convention, no change +can be made in our constitution for seven years, at least, and if +the sixth amendment be adopted, not for ten years. But, in the +meantime, the question will assume more importance by a constant +agitation as to the equality of the sexes, the admission of women +to the State University, the professions, and other rights to +which men are entitled. Vermont can never emulate in wealth and +population the manufacturing States of the seaboard, or the +prairie States of the West; but she can win a nobler preëminence +in the quality of her institutions. She may be the first State, +as Wyoming<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[Pg 385]</a></span> already is the first territory, to give political +equality to woman, and to show the world the model of a true +republic.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">St. Andrew.</p> +<p class="ltr-to"><i>Burlington, Vt., May 1, 1870.</i></p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Mr. Reed of Washington county submitted the report in favor of the +woman suffrage amendment, from which we give the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>One-half of the people of our State are denied the right of +suffrage. Yet woman has all the qualifications—the capacity, the +desire for the public welfare, that man has. She is among the +governed. She pays taxes. Even-handed justice, a fair application +of the principles of the Declaration of Independence and of our +State constitution, give woman the ballot. There is no reason why +woman should not be allowed to do what she is so eminently fit to +do. We know no good reason why the most ignorant man should vote +and the intelligent woman be refused. Our present political +institutions were formed and shaped when men had their chief +interests and pursuits out of doors, and women remained the +humble slaves at home. The social change has been immense. Now +woman sits by the side of man, is his companion and associate in +his amusements, and in his labors, save the one of governing the +country. And it is time that she should be in this.</p> + +<p>The position of woman in regard to the common schools of the +State is the most unjust. She must always be the chief instructor +of the young in point of time and influence. She is their best +teacher at home and in the school. And her share in this +ever-expanding work is becoming vaster every day. Woman as +mother, sister, teacher, has an intelligence, a comprehension of +the educational needs of our youth, and an interest in their +development, far in advance of the other sex. She can organize, +control and teach the most difficult school in the State; yet she +has no vote in the selection of teachers, the building, +arrangements and equipments of school-houses, nor in the method +and extent of instruction. She can pay her share of the expenses +of schools, but can have no legal voice in their management. She +can teach, but she can have no vote in determining what shall be +taught. She is the very corner-stone of institutions which she +has no power in shaping. Let us have her open, avowed and public +coöperation—always safer than indirect influence. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The submission of an amendment to the constitution necessarily +aroused a general agitation on the proposed changes. The fifth +amendment decided on by the board of censors seemed to create a +more general interest than either of the others, and accordingly a +meeting was called for its full consideration, that efficient steps +might be taken for a thorough canvass of the State, preparatory to +the May election, and issued the following call:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The friends of woman suffrage in Vermont are requested to meet in +mass convention at Montpelier on Wednesday, February 2, at 10 +o'clock, for the purpose of considering<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</a></span> and advancing the best +interests of the cause in this State, in view of the +constitutional amendment proposed by the council of censors. The +convention will be addressed by several ladies and prominent +gentlemen of this State, and by William Lloyd Garrison, Julia +Ward Howe and Rev. Ada C. Bowles of Massachusetts; Lucy Stone and +Henry B. Blackwell of New Jersey, and Mary A. Livermore of +Illinois. A public meeting will also be held the evening before +the convention, which will be addressed by some of the eminent +speakers above named. The Hutchinson family will be present and +sing their woman suffrage songs. The Vermont Central, Passumpsic, +Rutland and Burlington and Bennington and Rutland lines of +railroad will extend the courtesy of free return checks, provided +they shall be applied for by twenty-five or more persons paying +full fare one way over an average distance of each of their +respective roads, which will be determined by the secretary.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" width="80%" summary="Authors"> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">C. W. Willard</span>,</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">James Hutchinson, Jr.</span>,</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">George H. Bigelow</span>,</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Charles Reed</span>,</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Newman Weeks</span>,</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Jonathan Ross</span>,</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">James S. Peck.</span><i>Ex. Com. Vermont Woman Suffrage Association</i>.<a name="FNanchor_195_195" id="FNanchor_195_195"></a><a href="#Footnote_195_195" class="fnanchor">[195]</a></td></tr> +</table></div> + +<p class="ltr-to"><i>Montpelier</i>, January 10, 1870.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>It is a noticeable fact that the movement for the enfranchisement +of woman in Vermont was inaugurated wholly by men. Not a woman was +on its official board, nor was there one to speak in the State. Men +called the first woman's rights convention, and chose Hon. Charles +Reed of Montpelier as its presiding officer, as well as president +of the State association.</p> + +<p>However, these gentlemen invited ladies from other States, and a +series of meetings<a name="FNanchor_196_196" id="FNanchor_196_196"></a><a href="#Footnote_196_196" class="fnanchor">[196]</a> was inaugurated through the chief towns and +cities of Vermont. The speakers<a name="FNanchor_197_197" id="FNanchor_197_197"></a><a href="#Footnote_197_197" class="fnanchor">[197]</a> were heartily welcomed at some +points and rudely received at others. The usual "free-love" cry was +started by some of the opposition papers—a cry that like "infidel" +in the anti-slavery days, oft' times frightened even the faithful +from their propriety. Henry B. Blackwell came to the rescue, and +ably answered the <i>Vermont Watchman</i>:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The <i>Vermont Watchman</i> evades the discussion of the question +whether women shall be entitled to vote, by raising false issues. +The editor asserts that "many of the advocates of suffrage have +thrown scorn upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</a></span> marriage and upon the Divine Word." That +assertion we denounced as an unfounded and wicked calumny. We +also objected to it as an evasion of the main question. Thereupon +the <i>Watchman</i>, instead of correcting its mistake and discussing +the question of suffrage, repeats the charge, and seeks to +sustain it by garbled quotations and groundless assertions, which +we stigmatized accordingly. The <i>Watchman</i> now calls upon us to +retract the stigma. We prefer to prove that our censure is +deserved, and proceed to do so.</p> + +<p>The first quotation of the <i>Watchman</i> is from an editorial in the +<i>Woman's Journal</i>, entitled "Political Organization." The object +of which was to show the propriety of doing what the <i>Watchman</i> +refuses to do—viz.: of discussing woman suffrage upon its own +merits. It showed the unfairness of complicating the question +with other topics upon which friends of woman suffrage honestly +differ. It regretted that "many well-meaning people insist on +dragging in their peculiar views on theology, temperance, +marriage, race, dress, finance, labor, capital—it matters not +what." It condemned "a confusion of ideas which have no logical +connection," and protested "against loading the good ship, Woman +Suffrage, with a cargo of irrelevant opinions." The <i>Watchman</i> +cites this article as an admission that some of the friends of +suffrage advocate free-love. Not at all. The editor of the +<i>Watchman</i> is himself one of the well-meaning people alluded to. +He insists on dragging in irrelevant theological and social +questions. He refuses to confine himself to the issue of +suffrage. The <i>Watchman</i> quotes a single sentence of the +following statement:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The advocates of woman's equality differ utterly upon every other +topic. Some are abolitionists, others hostile to the equality of +races. Some are evangelical Christians; others Catholics, +Unitarians, Spiritualists, or Quakers. Some hold the most rigid +theories with regard to marriage and divorce; others are +latitudinarian on these questions. In short, people of the most +opposite views agree in desiring to establish woman suffrage, +while they anticipate very different results from the reform, +when effected. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The above is cited as evidence against us. How so? A man may hold +"latitudinarian theories in regard to marriage and divorce" without +"throwing scorn upon the marriage relation," or having the +slightest sympathy with free-love. For instance: The present law of +Vermont is latitudinarian is these very particulars. It grants +divorce for many other causes than adultery. Measured by the more +conservative standard of Henry Ward Beecher and Mary A. Livermore, +it allows divorce upon insufficient grounds. This law represents +the public sentiment of a majority of the people of Vermont. Will +the <i>Watchman</i> assert that the people of Vermont "throw scorn on +the marriage relation"? Or that he is in "low company" because he +is surrounded by the citizens of a State who entertain views upon +the marriage relation less rigid than his own? Our indignant +protest against the injustice of the common law, which subjects the +person, property, earnings and children of married women to the +irresponsible control of their husbands, is not a protest against +marriage. It is a vindication of marriage, against the barbarism of +the law which degrades<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[Pg 388]</a></span> a noble and life-long partnership of equals +into a mercenary and servile relation between superior and +dependant.</p> + +<p>The <i>Watchman</i> assails prominent supporters of woman suffrage, and +misquotes and misrepresents them. Because Theodore Tilton is +unwilling "that men or women shall be compelled to live together as +husband and wife against the inward protest of their own souls," +therefore he is charged with advocating free-love. Is it possible +that the editor regards such a relation of protest and disgust as +consistent with the unity of Christian marriage? Is it right that a +pure and noble man, the tender husband of a happy wife, the loving +father of affectionate children, should be thus causelessly +traduced for showing that the essential fact of marriage is in that +unity of soul which is recognized and affirmed by the outward form? +When the <i>Watchman</i> undertakes to brand men and women of +irreproachable character for an intellectual difference, he is +engaged in a very unworthy business. When he charges immorality +upon the <i>New York Independent</i> and infidelity upon John Stuart +Mill, he forgets that his readers have minds of their own.</p> + +<p>But, suppose it were true that newspapers and individuals who +believe in woman suffrage held objectionable views on other +subjects, what has this to do with the merit of the proposed +reform? There are impure and intemperate men in the Republican +party. Is the Republican party therefore "low company"? There are +brutal and ignorant and disloyal men in the Democratic party. Does +this prove that Dr. Lord and every other Democrat in the State of +Vermont is brutal and ignorant and disloyal? The Supreme Court of +the United States has just decided that a divorce obtained under +the laws of Indiana is legal and binding in every other State. In +thus affirming Mrs. McFarland's right to marry Mr. Richardson, has +the Supreme Court of the United States sanctioned free-love? Will +the <i>Watchman</i> call Chief-Justice Chase and the Supreme Court +free-lovers? We have very little hope that the <i>Watchman</i> will +treat this question with fairness or candor. Our cause is too +strong. The argument from reason, from revelation, from nature, +from history, is on our side. The <i>Watchman</i> is fighting against +the Declaration of Independence, the bill of rights of the State of +Vermont, and the principles of representative government. No wonder +that it raises false issues. No wonder that it evades the question.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">H. B. B.</p> +</blockquote> + + +<p>The following editorial in the <i>Woman's Journal</i>, from the pen of +Mary A. Livermore, does not give a very rose-colored view of the +reception of the Massachusetts missionaries on their first advent +into Vermont:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Vermont constitutional convention has rejected a proposition +to give the ballot to woman, by a vote of 231 to 1. It flouted +all discussion of the question, and voted it down with the utmost +alacrity. No one cognizant of the bigotry, narrowness and general +ignorance that prevail there will be surprised at this result. It +is not a progressive State, but the contrary. Great stress has +been laid on the fact that "Vermont never owned a slave"—and +from this it has been argued that the Green Mountain<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[Pg 389]</a></span> State is +and has been especially liberty-loving. But during the two brief +visits we made last winter, we were told again and again, by +Vermont men, that the only reason for the non-introduction of +slavery was the impracticability of that form of labor among the +Green Mountains—that slavery could never have been made +profitable there, and that this, and not principle and heroic +love of freedom, prevented Vermont from ever being a slave State. +Nowhere, not even in the roughest and remotest West, have we met +with such vulgar rudeness, ill-manners and heroic lying as we +encountered in Vermont. The lecturers who were invited into the +State by the Vermont Woman Suffrage Association, composed wholly +of men, were in many instances left unsupported by them, allowed +to meet the frequently rough audiences as best they could, to pay +their own bills, and to manage the campaign as they might. At the +very first intimation of opposition on the part of the +<i>Montpelier Argus</i>, the <i>Watchman</i> and the <i>Burlington Free +Press</i>—an unworthy trio of papers that appear to control the +majority—many members of the State association showed the "white +feather," and either apologetically backed out of the canvass, or +ignominiously kept silent in the background. There was, +therefore, nothing like a thorough discussion of the question, no +fair meeting of truth and error, not even an attempt to canvass +the State. For, not ambitious to waste their efforts on such +flinty soil, the men and women who were invited to labor there +shook off the dust (snow) of Vermont from their feet, and turned +to more hopeful fields of labor.</p> + +<p>Let it not be supposed, however, that this vote of the delegates +of the constitutional convention is any indication of the +sentiment of the women on this question. The fact that 231 women +of lawful age, residents of Brattleborough, and 96 of Newfane, +sent a petition for woman suffrage, with their reasons for asking +it, to Charles K. Field, delegate from that town to the +constitutional convention; that petitions from other hundreds of +women have been forwarded to congress, praying for a sixteenth +amendment; that, by letters and personal statements, we know the +most intelligent and thoughtful women everywhere rebel against +the State laws whose heathenism, despotism and absurdity were so +well shown by Mrs. Nichols in 1845—all these facts are proofs +that the sentiment of Vermont women is not represented by the +constitutional convention now in session at Montpelier.—[M. A. +L. </p></blockquote> + +<p>August 12, 1871, our Burlington correspondent says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>While conventions, picnics and bazar meetings, in the cause of +woman suffrage, have been held in our sister States, an event has +very quietly occurred with us which we deem an important step in +the right direction, viz.: the admission of women to the +University. By an almost unanimous vote of the corporation, a few +conservatives opposing it, the matter was referred to the +faculty, who are understood to be heartily in favor of the "new +departure." The college that has thus thrown its doors wide open +to all, is the University of Vermont and State Agricultural +College, founded by the munificence of General Ira Allen in 1791. +It commenced operations in 1800; the Federal troops used its +buildings for barracks in the war of 1812; the buildings (and +library) were burned in 1824, and reconstructed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[Pg 390]</a></span> in the following +year, when the corner-stone was laid by General Lafayette. It +sent forth nearly all its sons to the great rebellion. Indeed, at +one time its condition served to remind one of the lines of +Holmes—</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Lord, how the <i>Senior</i> knocked about<br /></span> +<span class="i2">That Freshman class of <i>one</i>."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>It has graduated such men as the late Senator Collamer, John G. +Smith, president of the Northern Pacific Railroad; William G. T. +Shedd, the learned theologian; the late Henry J. Raymond of the +New York <i>Times</i>; John A. Kasson of Iowa, Frederick Billings, and +a host of others, eminent in all the walks of life. Its late +president, who was an "Angell from Providence," and has just been +elected president of Michigan University, is heartily in favor of +the movement, and the president-elect, Matthew H. Buckham, is no +less so. With its new president and its "new departure" the +future bids fair even to outshine the past.</p> + +<p>It may be well to inquire the reason why a college located in a +State regarded by outsiders "as the most conservative of the +Union on the woman suffrage question," should take a step so far +in advance of what has been deemed the prevailing sentiment. +Editors who have been battling the new reform with a zeal equaled +only by that manifested against abolitionism a few years since, +can see no necessary connection between the new movement and the +general cause of woman's emancipation. Whether necessary or not, +there is a practical connection between them which is being felt +more and more every day. I assert, with no fear of contradiction +by any observing man, that Vermont is no more committed against +woman suffrage than any other State in the East, and the fact +that but one man in our late convention voted to extend the right +of suffrage to all, can well be explained when we consider the +manner of choosing delegates by towns; one town, for instance, +with twelve voters, having the same voice in the representation +that this city has with 1,500. With a popular vote upon that +question the State would give such a majority as would fairly +astonish all those who regarded the late convention as a complete +demolition of the "reformers."</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">St. Andrew.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The following criticism of the Rev. Mr. Holmes, from the pen of a +woman, shows the growing self-assertion of a class hitherto held in +a condition of subordination by clerical authority. Such +tergiversation in the pulpit as his has done much to emancipate +woman from the reverence she once felt for the teaching of those +supposed to be divinely ordained of heaven:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Benson</span>, Vt., June 20, 1871.</p> + +<p>I have heard it stated from the pulpit within a year that the +woman suffrage question in Vermont is dead. Well, we believe in +the resurrection. Week by week this question of the hour and of +the age confronts those who claim to have given it decent burial. +The same clergyman who pronounced it dead has since spoken of it +as one of the "growing evils of the times," and in this beautiful +summer weather he has felt called upon to preach another sermon, +ostensibly on "marriage," really upon this "dead<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[Pg 391]</a></span> question," +dragging it out to daylight again, that we might see how easily +he could bury it fifty fathoms deep—with mud. It reminded me of +Robert Laird Collier's sermon, "The Folly of the Woman Movement," +in its logic and its spirit. Mr. Collier and our Mr. Holmes see +but one thing in all this struggle for truth and justice, and +that is "free-love." Here are some specimens of Mr. Holmes' +assertions:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The advocates of woman's rights want, not the ballot so much as +the dissolution of the marriage tie. They propose to form a tie +for the term of five, six or seven years. Mark the men or women +who are the most strenuous advocates of woman suffrage. They are +irreligious and immoral. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Who are more strenuous advocates of woman suffrage than Mrs. Julia +Ward Howe, Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe, Mrs. Isabella Beecher +Hooker, Mrs. Lucy Stone, Mrs. Lucretia Mott, Mrs. Livermore, T. W. +Higginson, Henry Ward Beecher, Bishop Simpson, Governor Claflin, +Gilbert Haven, Wendell Phillips, and scores of others whose lives +are as pure and intellects as fine as his who dares stand in the +sacred desk and call these persons "irreligious and immoral"? His +argument seems to be like this: Some advocates of woman suffrage +are in favor of easy divorces. These men and women advocate woman +suffrage; therefore these men and women are in favor of easy +divorces. Or, to make the matter still plainer, some ministers of +the Gospel are immoral. Mr. H. is a minister of the Gospel; +therefore Mr. H. is immoral. The method of reasoning is the same, +but it don't sound quite fair and honorable, does it?</p> + +<p>"In our land woman is a queen; she is loved and cared for," says +Mr. Holmes. In sight from the window where I write is a sad +commentary upon this. One of these queens, so tenderly cared for, +is hoeing corn, while her five-months-old baby—the youngest of +nine children—lies on the grass while she works. Her husband is +away from home, but has left word for the "old woman" to "take care +of the corn and potatoes, for he has to support the family." When +they are out of meat, she must go out washing and earn some, for +"he has to support the family," and cannot have her idle. Not long +since they were planting corn together, she doing as much as he. At +noon, although she had a pail of milk and another of eggs, he +brought her the two hoes to carry home, as he could not be troubled +with them. Had he ever read:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"I will be master of what is my own;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">She is my goods, my chattels—<br /></span> +<span class="i0">My horse, my ox, my ass, my anything"?<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>"No woman reaches such dignity as the New England wife and mother," +says Mr. H. Is wifehood more honorable, or motherhood more sacred, +in New England than in other places? Is to be a wife and mother, +and nothing else, the sole end and aim of woman? Or is there not +other work in God's universe which some woman may possibly be +called upon to do? Is Florence Nightingale or Anna Dickinson less +dignified than Mrs. John Smith, who happens physically to be the +mother of half-a-dozen children, but mentally and morally is as +much of a child as any of them?</p> + +<p>"Woman has just the sphere she wants. She has more privileges than +she could vote herself into," says Mr. H. Has she, indeed? I know +women, who would gladly vote themselves into the privilege of +having<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">[Pg 392]</a></span> the custody of their own children, whose husbands are +notoriously drunken and licentious. They are pure, good women, who, +rather than part with their children, live on with men whose very +breath is pollution. I know others who would like to vote +themselves into the privilege of retaining their own hard earnings +instead of having them sacrificed by a drunken husband. Widows have +been literally turned out of doors after their husbands' death, and +the property they had helped to accumulate divided among those who +never earned it. Do you think such women would not change the laws +of inheritance if they had the power?</p> + +<p>"Husband and wife are one, hence one vote is sufficient," says Mr. +H. Follow out the reasoning, if you please. "Both one," hence one +dinner is sufficient, "both one," hence if a man is a member of a +church his wife is also. In plain English, "the husband and wife +are both one," and the husband is that one. Now in case <i>that one</i> +should die, is it fair, or just, or fitting, that the widow—"the +relict"—or, in the words of Mr. H., "the feminine spirit that has +supplemented this masculine nature," whose hands have been tied all +these years, should be called upon to pay taxes upon the share of +property the law allows her? Taxation without representation was +the immediate cause of the famous tea-party in Boston harbor, and, +in fact, of a good many other unpleasant things that followed.</p> + +<p>"Woman has just the sphere she wants," says Mr. H., closing the +discussion. No, sir, she has not. Had those young ladies in +Philadelphia who were studying medicine, and were insulted day +after day by the male medical students, the sphere they wanted? Our +American girls have been to Europe for the sake of pursuing their +studies in medicine, and have met with kindness and courtesy, while +in this land, where they are called "queens," they received only +hisses. Last winter Governor Claflin of Massachusetts—one of those +"irreligious and immoral" advocates of woman suffrage—reminded the +gentlemen of that State who claim to be woman's representatives in +the legislature, "that a wife in that State is deprived of the free +control of property that was her own before marriage, and is denied +an equal right in the property accumulated during the marriage +partnership; that a married mother has no legal right to her child; +and that a widow has not equal rights with a widower." When woman +has the sphere she wants, these things will be changed.</p> + +<p>As a majority of the men in this community are opposed to woman +suffrage, I will relate one circumstance that will do to "point a +moral or adorn a tale." Of course, the voters in this or any other +place always elect their best men to hold office, and the board of +selectmen would naturally be the very wisest and best, the "<i>crème +de la crème</i>." Now it so happens that one selectman being away from +home, there was not enough arithmetic left with the other two to +make out the tax-bills for the town, and they hired a woman, the +mother of two children, to do it for them. It certainly took more +of her time than it would for her to have walked across the street +and voted for men who could make out their own tax-bills. Then +arithmetic is not a womanly accomplishment, like tatting, +crocheting, etc. These things sink into our hearts, and will bear +fruit in due season.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">Sarah A. Gibbs.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">[Pg 393]</a></span></p> + +<p>In 1877, July 21, Miss Thyrza F. Pangborn, for the last six years +the capable and efficient recorder in the probate office of +Burlington, was appointed and sworn as a notary public. In a letter +of December 7, 1872, our correspondent says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In the year 1870, the world was somewhat startled by the fact +that in the constitutional convention, held that year in Vermont, +but one vote was cast for the enfranchisement of woman; and no +one wonders that the friends of that movement exclaimed, "Can any +good come out of—Vermont"? Yesterday the first biënnial session +of the legislature closed its session of fifty-seven days. A bill +has been pending in each House, giving female tax-payers a right +to vote at all school-district meetings. It was advocated by Mr. +Butterfield, one of the leading members of the House, in an able +and learned speech, and received 64 votes to 103 against. Is not +that doing well for such a staid old State as Vermont, and one +where the enemies of equal suffrage supposed, two years since, +that the measure was indefinitely postponed? But this is not all. +The measure was introduced in the Senate, composed of thirty +members, who are supposed to be the balance-wheel of the General +Assembly. It was warmly discussed by several Senators, and the +vote taken, when there were three members absent, resulting in, +yeas 13, nays 14. Had the Senate been full, the vote would have +been, yeas 14,<a name="FNanchor_198_198" id="FNanchor_198_198"></a><a href="#Footnote_198_198" class="fnanchor">[198]</a> nays 16. A change of one of the "no" votes +would have carried the measure, as the lieutenant-governor, who +presides in the Senate, would have given the casting vote in its +favor.</p> + +<p>The supporters of the measure included some of the ablest members +of the Senate, among them the chairmen of the very important +Committees on Finance, Claims, Education, Agriculture, +Manufactures, Railroads and Printing.</p> + +<p>Following the defeat of the above-mentioned bill came up a +measure granting to women the same right to vote as men have in +all elections everywhere in the State. It received the support of +all who voted for the school measure, save two, Mr. Mason and Mr. +Rogers, who prefer to see the first tried as an experiment in the +school meetings. You thus perceive that twelve out of our thirty +grave and reverend Senators are real out-and-out equal suffrage +men. Verily, the world moves! Another year, 1874, we hope will +carry off the measure. Meanwhile, we say, three cheers for old +Vermont, and glory enough for one day!</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">St. Andrew.</p> +<p class="ltr-to"><i>Burlington, Vt.</i></p> +</blockquote> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">[Pg 394]</a></span></p> + +<p>In 1880 the School Suffrage bill passed the Vermont House of +Representatives, with only four dissenting votes. When the bill +came to a third reading and only four men stood up for the +negative, there was so marked an expression of derision that the +speaker called for "order," and reminded the House that "no man was +to be scorned for voting alone any more than with a crowd." The +action and the voting came cheerily. More than one man, to the +objection of "an entering wedge," said "he was ready to grant the +whole." The bill passed the Senate triumphantly and was approved by +the governor, December 18, 1880:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Women shall have the same right to vote as men have, in all +school-district meetings and in the election of school +commissioners in towns and cities, and the same right to +hold office relating to school affairs. </p></blockquote> + +<p>An item in the <i>Woman's Journal</i>, from Vergennes, March 22, 1881, +says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>At the city election to-day General J. H. Lucia, a staunch friend +of woman suffrage, was elected mayor, and principally through his +management Miss Electa S. Smith has been chosen to the office of +city clerk, which office he has held for the past two years. The +legislature of 1880 authorized the election of women to the +offices of superintendent of schools and town clerk, and some of +the friends of the cause were disposed to try the working of the +law here. They selected a candidate whose ability, qualifications +and thorough fitness all had to concede, and against whom the +only objection that could be raised was her being a woman. It +took the conservatives some time to get over their surprise at +the first suggestion of her name, but they admitted the propriety +of the thing and gallantly lent a hand, so that when the election +came all the candidates who had been talked about were +conspicuous by their absence, and Miss Smith was elected by +acclamation. Surely the world does move. </p> + + +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Springfield</span>, February 7, 1884.</p> + +<p><i>Miss Lydia Putnam, Brattleboro', Vt.:</i></p> + +<p>Your letter is at hand. I think but few women have, as yet, availed +themselves of the privilege of voting in school meetings in this +State, and I am not able to say what the effect upon our schools +has been up to the present time.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Justus Dartt</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Very respectfully,</p> + +</blockquote> + + +<p>Notwithstanding the above reply from the state-superintendent of +the public schools of Vermont, the Associated Press reports of +every year<a name="FNanchor_199_199" id="FNanchor_199_199"></a><a href="#Footnote_199_199" class="fnanchor">[199]</a> since 1881 make mention of women being elected to +school offices in the various towns and counties of the State.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<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> No woman in so many varied fields of action has more +steadily and faithfully labored than Mrs. Nichols, as editor, +speaker, teacher, farmer, in Vermont, New York, Wisconsin, Iowa, +Ohio, Kansas, and California where she spent the closing years of +her life; and though always in circumstances of hardship and +privation, yet no annual convention was held without a long letter +from her pen, uniformly the most cheerful and able of all that were +received. A great soul that seemed to rise above the depressing +influences of her surroundings! The last letter she ever wrote us +was in January, 1885, a few days before she passed away. See Volume +I., page <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_171">171</a>.</p></div> + +<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> Officers of the Vermont Woman Suffrage Association: +<i>President</i>, Hon. Charles Reed, Montpelier. <i>Vice-presidents</i>, Hon. +John B. Hollister, Bennington; Hon. Seneca M. Dorr, Rutland; Rev. +Addison Brown, Brattleboro'; Col. Lynus E. Knapp, Middlebury; Hon. +James Hutchinson, jr., West Randolph; Hon. Russell S. Taft, +Burlington; Hon. A. J. Willard, St. Johnsbury; Hon. H. Henry +Powers, Hyde Park; Hon. Jasper Rand, St. Albans. <i>Recording +Secretary</i>, Henry Clark, Rutland. <i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, Albert +Clarke, St. Albans. <i>Treasurer</i>, Albert D. Hager, Proctorsville. +<i>Executive Committee</i>, Hon. C. W. Willard, Montpelier; Hon. Charles +Reed, Montpelier; George H Bigelow, Burlington; Newman Weeks, +Rutland; Hon. Jonathan Ross, St. Johnsbury; Rev. Eli Ballou, D. D., +Montpelier.</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> Following the convention at Montpelier, meetings +were held at St. Albans, Northfield, Barre, Burlington, St. +Johnsbury, Brattleboro', Rutland, Fairhaven, Castleton, Springfield +and Bellows Falls.</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> Among the speakers were Mr. Garrison, Mrs. Howe, +Mrs. Stone, Leo Miller, Mrs. Churchill, Mrs. Livermore, Mrs. +Campbell, Dr. Sarah Hathaway, Mrs. Bowles, Mr. Blackwell, Hon. A. +J. Williard. Mr. Taft, Mr. Clark, Judge Carpenter, Mr. Ivison, the +Rev. Messrs. Brigham, Eastwood, Brown and Emerson.</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> The fourteen who favored the bill were: Mr. Bigelow +of Burlington, one of the leading editors in the State; Mr. +Butterfield of Grafton, one of the most experienced legislators in +the State; Mr. Carpenter of Northfield, who is known to be right on +all questions that concern humanity, Mr. Colton of Irasburgh, now +serving his second term in the Senate; Mr. Estey of Brattleboro', +the manufacturer of the celebrated cottage organ; Mr. Houghton of +North Bennington, a leading banker and business man who has just +been elected one of the directors of our state-prison; Mr. King of +North Montpelier, farmer; Mr. Lamb of Royalton, the oldest member +in the Senate, a lawyer; Mr. Mason of Richmond, a man who would be +described by a Yankee as "chock full of honesty and common-sense"; +Mr. Rogers of Wheelock and Mr. Stiles of Montgomery, both farmers, +and as near like Mr. Mason as two peas are alike; Mr. Reynolds of +Alburgh Springs, one of the absentees, but in favor of the bill, a +prominent merchant; Mr. Powers, one of the ablest lawyers in the +State, and, finally, Mr. Sprague of Brandon, a leading banker and +manufacturer, the head and principal owner of the Brandon +Manufacturing Company.</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 1885 there were thirty-three women elected to the +office of school superintendent in eleven of the fourteen counties +of the State, as follows: <i>Addison</i>, Miss A. L. Huntley; +<i>Bennington</i>, Mrs. R. R. Wiley; <i>Caledonia</i>, Miss Nellie Russell, +Mrs. A. F. Stevens, Mrs. E. Bradley, Miss S. E. Rogers; +<i>Chittenden</i>, Mrs. S. M. Benedict, Mrs. L. M. Bates, Mrs. J. C. +Draper; <i>Essex</i>, Mrs. Henry Fuller, Hettie W. Matthews, Jennie K. +Stanley, Mrs. S. M. Day; <i>Franklin</i>, none; <i>Grand Isle</i>, Miss I. +Montgomery; <i>La Moille</i>, Carrie P. Carroll, Miss C. A. Parker; +<i>Orange</i>, Miss F. H. Graves, Miss A. A. Clement, Miss V. L. +Farnham, Miss F. Martin; <i>Orleans</i>, none; <i>Rutland</i>, Mrs. I. C. +Adams, Miss H. M. Bromley, Miss M. A. Mills, Lillian Tarbell, Mrs. +H. M. Crowley; <i>Washington</i>, none; <i>Windham</i>, Mrs. J. M. Powers, +Mrs. J. E. Phelps; <i>Windsor</i>, Mrs. E. G. White, Miss C. A. Lamb, +Mrs. H. F. VanCor, Clara E. Perkins, Mrs. E. M. Lovejoy, Mrs. L. M. +Hall.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">[Pg 395]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXXVII.</h2> + +<h3>NEW YORK—1860-1885.</h3> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>Saratoga Convention, July 13, 14, 1869—State Society Formed, +Martha C. Wright, President—<i>The Revolution</i> Established, +1868—Educational Movement—New York City Society, 1870, +Charlotte B. Wilbour, President—Presidential Campaign, +1872—Hearings at Albany, 1873—Constitutional Commission—An +Effort to Open Columbia College, President Barnard in +Favor—Centennial Celebration, 1876—School Officers—Senator +Emerson of Monroe, 1877—Gov. Robinson's Veto—School Suffrage, +1880—Gov. Cornell Recommended it in his Message—Stewart's Home +for Working Women—Women as Police—An Act to Prohibit +Disfranchisement—Attorney-General Russell's Adverse Opinion—The +Power of the Legislature to Extend Suffrage—Great Demonstration +in Chickering Hall, March 7, 1884—Hearing at Albany, 1885—Mrs. +Blake, Mrs. Stanton, Mrs. Rogers, Mrs. Howell, Gov. Hoyt of +Wyoming. </p> +</div> + + +<p><span class="sc">The</span> in <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_63">New York chapter</a> in Volume I. closes with an account of some +retrogressive legislation on the rights of married women,<a name="FNanchor_200_200" id="FNanchor_200_200"></a><a href="#Footnote_200_200" class="fnanchor">[200]</a> +showing that until woman herself has a voice in legislation her +rights may be conceded or withheld at the option of the ruling +powers, and that her only safety is in direct representation. The +chapter on <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_586">"Trials and Decisions"</a> in Volume II., shows the +injustice women have suffered in the courts, where they have never +yet enjoyed the sacred right of trial by a jury of their own peers.</p> + +<p>After many years of persistent effort for the adjustment of special +grievances, many of the leaders, seeing by what an uncertain tenure +their civil rights were maintained by the legislative and judicial +authorities, ceased to look to the State for redress, and turned to +the general government for protection in the right of suffrage, the +fundamental right by which all minor privileges and immunities are +protected. Hence the annual meeting of the National Association, +which had been regularly held in New York as one of the May +anniversaries, was, from 1869, supplemented by a semi-annual +convention in Washington for special influence upon congress.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">[Pg 396]</a></span></p> + +<p>Until the war the work in New York was conducted by a central +committee; but in the summer of 1869, the following call was issued +for a convention at Saratoga Springs, to organize a State Society:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The advocates of woman suffrage will hold a State convention at +Saratoga Springs on the thirteenth and fourteenth of July, 1869. +The specific business of this convention will be to effect a +permanent organization for the State of New York. Our friends in +the several congressional districts should at once elect their +delegates, in order that the whole State may be represented in +the convention. In districts where delegates cannot be elected, +any person can constitute himself or herself a representative. +The convention will be attended by the ablest advocates of +suffrage for woman, and addresses may be expected from Elizabeth +Cady Stanton, president of the National Association, Celia +Burleigh, president of the Brooklyn Equal Rights Association, +Matilda Joslyn Gage, advisory counsel for the State, Susan B. +Anthony, of <i>The Revolution</i>, Charlotte B. Wilbour of New York +city, and others. Every woman interested for her personal freedom +should attend this convention, and by her presence, influence and +money, aid the movement for the restoration of the rights of her +sex.</p> + +<p> +Mrs. <span class="smcap">Elizabeth B. Phelps</span>, <i>Vice-President for the State of New York</i>.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Matilda Joslyn Gage</span>, <i>Advisory Counsel</i>.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The opening session of the convention was held in the spacious +parlors of Congress Hall the audience composed chiefly of +fashionable ladies<a name="FNanchor_201_201" id="FNanchor_201_201"></a><a href="#Footnote_201_201" class="fnanchor">[201]</a> from all parts of the country, who listened +with evident interest and purchased the tracts intended for +distribution. The remaining sessions were held in Hawthorn Hall, +Matilda Joslyn Gage presiding. A series of spirited resolutions was +adopted, also a plan of organization presented by Charlotte B. +Wilbour, for a State association.<a name="FNanchor_202_202" id="FNanchor_202_202"></a><a href="#Footnote_202_202" class="fnanchor">[202]</a> Many able speakers<a name="FNanchor_203_203" id="FNanchor_203_203"></a><a href="#Footnote_203_203" class="fnanchor">[203]</a> were +present. The formation of this society was the result of a very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">[Pg 397]</a></span> +general agitation in different localities on several vital +questions in the preceding year:</p> + +<p><i>First</i>—On taxation. Women being large property holders, had felt +the pressure during the war, especially of the tax on incomes, and +had resolved on resistance: Accordingly, large meetings<a name="FNanchor_204_204" id="FNanchor_204_204"></a><a href="#Footnote_204_204" class="fnanchor">[204]</a> were +called at various points, in 1868. While women of wealth were +organizing to resist taxation, the working women<a name="FNanchor_205_205" id="FNanchor_205_205"></a><a href="#Footnote_205_205" class="fnanchor">[205]</a> were uniting +to defend their earnings, and secure better wages. It seemed for a +few months as if they were in a chronic condition of rebellion. But +after many vain struggles for redress in the iron teeth of the law, +and equally vain appeals to have unjust laws amended, the women +learned the hopelessness of all efforts made by disfranchised +classes.</p> + +<p><i>Second</i>—On prostitution. For the first time in the history of the +government, a bill was presented in the New York legislature, in +1868, proposing to license prostitution. This showed the +degradation of woman's position as no other act of legislation +could have done, and although the editors of <i>The Revolution</i> were +the only women who publicly opposed the bill (which they did both +before the committee of the legislature, and in their journal), yet +there was in the minds of many, a deep undercurrent of resistance +to the odious provisions of that bill. Horace Greeley, too, in his +editorials in the New York <i>Tribune</i>, denounced the proposition in +such unmeasured terms that, although pressed at three different +legislative sessions, no member of the committee could be found +with sufficient moral hardihood to present the bill.</p> + +<p>In connection with this question, the necessity of "women as +police," was for some time a topic of discussion. They had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">[Pg 398]</a></span> proved +so efficient in many cases, that it was seriously proposed to have +a standing force in New York and Brooklyn, to look after young +girls,<a name="FNanchor_206_206" id="FNanchor_206_206"></a><a href="#Footnote_206_206" class="fnanchor">[206]</a> new to the temptations and dangers of city life. In +<i>The Revolution</i> of March 26, 1868, we find the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It is often asked, would you make women police officers? It has +already been done. At least a society of women exists in this +country, for the discovery of crimes, conspiracies and such +things. The chief of this band was Mrs. Kate Warn, a native of +this State, who lately died in Chicago. She was engaged in this +business, fifteen years ago, by Mr. Pinkerton, of the National +Police Agency. She did good service for many years in watching, +waylaying, exploring and detecting; especially on the critical +occasion of President Lincoln's journey to Washington in 1861. In +1865 she was sent to New Orleans, as head of the Female Police +Department there. </p></blockquote> + +<p>There was a general movement in these years for the more liberal +education of women in various departments of art and industry, as +well as in letters. First on the list stands Vassar College, +founded in 1861, richly endowed with fine grounds and spacious +buildings. We cannot estimate the civilizing influence of the +thousands of young women graduating at that institution, now, as +cultivated wives and mothers, presiding in households all over this +land. Cornell University<a name="FNanchor_207_207" id="FNanchor_207_207"></a><a href="#Footnote_207_207" class="fnanchor">[207]</a> was opened to girls in 1872, more +richly endowed than Vassar, and in every way superior in its +environments; beautifully situated on the banks of Cayuga Lake, +with the added advantage and stimulus of the system of coëducation. +To Andrew D. White, its president, all women owe a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">[Pg 399]</a></span> debt of +gratitude for his able and persevering advocacy of the benefits to +both sexes, of coëducation. The university at Syracuse, in which +Lima College was incorporated, is also open alike to boys and +girls. Rochester University,<a name="FNanchor_208_208" id="FNanchor_208_208"></a><a href="#Footnote_208_208" class="fnanchor">[208]</a> Brown, Columbia, Union, Hamilton, +and Hobart College at Geneva, still keep their doors barred against +the daughters of the State, and the three last, in the small number +of their students, and their gradual decline, show the need of the +very influence they exclude. Could all the girls desiring an +education in and around Rochester, Geneva,<a name="FNanchor_209_209" id="FNanchor_209_209"></a><a href="#Footnote_209_209" class="fnanchor">[209]</a> Clinton and +Schenectady, enter these institutions, the added funds and +enthusiasm they would thus receive would soon bring them renewed +life and vigor.</p> + +<p>Peter Cooper and Catharine Beecher's efforts for the working +classes of women were equally praiseworthy. Miss Beecher formed +"The American Woman's Educational Association," for the purpose of +establishing schools all over the country for training girls in the +rudiments of learning and practical work. The Cooper Institute, +founded in 1854, by Peter Cooper, has been invaluable in its +benefits to the poorer classes of girls, in giving them advantages +in the arts and sciences, in evening as well as day classes. Here +both boys and girls have free admission into all departments, +including its valuable reading-room and library. It had long been a +cherished desire of Mr. Cooper to found an institution to be +devoted forever to the union of art and science in their +application to the useful purposes of life. The School of Design is +specially for women.</p> + +<p>The Ladies Art Association of New York was founded in 1867, now +numbering over one hundred members. One of the most important +things accomplished by this society has been the preparation of +thoroughly educated teachers, many of whom are now filling +positions in Southern and Western colleges.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">New York</span>, June 3, 1869.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Editors of the Revolution</span>: Inclosed please find the report of a +meeting of New York ladies to consider the important subject of +woman's education. The within slip will show that this is a +movement quite as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">[Pg 400]</a></span> earnest and pronounced as the woman suffrage +agitation of the day, and more in consonance with prevailing +public opinion. We trust that you will aid the effort by +inserting the report and resolutions into your columns, and add +at least a brief editorial notice.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Mrs. Marshall O. Roberts</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Very respectfully,</p> + + +<p class="ltr-clear"><span class="smcap">Important Meeting of New York Ladies.—Woman's Education</span>.—On +Monday, the 31st of May, a large number of influential ladies +gathered at Dr. Taylor's, corner Sixth avenue and Thirty-eighth +street, in response to the call of the secretary of The American +Woman's Educational Association. A meeting was organized, Mrs. +Marshall O. Roberts presiding, and after a long and interesting +discussion the following resolutions were unanimously passed. It is +proper to state that the society has been an organized and +efficient power in woman's education for over twenty years. The +object of its present action is to forward a movement to secure +endowed institutions for the training of women to their special +duties and professions as men are trained for theirs, particularly +the science and duties of home-life:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That one cause of the depressed condition of woman is +the fact that the distinctive profession of her sex, as the nurse +of infancy and of the sick, as educator of childhood, and as the +chief minister of the family state, has not been duly honored, +nor such provision been made for its scientific and practical +training as is accorded to the other sex for their professions; +and that it is owing to this neglect that women are driven to +seek honor and independence in the institutions and the +professions of men.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the science of domestic economy, in its various +branches, involves more important interests than any other human +science; and that the evils suffered by women would be +extensively remedied by establishing institutions for training +woman for her profession, which shall be as generously endowed as +are the institutions of men, many of which have been largely +endowed by women.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the science of domestic economy should be made a +study in all institutions for girls; and that certain practical +employments of the family state should be made a part of common +school education, especially the art of sewing, which is so +needful for the poor; and that we will use our influence to +secure these important measures.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That every young woman should be trained to some +business by which she can earn an independent livelihood in case +of poverty.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That in addition to the various in-door employments +suitable for woman, there are other out-door employments +especially favorable to health and equally suitable, such as +raising fruits and flowers, the culture of silk and cotton, the +raising of bees and the superintendence of dairy farms and +manufactures. All of these offer avenues to wealth and +independence for women as properly as men, and schools for +imparting to women the science and practice of these employments +should be provided and as liberally endowed as are the +agricultural schools for men.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the American Woman's Educational Association is +an organization which aims to secure to women these advantages, +that its managers have our confidence, and that we will coöperate +in its plans as far as we have opportunity.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the Protestant clergy would greatly aid in these +efforts by preaching on the honor and duties of the family state. +In order to this, we request their attention to a work just +published by Miss Beecher and Mrs. Stowe, entitled "The American +Woman's Home," which largely discusses many important topics of +this general subject, while the authors have devoted most of +their profits from this work to promote the plans of the American +Woman's Educational Association.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">[Pg 401]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That editors of the religious and secular press will +contribute important aid to an effort they must all approve by +inserting these resolutions in their columns. </p></blockquote> +</blockquote> + +<p>Among the influences that brought new thought to the question of +woman suffrage was the establishment of <i>The Revolution</i> in 1868. +Radical and defiant in tone, it awoke friends and foes alike to +action. Some denounced it, some ridiculed it, but all read it. It +needed just such clarion notes sounded forth long and loud each +week to rouse the friends of the movement from the apathy into +which they had fallen after the war. One cannot read its glowing +pages to-day without appreciating the power it was just at that +crisis.<a name="FNanchor_210_210" id="FNanchor_210_210"></a><a href="#Footnote_210_210" class="fnanchor">[210]</a></p> + +<p>Miss Lucy B. Hobbs of New York was the first woman that ever +graduated in the profession of dentistry. She matriculated in the +Cincinnati Dental College in the fall of 1864—passing through a +full course of study, missing but two lectures, and those at the +request of the professor of anatomy. She graduated from that +institution in February, 1866. A letter from the dean of the +college testifies to her worth as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>She was a woman of great energy and perseverance. Studious in her +habits, modest and unassuming, she had the respect and kind +regard of every member of the class and faculty. As an operator +she was not surpassed by her associates. Her opinion was asked +and her assistance sought in difficult cases almost daily by her +fellow-students. And though the class of which she was a member +was one of the largest ever in attendance, it excelled all +previous ones in good order and decorum—a condition largely due +to the presence of a lady. In the final examination she was +second to none. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Having received her diploma, she opened an office in Iowa; from +thence she removed to Chicago, and practiced successfully. The +following letter from Mrs. Taylor (formerly Miss Hobbs) gives +further interesting details. Writing to Matilda Joslyn Gage, she +says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I am grateful to you for giving me the opportunity to place in +history the fact of my study of dentistry. I was born in Franklin +county, New York, in 1833. You ask my reason for entering the +profession. It was to be independent. I first studied medicine, +but did not like the practice. My preceptor, Professor Cleveland, +advised me to try dentistry, and I commenced with Dr. Samuel +Warde of Cincinnati, finishing my studies in March, 1861. At that +time the faculty of the Ohio Dental College would not permit me +to attend, and there was not a college in the United States that +would admit me, and no amount of persuasion could change their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">[Pg 402]</a></span> +minds. So far as I know, I was the first woman who had ever taken +instruction of a private tutor.</p> + +<p>I went to Iowa to commence practice, and was so successful that +the dentists of the State insisted I should be allowed to attend +the college. Their efforts prevailed, and I graduated from the +Ohio Dental College at Cincinnati in the spring of 1866—the +first woman in the world to take a diploma from a dental college. +I am a New-Yorker by birth, but I love my adopted country—the +West. To it belongs the credit of making it possible for women to +be recognized in the dental profession on equal terms with men. +Should you wish any further proof, write to Dr. Watt, who was +professor of chemistry at the time I graduated, and I know he +will take pleasure in giving you any additional information. </p></blockquote> + +<p>As early as 1866 a system of safe-deposit companies was inaugurated +in New York, which has proved a boon to women, enabling them to +keep any private papers they may wish to preserve. In 1880, we find +the following in the <i>National Citizen</i>:</p> + +<blockquote><p>A ladies' exchange for railroad and mining stocks has been +started at 71 Broadway, New York. The rooms are provided with an +indicator, desks and such other conveniences as are required for +business. Messenger boys drop in and out, and a telephone +connects with the office of a prominent Wall-street brokerage +firm. Miss Mary E. Gage, daughter of Frances Dana Gage, is the +manager and proprietor of the business. In reply to the inquiries +of a <i>Graphic</i> reporter, Miss Gage said she had found so much +inconvenience and annoyance in transacting her own operations in +stocks that she concluded to establish an office. After Miss Gage +was fairly settled, other women who labored under the same +disadvantages, began to drop in, their number increasing daily. A +ladies' stock exchange also exists at No. 40 Fourth street, under +charge of Mrs. Favor. The banking houses of Henry Clews and the +wealthy Russell Sage are said to be working in union with this +exchange. In January we chronicled the formation of a woman's +mining company and this month of a woman's stock exchange, each +of them an evidence of the wide range of business women are +entering. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In <i>The Revolution</i> of May 14, 1868, we find the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Sorosis</span>.—This is the name of a new club of literary women, who +meet once a month and lunch at Delmonico's, to discuss questions +of art, science, literature and government. Alice Carey, who is +president, in her opening speech states the object of the club, +which is summed up in this brief extract:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We have proposed the inculcation of deeper and broader ideas +among women, proposed to teach them to think for themselves and +get their opinions at first hand, not so much because it is their +right as because it is their duty. We have also proposed to open +new avenues of employment to women—to make them less dependent +and less burdensome—to lift them out of unwomanly self-distrust +and disqualifying diffidence into womanly self-respect and +self-knowledge. To teach them to make all work honorable, by each +doing the share that falls to her, or that she may work out to +herself agreeably to her own special aptitude, cheerfully and +faithfully—not going down to it, but bringing it up to her. We +have proposed to enter our protest against all idle<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">[Pg 403]</a></span> gossip, +against all demoralizing and wicked waste of time, also, against +the follies and the tyrannies of fashion, against all external +impositions and disabilities; in short, against each and every +thing that opposes the full development and use of the faculties +conferred upon us by our Creator. </p></blockquote> + +<p>We most heartily welcome all movements for the cultivation of +individual thought and character in woman, and would recommend the +formation of such clubs throughout the country. The editors of the +New York press have made known their dissatisfaction that no +gentlemen were to be admitted into this charmed circle. After a +calm and dispassionate discussion of this question, it was decided +to exclude gentlemen, not because their society was not most +desirable and calculated to add brilliancy to the club, but from a +fear lest the natural reverence of woman for man might embarrass +her in beginning to reason and discuss; lest she should be awed to +silence by their superior presence. It was not because they love +man less, but their own improvement more. For the comfort of these +ostracised ones, we would suggest a hope for the future. After +these ladies become familiar with parliamentary tactics, and the +grave questions that are to come before them for consideration, it +is proposed to admit gentlemen to the galleries, that they may +enjoy the same privileges vouchsafed to the fair sex in the past, +to look down upon the feast, to listen to the speeches, and to hear +"the pale, thoughtful brow," "the silken moustache," "the flowing +locks," "the manly gait and form" toasted in prose and verse. </p></blockquote> + +<p>This club has met regularly ever since the day of its inauguration, +and has been remarkable for the harmony maintained by its members. +Mrs. Charlotte Wilbour was president for several years, until she +went to reside in Paris, in 1874. Since that time Mrs. Croly has +been, from year to year, elected to that office. Beginning with 12 +members,<a name="FNanchor_211_211" id="FNanchor_211_211"></a><a href="#Footnote_211_211" class="fnanchor">[211]</a> this club now numbers 320.</p> + +<p>The most respected live-stock reporter in New York is a woman. Miss +Middie Morgan, pronounced the best judge of horned cattle in this +country. She can tell the weight of a beef on foot at a glance, and +reports the cattle market for the New York <i>Times</i>. A correspondent +says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Her father was a cattle-dealer, and taught her to handle +fearlessly the animals he delighted in. She learned to tell at a +glance the finest points of live-stock, and to doctor bovine and +equine ailments with the utmost skill. With all this, she became +a proficient in Italian and French, and a terse and rapid writer. +A few years ago, after her father's death, she traveled in Italy +with an invalid sister, having an eye to her pet passion—the +horse. While there she met Prince Poniatowsky, also an ardent +admirer of that animal. He mentioned her zoölogical +accomplishments to Victor Emanuel, and the consequence was Miss +Middie was deputed by His<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">[Pg 404]</a></span> Majesty to purchase a hundred or so of +fine horses. She had charge of the blood-horses of King Victor +Emanuel, who owns the finest stud in Europe, and breeds horses of +a superior shape, vigor and fire. He beats Grant in his +admiration for that noble animal. When she decided to come to +this country, she made known the fact to Hon. George P. Marsh, +our minister to Italy; and he gave her a letter of recommendation +to Mr. Bigelow, of the <i>Times</i>, who employed her. She is an +expert among all kinds of animals. Her judgment about the +different breeds is sought after and much quoted. She can discuss +the nice points about cattle as easily as Rosa Bonheur can paint +them.<a name="FNanchor_212_212" id="FNanchor_212_212"></a><a href="#Footnote_212_212" class="fnanchor">[212]</a> </p></blockquote> + +<p>From the Woman's Journal, Oct. 1, 1870:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Miss Barkaloo, the lady just admitted to the St. Louis bar as a +lawyer, and who has received a license to practice as +attorney-at-law from the Supreme Court of that State, is a native +of Brooklyn, N. Y., and is a woman of more than ordinary ability. +Two years ago, after having read Blackstone and other elementary +law-books, she made application for admission as a student at +Columbia College, New York, and was promptly refused. Nothing +daunted, she went to St. Louis, where she was admitted to the Law +School. For eighteen months she assiduously devoted her energies +to the study of the science, and her fellow-students all agreed +in declaring her by far the brightest member of the class. That +there was no question of her ability was clearly shown at her +examination. Judge Knight, although overflowing with gallantry, +gave the lady no quarter. The most abstruse and erudite questions +were propounded to the applicant, but not once did the judge +catch the fair student tripping. Miss Barkaloo was about 22 years +of age, of a fine figure, intelligent face and large, expressive +eyes. The St. Louis papers of last week reported her sudden death +of typhoid fever. According to custom, a meeting of the members +of the St. Louis bar was held to take suitable action and pay +respect to her memory. It was the first meeting of the kind in +the United States, and was largely attended, not only by the +young members of the bar, but by the most distinguished +attorneys. Miss Phœbe Couzins, herself a member of the Law +School, was in attendance, attired in deep mourning for the +recent death of a beloved sister. The following resolutions were +adopted:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That in the death of Miss Helena Barkaloo we deplore +the loss of the first of her sex ever admitted to the bar of +Missouri.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That in her erudition, industry and enterprise we +have to regret the loss of one who, in the morning of her career, +bade fair to reflect credit on our profession, and a new honor +upon her sex.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That our sympathy and condolence be extended to the +relatives of the deceased. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Major Lucien Eaton, into whose office she had entered to seek +opportunities of perfecting herself in the knowledge of her +profession, said that—</p> + +<blockquote><p>He had been requested by an accomplished lady of St. Louis to +afford her that opportunity, and at first had hesitated to do so; +yet he felt that she should have a trial,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">[Pg 405]</a></span> and when he took her +into his office his conduct met with the approbation of the legal +fraternity generally. That fraternity cordially sympathized with +the efforts she was making, and both old lawyers and young ones +tried to put business into her hands, the taking of depositions +and other such work as she could perform. He testified to finding +her a true woman; modest and retiring, carefully shunning all +unnecessary publicity, and avoiding all display. She was earnest +in her studies, and being gifted with a fine intellect and a good +judgment, gave promise of great attainments. He had never known a +student more assiduous in study; she wanted to become mistress of +her profession. Her death is a calamity, not to her friends +alone, but to all who are making an effort for the enlargement of +woman's sphere. </p></blockquote> +</blockquote> + +<p>After the closing of the doors of the Geneva Medical School to +women, the Central Medical College of Syracuse was the first to +admit them. Four were graduated in 1852. Since then the two medical +colleges in New York city have graduated hundreds of women. Among +the many in successful practice are Clemence S. Lozier, Emily +Blackwell, Mary Putnam Jacobi, New York; Eliza P. Mosher, Brooklyn; +Sarah R. A. Dolley, Anna H. Searing, Fannie F. Hamilton, Rochester; +Amanda B. Sanford, Auburn; Eveline P. Ballintine, Le Roy; Rachel E. +Gleason, Elmira.</p> + +<p>In May, 1870, the New York City Society was formed, with efficient +officers,<a name="FNanchor_213_213" id="FNanchor_213_213"></a><a href="#Footnote_213_213" class="fnanchor">[213]</a> and pleasant rooms, at 16 Union Square, where +meetings were regularly held on Friday afternoon of each week. +These meetings were well attended and sustained with increasing +interest from month to month. This society held its first meeting +November 27, 1871, which was addressed by Mrs. Julia Ward Howe; and +on January 13, 1872, another, addressed by Jennie Collins, the +indefatigable Bostonian who has done so much for the benefit of the +working girls. A series of meetings was held under the auspices of +this association in many of the chief cities around New York and on +the Hudson, the chief speakers being the officers of the +association. An active German society was soon after formed, with +Mrs. Augusta Lillienthal, president, and Mrs. Matilda F. Wendt, +secretary. The latter published a paper, <i>Die Neue Zeit</i>, devoted +to woman suffrage. She was also the correspondent of several +leading journals in Germany. The society held its first public +meeting March 21, 1872, in Turner Hall, Mrs. Wendt presiding. Mrs. +Lillienthal, Mrs. Clara Neyman and Dr. Adolphe Doney were the +speakers. Clara Neyman became afterwards a popular speaker in many +suffrage and free-religious associations.</p> + +<p>Petitions were rolled up by both the German and American societies +to the legislature, praying for the right of suffrage, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">[Pg 406]</a></span> on +April 3, 1871, the petitioners<a name="FNanchor_214_214" id="FNanchor_214_214"></a><a href="#Footnote_214_214" class="fnanchor">[214]</a> were granted a hearing, before +the Judiciary Committee of the Assembly, Hon. L. Bradford Prince +presiding. Mrs. Wilbour's able address made a most favorable +impression. The question was referred to the Judiciary Committee. +The majority report was adverse, the minority, signed by Robert A. +Strahan and C. P. Vedder, favorable.</p> + +<p>A grand demonstration was made April 26, 1872, in Cooper Institute, +intended specially to emphasize the claims of wives and mothers to +the ballot, and to show that the City Association had no sympathy +with any theories of free-love. Five thousand cards of invitation +were distributed.</p> + +<p>In 1871 women attempted to vote in different parts of the State, +among whom were Matilda Joslyn Gage at Fayetteville, and Mrs. +Louise Mansfield at Nyack, but were repulsed. In 1872 others did +vote under the fourteenth amendment, conspicuously Susan B. +Anthony, who, as an example for the rest, was arrested, tried, +convicted and fined.<a name="FNanchor_215_215" id="FNanchor_215_215"></a><a href="#Footnote_215_215" class="fnanchor">[215]</a> Mrs. Gage published a woman's rights +catechism to answer objections made at that time to woman's voting, +which proved a valuable campaign document. We find the names of +Mary R. Pell of Flushing, Helen M. Loder of Poughkeepsie, and +Elizabeth B. Whitney of Harlem, frequently mentioned at this time +for their valuable services.</p> + +<p>The following items show the varied capacity of women for many +employments:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In March, 1872, Miss Charlotte E. Ray (colored) of New York, was +graduated at the Howard University Law School, and admitted to +practice in the courts of the District of Columbia at +Washington.—The headquarters of the Women's National Relief +Association is in New York; its object is supplying government +stations along the coast with beds, blankets, warm clothing and +other necessaries for shipwrecked persons.——Miss Leggett, for a +long time proprietor of a book and paper store in New York, +established a home, in 1878, for women, on Clinton Square, which +is in all respects antipodal to Stewart's Hotel. It is governed +by no stringent rules or regulations. No woman is liable without +cause, at the mere caprice of the founder, to be suddenly +required to leave, as was the case in Judge Hilton's home. On the +contrary, it is the object of the founder to provide a <i>real</i> +home for women. The house is not only provided with a library, +piano, etc., but its inmates are allowed to bring their +sewing-machines, hang pictures upon the walls, put up private +book-racks, etc. The price, too, but $4 a week, falls more nearly +within<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">[Pg 407]</a></span> the means of laboring women than the $6 to $10 of the +Stewart Hotel.——The first penny lunch-room in New York was +established by a woman, who made it a source of revenue.——The +inventor of the submarine telescope, a woman, has received +$10,000 for her invention.——Deborah Powers, now over ninety +years of age, is the head of a large oil-cloth manufactory in +Troy. Her sons are engaged in business with her, but she, still +bright and active, remains at the head of the firm. This is the +largest oil-cloth factory in the United States. She was left a +widow with three sons, with a heavy mortgage on her estate. She +secured an extension of time, built up the business and educated +her sons to the work. She is also president of a bank.——A +successful nautical school in New York is conducted by two +ladies, Mrs. Thorne and her daughter, Mrs. Brownlow. These ladies +have made several voyages and studied navigation, both +theoretically and practically. During the late war they prepared +for the navy 2,000 mates and captains bringing their knowledge of +navigation up to the standard required by the strict examiners of +the naval board.——Mrs. Wilson, since a New York custom-house +inspector, took charge, in 1872, of her husband's ship, disabled +in a terrific gale off Newfoundland in which his collar-bone was +broken and a portion of the crew badly hurt. The main-mast having +been cut down she rigged a jury-mast, and after twenty-one days +brought ship and crew safe to port.</p> + +<p>Miss Jennie Turner, a short-hand writer of New York, is a notary +public. In a recent law-suit some of the papers were "sworn to" +before her in her official capacity, and one of the attorneys +claimed that it was not verified, inasmuch as a woman "could not +legally hold public office." The judge decided that the paper +must be accepted as properly verified, and said that the only way +to oust her was in a direct action by the attorney-general. The +judge said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Whether a female is capable of holding public office has never +been decided by the courts of this State, and 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 select females to +office, and that the power being lodged in safe hands was beyond +the danger of abuse. 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, and all other legislative +enactments of like import removing such disqualification, 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 the qualifications for office, omits +the word "male," leaving the question whether female citizens of +lawful age are included or excluded, one of construction. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Anna Ballard, a reporter on the staff of the New York <i>Sun</i>, +was elected a member of the Press Club, in 1877, by a vote of 24 to +10. Within<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">[Pg 408]</a></span> the last ten years women contributors to the press have +become numerous. The book-reviewer of the <i>Herald</i> is a woman; one +of the book-reviewers of the <i>Tribune</i>, one of its most valued +correspondents and several of its regular contributors are women; +the agricultural and market reporter of the New York <i>Times</i> is a +woman; the New York <i>Sun's</i> fashion writer is a woman, and also one +of its most industrious and sagacious reporters. Female +correspondents flood the evening papers with news from Washington. +We instance these not at all as a complete catalogue; for there +are, we doubt not, more than a hundred women known and recognized +in and about Printing-house Square as regular contributors to the +columns of the daily and weekly press. As a rule they are modest, +reputable pains-taking servants of the press; and it is generally +conceded that if they are willing to put up with the inconveniences +attending journalistic work, it is no part of men's duty to +interfere with their attempt to earn an honest livelihood in a +profession which has so many avenues as yet uncrowded. Miss Ellen +A. Martin, formerly of Jamestown, N. Y., a graduate of the Law +School of Ann Arbor, in 1875, was admitted to the bar by the +Supreme Court of Illinois, at the January term, and is practicing +in Chicago, occupying an office with Miss Perry, Room 39, No. 143 +La Salle street. Mrs. Martha J. Lamb was the first woman ever +admitted to membership in the New York State Historical Society. +Her "History of New York City" is recognized as a standard +authority, and has already taken rank among the great histories of +the world. </p></blockquote> + +<p>During the summer of 1872 the presidential campaign agitated the +country. As Horace Greeley, who was opposed to woman suffrage, was +running against Grant and Wilson, who were in favor, and as the +Republican platform contained a plank promising some consideration +for the loyal women of the nation, a great demonstration was held +in Cooper Institute, New York, October 7. The large hall was +crowded by an excited throng. Hon. Luther R. Marsh presided. The +speakers<a name="FNanchor_216_216" id="FNanchor_216_216"></a><a href="#Footnote_216_216" class="fnanchor">[216]</a> were all unusually happy. Mrs. Blake's<a name="FNanchor_217_217" id="FNanchor_217_217"></a><a href="#Footnote_217_217" class="fnanchor">[217]</a> address +was applauded to a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_409" id="Page_409">[Pg 409]</a></span> recall, when she went forward and asked the +audience to give three cheers for the woman suffrage candidates, +Grant and Wilson, which they did with hearty good will.</p> + +<p>During the winter of 1873 a commission was sitting at Albany to +revise the constitution of New York. As it seemed fitting that +women should press their claims to the ballot, memorials were +presented and hearings requested by both the State and City +societies. Accordingly Mr. Silliman, the chairman, appointed +February 18, to hear the memorialists. A large delegation of ladies +went from New York.<a name="FNanchor_218_218" id="FNanchor_218_218"></a><a href="#Footnote_218_218" class="fnanchor">[218]</a> The commission was holding its sessions in +the common-council chamber, and when the time arrived for the +hearing the room was crowded with an attentive audience. The +members of the Committee on Suffrage were all present, Mr. Silliman +presided. Matilda Joslyn Gage represented the State association, +speaking upon the origin of government and the rights pertaining +thereto. Mrs. Wilbour and Mrs. Blake represented the New York City +Society, and each alike made a favorable impression. The Albany +<i>Evening Journal</i> gave a large space to a description of the +occasion. The respectful hearing, however, was the beginning and +the end, as far as could be seen, of all impression made on the +committee, which coolly recommended that suffrage be secured to +colored men by ratifying the fifteenth amendment, while making no +recognition whatever of the women of the State. A memorial was at +once sent to the legislature and another hearing was granted on +February 27. Mrs. Blake<a name="FNanchor_219_219" id="FNanchor_219_219"></a><a href="#Footnote_219_219" class="fnanchor">[219]</a> was the only speaker on that occasion. +The Hon. Bradford Prince, of Queens, presided. At the close of Mrs. +Blake's remarks James W. Husted of Westchester, in a few earnest +words, avowed himself henceforth a champion of the cause. Shortly +afterwards the Hon. George West presented a constitutional +amendment giving to every woman possessed of $250 the right to +vote, thus placing the women of the State in the same position with +the colored men before the passage of the fifteenth amendment; but +even this was denied. The amendment was referred to the Judiciary +Committee and there entombed. Large<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_410" id="Page_410">[Pg 410]</a></span> meetings<a name="FNanchor_220_220" id="FNanchor_220_220"></a><a href="#Footnote_220_220" class="fnanchor">[220]</a> were held at +Robinson Hall during the winter, and at Apollo Hall in May, and in +different localities about New York.</p> + +<p>July 2, 1873, an indignation meeting was held by the City Society +to protest against the sentence pronounced by Judge Hunt in the +case of Susan B. Anthony. De Garmo Hall was crowded. The platform +was decorated with the United States flag draped with black +bunting, while on each side were banners, one bearing the +inscription, "Respectful Consideration for a Loyal Woman's Vote! +$100 Fine!" the other, "Shall One Federal Judge Abolish Trial by +Jury?" Dr. Clemence Lozier presided, and Mrs. Devereux Blake made a +stirring speech reviewing Miss Anthony's trial and Judge Hunt's +decision.<a name="FNanchor_221_221" id="FNanchor_221_221"></a><a href="#Footnote_221_221" class="fnanchor">[221]</a> Mr. Hamilton Wilcox made a manly protest against +Judge Hunt's high-handed act of oppression, and Mrs. Marie Rachel +made another, in behalf of the German association.</p> + +<p>In October, 1873, Mrs. Devereux Blake made an effort to open the +doors of Columbia College to women. A class of four young +ladies<a name="FNanchor_222_222" id="FNanchor_222_222"></a><a href="#Footnote_222_222" class="fnanchor">[222]</a> united in asking admission. Taking them with her, Mrs. +Blake went before the president and faculty, who gave her a +respectful hearing. She argued that the charter of the college +itself declared that it was founded for "the education of the youth +of the city", and that the word <i>youth</i> was defined in all +dictionaries as "young persons of both sexes," so that by its very +foundation it was intended that girls as well as boys should enjoy +the benefits of the university, and it was no more than just that +they should, seeing that the original endowment was by the "rectors +and inhabitants of the city of New York," one-half of these +inhabitants being women. Mrs. Blake's<a name="FNanchor_223_223" id="FNanchor_223_223"></a><a href="#Footnote_223_223" class="fnanchor">[223]</a> application was referred +to "the Committee on the Course of Instruction," and after some +weeks of consideration was refused, on the ground that "it was +inexpedient," the Rev. Morgan Dix being especially<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411">[Pg 411]</a></span> active in his +opposition. However, soon after this, the lectures of the college +were open to ladies, and a few years later President Barnard warmly +recommended that young women should be admitted as students to all +the privileges of the university.</p> + +<p>A Woman's Congress was organized at New York, October 15, 16, 17, +1873, in the Union League Theater. Representative women<a name="FNanchor_224_224" id="FNanchor_224_224"></a><a href="#Footnote_224_224" class="fnanchor">[224]</a> were +there from all parts of the country. Its object was similar to the +social science organizations—the discussion of a wider range of +subjects than could be tolerated on the platforms of any specific +reform. Mary A. Livermore presided, and the meeting was considered +a great success. The speeches and proceedings were published in +pamphlet form, and still are from year to year. This had been an +idea long brewing in many minds, and was at last realized through +the organizing talent of Mrs. Charlotte B. Wilbour, the originator +of Sorosis. From year to year they have held regular meetings in +the chief cities of the different States.</p> + +<p>Dr. Clemence Lozier,<a name="FNanchor_225_225" id="FNanchor_225_225"></a><a href="#Footnote_225_225" class="fnanchor">[225]</a> president of the city society, early +opened her spacious parlors to the monthly meetings, where they +have been held for many years. This association has been active and +vigilant, taking note of and furthering every step of progress in +Church and State. Mrs. Lozier and Mrs. Blake have worked most +effectively together, the former furnishing the sinews of war, and +the latter making the attack all along the line, to the terror of +the faint-hearted.</p> + +<p>The era of centennial celebrations was now approaching, and it was +proposed to hold a suitable commemoration on the one-hundredth +anniversary of the Boston tea-party, December 16, 1873. Union +League Theater was, on the appointed evening, filled to its utmost +capacity. The platform was decorated with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412">[Pg 412]</a></span> flowers and filled with +ladies, Dr. Lozier presiding. Miss Anthony was the speaker of the +evening, and made a most effective address; Helen Potter gave a +recitation; Hannah M'L. Shepherd read letters of sympathy; Mrs. +Blake made a short closing address, and presented a series of +resolutions, couched in precisely the same language as that adopted +by our ancestors in protesting against taxation without +representation:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That as an expression of the sentiments of the +tax-paying women of New York, we reïterate, as applied to +ourselves, the declaration contained in the bill of rights put +forth by our ancestors 100 years ago: <i>First</i>—That the women of +the country are entitled to equal rights and privileges with the +men; <i>Second</i>—That it is inseparably essential to the freedom of +a people, and the undoubted right of all men and women, that no +taxes be imposed on them but by their own consent, given in +person or by their representatives; <i>Third</i>—That the only +representatives of these women are persons chosen by themselves, +and that no taxes ever have been or can be constitutionally +imposed upon them but by legislatures composed of persons so +chosen. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The report of the State assessors<a name="FNanchor_226_226" id="FNanchor_226_226"></a><a href="#Footnote_226_226" class="fnanchor">[226]</a> of 1883 brought forcibly to +view the injustice done in taxing non-voters. At their meeting with +the supervisors of Onondaga county, Mr. Pope of Fabius said: "Mrs. +Andrews is assessed too much." Mr. Hadley replied: "Well, Mr. +Briggs says that is the way all the women are assessed." Mr. Briggs +responded: "Yes, that is the way we find the assessors treat the +women; they can't vote, you know! I am in favor of letting the +women vote now."</p> + +<p>Two women in the village of Batavia were assessed for more personal +property than the entire assessment of like property, exclusive of +corporations, in the city of Rochester with a population of 70,000! +While declaring they had found very little personal property +assessed, Mr. Fowler said: "We found some cases where town +assessors had taxed the personal property of women,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_413" id="Page_413">[Pg 413]</a></span> and one case +of a ward who was assessed to full value, while upon the guardian's +property there was no assessment at all." This report not only +proved a good woman suffrage document, but the work done by the +State assessors, Messrs. Hadley, Briggs and Fowler, convinced them +personally of woman's need of the ballot for the protection of her +property.</p> + +<p>Early in the year 1874, memorials from societies in different parts +of the State were sent to the legislature, asking "that all taxes +due from women be remitted until they are allowed to vote." The +most active of these anti-tax societies was the one formed in +Rochester through the efforts of Mrs. Lewia C. Smith, whose +earnestness and fidelity in this, as in many another good word and +work, have been such as to command the admiration even of +opponents—a soul of that sweet charity that makes no account of +self. A hearing was appointed for the memorialists on January 24, +and the journals<a name="FNanchor_227_227" id="FNanchor_227_227"></a><a href="#Footnote_227_227" class="fnanchor">[227]</a> made honorable mention of the occasion.</p> + +<p>The centennial was approaching and the notes of preparation were +heard on all sides. The women who understood their status as +disfranchised citizens in a republic, regarded the coming event as +one for them of humiliation rather than rejoicing, inasmuch as the +close of the first century of the nation's existence found one half +the people still political slaves. At the February meeting of the +association, Mrs. Blake presented the following resolution:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That the members of this society do hereby pledge +themselves not to aid either by their labor, time or money, the +proposed celebration of the independence of the men of the +nation, unless before July 4, 1876, the women of the land shall +be guaranteed their political freedom. </p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_414" id="Page_414">[Pg 414]</a></span></p> + +<p>In their own way, however, the members of the society intended to +observe such centennials as were fitting, and so preparation was +made for a suitable commemoration of the battle of Lexington. They +held a meeting<a name="FNanchor_228_228" id="FNanchor_228_228"></a><a href="#Footnote_228_228" class="fnanchor">[228]</a> in the Union League Theatre, the evening of +April 19, to protest against their disfranchisement. The journals +contained fair reports, with the exception of <i>The Tribune</i>, which +sent no reporter, and closed its account next day of many +observances elsewhere by saying, "there was no celebration in New +York city." Several of the papers published Mrs. Blake's speech:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Just as the first rays of dawn stole across our city this +morning, the century was complete since the founders of this +nation made their first great stand for liberty. The early April +sunshine a hundred years ago saw a group of men and boys gathered +together, "a few rods north of the meeting-house," in the +Massachusetts village of Lexington. Un-uniformed and +undisciplined, standing in the chilly morning, that handful of +patriots represented the great Republic which on that day was to +spring from their martyrdom. The rebellious colonists had +collected in the hamlets near Boston some military stores; these +the British officers in command at Boston resolved should be +seized and destroyed. Warned of their design Paul Revere made his +famous ride to arouse the country to resistance, and in the dead +of night Adams and Hancock went out to summon their comrades to +arms. As the last stars vanished before the dawn, the drum beat +to summon the patriots to action, and in response a little band +of about eighty men and boys assembled on the village green. Few +as they were in numbers, they presented a brave front as the +British regulars came up the quiet street, 200 strong. What +followed was not a battle, but a butchery. The minute-men refused +to surrender to Major Pitcairn's haughty demand, and a volley of +musketry, close and deadly, was poured on this devoted band. In +response only a few random shots were fired, which did absolutely +no harm, and then, seeing the hopelessness of resistance, the +commander of the minute-men ordered them to disperse. The +British, elated with their easy victory, pushed on toward +Concord, thinking that there another speedy success awaited them. +In this they soon bitterly learned their error. Although they +were reinforced on the way, when they reached that village they +were met by such a resistance as drove them back, broken and +disorganized, on the road they had so proudly followed in the +morning. Concord nobly avenged the slaughter at Lexington.</p> + +<p>So much for what men did on that day, and let us see what share +the women had in its dangers and its sorrows. Jonathan Harris was +shot in front of his own house, while his wife was watching him +from a window, seeing him fall with such anguish as no poor words +of mine can describe. He struggled to his feet, the blood gushing +from a wound in his breast, staggered forward a few paces and +fell again, and then crawled on his hands and knees to his +threshold only to expire just as his wife reached him. Did not +this woman bear her portion of the martyrdom? Isaac Davis, a man +in the prime of life, went forth from his home in the morning, +and before the afternoon sunlight had grown yellow, was brought +back to it dead, and was laid, pale and cold, in his wife's bed, +only three hours after he had left her with a solemn benediction +of farewell. Did not this woman also suffer? She was left a widow +in the very flower of her youth, and for seventy years she +faithfully mourned his taking off! Nor were these the only ones; +for every man who fell that day, some woman's heart was wrung. +There were others who endured actual physical hardship and +suffering. Hannah Adams lay in bed with an infant only a week old +when the British reached her house in their disorderly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_415" id="Page_415">[Pg 415]</a></span> retreat +to Boston; they forced her to leave her sick room and to crawl +into an adjoining corn shed, while they burned her house to ashes +in her sight. Three companies of British troops went to the house +of Major Barrett and demanded food. Mrs. Barrett served them as +well as she was able, and when she was offered compensation, +refused it, saying gently, "We are commanded if our enemy hunger +to feed him." So, in toil or suffering or anguish the women +endured their share of the sorrows of that day. Do they not +deserve a share of its glories also? The battles of Lexington and +Concord form an era in our country's history. When, driven to +desperation by a long course of oppression, the people first +resolved to revolt against the mother country. Discontent, +resentment and indignation had grown stronger month by month +among the hardy settlers of the land, until they culminated in +the most splendid act of audacity that the world has ever seen. A +few colonies, scattered at long intervals along the Atlantic +seaboard, dared to defy the proudest nation in Europe, and a few +rustics, undisciplined, and almost unarmed, actually ventured to +encounter in battle that army which had boasted its conquests +over the flower of European chivalry. What unheard of oppressions +drove these people to the mad attempt? What unheard of atrocities +had the rulers of these people practiced, what unjust +confiscations of property, what cruel imprisonments and wicked +murders? None of all these; the people of this land were not +starving or dying under the iron heel of an Alva or a +Robespierre, but their civil liberties had been denied, their +political freedom refused, and rather than endure the loss of +these precious things, they were willing to encounter danger and +to brave death. The men and women who suffered at Concord and at +Lexington 100 years ago to-day, were martyrs to the sacred cause +of personal liberty! Looking over the records of the past we +find, again and again repeated, the burden of their complaints. +Not that they were starving or dying, but that they were taxed +without their consent, and that they were denied personal +representation.</p> + +<p>The congress which assembled at Philadelphia in 1774, declared +that "the foundation of liberty and of all free governments is +the right of the people to participate in their legislative +council"; and the House of Burgesses, assembled in Virginia in +the same year, asserted "That a determined system is formed and +pressed for reducing us to slavery, by subjecting us to the +payment of taxes imposed without our consent." Strong language +this, as strong as any we women have ever employed in addressing +the men of this nation. Our ancestors called the imposition of +taxes without their consent, slavery, and the denial of personal +representation, tyranny. Slavery and tyranny! words which they +tell us to-day are too strong for our use. We must find some mild +and lady-like phrases in which to describe these oppressions. We +must employ some safe and gentle terms to indicate the crimes +which our forefathers denounced! My friends, what was truth a +century ago is truth to-day! Other things may have changed, but +justice has not changed in a hundred years! </p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1876 a presidential election was again approaching, and to meet +the exigencies of the campaign a woman suffrage committee was +formed to ask the legislature to grant presidential suffrage to +women, as it was strictly within their power to do without a +constitutional amendment. To this end Mrs. Gage prepared an appeal +which was widely circulated throughout the State:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Within a year the election of President and Vice-President of the +United States, will again take place. The right to vote for these +functionaries is a National and not a State right; the United +States has unquestioned control of this branch of suffrage, and +in its constitution has declared to whom it has delegated this +power. Article 2 of the Constitution of the United States, is +devoted to the president; the manner of choosing him, his power, +his duties, etc. In regard to the method of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_416" id="Page_416">[Pg 416]</a></span> choosing the +president, Par. 2, Sec. 1, Art. 2, reads thus: "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." There is no other authority for the appointment of +presidential electors, either in the Constitution of the United +States, or in the constitution of any State. The constitution of +the State of New York is entirely silent upon the appointment of +presidential electors, for the reason that the constitution of +the United States declares that they <i>shall</i> be appointed in such +manner as the legislature may direct. With the exception of South +Carolina, every State in the Union has adopted the plan of +choosing presidential electors by ballot, and it is in the power +of the legislature of each State to prescribe the qualifications +of those who shall be permitted to vote for such electors.</p> + +<p>The authority to prescribe the qualifications of those persons in +the State of New York who shall be permitted to vote for electors +of President and Vice-President of the United States, therefore +lies alone in the legislature of this State. That body has power +in this respect superior to the State constitution; it rises +above the constitution; it is invested with its powers by the +Constitution of the United States; it is under national +authority, and need in no way be governed by any representative +clause which may exist in the State constitution. In prescribing +the qualifications of those persons who shall vote for electors, +the legislature has power to exclude all persons who cannot read +and write. It has power to say that no person unless possessing a +freehold estate of the value of two hundred and fifty dollars, +shall vote for such electors. It has power to declare that only +tax-payers shall vote for such electors, it is even vested with +authority to say that no one but church members shall be entitled +to vote for electors of President and Vice-President of the +United States. The legislature of this State at its next session +has even power to cut off the right of all white men to vote for +electors at the presidential election next fall. It matters not +what qualifications the State itself may have prescribed for +electors of State officers, the question who shall vote for +president and vice-president is on an entirely different basis, +and prescribing the qualifications for such electors lies in +entirely different hands. It is a question of national import +with which the State (in its constitution) has nothing to do, and +over which even congress has no power. The legislature which is +to assemble in Albany, the first Tuesday in January next, will +have power, by the passage of a simple bill, to secure to the +women of this State the right to vote for electors at the +presidential election in the fall of 1876, and thus to inaugurate +the centennial year by an act of equity and justice that will be +in accordance with that part of the Declaration of Independence +which declares that "governments derive their <i>just</i> powers from +the consent of the governed." Shall it not be done?</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"> +<span class="smcap">Matilda Joslyn Gage</span>,<br /> +<span class="smcap">Lillie Devereux Blake</span>,<br /> +<span class="smcap">Clemence S. Lozier, M. D.</span>,<br /> +<i>N. Y. State Woman Suffrage Com.</i><br /> +</p> +</blockquote> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_417" id="Page_417">[Pg 417]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 437px;"> +<a name="v3_417" id="v3_417"> +<img src="images/v3_417.jpg" width="437" height="500" alt="Lillie Devereux Blake" title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p>A memorial embodying this claim was presented to the legislature, +and on, January 18, the committee went to Albany and were heard by +the Judiciary Committee of the Assembly, to whom their paper had +been referred. Hon. Robert H. Strahan of New York presided. On +February 8, the memorialists<a name="FNanchor_229_229" id="FNanchor_229_229"></a><a href="#Footnote_229_229" class="fnanchor">[229]</a> had another meeting before the +Judiciary Committee of the Senate, in the Senate chamber, Hon. +Bradford L. Prince presiding. The audience was overflowing, and the +corridors so crowded that the meeting adjourned to the Assembly +chamber by order of the chairman. Soon after, Hon. George H. West +of Saratoga presented a bill giving the women of the State the +right to vote for president. It was referred to the Judiciary +Committee and reported adversely, notwithstanding it was twice +called up and debated by its friends, Messrs. Strahan, Husted, +Ogden, Hogeboom and West. No vote was reached on the measure, but +this much of consideration was a gain over previous years, when +nothing had been done beyond the presentation of a bill and its +reference to a committee.</p> + +<p>In 1876 Governor Samuel J. Tilden appointed Mrs. Josephine Shaw +Lowell as commissioner of the State Board of Charities, the first +official position a woman ever held in this State.</p> + +<p>During the winter of 1877 a memorial was sent to the legislature, +asking that women be allowed to serve as school officers. The Hon. +William N. Emerson, senator from Monroe, presented the following +bill:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">An Act</span> <i>to Authorize the Election of Women to School Offices.</i></p> + +<p>The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and +Assembly, do enact as follows:</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Section 1.</span> Any woman of the age of twenty-one years and upwards, +and possessing the qualifications prescribed for men, shall be +eligible to any office under the general or special school laws +of this State, subject to the same conditions and requirements as +prescribed to men.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec. 2.</span> This act shall take effect immediately. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Petitions and memorials from all parts of the State were poured +into the legislature, praying for the passage of the bill. Mr. +Emerson made an eloquent speech in its favor, and labored earnestly +for the measure. It passed the Senate by a vote of 19 to 9; the +Assembly by a vote of 84 to 19. This success was hailed with great +rejoicing by the women of the State who understood the progress of +events. But their delight was turned into indignation and +disappointment when the governor, Lucius Robinson, returned the +bill to the Senate with the following veto:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_418" id="Page_418">[Pg 418]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"> +<span class="smcap">State of New York, Executive Chamber,</span> }<br /> +<span class="smcap">Albany</span>, May 8, 1877. }<br /> +</p> + +<p><i>To the Senate:</i></p> + +<p>I return without approval Senate bill No. 61, entitled "An act to +authorize the election of women to school offices."</p> + +<p>This bill goes too far or not far enough. It provides that women +may hold any or all of the offices connected with the department +of education, that is to say, a woman may be elected +superintendent of public instruction, women may be appointed +school commissioners, members of boards of education and trustees +of school districts. In some of these positions it will become +their duty to make contracts, purchase materials, build and +repair school-houses, and to supervise and effect all the +transactions of school business, involving an annual expenditure +of over twelve million dollars in this State. There can be no +greater reason that women should occupy these positions than the +less responsible ones of supervisors, town clerks, justices of +the peace, commissioners of highways, overseers of the poor, and +numerous others. If women are physically and mentally fitted for +one class of these stations, they are equally so for the others.</p> + +<p>But at this period in the history of the world such enactments as +the present hardly comport with the wisdom and dignity of +legislation. The God of nature has appointed different fields of +labor, duty and usefulness for the sexes. His decrees cannot be +changed by human legislation. In the education of our children +the mother stands far above all superintendents, commissioners, +trustees and school teachers. Her influence in the family, in +social intercourse and enterprises, outweighs all the mere +machinery of benevolence and education. To lower her from the +high and holy place given her by nature, is to degrade her power +and to injure rather than benefit the cause of education itself. +In all enlightened and Christian nations the experience and +observations of ages have illustrated and defined the relative +duties of the sexes in promoting the best interests of society. +Few, if any, of the intelligent and right-minded among women +desire or would be willing to accept the change which such a law +would inaugurate.</p> + +<p>The bill is moreover a clear infraction of the spirit if not the +letter of the constitution. Under that instrument women have no +right to vote, and it cannot be supposed that it is the intention +of the constitution that persons not entitled to the right of +suffrage should be eligible to some of the most important offices +in the State.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">L. Robinson.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>On May 24, 25, 1877, the National and State conventions were again +held in New York, at Steinway Hall. Both conventions passed +resolutions denouncing Governor Robinson's action in his veto. The +following address was issued by the State association:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>To the Voters and Legislators of New York:</i></p> + +<p>The women of the State of New York, in convention assembled, do +most earnestly protest against the injustice with which they are +treated by the State, where in point of numbers they are in +excess of the men:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>First</i>—They are denied the right of choosing their own rulers, +but are compelled to submit to the choice of a minority +consisting of its male residents, fully one-third of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_419" id="Page_419">[Pg 419]</a></span> whom are of +foreign birth. <i>Second</i>—They are held amenable to laws they have +had no share in making and in which they are forbidden a +voice—laws which touch all their most vital interests of +education, industry, children, property, life and liberty. +<i>Third</i>—While compelled to bear the burdens and suffer the +penalties of government, they are debarred the honors and +emoluments of civil service, and the control of offices in the +righteous discharge of whose duties their interest is equal to +that of men. <i>Fourth</i>—They are taxed without their consent to +sustain men in office who enact laws directly opposing their +interests, and inasmuch as the State of New York pays one-sixth +the taxes of the United States, its women feel the arm of +oppression—like Briareus with his hundred hands—touching and +crushing them with its burdens. <i>Fifth</i>—They are under the power +of an autocrat whose salary they must pay, but who, in opposition +to the will of the people—as recently shown in the passage of +the School bill by the legislature—has by his veto denied them +all official authority in the control of the public schools, and +this despite the fact of there being 3,670 more girls of school +age than boys, and 14,819 more women than men teaching in the +State. <i>Sixth</i>—Under pretence of regulating public morals, women +of the <i>femme de pave</i> class, many of whom have been driven to +this mode of life as a livelihood, are subjected to more +oppressive laws than their partners in vice. <i>Seventh</i>—The laws +treat married women as criminals by taking from them all legal +control of their children, while those born outside of marriage +belong absolutely to the mothers. <i>Eighth</i>—They forbid the +mother's inheritance of property from her children in case the +father is living, thus making her of no consideration in the eyes +of those to whom she has given birth. <i>Ninth</i>—They give the +husband control of the common property—allow him to spend the +whole personal estate in riotous living, or even to sell the home +over his wife's head, subject only to her third life-interest in +case she survives him. <i>Tenth</i>—They allow the husband to +imprison her at his pleasure within his own house, the court +sustaining him in this coërcion until the wife "submits herself +to her husband's will." <i>Eleventh</i>—They allow the husband while +the common property is in his possession, "without even the +formality of a legal complaint, the taking of an oath or the +filing of a bond for the good faith of his action," to advertise +his wife through the public press as a deserter and to forbid her +credit. <i>Twelfth</i>—They deny the widow the right of inheritance +in the common property that they give the widower, allow her but +forty days' residence in the family mansion before paying rent to +her husband's heirs, thus treating her as if she were an alien to +her own children—set off to her a few paltry articles of +household use, close the estate through a process of law, and +make the days of her bereavement doubly days of sorrow. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The above laws of marriage, placing irresponsible authority in the +hands of the husband, have given him a power of moral coërcion over +the wife, making her virtually his slave. Without entering into +fuller details of the injustice and oppression of the laws upon all +women, married and single, we will sum the whole subject up in the +language of the French Woman's Rights League, which characterizes +woman's position thus:</p> + +<blockquote><p>(1) Woman is held <i>politically</i> to have no existence; (2) +<i>civilly</i>, she is a minor; (3) in marriage she is a serf; (4) in +labor she is made inferior and robbed of her earnings; (5) in +public instruction she is sacrificed to man; (6) out of marriage, +answers to the faults committed by both; (7) as a mother is +deprived of her right to her children; (8) she is only deemed +equally responsible, intelligent and answerable in taxes and +crimes. </p></blockquote> + +<p>By order of the New York State Woman Suffrage Society.</p> +<p class="ltr-rightF40"><span class="smcap">Matilda Joslyn Gage</span>, <i>Secretary</i>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left0">May, 1877.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p class="ltr-clear">In the summer of 1877 another effort was made by women of wealth to +be relieved from taxation. Several memorials to that effect were +sent to the legislature, one headed by Susan A.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_420" id="Page_420">[Pg 420]</a></span> King<a name="FNanchor_230_230" id="FNanchor_230_230"></a><a href="#Footnote_230_230" class="fnanchor">[230]</a> of New +York, a self-made woman who had accumulated a large fortune and +owned much real estate. Her memorial, signed by a few others, +represented $9,000,000. The committee bearing these waited on many +members of the legislature to secure their influence when such a +bill should be presented, which was done March 11, by Col. Alfred +Wagstaff, with warm recommendations. He was followed by Senator +McCarthy of Onondaga, who also introduced a bill for an amendment +to the constitution to secure to women the right of suffrage. Both +these bills called out the determined opposition of Thomas C. +Ecclesine, senator from the eleventh district, and the ridicule of +others. The delegation of ladies, sitting there as representatives +of half the people of the State, felt insulted to have their +demands thus sneered at; it was for them a moment of bitter +humiliation. In the evening, however, their time for retaliation +came, as they had a hearing in the Senate chamber, before the +Judiciary Committee, where an immense crowd assembled at an early +hour. The chairman of the committee Hon. William H. Robertson, +presided. Each of the ladies, in the course of her speech, referred +to the insulting remarks of Mr. Hughes of Washington county. That +gentleman, being present, looked as if he regretted his unfortunate +jokes, and winced under the sarcasm of the ladies.</p> + +<p>Soon after this, great excitement was created by the close of +Stewart's Home for Working Women. This fine building, on the corner +of Thirty-second street and Fourth avenue, had been erected by the +merchant prince for the use of working women, who could there find +a home at a moderate expense. The millionaire dead, his large +fortune passed into other hands. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_421" id="Page_421">[Pg 421]</a></span> building was completed and +furnished in a style of elegance far beyond what was appropriated +to that purpose. On April 2, with a great flourish, the immense +building was thrown open for public inspection. A large number of +women applied at once for admission, but encountered a set of rules +that drove most of them away. This gave Judge Hilton an excuse for +violating his obligation to carry out the plan of his dead +benefactor, and in a few weeks he closed the house to working women +and opened it as the Park Hotel, for which it was so admirably +furnished and fitted that it was the general opinion that it was +intended for this from the beginning. Great indignation was felt in +the community, the women calling a meeting to express their +disappointment and dissatisfaction. This was held in Cooper +Institute, under the auspices of the Woman Suffrage +Association.<a name="FNanchor_231_231" id="FNanchor_231_231"></a><a href="#Footnote_231_231" class="fnanchor">[231]</a> Had Mr. Stewart provided a permanent home for +working women it would have been but a meager return for the +underpaid toil of the thousands who had labored for half a century +to build up his princely fortune. But even the idea of such an act +of justice died with him.</p> + +<p>In 1879 that eminent philanthropist Dr. Hervey Backus Wilbur, +superintendent of the State Idiot Asylum at Syracuse, urged the +passage of a law requiring the employment of competent women as +physicians in the female wards of the State insane asylums. +Petitions prepared by him were circulated by the officers of the +Women's Medical College, of the New York Infirmary, by Mrs. +Josephine Shaw Lowell of the State Board of Charities, and by Drs. +Willard Parker, Mary Putnam Jacobi, and other eminent physicians of +New York. The bill prepared by Dr. Wilbur was introduced in the +Assembly by Hon. Erastus Brooks, and required the trustees of each +of the four State asylums for the insane, "to employ one or more +competent, well-educated female physicians to have the charge of +the female patients of said asylum, under the direction of the +medical superintendents of the several asylums, as in the case of +the other or male assistant physicians, and to take the place of +such male assistant physician or physicians in the wards of the +female patients." Although Dr. Wilbur stood at the head of his +profession, his authority upon everything connected with the +feeble-minded being not only recognized in this country but in +Europe also as absolute, yet this bill, which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_422" id="Page_422">[Pg 422]</a></span> did not contemplate +placing a woman in charge of such an institution, and which was so +purely moral in its character, met with ridicule and opposition +from the press of the State, to which Dr. Wilbur made an exhaustive +reply, showing the need of women as physicians in all institutions +in which unfortunate women are incarcerated.</p> + +<p>When the fall elections of 1879 approached, a circular letter was +sent to every candidate for office in the city, asking his views on +the question of woman suffrage, and delegations waited on the +nominees for mayor. Mr. Edward Cooper, the Republican candidate, +declared he had no sympathy with the movement, while Hon. Augustus +Schell, the Democratic candidate, received the ladies with great +courtesy, and avowed himself friendly at least to the demand for +equal wages and better opportunities for education, and in the +trades and professions. From the answers received, a list of +candidates was prepared. On the evening of October 30, a crowded +mass-meeting was held in Steinway Hall to advocate the election of +those men who were favorable to the enfranchisement of woman. Mr. +Schell was chosen Mayor. The re-nomination in 1879, of Lucius +Robinson for governor by the Democratic convention, aroused the +opposition of the women who understood the politics of the State. +He had declared that "the God of Nature did not intend women for +public life"; they resolved that the same power should retire Mr. +Robinson from public life, and held mass-meetings to that end.<a name="FNanchor_232_232" id="FNanchor_232_232"></a><a href="#Footnote_232_232" class="fnanchor">[232]</a> +These meetings were all alike crowded and enthusiastic, and the +speakers<a name="FNanchor_233_233" id="FNanchor_233_233"></a><a href="#Footnote_233_233" class="fnanchor">[233]</a> felt richly paid for their efforts. A thorough +canvass of the State was also made, and a protest<a name="FNanchor_234_234" id="FNanchor_234_234"></a><a href="#Footnote_234_234" class="fnanchor">[234]</a> extensively +circulated, condemning the governor for his veto of the +school-bill.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_423" id="Page_423">[Pg 423]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mr. F. B. Thurber, and Miss Susan A. King contributed liberally to +this campaign. Handbills containing the protest and a call for a +series of mass-meetings, were distributed by the thousands all over +the State. The last meeting was held at the seventh ward Republican +wigwam, an immense structure, in Brooklyn: its use was given by the +unanimous vote of the club.<a name="FNanchor_235_235" id="FNanchor_235_235"></a><a href="#Footnote_235_235" class="fnanchor">[235]</a> At every one of these meetings +resolutions were passed condemning Mr. Robinson, and electors were +urged to cast their votes against him. No doubt the enthusiasm the +women aroused for his opponent helped in a measure to defeat him.</p> + +<p>In the meantime, women in the eleventh senatorial district were +concentrating their efforts for the defeat of Thomas H. Eccelsine. +His Republican opponent, Hon. Chas. E. Foster, was a pronounced +advocate of woman suffrage. Miss King,<a name="FNanchor_236_236" id="FNanchor_236_236"></a><a href="#Footnote_236_236" class="fnanchor">[236]</a> who resided in this +district, exerted all her influence for his election, giving time, +money and thought to the canvass. On the morning of November 5, the +day after election, the papers announced that Mr. Cornell was +chosen governor, and that Mr. Ecclesine, who two years before had +been elected by 7,000 majority, was defeated by 600, and Mr. Foster +chosen senator in his stead.</p> + +<p>This campaign attracted much attention. The journals throughout the +country commented upon the action of the women. It was conceded +that their efforts had counted for something in influencing the +election, and from this moment the leaders of the woman suffrage +movement in New York regarded themselves as possessing some +political influence.</p> + +<p>In January, 1880, Governor Alonzo B. Cornell, in his first message +to the legislature, among other recommendations, embodied the +following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The policy of making women eligible as school officers has been +adopted in several States with beneficial results, and the +question is exciting much discussion in this State. Women are +equally competent with men for this duty, and it cannot be +doubted that their admission to representation would largely +increase the efficacy of our school management. The favorable +attention of the legislature is earnestly directed to this +subject. </p></blockquote> + +<p>With such words from the chief executive it was an easy matter to +find friends for a measure making women eligible as school<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_424" id="Page_424">[Pg 424]</a></span> +officers. Early in the session the following bill was introduced by +Hon. Lorraine B. Sessions of Cattaraugus:</p> + +<blockquote><p>No person shall be deemed ineligible to serve as any school +officer, or to vote at any school meeting, by reason of sex, who +has the voter's qualifications required by law. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Senator Edwin G. Halbert of Broome rendered efficient aid and the +bill passed at once in the Senate by a nearly unanimous vote. Hon. +G. W. Husted of Westchester introduced it at once in the assembly +and earnestly championed the measure. It passed by a vote of 87 to +3. The bill was laid before the governor, who promptly affixed his +signature to it, and thus, at last, secured to the women of the +Empire State the right to vote on all school matters, and to hold +any school offices to which they might be chosen. The bill was +signed on February 12, and the next day being Friday, was the last +day of registration in the city of Syracuse, the election there +taking place on the following Tuesday. The news did not reach there +until late in the day, the evening papers being the first to +contain it. But, although so little was known of the measure, +thirteen women registered their names as voters, and cast their +ballots at the election. This was the first time the women of New +York ever voted, and Tuesday, February 18, 1880, is a day to be +remembered.<a name="FNanchor_237_237" id="FNanchor_237_237"></a><a href="#Footnote_237_237" class="fnanchor">[237]</a> The voting for officers, like all other-school +matters, was provided for, not under the general laws, but by the +school statutes. There are two general elections in chartered +cities and universal suffrage for school as well as all other +officers; no preparation being required of voters but registration. +In the rural districts school meetings<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_425" id="Page_425">[Pg 425]</a></span> are held for elections, and +there are, by the statutes, three classes of voters described by +law.</p> + +<blockquote><p>1. Every person (male or female) who is a resident of the +district, of the age of twenty-one years, entitled to hold lands +in this State, who either owns or hires real estate in the +district liable to taxation for school purposes.</p> + +<p>2. Every citizen of the United States (male or female) above the +age of twenty-one years, who is a resident of the district, and +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.</p> + +<p>3. Every citizen of the United States (male or female) above the +age of twenty-one years, who is a resident of the district and +who has permanently residing with him, or her, a child or +children of school age, some one or more of whom shall have +attended the school of the district for a period of at least +eight weeks within the year preceding the time at which the vote +is offered. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Several of the large cities hold their elections on the first +Tuesday in March, while the majority of the rural districts hold +their school meetings on the second Tuesday in October. +Preparations were at once made to call out a large vote of women in +the cities holding spring elections, but all such efforts were +checked by official action. The mayor of Rochester wrote to the +governor, asking him if the new law applied to cities. Mr. Cornell +laid the question before Attorney-General Ward, who promptly gave +an opinion that inasmuch as the words "school meeting" were used in +the law, women could only vote where such meetings were held, but +were not entitled to vote at the elections in large cities. +Meantime the New York City Association called a meeting of +congratulation on the passage of the bill on February 25, when +Robinson Hall was crowded to overflowing with the friends of woman +suffrage, some of whom addressed the vast audience.<a name="FNanchor_238_238" id="FNanchor_238_238"></a><a href="#Footnote_238_238" class="fnanchor">[238]</a></p> + +<p>A mass-meeting of women was held at Albany, in Geological Hall, +Mrs. Blake presiding. It was especially announced that the meeting +was only for ladies, but several men who strayed in were permitted +to remain, to take that part in the proceedings usually allowed to +women in masculine assemblies, that is, to be silent spectators. +Resolutions were passed, urging the women to vote at the coming +election, and the names of several ladies were suggested as +trustees. March 19, 1880, the Albany County Woman Suffrage +Association<a name="FNanchor_239_239" id="FNanchor_239_239"></a><a href="#Footnote_239_239" class="fnanchor">[239]</a> was formed, whose first active duty was to rouse +the women to vote in the coming school election, which they did, in +spite of the attorney-general's opinion.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_426" id="Page_426">[Pg 426]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mr. Edwin G. Halbert of Broome also introduced a bill in the +Senate, for a constitutional amendment, to secure to women the +right of suffrage, which was passed by that conservative body just +before its adjournment. Meantime Mr. Wilcox urged the passage of +the bill to prohibit disfranchisement, which was brought to a third +reading in the Assembly. He prepared and circulated among the +members of the legislature a brief,<a name="FNanchor_240_240" id="FNanchor_240_240"></a><a href="#Footnote_240_240" class="fnanchor">[240]</a> showing their power to +extend the suffrage. The argument is unanswerable, establishing the +fact that women had voted through the early days of the Colonies, +and proving, by unanswerable authorities, their right to do so; +thus establishing the right of women to vote in 1885. Mr. Wilcox' +researches on this point will prove invaluable in the +enfranchisement of woman, as his facts are irresistible. Following +is the proposed bill:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">An Act</span> <i>to Prohibit Disfranchisement</i>.</p> + +<p>Introduced in the Assembly by Hon. Alex. F. Andrews, March 31, +1880. Reported by the Judiciary Committee for consideration, May +24. Ordered to third reading, May 27. Again so reported, +unanimously, March 16, 1881. Again ordered to third reading, May +3, 1881; ayes 60, noes 40. Vote on passage, May 11, 1881; ayes +59, noes 55, majority 4. (65 necessary to pass).</p> + +<p><i>Whereas</i>, the common law entitles women to vote under the same +qualifications as men; and</p> + +<p><i>Whereas</i>, said common law has never been abrogated in this +State; and</p> + +<p><i>Whereas</i>, a practice nevertheless obtains of treating as +disfranchised all persons to whom suffrage is not secured by +express words of the constitution; and</p> + +<p><i>Whereas</i>, the constitution makes no provision for this practice, +but on the contrary declares that its own object is to secure the +blessings of freedom to the people, and provides that no member +of this State shall be disfranchised or deprived of any of the +privileges secured to any citizen unless by constitutional +provision and judicial decision thereunder; and</p> + +<p><i>Whereas</i>, this practice, despite the want of authority therefor, +has by continuance acquired the force of law; and</p> + +<p><i>Whereas</i>, many citizens object to this practice as a violation +of the spirit and purpose of the constitution, as well as against +justice and public policy; and</p> + +<p><i>Whereas</i>, the legislature has corrected this practice in +repeated instances, its power to do so being in such instances +fully recognized and exercised; therefore</p> + +<p>The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and +Assembly, do enact as follows:</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Section 1</span>. Every woman shall be free to vote, under the +qualifications required of men, or to refrain from voting, as she +may choose; and no person shall be debarred, by reason of sex, +from voting at any election, or at any town meeting, school +meeting, or other choice of government functionaries whatsoever.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec. 2</span>. All acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this act, +are hereby repealed.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec. 3</span>. This act shall take effect immediately. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Various memorials were sent to the legislature in behalf of this +bill, and a hearing was granted to its advocates.<a name="FNanchor_241_241" id="FNanchor_241_241"></a><a href="#Footnote_241_241" class="fnanchor">[241]</a> The +Assembly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_427" id="Page_427">[Pg 427]</a></span> chamber in the beautiful new capitol was crowded as it +had never been before. A large proportion of the senators and +assemblymen were present, many of the judges from the various +courts, while the governor and lieutenant-governor occupied +prominent places, and large crowds of fashionable ladies and +leading gentlemen filled the seats and galleries. The chairman of +the committee, Hon. George L. Ferry, presided. The ladies were +graciously received by the governor, who, at their request, gave +them the pen with which he signed the bill providing "school +suffrage for women," and in return they presented him a handsome +gold-mounted pen, a gift from the City Society.</p> + +<p>The first voting by women after the passage of the new law, was at +Syracuse, February 17, only five days after the bill received the +governor's signature, but the great body of women had not the +opportunity until October. At that time in Fayetteville, the home +of Matilda Joslyn Gage, women voted in large numbers; the three who +had been placed upon the ticket, trustee, clerk and librarian were +all elected. It was an hour of triumph for Mrs. Gage who was +heartily congratulated upon the result. It was remarked that so +quiet an election had seldom been known. At Middletown, Orange +county, Dr. Lydia Sayre Hasbrook urged the women to take advantage +of their new privilege, and when the day of election came, although +it was cold and stormy, over 200 voted, and elected the entire +ticket of women for trustees, Mrs. Hasbrook herself being chosen as +one.</p> + +<p>There were many places, however, where no women voted, for the +reform had all the antagonisms and prejudices of custom to +overcome. Many obstacles were thrown in the way to prevent them +from exercising this right. The men of their families objecting, +and misconstruing the law, kept them in doubt both as to their +rights and duties. The clergy from their pulpits warned the women +of their congregations not to vote, fathers forbade their +daughters, husbands their wives. The wonder is that against such a +pressure so many women did vote after all.</p> + +<p>October 12, 1880, the elections took place in a large proportion of +the eleven thousand school districts of the State, and the daily +journals were full of items as to the result. We copy a few of +these:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Lowville</span>, Lewis County, Oct. 16, 1880.—The business meeting was +held on the evening of the 12th, and was attended by twenty +ladies. On the following day at 1 <span class="smcap">p.m.</span>, the election was held. +The ladies had an independent ticket opposing the incumbent clerk +and trustee. Seven voted. Four were challenged. They swore their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_428" id="Page_428">[Pg 428]</a></span> +votes in. Boys just turned twenty-one years of age voted +unchallenged. The clerk, who is a young sprig of a lawyer, made +himself conspicuous by challenging our votes. He first read the +opinion of the State superintendent of public instruction, and +said that the penalty for illegal voting was not less than six +months' imprisonment. My vote was challenged, and although my +husband is an owner of much real estate and cannot sell one foot +of it without my consent, I could not vote.</p> + +<p>From Penn Yan a woman writes:—About seventy ladies voted here, +but none who did not either own or lease real estate. The +argument so often used against woman suffrage—viz: that the +first to avail themselves of the privilege would be those least +qualified to do so, is directly refuted, in this town at least, +since the ladies who voted are without doubt those who by natural +ability and by culture are abundantly competent to vote +intelligently as well as conscientiously.</p> + +<p>A woman in Nunda writes:—Only six women attended the school +meeting in the first district on the 12th, but over forty went to +the polls on the 13th. Two women were on one of the tickets; the +opposition ticket was made up entirely of males. We were +supported by the best men in the village. The ticket bearing the +names of Mrs. Fidelia J. M. Whitcomb, M. D., and Mrs. S. Augusta +Herrick, was elected.</p> + +<p>From Poland a woman writes:—Our school meeting was attended by +about thirty men and two women. The population of the village is +between three and four hundred. My neighbor and I were proud of +the privilege of casting our first vote. There was nothing of +special interest to call out voters, as our trustees are +satisfactory to all. If circumstances required, there would be +many women voters here.</p> + +<p>David Hopkins and Gustave Dettloff were candidates for school +trustee in district No. 1 of New Lots, Long Island, at the last +election. Mr. Hopkins is a farmer and was seeking reëlection. Mr. +Dettloff is connected with an insurance company in this city, and +is a well-known resident of the town. The friends of Mr. Hopkins +about an hour before the closing of the polls, perceived that +there was danger of their candidate's defeat. A consultation was +held, and it was decided to utilize the new law giving women the +privilege of voting. Accordingly, several farm wagons were +procured and sent through the district to gather in the farmers' +wives and daughters. The wagons returned to the polls with 107 +women, all of whom voted for Mr. Hopkins, thus saving him from +defeat. It was too late to use a counter poison. The total number +of votes cast was 329, Mr. Hopkins receiving eighty majority.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Port Jervis</span>. Oct. 13.—The annual election of school trustees +occurred to-day and was attended with unusual excitement. Eight +hundred and thirty votes were polled, 150, for the women's +ticket, the remainder being divided. Only fifty ladies voted, a +great many being kept from the polls by the crowd of loafers +standing around. The Protestant ticket, composed of three men, +was elected. The election was held in a small room, and this was +crowded with men who amused themselves by passing remarks about +the ladies until the police were called in. Every lady who +offered her vote was challenged and a great many left the polls +in disgust. In Carpenter's Point and Sparrowbush, two suburbs of +the village, the ladies voted and were not molested.</p> + +<p>Only a few women voted on Tuesday evening at the election for +school trustees in the first district of Southfield, Staten +Island. When the poll was opened Judge John G. Vaughan, the +retiring trustee, presided. A motion was made to reëlect him by +acclamation. Amid great confusion Judge Vaughan put the motion +and declared it carried. Then Officers Fitzgerald and Leary had +to take charge of the meeting to preserve order, and Judge +Vaughan's opponents withdrew, threatening proceedings to have the +election declared invalid. Abram C. Wood was elected school +trustee in the West New Brighton (S. I.) district by 69 majority, +which included the votes of eight of eleven women present. Other +women promised to vote if Mr. Wood needed their support. Mr. +Robert B. Minturn presided.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sing Sing</span>, Oct. 13.—Five women voted at the school meeting last +night.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_429" id="Page_429">[Pg 429]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mount Morris</span>, Oct. 13.—One hundred and twenty women voted at the +school election here last evening.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Glen's Falls</span>, Oct. 13.—I am informed that women did vote here +and in the neighborhood last evening.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Perry</span>, Oct. 13.—A large woman vote was cast here. Two women were +elected members of the school-board.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Peekskill</span>, Oct. 13.—Five women voted in one district.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Shelter Island</span>, Oct. 13.—Women voted at our school meeting.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Coffin Summit</span>, Oct. 15.—Six women voted at the school meeting +here. A lady was nominated for trustee and received many votes, +but was defeated.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Stamford</span>, Oct. 15.—Four ladies voted at the school meeting.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Port Richmond</span>, Oct. 15.—Six ladies attended the school meeting. +The chairman, Mr. Sidney P. Ronason, made a speech, welcoming +them, stating that an unsuccessful effort had been made by +citizens to induce a leading lady to become a candidate for +trustee; also, that Lester A. Scofield, the retiring trustee, +would cheerfully give way if any competent lady would take his +place. This Mr. Scofield confirmed, but, no lady being nominated, +he was reëlected without opposition.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Baldwinville</span>, Oct. 15.—Thirty-three ladies voted at the school +election.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lockport</span>, Oct. 15.—Two Quaker ladies voted at the school meeting +of the first district of this township. One of them, Dr. Sarah +Lamb Cushing, was chosen tax-collector by 23 votes out of 26. On +the entrance of the ladies, smoking and all disorder ceased, and +the meeting was uncommonly well-conducted.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Lawton Station</span>, Oct. 15.—Of the 16 votes cast at the school +meeting here, 15 were given by women. A woman received the +highest vote for school trustee, but withdrew in favor of one of +the male candidates. The proceedings were enlivened with singing +by the pupils under the direction of the teacher. Several +improvements in the building were ordered at the instance of the +ladies.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Knowlesville</span>, Oct. 15.—Many women meant to vote at the school +meeting, but a person went from house to house and threatened +them with legal penalties if they did. Mrs. James Kernholtz was +nominated for tax-collector at the meeting, but declined, saying +the pay was too small. Miss Adelina Lockwood, being nominated for +librarian, declined, but was elected by acclamation, amid great +applause. The meeting was very large, but unusually orderly.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Flushing</span>, Oct. 15.—Forty women voted at the school meeting here, +and in the adjoining district.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Syracuse</span>, Oct. 14, 1881.—At the Fayetteville, Onondaga county, +school district election yesterday, a direct issue was made on +the question of woman's rights. The candidate of the women was +chosen. This is the women's second victory in that place, giving +them control of the school-board. </p></blockquote> + +<p>A correspondent describing what the voters had to encounter, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Is the question asked, why have not more women voted? I answer, +hundreds of women in this State were debarred by falsehood and +intimidation. No sooner had the school suffrage law passed than +the wildest statements about it were made. It was given out that +the Governor had recalled the bill from the Secretary of State +after signing it (which he could not do), and vetoed it; that the +law was unconstitutional; that it was defective and inoperative; +that it did not apply to cities and villages; that it had been +repealed; and like untruths. Pains was taken to hide its +existence by corrupt officials, who told the women that the law +did not apply to the places where they lived, or who withheld the +fact of its passage. The State was flooded just before the +elections with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_430" id="Page_430">[Pg 430]</a></span> an incorrect statement that only the rich women +could vote; that the children's mothers could not unless they +held real estate. The story was also set afloat that the +attorney-general had indorsed this statement; which that +gentleman promptly repudiated. All this we corrected as fast and +as far as we could; but it unavoidably did much harm.</p> + +<p>Wholesale hindrance and terrorism too, were used. A few samples +are these: In Albany, many women were threatened by their own +husbands with expulsion from house and home, imprisonment, bodily +violence or death if they dared vote; while many others were +deterred by insults and threats of social persecution. Many +persons ridiculed and abused those who sought to vote. In some +districts the inspectors refused to register qualified women, +while in others votes were refused. Statements were widely +published that the law did not apply to Albany. In Knowersville, +the village teacher went to every house, and threatened the women +with state-prison if they dared to vote. In Mount Morris, the +president of the Board of Education denounced the ladies who +induced others to vote. In Fayetteville, Saratoga and elsewhere, +the ladies' request for some share in making the tickets was +scornfully ignored. In Port Jervis, the Board of Education +declined a hall that was offered, and had the election in a low, +dirty little room. Smoke was puffed in the ladies' faces, +challenges were frequent, and all sorts of impudent questions +were asked of the voters. In Long Island City many ladies were +challenged, and stones were thrown in the street at Mrs. Emma +Gates Conkling, the lady who was most active in bringing out the +new voters. In New Brighton, the village paper threatened the +women with jail if they voted; and when a motion was made in one +district that the ladies be invited to attend, a large negative +vote was given, one man shouting, "We have enough of women at +home; we don't want'em here!" At West New Brighton it was openly +announced that the meeting should be too turbulent for ladies, +insomuch that many who intended to go staid away, and the few who +went were obliged to wait till all the men had voted. In Newham a +gang of low fellows took possession of the polling place early, +filled it with smoke of the worst tobacco, and covered the floor +with tobacco juice; and through all this the few ladies who +ventured to vote had to pass. In New York a man who claims to be +a gentleman said: "If my wife undertook to vote I would trample +her under my feet." In New Rochelle the school trustee told the +women they were not entitled to vote, and tried to prevent a +meeting being held to inform them. Clergymen from the pulpit +urged women not to vote, and a mob gathered at the polls and +blocked the way. These are but samples of the difficulties under +which the new law went into operation; and it is the truth that +there was as much bulldozing of voters in New York as ever in the +South, though sometimes by other means. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1880 Mrs. Blake was sent by the New York society to the +Republican and Democratic presidential conventions at Chicago and +Cincinnati, and on her return a meeting was called in Republican +Hall, July 9, to hear her report as to the comparative treatment<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_431" id="Page_431">[Pg 431]</a></span> +received by the delegates in the two conventions. Soon afterwards a +delegation of ladies<a name="FNanchor_242_242" id="FNanchor_242_242"></a><a href="#Footnote_242_242" class="fnanchor">[242]</a> waited on Winfield S. Hancock, the +Democratic nominee, who received them with much courtesy, saying he +was quite willing to interpret, in its broadest sense, that clause +of his letter of acceptance wherein he said: "It is only by a full +vote and a fair count that the people can rule in fact, as required +by the theory of our government." "I am willing, ladies," said the +general, "to have you say that I believe in a free ballot for all +the people of the United States, women as well as men."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Blake, Mrs. Slocum and Mr. Wilcox made quite an extensive +canvass through many counties of the State, to rouse the women to +use their right to vote on all school matters.</p> + +<p>The bill to prohibit disfranchisement was again introduced in the +legislature of 1881, by Joseph M. Congdon, and ordered to a third +reading May 3, by a vote of 60 to 40, and on May 11 came up for +final action, when the ladies, by special courtesy, were admitted +to the floor of the Assembly chamber to listen to the discussion. +General Francis B. Spinola and General James W. Husted made earnest +speeches in favor of the bill, and Hon. Erastus Brooks and General +George A. Sharpe in opposition. The roll-call gave 57 ayes to 55 +noes—a majority of those present, but not the majority (65) of all +the members of the Assembly, which the constitution of New York +requires for the final passage of a bill. The vote astonished the +opponents, and placed the measure among the grave questions of the +day. This substantial success inspired the friends to renewed +efforts.<a name="FNanchor_243_243" id="FNanchor_243_243"></a><a href="#Footnote_243_243" class="fnanchor">[243]</a></p> + +<p>The necessity of properly qualified women in the police stations +again came up for consideration. The condition of unfortunate women +nightly consigned to these places had long been set forth by the +leaders of the suffrage movement. In New York there were thirty-two +station-houses in which, from night to night, from five to forty +women were lodged, some on criminal charges, some from extreme +poverty. All there, young and old, were entirely in the hands of +men, in sickness or distress. If search was to be made on charge of +theft, it was always a male official who performed the duty. If the +most delicate and refined lady were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_432" id="Page_432">[Pg 432]</a></span> taken ill on the street, or +injured in any way, she was liable to be taken to the nearest +station, where the needful examinations to ascertain if life yet +lingered must be made by men. In view of these facts, a resolution +was again passed at the State convention, and request made to the +police commissioners, to permit a delegation of ladies to meet with +them in conference. The commissioners deigned no reply, but gave +the letter to the press, whereupon ensued a storm of comment and +ridicule.</p> + +<p>On consultation with Mrs. Josephine Shaw Lowell, commissioner of +the State Board of Charities, a bill was drawn up and sent to +Albany, providing for the appointment of one or more police-matrons +at every station-house in cities of 50,000 inhabitants and upwards, +the salaries to be $600 each. Hon. J. C. Boyd presented the bill in +the Senate, where it passed April 18. In the Assembly its passage +was urged by Hon. Michael C. Murphy, chairman of the Committee on +Cities. Meantime Mayor Grace and Comptroller Campbell entered their +protest against the bill, declaring the measure ought to originate +in the city departments, where there was full power to appoint +police-matrons; also, that the proposed salaries would be a heavy +drain upon the city treasury. The comptroller was at once informed +of the previous application to the police commissioners, from whom +no reply had been received, which virtually compelled appeal to the +legislature. And as to salaries, it was suggested that there were +now on the pay-roll of the police of New York 2,500 men whose +salaries amounted to over $2,500,000, whereas the bill before the +legislature asked for only sixty matrons, whose salaries would +amount to but $36,000. This was certainly a most reasonable demand +for the protection of one-half the people of the city, who paid +fully half the indirect taxes as well as a fair proportion of the +direct taxes. Finally, it was proposed to the comptroller that the +bill should be withdrawn if he would recommend the appointment of +police-matrons in the city departments. This was not accepted. The +Committee on Cities gave a hearing to Mrs. Blake, and reported +unanimously in favor of the bill. Public sentiment supported the +measure, the press generally advocated it, and the Assembly passed +the bill by a vote of 96 to 7; but it failed to receive the +signature of the governor,—a most striking proof of the need of +the ballot for women; since, friendly as he was to woman's +enfranchisement, when he found the police department, with its +thousands of attachés, <i>all with votes</i> in their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_433" id="Page_433">[Pg 433]</a></span> hands, opposed, +Governor Cornell was found wanting in courage and conscience to +sign this bill for women who had no votes.<a name="FNanchor_244_244" id="FNanchor_244_244"></a><a href="#Footnote_244_244" class="fnanchor">[244]</a> The next year +application was again made to the city authorities for the +appointment of matrons, but they refused to act. The bill was +reïntroduced in the legislature, passed by a large majority in the +Assembly, but defeated in the Senate by the adverse report of the +Committee on Cities. A mass-meeting to discuss this question of +police-matrons was held in Steinway Hall, March 1, at which the +speakers[B] all urged such appointments.</p> + +<p>During the winter of 1882 an effort was made in New York city to +secure the enforcement of the law enacted by the previous +legislature, which provided that seats should be furnished for the +"shop-girls." Mrs. Emma Gates Conkling caused the arrest of certain +prominent shop-keepers on the charge of not complying with the law, +but on coming to trial the suits were withdrawn on the promise of +the delinquents to give seats to their employés.</p> + +<p>During the winter of 1882 agitation for the higher education of +women was renewed, and a society organized by some of the most +influential ladies in the city. They rolled up a petition of 1,200, +asking that Columbia College be opened to women. President Barnard +had recommended this in his reports for three years. The agitation +culminated in a grand meeting<a name="FNanchor_245_245" id="FNanchor_245_245"></a><a href="#Footnote_245_245" class="fnanchor">[245]</a> in the new Union League Theater. +Parke Godwin of the <i>Evening Post</i> presided. The audience was +chiefly composed of fashionable ladies, whose equipages filled +Thirty-eighth street blocks away, yet not a woman sat on the +platform; not a woman's voice was heard; even the report of the +society was read by a man, and every inspiration of the occasion +was filtered through the brain of some man. Among other things, Mr. +Godwin, son-in-law of the poet Bryant, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We speak of the higher education of women. Why not also of men? +Because they already have the opportunity for obtaining it. The +idea upon which our government is built is the idea of equal +rights for all; and that means equal opportunities. Every society +needs all the best intellect that it can get. We have many evil +influences acting upon our society here, and we need the +all-controlling influence of woman. We cannot fix a standard for +her. History shows what she has done, in a Vespasia, Vittoria<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_434" id="Page_434">[Pg 434]</a></span> +Colonna, De Staël, Bremer, Evans, Somerville and Maria Mitchell. +She does not go out of her sphere when she is so highly educated. +She can darn her stockings just as well if she does know the word +in half-a-dozen languages. There is no longer novelty in this +movement; it has been tried successfully here and abroad in the +universities, and always with success. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Addresses were also made by Rev. Dr. Stowe, Dr. William Draper, +Joseph Choate, and others eminent in one way or another. The +meeting closed by circulating a petition for presentation to the +trustees of Columbia College, asking that properly qualified women +be admitted to lectures and examinations.</p> + +<p>The bill to prohibit disfranchisement on account of sex was again +introduced in the Assembly by Hon. J. Hampden Robb, and referred to +the Committee on Grievances, of which Major James Haggerty was +chairman, who gave to it his hearty approval and granted two +hearings to the officers of the State society, on behalf of the +large number of memorialists who had sent in their petitions from +all parts of the State. The women of Albany were indefatigable in +their personal appeals to the different members of the Assembly, +urging them to vote for the bill, while Major Haggerty was untiring +in his advocacy of the measure. On May 3 there was an animated +discussion:<a name="FNanchor_246_246" id="FNanchor_246_246"></a><a href="#Footnote_246_246" class="fnanchor">[246]</a> the bill passed to its third reading by an +overwhelming vote, which alarmed the opponents into making a +thorough canvass, that proved to them the necessity of some +decisive action for the defeat of the bill. The Hon. Erastas Brooks +presented a resolution, calling on the attorney-general for his +opinion on the constitutionality of the proposed law, which was +passed in a moment of confusion, and when many of our friends were +absent. Following is the opinion elicited:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"> +<span class="smcap">State of New York. Office of the Attorney-General,</span> }<br /> +<span class="smcap">Albany</span>, May 10, 1882. }<br /> +</p> + +<p><i>To the Assembly:</i></p> + +<p>I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the resolution of +the Assembly requesting the attorney-general to report his +opinion as to the constitutionality of Assembly bill No. 637, +which provides that "every woman shall be free to vote under the +qualifications required of men, or to refrain from voting, as she +may choose; and no person shall be debarred by reason of sex from +voting at any election, or at any town meeting, school meeting, +or other choice of government functionaries whatsoever," and +whether, without an amendment to the constitution, suffrage<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_435" id="Page_435">[Pg 435]</a></span> can +be granted to any class of persons not named in the constitution. +I reply:</p> + +<p><i>First</i>—It has been decided so often by the judicial tribunals +of the various States of the Union, and by the Supreme Court of +the United States, that suffrage is not a natural inherent right, +but one governed by the law-making power and regulated by +questions of availability and expediency, instead of absolute, +inalienable right (1, 3), that the question is no longer open for +discussion, either by the judicial forum or legislative +assemblies (<i>Burnham vs. Laning, 1 Legal Gazette Rep., 411, +Supreme Court Penn.; Minor vs. Happersett, 21 Wallace, 162; Day +vs. Jones, 31 California, 261; Anderson vs. Baker, 23 Maryland, +531; Abbott vs. Bayley, 6 Pickering, 92; 2 Dallas, 471-2; In re +Susan B. Anthony, 11 Blatchford, 200</i>). At the common law women +had no right to vote and no political status (2, 4) (<i>Maine's +Ancient Law, 140; Cooley's Const. Lim., 599; Blackstone's Comm., +171</i>).</p> + +<p><i>Second</i>—Therefore the constitution of the State of New York, +providing that every male citizen of the age of 21 years who +shall have certain other qualifications, may vote, the +determination of the organic law specifying who shall have the +privilege of voting, excludes all other classes (5), such as +women, persons under 21 years of age and aliens. The argument +that, because women are not expressly prohibited, they may vote, +fails to give the slightest force to the term "male" in the +constitution; and by the same force of reasoning, the expression +of the term "citizen" and the statement of the age of 21 years +would not necessarily exclude aliens and those under 21 years of +age from voting (6). Therefore, assuming that our organic law was +properly adopted without the participation of women either in +making or adopting it (7), that organic law controls.</p> + +<p><i>Third</i>—It follows, therefore, as a logical consequence that the +proposed reform cannot be accomplished except by an amendment of +the constitution ratified by two successive legislatures and the +people, or by a constitutional convention, whose work shall be +sanctioned by a vote of the people.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"> +<span class="smcap">Leslie W. Russell</span>, <i>Attorney-General</i>.<a name="FNanchor_247_247" id="FNanchor_247_247"></a><a href="#Footnote_247_247" class="fnanchor">[247]</a><br /> +</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Weak as was this document, and untenable as were its assertions, it +had great weight with many of the members of the legislature coming +as the opinion did from the attorney-general of the State. The +friends of the bill resolved to call for the vote when the bill +should be reached, and on May 16, the women were present in large +numbers, listening with intense interest to the brief speeches of +the members for and against, and watching and counting the vote as +the roll-call proceeded, which resulted in 54 ayes and 59 noes, +lacking three votes of a majority of those present and only eleven +of the requisite number, sixty-five. In view of the official +opinion against its constitutionality amounting to a legal +decision, this was a most gratifying vote.<a name="FNanchor_248_248" id="FNanchor_248_248"></a><a href="#Footnote_248_248" class="fnanchor">[248]<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_436" id="Page_436">[Pg 436]</a></span></a></p> + +<p>The presence of Leslie W. Russell in Albany, as attorney-general, +rendered it useless to reïntroduce the bill to prohibit +disfranchisement on account of sex in the legislature of 1883, but +in its stead, Dr. John G. Boyd of New York introduced a proposition +to strike "male" from the suffrage clause of the constitution, +which, however, received only fifteen votes.</p> + +<p>To pass from the State to the Church, the winter of 1883 was +notable for the delivery of a series of Lenten lectures on woman by +the Rev. Morgan Dix, D. D., rector of Trinity Church, New York, +afterwards published in book form under the title, "The Calling of +a Christian Woman and her Training to Fulfill it." The lectures +were delivered each Friday evening during Lent, in Trinity Chapel, +and at once attracted attention from their conservative, +reäctionary, almost monastic views of woman's position and duties.</p> + +<p>After reading a report of one of these remarkable essays in which +women were gravely told their highest happiness should be found in +singing hymns, Mrs. Blake decided to reply to them. She secured a +hall on Fourteenth street, and on successive Sunday evenings gave +addresses in reply. Both courses of lectures were well attended. +The moderate audiences of Trinity Chapel soon became a throng that +more than filled the large building, while the hall in which Mrs. +Blake spoke was packed to suffocation, hundreds going away unable +to gain admittance. The press everywhere favored the broad and +liberal views presented by Mrs. Blake, and denounced the old-time +narrow theories of Dr. Dix. Mrs. Blake's lectures were also +published in book form with the title of "Woman's Place To-day" and +had a large circulation.</p> + +<p>The Republicans again nominating Mr. Russell for attorney-general, +an active campaign was organized against him and in favor of the +Democratic nominee, Mr. Dennis O'Brien. Protests<a name="FNanchor_249_249" id="FNanchor_249_249"></a><a href="#Footnote_249_249" class="fnanchor">[249]<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_437" id="Page_437">[Pg 437]</a></span></a> against +Russell were circulated throughout the State; Republican tickets +were printed with the name of Denis O'Brien for attorney-general, +and on election day women distributed these tickets, and made every +possible effort to ensure the defeat of Russell; and he was +defeated by 13,000 votes.</p> + +<p>The legislature of 1884 showed a marked gain; Hon. Erastus Brooks, +General George A. Sharpe, and other prominent opponents had been +retired, and their seats filled by active friends. Our bill was +introduced by Mr. William Howland of Cayuga, and referred to the +Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. Howland also secured the passage of +a special act, granting women the right to vote at the charter +elections of Union Springs, Cayuga county. Under similar enactments +women have the right to vote for municipal officers in Dansville, +Newport and other villages and towns in the State.</p> + +<p>On March 11, 12, the annual meeting of the State society was held +in the City Hall, Albany, with a good representation<a name="FNanchor_250_250" id="FNanchor_250_250"></a><a href="#Footnote_250_250" class="fnanchor">[250]</a> from the +National Convention at Washington, added to our own State +speakers.<a name="FNanchor_251_251" id="FNanchor_251_251"></a><a href="#Footnote_251_251" class="fnanchor">[251]</a> On the last evening there was an overflow meeting +held in Geological Hall, presided over by Mrs. Matilda Joslyn Gage.</p> + +<p>Governor Cleveland accorded the delegates a most courteous +reception in his room in the capitol. A hearing was had before the +Judiciary Committee March 13. The assembly-chamber was crowded. +General Husted, chairman of the committee, presided, and Mrs. +Blake, the president of the society, introduced the speakers.<a name="FNanchor_252_252" id="FNanchor_252_252"></a><a href="#Footnote_252_252" class="fnanchor">[252]</a> +A few days later the same committee gave a special<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_438" id="Page_438">[Pg 438]</a></span> hearing to Mrs. +Gougar, who made the journey from Indiana to present the case. The +committee reported adversely, but by the able tactics of General +Husted, after an animated debate the bill was placed on the +calendar by a vote of 66 to 62, and shortly after ordered to a +third reading by a vote of 74 to 39. On May 8 the bill was reached +for final action. Frederick B. Howe of New York was the principal +opponent, trying to obstruct legislation by one and another +pretext. General Husted took the floor in an able speech on the +constitutionality of the bill, and the vote stood 57 ayes to 61 +noes, lacking eight votes of the requisite 65.</p> + +<p>While the right of suffrage is still denied, gains in personal and +property rights have been granted:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In 1880, the law requiring the private acknowledgment by a +married woman of her execution of deeds, or other written +instruments, without the "fear or compulsion" of her husband, was +abolished, leaving the wife to make, take and certify in the same +manner as if she were a <i>feme sole</i>.</p> + +<p>March 21, 1884, the penal code of the State was amended, raising +the age of consent from ten to sixteen years, and also providing +penalties<a name="FNanchor_253_253" id="FNanchor_253_253"></a><a href="#Footnote_253_253" class="fnanchor">[253]</a> for inveigling or enticing any unmarried woman, +under the age of twenty-five years, into a house of ill-fame or +assignation.</p> + +<p>Under the act of May 28, 1884, a married woman may contract to +the same extent, with like effect and in the same form as if +unmarried, and she and her separate estate shall be liable +thereon, whether such contract relates to her separate business +or estate, or otherwise, and in no case shall a charge upon her +separate estate be necessary. </p></blockquote> + +<p>It is by court decisions that we most readily learn the legal +status of married women, under the favorable legislation of the +period covered by this History. While referring the reader to +Abbott's Digest of New York Laws for full knowledge upon this +point, we give a few of the more recent decisions as illustrating +general legal opinion:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Troy</span>, March 23, 1882.—The Court of Appeals decided that married +women are the rightful owners of articles of personal adornment +or convenience coming from husbands, and can bequeath them to +their heirs. The court held that separate and personal possession +by a wife of articles specially fitted for and adapted to her +personal use, and differing in that respect from household goods +kept for the common use of husband and wife, would draw after it +a presumption of the executed gift if the property came from the +husband, and of the wife's ownership, but for disabilities of the +marital relations. Now that these disabilities are removed the +separate existence and separate property of the wife are +recognized, and her capacity to take and hold as her own the gift +in good faith and fairly made to her by her husband established, +it seemed to the court time to clothe her right with natural and +proper attributes, and apply to the gift to her, although made by +her husband, the general rules of law unmodified and unimpaired +by the old disabilities of the marriage relations. </p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_439" id="Page_439">[Pg 439]</a></span></p> + +<p>This decision was important as further destroying the old +common-law theory of the husband's absolute ownership of his wife's +person, property, services and earnings. The same year (1882) the +Supreme Court, at its general term, rendered a decision that a +married woman could sue her husband for damages for assault and +battery; that by the act of 1860 the legislature intended to, and +did, change the common-law rule, that a wife could not sue her +husband. Judge Brady rendered the opinion, Judge Daniels +concurring; Presiding Judge Noah Davis dissenting. Judge Brady +said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>To allow the right (to sue) in an action of this character, in +accordance with the language of the statute, would be to promote +greater harmony by enlarging the rights of married women and +increasing the obligations of husbands, by affording greater +protection to the former, and by enforcing greater restraint upon +the latter in the indulgence of their evil passions. The +declaration of such a rule is not against the policy of the law. +It is in harmony with it, and calculated to preserve peace and, +in a great measure, prevent barbarous acts, acts of cruelty, +regarded by mankind as inexcusable, contemptible, detestable. It +is neither too early nor too late to promulgate the doctrine that +if a husband commits an assault and battery upon his wife he may +be held responsible civilly and criminally for the act, which is +not only committed in violation of the laws of God and man, but +in direct antagonism to the contract of marriage, its +obligations, duties, responsibilities, and the very basis on +which it rests. The rules of the common law on this subject have +been dispelled, routed, and justly so, by the acts of 1860 and +1862. They are things of the past which have succumbed to more +liberal and just views, like many other doctrines of the common +law which could not stand the scrutiny and analysis of modern +civilization. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The utter insecurity of woman without the ballot is shown in the +reversal of this decision within a few months, by the Court of +Appeals, on the ground that it would be "contrary to the policy of +the law, and destructive to the conjugal union and tranquility +which it had always been the object of the law to guard and +protect." Could satire go farther? We record with satisfaction the +fact that Judge Danforth uttered a strong dissenting opinion.</p> + +<p>The friends of woman suffrage in the legislature of 1884 secured +the passage of a bill empowering women to vote on all questions of +taxation submitted to a popular vote in the village of Union +Springs. Governor Cleveland was urged to veto it; but after hearing +all the objections he signed the bill and it became a law.</p> + +<p>At Clinton, Oneida county, twenty-two women voted on June 21, 1884, +at an election on the question of establishing water-works. Eight +voted for the tax, fourteen against it. Fifteen other women +appeared at the polls, but were excluded from voting because, +though they were real-estate tax-payers, the assessor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_440" id="Page_440">[Pg 440]</a></span> had left +their names off the tax-roll. Judge Theodore W. Dwight, president +of the Columbia Law School, pronounced women tax-payers entitled to +vote under the general water-works act, and therefore that the +election-officials violated the law in refusing to accept the votes +of the women whose names were omitted from the assessors' tax-list.</p> + +<p>In 1879, there was a report of the committee to allow widows an +active voice in the settlement of the family estate and to have the +sole guardianship of minor children. A petition in favor of the +bill had upon it the names of such well-known men as Peter Cooper, +George William Curtis, Henry Bergh and J. W. Simonton.</p> + +<p>September 13, 1879, Mrs. MacDonald of Boston argued her own case +before the United States Circuit Court in New York city, in a +patent suit. It was a marked event in court circles, she being the +first lady pleader that ever appeared in that court, and the second +woman who ever argued a case in this State. Anne Bradstreet was for +years a marked character in Albany courts, but her claims for +justice were regarded as an amusing lunacy.</p> + +<p>In 1880, Governor Cornell appointed Miss Carpenter on the State +Board of Charities.</p> + +<p>In the suit of Mr. Edward Jones to recover $860 which he alleged he +had loaned to the Rev. Anna Oliver for the Willoughby Avenue +Methodist Episcopal Church, Brooklyn, of which she was pastor, a +verdict for the defendant was rendered. Miss Oliver addressed the +following letter to the court:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hang"><i>To his Honor, the Judge, the Intelligent Jury, the Lawyers and +all who are engaged in the case of Jones vs. Oliver</i>:</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Gentlemen</span>:—Thanking you for the politeness, the courtesy, the +chivalry even, that has been shown me to-day, allow me to make of +you the following request: Please sit down at your earliest +leisure, and endeavor to realize in imagination how you would +feel if you were sued by a woman, and the case was brought before +a court composed entirely of women; the judge a woman; every +member of the jury a woman; women to read the oath to you, and +hold the Bible, and every lawyer a woman. Further, your case to +be tried under laws framed entirely by women, in which neither +you nor any man had ever been allowed a voice. Somewhat as you +would feel under such circumstances, you may be assured, on +reading this, I have felt during the trial to-day. Perhaps the +women would be lenient to you (the sexes do favor each other), +but would you be satisfied? Would you feel that such an +arrangement was exactly the just and fair thing? If you would +not, I ask you on the principle of the Golden Rule, to use your +influence for the enfranchisement of women.</p> + +<p> +<i>New York, 1881.</i><br /> +</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Roebling, wife of the engineer in charge of the construction +of the marvelous Brooklyn bridge, made the patterns for various +necessary shapes of iron and steel such as no mills were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_441" id="Page_441">[Pg 441]</a></span> making, +after her husband and other engineers had for weeks puzzled their +brains over the difficulties.</p> + +<p>When Frank Leslie died, his printing-house was involved, and Mrs. +Leslie undertook to redeem it, which she did, and in a very short +time. Speaking of it she says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"I had the property in reach, and the assignees were ready to +turn it over to me, but to get it, it was necessary for me to +raise $50,000, I borrowed it from a woman. How happy I was when +she signed the check, and how beautiful it seemed to me to see +one woman helping another. I borrowed the money in June, and was +to make the first payment of $5,000, on the 1st of November. On +the 29th of October I paid the $50,000 with interest. From June +to the 29th of October, I made $50,000 clear. I had also to pay +$30,000 to the creditors who did not come under the contract. +While I was paying this $80,000 of my husband's debts, I spent +but $30 for myself, except for my board. I lived in a little +attic room, without a carpet, and the window was so high that I +could not get a glimpse of the sky unless I stood on a chair and +looked out. When I had paid the debts and raised a monument to my +husband, then I said to myself, 'now for a great big pair of +diamond earrings,' and away I went to Europe, and here are the +diamonds." The diamonds are perfect matches, twenty-seven carats +in weight, and are nearly as large as nickles. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In Lansingburgh the women tax-payers offered their ballots and were +repulsed, as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>September 2, 1885, the special election of the taxable +inhabitants of the village of Lansingburgh took place, to vote +upon a proposition to raise by tax the sum of $15,000 for +water-works purposes. The measure was voted by 102 for it to 46 +against. But a small amount of interest was manifested in the +election. Several women tax-payers offered their votes, but the +inspectors would not receive them, and the matter will be +contested in the courts. The call for the election asked for an +expression from "the taxable inhabitants," and women tax-payers +in the 'burgh claim under the law their rights must be +recognized. Lansingburgh inspectors have on numerous occasions +refused to receive the ballots thus tendered, and the women have +lost patience. They are to employ the best of counsel and settle +the question at as early a day as possible. Women pay tax upon +$367,394 of the property within the village boundaries, and they +believe that they, to the number of 317 at least, are entitled to +votes on all questions involving a monetary expenditure. In +Saratoga, Clinton, and a number of other places in this State, +where elections in relation to water-works have taken place, it +has been held by legal authority that women property owners have +a right to vote, and they have voted accordingly the same as +other tax-payers. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In regard to recent efforts to secure legislation favorable to +women, Mr. Wilcox writes:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The impression that the School Act, passed in 1880, did not apply +to cities, led to the introduction by the Hon. Charles S. Baker +of Rochester, of a bill covering cities. A test vote showed the +Assembly practically unanimous for it, but it was referred to the +Judiciary Committee to examine its constitutionality. The +chairman, Hon. Geo. L. Ferry, and other members,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_442" id="Page_442">[Pg 442]</a></span> asked me to +look up the point and inform the committee, supposing a +constitutional amendment needful. When the point was made on this +bill, I for the first time closely examined the constitution, and +finding there was nought to prevent the legislature enfranchising +anyone, promptly apprised the committee of the discovery. The +acting-chairman, Major Wm. D. Brennan, requested me to furnish +the committee a legal brief on the matter. This (Feb. 19, 1880) I +did, and arranged a public hearing before them in the +assembly-chamber, which was attended by Governor Cornell, +Lieutenant-Governor Hoskins, many senators, assemblymen, and +State officers; at which Mrs. Blake, the sainted Helen M. Slocum +and Mrs. Elizabeth L. Saxon were the speakers. From that year to +the present there has been a "Bill to Prohibit Disfranchisement" +before each legislature. In 1881, it was carried to a majority +vote in the Assembly. In 1883, two-thirds of the Assembly were +ready to pass the bill when the attorney-general declared it +unconstitutional. In 1884, Governor Cleveland had approved two +suffrage acts, and promised to sign all the friends could carry. +In 1885, growing tired of the senseless clamor of +"unconstitutionality," I resolved to show how little law the +clamorers knew. To the knowledge gained by five years' +discussion, I added that obtained by several months' research in +the State Library at Albany, that of the New York Bar +Association, those of the New York Law Institute and Columbia +College, and elsewhere. The result was the publication of "Cases +of the Legislature's Power over Suffrage," wherein it was shown, +condensed from a great number of authorities, that all classes +have received suffrage, not from the constitution but from the +legislature, and that the latter has exercised the power of +extending suffrage in hundreds of cases. This document received +high praise from General James W. Husted and Major James +Haggerty, who have manfully championed our bills in the Assembly, +General Husted reading from it in his speech and it was signally +sanctioned by the Assembly which, after being supplied with +copies, voted down by more than three to one a motion to +substitute a constitutional amendment.</p> + +<p>But while working at this document, I was fortunate enough to +make a still greater discovery—that portions of statute law +which formerly prevented women's voting were repealed long since; +that the constitution and statutes in their present shape secure +women the legal right to vote. </p></blockquote> + +<p>February 19, 1885, a hearing was granted to Mrs. Stanton, Mrs. +Rogers and Mrs. Blake in the assembly-chamber before the Committee +on Grievances, on the "Bill to Prohibit Disfranchisement." The +splendid auditorium was crowded for two hours, and members of the +committee lingered a long time after the audience had dispersed to +discuss the whole question still further with the speakers. On the +next day Mrs. Mary Seymour Howell and Governor John W. Hoyt of +Wyoming Territory had a second hearing. The committee reported for +consideration. When the bill came up for a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_443" id="Page_443">[Pg 443]</a></span> third reading, General +Martin L. Curtis of St. Lawrence moved that it be sent to the +Judiciary Committee with instructions to substitute a +constitutional amendment; lost, ayes 25, noes 75; carried to a +third reading by <i>viva voce</i> vote. The vote on the final passage +was, ayes 57, noes 56; the constitutional majority in this State +being 65 of the 128 members, it was lost by eight votes. Of the 73 +Republicans, 29 voted for the bill; of the 55 Democrats, 28 voted +for the bill, showing that more than half the Democratic vote was +in favor, and only two-fifths of the Republican; thus our defeat +was due to the Republican party.</p> + +<p>Thus stands the question of woman suffrage in the Empire State +to-day, where women are in the majority.<a name="FNanchor_254_254" id="FNanchor_254_254"></a><a href="#Footnote_254_254" class="fnanchor">[254]</a> After long years of +unremitting efforts who can read this chapter of woman's faith and +patience, under such oft-repeated disappointments, but with pity +for her humiliations and admiration for her courage and +persistence. For nearly half a century the petitions, the appeals, +the arguments of the women of New York have been before the +legislature for consideration, and the trivial concessions of +justice thus far wrung from our rulers bear no proportion to the +prolonged labors we have gone through to achieve them.</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> It has recently been ascertained that the first +woman's rights petition sent to the New York State legislature was +by Miss Mary Ayers, in 1834, for a change in the property laws. It +was ten or fifteen feet long when unrolled, and is still buried in +the vaults of the capitol at Albany.</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> Many years afterwards, lecturing in Texas, I met a +party of ladies from Georgia, thoroughly awake on all questions +relating to women. Finding ourselves quite in accord, I said, "how +did you get those ideas in Georgia?" "Why," said one, "some of our +friends attended a woman's convention at Saratoga, and told us what +was said there, and gave us several tracts on all phases of the +question, which were the chief topics of discussion among us long +after." Southern women have suffered so many evils growing out of +the system of slavery that they readily learn the lessons of +freedom.—[E. C. S.</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> The following were elected officers of the +association. <i>President</i>, Martha C. Wright, Auburn. +<i>Vice-Presidents</i>, Celia Burleigh, Brooklyn; Rachel S. Martin, +Albany; Lydia A. Strowbridge, Cortland; Jennie White, Syracuse; +Eliza W. Osborn, Auburn; Sarah G. Love, Ithaca; W. S. V. Rosa, +Watertown; Mary M. R. Parks, Utica; Amy Post, Rochester; Candace S. +Brockett, Brockett's Bridge; Ida Greeley, Chappaqua; Mary Hunt, +Waterloo. <i>Secretary</i>, Matilda Joslyn Gage, Fayetteville. +<i>Executive Committee</i>, Lucy A. Brand, Emeline A. Morgan, Mrs. H. +Stewart, Samuel J. May, Rhoda Price, all of Syracuse. <i>Advisory +Counsel</i>, for First Judicial District, Susan B. Anthony, New York; +Second, Sarah Schram, Newburgh; Third, Sarah H. Hallock, Milton; +Fourth, Caroline Mowry Holmes, Greenwich; Fifth, Ann T. Randall, +Oswego; Sixth, Mrs. Professor Sprague, Ithaca, Seventh, Harriet N. +Austin, Dansville; Eighth, Helen P. Jenkins, Buffalo.</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> The speakers were Celia Burleigh, Susan B. Anthony, +Charlotte B. Wilbour, Matilda Joslyn Gage, Mrs. Bedortha, of +Saratoga, Mrs. Strowbridge, of Cortland, Mrs. Norton, J. N. Holmes, +esq., Judge McKean, Rev. Mr. Angier, Hon. Wm. Hay. See +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_402">Vol. II., page 402</a>, for Mrs. Burleigh's letter on this Saratoga convention.</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> The Board of Trustees of Mt. Vernon, Westchester +county, called a meeting of taxpayers of that village on July 19, +1868, to vote upon the question of levying a tax of $6,000 for the +purpose of making and repairing highways and sidewalks, and for +sundry other public improvements. Over sixty per cent. of the +real-estate owners being women, they resolved upon asserting their +right to a voice in the matter, and issued a call for a meeting, +signed by the following influential ladies: Mrs. M. J. Law, Mrs. H. +H. Leaver, Mrs. Olive Leaver, Mrs. J. Haggerty, Mary H. Macdonald, +Mrs. Dorothy Ferguson, Mrs. M. J. Farrand, Mrs. Jeanette Oron, Mrs. +Thirza Clark, Mrs. S. J. Clark, Mrs. Nettie Morgan, Mrs. D. Downs, +Miss L. M. Hale, Miss Susie Law, Mrs. Celia Pratt, Mrs. Sabra +Talcott, Mrs. Mary Wilkie, Mrs. Elizabeth Latham, Mrs. Mary C. +Brown, Mrs. J. M. Lockwood, Mrs. May Howe, Mrs. Adaline Baylis, +Mrs. J. Harper, Miss Elizabeth Eaton, Miss C. Frederiska Scharft, +Mrs. S. A. Hathaway, Mrs. Margaret Hick, Mrs. Rebecca Dimmic, Mrs. +Catharine Alphonse, Miss Julia Cheney, Mrs. E. Watkins, Mrs. L. M. +Pease, Mrs. Margaret Coles, Mrs. Ruth Smith, Mrs. Mary A. Douglas, +Mrs. Sarah Valentine, Mrs. H. C. Jones, Mrs. J. Tomlinson, Mrs. +Amanda Carr, Mrs. Margaret Wooley, Mrs. S. Seeber, Mrs. B. Powers, +Mrs. S. A. Waterhouse, Mrs. H. M. Smith. But notwithstanding the +numbers, wealth, and social influence of the women, their demand +was rejected, while hundreds of men, who had never paid a dollar's +tax into the village treasury, were permitted to deposit their +votes, though challenged by friends, and well known to the officers +as not possessors of a foot of real estate.</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 Working Women's Association was organized in New +York, September 17, 1868, with Mrs. Anna Tobitt, <i>President</i>; Miss +Augusta Lewis, Miss Susan Johns, Miss Mary Peers. +<i>Vice-Presidents</i>; Miss Elizabeth C. Browne, <i>Secretary</i>, and Miss +Julia Browne, <i>Treasurer</i>. The three vice-presidents were young +ladies of about twenty. Miss Lewis worked upon a newly invented +type-setting machine.</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> "Sergeant Robinson, of the Twenty-sixth Precinct, +made a raid on the abandoned women patroling the park last evening. +At 11 p. m. six unfortunates were caged." Thus runs the record. +Will some one now be kind enough to tell us whether Sergeant +Robinson, or any other sergeant, made a raid upon the abandoned men +who were patrolling Broadway at the same hour? Did any one on that +night, or, indeed, upon any other night, within the memory of the +oldest Knickerbocker, make a raid upon the gamblers, thieves, +drunkards and panders that infest Houston street? By what authority +do the police call women "abandoned" and arrest them because they +are patrolling any public park or square? If these women belonged +to the class euphemistically called "unfortunate," they were +doubtless there because men were already there before them. And if +it was illegal in women and deserving of punishment, why should men +escape? <i>Prima facie</i>, if crime were committed, the latter are the +greater criminals of the two. We humbly suggest to all who are +endeavoring to reform this class of women, that they turn their +attention to reforming the opposite sex. If you can make men so +pure that they will not seek the society of prostitutes, you will +soon have no prostitutes for them to seek; in other words, +prostitution will cease when men become sufficiently pure to make +no demand for prostitutes. In any event, the police should treat +both sexes alike. Making a raid, as it is called, upon abandoned +women, and shutting them up in prison, never can procure good +results. The most repulsive and bestial features of "the social +evil" have their origin in the treatment that women receive at the +hands of the police; and society itself would be much better if the +police would keep their hands off such women.—[P. P. in <i>The +Revolution</i>.</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> An important decision relating to the eligibility of +candidates for the Cornell free scholarship has been rendered by +Judge Martin of the Supreme Court. Mary E. Wright, who stood third +in the recent examination here for the scholarship, contested the +appointment on the ground that the candidates who were first and +second in the examination were not pupils of a school in the +county. The judge decided that candidates for the position must be +residents of the county and pupils of a school therein, to be +eligible, and he awarded the scholarship to Miss Wright. This is +the first contested scholarship since the establishment of the +University.—<i>Ithaca dispatch to New York Times.</i></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> Dr. Lewis H. Morgan, who died in 1882, famed in both +hemispheres as an ethnologist, left a considerable estate to be +devoted at the death of his wife (which has since occurred) and of +his son without issue, to the establishment, in connection with the +University of Rochester, of a collegiate institution for women. +This makes it very probable that Rochester will ultimately offer +equal opportunities to both sexes.</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> At one time it was said that Hobart College had more +professors than students, and one year had arrived at such a point +of exhaustion as to graduate but one young man. When the +proposition to incorporate Geneva Medical College with the Syracuse +University was made, Hon. George F. Comstock, a trustee of the +latter institution, vigorously opposed it unless equal advantages +were pledged to women.</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> See Volume II., page <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_264">264</a>.</p></div> + +<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 twelve were:. Mrs. H. M. Field, Mrs. Anna Lynch +Botta, Miss Kate Field, Mrs. Anna B. Allen, Miss Josephine Pollard, +Mrs. Celia Burleigh, Mrs. Fanny Barrow, Mrs. C. B. Wilbour, Mrs. J. +C. Croly, Miss Ella Dietz, Alice and Phebe Cary.</p></div> + +<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> She now reports the cattle-market for four New York +papers including the <i>Tribune</i> and <i>Times</i>.</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> <i>President</i>, Charlotte B. Wilbour; +<i>Vice-Presidents</i>, Dr. Clemence S. Lozier, Mrs. Devereux Blake; +<i>Secretary</i>, Frances V. Hallock; <i>Treasurer</i>, Miss Jeannie McAdam.</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 petitioners were represented by Mrs. Wilbour, +Mrs. Hester M. Poole, Elizabeth B. Phelps, Elizabeth Langdon, Mrs. +I. D. Hull, Mrs. Charlotte L. Coleman, Mrs. M. E. Leclover, Matilda +Joslyn Gage.</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> See <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_628">Vol. II., page 628</a>.</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> Isabella Beecher Hooker, Susan B. Anthony, Rev. +Olympia Brown, Matilda Joslyn Gage, Dr. Clemence Lozier, Helen M. +Slocum, Lillie Devereux Blake.</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> Lillie Devereux Blake was born in Raleigh, North +Carolina, in August, 1833. Her father, George Devereux, was a +wealthy Southern gentleman of Irish descent. Her mother's maiden +name was Sarah Elizabeth Johnson of Stratford, Connecticut, a +descendant of William Samuel Johnson who was one of the first two +senators from that State. Both her parents were descended from +Jonathan Edwards. Her father died in 1837, and the widow +subsequently removed to New Haven, Conn., where she was well known +for her large and generous hospitality. Her daughter, the future +favorite writer and lecturer, was a much admired belle, and in 1855 +was married to Frank Umsted, a lawyer of Philadelphia, with whom +she lived two years in St. Louis, Mo. Mr. Umsted died in 1859, and +his widow, who had written sketches for <i>Harper's Magazine</i> and +published a novel called "Southwold," from that date contributed +largely to leading newspapers and magazines. She was Washington +correspondent of the <i>Evening Post</i> in the winter of 1861, +published "Rockford" in 1862, and wrote many stories for <i>Frank +Leslie's Weekly</i>, the <i>Philadelphia Press</i> and other publications. +In 1866 she married Greenfill Blake of New York. In 1872 Mrs. Blake +published "Fettered for Life," a novel designed to show the legal +disadvantages of women. Ever since she became interested in the +suffrage movement Mrs. Blake has been one of the most ardent +advocates. She has taken several lecturing tours in different +States of the Union. Mrs. Blake is an easy speaker and writer, and +of late has contributed to many of our popular magazines. Much of +the recent work in the New York legislature is due to her untiring +zeal.</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> Mrs. Jennie McAdam, Mrs. Hester Poole, Charlotte +Coleman, Mrs. Hull, Mrs. Morse and others. A month before, January +23, Miss Anthony was invited to address the commission, giving her +constitutional argument, showing woman's right to vote under the +fourteenth amendment. Hon. Henry R. Selden was in the audience, +being in the city on Miss Anthony's case. At the close of her +argument he said: "If I had heard that speech before, I could have +made a stronger plea before Judge Hall this morning."</p></div> + +<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> She was escorted to the capitol by Phœbe H. Jones +and the venerable Lydia Mott, who for a quarter of a century had +entertained at their respective homes the various speakers that had +come to Albany to plead for new liberties, and had accompanied +them, one after another, to the halls of legislation.</p></div> + +<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> Addressed by Mrs. Wilbour, Mrs. Blake, Mrs. Lozier, +Mrs. Hallock, Hamilton Wilcox and Dr. Hallock.</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> For Judge Hunt's decision, see Volume II., page +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_677">677</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> Miss Charlotte C. Jackson, the valedictorian of the +Normal College of New York; Miss Mary Hussey of Orange, New Jersey; +Miss Mosher of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Miss Emma Wendt, daughter of +Mathilde Wendt. In 1867, Mrs. Stanton had made a similar +application to Theodore D. Dwight, that the law school might be +opened to young women. In the course of their conversation +Professor Dwight said; "Do you think girls know enough to study +law?" Mrs. Stanton replied: "All the liberal laws for women that +have been passed in the last twenty years are the results of the +protests of women; surely, if they know enough to protest against +bad laws, they know enough to study our whole system of +jurisprudence."</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> It was peculiarly fitting that this application +should be made by Mrs. Blake, as two of her ancestors had been +presidents of the college. The first it ever had, when founded as +King's College in 1700, was the Rev. Samuel Johnson, D. D., her +great-great-grandfather. His son, the Hon. Samuel William Johnson, +was the first president after the Revolution, when the name was +changed to Columbia College.</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> Julia Ward Howe, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Antoinette +Brown Blackwell, Mary F. Eastman, Helen Potter, Sarah Andrews +Spencer, Augusta Cooper Bristol, Alice Fletcher, Maria Mitchell, +professor at Vassar College, Isabella Beecher Hooker, Frances Ellen +Burr, Abby Smith, Rossella E. Buckingham, 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> Dr. Clemence Lozier was born of a good family in New +Jersey. She was married at the early age of 16, and widowed at 27, +left with a young family without means of support. But being an +excellent teacher, she soon found employment. For eleven years she +was principal of a young ladies' seminary. By natural instinct a +physician and a healer, she determined to fit herself for that +profession. A physician of the old school assisted her in her +medical studies, and in 1853 she received a diploma from the +Eclectic College of Syracuse, and shortly after established herself +in New York, where her practice steadily increased, until her +professional income was one of the largest in the city. In 1860 she +began a course of free medical lectures to women, which continued +for three years, culminating in "The New York Medical College for +Women," which was chartered in 1863. The foundation and +establishment of this institution was the crowning work of her +life, to which she has devoted time and money. From the first she +has been dean of the faculty, and after years of struggle at last +has the satisfaction of seeing it a complete success, owning a fine +building up town, with hospital and dispensary attached.</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> Several ladies appeared last week before the New +York Supervisors' Committee to protest against excessive taxation. +The New York <i>World</i> informs us that Mrs. Harriet Ramsen complained +that the appraisement of lot 5 West One Hundred and Twenty-second +street, was increased from $7,000 to $9,000. Mrs. P. P. Dickinson, +house 48 West Fifty-sixth street, increased from $15,000 to +$20,000; Mrs. Cynthia Bunce, house 37 West Fifty-fourth street, +last year's valuation $10,000; this year's, $15,000. Mrs. Daly, who +owns a house in Seventy-second street, informed the committee that +the assessment on the house (a small dwelling) was put at $2,000, +an increase of $700 over last year's valuation. This house stands +in an unopened street. Supervisor McCafferty said that the +committee would do all in its power to have the assessment reduced, +and also remarked that it was a positive outrage to assess such a +small house at so high a figure. Mrs. Louisa St. John, who is +reputed to be worth $2,000,000, complained because three lots on +Fifth avenue, near Eighty-sixth street, and five lots on the +last-named street, have been assessed at much higher figures than +other lots in the neighborhood. Mrs. St. John addressed the +committee with much eloquence and force. Said she: "I do not +complain of the assessments that have been laid on my property. I +complain of the inequalities practiced by the assessors, and I +should like to see them set right." Supervisor McCafferty assured +Mrs. St. John that everything in the power of the committee would +be done to equalize assessments in future. Mrs. St. John is a heavy +speculator in real estate. She attends sales and has property +"knocked down" to her. She makes all her own searches in the +register's office, and is known, in fact, among property-owners as +a very thorough real-estate lawyer. Many years ago she was the +proprietor of the Globe Hotel, now Frankfort House, corner of +Frankfort and William streets.</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> The Albany <i>Evening Journal</i> of January 22 said: A +hearing was granted by the Judiciary Committee to-night, on the +petition of the Woman's Tax-payers Association of the City of +Rochester, for either representation or relief from taxation. The +petitioners were heard in the assembly chamber, and in addition to +members of the committee, a large audience of ladies and gentlemen +were drawn together, including the president of the Senate, speaker +of the House, and nearly all the leading members of both branches +of the legislature. The first speaker was Mrs. Blake, the youngest +of the trio, who occupied about twenty minutes and was well +received. She was followed by Miss Anthony, who made a telling +speech, frequently eliciting applause. She recounted her long +service in the woman's rights cause, and gave a brief history of +the different enactments and repeals on the question for the last +thirty years. She related her experience in voting, and said she +was fined $100 and costs, one cent of which she had never paid and +never meant to. She claimed Judge Waite was in favor of woman +suffrage, and believed the present speaker of the Assembly of New +York was also in favor of the movement. Calls being made for +General Husted, that gentleman replied that Miss Anthony was +perfectly correct in her statement. She summed up by asking the +committee to report in favor of legislation exempting women from +taxation unless represented by the ballot, remarking that she would +not ask for the right to vote, as that was guaranteed her by the +Constitution of the United States. Miss Anthony then introduced +Mrs. Joslyn Gage, who said if any member of the committee had +objections to offer or questions to ask she would like the +privilege of answering; but as none of the committee availed +themselves, she proceeded for fifteen minutes in about the same +strain as her predecessors. Calls being made for Mr. Spencer and +eliciting no reply from that gentleman, Mrs. Blake said they should +consider him a convert.</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 speakers were Dr. Clemence Lozier, Helen M. +Slocum, Henrietta Westbrook, Mrs. Devereux Blake. Mrs. J. E. +Frobisher recited Paul Revere's ride, and Helen M. Cooke read the +resolutions.</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> Helen M. Slocum, Dr. Clemence Lozier, Mrs. Devereux +Blake.</p></div> + +<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> Miss King, the head of a New York tea-dealing firm +composed of women, who control a capital of $1,000,000, has +recently gone to China to make purchases. Her previous business +experience, as narrated by a correspondent of the Chicago +<i>Tribune</i>, explains her fitness for her mission, while it +incidentally throws some light on the secrets of the tea-company +business: +</p><p> +"Previous to the outbreak of our civil war Miss King was +extensively engaged in utilizing the leaves of the great blackberry +and raspberry crops running to waste in the rich lowlands of +Georgia and Alabama, and kept in that fertile region a large levy +of Northern women—smart, like herself—to superintend the +gathering of the leaves and their preparation for shipment to +headquarters in New York. These leaves were prepared for the market +at their manipulating halls in one of the narrow streets on the +Hudson side of New York city. Over this stage of the tea +preparations Miss King had special supervision, and, by a generous +use of the genuine imported teas, worked up our American +productions into all the accredited varieties of the black and +green teas of commerce. Here the female supervision apparently +ended. In their extensive tea ware-rooms in Walker street the +business was conducted by the shrewdest representatives of +Gothamite trade, with all the appliances of the great Chinese +tea-importing houses. Here were huge piles of tea-chests, assorted +and unassorted, and the high-salaried tea-taster with his row of +tiny cups of hot-drawn tea, delicately sampling and classifying the +varieties and grades for market. The breaking out of the war +stopped the Southern supplies and sent Miss King's female agents to +their Northern homes. But the business was made to conform to the +new order of things. Large cargoes of imported black teas were +bought as they arrived and were skillfully manipulated into those +high-cost varieties of green teas so extensively purchased by the +government for its commissary and medical departments."</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> Mrs. Lozier presided. Addresses were made by Matilda +Fletcher of Iowa, Mrs. Helen Slocum and Mrs. Devereux Blake.</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> In Poughkeepsie, Yonkers, Harlem, Williamsburgh, +Brighton, and in several districts in the city of New York.</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> Matilda Joslyn Gage, Helen M. Loder, Mrs. Clara +Neyman, Mrs. Slocum, Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Blake.</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> <i>To the Women of the State of New York:</i> +</p><p> +The undersigned, citizens of the State of New York, who if free to +do so, would express themselves at the ballot box, but who by +unjust enactments are debarred the exercise of that political +freedom whereto "the God of nature" entitles them, earnestly +protest against the proposed reëlection of Lucius Robinson as +governor. They say naught against his honor as a man, but they +protest because when the legislature of the Empire State had passed +a bill making women eligible to school-boards. Lucius Robinson, by +his veto, kept this bill from becoming law. They therefore call on +all men and women who respect themselves and dare maintain their +rights, to do all in their power to defeat the reëlection of one +who has set himself against the advance made by Iowa, Kansas, +Oregon, Illinois, Michigan, Colorado, California, Minnesota, +Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, in many of which +States woman's right to vote on school questions is also +recognized. +</p><p> +[Signed:] Matilda Joslyn Gage, <i>President N. Y. State Woman +Suffrage Association</i>. Jennie M. Lozier, M. D., <i>Secretary</i>. Lillie +Devereux Blake, <i>Vice-President National Association</i>. Clemence S. +Lozier, M. D., <i>President N. Y. City Association</i>. Susan A. King, +Cordelia S. Knapp, Helen M. Slocum, Susan B. Anthony, Amanda Deyo, +Helen M. Cooke, Elizabeth B. Phelps, Charlotte Fowler Wells, Emma +S. Allen.</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> Chester A. Arthur, chairman of the Republican +campaign committee, presented the motion.</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> She threw her spacious apartments open, and gave +some of the voters a free lunch, that she might have the +opportunity of adding her personal persuasions to the public +protests. Miss King and Miss Helen Potter, the distinguished +reader, then residing with Miss King, assisted in raising a banner +for Cornell and Foster, applauded by the multitude of by-standers.</p></div> + +<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> Mrs. Lucy A. Brand, principal of the Genesee school +of this city, a woman with abilities as good as those of any male +principal, but who, because she is a woman, receives $550 less +salary a year than a male principal, was the first woman in the +State of New York to cast a vote under the new school law. On +Saturday afternoon she was at a friend's house, when the <i>Journal</i> +was thrown in, containing the first editorial notice of the passage +of the law. Mrs. Brand saw the welcome announcement. "Let us go and +register," she at once said, her heart swelling with joy and +thankfulness that even this small quantity of justice had been done +woman. "Where is my shawl? I feel as if I should die if I don't get +there," for the hour was late, and the time for closing the +registry lists was near at hand. To have lost this opportunity +would have placed her in the position of a second Tantalus, the cup +withdrawn just as it touched her lips. But she was in time, and the +important act of registering accomplished, she had but to possess +her soul in patience until the following Tuesday. Who shall say how +long the two intervening days were to her; but Tuesday morning at +last arrived, when, for the first time, Mrs. Brand was to exercise +the freeman's right of self-government. A gentleman, the owner of +the block in which she resided, offered to accompany her to the +polls, although he was a Democrat and knew Mrs. Brand would vote +the Republican ticket. Although not hesitating to go alone, Mrs. +Brand accepted this courtesy. As she entered the polling place the +men present fell back in a semi-circle. Not a sound was heard, not +a whisper, not a breath. In silence and with a joyous solemnity +well befitting the occasion, Mrs. Brand cast her first vote, at +five minutes past eight in the morning. The post-master of the +city, Mr. Chase, offered his congratulations. A few ordinary +remarks were exchanged, and then Mrs. Brand left the place. And +that was all; neither more nor less. No opposition, no rudeness, no +jostling crowd of men, but such behavior as is seen when Christians +come together at the sacrament. I have long known Mrs. Brand as a +noble woman, but talking with her a few days since I could but +notice the added sense of self-respecting dignity that freedom +gives. "I feel a constant gratitude that even some portion of my +rights have been recognized," said she, and I left her, more than +ever impressed, if that is possible, with the beauty and sacredness +of freedom.—[M. J. G.</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> Rev. Robert Collyer, Elizabeth L. Saxon, Clara +Neyman, Augusta Cooper Bristol, Helen M. Slocum, Hamilton Wilcox, +Mrs. Devereux Blake, and Dr. Clemence Lozier who presided.</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> Mary Seymour Howell, <i>President</i>; Miss Kate +Stoneman, <i>Secretary</i>. Miss Stoneman cast the first vote at the +school election in Albany.</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> See appendix.</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> Mrs. Blake, Mrs. Slocum, Mrs. Saxon, of Louisiana.</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> Miss Helen Potter, Miss Susan A. King, Miss Helen M. +Slocum, Miss Harriet K. Dolson and Mrs. Devereux Blake.</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> Mrs. Rogers organized a society in Lansingburg, Mrs. +Loder in Poughkeepsie, Miss Stoneman held meetings in Chautauqua +county, Mrs. Howell in Livingston county, Mrs. Blake in ten other +counties, and held several parlor meetings in New York city. The +annual convention of the State society was held in Chickering Hall, +February 1, 2, 1882.</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> The press generally commented unfavorably. The +<i>Herald</i> said: "The legislature passed a bill in the interest of +decency and humanity, authorizing the appointment of matrons in the +several police stations in the city of New York to look after +female prisoners who might be placed in the station-houses. This +bill was recommended by our best charitable and religious +societies, but failed to receive the sanction of the governor, +although he very promptly signed a bill to increase the number of +the detective force."</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> Mrs. Emma Gates Conkling, Mrs. Clara Neyman, Dr. +Clemence Lozier and Mrs. Blake.</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> Major Haggerty, ex-Governor Thomas G. Alvord and +Hon. James D. McMellan in its favor; Hon. Erastus Brooks and +General Sharpe against.</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> Mr. Hamilton Wilcox at once prepared an able paper, +refuting the attorney-general's assertion. It was widely circulated +throughout the State.</p></div> + +<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> When the vote was announced, the ladies sent the +pages with bouquets to the leading speakers in behalf of the bill, +and button-hole sprigs to the fifty-four who voted aye.</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> <i>To the Women of the State of New York</i>: +</p><p> +The undersigned urge you to exert yourselves to turn every vote +possible against Leslie W. Russell's reëlection as +attorney-general. His official acts prove him the unscrupulous foe +of your liberties. By informing the legislature that you have no +right to vote at common law, he has denied your sacred rights and +misrepresented the law to your hurt. By stating that you have no +natural right to vote, he has denied your title to freedom and +sought to keep your rights at the mercy of those in power. By +informing the legislature that the bill to repeal the statutes +which keep you from voting was unconstitutional he misled the +legislature and kept you disfranchised. By thus continuing your +disfranchisement, he has subjected you to many misfortunes and +wrongs which the repeal of your disfranchisement would cure, and is +personally responsible for these sufferings. He has also sought to +rob the mothers of this State of their votes at school elections, +and thus to deprive them of the power to control their children's +education. +</p><p> +[Signed:] Clemence S. Lozier, M. D., New York; Mary R. Pell, +Queens; Lillie Devereux Blake, New York; Caroline A. Bassett, Erie; +Susan A. King, New York; Lucy Shawler, Chenango; Mary E. Tallman, +Oneida; Hannah M. Angel, Allegany; Ida Louise Dildine, Broome; +Zerivah L. Watkeys, Onondaga; Asenath C. Coolidge, Jefferson; Sarah +H. Hallock, Ulster; N. W. Cooper, Jefferson, and others. +</p><p> +<i>To the Republican and Independent Voters of the State of New +York</i>: +</p><p> +The undersigned earnestly ask you to cast your votes against Leslie +W. Russell, the present attorney-general. When the legislature last +year was about to repeal the election laws which prevent women from +exercising the right of suffrage, Leslie W. Russell stated to that +body that women had no right at common law to vote, and that this +bill was unconstitutional. By these misstatements he misled the +legislature, defeated this most righteous bill and prolonged the +disfranchisement of women. Thus he inflicted on a majority of our +adult citizens, who had committed no offense, the penalty of +disfranchisement and the great mischiefs which flow thence, and, +like Judge Taney in the Dred-Scott decision, perverted law and +constitution to justify injustice and continue wrong. A vote for +Leslie W. Russell is a vote to keep these women disfranchised and +to prolong these mischiefs. He who thus blocks the way of freedom +should be removed from the place which enables him to do this. You +can vote at this election for fifteen or more officers. It is but a +small thing to ask, that each of you cast one-fifteenth part of his +vote to represent women's interest at the polls. +</p><p> +[Signed:] Clemence S. Lozier, M. D., Bronson Murray, Susan A. King, +Hamilton Wilcox, Lillie Devereux Blake, Albert O. Wilcox.</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> Abigail Scott Duniway, editor <i>New Northwest</i>, +Oregon; Elizabeth Boynton Harbert, editor "Woman's Kingdom," +Chicago <i>Inter-Ocean</i>; Helen M. Gougar, editor <i>Our Herald</i>, +Indiana.</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> On the evening of March 8 the New York city society +gave a reception in honor of the delegates to the National +Convention, recently held at Washington, in the elegant parlors of +the Hoffman House.</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. Gage, Mrs. Howell, Mrs. Rogers, Mrs. Duniway +and Mrs. Gougar.</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> Imprisonment for not more than five years, or a fine +of not more than $1,000, or both.</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 last census shows there are 72,224 more women +than men in New York; that there are 360,381 women and girls over +ten years of age who support themselves by work outside their own +homes, not including the house-keepers who, from the raw material +brought into the family, manufacture food and clothing three times +its original value.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_444" id="Page_444">[Pg 444]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXXVIII.</h2> + +<h3>PENNSYLVANIA.</h3> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>Carrie Burnham—The Canon and Civil Law the Source of Woman's +Degradation—Women Sold with Cattle in 1768—Women Arrested in +Pittsburgh—Mrs. McManus—Opposition to Women in the Colleges and +Hospitals; John W. Forney Vindicates their Rights—Ann +Preston—Women in Dentistry—James Truman's Letter—Swarthmore +College—Suffrage Association Formed in 1866, in +Philadelphia—John K. Wildman's Letter—Judge William S. +Pierce—The Citizens' Suffrage Association, 333 Walnut Street, +Edward M. Davis, President—Petitions to the +Legislature—Constitutional Convention, 1873—Bishop Simpson, +Mary Grew, Sarah C. Hallowell, Matilda Hindman, Mrs. Stanton, +Address the Convention—Messrs. Broomall and Campbell Debate With +the Opposition—Amendment Making Women Eligible to School +Offices—Two Women Elected to Philadelphia School Board, +1874—The Wages of Married Women Protected—J. Edgar Thomson's +Will—Literary Women as Editors—The Rev. Knox Little—Anne E. +McDowell—Women as Physicians in Insane Asylums—The Fourteenth +Amendment Resolution, 1881—Ex-Governor Hoyt's Lecture on +Wyoming. </p> +</div> + + +<p><span class="sc">In</span> the demand for the right of suffrage, women are constantly asked +by the opposition if they cannot trust their own fathers, husbands +and brothers to legislate for them. The answer to this question may +be found in an able digest of the old common laws and the Revised +Statutes of Pennsylvania,<a name="FNanchor_255_255" id="FNanchor_255_255"></a><a href="#Footnote_255_255" class="fnanchor">[255]</a> prepared by Carrie S. Burnham<a name="FNanchor_256_256" id="FNanchor_256_256"></a><a href="#Footnote_256_256" class="fnanchor">[256]</a> +of Pennsylvania. A careful perusal of this paper will show the +relative position of man and woman to be that of sovereign and +subject.</p> + +<p>To get at the real sentiments of a people in regard to the true +status of woman we must read the canon and civil laws that form the +basic principles of their religion and government. We must not +trust to the feelings and actions of the best men towards the +individual women whom they may chance to love and respect. The +chivalry and courtesy that the few command through their beauty, +wealth and position, are one thing; but justice, equality, liberty +for the multitude, are quite another. And when the few,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_445" id="Page_445">[Pg 445]</a></span> through +misfortune, are made to feel the iron teeth of the law, they regret +that they had not used their power to secure permanent protection +under just laws, rather than to have trusted the transient favors +of individuals to shield them in life's emergencies.</p> + +<p>The law securing to married women the right to property,<a name="FNanchor_257_257" id="FNanchor_257_257"></a><a href="#Footnote_257_257" class="fnanchor">[257]</a> +inherited by will or bequest, passed the legislature of +Pennsylvania, and was approved by the governor April 11, 1848, just +five days after a similar law had been passed in New York. Judge +Bovier was the mover for the Pennsylvania Married Women's Property +Law. His feelings had been so often outraged with the misery caused +by men marrying women for their property, that he was bound the law +should be repealed. He prevailed on several young Quakers who had +rich sisters, to run for the legislature. They were elected and did +their duty. Judge Bovier was a descendent of the Waldenses, a +society of French Quakers who fled to the mountains from +persecution. Their descendants are still living in France.<a name="FNanchor_258_258" id="FNanchor_258_258"></a><a href="#Footnote_258_258" class="fnanchor">[258]</a></p> + +<p>The disabilities and degradation that women suffer to-day grow out +of the spirit of laws that date from a time when women were viewed +in the light of beasts of burden. Scarce a century has passed since +women were sold in this country with cattle. In the <i>Pennsylvania +Gazette</i> for January 7, 1768, is the following advertisement:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">To Be Seen.</span>—At the Crooked Billet, near the Court-house, +Philadelphia (Price Three Pence), A Two Year Old Hogg, 12 Hands +high, and in length 16 Feet; thought to be the largest of its +Kind ever seen in America. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In the same paper of the following week occurs this yet more +extraordinary announcement:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">To Be Sold.</span>—A Healthy Young Dutch Woman, fit for town or country +business; about 18 years old; can spin well; she speaks good +English, and has about five years to serve. Inquire at James Der +Kinderen's, Strawberry alley. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In one century of growth a woman's sewing machine was better +protected than the woman herself under the old common law:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hang"><span class="smcap">An Act</span> <i>to exempt Sewing Machines belonging to Seamstresses in +this Commonwealth from levy and sale on execution or distress for +rent</i>:</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Section 1.</span> Be it enacted by the Senate and House of +Representatives of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania in general +assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the +same, That hereafter all sewing machines belonging to +seamstresses in this commonwealth shall be exempt from levy and +sale on execution or distress for rent, in addition to any +article or money now exempt by law. Approved, April 17, 1869. </p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_446" id="Page_446">[Pg 446]</a></span></p> + +<p>While the following order reflects the spirit of the seventeenth +century, the comments show the dawning of the right idea, and are +worthy the time in which the great State of Pennsylvania could +boast such women as Lucretia Mott, Anna E. Dickinson, Jane G. +Swisshelm and Sarah J. Hale:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">A Woman Order in Pittsburgh.</span>—The mayor of Pittsburgh has ordered +the arrest of every woman found on the streets alone after 9 +o'clock in the evening; the consequence of which has been that +some respectable ladies have recently seen the inside of the +lock-up.—<i>Exchange, June, 1869.</i></p> + +<p>Now let the mothers, wives and daughters of Pittsburgh obtain the +passage, by the city council, of an ordinance causing the arrest +of every <i>man</i> found in the streets after 9 o'clock in the +evening, and the law will then be equal in its operation. This +legislating upon the behavior of one sex by the other +exclusively, is one-sided and despotic. Give both sexes a chance +at reforming each other. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Another step in progress was indicated by the assumption of some +women to influence civil administration, not only for their own +protection, but for that of their sires and sons:</p> + +<blockquote><p>An exchange says that women are becoming perfect nuisances, and +to substantiate the assertion adds that 1,500 women in Chester +county, Pennsylvania, have petitioned the court to grant no more +liquor licenses. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Suppose wives should come reeling home, night after night, with +curses on their lips, to destroy the food, the dishes, the +furniture for which husbands toiled; to abuse trembling children, +making the home, from year to year, a pandemonium on earth—would +the good men properly be called "nuisances," who should rise up and +say this must end; we must protect our firesides, our children, +ourselves, society at large? To have women even suggest such +beneficent laws for the men of their families is called "a +nuisance," while the whole barbarous code for women was declared by +Lord Coke to be the "perfection of reason."</p> + +<p>The prejudice against sex has been as bitter and unreasonable as +against color, and far more reprehensible, because in too many +cases it has been a contest between the inferior, with law on his +side, and the superior, with law and custom against her, as the +following facts in the <i>Sunday Dispatch</i>, by Anne E. McDowell, +fully show:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The decision of the Court of Common Pleas in the case of Mrs. +McManus, elected principal of the Mount Vernon Boys' Grammar +School, is to the effect that, no rule being in existence +prohibiting the exercise of the duties of such office by a woman, +the resolution of the controllers against the exercise of the +duties of that office by the lady was unjustifiable and illegal. +Since the decision was pronounced the controllers have come up to +the boundary of the principle held by the court, and a rule has +been proposed that in future women shall be ineligible to be +principals of boys' grammar schools—the case of Mrs. McManus +being specially excepted. That lady, therefore, will be +undisturbed. But she may be, like the celebrated "Lady +Freemason." an exception to her sex. The controllers have not +favored the public with their reasons<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_447" id="Page_447">[Pg 447]</a></span> for opposition to the +employment of females in the higher positions of teaching. Women +are good enough for inferior service about a boys' +grammar-school, it seems, but they are not capable of +superintending it. They may be, and are, teachers in all the +classes in such schools, even to the highest; but when the +question arises whether a woman, perfectly competent, shall be +superintendent of all the classes—for a principal is little +more—the controllers say <i>no</i>. If this action is influenced by a +belief that women cannot control a school of boys, we hope that +the experience in the case of Mrs. McManus will dispel the +illusion, and the public can afford to await the result of the +trial. But if it is caused by a regard to tradition or precedent, +or because there never has yet been an instance of a woman being +a principal of a boys' grammar-school before this case of Mrs. +McManus, we hope that the controllers will soon see the error of +their course. The complaints from the sections are to the effect +that it is very difficult to get a competent male teacher to +remain principal of a boys' grammar-school for any length of +time. The salary attached to that position is inadequate, +according to the increased cost of living of the times. Gentlemen +who are competent to act as principals of the public schools find +that they can make more money by establishing private schools; +and hence they are uneasy and dissatisfied while in the public +service. A woman able to take charge of a boys' grammar-school +will be paid a more liberal salary (such is the injustice of our +social system in relation to female labor) in that position than +in any other connected with education that she can command, and +she will therefore be likely to be better satisfied with the +duties and to perform them more properly. That such advantage +ought to be held out to ladies competent to be teachers of the +highest grade, we firmly believe. The field of female avocations +should be extended in every legitimate direction; and it seems to +us, unless some reason can be given for the exception, which has +not yet been presented in the case of Mrs. McManus, that the +principalships of the boys' grammar-schools ought to be +accessible to ladies of the proper character and qualification, +without the imputation that by reason of their sex they must +necessarily be unfitted for such duties. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In preparing themselves for the medical profession, for which the +most conservative people now admit that women are peculiarly +adapted, students have encountered years of opposition, ridicule +and persecution. After a college for women was established in +Philadelphia,<a name="FNanchor_259_259" id="FNanchor_259_259"></a><a href="#Footnote_259_259" class="fnanchor">[259]</a> there was another long struggle before their +right to attend the clinics in the hospitals was accorded. The +faculty and students alike protested against the admission of women +into mixed classes; but as there was no provision to give them the +clinics alone, a protest against mixed classes was a protest +against such advantages to women altogether. One would have +supposed the men might have left the delicacy of the question to +the decision of the women themselves. But in this struggle for +education men have always been more concerned about the loss of +modesty than the acquirement of knowledge and wisdom. From the +opinions usually expressed by these self-constituted guardians of +the feminine character, we might be led to infer that the virtues +of women were not a part of the essential elements of their +organization, but a sort of temporary scaffolding, erected by +society to shield a naturally weak structure that any wind could +readily demolish.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_448" id="Page_448">[Pg 448]</a></span></p> + +<p>At a meeting convened November 15 at the University of +Pennsylvania, to consider the subject of clinical instruction to +mixed classes the following remonstrance was unanimously adopted:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The undersigned, professors in the University of Pennsylvania, +professors in Jefferson Medical College, members of the medical +staff of various hospitals of Philadelphia, and members of the +medical profession in Philadelphia at large, out of respect for +their profession, and for the interests of the public, do feel it +to be their duty, at the present time, to express their +convictions upon the subject of "clinical instruction to <i>mixed +classes</i> of male and female students of medicine." They are +induced to present their views on this question, which is of so +grave importance to medical education, from the fact that it is +misunderstood by the public, and because an attempt is now being +made to force it before the community in a shape which they +conceive to be injurious to the progress of medical science, and +to the efficiency of clinical teaching. They have no hesitation +in declaring that their deliberate conviction is adverse to +conducting clinical instruction in the presence of students of +<i>both sexes</i>. The judgment that has been arrived at is based upon +the following considerations:</p> + +<p>I. Clinical instruction in practical medicine demands an +examination of all the organs and parts of the body, as far as +practicable; hence, personal exposure becomes for this purpose +often a matter of absolute necessity. It cannot be assumed, by +any right-minded person, that male patients should be subjected +to inspection before a class of females, although this inspection +may, without impropriety, be submitted to before those of their +own sex. A thorough investigation, as well as demonstration, in +these cases—so necessary to render instruction complete and +effective—is, by a mixed audience, precluded; while the clinical +lecturer is restrained and embarrassed in his inquiries, and must +therefore fall short in the conclusions which he may draw, and in +the instruction which he communicates.</p> + +<p>II. In many operations upon male patients exposure of the body is +inevitable, and demonstrations must be made which are unfitted +for the observation of students of the opposite sex. These +expositions, when made under the eye of such a conjoined +assemblage, are shocking to the sense of decency, and entail the +risk of unmanning the surgeon—of distracting his mind, and +endangering the life of his patient. Besides this, a large class +of surgical diseases of the male is of so delicate a nature as +altogether to forbid inspection by female students. Yet a +complete understanding of this particular class of diseases is of +preëminent importance to the community. Moreover, such affections +can be thoroughly studied only in the clinics of the large +cities, and the opportunity for studying them, so far from being +curtailed, should be extended to the utmost possible degree. To +those who are familiar with such cases as are here alluded to, it +is inconceivable that females should ever be called to their +treatment.</p> + +<p>III. By the joint participation, on the part of male and female +students, in the instruction and in the demonstrations which +properly belong to the clinical lecture-room, the barrier of +respect is broken down, and that high estimation of womanly +qualities, which should always be sustained and cherished, and +which has its origin in domestic and social associations, is +lost, by an inevitable and positive demoralization of the +individuals concerned, thereby entailing most serious detriment +to the morals of society. In view of the above considerations, +the undersigned<a name="FNanchor_260_260" id="FNanchor_260_260"></a><a href="#Footnote_260_260" class="fnanchor">[260]</a> do earnestly and solemnly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_449" id="Page_449">[Pg 449]</a></span> protest against +the admixture of the sexes at clinical instruction in medicine +and surgery, and do respectfully lay these their views before the +board of managers of the hospitals in Philadelphia.</p> + +<p><i>November 15, 1869.</i> </p></blockquote> + +<p>At meetings held at the University and Jefferson Medical Colleges, +by the students, on Wednesday evening, the following preambles and +resolutions were adopted:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital have seen fit +to admit female students to the clinics of that establishment, +thereby excluding from the lectures many cases, medical and +surgical; and</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, We consider that in our purchase of tickets of admission +there was a tacit agreement that we should have the benefit of +all cases which the medical and surgical staff of that hospital +should deem fit for our instruction:</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That a respectful request be made to the managers of +the Pennsylvania Hospital that we be informed as to whether the +usual character of the clinics will be changed.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That pending the action of the managers on this +question, we as a class and individually absent ourselves from +the clinical lectures. And</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The levity of a few thoughtless young men in the +presence of the females at the hospital has caused the journals +of this city to assume that the whole class of medical students +are utterly devoid of all the attributes of gentlemen,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That while we do not by any means concede that the +published accounts of the affair are correct, we deplore the fact +that <i>any</i> demonstration should have taken place; for although +the female students may be considered by their presence at the +hospital where male students are present, to have cast aside that +delicacy and modesty which constitutes the ægis of their sex, +they are women, and as such demand our forbearance, if not our +respect.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That these preambles and resolutions be published in +some respectable journal of this city.<a name="FNanchor_261_261" id="FNanchor_261_261"></a><a href="#Footnote_261_261" class="fnanchor">[261]</a> </p></blockquote> + +<p>On these remonstrances of the faculty and students, <i>The Press</i>, +John W. Forney, editor, had many able editorials condemning the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_450" id="Page_450">[Pg 450]</a></span> +action of the medical fraternity. The leading journals throughout +the country advocated the right of the women to enjoy the +advantages of the hospital clinics. <i>The Press</i>, November 22, 1869, +said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The proceedings of the meeting held by the faculties of our two +leading medical schools evince the disposition which lurks at the +bottom of the movement against women as physicians. The hospital +managers are to be browbeaten into the stand taken by the +students, and now sanctioned by the professors. If the women are +to be denied the privilege of clinical lectures, why do not +learned professors, or students, or both, have the manliness to +suggest and advocate some means of solving the difficulty so that +the rights of neither sex shall be impaired? Would any professor +agree to lecture to the women separately? Would any professor +favor the admission of women into the female wards of the +hospitals? Would any professor agree to propose anything, or do +anything that would weaken the firm stand taken against the +admission of women to professional privileges? If so, why not do +it at once? Nothing else will make protestations of fairness +appear at all genuine. Nothing else will remove the stigma of +attempting to drag the hospitals into a support of this crusade +against women. * * * How absurd the solemn declaration, "it +cannot be assumed by any right-minded person that male patients +should be subjected to inspection before a class of females, +although this inspection may, without impropriety, be submitted +to before those of their own sex." This cuts both ways. If it be +improper for female students to be present when patients of the +other sex are treated, is it proper for male students to witness +the treatment of female patients? </p></blockquote> + +<p>The practical good sense shown in the following report of a +committee of the Faculty of the Woman's Medical College of +Pennsylvania, makes a very favorable contrast with the unreasonable +remonstrances of the so-called superior sex:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Philadelphia, Nov. 15, 1869.</span></p> + +<p>As the relation of students of medicine to public clinics, and +the views entertained by those entitled to speak for their +medical education, are now extensively discussed in the public +journals, it seems necessary for us to state our position. +Considering it decided that, as practitioners of medicine, the +guardianship of life and health is to be placed in the keeping of +women, it becomes the interest of society and the duty of those +entrusted with their professional training to endeavor to provide +for them all suitable means for that practical instruction which +is gained at hospital clinics.</p> + +<p>The taunt has heretofore been frequently thrown out that ladies +have not attended the great clinical schools of the country, nor +listened to its celebrated teachers, and that, consequently, they +cannot be as well prepared as men for medical practice. We +believe, as we have always done, that in all special diseases of +men and women, and in all operations necessarily involving +embarrassing exposure of person, it is not fitting or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_451" id="Page_451">[Pg 451]</a></span> expedient +that students of different sexes should attend promiscuously; +that all special diseases of men should be treated by men in the +presence of men only, and those of women, where it is +practicable, by women in the presence of women only. It was this +feeling, founded on the respect due to the delicacy of women as +patients, perhaps more than any other consideration, which led to +the founding of the Women's Hospital in Philadelphia. There the +clinical demonstration of special diseases is made by and before +women alone. As we would not permit men to enter these clinics, +neither would we be willing—out of regard to the feelings of men +as patients, if for no other considerations—that our students +should attend clinics where men are specially treated, and there +has been no time in the history of our college when our students +could intentionally do so, save in direct contravention of our +known views. In nearly all the great public hospitals, however, +by far the larger proportion of cases suited for clinical +illustration—whether medical or surgical—is of those which +involve no necessary exposure, and are the results of diseases +and accidents to which man and woman are subject alike, and which +women are constantly called upon to treat. Into these clinics, +women also—often sensitive and shrinking, albeit poor—are +brought as patients to illustrate the lectures, and we maintain +that wherever it is proper to introduce women as patients, there +also is it but just and in accordance with the instincts of the +truest womanhood for women to appear as physicians and students.</p> + +<p>We had arranged when our class was admitted to the Pennsylvania +hospital to attend on alternate clinic days only, so as to allow +ample opportunity for the unembarrassed exhibition of special +cases to the other students by themselves. We encouraged our +students to visit the hospital upon this view, sustained by our +confidence in the sound judgment and high-minded courtesy of the +medical gentlemen in charge of the wards. All the objections that +have been made to our students' admission to these clinics seem +to be based upon the mistaken assumption that they had designed +to attend them indiscriminately. As we state distinctly and +unequivocally that this was not the fact, that they had no idea +or intention of being present except on one day of the week, and +when no cases which it would not be proper to illustrate before +both classes of students would necessarily be brought in—it +seems to us that all these objections are destroyed, and we +cannot but feel that those fair-minded professional gentlemen, +who, under this false impression as to facts, have objected to +our course, will, upon a candid reconsideration, acknowledge that +our position is just and intrinsically right. The general +testimony of those who attended the Saturday clinics last winter +at the Philadelphia Hospital at Blockley, when about forty ladies +made regular visits, was that the tone and bearing of the +students were greatly improved, while the usual cases were +brought forward and the full measure of instruction given without +any violation of refined propriety.</p> + +<p>We maintain, in common with all medical men, that science is +impersonal, and that the high aim of relief to suffering humanity +sanctifies all duties: and we repel, as derogatory to the science +of medicine, the assertion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_452" id="Page_452">[Pg 452]</a></span> that the physician who has risen to +the level of his high calling need be embarrassed, in treating +general diseases, by the presence of earnest women. The movement +for woman's medical education has been sustained from the +beginning by the most refined, intelligent, and religious women, +and by the noblest and best men in the community. It has ever +been regarded by these as the cause of humanity, calculated in +its very nature to enlarge professional experience, bless women, +and refine society. It has in our own city caused a college and a +hospital not only to be founded, but to be sustained and endowed +by those who have known intimately the character and objects of +this work, and the aims and efforts of those connected with it. +It has this year brought to this city some fifty educated and +earnest women to study medicine, women who have come to this +labor enthusiastically but reverently, as to a great +life-interest and a holy calling. These ladies purchased tickets, +and entered the clinic of the Pennsylvania Hospital, with no +obtrusive spirit, and with no intention of interfering with the +legitimate advantages of other students. If they have been forced +into an unwelcome notoriety, it has not been of their own +seeking.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"><span class="smcap">Ann Preston</span>, M.D., <i>Dean</i>.</p> +<p class="ltr-to"><span class="smcap">Emeline H. Cleveland</span>, M.D., <i>Secretary</i>.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>We are indebted to James Truman, D. D. S., of the Pennsylvania +College of Dental Surgery, for the following account of the +admission of women into that branch of the medical profession:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The general agitation of the question: What are women best +qualified for in the struggle for existence? naturally led +liberal minds to the opening of new avenues for the employment of +their talents, shared equally with men. Her right to practice in +medicine had been conceded after a long and severe conflict. Even +the domain of the theologian had been invaded, but law and +dentistry were as yet closed, and in the case of the latter, +unthought of as an appropriate avocation for women. The subject, +however, seemed so important, presenting a field of labor +peculiarly suited to her, that one gentleman, then professor in +the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery, felt it his duty to +call public attention to this promising work. In a valedictory +delivered by him to the class of 1866, at Musical Fund Hall of +Philadelphia, he included in his theme the peculiar fitness of +dentistry for women. The question was briefly stated, but it +rather startled the large audience by its novelty, and the effect +was no less surprising on the faculty, board of trustees and +professional gentlemen on the platform.</p> + +<p>In the fall of 1868 the dean of the Pennsylvania College of +Dental Surgery was waited upon by a German gentleman, who desired +to introduce a lady who had come to this country with the +expectation that all colleges were open to women. Although +informed that this was not the case, he still entertained the +hope that she might be admitted as a student of dentistry. She +gave her name as Henrietti Hirschfeld, of Berlin. The matter came +up before the faculty, and after a free discussion of the whole +subject, she was rejected by a majority vote, but two voting in +her favor.</p> + +<p>In a subsequent interview with Professor Truman, he learned that +she had left her native land with the full assurance that she +would have no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_453" id="Page_453">[Pg 453]</a></span> difficulty in "free America" in securing a dental +education. She had also the positive sanction of her government, +through the then minister of instruction, Dr. Falk, that on +condition of receiving an American diploma she would be permitted +to practice on her return. Her distress, therefore, at this +initial failure was, naturally, very great. The excitement that +this application made was intensified when it was rumored among +the students that a woman desired to be matriculated. The +opposition became very bitter, and manifested itself in many +petty annoyances. In the course of a day or two one gentleman of +the faculty, and he the dean, concluded to change his vote, and +as this decided the question, she was admitted. The opposition of +the professor of anatomy, who belonged to the old school of +medical teachers, was so manifest that it was deemed advisable to +have her take anatomy in the Woman's Medical College for that +winter. The first year of this was in every way satisfactory. +Although the students received her and Mrs. Truman, who +accompanied her on the first visit, with a storm of hisses, they +gradually learned not only to treat her with respect, but she +became a favorite with all, and while not convinced as to the +propriety of women in dentistry, they all agreed that Mrs. +Hirschfeld might do as an exception. The last year she was +permitted by the irate professor of anatomy, Dr. Forbes, to take +that subject under him.</p> + +<p>She graduated with honor, and returned to Berlin to practice her +profession. This was regarded as an exceptional case, and by no +means settled the status of the college in regard to women. The +conservative element was exceedingly bitter, and it was very +evident that a long time must elapse before another woman could +be admitted. The great stir made by Mrs. Hirschfeld's graduation +brought several other applications from ladies of Germany, but +these were without hesitation denied. Failing to convince his +colleagues of the injustice of their action, Dr. Truman tried to +secure more favorable results from other colleges, and applied +personally to Dr. Gorgas of the Baltimore College of Dental +Surgery. The answer was favorable, and he accompanied the +applicant and entered her in that institution. This furnished +accommodation for the few applicants. The loss in money began to +tell on the pockets, if not the consciences, of the faculty of +the Philadelphia school. They saw the stream had flown in another +direction, swelling the coffers of another institution, when, +without an effort, they could have retained the whole. They +concluded to try the experiment again, and accepted three ladies +in 1872 and 1873—Miss Annie D. Ramborger of Philadelphia, +Fraulein Veleske Wilcke and Dr. Jacoby of Germany. Their first +year was very satisfactory, but at its close it was very evident +that there was a determination on the part of the minority of the +class to spare no effort to effect their removal from the school. +A petition was forwarded to the faculty to this effect, and +although one was presented by the majority of the students in +their favor, the faculty chose to accept the former as +representing public sentiment, and it was decided not to allow +them to take another year at this college. This outrage was not +accomplished without forcible protest from the gentleman +previously named, and he appealed from this decision to the +governing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_454" id="Page_454">[Pg 454]</a></span> power, the board of trustees.<a name="FNanchor_262_262" id="FNanchor_262_262"></a><a href="#Footnote_262_262" class="fnanchor">[262]</a> To hear this appeal +a special meeting was called for March 27, 1873, at which the +communication of Professor Truman was read and ordered filed. A +similar communication, in opposition, was received, signed by +Professors T. L. Buckingham, E. Wildman, George T. Barker, James +Tyson and J. Ewing Mears. The matter was referred to a committee +consisting of Hon. Henry C. Carey, W. S. Pierce and G. R. +Morehouse, M. D. At a special meeting convened for this purpose, +March 31, 1873, this committee made their report. They say:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Three ladies entered as students of this college at the +commencement of the session, 1872-73, paid their matriculation +fees, attended the course of lectures, and were informed, by a +resolution adopted by a majority of the faculty at the close of +the session, that they would not be permitted to attend the +second course of lectures. No other cause was assigned for the +action of the faculty than that they deemed it against the +interest of the college to permit them to do so, on account of +the dissatisfaction which it gave to certain male students, etc. +* * * The goal to which all medical and dental students look, is +graduation and the diploma, which is to be the evidence of their +qualification to practice their art. To qualify themselves for +this they bestow their time, their money and their labor. To +deprive them of this without just cause is to disappoint their +hopes, and to receive from them money and bestowal of time and +labor without the full equivalent which they had a right to +expect. </p></blockquote> + +<p>After discussing at length the legal aspects of the case, the +summing up is as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We, therefore, respectfully report that in our opinion it is the +legal right of these ladies to attend, and it is the legal duty +of this college to give them, as students, a second course of +lectures on the terms of the announcement which forms the basis +of the contract with them. </p></blockquote> + +<p>This report was signed by all the committee, and read by W. S. +Pierce, one of the number, and judge of the Court of Common Pleas +of Philadelphia. It carried with it, therefore, all the force of a +judicial decision, and was so accepted by the board, and adopted at +once. This left the majority of the faculty no choice but to accept +the decision as final as far as these ladies were concerned. This +they did, and the three were invited to resume their studies. Two, +Misses Ramborger and Wilcke, accepted, Miss Jacoby refused and went +to Baltimore.</p> + +<p>The most interesting feature of this matter, and that which clearly +demonstrated a marked advance in public opinion, was the stir it +made in the press. The daily and Sunday papers bristled with strong +leaders, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_455" id="Page_455">[Pg 455]</a></span> faculty being denounced in no measured terms for +their action. To such an extent was this carried, and so +overwhelming was the indignation, that it practically settled the +question for Philadelphia, although several years elapsed after +these ladies were graduated before others were accepted. When that +time did arrive, under the present dean, Dr. C. N. Pierce, they +were accorded everything, without any reservation, and the school +has continued ever since to accept them. At the meeting of the +National Association of Dentists, held at Saratoga, 1869, Dr. +Truman introduced a resolution looking to the recognition of women +in the profession. The resolution and the remarks were kindly +received, but were, of course, laid on the table. This was +expected, the object being to make the thought familiar in every +section of the country.</p> + +<p>These efforts have borne rich fruit, and now women are being +educated at a majority of the prominent dental colleges, and no +complaints are heard of coëducation in this department of work. The +college that first accepted and then rejected—the Pennsylvania of +Philadelphia—has a yearly average of seven to eight women, nearly +equally divided between America and Germany. Of the three dental +schools in Philadelphia, two accept women, and the third—the +Dental Department of the University of Pennsylvania—would, if the +faculty were not overruled by the governing powers.</p> + +<p>The learned theories that were promulgated in regard to the injury +the practice of dentistry would be to women, have all fallen to the +ground. The advocates of women in dentistry were met at the +outstart with the health question, and as it had never been tested, +the most favorably inclined looked forward with some anxiety to the +result. Fifteen years have elapsed since then, and almost every +town in Germany is supplied with a woman in this profession. Many +are also established in America. These have all the usual +requisites of bodily strength, and the writer has yet to learn of a +single failure from physical deterioration.</p> + +<p>The first lady, Miss Lucy B. Hobbs, to graduate in dentistry, was +sent out from the Cincinnati College, and she, I believe, is still +in active practice in Kansas. She graduated in 1866. Mrs. +Hirschfeld, before spoken of, returned to Germany and became at +once a subject for the fun of the comic papers, and for the more +serious work of the <i>Bajan</i> and <i>Úberlana und Meer</i>, both of them +containing elaborate and illustrated notices of her. She had some +friends in the higher walks of life; notable amongst these was +President Lette of the <i>Trauen-Verein</i>, whose aid and powerful +influence had assisted her materially in the early stages of her +effort. The result of these combined forces soon placed her in +possession of a large practice. She was patronized by ladies in the +highest circles, including the crown princess. She subsequently +married, had two boys to rear and educate, and a large household to +supervise. She has assisted several of her relatives into +professions, two in medicine and two in dentistry, besides aiding +many worthy persons. She has established a clinic for women in +Berlin, something very badly needed there. This is in charge of two +physicians, one being her husband's sister, Dr. Fanny Tiburtius. +She has also started a hospital for women.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_456" id="Page_456">[Pg 456]</a></span> These are mainly +supported by her individual exertions. Notwithstanding all these +multifarious and trying duties, she practices daily, and is as well +physically and mentally as when she commenced. Fraulein Valeske +Wilcke of Königsberg has been over twelve years in a very large +practice with no evil results; Miss Annie D. Ramborger, an equal +time, with an equally large practice, and enjoys apparently far +better health than most ladies of thirty.</p> + +<p>Dentistry is, probably, one of the most trying professions, very +few men being equal to the severe strain, and many are obliged to +succumb. No woman has as yet failed, though it would not be at all +remarkable if such were the case. The probabilities are that +comparatively few will choose it as a profession, but that another +door has been opened for employment is a cause for congratulation +with all right-thinking minds. </p></blockquote> + +<p>For opening this profession to women a debt of gratitude is due to +Dr. Truman from all his countrywomen, as well as to those noble +German students, who have so ably filled the positions he secured +for them. Similar struggles, both in medicine and dentistry, were +encountered in other States, but the result was as it must be in +every case, the final triumph of justice for women. Already they +are in most of the colleges and hospitals, and members of many of +the State and National associations.</p> + +<p>In 1870, the Society of Friends founded Swarthmore College<a name="FNanchor_263_263" id="FNanchor_263_263"></a><a href="#Footnote_263_263" class="fnanchor">[263]</a> for +the education of both sexes, erecting a fine building in a +beautiful locality. At the dedication of this institution, Lucretia +Mott was elected to honorary membership and invited to the +platform. With her own hands she planted the first tree, which now +adorns those spacious grounds.</p> + +<p>The persecutions that women encountered in every onward step soon +taught them the necessity of remodeling the laws and customs for +themselves. They began to see the fallacy of the old ideas, that +men looked after the interests of women, "that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_457" id="Page_457">[Pg 457]</a></span> they were their +natural protectors," that they could safely trust them to legislate +on their personal and property rights; for they found in almost +every case that whatever right and privilege man claimed for +himself, he proposed exactly the opposite for women. Hence the +necessity for them to have a voice as to the laws and the rulers +under which they lived. Whatever reform they attempted they soon +found their labors valueless, because they had no power to remedy +any evils protected by law. After laboring in temperance, +prison-reform, coëducation, and women's rights in the trades and +professions, their hopes all alike centered at last in the suffrage +movement.</p> + +<p>In 1866, a suffrage association was formed in Philadelphia at a +meeting of the American Equal Rights Society,<a name="FNanchor_264_264" id="FNanchor_264_264"></a><a href="#Footnote_264_264" class="fnanchor">[264]</a> held in Franklin +Institute. This convention was marked by a heated debate on the +duty of the abolitionists now that the black man was emancipated, +to make the demand for the enfranchisement of women, as well as the +freedmen.</p> + +<p>We are indebted to John K. Wildman of Philadelphia for the +following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Pennsylvania association was organized December 22, 1869, in +Mercantile Library Hall, Philadelphia. The meeting was called to +order by John K. Wildman, who said: "The time has arrived when it +is necessary for us to take some action towards promoting the +cause of woman suffrage. We desire to do our part as far as +practicable, in the work of enlightening the people of our State +upon this important subject. With this end in view we propose to +organize, hoping that all friends of the movement will cordially +give us their influence." Edward M. Davis then proposed the +appointment of Judge William S. Pierce as chairman of the +meeting. This was agreed to, and Judge Pierce announced that the +meeting was ready for business, reserving for another stage of +the proceedings any remarks he might wish to make. Annie Heacock +was chosen to act as secretary. In accordance with a motion that +was adopted, the chairman appointed a committee of five +persons<a name="FNanchor_265_265" id="FNanchor_265_265"></a><a href="#Footnote_265_265" class="fnanchor">[265]</a> to prepare a constitution, and present the same for +the action of the meeting. Mary Grew spoke at length in her +earnest and impressive manner, presenting forcibly those familiar +yet solid arguments in favor of woman suffrage which form the +basis of the discussion, and which should irrevocably settle the +question. Dr. Henry T. Child followed with a brief<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_458" id="Page_458">[Pg 458]</a></span> address, +showing his zealous interest in the object of the meeting, and +trusting that at no distant period the ballot would be placed in +the hands of the women of the land. Judge Pierce said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I am in favor of giving woman a chance in the world. I feel very +much in regard to woman as Diogenes did when Alexander the Great +went to see him. When the monarch arrived at the city in which +Diogenes lived, he sent a request for him to come to see him. +Diogenes declined to go. The monarch then went to the place of +his residence, and found him lying in his court-yard sunning +himself. He did not even rise when Alexander approached. Standing +over him, the warrior asked, "Diogenes, what can I do for you?" +And the philosopher answered, "Nothing, except to stand out of my +sunshine." Now, I am disposed to stand out of woman's sunshine. +If she wants the light of the sun upon her, and the breath of +heaven upon her, and freedom of action necessary to develop +herself, heaven forbid that I should stand in her way. I believe +that everything goes to its own place in God's world, and woman +will go to her place if you do not impede her. We should not be +afraid to trust her, or to apply the same principles to her in +regard to suffrage that we apply to ourselves. There should be no +distinction. Her claims to the ballot rest upon a just and +logical foundation. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The venerable Sojourner Truth spoke a few words of encouragement, +showing in her humble and fervid way a reverent faith in the final +triumph of justice. After the adoption of the constitution, the +organization was completed by the election of officers<a name="FNanchor_266_266" id="FNanchor_266_266"></a><a href="#Footnote_266_266" class="fnanchor">[266]</a> to +serve for the ensuing year.</p> + +<p>The first thing that claimed the attention of the officers of the +new society was the representation of the different counties on the +executive committee; and for this purpose the chairman wrote to +nearly all of the sixty-three counties, chiefly to the postmasters +of the principal towns. The replies that were received presented a +curious medley of sentiment and opinion touching the object in +view, disclosing every shade of tone and temper between the two +extremes of cold indifference and warm enthusiasm. It was evident +that, in a large number of cases, the inquiries promptly found +their resting-place in the waste-basket. Before the close of the +year twenty-two counties were represented. Thus reinforced, the +committee took immediate steps towards distributing documents and +circulating petitions throughout the State. Many of the county +members coöperated earnestly in this work. Some of them, not +satisfied to limit their action to this particular form of service, +aided the movement by collecting funds and holding public meetings +in their respective localities. Matilda Hindman, representing +Alleghany county, evinced both energy and enterprise in forwarding +the movement through the agency of public meetings. She did good +service from the beginning, relying almost solely upon her own +determined purpose. Her deep interest in the work and its object, +and the courage that animated her at the first impulse of duty, +have continued without abatement to the present time. Her +usefulness and activity have not confined themselves within the +limits of Pennsylvania, but have extended to other States, both in +the East and West.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_459" id="Page_459">[Pg 459]</a></span></p> + +<p>Miss Matilda Hindman, of Philadelphia, pays the following tribute +to her parents:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In 1837, my father being a member of the school committee of the +Union township, Washington county, secured equal salaries for +women; and in spite of steady opposition, there was no difference +made for four years. The women who taught the schools in the +summer were paid the same as the men who taught in the winter. At +the death of my father the board returned to the old system of +half pay for women; the result was "incompetent teachers," +furnishing the opposition with just the plea they desired—that +women were not fit for school teachers. My mother remonstrated, +but in vain. They replied, "women never received as much as men +for any work"; "it did not cost as much to keep a woman as a +man," and moreover, these school matters belonged to men, and +women had no right to interfere. In 1842, my mother offered to +board the teacher in her district, gratis, if the board would +raise her salary proportionally. They received her proposition +with scorn. She then refused to pay her taxes. Such was the +respect for her in the community, and the sense of justice in +regard to the teachers, that the authorities suffered the tax to +go unpaid, and at the end of the year accepted the proposition, +and for many years after, she boarded the teacher in her +district, making the woman's net salary equal to that of the man.</p> + +<p>My mother lived to see her daughters employed in her township on +equal salaries with men. But in process of time, another board, +for the express purpose of humiliating mother and daughters +alike, passed a resolution to take two dollars a month from each +of their salaries, when all three resigned. They all honored her, +by carrying into their life-work the noble principles for which +she suffered so much.</p> + +<p>She was the grand-daughter of a Scotch-Irish Presbyterian +minister, who, with his young family, was among the earliest +settlers in the wilderness of what is now known as the prosperous +and beautiful county of Washington, Pennsylvania. Her name was +Sarah Campbell. She was born in 1798. From her earliest girlhood +she rebelled against the injustice done women by the law. She +felt acutely the wrong done her and her sisters by being denied +an education equal to their brothers, and denied also an equal +share of their inheritance. While the father possessed a large +estate, and provided liberally for his sons, he left his +daughters a mere pittance. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In view of such facts, it is folly to say that women were ever +satisfied with the humiliating discriminations of sex they have +endured in all periods, and in all ranks in society.</p> + +<p>The first annual report of the association was prepared by Eliza +Sproat Turner. She said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We do not complain that man is slow to realize the injustice of +his present attitude towards woman—an attitude once, from +necessity, endurable; now, from too long continuance, grown +intolerable. It would not be natural for him to feel it with +equal keenness. It takes a great-minded fox to find out, what +every goose knows, that foxes' teeth are cruel. And while we do +not complain of this incapacity on his part, the advocates of +this cause feel the necessity for woman to take upon herself +whatever share in the management of their mutual affairs shall be +needed to right the balance; concluding that the defects in +legislation which she is, by reason of her position, more +competent to understand, she should be more competent to remedy. +Not these innovations alone, but others involving matters beyond +individual interests, she expects to achieve by the power she +shall gain through the exercise of her right of suffrage. We +discern, in the consideration of nearly all questions of national +welfare, a disposition to press unduly the interests of trade and +commerce rather than the interests of the fireside. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mary Grew presided, and has been elected president of the +association every year from the beginning, performing the duties of +the position with ability, earnestness and satisfaction. In the +winter of 1870-71 the executive<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_460" id="Page_460">[Pg 460]</a></span> committee recommended the passage +of a law that should give married women the control of their own +earnings. The appeal to the legislature in behalf of such a law was +renewed the following winter, and its passage finally secured. +Among the resolutions adopted at the annual meeting was the +following:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That the vote of the legislature of this State for a +convention to amend the constitution, makes it our duty to work +for the exclusion of the word "male" from the provision defining +the qualifications for the elective franchise, and that we call +upon all friends of justice to give their best energies to the +sustaining of this object. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Subsequently the executive committee prepared a petition with +reference to the formation of the constitutional convention, asking +the legislature, in making the needful regulations, to frame them +in such a way as to secure the representation of the women of the +State. This petition was unavailing. At the next annual meeting, +which was held at the time the constitutional convention was in +session, a resolution was adopted containing an appeal to that +body, earnestly requesting it to present to the people of the State +a constitution that should secure the right of suffrage to its +citizens without distinction of sex, accompanied by a request for a +hearing at such time and place as the convention should decide. The +request was willingly granted, and an evening assigned for that +purpose. An evening was also given to the Citizens' Suffrage +Society of Philadelphia for a like object. These meetings were held +in the hall of the convention, and were largely attended by the +members and by the people generally. Addresses were delivered by +various friends of woman suffrage, as representatives of the two +societies.<a name="FNanchor_267_267" id="FNanchor_267_267"></a><a href="#Footnote_267_267" class="fnanchor">[267]</a> Still another evening was granted the Pennsylvania +association for a meeting to be addressed by Bishop Matthew Simpson +of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The earnest and forcible words +of the eloquent speaker, and his solid array of arguments, made a +deep impression on the attentive audience.</p> + +<p>In the convention the question was discussed during five successive +days. Hon. John M. Broomall introduced a provision in favor of +making the ballot free to men and women alike, proposing that it be +incorporated in the new constitution. This provision was ably +advocated by Mr. Broomall and many other members of the convention. +Their firm convictions in behalf of equal and exact justice, +however well sustained by sound reasoning and earnest appeal, was +an unequal match for the rooted conservatism which recoiled from +such a new departure. Although the measure was defeated, its +discussion had an influence. It was animated, intelligent and +exhaustive, and drew public attention more directly to the subject +than anything that had occurred since the beginning of its +agitation in the State.</p> + +<p>The only act of the convention that gave hope to the friends of +impartial suffrage was the adoption of the third section of Article +X.: "Women twenty-one years of age and upwards shall be eligible to +any office of control or management under the school laws of this +State." It was a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_461" id="Page_461">[Pg 461]</a></span> very faint gleam of comfort, too small to stir +more than a breath of praise. It had the merit of being a step in +the right direction, though timid and feeble, and as it has never +disturbed the equilibrium of society, it may ultimately be followed +by others of more importance.</p> + +<p>The annual meetings of the association have been held in +Philadelphia, Westchester, Bristol, Kennett Square and Media, +respectively. An interesting feature of the Westchester meeting was +the reading of an essay, entitled "Four quite New Reasons why you +should wish your Wife to Vote." It was written for the occasion by +Eliza Sproat Turner, and was subsequently printed and re-printed in +tract form by order of the executive committee, and freely +circulated among the people. It was likewise published in the +<i>Woman's Journal</i>. Other documents relative to the question have +been printed from time to time by authority of the committee, and +large numbers of suffrage tracts have been purchased for +distribution year after year, embodying the best thoughts, the +soundest arguments, and the most forcible reasoning that the +question has elicited. Frequent petitions have been sent to the +legislature and to congress, all having in view the one paramount +object, and showing by their repeated and persistent appearance the +indefatigable nature of a living, breathing reform. The executive +committee at one time employed Matilda Hindman as State agent. +Meetings were held by her chiefly in the western part of the State. +In 1874 her services extended to the State of Michigan, where the +question of woman suffrage was specially before the people. Lelia +E. Patridge also represented the association in Michigan at that +time, where she performed excellent service in addressing numerous +meetings in different parts of the State. In 1877 Miss Patridge was +appointed to represent the society in Colorado. There she labored +with others to secure the adoption of a constitutional amendment +providing for suffrage without regard to sex. On several occasions +the executive committee has contributed to woman suffrage purposes +in other States. Massachusetts, Michigan, Colorado and Oregon have +been recipients of the limited resources of the association. The +executive committee has felt the cramping influence of an +unfriended treasury. Its provision has been the fruit of unwearied +soliciting, and should the especial object of the association ever +be accomplished, the honors of success may be fitly contested by +the fine art of begging. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The following report was sent us by Mrs. Mary Byrnes:</p> + +<blockquote><p>March 22, 1872, the Citizens' Suffrage Association of +Philadelphia was formed, William Morris Davis, president, with +fifty members. The name of the society was chosen to denote the +view of its members as to the basis of the elective franchise. +The amendments to the United States constitution had clearly +defined who were citizens, and shown citizenship to be without +sex. Woman was as indisputably a citizen as man. Whatever rights +he possessed as a citizen she possessed also. The supreme law of +the land placed her on the same plane of political rights with +him. If man held the right of suffrage as a citizen of the United +States, either by birthright within the respective States, or by +naturalization under the United States, then the right of the +female citizen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_462" id="Page_462">[Pg 462]</a></span> to vote was as absolute as that of the male +citizen; and woman's disfranchisement became a wrong inflicted +upon her by usurped power. Men became voters by reason of their +citizenship, having first complied with certain police +regulations imposed within and by the respective States. The +Citizens' Suffrage Association demanded the same political rights +for all citizens, nothing more, nothing less. It repudiated the +idea that one class of citizens should ask of another class +rights which that other class never possessed, and which those +who were denied them never had lost. This society held that the +right to give implied the right to take away; and further, that +the right to give implied a right lodged somewhere in society, +which society had never acquired by any direct concession from +the people.</p> + +<p>This society held also, that the theory of the right to the +franchise, as a gift, bore with it the power somewhere to +restrict the male citizen's suffrage, and to strike at the +principle of self-government. They had seen this doctrine +earnestly advanced. They knew that there was a growing class in +the country who were inimical to universal suffrage. In view of +this they chose the name of citizen suffrage, as the highest and +broadest term by which to designate their devotion to the +political rights of all citizens. They held that the political +condition of the white women of the United States was totally +unlike that of the slave population in this: that while the +slaves were not considered citizens until the adoption of the +fourteenth and fifteenth amendments, white women had always been +citizens, and always entitled to all the political rights of +citizenship. The colored male citizen became a voter—subject to +the police regulations of the different States—upon acquiring +citizenship. No constitutional enactment denied equal political +rights to women as citizens. No constitutional enactment was +therefore required to enable them to exercise the right to vote, +which became the right of male slaves upon their securing +citizenship under the law. The first legal argument on the +subject of woman's right to the ballot as a citizen of the United +States, was made by Jacob F. Byrnes before the Pennsylvania +Society. Had it been published as soon as written, instead of +being circulated privately, surprising person after person with +the position taken, it would have antedated the report of General +Benjamin F. Butler in the House of Representatives in the winter +of 1871. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Edward M. Davis, president for many years, was one of the most +active and untiring officers of this association, giving generously +of his time and money not only to its support but to the general +agitation of the suffrage question in every part of the country. +The meetings were held regularly at his office, 333 Walnut street, +as were also those of the Radical Club. This was composed largely +of the same members as the suffrage society, but in this +organization they had a greater latitude in discussion, covering +all questions of political, religious and social interest. As the +division in the National Society produced division<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_463" id="Page_463">[Pg 463]</a></span> everywhere, +some of the friends in Philadelphia made themselves auxiliary to +the American Association, and the sympathy of others was with the +National, thus forming two rival societies, which together kept the +suffrage question before the people and roused their attention, +particularly to the fact of a pending constitutional convention. +Hence the necessity of holding meetings throughout the State, and +rolling up petitions asking that the constitution be so amended as +to secure to women the right to vote. The following appeal was +issued by this association:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>To the Editor of the Post:</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>: There is no political question now before the people of this +commonwealth more important than the consideration of the changes +to be made in our constitution. The citizens of the State, by an +enormous majority of votes, have re-claimed the sovereign powers +of government, and evinced a determination to re-form the +fundamental law, the constitution of this State, in the interest +of a government "of the people, by the people, and for the +people." In this new adaptation of old rules of government to the +advanced ideas of the age, it seems to us fitting and opportune +that woman in her new status as a citizen of the United States +(under the fourteenth amendment of the constitution), should be +allowed the exercise of rights which have been withheld under old +rules of action. Therefore we respectfully ask you to give this, +with our appeal, an insertion in your paper, and to continue the +appeal until further notice. And we ask all the friends of woman +suffrage to aid our association in placing this appeal in each +paper of our city, as well as of the neighboring towns.</p> + +<p>"There is no distinction in citizenship as has been determined by +the fourteenth amendment to the constitution of the United +States. The citizens of Pennsylvania have decided on a revision +of the constitution of the commonwealth. The power of revision is +to be delegated by the citizens of the commonwealth to a +convention. The foundation of free government is based on the +consent of the governed. Therefore, the Citizens' Suffrage +Association of Pennsylvania appeals to the sense of right and +justice in the hearts of the citizens of this State, to aid in +securing to every citizen, irrespective of sex, an equal voice in +the selection of delegates, and an equal right, if elected +thereto, to a seat in said constitutional convention."</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"><span class="smcap">Wm. Morris Davis</span>, <i>Controller</i>.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Mr. Robert Purvis, at the request of the Citizens' Suffrage +Association of Philadelphia, waited upon Mrs. President Hayes and +presented to her an address adopted by that society. Mr. Purvis +wrote:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I have just returned from a very satisfactory and delightful +interview with Mrs. Hayes. She received me most cordially. I read +to her the eloquent address from the Citizens' Suffrage +Association. She listened with marked attention, was grateful for +the high favor conferred upon her, and sent her best wishes for +the success of the cause. I made reference to the fact that the +address bore the honored name of Lucretia Mott, which she +received with a ready acknowledgment of her great worth and +usefulness, and her distinguished place as a reformer and +philanthropist. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Through the liberality of Edward M. Davis, this society was able to +publish and circulate an immense number of tracts covering all +phases of the question. He has been one of the few<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_464" id="Page_464">[Pg 464]</a></span> abolitionists +who have thrown into this movement all the old-time fervor +manifested in the slavery conflict. A worthy son of the sainted +Lucretia Mott, her mantle seems to have fallen on his shoulders.</p> + +<p>The Hon. John M. Broomall was ever ready to champion the cause of +equality of rights for women, not only in the legislature and in +the constitutional conventions of his own State, but on the floor +of congress as well. In a letter giving us valuable information on +several points, he says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>You ask when I made my first declaration for woman suffrage. I +cannot tell. I was born in 1816, and one of the earliest settled +convictions I formed as a man was that no person should be +discriminated against on account of sect, sex, race or color, but +that all should have an equal chance in the race which the Divine +Ruler has set before all; and I never missed an opportunity to +give utterance to this conviction in conversation, on the stump, +on the platform and in legislative bodies. My views were set out +concisely in my remarks in congress, on January 30, 1869, and I +cite the commencement and conclusion, as I find them in <i>The +Globe</i> of that date:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Every person owing allegiance to the government and not under the +legal control of another, should have an equal voice in making +and administering the laws, unless debarred for violating those +laws; and in this I make no distinction of wealth, intelligence, +race, family or sex. If just government is founded upon the +consent of the governed, and if the established mode of consent +is through the ballot-box, then those who are denied the right of +suffrage can in no sense be held as consenting, and the +government which withholds that right is as to those from whom it +is withheld no just government. * * * * The measure now before +the House is necessary to the complete fulfillment of what has +gone before it. To hesitate now is to put in peril all we have +gained. Let this, too, pass into history as an accomplished fact. +Let it be followed, in due course of time, by the last crowning +act of the series—an amendment to the constitution securing to +all citizens of full age, without regard to sex, an equal voice +in making and amending the laws under which they live, to be +forfeited only for crime. Then the great mission of the party in +power will be fulfilled; then will have been demonstrated the +capacity of man for self-government; then a just nation, founded +upon the full and free consent of its citizens will be no longer +a dream of the optimist. </p></blockquote> +</blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Virginia Barnhurst writes:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I think you should make mention of the few men who, against the +greatest opposition, stood boldly up and avowed themselves in +favor of woman's cause. When I think of some of the speeches that +I heard from the opposite side—expressions which sent the hot +blood to my face, and which showed the low estimate law-makers +put upon woman, those few men who dared to defend mothers and +sisters, stand out in my mind as worthy of having their names go +down in history—and especially in a history written by women. I +had a good talk with Lawyer Campbell. He is one of the most +ardent in the cause; he believes the ballot to be a necessity to +woman, as a means of self-protection, this necessity being seen +in the unequal operation of many laws relating to the +guardianship<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_465" id="Page_465">[Pg 465]</a></span> of children and the ownership of property. Caleb +White's words have in them the just consciousness of their own +immortality: "I want my vote to be recorded; not to be judged of +here, but to be judged of by coming generations, who, at least, +will give to woman the rights which God intended she should +have." </p></blockquote> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 338px;"> +<a name="v3_465" id="v3_465"> +<img src="images/v3_465.jpg" width="338" height="500" alt="Rachel G. Foster" title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p>The constitutional convention to which reference has been so +frequently made in this chapter, assembled November 12, 1872, and +as early as the 22d, resolutions relative to women holding +school-offices and to the property-rights of women were presented. +Numberless petitions for these and full suffrage for women were +sent in during the entire sitting of the convention. February 3, +1873, John H. Campbell presented the minority report of the +Committee on Suffrage and Elections:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The undersigned, members of the Committee on Suffrage, Election +and Representation, dissent from that part of the majority report +of said committee, which limits the right of suffrage to male +electors. We recommend that the question, "Shall woman exercise +the right of suffrage," be submitted by the convention to the +qualified electors of this commonwealth, and also upon the same +day therewith, to those women of the commonwealth who upon the +day of voting shall be of the age of twenty-one years and +upwards, and have been residents of the State one year, and in +the district where they offered to vote at least sixty days prior +thereto; and that if the majority of all the votes cast at said +election should be in the affirmative, then the word "male" as a +qualification for an elector, contained in section ——, article +—— on suffrage and election shall be stricken out, and women in +this State shall thereafter exercise the right of suffrage, +subject only to the restrictions placed upon the male voters.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from"> +John H. Campbell,<br /> +Lewis C. Cassidy,<br /> +Levi Rooke.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The amendment for full suffrage was lost by a vote of 75 to 25, +with 33 absent, while the amendment making women eligible for +school offices was carried by a vote of 60 to 32.<a name="FNanchor_268_268" id="FNanchor_268_268"></a><a href="#Footnote_268_268" class="fnanchor">[268]</a> The debate +by those in favor of the amendment was so ably and eloquently +conducted that we would gladly reproduce it, had not all the +salient points been so often and so exhaustively presented on the +floor of congress, and by some of the members from Pennsylvania.</p> + +<p>After the passage of the school law of 1873, it was immediately +tested all over the State, rousing opposition and conflict +everywhere, but the struggle resulted favorably to women, who now +hold many offices to which they were once ineligible. At the first +election of school directors in Philadelphia the nomination<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_466" id="Page_466">[Pg 466]</a></span> of two +women was hotly contested. The <i>Evening Telegraph</i> of February 6, +1874, gives the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>There is progressing in the Thirteenth ward a contest which +involves so peculiar and important an issue as to merit the +widest publicity. It illustrates how the rights guaranteed to +women under the new constitution are to be denied them, if +cunning and bold chicanery are to be tolerated, by a few ward +politicians. At the Republican primary election, held January 20, +Mrs. Harriet W. Paist and Mrs. George W. Woelpper were duly +nominated as candidates for members of the board of school +directors of the ward. Both of these ladies received their +certificates, that given to Mrs. Paist reading as follows:</p> + +<p class="ltr-closelines">This is to certify that at a meeting of the judges of the +different divisions of the Thirteenth ward, held in accordance +with the rules of the Republican party, on the evening of January +20, 1874, Mrs. Harriet W. Paist was found to be elected as +candidate upon the Republican ticket from the Thirteenth ward, +for school director.</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table width="90%" summary="Authors"> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">James M. Stewart</span>,</td><td align="left">}</td><td align="left" valign="middle" rowspan="2"><i>Clerks</i>.</td><td class="right"><span class="smcap">Charles M. Carpenter</span>, <i>President</i>.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">David J. Smith</span>,</td><td align="left">}</td></tr> +</table> +</div> + +<p class="ltr-break">No sooner was it ascertained that the ladies had actually become +candidates on the Republican ticket than a movement was +inaugurated to oust them, the old war tocsin of "Anything to beat +Grant" being for this purpose amended thus: "Anything to beat the +women." This antagonism to the fair candidates was based entirely +upon the supposition that their names would so materially weaken +the ticket as to place the election of the Republican common +councilman, Henry C. Dunlap, in the greatest jeopardy. To save +him, therefore, the managers of the movement must sacrifice +Mesdames Woelpper and Paist. How was this to be accomplished? +Each was fortified in her position by a genuine certificate of +election, and had, furthermore, expressed her determination to +run. What could not be done fairly must be accomplished by +strategy. Mr. Ezra Lukens called upon Mrs. Paist, stating that if +she did not withdraw the Republicans who were opposed to the lady +candidates would unite with the "other party" and defeat the +Republican ward ticket. Mrs. Paist inquired if she had not been +regularly nominated, and his reply was that she had been, but +that her opponents in the party would unite with the "other +party" and defeat her. Mrs. Paist was firm, and Mr. Lukens +retired foiled. A day or two after, the chairman of the +Thirteenth ward Republican executive committee received somehow +this letter:</p> + + +<p class="ltr-break ltr-date"> +<span class="smcap">Philadelphia</span>, February 2, 1874.</p> + +<p class="ltr-closelines"><span class="smcap">Dear Sir</span>: Please accept this as my declination as school director +on the Thirteenth ward Republican ticket. Hoping it will please +those opposed to a lady director.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Harriet W. Paist</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Respectfully yours,</p> + + +<p class="ltr-clear">A week previous to this the husband of Mrs. Woelpper was called +upon by Mr. William B. Elliott, a member of this executive +committee, and was informed by him that Mrs. Paist had withdrawn, +and that it would be unpleasant, if not inexpedient, for Mrs. +Woelpper to run alone. Mr. Woelpper expressed his belief that if +such were the case his wife would withdraw. At a meeting of the +executive committee a short time after, it was announced that +both the ladies had withdrawn, and everything looked serene for +victory, when the next day the members were individually informed +that the letter of declination written above was a base forgery, +and that neither of the ladies intended to withdraw from the +contest. Another meeting of the executive committee was held on +the 2d inst., at which Mr. Woelpper, jr., was present. He +declared that the statement made to his father was false, and +that he was present to say for his mother that she was still a +candidate. This announcement fell like a bomb in a peaceful camp, +causing great confusion. After order was restored, William B. +Elliott, the collector, offered a resolution declaring it +inexpedient to have any ladies on the ticket at this time. This +resolution was opposed by F. Theodore Walton and a number of the +members, who denied the power of the committee to change the +ticket regularly chosen at the primary election. They favored the +fair candidates, for whose election as school directors the +constitution had made special provisions, and whose<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_467" id="Page_467">[Pg 467]</a></span> presence in +the school-boards had been very favorably commented upon by all +the papers of the city. Besides, the ladies were as legitimately +entitled to their candidacy as Mr. Dunlap, and it would be a +gross and unparalelled outrage to sacrifice them from mere +prejudice, or in the belief that their presence would injure the +chances of Mr. Dunlap. Then arose Collector Elliott, his face +fairly glowing with honest indignation, and his voice sharp and +stinging in his tirade against the newspapers. What did he care +what the newspapers said? What are the newspapers but sheets sold +out to the highest bidder? The newspapers, he cried, are all in +the market, to be bought and sold the same as coal! That was +their business, and they didn't want stability so long as there +was cash to be got. Then he came down upon them in a perfect +whirlwind of wrath for daring to favor the women candidates for +school directors of the Thirteenth ward, and sat down as though +he had accomplished a noble purpose.</p> + +<p>The question on the resolution was pressed, and resulted in its +adoption by a vote of 20 to 12.<a name="FNanchor_269_269" id="FNanchor_269_269"></a><a href="#Footnote_269_269" class="fnanchor">[269]</a> A resolution was offered by +David T. Smith that Mrs. Paist and Mrs. Woelpper be thrown off +the ticket, and this resolution was carried by the same vote as +the preceding one. The meeting then adjourned. In consequence of +this action Mrs. Paist addressed to the citizens of the +Thirteenth ward the following card, in which she declares that +she does not intend to resign:</p> + +<p><i>To the Citizens of the Thirteenth Ward.:</i></p> + +<p>Unpleasant though it may be to thus appear before the public, I +feel that I must, in justice to myself, expose the fraud and +deception that have been practiced to defeat my election on the +17th of February next. I received the nomination and certificate +of election signed by James M. Stewart, David T. Smith, clerks, +and Charles M. Carpenter, president. Certainly they would not be +guilty of deceiving, for are they not "all honorable men"? John +B. Green, George M. Taylor and A. W. Lyman then (Ezra Lukens +having been on a similar fruitless mission) called on the eve of +January 30, 1874, wishing me to withdraw; stating that Mrs. +Woelpper had done so (which was false), and they thought it would +not be pleasant for me to serve. They also placed it on the +ground of expediency, fearing that their candidate for council +(Mr. Dunlap) was so weak that a woman on the ticket might +jeopardize the election. I knew not before that woman held the +balance of power. After sending their emissaries under the false +garb of friendship to induce me to decline, without success, they +were reduced to the desperate means of producing a letter, which +was read by the secretary of the executive meeting, February 2, +purporting to come from me, and withdrawing my name. I pronounce +it publicly to be a forgery. I have not withdrawn, neither do I +intend to withdraw. Would that I had the power of Brutus or a +Patrick Henry, that I might put these designing, intriguing +politicians in their true light! They deserve to be held up to +the contumely and scorn of the community.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from"><span class="smcap">Harriet W. Paist.</span></p> +<p class="ltr-to"><i>February 3, 1874.</i></p> + +<p>Despite the action of the committee, these talented ladies will +be run as the regular candidates for school directors. A +committee of citizens of the Republican party will prepare the +tickets and see that they are properly distributed, and take all +precautions against fraud at the election and against any effort +that may be made to count out the fair candidates at the meeting +of the ward return judges. It is of the greatest importance that +all good citizens of the ward shall do all in their power to +secure not only the fullest possible number of votes for the lady +candidates, but a fair count when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_468" id="Page_468">[Pg 468]</a></span> they have been received. It +remains to be seen whether the Republican citizens of the ward +will endorse the action of a committee which from mere prejudice +can throw off regularly-elected candidates from a ticket. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The ladies were elected, and Mrs. Paist served her term. Mrs. +Woelpper died immediately after the election.</p> + +<p>Anna McDowell, in the <i>Sunday Republic</i> of April 8, 1877, in a long +article shows the necessity of some legal knowledge for women, +enough at least to look after their own interests, and not be +compelled through their ignorance to trust absolutely to the +protection of others. They should be trained to understand that all +pecuniary affairs should be placed on a business basis as strictly +between themselves and their fathers and brothers as men require in +their contracts with each other. After giving many instances in +which women have been grossly defrauded by their relatives, she +points to the will of the great railroad king of Pennsylvania:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Let us glance for a moment at the will of the late J. Edgar +Thomson, than which no more unjust testament was ever offered for +probate. This gentleman, the sole object of affection of two most +worthy and self-sacrificing sisters, married late in life without +making any adequate settlement upon the relatives to whom, in a +great measure, he owed his success. He always promised to provide +for them amply, saying, repeatedly, in effect, in letters which +we have seen, "As my fortune advances so also shall yours; my +prosperity will be your prosperity," etc. Oblivious to the ties +of nature and affection, however, when he came to make his will +he, out of a fortune of two millions, bequeathed to these +sisters, during life, an annuity of $1,200 per annum only, +leaving the rest of the income of his estate to his wife and her +niece, the latter a young lady whom he had previously made +independent by his skilful investment of a few thousand dollars +left her by her father. Not content with the will which gave her +also a large income for life out of Mr. Thomson's estate, this +niece of his wife brought suit against the executors to recover +bonds found after the death of the testator in an envelope on +which her name was written, and through the ruling of Judge +Thayer, a relation by marriage to the husband of the lady, the +case was decided in her favor, and $100,000 was thus absolutely +and permanently taken from the fund designed for the asylum which +it was Mr. Thomson's long-cherished desire to found for the +benefit and education of orphan girls whose fathers had been or +might be killed by accident on the Pennsylvania and other +railroads. The injustice of this decision is made manifest when +we reflect that the Misses Anna and Adeline Thomson, who worked +side by side with their brother as civil engineers in their +father's office, and labored, without pay, therein, that he might +be educated and sent abroad further to perfect himself in his +profession, were cut off with a comparatively paltry stipend for +life, this being still further reduced by the +collateral-inheritance tax. As high an authority as Dr. William +A. Hammond says that, "for a man to cut off his natural heirs in +his will is <i>prima facie</i> evidence of abberation of mind," and we +believe this to be true. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Had these sisters<a name="FNanchor_270_270" id="FNanchor_270_270"></a><a href="#Footnote_270_270" class="fnanchor">[270]</a> been brothers they would have been +recognized as partners and had their legal proportion of the +accumulations<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_469" id="Page_469">[Pg 469]</a></span> of the business in which they labored in early years +with equal faithfulness, side by side. This is but another instance +of women's blind faith in the men of their families and of the +danger in allowing business matters to adjust themselves on the +basis of honor, courtesy and protection.</p> + +<p>Among the literary women of the State are Sarah C. Hallowell, on +the editorial staff of the <i>Public Ledger</i>; the daughters of John +W. Forney, for many years in charge of the woman's department of +<i>Forney's Progress</i>; Anne McDowell, editor of the woman's +department in <i>The Sunday Republic</i>; Mrs. E. A. Wade; "Bessie +Bramble" of Pittsburg has for many years ably edited a woman's +department in the <i>Sunday Leader</i>; Matilda Hindman, an excellent +column in the <i>Pittsburg Commercial Gazette</i>. In science Grace Anna +Lewis stands foremost. Her paper read before the Woman's Congress +in Philadelphia in 1876, attracted much attention. These ladies +with others organized "The Century Club"<a name="FNanchor_271_271" id="FNanchor_271_271"></a><a href="#Footnote_271_271" class="fnanchor">[271]</a> in 1876, for +preëminently practical and benevolent work. Its objects are +various: looking after working girls, sending children into the +country for fresh air during summer, and improving the houses of +the poor and needy. The Club has a large house to which is attached +a cooking-school and lodgings for unfortunates in great +emergencies.</p> + +<p>Woman's ambition was not confined at this period to literature and +the learned professions; she found herself capable of practical +work on a large scale in the department of agriculture. The +<i>Philadelphia Press</i> has the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The beautiful farm of Abel C. Thomas, at Tacony, near +Philadelphia, is remarkable chiefly because it is managed by a +woman, Mrs. Louise H. Thomas. Her husband, the intimate friend of +Horace Greeley, and well known as an author and theologian, in +time past, has long been too feeble to take any part in managing +the property. That duty has devolved upon Mrs. Thomas. The house, +two hundred yards from the Pennsylvania railroad, is hidden from +view by the trees which surround it. The grounds are tastefully +laid out, and the lawn mowed with a regularity that indicates +constant feminine attention. The plot is 20 acres in extent. Six +acres comprise the orchard and garden. In addition to apple, +apricot, pear, peach, plum and cherry, there are specimens of all +kinds of trees, from pine to poplar.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_470" id="Page_470">[Pg 470]</a></span></p> + +<p>A <i>Press</i> reporter recently walked over the premises, and Mrs. +Thomas explained her manner of doing business. "I look after +everything about the farm; take my little sample bags of wheat to +the mills, and sell the crop by it; and twice I got ten cents +more a bushel than any of my neighbors. But the things I take +most interest in are my cows, chickens and bees. My cattle are +from Jersey island, and pure Alderney. They are very gentle and +good milkers. From four of them I get about 800 pounds of butter +a year. The price of this butter varies from 50 cents to $1.00 +per pound. There's my dog. When it's milking time, the hired man +says to the dog, 'Shep, go after the cows,' and away he goes, and +in a little while the herd come tinkling up. Why send a man to do +a boy's work, or a boy to do that which a shepherd dog can do +just as well? The cows understand him, and readily come when they +are sent after. Well, so much for the milk department. Now, as to +the garden; I don't sell much from that. Still, if the vegetables +were not grown, they would have to be bought, and I take all that +into consideration in closing accounts. And that's one thing most +farmers don't do; they don't put on the cash side of the ledger +the cost of their living, for which they have been to no expense. +Now, as to the bees. The first cost is about the only expense +attached to these little workers. I have twenty-five colonies, +and can, and do handle them with as much safety as if they were +so much dry wheat. I sell about $100 worth of honey yearly, and +consume half as much at home. The bees are not troublesome when +you know how to handle them, but they require to be delicately +handled at swarming time.</p> + +<p>"Now, as to chickens. My stock consists exclusively of the light +Brahma breed. They come early, grow fast, sell readily, are +tender, and have no disposition to forage; they are not all the +time wandering round and flying over the garden fence, and +scratching up flower and vegetable seeds. In fact, if you'll +notice, there is a docility about my live-stock that is very +attractive. The cows and chickens only need articulation to carry +on conversation. You didn't see the hatching department of my +chicken-house? I modeled the building after one used by a Madame +de Linas, a French lady living near Paris, and am much pleased +with it. I sometimes raise 1,000 chickens a season. I sell them +at prices all the way up from $1 to $3 apiece. You must remember +that they are full-blooded, and I always have my stock +replenished. I keep the best and sell for the highest prices. +They are generally sold to private families, who wish to get the +stock, and I always sell them alive. They are not much trouble to +raise, provided you know how, and have the accommodations for +doing it. I feed them corn, milk, meal and water, and pay +particular attention to their being properly housed. The eggs of +this breed are very rich, and I charge one dollar and a half for +a setting—that is, thirteen eggs.</p> + +<p>"I have some three or four acres of wheat growing and it is +heading out finely. Oh!" said Mrs. Thomas, becoming more +enthusiastic, as she reviewed the incomes from the cereals, cows, +and chickens, "I am making money, and money is a standard of +success, although there is to me a greater pleasure than the mere +financial part of the business, which comes from the passion I +have for the life. I wish, indeed, that young ladies would turn +their attention to this matter. To me, it seems to open to them +an avenue for acquiring a competency in an independent way; and +to one who would pursue it earnestly, I know of no avocation +scarcely worth being classed with it."</p> + +<p>"And you are not lonesome out here?"</p> + +<p>"Oh! no. I never was lonesome an hour in my life—don't have +time; I have a great deal of work to do, and am always ready to +do it. Indeed, the only people I pity are those who do not work, +or find no interest in it. No, no; I have plenty of visitors, and +last week Jennie June, Lucretia Mott, and Anna Dickinson paid me +a visit and were very much pleased while here. I have two +grown-up boys, one in New York and the other in California; and +have reared thirteen children besides my own family—colored, +French, Italian, and I know not what nationalities."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Thomas, who is certainly a remarkable woman, is a thoroughly +educated one; has traveled extensively both in Europe and this +country. Herself and husband<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_471" id="Page_471">[Pg 471]</a></span> have been intimate acquaintances of +many eminent men, among whom were President Lincoln and Secretary +Stanton. The activity displayed in managing the estate indicates +the possession of marked executive ability, and the exercise she +thus receives has doubtless had its share in keeping her young, +well-preserved, and good-natured. </p></blockquote> + +<p>When the Rev. Knox Little visited this country in 1880, thinking +the women of America specially needed his ministrations, he +preached a sermon that called out the general ridicule of our +literary women. In the Sunday <i>Republic</i> of December 12, Anne E. +M'Dowell said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The reverend gentlemen of St. Clement's Church, of this city, +with their frequent English visiting clergymen, are not only +trying their best to carry Christianity back into the dark ages, +by reinvesting it with all old-time traditions and mummeries, but +they are striving anew to forge chains for the minds, +consciences, and bodies of women whom the spirit of Christian +progress has, in a measure, made free in this country. The sermon +of the Rev. Knox Little, rector of St. Alban's Church, +Manchester, England, recently delivered at St. Clement's in this +city, and reported in the daily <i>Times</i>, is just such an one as +might be looked for from the class of thinkers whom he on that +occasion represented. These ritualistic brethren are bitterly +opposed to divorce, and hold the belief that so many Britons +adhere to on their native soil, viz., that "woman is an inferior +animal, created only for man's use and pleasure, and designed by +Providence to be in absolute submission to her lord and master." +The feeling engendered by this belief breeds contempt for and +indifference to the nobler aspirations of women amongst men of +the higher ranks, while it crops out in tyranny in the middle, +and brutality in the lower classes of society. Even the gentry +and nobility of Great Britain are not all exempt from brutal +manifestations of power toward their wives. We once sheltered in +our own house for weeks the wife of an English Earl who had been +forced to leave her home and family through the brutality of her +high-born husband—brutality from which the law could not or +would not protect her. She died at our house, and when she was +robed for her last rest much care had to be taken to arrange the +dress and hair so that the scars of wounds inflicted on the +throat, neck and cheek by her cruel husband might not be too +apparent.</p> + +<p>The reports of English police courts are full of disclosures of +ill-treatment of women by their husbands, and year by year our +own courts are more densely thronged by women asking safety from +the brutality of men who at the altar have vowed to "love, honor +and protect" them. In nearly all these cases, the men who are +brought into our courts on the charge of maltreating women are of +foreign birth who have been born and brought up under the +spiritual guidance of such clergymen as the Rev. Knox-Little, who +tell them, as he told the audience of women to whom he preached +in this city: "To her husband a wife owes the duty of unqualified +obedience. There is <i>no crime that a man can commit which +justifies his wife in leaving him</i> or applying for that monstrous +thing, a divorce. It is her duty to submit herself to him +<i>always</i>, and no crime he can commit justifies her lack of +obedience. If he is a bad or wicked man she may gently +remonstrate with him, but disobey him, never." Again, addressing +his audience at St. Clement's, he says: "You may marry a bad man, +but what of that? You had no right to marry a bad man. If you +knew it, you deserved it. If you did not know it, you must endure +it all the same. You can pray for him, and perhaps he will +reform; but leave him—never. Never think of that accursed +thing—divorce. Divorce breaks up families—families build up the +church. The Christian woman lives to build up the church." This +is the sort of sermonizing, reïterated from year to year, that +makes brutes of Englishmen, of all classes, and sinks the average +English woman to the condition of a child-bearing slave, +valuable, mostly, for the number of children she brings her +husband. She is permitted to hold no opinion unaccepted by her +master, denied all reason and forced to frequent churches where +she is forbidden the exercise of her common-sense, and where she +is told: "Men are logical;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_472" id="Page_472">[Pg 472]</a></span> women lack this quality, but have an +intricacy of thought. There are those who think that women can be +taught logic; this is a mistake. They can never, by any process +of education, arrive at the same mental status as that enjoyed by +man; but they have a quickness of apprehension—what is usually +called leaping at conclusions—that is astonishing." </p></blockquote> + +<p>Divorce is a question over which woman now disputes man's absolute +control. His canon and civil laws alike have made marriage for her +a condition of slavery, from which she is now seeking emancipation; +and just in proportion as women become independent and +self-supporting, they will sunder the ties that bind them in +degrading relations.</p> + +<p>In September, 1880, Governor Hoyt was petitioned to appoint a woman +as member of the State Board of Commissioners of Public Charities. +The special business of this commission is to examine into the +condition of all charitable, reformatory and correctional +institutions within the State, to have a general oversight of the +methods of instruction, the well-being and comfort of the inmates, +with a supervision of all those in authority in such institutions. +Dr. Susan Smith of West Philadelphia, from the year of the cruel +imprisonment of the unfortunate Hester Vaughan, regularly for +twelve years poured petitions into both houses of the legislature, +numerously signed by prominent philanthropists, setting forth the +necessity of women as inspectors in the female wards of the jails +of the State, and backing them by an array of appalling facts, and +yet the legislature, from year to year, turned a deaf ear to her +appeals. Happily for the unfortunate wards of the State, the law +passed in 1881.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"> +<span class="smcap">State Hospital for the Insane, Norristown</span>, Pa., Sept. 28, 1885.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Miss Anthony</span>: I have referred your letter to my old +friend, Dr. Hiram Corson, of Plymouth, Pa., who can, if he will, +give a much better history of the movement in this State, than +any one else, being one of the pioneers. I hope that you will +hear from him. If, however, he returns your letter to me, I will +give you the few facts that I know. I should be glad to have you +visit our hospital and see our work.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Alice Bennett</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Very respectfully yours,</p> + +<p class="ltr-date ltr-break"> +<span class="smcap">Plymouth Meeting</span>, Pa., Oct. 2, 1885. +</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Miss Susan B. Anthony</span>: <i>Esteemed Friend</i>:—Dr. Alice Bennett has +referred your letter with questions to me. Alice Bennett, M. D., +Ph. D., is chief physician of the female department of the eastern +hospital of Pennsylvania, for the insane. She is also member of the +Montgomery County Medical Society, and member of the Medical +Society of the State of Pennsylvania. She is the only woman in the +civilized world, of whom I have ever heard, who has entire charge +of the female patients in an institution for the care and treatment +of the insane. We have in the Harrisburg hospital, Dr. Jane Garver, +as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_473" id="Page_473">[Pg 473]</a></span> physician for the female insane, but she is subordinate to the +male physician. She has a female physician to assist her. Dr. +Bennett was appointed and took charge in July, 1880, with Dr. Anna +Kingler as her assistant. Dr. Kingler resigned, and went to India +as medical missionary; was succeeded by Dr. Rebecca S. Hunt, who, +after more than a year's service, also resigned to go to India as +medical missionary. Dr. Bennett has now two women physicians to +assist her in the care of more than six hundred patients, nearly as +many as, if not more than, are in the female departments of the +Harrisburg, Danville, and Warren hospitals all combined.</p> + +<p>Dr. Bennett's hospital is a model one. There is a total absence of +physical restraint, as used formerly under male superintendents, +and, I may say, as still used in other hospitals than that of +Norristown. Her skill in providing amusement, instruction and +employment of various kinds, for the comfort and restoration of her +patients to sanity and physical health, I feel sure has never been +equaled in any hospital for the treatment of insane women. It is +exceedingly interesting to see the school which she has +established, and in which a large number of the insane are daily +instructed, amused and interested. It is well known, now, that when +the mind of the insane can be drawn away from their delusions by +employment, or whatever else may interest them and absorb their +attention, they are on the road to health. The public are not yet +fully awake to the great reform effected in having women physicians +for the women insane. Insane women have been treated as though +there were no diseases peculiar to the sex. Never, so far as I have +been able to learn, have they been treated by the means used for +the relief of women in their homes. An eminent surgeon of +Philadelphia informed me a few days since, that thirty years ago he +was an assistant to Dr. Kirkbride, and desired to treat a patient +for uterine troubles, but was rebuked by Dr. K., and told never to +attempt to use the appliances relied on in private practice. My +informant added that he believed not a single insane woman had ever +received special treatment for affections in any of the hospitals +under the care of male physicians. While we realize that great +advantages would have come to these poor unfortunates by proper +treatment, we feel that no male physician having due regard for his +own reputation, should attempt to treat an insane woman for uterine +diseases by means used in private practice, or even in hospitals +with sane women. And this shows the importance of women physicians +for women insane. One of the most intellectual and prominent women +of this State was, 30 years ago, on account of domestic +application, an inmate of our then champion hospital for the +insane, for several months, during all of which time her sufferings +were, to use her own words, indescribable, and yet she was not once +asked in relation to her physical condition. Let us turn aside from +this, and glance at the last annual report of Dr. Alice Bennett. +She reports 180 patients examined for uterine diseases; 125 were +placed under treatment; 67 treated for a length of time; 60 +benefited by treatment. While Dr. Bennett does not say that their +insanity was caused by the uterine disease, or that they were cured +by curing that affection, she observes that in some cases the +relief of the mind kept pace with the progress<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_474" id="Page_474">[Pg 474]</a></span> of cure of the +uterine affections. I have, perhaps, written more than was needed +on this subject, but I am so anxious that we shall have women +doctors in every hospital for the treatment of insane women, and +know, too, what influence yourself and good Mrs. Stanton can exert +by turning your attention to it, which I am sure you will as you +become informed in relation to the facts, that I could not stop +short of what I have said. I have prepared a full account of our +struggles with the State Society during six years to obtain for +women doctors their proper recognition by the profession, and also +the obstacles and opposition we encountered in our attempt to +procure the law empowering boards of trustees to appoint women to +hospitals for the insane of their sex. It will give me pleasure to +send them to you if they would be of any use to you.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Hiram Corson</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Respectfully,</p> + + +<p class="ltr-break">As I am within a week of my 82d birthday, and am writing while my +heart is beating one hundred and sixty times per minute, you must +not criticise me too sharply.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">H. C.</p> +</blockquote> + + +<p>January 24, 1882, Miss Rachel Foster made all the arrangements for +a national convention, to be held in St. George's Hall, +Philadelphia.<a name="FNanchor_272_272" id="FNanchor_272_272"></a><a href="#Footnote_272_272" class="fnanchor">[272]</a> She also inaugurated a course of lectures, of +which she took the entire financial responsibility, in the popular +hall of the Young Men's Christian Association. Ex-Governor Hoyt of +Wyoming, in his lecture, gave the good results of thirteen years' +experience of woman's voting in that Territory. Miss Foster +employed a stenographer to report the address, had 20,000 copies +printed, and circulated them in the Nebraska campaign during the +following summer.</p> + +<p>At its next session (1883) the legislature passed a resolution +recommending congress to submit a sixteenth amendment, securing to +women the right to vote:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Harrisburg</span>, Pa., March 21, 1883.—In the House, Mr. Morrison of +Alleghany offered a resolution urging congress to amend the +national constitution so that the right of suffrage should not be +denied to citizens of any State on account of sex. It was adopted +by 78 ayes<a name="FNanchor_273_273" id="FNanchor_273_273"></a><a href="#Footnote_273_273" class="fnanchor">[273]</a> to 76 noes, the result being greeted with both +applause and hisses. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The Philadelphia <i>Evening Bulletin</i> of November 8, 1882, mentions +an attempt to open the University of Pennsylvania to women:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_475" id="Page_475">[Pg 475]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>The trustees held several meetings to consider the applications. +Beside Miss Craddock's, there were two others which the faculty +referred to the trustees, and which appear not to have been +reached in the regular course of business. Miss Florence Kelley, +a post-graduate from Cornell University, daughter of Judge +Kelley, who applied for admission as a special student in Greek, +and Miss Frances Henrietta Mitchell, a junior student from +Cornell, who asked to be admitted in the junior class. Our +information comes from these ladies, who were notified that their +cases would be presented. The question of coëducation, which has +been seriously occupying the minds of the trustees of the +University of Pennsylvania, was settled last evening, at least +for the present, by the passage of a resolution refusing the +admission of girls to the department of arts, but proposing to +establish a separate collegiate department for them, whenever the +requisite cost, about $300,000, is provided. There has been an +intelligent and honest difference among both trustees and +professors on this interesting question, and the diversity has +been complicated by the various grounds upon which the <i>pros</i> and +<i>cons</i> are maintained. There are those who advocate the admission +of girls to the University as a proper thing <i>per se</i>. Others +consent to it, because the University cannot give the desired +education separately. Others hold that girls should be admitted +because of their equal rights to a university education, although +their admission is very undesirable. Others oppose coëducation in +the abstract, conceding that girls should be as well educated as +boys, but insisting that they must be differently and therefore +separately educated. These draw a clear line between "equal" and +"similar" education, and hold that no university course of +studies can be laid out that will not present much of classical +literature and much of the mental, moral and natural sciences, +that cannot be studied and recited by boys and girls together, +without serious risk of lasting injury to both. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Would it not be better, all things considered, to abjure this kind +of classical literature, and instead of subjecting our sons to its +baneful influence, give them the refining, elevating companionship +of their sisters? If we would preserve the real modesty and purity +of our daughters, it is quite as important that we should pay some +attention to the delicacy and morality of the men with whom they +are to associate.</p> + +<p>If a girl cannot read the classics with a young man without +contamination, how can she live with him in all the intimacies of +family life without a constant shock to her refined sensibilities? +So long as society considers that any man of known wealth is a fit +husband for our daughters, all this talk of the faculties and +trustees of our colleges about protecting woman's modesty is the +sheerest nonsense and hypocrisy. It is well to remember that these +professors and students have mothers, wives and sisters, and if man +is coarse and brutal, he invariably feels free to show his worst +passions at his own fireside. To warn women against coëducation is +to warn them against association with men in any relation +whatsoever.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<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> See Appendix.</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> Carrie S. Burnham after long years of preparation +and persistent effort for admission to the bar of Philadelphia, was +admitted in 1884. She was thoroughly qualified to enter that +profession and to practice in the courts of that State, and the +only reason ever offered for her rejection from time to time was, +"that she was a woman."</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> By an oversight this law was not mentioned in Vol. +I. in its proper place.</p></div> + +<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> George W. Childs married Judge Bovier's +grand-daughter.</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><span class="gray">Transcriber's Note: Footnote text is missing in +original.</span></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> <i>University of Pennsylvania</i>—Joseph Carson, Robert +E. Rogers, Joseph Leidy, Henry H. Smith, Francis G. Smith, R. A. T. +Penrose, Alfred Stille, George B. Wood, Samuel Jackson, Hugh L. +Hodge, R. La Roche, George W. Norris. <i>Jefferson Medical +College</i>—Joseph Pancoast, S. D. Gross, Samuel Henry Dickson, +Ellerslie Wallace, B. Howard Rand, John B. Biddle, James Aitken +Meigs. <i>Pennsylvania Hospital</i>—J. Forsyth Meigs, James H. +Hutchinson, J. M. Da Costa, Addinell Hewson, William Hunt, D. Hayes +Agnew. <i>Philadelphia Hospital</i>—R. J. Levis, William H. Pancoast, +F. F. Maury, Alfred Stille, J. L. Ludlow, Edward Rhodes, D. D. +Richardson, E. L. Duer, E. Scholfield, R. M. Girvin, John S. Parry, +William Pepper, James Tyson. <i>Medical Staff of Episcopal +Hospital</i>—John H. Packard., John Ashhurst, jr., Samuel Ashhurst, +Alfred M. Slocum, Edward A. Smith, William Thomson, William S. +Forbes. <i>Wills Hospital for the Blind and Lame</i>—Thomas George +Morton, A. D. Hall, Harrison Allen, George C. Harlan, R. J. Levis. +<i>St. Joseph's Hospital</i>—William V. Keating, Alfred Stille, John J. +Reese, George R. Morehouse, A. C. Bournonville, Edward A. Page, +John H. Brinton, Walter F. Atlee, C. S. Boker. <i>St. Mary's +Hospital</i>—C. Percy La Roche, J. Cummiskey, A. H. Fish, J. H. +Grove, W. W. Keen, W. L. Wells, L. S. Bolles. <i>German +Hospital</i>—Albert Fricke, Emil Fischer, Joseph F. Koerper, Julius +Schrotz, Julius Kamerer, Karl Beeken, Theodore A. Demme, +<i>Children's Hospital</i>—Thomas Hewson Bache, D. Murray Cheston, H. +Lenox Hodge, F. W. Lewis, Hilborn West. <i>Charity Hospital</i>—A. H. +Fish. L. K. Baldwin, Horace Y. Evans, John M. McGrath, H. St. Clair +Ash, J. M. Boisnot, N. Hatfield, W. M. Welch, H. Lycurgus Law, H. +Leaman, J. A. McArthur. <i>Howard Hospital</i>—Thomas S. Harper, +Laurence Turnbull, T. H. Andrews, Horace Williams, Joseph Klapp, +William B. Atkinson, S. C. Brincklee. <i>Physicians-at-Large of the +City of Philadelphia</i>—E. Ward, George H. Beaumont, William W. +Lamb, Thomas B. Reed, Charles Schaffer, J. Heritage, W. Stump +Forwood, W. J. Phelps, Richard Maris, Frank Muhlenberg, George M. +Ward, James Collins, William F. Norris, Samuel Lewis, Isaac Hays, +G. Emerson, W. W. Gerhard, Caspar Morris, B. H. Coates, George +Strawbridge, S. Weir Mitchell, I. Minis Hays, Edward B. Van Dyke, +J. Sylvester Ramsey, G. W. Bowman, W. H. H. Githens, T. W. Lewis, +T. M. Finley, S. W. Butler, Robert P. Harris, C. Moehring, George +L. Bomberger, Philip Leidy, D. F. Willard, James V. Ingham, Edward +Hartshorne, W. S. W. Ruschenberger, Thomas Stewardson, James +Darrach, S. L. Hollingworth, William Mayburry, Lewis Rodman, Casper +Wister, A. Nebinger, Horace Binney Hare, Edward Shippen, S. +Littell, F. W. Lewis, Robert Bridges, William H. Gloninger, James +Markoe, Charles Hunter, D. F. Woods, Herbert Norris, Harrison +Allen, Charles B. Nancrede, W. J. Grier, Edward J. Nolan, Richard +Thomas, Lewis H. Adler, G. B. Dunmire, John Neill, Wharton Sinkler, +George Pepper, J. J. Sowerby, Henry C. Eckstein, Eugene P. +Bernardy, Charles K. Miles, J. Solis Cohen.</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> C. L. Schlatter, J. Wm. White, Daniel Bray, C. E. +Cassady, Robert B. Burns, Albert Trenchard, John G. Scott, J. J. +Bowen, P. Collings, E. Cullen Brayton, joint committee of the +University and Jefferson Medical Colleges.</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> As through the influence of Dr. Truman Miss +Hirschfeld had first been admitted to the college, he felt in a +measure responsible for the fair treatment of her countrywomen who +came to the United States to enjoy the same educational advantages. +When the discussion in regard to expelling the young women was +pending, Dr. Truman promptly and decidedly told the faculty that if +such an act of injustice was permitted he should leave the college +also. Much of Dr. Truman's clearsightedness and determination may +be traced to the influence of his noble wife and no less noble +mother-in-law, Mary Ann McClintock, who helped to inaugurate the +movement in 1848 in Central New York. She lamented in her declining +years that she was able to do so little. But by way of consolation +I often suggested that her influence in many directions could never +be measured; and here is one: Her influence on Dr. Truman opened +the Dental College to women, and kept it open while Miss Hirschfeld +acquired her profession. With her success in Germany, in the royal +family, every child in the palace for generations that escapes a +toothache will have reason to bless a noble friend, Mary Ann +McClintock, that she helped to plant the seeds of justice to woman +in the heart of young James Truman. We must also recognize in Dr. +Truman's case that he was born and trained in a liberal Quaker +family, his own father and mother having been disciples of Elias +Hicks.</p></div> + +<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> <span class="smcap">Philadelphia</span>, Nov. 10, 1870.—The formal opening of +Swarthmore College took place this afternoon, when a large number +of its friends were conveyed thither in a special train on the +Westchester railroad. The audience assembled in the lecture room, +where addresses were delivered by Samuel Willets and John D. Hyoks, +of New York, Edward Parrish, president of the college, Wm. Dorsey, +and Lucretia Mott. It was stated that the amount spent in land and +buildings amounted to $205,000 and contributions were solicited for +$100,000 additional to fully furnish the building, and supply a +library, philosophical and astronomical apparatus. The building is +a massive one of five stories, constructed of Pennsylvania granite, +and appointed throughout, from dormitory, bathroom, +recitation-hall, to parlor, kitchen and laundry, in the most +refined and substantial taste. It is 400 feet in length, by 100 +deep, presenting two wings for the dormitories of the male and +female students respectively, and a central part devoted to parlor, +library, public hall, etc. Especially interesting in this division +of the college is a room devoted to Quaker antiquities, comprising +portraits and writings of the founders of the sect. Among them we +notice the treaty of William Penn, a picture of the treaty +assembly, a letter of George Fox, etc. The college opens with 180 +pupils, about equally divided between the sexes, the system of +instruction being a joint education of boys and girls, though each +occupy separate wings of the building. The institution was built by +the Hicksite branch of the Society of Friends, but the pupils are +not confined to members of that persuasion.</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> The speakers at this convention were Lucretia Mott, +Frances Dana Gage, Wendell Phillips, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan +B. Anthony, Edward M. Davis, Robert Purvis, Aaron M. Powell. The +officers of the society were: <i>President</i>, Robert Purvis; +<i>Vice-presidents</i>, Lucretia Mott, William Whipper, Dinah +Mendenhall; <i>Recording Secretary</i>, Mary B. Lightfoot; +<i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, Frances B. Jackson; <i>Treasurer</i>, John K. +Wildman; <i>Executive Committee</i>, William Still, Ellen M. Child, +Harriet Purvis, Elisha Meaner, Octavius Catts, Sarah S. Hawkins, +Sarah Pugh, Clementina Johns, Alfred H. Love, Louisa J. Roberts, +Jay Chapel.</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> J. K. Wildman, Miss A. Ramborger, Clementina L. +John, Ellen M. Child, and Passmore Williamson.</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> <i>President</i>, Mary Grew; <i>Vice-Presidents</i>, Edward M. +Davis, Mrs. C. A. Farrington, Mary K. Williamson; <i>Recording +Secretary</i>, Annie Heacock; <i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, Eliza Sproat +Turner; <i>Treasurer</i>, Gulielma M. S. P. Jones; <i>Executive +Committee</i>, John K. Wildman, Ellen M. Child, Annie Shoemaker, +Charlotte L. Pierce, and Dr. Henry T. Child.</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> Among those who addressed the members of the +convention were Bishop Matthew Simpson, Rev. Charles G. Ames, Fanny +B. Ames, Mary Grew, Sarah C. Hallowell, Matilda Hindman, Elizabeth +S. Bladen and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.</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> Among the men who spoke for woman's enfranchisement +were John M. Broomall, John M. Campbell, Lewis C. Cassidy, Benjamin +L. Temple, Levi Rooke, George F. Horton, H. W. Palmer, William +Darlington, Harry White, Frank Mantor, Thomas MacConnell, Henry +Carter, Thomas E. Cochran. In addition to those who spoke, those +who voted <i>yes</i> are John E. Addicks, William H. Ainey, William D. +Baker, Charles O. Bowman, Charles Brodhead, George N. Corson, David +Craig, Matthew Edwards, J. Gillingham Tell, Thomas Howard, Edward +C. Knight, George Lear, John S. Mann, H. W. Patterson, T. H. B. +Patton, Thomas Struthers, John W. F. White.</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> <i>Ayes</i>—William Styles, William McLain, clerks in +the water department; A. W. Lyman, clerk in the custom-house; M. C. +Coppeck, clerk in the highway department, who was defeated by one +of the ladies for school directorship; John B. Green, a member of +the board of education; John Buckley, clerk in the post-office; +Theodore Canfield, sergeant of police; John Murray, contractor of +the highway department; George W. Schrack, an ex-clerk, lately +resigned from the tax receiver's office; Daniel T. Smith, +ex-detective; Asher W. Dewees, Oliver Bowler, Mr. Agnew, Ezra +Lukens, clerk in the United States assistant treasurer's office, +president of the Republican Invincibles, candidate last year +against Mr. Jonathan Pugh for commissioner of city property, and a +candidate for the same office next year; William B. Elliott, +collector of internal revenue; Charles M. Carpenter, alderman, who +signed Mrs. Paist's certificate; Jackson Keyser, an employé in the +navy yard; Alfred Ruhl, clerk in the custom-house; Mr. Jones, and +Henry C. Dunlap, who is Republican candidate for common +council—20. <i>Nays</i>—James W. Sayre, Joseph B. Ridge, Samuel +Caldwell, Dr. Charles Hooker, John E. Lane, Lewis Bogy, John +Mansfield. Daniel Rieff, William Githens, Thomas Evans, George +Schimpf and F. Theodore Walton—12. So the resolution was carried +by 20 yeas to 12 nays.</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> Their modest home at 114 North Eleventh street has +long been a hospitable retreat for reformers, where many of us +identified with the suffrage movement have been most courteously +entertained. Anna and Adeline Thomson after long lives of industry +have been, too, the steadfast representatives of great principles +in religious and political freedom, always giving freely of their +means to the unpopular reforms of their day and generation.—[E. C. +S.</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> The Executive Board of the New Century Club for +1879-1880, was: <i>President</i>, Mrs. Eliza S. Turner; +<i>Vice-Presidents</i>, Mrs. Emily W. Taylor, Mrs. S. C. F. Hallowell; +Mrs. Henry C. Townsend, Mrs. Aubrey H. Smith; <i>Corresponding +Secretary</i>, Miss Louise Stockton; <i>Recording Secretary</i>, Miss Anna +C. Bliss; <i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. Charlotte L. Pierce; <i>Directors</i>, Mrs. +Susan I. Lesley, Mrs. Henry Cohen, Mrs. Huldah Justice, Miss Emily +Sartain, Miss Mary Grew, Mrs. S. B. F. Greble, Mrs. M. W. Coggins, +Miss Mary A. Burnham, Mrs. Ellison L. Perot, Mrs. Thomas Roberts. +Others names found in its annual report as contributing to the +efficiency of the club are: Mrs. Fannie B. Ames, Miss Grace Anna +Lewis, Mrs. Emma J. Bartol, Mrs. E. L. Head, Miss Mary C. Coxe, +Mrs. Charlotte L. Pierce, Madam Emma Seiler, Miss Amanda L. Dods, +Miss Lelia Patridge, Miss Lily Ray, Miss Ella Cole, Mrs. Susan I. +Lesley, Mrs. E. C. Mayer, Miss Bennett, Mlle. Frasson. The work of +the club has its divisions of science, literature, art, music, +entertainment, cooking, hospitalities, charities, employment for +women, legal protection for working women, prisons and reformatory +institutions.</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> See <a href="#Page_198">Chapter 30</a> for an account of this Philadelphia +convention.</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> The <i>yeas</i> were as follows: Messrs. Ayers, Barnes, +Blackford, Boyer, Boyle, Brooks, W. C. Brown, I. B. Brown, J. L. +Brown, Brosius, Burnite, Burchfield, Chadwick, Coburn, E. L. Davis, +Deveney, Duggan, Eckels, Ellsworth, Emery, Fetters, Gahan, Gardner, +Gavitt, Gentner, Glenn, Grier, G. W. Hall, F. Hall, A. W. Hayes, +Hines, Higgins, Hoofnagle, Hulings, Hughes, Jenkins, Klein, +Kavanaugh, Landis, Lafferty, Merry, B. B. Mitchell, S. N. Mitchell, +Millor, Molineaux, A. H. Morgan, W. D. Morgan, J. W. Morrison, E. +Morrison, Myton, McCabe, McClaran, Neill, Neeley, Nelson, Nesbit, +Nicholson, Parkinson, Powell, Romig, Schwartz, Short, Sinex, +Slocum, J. Smith, Sneeringer, Snodgrass, Stees, Sterett, Stewart, +Stubbs, Sweeney, Trant, Vanderslice, Vaughn, Vogdes, Wayne and +Ziegler—78.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_476" id="Page_476">[Pg 476]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXXIX.</h2> + +<h3>NEW JERSEY.</h3> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>Women Voted in the Early Days—Deprived of the Right by +Legislative Enactment in 1807—Women Demand the Restoration of +Their Rights in 1868—At the Polls in Vineland and Roseville +Park—Lucy Stone Agitates the Question—State Suffrage Society +Organized in 1867—Conventions—A Memorial to the +Legislature—Mary F. Davis—Rev. Phebe A. Hanaford—Political +Science Club—Mrs. Cornelia C. Hussey—Orange Club, 1870—July 4, +1874, Mrs. Devereux Blake Gives the Oration—Dr. Elizabeth +Blackwell's Letter—The Laws of New Jersey in Regard to Property +and Divorce—Constitutional Commission, 1873—Trial of Rev. Isaac +M. See—Women Preaching in His Pulpit—The Case Appealed—Mrs. +Jones, Jailoress—Legislative Hearings. </p> +</div> + + +<p><span class="sc">New Jersey</span> was the only State that, in adopting her first +constitution, recognized woman's right to suffrage which she had +exercised during the colonial days, and from time immemorial in the +mother country. The fact that she was deprived of this right from +1807 to 1840 by a legislative enactment, while the constitution +secured it,<a name="FNanchor_274_274" id="FNanchor_274_274"></a><a href="#Footnote_274_274" class="fnanchor">[274]</a> proves that the power of the legislature, composed +of representatives from the people, was considered at that early +day to be above the State constitution. If, then, the legislature +could abridge the suffrage, it must have the power to extend it, +and all the women of this State should demand is an act of the +legislature. They need not wait for the slow process of a +constitutional amendment submitted to the popular vote. In 1868, in +harmony with a general movement in many other States, the women of +New Jersey began to demand the restoration of their ancient rights. +The following is from <i>The Revolution</i> of November 19, 1868, +written by Elizabeth A. Kingsbury:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Vineland, N. J.</span>, Nov. 5, 1868.</p> + +<p>At a meeting of women, held the week before election, a unanimous +vote was taken that we would go to the polls. John Gage, chairman +of the Woman Suffrage Association of Vineland, called a meeting, +and though the day was an inclement one, there was a good +attendance. A number of earnest men as well as women addressed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_477" id="Page_477">[Pg 477]</a></span> +the audience. Among them were Colonel Moss of Missouri, and James +M. Scovel of Camden, State senator, who strengthened us by their +words of earnest eloquence. At 7:30 <span class="smcap">a. m.</span>, November 3, John and +Portia Gage and myself entered Union Hall, where the judges of +election had already established themselves for the day. Instead +of occupying the center of the platform, they had taken one side +of it, apparently for the purpose of leaving us room on the +other. We seated ourselves in chairs brought for the occasion, +when one gentleman placed a small table for our use. Another +inquired if we were comfortable and the room sufficiently warm. +"Truly," we thought, "this does not look like a very terrible +opposition." As time passed, there came more men and women into +the hall. Quite a number of the latter presented their votes +first at the table where those of men were received, where they +were rejected with politeness, and then taken to the other side +of the platform and deposited in our box. Shall I describe this +box, twelve inches long and six wide, and originally a grape-box? +Very significant of Vineland. Soon there came to the aid of Mrs. +Gage and myself a blooming and beautiful young lady, Estelle +Thomson, who, with much grace and dignity, sat there throughout +the day, recording the names of the voters. It would have done +you good to have witnessed the scene. Margaret Pryor,<a name="FNanchor_275_275" id="FNanchor_275_275"></a><a href="#Footnote_275_275" class="fnanchor">[275]</a> who is +better known to you perhaps than to many of your readers, as one +whose life has been active in the cause of freedom for the negro +and for woman; a charming old lady of eighty-four years, yet with +the spirit, elasticity and strength of one of thirty-five, sat +there in her nice Quaker bonnet by the side of Miss Thomson a +great part of the day. Sarah Pearson, also advanced in years and +eminent for her labors of love for the suffering and oppressed +everywhere; with her peculiarly delicate organization and placid +countenance, remained with us till the last moment. There was no +lack of friends and supporters. The platform was crowded with +earnest, refined, intellectual women, who felt that it was good +for them to be there. One beautiful girl said in my hearing, "I +feel so much stronger for having voted." It was pleasant to see +husbands and wives enter the hall together, only they had to +separate, one turning to the right hand and the other to the +left, when no separation should have taken place.</p> + +<p>Some women spent the day in going after their friends and +bringing them to the hall. Young ladies, after voting, went to +the homes of their acquaintances, and took care of the babies +while the mothers came out to vote. Will this fact lessen the +alarm of some men for the safety of the babies of enfranchised +women on election day? One lady of refinement and aristocratic +birth brought her little girl of ten years with her, and I assure +you it did the men good as well as us. They said they never had +so quiet and pleasant a time at the polls before, though it is +always more quiet here than in many other towns, because the sale +of ardent spirits is forbidden. John Gage—bless his dear +soul—identifies himself completely with this glorious cause, and +labors with an earnestness and uniformity of purpose that is +truly charming. His team was out all day, bringing women to vote, +half-a-dozen at a time, while his personal efforts were +unremitting and eminently successful. He and his noble wife, +Portia, seem to be, indeed, one in thought and action. Some time +ago he sent a pledge to the candidates for office in this State. +By signing it, they promise to sustain the cause of woman +suffrage by every means in their power. Nixon, candidate for the +Senate, signed it last year. House, candidate for the Assembly, +signed the pledge at the eleventh hour, and though he lost two of +our votes by the delay, yet he, too, is elected. Thus we have, at +least, three public men in New Jersey pledged to sustain<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_478" id="Page_478">[Pg 478]</a></span> the +woman suffrage cause. We think it is time to say to candidates +for office: "You tell us we have a good deal of influence, and +ask us to exert it for your election. We will do so, if you will +promise to advocate our cause. If you do not, we will oppose your +election." The result of the ballots cast by the women of +Vineland is this: For president—Grant, 164; Seymour, 4; E. Cady +Stanton, 2; Fremont, 1; and Mrs. Governor Harvey of Wisconsin, 1. +The president of the Historical Society of Vineland, S. C. +Campbell, has petitioned for the ballot-box and list of voters, +to put into its archives. He will probably get them.</p> + +<p>A gentleman said to me last week: "What is the use of your doing +this? Your votes will count nothing in the election." "It will do +good in two ways," I replied. "You say there will not be five +women there. We will show you that you are mistaken; that women +do want to vote, and it will strengthen them for action in the +future." Both these ends have been accomplished; and on November +12 we are to meet again, to consider and decide what to do about +the taxation that is soon coming upon us. </p></blockquote> + +<p>While the Vineland women expressed their opinion by voting, other +true friends of woman's enfranchisement were moved to do the same. +<i>The Revolution</i> of November 12, 1868, gave the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Newark <i>Daily Advertiser</i> says that Mrs. Hannah Blackwell, a +highly esteemed elderly lady, long resident in Roseville, and +Mrs. Lucy Stone, her daughter-in-law, both of them +property-holders and tax-payers in the county, appeared at the +polls in Roseville Park, accompanied by Messrs. Bathgate and +Blackwell as witnesses, and offered their votes. The judges of +election were divided as to the propriety of receiving the votes +of the ladies, one of them stating that he was in favor of doing +so, the two others objecting on the ground of their illegality. +The ladies stated that they had taken advice of eminent lawyers, +and were satisfied that in New Jersey, women were legally +entitled to vote, from the fact that the old constitution of the +State conferred suffrage upon "all inhabitants" worth $250. Under +that constitution women did in fact vote until, in 1807, by an +arbitrary act of the legislature, women were excluded from the +polls. The new constitution, adopted in 1844, was framed by a +convention and adopted by a constituency, from both of which +women were unconstitutionally excluded, so that they have never +been allowed to vote upon the question of their own +disfranchisement. The article in the present constitution on the +right of suffrage confers it upon white male citizens, but does +not expressly limit it to such. It is claimed that from the +absence of any express limitation in the present constitution, +and from the compulsory exclusion of the parties interested from +its adoption, the political rights of women under the old +constitution still remain. Mrs. Stone stated these points to the +judges of election with clearness and precision. After +consultation, the votes of the ladies were refused. The crowd +surrounding the polls gathered about the ballot-box and listened +to the discussion with respectful attention; but every one +behaved with the politeness which gentlemen always manifest in +the presence of ladies. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The women of New Jersey may have been roused to assert their right +to vote by an earnest appeal of that veteran of equal rights, +Parker Pillsbury, in <i>The Revolution</i> of March 25, 1868, suggested +by the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>At the recent election in Vineland, New Jersey, a unanimous vote +in favor of "no rum" was polled. The Vineland <i>Weekly</i> says: +"Among the incidents of the late election was the appearance of a +woman at the polls. Having provided herself with a ballot, she +marched up to the rostrum and tendered it to the chairman of the +board of registry. The veteran politician, John Kandle, covered +with blushes, was obliged to inform the lady that no one could +vote unless his name was registered.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_479" id="Page_479">[Pg 479]</a></span> She acquiesced in the +decision very readily, saying she only wished to test a +principle, and retired very quietly from the hall." </p></blockquote> + +<p>While thus mentioning the women with uncounted votes, it may be +well to embalm here a historical fact, published in April, 1868:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In the year 1824 widows were allowed to vote in New Jersey on +their husbands' tax receipts. The election officers paid great +deference to the widows on these occasions, and took particular +care to send carriages after them, so as to get their votes early +and make sure of them. The writer of this has often heard his +grandmother state that she voted for John Quincy Adams for +president of the United States when he was elected to that +office. Her name was Sarah Sparks, and she voted at Barnsboro', +her husband having died the year previous.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"> +<span class="smcap">N. M. Wallington</span>, Washington, D. C.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Miss Anthony held a spirited meeting in Rahway on Christmas eve, +December 24, 1867. The following October, 1868, Mrs. Stanton and +Miss Anthony attended a two days' convention in Vineland, and +helped to rouse the enthusiasm of the people. A friend, writing +from there, gives us the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Unitarian church in this town is highly favored in having for +its pastor a young man of progressive and thoroughly liberal +ideas. Rev. Oscar Clute is well known as an earnest advocate in +the cause of woman. Last Sunday the communion or Lord's Supper +was administered in his church. One of the laymen who usually +assists in the distribution of the bread and wine, was absent, +and Mr. Clute invited one of the women to officiate in his stead. +She did so in such a sweet and hospitable manner that it gave new +interest to the occasion. Even those who do not like innovations +could not find fault. And why should any one be displeased? The +Christ of the sacrament was the emancipator of women. In olden +time they had deaconesses, and in most of our churches women +constitute a majority of the communicants, so it seems +particularly appropriate that they should be served by women. +Women vote on all matters connected with this church, they are on +all "standing committees," and sometimes are chosen and act as +trustees. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Rev. Phebe A. Hanaford sends us the following reports of the +progress of the movement in this State:</p> + + +<blockquote><p>While Lucy Stone resided in New Jersey, she held several series +of meetings in the chief towns and cities before the formation of +the State Society.<a name="FNanchor_276_276" id="FNanchor_276_276"></a><a href="#Footnote_276_276" class="fnanchor">[276]</a> The agitation that began in 1867 was +probably due to her, more than to any other one person in that +State. The State society was organized in the autumn of 1867, and +from year to year its annual meetings have been held in Vineland, +Newark, Trenton, and other cities. On its list of officers<a name="FNanchor_277_277" id="FNanchor_277_277"></a><a href="#Footnote_277_277" class="fnanchor">[277]</a> +are some of the best men and women in the State.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_480" id="Page_480">[Pg 480]</a></span> Several +distinguished names from other States are among the speakers<a name="FNanchor_278_278" id="FNanchor_278_278"></a><a href="#Footnote_278_278" class="fnanchor">[278]</a> +who have taken part in their conventions. County and local +societies too have been extensively organized. These associations +have circulated tracts and appeals, memorialized the legislature, +and had various hearings before that body. At the annual meeting +held in Newark February 15, 1871, the following memorial to the +legislature, prepared by Mary F. Davis, was unanimously adopted:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>To the Honorable the Senate and General Assembly of the State of +New Jersey:</i></p> + +<p>Section 2, Article 1, of the constitution of the State of New +Jersey, expressly declares that "All political power is inherent +in the people. Government is instituted for the protection, +security, and benefit of the people, and they have the right at +all times to alter or reform the same, whenever the public good +may require it." Throughout the entire article the words "people" +and "person" are used, as if to apply to all the inhabitants of +the State. In direct contradiction to this broad and just +affirmation, section 1, article 2, begins with the restrictive +and unjust sentence: "Every white male citizen of the United +States, at the age of twenty-one years <span class="spacious">* * *</span> shall be entitled to +vote," etc., and the section ends with the specification that "no +pauper, idiot, insane person, or person convicted of a crime <span class="spacious">* * +*</span> shall enjoy the right of an elector."</p> + +<p>Of the word "white" in this article your memorialists need not +speak, as it is made a dead letter by the limitations of the +fifteenth amendment to the United States constitution. To the +second restriction, indicated by the word "male" we beg leave to +call the attention of the legislature, as we deem it unjust and +arbitrary, as well as contradictory to the spirit of the +constitution, as expressed in the first article. It is also +contrary to the precedent established by the founders of +political liberty in New Jersey. On the second of July, 1776, the +provincial congress of New Jersey, at Burlington, adopted a +constitution which remained in force until 1844; in which section +4 specified as voters, "all the inhabitants of this Colony, of +full age," etc. In 1790, a committee of the legislature reported +a bill regulating elections, in which the words "he and she" are +applied to voters, thus giving legislative endorsement to the +alleged meaning of the constitution.</p> + +<p>The legislature of 1807 departed from this wise and just +precedent, and passed an arbitrary act, in direct violation of +the constitutional provision, restricting the suffrage to white +male adult citizens, and this despotic ordinance was deliberately +endorsed by the framers of the State constitution which was +adopted in 1844. This was plainly an act of usurpation and +injustice, as thereby a large proportion of the law-abiding +citizens of the State were disfranchised, without so much as the +privilege of signifying their acceptance or rejection of the +barbarous fiat which was to rob them of the sacred right of +self-protection by means of a voice in the government, and to +reduce them to the political level of the "pauper, idiot, insane +person, or person convicted of crime."</p> + +<p>If this flagrant wrong, which was inflicted by one-half the +citizens of a free commonwealth on the other half, had been aimed +at any other than a non-aggressive and self-sacrificing class, +there would have been fierce resistance, as in the case of the +United Colonies under the British yoke. It has long been borne in +silence. "The right of voting for representatives," says Paine, +"is the primary right, by which other rights<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_481" id="Page_481">[Pg 481]</a></span> are protected. To +take away this right is to reduce man to a state of slavery, for +slavery consists in being subject to the will of another, and he +that has not a vote in the electing of representatives is in this +condition." Benjamin Franklin wrote: "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; for to be enslaved is to have governors whom +other men have set over us, and be subject to laws made by the +representatives of others, without having had representatives of +our own to give consent in our behalf." This is the condition of +the women of New Jersey. It is evident to every reasonable mind +that these unjustly disfranchised citizens should be reïnstated +in the right of suffrage. Therefore, we, your memorialists, ask +the legislature at its present session to submit to the people of +New Jersey an amendment to the constitution, striking out the +word "male" from article 2, section 1, in order that the +political liberty which our forefathers so nobly bestowed on men +and women alike, may be restored to "all inhabitants" of the +populous and prosperous State into which their brave young colony +has grown. </p></blockquote> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 396px;"> +<a name="v3_481" id="v3_481"> +<img src="images/v3_481.jpg" width="396" height="500" alt="Cornelia Collins Hussey" title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p>With but a slight change of officers and arguments, these +conventions were similar from year to year. There were on all +occasions a certain number of the clergy in opposition. At one of +these meetings the Rev. Mr. McMurdy condemned the ordination of +women for the ministry. But woman's fitness<a name="FNanchor_279_279" id="FNanchor_279_279"></a><a href="#Footnote_279_279" class="fnanchor">[279]</a> for that +profession was successfully vindicated by Lucretia Mott and Phebe +A. Hanaford. Mrs. Portia Gage writes, December 12, 1873:</p> + +<blockquote><p>There was an election held by the order of the township committee +of Landis, to vote on the subject of bonding the town to build +shoe and other factories. The call issued was for all legal +voters. I went with some ten or twelve other women, all +taxpayers. We offered our votes, claiming that we were citizens +of the United States, and of the State of New Jersey, also +property-holders in and residents of Landis township, and wished +to express our opinion on the subject of having our property +bonded. Of course our votes were not accepted, whilst every +<i>tatterdemalion</i> in town, either black or white, who owned no +property, stepped up and very pompously said what he would like +to have done with his property. For the first time our claim to +vote seemed to most of the voters to be a just one. They gathered +together in groups and got quite excited over the injustice of +refusing our vote and accepting those of men who paid no taxes. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1879, the Woman's Political Science Club<a name="FNanchor_280_280" id="FNanchor_280_280"></a><a href="#Footnote_280_280" class="fnanchor">[280]</a> was formed in +Vineland, which held its meetings semi-monthly, and discussed a +wide range of subjects. Among the noble women in New Jersey who +have stood for many years steadfast representatives of the suffrage +movement, Cornelia Collins Hussey of Orange is worthy of mention. A +long line of radical and brave ancestors<a name="FNanchor_281_281" id="FNanchor_281_281"></a><a href="#Footnote_281_281" class="fnanchor">[281]</a> made it comparatively +easy for her to advocate an unpopular<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_482" id="Page_482">[Pg 482]</a></span> cause. Her father, Stacy B. +Collins, identified with the anti-slavery movement, was also an +advocate of woman's right to do whatever she could even to the +exercise of the suffrage. He maintained that the tax-payer should +vote regardless of sex, and as years passed on he saw clearly that +not alone the tax-payer, but every citizen of the United States +governed and punished by its laws, had a just and natural right to +the ballot in a country claiming to be republican. The following +beautiful tribute to his memory, by Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, is +found in a letter to his daughter:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">London</span>, July 27, 1873.</p> + +<p>My last letter from America brought me the sad intelligence of +your dear father's departure from amongst you; and I cannot +refrain from at once writing and begging you to accept the +sincere sympathy and inevitable regret which I feel for your +loss. The disappearance of an old friend brings up the long past +times vividly to my remembrance—the time when, impelled by +irresistible spiritual necessity, I strove to lead a useful but +unusual life, and was able to face, with the energy of youth, +both social prejudice and the hindrance of poverty. I have to +recall those early days to show how precious your father's +sympathy and support were to me in that difficult time; and how +highly I respected his moral courage in steadily, for so many +years, encouraging the singular woman doctor, at whom everybody +looked askance, and in passing whom so many women held their +clothes aside, lest they should touch her. I know in how many +good and noble things your father took part; but, to me, this +brave advocacy of woman as physician, in that early time, seems +the noblest of his actions. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Speaking of the general activity of the women of Orange, Mrs. +Hussey says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Women's Club of Orange was started in 1871. It is a social +and literary club, and at present (1885) numbers about eighty +members. Meetings are held in the rooms of the New England +Society once in two weeks, and a reception, with refreshments, +given at the house of some member once a year. Some matter of +interest is discussed at each regular meeting. This is not an +equal suffrage club, yet a steady growth in that direction is +very evident. Very good work has been done by this club. An +evening school for girls was started by it, and taught by the +members for awhile, until adopted by the board of education, a +boys' evening school being already in operation. Under the +arrangements of the club, a course of lectures on physiology, by +women, was recently given in Orange, and well attended. At the +house of one of the members a discussion was held on this +subject: "Does the Private Character of the Actor Concern the +Public?" Although the subject was a general one, the discussion +was really upon the proper course in regard to M'lle Sarah +Bernhardt, who had recently arrived in the country. Reporters +from the New York <i>Sun</i> attended the meeting, so that the views +of the club of Orange gained quite a wide celebrity. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Of Mrs. Hussey's remarks, the Newark <i>Journal</i> said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The sentiments of the first speaker, Mrs. Cornelia C. Hussey, +were generally approved, and therefore are herewith given in +full: "I have so often maintained in argument that one has no +right to honor those whose lives are a dishonor to virtue or +principle, that I cannot see any other side to our question than +the affirmative. That the stage wields a potent influence cannot +be doubted. Let the plays be immoral, and its influence must be +disastrous to virtue. Let the known character of the actor be +what we cannot respect, the glamour which his genius or talent +throws around that bad character will tend to diminish our +discrimination between virtue and vice, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_483" id="Page_483">[Pg 483]</a></span> our distaste for the +latter. Some one says: 'Let me write the songs of a nation, and I +care not who makes the laws.' The poetry that Byron wrote, +together with his well-known contempt for a virtuous life, is +said to have had a very pernicious influence on the young men of +his time, and probably, too, blinded the eyes of the young women. +I recall being quite startled by reading the essay of Whittier on +Byron, which showed him as he was, and not with the halo of his +great genius thrown around his vices. It seemed to me that our +national government dethroned virtue when it sent a homicide, if +not a murderer, to represent us at a foreign court; and again +when it sent as minister to another court on the continent a man +whose private character was well known to be thoroughly immoral. +Even to trifle with virtue, or to be a coward in the cause of +principle, is a fearful thing; but when, a person comes before +the public, saying by his life that he prefers the pleasures of +sin to the paths of virtue, it seems to me that the way is +plain—to withhold our patronage as a matter of public policy."</p> + +<p>On the Fourth of July, 1874, Mrs. Lillie Devereux Blake was +invited to make the usual address in East Orange, which she did +before a large audience in the public hall. Says the <i>Journal</i>: +"Mrs. Blake's speech was characterized by simplicity of style and +appropriateness of sentiment." She made mention of Molly Pitcher, +Mrs. Borden and Mrs. Hall of New Jersey, and of noted women of +other States, who did good service in Revolutionary times, when +the country needed the help of her daughters as well as her sons.</p> + +<p>In the summer of 1876 a noteworthy meeting was held in Orange in +the interest of women. A number of ladies and gentlemen met in my +parlor to listen to statements in relation to what is called the +"social evil," to be made by the Rev. J. P. Gledstone and Mr. +Henry J. Wilson, delegates from the "British, Continental and +General Federation for the Abolition of Government Regulation of +Prostitution." It is due to the English gentlemen to say that +they gave some very strong reasons for bringing the disagreeable +subject before the meeting, and that they handled it with +becoming delicacy, though with great plainness.</p> + +<p>"Ann A. Horton, who died in June, 1875, at the Old Ladies' Home, +Newark, bequeathed $2,000 to Princeton College, to found a +scholarship to be called by her name." Would not the endowment of +a "free bed" in Mrs. Horton's true alma-mater, the Old Ladies' +Home, have been a far wiser bequest than the foundation of a +scholarship in Princeton—a college which, while fattening on +enormous dole received from women, offers them nothing in return? </p></blockquote> + +<p>In relation to the law giving the mothers of New Jersey some legal +claim to their children, Mrs. Hussey writes:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I have often heard it said that Kansas is the only State where +the married mother has any legal ownership in her children; but +the women of New Jersey have enjoyed this <i>privilege</i> since 1871, +when it was gained for them by the efforts of Mrs. Ann H. +Connelly of Rahway. She was an American woman, the mother of one +daughter, and unhappily married. She desired to be divorced from +her husband, but she knew that in such case he might legally take +her child from her. Such a risk could not be thought of for a +moment; so she applied to the legislature for a change of the +law. She was assisted by many influential citizens, both men and +women; petitions largely signed were presented, and the result +was the amendment of the law making the mother and father equal +in the ownership of their children. When a copy of the new law +appeared in our papers I wrote to Mrs. Connelly, inclosing a +resolution of thanks from the Essex County Woman Suffrage +Society, of which I was then secretary. In her reply she said: +"This unexpected and distinguishing recognition of my imperfect, +but earnest, efforts for justice is inexpressibly gratifying." +Several years after, I went with my daughter to Rahway to see +Mrs. Connelly. She seemed to be well known and much respected. +She was teaching in one of the public schools, but seemed quite +feeble in health. In 1881 I saw the notice of her death. She was +a woman of much intelligence, and strongly interested in +suffrage, and should certainly be held in grateful remembrance by +the mothers of New Jersey, to whom she restored<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_484" id="Page_484">[Pg 484]</a></span> the right which +nature gave them, but which men had taken away by mistaken +legislation. </p></blockquote> + +<p>This law of February 21, 1871, composed of several acts purporting +to give fathers and mothers equal rights in cases of separation and +divorce, is not so liberal as it seems in considering this +provision:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Upon a decree of divorce the court may make such further decree +as may be deemed expedient concerning the custody and maintenance +of minor children, and determine with which of the parents the +children shall remain. </p></blockquote> + +<p>This act, though declaring that the mother and father are equal, +soon shows by its specifications that the courts can dispose of all +woman's interests and affections as they may see fit. What avails a +decree of divorce or separation for woman, if the court can give +the children to the father at its pleasure? Here is the strong cord +by which woman is held in bondage, and the courts, all composed of +men, know this, and act on it in their decisions.</p> + +<p>A petition was addressed to the constitutional commission of 1873, +requesting an amendment restoring to the women of New Jersey their +original right to vote, which that body decided would be +"inexpedient." A bill introduced in the legislature by Senator +Cutler, of Morris county, making women eligible to the office of +school-trustee, became a law March 25, 1873:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Be it enacted, That hereafter no person shall be eligible to the +office of school-trustee, unless he or she can read and write; +and women who are residents in the district and over twenty years +of age, shall also be eligible to the office of school-trustee, +and may hold such office and perform the duties of the same, when +duly elected by ten votes of the district.—[Chap. 386. </p></blockquote> + +<p>February 26, 1874, a law for the better protection of the property +of married women was passed:</p> + +<blockquote><p>1. Be it enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State +of New Jersey, That any married woman who now is, or may +hereafter become, entitled, by gift, devise or bequest, to any +contingent estate, or any interest in any real or personal +property or estate, may, with the concurrence of her husband, +compound and receipt for, assign and convey the same, in all +cases where she lawfully might, if a <i>feme sole</i>; and every +release, receipt, assignment, discharge, agreement, covenant, or +contract, thereupon entered into by her in regard to the same and +to the said property, shall be as valid and binding in every +respect, upon her, her heirs, executors, administrators, and +assigns, and any and all persons claiming under her, them or +either of them, as if she were at the time of entering into the +same, a <i>feme sole</i>, and when duly executed and acknowledged in +the manner provided by law for conveyance of real estate, may be +recorded in the surrogate's office, and whenever it relates to +real estate in the clerk's or recorder's office, of the proper +county or counties, in the same manner and with like effect as +other receipts and discharges may now be recorded therein. 2. And +be it enacted. That this act shall take effect immediately. </p></blockquote> + +<p>A most remarkable trial, lately held in Newark, New Jersey, which +involved the question whether it was contrary to Scripture, and a +violation of the rules of the Presbyterian Church, to admit women +to the pulpit, is well reported by the New York <i>World</i>, January 1, +1877:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Since the time that the Rev. Theodore Cuyler was obliged by the +Presbytery of Long Island to apologize for inviting Miss Sarah +Smiley, the Quaker preacher, to occupy the pulpit of the +Lafayette Avenue Church in Brooklyn, the question of the right of +women<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_485" id="Page_485">[Pg 485]</a></span> to preach in Presbyterian churches, has come up in various +parts of the country, but has never been brought judicially +before any ecclesiastical body until yesterday, when it occupied +the attention of the Newark Presbytery, under the following +circumstances. October 29, 1876, Mrs. L. S. Robinson and Mrs. C. +S. Whiting, two ladies who were much interested in the temperance +movement, asked and received permission of the Rev. Isaac M. See, +of the Wickliffe Presbyterian Church at Newark, to occupy his +pulpit, morning and evening of that day. They accordingly +addressed the congregation on the subject of temperance. To this +the Rev. E. R. Craven, of the Third Presbyterian Church, of +Newark, objected, and brought before the Newark Presbytery the +following charge:</p> + +<p>"The undersigned charges the Rev. Isaac M. See, pastor of the +Wickliffe Church, of Newark, N. J., a member of your body, with +disobedience to the divinely enacted ordinance in reference to +the public speaking and teaching of women in churches, as +recorded in I. Corinthians, xiv., 33 to 37, and I. Timothy, ii., +13, in that: First specification—On Sunday, October 29, 1876, in +the Wickliffe Church of the city of Newark, N. J., he did, in the +pulpit of the said church, and before the congregation there +assembled for public worship at the usual hour of the morning +service, viz., 10:30 <span class="smcap">a.m.</span>, introduce a woman, whom he permitted +and encouraged then and there publicly to preach and teach." The +second specification is couched in similar language, except that +it charges Mr. See with introducing another woman at the evening +service upon the same day. The charge was presented at the +regular meeting of the Presbytery, a short time ago, and the +hearing of the case was adjourned until yesterday. The meeting +was held in the lecture room of the Second Presbyterian Church in +Washington street. Rev. John L. Wells, pastor of the Bethany +Mission Chapel, presided, and there was a fair attendance of the +members of the body. Of the audience at least nine-tenths were +women.<a name="FNanchor_282_282" id="FNanchor_282_282"></a><a href="#Footnote_282_282" class="fnanchor">[282]</a> Dr. Craven, the prosecutor, sat on the front row of +seats, near to the clerk's table, while Dr. See, who is very +stout, with a double chin, and the picture of good-nature, sat in +the rear of the members of the Presbytery, and among the front +rows of spectators. Dr. McIllvaine introduced the following +resolution:</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That this charge, by common consent of the parties, +be dismissed at this stage of the proceedings, with affectionate +council to the Rev. Dr. See not to go contrary to the usages of +the Presbyterian Church for the future.</p> + +<p>This brought Brother See to his feet. He could not, he said, +assent to Brother McIllvaine's resolution. He had not consented +that the charge should be dismissed, as in the resolution. +Brother McIllvaine expressed himself as sure that Brother See had +consented, but Brother See was again equally sure that he had +not. Some member here suggested that Dr. Craven should first have +been asked if he consented to dismiss the charge, and this +brought that gentleman to his feet. A more complete antithesis to +Dr. See cannot be imagined. He is tall, gaunt, with full beard +and mustache, short, bristling hair, that stands upright in a row +from the centre of his forehead to the crown of his head. He said +that at the request of Dr. McIllvaine and another respected +member of the Presbytery he had said that if the party charged +would give full and free consent to the resolution, he would also +assent; "and," he added, "such is now my position." Dr. +McIllvaine then gave at length his reasons for desiring to arrest +the case where it was. No good could come of its discussion, and +the result could not but be productive of discord. The Moderator +reminded Dr. See that they waited for an answer from him.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_486" id="Page_486">[Pg 486]</a></span></p> + +<p>Dr. See—May we have a season of prayer, sir? The Moderator said +there was no objection. Dr. See explained that the matter at +issue was not a personal one; it was a question as to the meaning +of the Scriptures upon a certain point, and he was there simply +to know what the Presbytery would do. Rev. Drs. Brinsmayd and +Fewsmith then prayed, but Dr. See's frame of mind was not in the +least changed. He still insisted that his was the passive part, +to sit and see what they would do with his case. Rev. Dr. Wilson +thought that if Brother See did not desire to do anything +contrary to the usages of the church, he might say so. Brother +See said it was a question of whether God Almighty had said +certain things or not, and that he could not answer. In his +formal answer to the charge the accused then said: "I believe +myself to be not guilty of the charge, but I admit the +specifications." Dr. Craven, in his speech, said it was in no +spirit of animosity that he had brought the charge. He believed +that the law of God had been broken in this case; not designedly, +perhaps, but really. A custom had found lodgment in a +Presbyterian church that would impair its efficiency and would +also injure woman in the sphere which she was called upon by God +to fill. No judicial decision had been arrived at upon this +question. The case of Dr. Cuyler was the first that had come +before a Presbytery, and that was hardly a trial of the question. +"Why should I," he continued, "bring this charge? Because I have +felt it to be wrong, and feeling thus, resolved to take the duty +upon myself, painful and agonizing as the task may be. I deem it +my duty to God to do so." Dr. See (<i>sotto voce</i>)—"And the Lord +will bless you for it."</p> + +<p>Dr. Craven, continuing, read the passages of Scripture referred +to in this charge. He did not, he said, affirm that woman had no +work in the church. She had a great and glorious sphere; she had +no right to teach and speak in public meetings, but she could +teach children and ignorant men in private. He would not affirm +that some women could not preach as well as, or better than some +men, and he did not know but that in the future she might occupy +the platform on an equality with men; but at present she could +not, and it was expressly forbidden in the passages which he had +read. "You may run to hear another man's wife preach, or another +man's daughter," said he, "but who would have his own wife stand +upon the platform, or his own daughter face the mob? Woman is the +heart of man, but man is the head. Let woman go upon the +platform, and she loses that shrinking modesty that gives her +such power over children. What child would wish to have a +public-speaking mother? I trust this evil will not creep in upon +the church. I felt bound to resist it at the outset, and unless I +am convinced of my error shall withstand it to the death." +<span class="spacious">* * * *</span></p> + +<p>January 2, 1877, Rev. Dr. See continued his defense of himself +for letting a woman into his pulpit. Then the roll was called for +the views of the Presbytery. Dr. McIllvaine said that the two +sources of light, as he understood it, were the teachings of the +Lord and his disciples. The Lord didn't select women for his +twelve, and vacancies were not filled by women. It wasn't a woman +who was chosen to do Paul's work. He was the chosen teacher of +the church in that and all succeeding ages, and he had said, "I +suffer not women to teach, or to usurp authority in the church." +Dr. Brinsmade, who was the pastor of the Wickliffe Church before +Dr. See was called there, admitted that women could preach well, +but thought the Presbytery had better stick by the divine +command. Dr. Canfield also agreed with Paul. He loved women and +loved their work, but it seemed from the experience of the world +that God intended that the pulpit should be the place for men. +Such, at any rate, had been the principle and the practice of the +Presbyterian Church; and if Brother See could not conform to its +rules, he would say to him, "Go, brother; there are other +churches in which you can find a place." Dr. Canfield was called +to order for that addendum. Dr. Hutchings, of Orange, referred to +the ancient justification of slavery from the Bible, and in view +of honest differences of construction accepted by the church, +thought the question should be left to the discretion of pastors +and church-sessions. Rev. Jonathan F. Stearns, pastor of the +First Church, demurred to this and stood by the Scripture text. +Nine-tenths of the ladies of the church, he said, would vote +against preaching by women.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_487" id="Page_487">[Pg 487]</a></span></p> + +<p>Rev. James E. Wilson, pastor of the South Park Church, said that +in churches where women had been permitted to preach, they had +lost ground. "I have never heard a Quaker woman," said he, +"preach a sermon worth three cents (laughter), and yet I have +heard the spirit move them to get up and speak at most improper +times and on most inopportune occasions, and have heard them say +most improper and impertinent things." In the Methodist Church he +did not believe that there were over twenty-five women preachers, +so the women were losing ground, and not gaining. Even the woman +suffragists, who made so much noise a few years ago, had +subsided, and he did not believe there were a hundred agitators +in the whole country now. "See," he said, "where Brother See's +argument would carry him. Any woman that has the spirit upon her +may speak, and so, by and by, two or three women may walk up into +Brother See's pulpit and say,'Come down; it's our turn now, we +are moved by the spirit.' (Laughter). A woman's voice was against +her preaching; a man's voice came out with a 'thud,' but a woman +spoke soft and pleasing; however, here were the plain words of +the text, and any man that could throw it overboard could throw +over the doctrine of the atonement. If a mother should teach her +son from the pulpit by preaching to him, thus disobeying the +plain words of the apostle, she must not be surprised if her son +went contrary to some other teaching of the apostle. But the fact +was, the women did not desire to preach; otherwise they would +have preached long ago. He rejoiced when that convention of +temperance women assembled in Newark, but he could not help +pitying their husbands and families away out in Chicago and +elsewhere. (Laughter).</p> + +<p>Rev. Ferd. Smith, the pastor of the Second Church, said the +president of the Woman's Temperance Union had asked him if they +could have the use of the church, and he had said "yes"; "and," +said Dr. Smith, "I am glad that I did it, and I am sorry that I +was not there to hear the address; and now, brethren, I am going +to confess that I have sinned a little in this matter of women +preaching. Two or three years ago I went and heard Miss Smiley +preach. I had heard in the morning—I won't mention his name—one +of the most distinguished men of the country preach a very able +sermon—a very long one, too. [Laughter.] I had heard in the +afternoon a doctor of divinity; I don't see him here now, but I +have seen him, and I won't mention his name; and I heard Miss +Smiley in the evening. It may be heresy to say it, but I do think +I was more fed that evening than I had been by both the others; +but I do not on that account say that it is good for women to go, +as a regular thing, into the pulpit. If I had heard her a dozen +times, I should not have been so much moved. Woman-preaching may +do for a little time, but it won't do for a permanency. I heard +at Old Orchard, at a temperance convention, the most beautiful +argument I ever listened to, delivered with grace and modesty and +power. The words fell like dew upon the heart, enriching it, and +the speaker was Miss Willard; but for all this, brethren, I do +not approve of women preaching. [Great laughter.] We must not, +for the sake of a little good, sacrifice a great principle." Dr. +Pollock of Lyons Farms wanted to shelter women, to prevent them +from being talked about as ministers are and criticised as +ministers are; it was for this that he would keep them out of the +pulpit. Rev. Drs. Findley and Prentiss de Neuve were in favor of +sustaining the charge. Rev. Dr. Haley contended that Brother See +ought not to be condemned, because he had not offended against +any law of the church. Drs. Seibert, Ballantine and Hopwood spoke +in favor of sustaining the charge. A vote of 16 to 12 found Rev. +Dr. See guilty of violating the Scriptures by allowing women to +preach, and the case was appealed to the General Assembly. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The General Assembly adopted the following report on this case:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Rev. Isaac W. See, pastor of the Wickliffe Church, Newark, N. +J., was charged by Rev. Elijah R. Craven, D. D., with +disobedience to the divinely enacted ordinance in reference to +the public speaking and teaching of women in the churches as +recorded in I Corinthians, xiv., 33-37, and in I Timothy, ii., +11-13, in that twice on a specified Sabbath, in the pulpit of his +said church, at the usual time of public service, he did +introduce a woman, whom he permitted and encouraged then and +there publicly to preach and teach.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_488" id="Page_488">[Pg 488]</a></span></p> + +<p>The Presbytery of Newark sustained the charge, and from its +decision Mr. See appealed to the synod of New Jersey, which +refused by a decided vote to sustain the appeal, expressing its +judgment in a minute of which the following is a part:</p> + +<p>In sustaining the Presbytery of Newark as against the appeal of +the Rev. I. M. See, the synod holds that the passages of +scripture referred to in the action of the Presbytery, do +prohibit the fulfilling by women of the offices of public +preachers in the regular assemblies of the church.</p> + +<p>From this decision Mr. See has further appealed to the General +Assembly, which, having thereupon proceeded to issue the appeal, +and having fully heard the original parties and members of the +inferior judicatory, decided that the said appeal from the synod +of New Jersey be not sustained by the following vote: To sustain, +85. To sustain in part, 71. Not to sustain, 201. </p></blockquote> + +<p>From the following description by Mrs. Devereux Blake, we have +conclusive evidence of woman's capacity to govern under most trying +circumstances:</p> + +<blockquote><p>A certain little woman living in Jersey City has, from time to +time, occupied a portion of public consideration; this is Mrs. +Ericka C. Jones, for four years and a half warden of the Hudson +county jail, probably the only woman in the world who holds such +a position. Her history is briefly this: Some seven years ago her +husband obtained the appointment of jailor at this institution, +and moved to it with his bride. From the time of their incoming a +marked improvement in the administration of the jail became +apparent, which continued, when, after two years, Mr. Jones was +stricken down with softening of the brain, which reduced him to a +condition of idiocy for six months before his death. When at last +this occurred, by unanimous vote of the board of freeholders the +woman who had really performed the duties of jailor was appointed +warden of Hudson county jail. All this has been a matter of +report in the papers, as well as the attempt to oust her from the +position, which was made last fall, when certain male politicians +wanted the place for some friend and voter, and appealed to +Attorney-General Vanetta, who gave an opinion adverse to the +lady's claims. Resolutions on the subject were passed by various +woman suffrage societies, and anxious to see the subject of so +much dispute, and hear her story from her own lips, a party of +ladies was made up to call upon her.</p> + +<p>Hudson-county jail stands in the same inclosure with the +court-house, a small, neatly-kept park, well shaded by fine +trees, and being on very high ground commands a view over the +North River and New York Bay. The building is a substantial one +of stone, with nothing of the repulsive aspect of a jail about +it. Asking for Mrs. Jones, we were at once shown into the office. +We had expected to see a woman of middle age and somewhat stern +aspect. Instead, we beheld a pretty, young person, apparently not +more than twenty-five years old, with bright, black eyes, waving +brown hair, good features and plump figure. She was very neatly +dressed and pleasant in manner, making us cordially welcome. We +were conducted into the parlor and at once begged her to tell us +all about her case, which she did very clearly and concisely. +When she was left a widow with two little children she had no +idea that this place would be given her, but it was tendered to +her by unanimous vote of the board of freeholders. At that time +there were in jail three desperate criminals, Proctor, Demsing +and Foley, bank robbers, and some persons feared that a woman +could not hold them, but they were safely transferred at the +proper time from the jail to the state-prison. "And," she added, +with a bright smile, "I never have lost a prisoner, which is more +than many men-jailors can say. Some of them tried to escape last +fall, but I had warning in time, sent for the police, and the +attempt was prevented."</p> + +<p>"And do you think there is any danger of your being turned out?" +"I don't know. I intend to remain in the place until the end of +my term, if possible, since as long as the effort to dismiss me +is based solely on the ground of my sex and not of my +incompetency, it ought justly to be resisted." "But +Attorney-General Vanetta gave<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_489" id="Page_489">[Pg 489]</a></span> an adverse opinion as to the +legality of your appointment?" "Yes, but ex-Attorney-General +Robert Gilchrist, a very able lawyer, has given an opinion in my +favor, while Mr. Lippincott, counsel of the board when I was +appointed, also held that I was eligible for the place."</p> + +<p>She then went on to tell us some of the petty persecutions and +indirect measures Which have been resorted to in order to induce +her to resign, as her term of office will not expire for two +years. When her husband was given the position, the allowance +consisted of 40 cents a day for each prisoner, 50 cents for each +sick person, 25 cents for every committal, and 12½ cents for +every discharge. The daily allowance has been cut down from 40 to +25 cents, and all the other allowances have been entirely done +away with. She is, therefore, at this moment running that jail on +25 cents a day for each prisoner. Out of this sum she must pay +for all food, all salaries of assistant jailors, etc., all wages +of servants, and even the furniture of the place. She is supplied +with fuel and gas, but no stores of any description. She has also +had other annoyances. The payment of money justly due has been +opposed or delayed; and whereas her husband was required to give +bond for only $5,000, she has been forced to give one for +$10,000. She has also been troubled by the visits of persons +representing themselves to be reporters of papers, who have +wished to borrow money of her, and failing in this, have printed +disagreeable articles about her. She has, of course, no salary +whatever. "However, I do as well as I can with the money I +receive," she said, with that pleasant smile. "And now would you +like to see the jail?" <span class="spacious">* * * *</span></p> + +<p>Ex-Attorney Gilchrist's opinion on her case is an able +indorsement of her position. He says, in the first place, that as +Attorney-General Vanetta's adverse view was not given officially, +it is not binding on the Board of Freeholders, and then goes on +to cite precedents. "Alice Stubbs, in 1787, was appointed +overseer of the poor in the county of Stafford, England, and the +Court of King's Bench sustained her in the office. A woman was +appointed governor of the work-house at Chelmsford, England, and +the court held it to be a good appointment. Lady Brangleton was +appointed keeper of the Gate-House jail in London. Lady Russell +was appointed keeper of the Castle of Dunnington. All these cases +are reported in <i>Stranges R.</i>, as clearly establishing the right +and duty of woman to hold office. The case of Ann, Countess of +Pembroke, Dorsett and Montgomery, who was sheriff of +Westmoreland, is very well known." The opinion winds up by +saying: "The argument that a woman is incompetent to perform the +duties of such an office is doubly answered—first, by the array +of cases in which it is held that she is competent; second, by +the resolution of the board when Mrs. Jones was appointed, that +she had for a long time prior thereto actually kept the jail +while her husband was jailor." How this whole matter would be +simplified if women could vote and hold office, so that merit and +not sex should be the only qualification for any place.—<i>New +York Record, 1876.</i> </p></blockquote> + +<p>The following incident shows not only what physical training will +do in giving a girl self-reliance in emergencies, but it shows the +nice sense of humor that grows out of conscious power with which a +girl can always take a presuming youth at disadvantage. No doubt +Miss McCosh, as a student in Princeton, could as easily distance +her compeers in science, philosophy and the languages, as she did +the dude on the highway. Why not open the doors of that institution +and let her make the experiment?</p> + +<blockquote><p>The distinguished president of Princeton College, Dr. McCosh, has +two daughters who are great walkers. They are in the habit of +going to Trenton and back, a distance of about twenty miles, +where they do their shopping. One day a dude accosted Miss +Bridget on the road, and said, in the usual manner: "Beg pardon, +but may I walk with you?" She replied, "Certainly," and quickened +her pace a little. After the first half-mile the masher began to +gasp, and then, as she passed on with a smile, he sat down +panting on a mile-stone, and mopped the perspiration from his +brow. </p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_490" id="Page_490">[Pg 490]</a></span></p> + +<p>At the sixteenth national convention, held in Washington, March, +1884, the State was well represented;<a name="FNanchor_283_283" id="FNanchor_283_283"></a><a href="#Footnote_283_283" class="fnanchor">[283]</a> Mrs. Hanaford gave an +address on "New Jersey as a Leader." In her letter to the +convention, Mrs. Hussey wrote:</p> + +<blockquote><p>An old gentleman, Aaron Burr Harrison, a resident of East Orange, +has just passed on to his long home, full of +years—eighty-eight—and with a good record. He told me about his +sister's voting in New jersey, when he was a child—probably +about 1807. The last time I took a petition for woman suffrage to +him, he signed it willingly, and his daughter also. </p></blockquote> + +<p>February 12, 1884, a special committee of the New Jersey Assembly +granted a hearing<a name="FNanchor_284_284" id="FNanchor_284_284"></a><a href="#Footnote_284_284" class="fnanchor">[284]</a> on the petition of Mrs. Celia B. Whitehead, +and 220 other citizens of Bloomfield, asking the restoration of +woman's right to vote; fully one-half of the members of the +Assembly were present. Mrs. Seagrove handed the committee an +ancient printed copy of the original constitution of New Jersey, +dated July 2, 1776. The name of James Seagrove, her husband's +grandfather, is endorsed upon it in his own hand-writing. In the +suffrage clause of this document the words "all inhabitants" were +substituted for those of "male freeholders" in the provincial +charter. Hence the constitution of 1776 gave suffrage to women and +men of color. Mrs. Seagrove made an appeal on behalf of the women +of the State. Mr. Blackwell gave a résumé of the unconstitutional +action of the legislature in its depriving women of their right to +vote. Mrs. Hanaford, in answer to a question of the committee, +claimed the right for women not only to vote but to hold office; +and instanced from her own observation the need of women as police +officers, and especially as matrons in the police stations. The +result of these appeals may be seen in a paragraph from the Boston +<i>Commonwealth</i>, a paper in hearty sympathy:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In the lower House of the New Jersey legislature a Democratic +member recently moved that the word "male" be stricken from the +constitution of the State. After some positive discussion a +non-partisan vote of 27 to 24 defeated the motion. This +occurrence, it is to be observed, is chronicled of one of the +most conservative States in the Union. The arguments used on both +sides were not new or remarkable. But the vote was very close. If +such a measure could in so conservative a State be nearly +carried, we can have reasonable hope of its favorable reception, +in more radical sections. In New Jersey we did not expect success +for the resolution proposed. The favorable votes really surprised +us. We do not mistake the omen. Gradually the point of woman's +responsibility is being conceded. The arbitrary lines now drawn +politically and socially are without reason. Indeed, one of the +members of the New Jersey Assembly called attention to the fact +that to grant suffrage now would not be the conferring of a new +gift on women, but only a restoration of rights exercised in +colonial times. </p></blockquote> +</blockquote> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<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> See <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_447">Vol. I., page 447</a>.</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. Pryor lived formerly in Waterloo, New York. She +was present at the first convention at Seneca Falls, and sustained +the demand for woman suffrage with earnest sympathy. I have been +indebted to her for a splendid housekeeper, trained by her in all +domestic accomplishments, who lived in my family for thirty years, +a faithful, devoted friend to me and my children. Much that I have +enjoyed and accomplished in life is due to her untiring and +unselfish services. My cares were the lighter for all the heavy +burdens she willingly took on her shoulders. The name of Amelia +Willard should always be mentioned with loving praise by me and +mine. Her sympathies have ever been in our reform. When Abby Kelly +was a young girl, speaking through New York in the height of the +anti-slavery mobs, Margaret Pryor traveled with her for company and +protection. Abby used to say she always felt safe when she could +see Margaret Pryor's Quaker bonnet.—[E. C. S.</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> In a letter to Mary F. Davis, February 13, 1882, +asking her for some facts in regard to that period, Lucy Stone +says: "I have never kept any diary or record of my work. I have +been too busy with the work itself. I could not answer your +questions without a search among old letters and papers, which have +been packed away for years, and I have not time to make the search, +and cannot be accurate without. I know we had many meetings in New +Jersey in all the large towns, beginning in Newark and Orange, and +following the line of the railroad to Trenton, Camden, and +Vineland, and then another series that included towns reached by +stage, Salem being one, but I cannot tell whether these meetings +were before or after the formation of the State Society." The +records show that they were before, says Mrs. Davis; newspaper +reports of them are in the archives of the Historical Society.</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> <i>President</i>, Lucy Stone, Roseville; +<i>Vice-Presidents</i>, Antoinette Brown Blackwell, Thomas B. Peddie, +Portia Gage, Rev. Robert McMurdy, Cornelia Collins Hussey, George +T. Cobb, Sarah E. Webb, Dr. James Brotherton, Isaac Stevens, Rev. +H. A. Butler, A. J. Davis, James H. Nixon, Dr. G. H. Haskell, I. M. +Peebles, Rev. C. H. Dezanne, William Baldwin; <i>Corresponding +Secretaries</i>, Phebe A. Pierson, Miss P. Fowler; <i>Recording +Secretary</i>, C. A. Paul; <i>Treasurer</i>, S. G. Silvester; <i>Executive +Committee</i>, Mary F. Davis, Mrs. E. L. Bush, H. B. Blackwell, Rev. +Oscar Clute, Miss Charlotte Bathgate, Rowland Johnson, Mrs. Robert +McMurdy, Dr. D. N. Allen, Sarah Pierson, Lizzie Prentice, W. D. +Conan, John Whitehead.</p></div> + +<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> Among those who addressed the conventions and the +legislature we find the names of Lucretia Mott, Ernestine L. Rose, +Lucy Stone, Antoinette Brown Blackwell, Mary F. Davis, Charlotte B. +Wilbour, Elizabeth R. Churchill, Elizabeth A. Kingsbury, Deborah +Butler, Olive F. Stevens, Rev. Phebe A. Hanaford, Mrs. Devereux +Blake, Rev. Oscar Clute, Rev. Olympia Brown, Rev. Mr. McMurdy, Mr. +Taylor, John Whitehead, Mrs. Seagrove, Henry B. Blackwell, Hon. +James Scovell.</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> This has been well illustrated by Mrs. Hanaford in +her own case, she having preached for nearly twenty years with but +three changes of place, and ten of these passed successively in the +Universalist churches in Jersey City.—[E. C. S.</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> <span class="smcap">Vineland</span>, July 15, 1879.—Club met at the residence +of Mrs. Bristol. The meeting was opened with music by Mrs. +Parkhurst, followed by a recitation by Miss Etta Taylor. Mrs. +Andrew read an excellent essay, opposing the national bank system. +Mrs. Bristol gave an instructive lesson in political economy on +"Appropriation." The next lesson will be upon "Changes of Matter in +Place." Appropriate remarks were made by Mrs. Neyman of New York, +Mr. Broom, Mrs. Duffey and Mr. Bristol. Several new names were +added to the list of membership. Miss Etta Taylor gave another +recitation, which closed the exercises of the afternoon. In the +evening a pleasant reception was held, and many invited guests were +present. The exercises consisted of vocal and instrumental music, +social converse and dancing. The club will meet again in two +weeks.—[<span class="smcap">C. L. Ladd</span>, <i>Secretary</i>.</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> Isaac Collins, her grandfather, died at Burlington, +March 21, 1817, a man remarkable alike for his uprightness, +industry, intelligence and enterprise. He was a Quaker by birth and +conviction, and a printer, appointed by King George III. for the +province of New Jersey. He printed many valuable books, almanacs, +Bibles, revised laws, government money, and a weekly paper, <i>The +New Jersey Gazette</i>. In making his will he so divided his property +that each of his six daughters received twice the sum that he gave +to each of the seven sons. This he explained by saying that the +latter could go into business and support themselves, but his +daughters must have enough to live upon, if they chose to remain +single; he did not wish them to be forced to marry for a support.</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> In the audience were several advocates of woman +suffrage, probably there to take observations of the manner in +which Christian clergymen conduct their meetings. This class of men +had been so severe in their criticisms of woman suffrage +conventions that we hoped to learn lessons of wisdom from the +dignity, refinement and parliamentary order of their proceedings. +Among these ladies were Rev. Phebe A. Hanaford, Miss Arathusia +Forbes, Mrs. Devereux Blake and Miss Susan King of New York, a +wealthy tea-merchant and extensive traveler, and myself. That day +the Rev. Dr. Craven was the principal speaker. The whole tenor of +his remarks were so insulting to women that Miss King proposed to +send an artist the following Sunday to photograph the women +possessing so little self-respect as to sit under his +ministrations. He punctuated his four-hours' vulgar diatribe by a +series of resounding whacks with the Bible on the table before +him.—[M. J. G.</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> Rev. Phebe A. Hanaford, Miss Ellen Miles and Mrs. +Jackson of Jersey City.</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> Mrs. Theresa Walling Seagrove of Keyport, Rev. Phebe +A. Hanaford of Jersey City and Henry B. Blackwell of Boston were +the speakers.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_491" id="Page_491">[Pg 491]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XL" id="CHAPTER_XL"></a>CHAPTER XL.</h2> + +<h3>OHIO.</h3> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>The First Soldiers' Aid Society—Mrs. Mendenhall—Cincinnati +Equal Rights Association, 1868—Homeopathic Medical College and +Hospital—Hon. J. M. Ashley—State Society, 1869—Murat +Halstead's Letter—Dayton Convention, 1870—Women Protest against +Enfranchisement—Sarah Knowles Bolton—Statistics on +Coëducation—Thomas Wentworth Higginson—Woman's Crusade, +1874—Miriam M. Cole—Ladies' Health Association—Professor +Curtis—Hospital for Women and Children, 1879—Letter from J. D. +Buck, M. D.—March, 1881, Degrees Conferred on Women—Toledo +Association, 1869—Sarah Langdon Williams—<i>The Sunday +Journal</i>—<i>The Ballot-Box</i>—Constitutional Convention—Judge +Waite—Amendment Making Women Eligible to Office—Mr. Voris, +Chairman Special Committee on Woman Suffrage—State Convention, +1873—Rev. Robert McCune—Centennial Celebration—Women Decline +to Take Part—Correspondence—Newbury Association—Women Voting, +1871—Sophia Ober Allen—Annual Meeting, Painesville, 1885—State +Society, Mrs. Frances M. Casement, President—Adelbert College. </p> +</div> + + +<p><span class="sc">Early</span> in the year 1862, Cincinnati became a hospital for the army +operations under General Grant and was soon filled with wounded +heroes from Fort Donelson and Pittsburg Landing, and the women +here, as in all other cities, were absorbed in hospital and +sanitary work. To the women of Cleveland is justly due the honor of +organizing the first soldiers' aid society, a meeting being called +for this purpose five days after the fall of Fort Sumter. Through +the influence of Mrs. Mendenhall were inaugurated the great +sanitary fairs<a name="FNanchor_285_285" id="FNanchor_285_285"></a><a href="#Footnote_285_285" class="fnanchor">[285]</a> there, and by her untiring energy and that of +the ladies who labored with her, many of our brave soldiers were +restored to health. Mrs. Annie L. Quinby writes:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In the autumn of 1867 Mrs. Stanton and Miss Anthony made a +lecturing tour through Ohio and roused popular thought on the +question of suffrage. March 28, 1868, the Cincinnati Equal Rights +Association<a name="FNanchor_286_286" id="FNanchor_286_286"></a><a href="#Footnote_286_286" class="fnanchor">[286]</a> was formed, auxiliary to the National Society, +of which Lucretia Mott was president. April 7, 1869, Mrs. Ryder +called the attention of the meeting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_492" id="Page_492">[Pg 492]</a></span> to a resolution offered by +Mr. Gordon in the State legislature, to amend the constitution so +as to strike out the word male, proposing that at the October +election, "in all precincts in the State, there shall be a +separate poll, at which all white women over 21 years of age +shall be permitted to vote, and if the votes cast be a majority +of all the white women, the constitution shall be amended." Mrs. +Ryder seemed to think the proposition a very fair one, or +intended by the mover to give the women, if they wanted to vote, +the opportunity of saying so on this amendment to the +constitution. Mrs. Blangy also concurred in this view of the +subject. Mrs. Quinby expressed her indignation at the +proposition, saying she believed its passage by the legislature +would be detrimental to the cause, both on account of its +provisions and the mode of accomplishing the object of the +resolution. As it stood, it could but fail, as women were not +prepared for it at the present time, and the proposition was not +that the majority of votes cast should settle the question, but +that the number cast in favor of it should be a majority of all +the women in the State 21 years of age. She therefore thought we +should express our decided disapproval of this amendment. Mrs. +Leavitt also declared her opposition to this resolution, +believing it to have been offered for the sole purpose of +stalling the woman suffrage movement for years to come. She +thought this association should express its decided opposition to +this resolution. Mrs. Butterwood and others followed in the same +strain, and it was finally agreed unanimously that the +corresponding secretary be instructed to write to the mover of +the resolution, expressing disapprobation of some of the terms of +the amendment, with the hope that it will not pass in the form +offered, and politely requesting Mr. Gordon to define his +position as the resolution is susceptible of being construed both +for and against equal rights.</p> + +<p>At a meeting held April 21, 1869, delegates<a name="FNanchor_287_287" id="FNanchor_287_287"></a><a href="#Footnote_287_287" class="fnanchor">[287]</a> were elected to +attend the May anniversary of the American Equal Rights +Association in New York. Mrs. Margaret V. Longley was placed on +the executive committee of the National Association to represent +Ohio. On her return from New York she joined with the Cincinnati +Equal Rights Society in a call for a convention in Pike's Hall, +September 15, 16, 1869, for the organization of an Ohio State +Society.<a name="FNanchor_288_288" id="FNanchor_288_288"></a><a href="#Footnote_288_288" class="fnanchor">[288]</a> Mrs. Longley presided; the audiences were large and +enthusiastic;<a name="FNanchor_289_289" id="FNanchor_289_289"></a><a href="#Footnote_289_289" class="fnanchor">[289]</a> the press of the city gave extended reports. +Murat Halstead, editor of the Cincinnati <i>Commercial</i>, sent the +following reply to his invitation: <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_493" id="Page_493">[Pg 493]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Cincinnati</span>, July 28, 1869.</p> + +<p>Mrs. <span class="smcap">M. V. Longley</span>: <i>Dear Madam</i>—I cannot sign your call for a +woman suffrage convention, for I do not feel a serious interest +in the subject. That there are woman's wrongs that the law-makers +should right, I believe. For instance, I think married women +should hold property independently; that they should be able to +save and enjoy the fruits of their own industry; and that they +should not be absolutely in the power of lazy, dissipated or +worthless husbands. But I cannot see clearly how the possession +of the ballot would help women in the reform indicated. If, +however, a majority of the women of Ohio should signify by means +proving their active interest in the subject that they wanted to +acquire the right of suffrage, I don't think I would offer +opposition.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">M. Halstead.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Livermore and Miss Anthony made some amusing strictures on Mr. +Halstead's letter, which called out laughter and cheers from the +audience. April 27 and 28, 1870, a mass-meeting was held in Dayton. +Describing the occasion, Miss Sallie Joy, in a letter to a Boston +paper, says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The west is evidently wide awake on the suffrage question. The +people are working with zeal almost unknown in the East, except +to the more immediately interested, who are making a life-labor +of the cause. The two days' convention at Dayton was freighted +with interest. Earnest women were there from all parts of the +State. They of the west do not think much of distances, and +consequently nearly every town of note was represented. Cleveland +sent her women from the borders of the lake; Cincinnati sent hers +from the banks of the Ohio; Columbus, Springfield, Toledo and +Sydney were represented. Not merely the leaders were there, but +those who were comparatively new to the cause; all in +earnest,—young girls in the first flush of youth, a new light +dawning on their lives and shining through their eyes, waiting, +reaching longing hands for this new gift to womanhood,—mothers +on the down-hill side of life, quietly but gladly expectant of +the good that was coming so surely to crown all these human +lives. Most of the speakers were western women—Mrs. Cutler, Mrs. +Cole, Mrs. Stewart, of Ohio, and Miss Boynton, of Indiana. The +East sent our own Susan B. Anthony, and Mrs. Livermore of Boston. +Like every other convention, it grew more interesting the longer +it continued, and just when the speakers were so tired that they +were glad the work for the time was done, the listeners, like a +whole army of Oliver Twists, were crying for more. They are +likely to have more—a great deal more—before the work is done +completely, for it is evident the leaders don't intend to let the +thing rest where it is, but to push it forward to final success. +From the list of resolutions considered and adopted, I send the +following:</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That as the Democratic party has long since abolished +the political aristocracy of wealth; and the Republican party has +now abolished the aristocracy of race; so the true spirit of +Republican Democracy of the present, demands the abolition of the +political aristocracy of sex.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That as the government of the United States has, by +the adoption of the fifteenth amendment, admitted the theory that +one man cannot define the rights and duties of another man, so we +demand the adoption of a sixteenth amendment on the same +principle, that one sex cannot define the rights and duties of +another sex.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we rejoice in the noble action of the men of +Wyoming, by which the right of suffrage has been granted to the +women of that territory.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we feel justly proud of the action of those +representatives of the General Assembly of Ohio, who have +endeavored to secure an amendment to the State constitution, +striking out the word "male" from that instrument. </p></blockquote> +</blockquote> + +<p>It is rather remarkable that in a State which so early established +two colleges admitting women—Oberlin in 1834, and Antioch in +1853—any intelligent women should have been found at so late a +date as April 15, 1870, to protest against the right of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_494" id="Page_494">[Pg 494]</a></span> +self-government for themselves, yet such is the case, as the +following protest shows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We acknowledge no inferiority to men. We claim to have no less +ability to perform the duties which God has imposed upon us than +they have to perform those imposed upon them. We believe that God +has wisely and well adapted each sex to the proper performance of +the duties of each. We believe our trusts to be as important and +as sacred as any that exist on earth. We feel that our present +duties fill up the whole measure of our time and abilities; and +that they are such as none but ourselves can perform. Their +importance requires us to protest against all efforts to compel +us to assume those obligations which cannot be separated from +suffrage; but which cannot be performed by us without the +sacrifice of the highest interests of our families and of +society. It is our fathers, brothers, husbands and sons, who +represent us at the ballot-box. Our fathers and brothers love us. +Our husbands are our choice, and one with us. Our sons are what +<i>we</i> make them. We are content that they represent us in the +corn-field, the battle-field, at the ballot-box and the jury-box, +and we them, in the church, the school-room, at the fireside and +at the cradle; believing our representation, even at the +ballot-box, to be thus more full and impartial than it could +possibly be, were all women allowed to vote. We do, therefore +respectively protest against legislation to establish woman +suffrage in Ohio. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The above paper, signed by more than one hundred ladies of Lorain +county, was presented, March 14, 1870, to the legislature assembled +at Columbus. Mrs. Sarah Knowles Bolton, criticising the Oberlin +protestants, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>That so many signed is not strange, because the non-suffrage side +is the popular one at present. Years hence, when it shall be +customary for women to vote, it is questionable whether the lady +who drew up that document would have many supporters.</p> + +<p>If "we are not inferior to men," we must have as clear opinions +and as good judgment as they. To say, then, that we are not +capable of judging of political questions, is untrue. To say that +we are not interested in such things is absurd, for who can be +more anxious for good laws and good law-makers than women, who, +for the most part, have sons and daughters in this whirlpool of +temptation, called social and business life. If we are too +ignorant to have an opinion, the fault lies at our own door.</p> + +<p>These ladies reason upon the premises that the duties imposed +upon us as we find them in this nineteenth century, are the +duties, conditions, and relations established of God. Two things +we do certainly find in the Bible with regard to this matter; +that women are to bear children, and men to earn bread. The first +duty we believe has been confined entirely to the female sex, but +the male sex have not kept the other in all cases. If anybody has +belonged for any considerable time to a benevolent institution, +he has ascertained that women sometimes are obliged to earn bread +and bear children also. A century or two ago, when women seldom +thought of writing books, or being physicians or lawyers, +professors or teachers, or doing anything but housework, probably +they thought, as the ladies of Lorain county do to-day, they were +in the blessed noonday of woman's enlightenment and happiness. +Their husbands, very likely, needed something of the same +companionship as the men of the present, but it was unpopular for +girls to attend school. If these ladies, after careful study and +thought, believe that woman suffrage will work evil in the land, +they ought to say that, rather than base it upon lack of time. +The enfranchisement of 15,000,000 women will be a balance of +power for good or evil that will need looking after. As for our +representing men at the fireside, I think it a great deal +pleasanter that they be there in person. Nothing is more blessed +than the home circle, and here I think if husbands were not so +often represented by their wives, while they are absent evening +after evening on "important business," the condition of things +would be improved. If the ladies aforesaid cannot vote without +the highest interests of their families being sacrificed, they +ought to be allowed to remain in peace. I am glad they made this +protest, not only<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_495" id="Page_495">[Pg 495]</a></span> because this is a country where honest views +ought to be expressed, but because agitation pushes forward +reform. I am glad that nearly half of our representatives were in +favor of submitting this question to the women of the State, and +that our interests were so ably defended by a talented +representative from our own district. I do not think, however, by +submitting it to the women, they would get a correct expression +upon the subject. A good many would vote for suffrage, a few +against it, and thousands would be afraid to vote. If it is +granted, I do not suppose all women will vote immediately. Many +prejudices will first have to give way. If women vote what they +wish to vote, and there is no disorderly conduct at the polls in +consequence, and no general disorder in the body politic, I do +not see any objection to the voting being continued from year to +year.</p> + +<p>When women like Miss Jones of our city, now in California, take a +few more professorships in a university over half-a-hundred +competitors, write a few more libraries, show themselves capable +of solving great questions, become ornaments to their +professions, it will seem more absurd for them not to be +enfranchised than it does now for them to be so. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Hon. J. M. Ashley, of Toledo, in a speech on the floor of congress, +June 1, 1868, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I want citizenship and suffrage to be synonymous. To put the +question beyond the power of States to withhold it, I propose the +amendment to article fourteen, now submitted. A large number of +Republicans who concede that the qualifications of an elector +ought to be the same in every State, and that it is more properly +a national than a State question, do not believe congress has the +power under our present constitution to enact a law conferring +suffrage in the States, nevertheless they are ready and willing +to vote for such an amendment to the constitution as shall make +citizenship and suffrage uniform throughout the nation. For this +purpose I have added to the proposed amendment for the election +of president a section on suffrage, to which I invite special +attention.</p> + +<p>This is the third or fourth time I have brought forward a +proposition on suffrage substantially like the one just presented +to the House. I do so again because I believe the question of +citizenship suffrage one which ought to be met and settled now. +Important and all-absorbing as many questions are which now press +themselves upon our consideration, to me no one is so vitally +important as this. Tariffs, taxation, and finance ought not to be +permitted to supersede a question affecting the peace and +personal security of every citizen, and, I may add, the peace and +security of the nation. No party can be justified in withholding +the ballot from any citizen of mature years, native or foreign +born, except such as are <i>non compos</i> or are guilty of infamous +crimes; nor can they justly confer this great privilege upon one +class of citizens to the exclusion of another class. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The <i>Revolution</i> of March 19, 1868, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Notwithstanding the most determined hostility to the demands of +the age for female physicians, institutions for their educational +preparation for professional responsibilities are rapidly +increasing. The ball first began to move in the United +States,<a name="FNanchor_290_290" id="FNanchor_290_290"></a><a href="#Footnote_290_290" class="fnanchor">[290]</a> and now a female medical college is in successful +operation in London, where the favored monopolizers of physic and +surgery were resolved to keep out all new ideas in their line by +acts of parliament. But the ice-walls of opposition have melted +away, and even in Russia a woman has graduated with high medical +honors. </p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_496" id="Page_496">[Pg 496]</a></span></p> + +<p>The following statistics from Thomas Wentworth Higginson settle +many popular objections to a collegiate education for women:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Graduates of Antioch College</span>.—In a paper read before the Social +Science Association in the spring of 1874 I pointed out the +presumption to be, that if a desire for knowledge was implanted +in the minds of women, they had also as a class the physical +capacity to gratify it; and that therefore the burden of proof +lay on those who opposed such education, on physiological +grounds, to collect facts in support of their position. In +criticising Dr. Clarke's book, "Sex in Education," I called +attention to the fact that he has made no attempt to do this, but +has merely given a few detached cases, whose scientific value is +impaired by the absence of all proof whether they stand for few +or many. We need many facts and a cautious induction; not merely +a few facts and a sweeping induction. I am now glad to put on +record a tabular view<a name="FNanchor_291_291" id="FNanchor_291_291"></a><a href="#Footnote_291_291" class="fnanchor">[291]</a> of the graduates of Antioch, with +special reference to their physical health and condition; the +facts being collected and mainly arranged by Professor J. B. +Weston of Antioch—who has been connected with that institution +from its foundation—with the aid of Mrs. Weston and Rev. Olympia +Brown, both graduates of the college. For the present form of the +table, however, I alone am responsible.</p> + +<p>It appears that of the 41 graduates, ranging from the year 1857 +to 1873, no fewer than 36 are now living. Of these the health of +11 is reported as "very good"; 19<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_497" id="Page_497">[Pg 497]</a></span> "good"; making 30 in all; 1 is +reported as "fair"; 1 "uncertain"; 1 "not good," and 3 "unknown." +Of the 41 graduates, 30 are reported as married and 11 are +single, five of these last having graduated within three years. +Of the 30 married, 24 have children, numbering 48 or 49 in all. +Of the 6 childless, 3 are reported as very recently married; one +died a few months after marriage, and the facts in the other +cases are not given. Thirty-four of the forty-one have taught +since graduated, and I agree with Professor Weston that teaching +is as severe a draft on the constitution as study. Taking these +facts as a whole, I do not see how the most earnest advocate of +higher education could ask for a more encouraging exhibit; and I +submit the case without argument, so far as this pioneer +experiment at coëducation is concerned. If any man seriously +believes that his non-collegiate relatives are in better physical +condition than this table shows, I advise him to question +forty-one of them and tabulate the statistics obtained. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In the following editorial in the <i>Woman's Journal</i> Mr. Higginson +pursues the opposition still more closely, and answers their +frivolous objections:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I am surprised to find that Professor W.S. Tyler of Amherst +College, in his paper on "The Higher Education of Woman," in +<i>Scribner's Monthly</i> for February, repeats the unfair statements +of President Eliot of Harvard, in regard to Oberlin College. The +fallacy and incorrectness of those statements were pointed out on +the spot by several, and were afterwards thoroughly shown by +President Fairchild of Oberlin; yet Professor Tyler repeats them +all. He asserts that there has been a great falling off in the +number of students in that college; he entirely ignores the +important fact of the great multiplication of colleges which +admit women; and he implies, if he does not assert, that the +separate ladies' course at Oberlin has risen as a substitute for +the regular college course. His words are these, the italics +being my own:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In Oberlin, where the experiment has been tried under the most +favorable circumstances, it has proved a failure so far as the +regular college course is concerned. The number of young women in +that course, instead of increasing with the prosperity of the +institution, <i>has diminished, so that it now averages only two or +three to a class</i>. The rest pursue a different curriculum, live +in a separate dormitory, and study by themselves in a course of +their own, reciting, indeed, with the young men, and by way of +reciprocity and in true womanly compassion, allowing some of them +to sit at their table in the dining-hall, but yet constituting +substantially a female seminary, or, if you please, a woman's +college in the university.—<i>Scribner, February, page 457.</i> </p></blockquote> + +<p>Now, it was distinctly stated by President Fairchild last summer, +that this "different curriculum" was the course originally marked +out for women, and that the regular college course was an +after-thought. This disposes of the latter part of Professor +Tyler's statement. I revert, therefore, to his main statement, that +"the number of young women in the collegiate course has diminished, +so that it now averages only two or three to a class." Any reader +would suppose his meaning to be that taking one year with another, +and comparing later years with the early years of Oberlin, there +has been a diminution of women. What is the fact? The Oberlin +College triennial catalogue of 1872 lies before me, and I have +taken the pains to count and tabulate the women graduated in +different years, during the thirty-two years after 1841, when they +began to be graduated there. Dividing them into decennial periods, +I find the numbers to be as follows: 1841-1850, thirty-two women +were graduated; 1851-1860, seventeen women were graduated; +1861-1870, forty women were graduated. From this it appears that +during the third decennial period there was not only no diminution, +but actually a higher average than before. During the first period +the classes averaged 3.2 women; during the second period 1.7 women, +and during the third period 4 women. Or if, to complete the +exhibit, we take in the two odd classes at the end, and make the +third period consist of twelve classes, the average will still be +3.8, and will be larger than either of the previous periods. Or if, +disregarding the even distribution of periods, we take simply the +last ten years, the average will be 3.1. Moreover,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_498" id="Page_498">[Pg 498]</a></span> during the +first period there was one class (1842) which contained no women at +all; and during the second period there were three such classes +(1852-3, 7); while during the third period every class has had at +least one woman.</p> + +<p>It certainly would not have been at all strange if there had been a +great falling off in the number of graduates of Oberlin. At the +outset it had the field to itself. Now the census gives fifty-five +"colleges" for women, besides seventy-seven which admit both sexes. +Many of these are inferior to Oberlin, no doubt, but some rose +rapidly to a prestige far beyond this pioneer institution. With +Cornell University on the one side, and the University of Michigan +on the other—to say nothing of minor institutions—the wonder is +that Oberlin could have held its own at all. Yet the largest class +of women it ever graduated (thirteen) was so late as 1865, and if +the classes since then "average but two or three," so did the +classes for several years before that date. Professor Tyler knows +very well that classes fluctuate in every college, and that a +decennial period is the least by which the working of any system +can be tested. Tried by this test, the alleged diminution assumes a +very different aspect. If, however, there were a great decline at +Oberlin, it would simply show a transfer of students to other +colleges, since neither Professor Tyler nor President Eliot will +deny that the total statistics of colleges show a rapid increase in +the number of women.</p> + +<p>Moreover, I confess that my confidence in Professor Tyler's sense +of accuracy is greatly impaired by these assertions about Oberlin, +and also by his statement, which I must call reckless, at least, in +regard to the inferiority in truth, purity and virtue of those +women who seek the suffrage. He asserts (page 456) that +"women—women generally—the truest, purest and best of the sex—do +not wish for the right of suffrage." Now, if the women who oppose +suffrage are truest, purest and best, the women who advocate it +must plainly be inferior at all these points; and that is an +assertion which not only these women themselves, but their +brothers, husbands and sons are certainly entitled to resent. Mr. +Tyler has a perfect right to argue for his own views, for or +against suffrage, but he has no right to copy the Oriental +imprecation, and say to his opponents, "May the grave of your +mother be defiled!." He claims that he holds official relations to +one "woman's college," one "female seminary" and one "young ladies' +institute." Will it conduce to the moral training of those who +enter those institutions that their officers set them the example +of impugning the purity and virtue of those who differ in opinion +from themselves?</p> + +<p>But supposing Professor Tyler not to be bound by the usual bonds of +courtesy or of justice, he is at least bound by the consistency of +his own position. Thus, he goes out of his way to compliment Mrs. +Somerville and Miss Mitchell. Both these ladies are identified with +the claim for suffrage. He lauds "Uncle Tom's Cabin," but Mrs. +Stowe has written almost as ably for the enfranchisement of woman +as for the freedom of the blacks. He praises the "sacramental host +of authoresses," who, he says, "will move on with ever-growing +power, overthrowing oppression, restraining vice and crime, +reforming morals and manners, purifying public sentiment, +revolutionizing business, society and government, till every yoke +is broken and all nations are won to the truth." But it has been +again and again shown that the authoresses of America are, with but +two or three exceptions, in favor of woman suffrage, and, +therefore, instead of being "sacramental," do not even belong to +Professor Tyler's class of "wisest, truest and best." He thus +selects for compliment on one page the very women whom he has +traduced on another. His own witnesses testify against him. It is a +pity that such phrases of discourtesy and unfairness should +disfigure an essay which in many respects says good words for +women, recommends that they should study Greek, and says, in +closing, that their elevation "is at once the measure and the means +of the elevation of mankind." </p></blockquote> + +<p>In the autumn of 1884 an effort was made to exclude women from +Adelbert College. We give an account thereof from the pen of Mrs. +Sarah Knowles Bolton, published in the <i>English Woman's Review</i> of +January, 1885:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_499" id="Page_499">[Pg 499]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Dear Editor</span>: The city of Cleveland has been stirred for weeks on +this question of woman's higher education. Western Reserve +College, founded in 1826, at Hudson, was moved to Cleveland in +1874, because of a gift of $100,000 from Mr. Amasa Stone, with +the change of name to Adelbert College, in memory of an only son. +A few young women had been students since 1873. In Cleveland, +about twenty young ladies availed themselves of such admirable +home privileges. Their scholarship was excellent—higher than +that of the young men. They were absent from exercises only half +as much as the men. Their conduct was above reproach. A short +time since the faculty, except the president, Dr. Carroll Cutler, +petitioned the board of trustees to discontinue coëducation at +the college, for the assumed reasons that girls require different +training from boys, never "identical" education; that it is +trying to their health to recite before young men; "the strain +upon the nervous system from mortifying mistakes and serious +corrections is to many young ladies a cruel additional burden +laid upon them in the course of study"; "that the provision we +offer to girls is not the best, and is even dangerous"; that +"where women are admitted, the college becomes second or +third-rate, and that, worst of all, young men will be deterred +from coming to this college by the presence of ladies." An +"annex" was recommended, not with college degrees, but a +subordinate arrangement with "diploma examinations, so far and so +fast as the resources of the college shall allow."</p> + +<p>As soon as the subject became known, the newspapers of the city +took up the question. As the public furnishes the means and the +students for every college, the public were vitally interested. +Ministers preached about it, and they, with doctors and lawyers, +wrote strong articles, showing that no "annex" was desired; that +parents wished thorough, high, self-reliant education for their +daughters as for their sons; that health was not injured by the +embarrassment (?) of reciting before young men; that young men +had not been deterred from going to Ann Arbor, Oberlin, Cornell, +and other institutions where there are young women; that it was +unjust to make girls go hundreds of miles away to Vassar or Smith +or Wellesley, when boys were provided with the best education at +their very doors; that, with over half the colleges of this +country admitting women, with the colleges of Italy, Switzerland, +Sweden, Holland and France throwing open their doors to women, +for Adelbert College to shut them out, would be a step backward +in civilization.</p> + +<p>The women of the city took up the matter, and several thousands +of our best names were obtained to a petition, asking that girls +be retained members of the college; judges and leading persons +gladly signed. The trustees met November 7, 1884. The whole city +eagerly waited the result. The chairman of the committee, Hon. I. +W. Chamberlain of Columbus, who had been opposed to coëducation +at first, from the favorable reports received by him from +colleges all over the country, had become a thorough convert, and +the report was able and convincing.</p> + +<p>President Angell of Michigan University, where there are 1,500 +students, wrote: "Women were admitted here under the pressure of +public sentiment against the wishes of most of the professors. +But I think no professor now regrets it, or would favor the +exclusion of women. We made no solitary modification of our rules +or requirements. The women did not become hoydenish; they did not +fail in their studies; they did not break down in health; they +have been graduated in all departments; they have not been +inferior in scholarship to the men. We count the experiment here +successful."</p> + +<p>Galusha Anderson, president of Chicago University, wrote: "Our +only law here is that the students shall act as gentlemen and +ladies. They mingle freely together, just as they do in society, +as I think God intended that they should, and the effect in all +respects is good. I have never had the slightest trouble from the +association of the sexes."</p> + +<p>Chancellor Manatt of Nebraska University, for four years engaged +in university work at Yale, in answer to the questions as to +whether boys would be driven away from the institution, replied: +"This question sounds like a joke in this longitude. As<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_500" id="Page_500">[Pg 500]</a></span> well say +a girl's being born into a family turns the boys out of doors. It +rather strengthens the home attraction. So in the university. I +believe there is not a professor or student here who would not, +for good and solid reasons, fight for the system."</p> + +<p>President Warren of Boston University, lately the recipient of, +£200,000, wrote: "The only opponents of coëducation I have ever +known are persons who know nothing about it practically, and +whose difficulties are all speculative and imaginary. Men are +more manly and women more womanly when concerted in a wholly +human society than when educated in a half-human one."</p> + +<p>President White of Cornell wrote: "I regard the 'annex' for women +in our colleges as a mere make-shift and step in the progress +toward the full admission of women to all college classes, and I +think that this is a very general view among men who have given +unprejudiced thought to the subject. Having now gone through one +more year, making twelve in all since women were admitted, I do +not hesitate to say that I believe their presence here is good +for us in every respect."</p> + +<p>Professor Moses Coit Tyler of Cornell said: "My observation has +been that under the joint system the tone of college life has +grown more earnest, more courteous and refined, less flippant and +cynical. The women are usually among the very best scholars, and +lead instead of drag, and their lapses from good health are +rather, yes, decidedly, less numerous than those alleged by the +men. There is a sort of young man who thinks it not quite the +thing, you know, to be in a college where women are; and he goes +away, if he can, and I am glad to have him do so. The vacuum he +causes is not a large one, and his departure is more than made up +by the arrival in his stead of a more robust and manlier sort."</p> + +<p>The only objectors to coëducation were from those colleges which +had never tried it; President Porter of Yale thought it a +suitable method for post-graduate classes, and President Seeley +for a course of "lower grade" than Amherst.</p> + +<p>President Cutler of Adelbert College made an able report, showing +that the progress of the age is towards coëducation. Only +fifty-three Protestant colleges, founded since 1830, exclude +women; while 156 coëducational institutions have been established +since that date.</p> + +<p>Some of the trustees thought it desirable to imitate Yale,<a name="FNanchor_292_292" id="FNanchor_292_292"></a><a href="#Footnote_292_292" class="fnanchor">[292]</a> +and others felt that <i>they</i> knew what studies are desirable for +woman better than she knew herself! When the vote was taken, to +their honor be it said, it was twelve to six, or two to one, in +favor of coëducation. The girls celebrated this just and manly +decision by a banquet. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The inauguration of the women's crusade at this time (1874) in Ohio +created immense excitement, not only throughout that State, but it +was the topic for the pulpit and the press all over the nation. +Those identified with the woman suffrage movement, while deeply +interested in the question of temperance, had no sympathy with what +they felt to be a desecration of womanhood and of the religious +element in woman. They felt that the fitting place for petitions +and appeals was in the halls of legislation, to senators and +congressmen, rather than rumsellers and drunkards in the dens of +vice and the public thoroughfares. It was pitiful to see the faith +of women in God's power to effect impossibilities. Like produces +like in the universe of matter and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_501" id="Page_501">[Pg 501]</a></span> mind, and so long as women +consent to make licentious, drunken men the fathers of their +children, no power in earth or heaven can save the race from these +twin vices. The following letter from Miriam M. Cole makes some +good points on this question:</p> + +<blockquote><p>If the "woman's war against whisky" had been inaugurated by the +woman suffrage party, its aspect, in the eyes of newspapers, +would be different from what it now is. If Lucy Stone had set the +movement on foot, it would have been so characteristic of her! +What more could one expect from such a disturber of public peace? +She, who has no instinctive scruples against miscellaneous crowds +at the polls, might be expected to visit saloons and piously +serenade their owners, until patience ceases to be a virtue. But +for women who are so pressed with domestic cares that they have +no time to vote; for women who shun notoriety so much that they +are unwilling to ask permission to vote; for women who believe +that men are quite capable of managing State and municipal +affairs without their interference; for them to have set on foot +the present crusade, how queer! Their singing, though charged +with a moral purpose, and their prayers, though directed to a +specific end, do not make their warfare a whit more feminine, nor +their situation more attractive. A woman knocking out the head of +a whisky barrel with an ax, to the tune of Old Hundred, is not +the ideal woman sitting on a sofa, dining on strawberries and +cream, and sweetly warbling, "The Rose that All are Praising." +She is as far from it as Susan B. Anthony was when pushing her +ballot into the box. And all the difference between the musical +saint spilling the precious liquid and the unmusical saint +offering her vote is, that the latter tried to kill several birds +with one stone, and the former aims at only one.</p> + +<p>Intemperance, great a curse as it is, is not the only evil whose +effects bear most heavily on women. Wrong is hydra-headed, and to +work so hard to cut off one head, when there is a way by which +all may be dissevered, is not a far-sighted movement; and when +you add to this the fact that the head is not really cut off, but +only dazed by unexpected melodies and supplications, there is +little satisfaction in the effort. We learn that, outside of town +corporations that have been lately "rectified," the liquor +traffic still goes on, and the war is to be carried into the +suburbs. What then? Where next? Which party can play this game +the longer? Tears, prayers and songs will soon lose their +novelty—this spasmodic effort will be likely soon to spend +itself; is there any permanent good being wrought? Liquor traffic +opposes woman suffrage, and with good reasons. It knows that +votes change laws, and it also knows that the votes of women +would change the present temperance laws and make them worth the +paper on which they are printed. While this uprising of women is +a hopeful sign, yet it cannot make one law black or white. It +may, for a time, mold public opinion, but depraved passions and +appetites need wholesome laws to restrain them. If women would +only see this and demand the exercise of their right of suffrage +with half the zeal and unanimity with which they storm a man's +castle, it would be granted. This is the only ax to lay at the +root of the tree.</p> + +<p>Springfield, Ohio, has just had a case in a Justice Court which +attracted much attention and awakened much interest. A woman +whose husband had reduced his family to utter want by +drunkenness, entered a suit against the rumseller. An appeal from +the drunkard's wife to the ladies of Springfield had been +circulated in the daily papers, which so aroused them that a +large delegation of the most respectable and pious women of the +city came into the court. But the case was adjourned for a week. +During this time the excitement had become so great that when the +trial came on the court-room was full of spectators, and the +number of ladies within the rail was increased three-fold. Mrs. +E. D. Stewart made the plea to the jury. A verdict was rendered +against the rumseller. An appeal will be taken; but the citizens +of Springfield will never forget the influence which the presence +of women, in sympathy with another wronged woman, had upon the +court. And what added power those women<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_502" id="Page_502">[Pg 502]</a></span> would have had as +judges, jurors and advocates; citizens crowned with all the +rights, privileges and immunities justly theirs by law and +constitution. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Of the work in Geauga county, Mrs. Sophia Ober Allen, of South +Newbury writes:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In the winter of 1851-2, Anson Read circulated a petition praying +the legislature to protect married women in their property +rights; and from that time the subject of women's rights was +frequently discussed in social and literary gatherings. In 1871, +Mrs. Lima Ober proposed to be one of six women to go to the +township election and offer her vote. Nine<a name="FNanchor_293_293" id="FNanchor_293_293"></a><a href="#Footnote_293_293" class="fnanchor">[293]</a> joined her, but +all their votes were rejected, the judges saying they feared +trouble would be the result if they received them. From that year +to 1876 these heroic women of South Newbury persisted in offering +their votes at the town, state and presidential elections; and +though always refused, they would repair to another room with the +few noble men who sustained them, and there duly cast their +ballots for justice and equality. On one occasion they polled +fifty votes—thirty-one women and nineteen men. In 1876 they +adopted a series of stirring resolutions with a patriotic +declaration of principles.</p> + +<p>In 1873, large meetings were held, and a memorial sent to the +constitutional convention, asking for an amendment, that "the +right to vote shall not be denied or abridged to any adult +citizen except for crime, idiocy or lunacy." On January 12, 1874, +a political club was organized,<a name="FNanchor_294_294" id="FNanchor_294_294"></a><a href="#Footnote_294_294" class="fnanchor">[294]</a> which has been active in +holding meetings and picnics, circulating petitions and tracts. +On July 4, 1874, a basket picnic was held in Ober and Allen's +grove, at which Gen. A. C. Voris was among the speakers.<a name="FNanchor_295_295" id="FNanchor_295_295"></a><a href="#Footnote_295_295" class="fnanchor">[295]</a> +Hon. A. G. Riddle, whose early life was spent mostly in Newbury, +encouraged and assisted the work, both by voice and pen. During +the winter of 1878, Susan B. Anthony, in company with my husband +and myself, lectured in several towns under the auspices of the +club. Miss Eva L. Pinney, a native of Newbury, was employed by +the club to canvass the county. Her success was marked. In 1879 +the treasury received a bequest of $50, from Reuben H. Ober, who, +though spending much of his time in the East, ever sustained a +live interest in the home society.<a name="FNanchor_296_296" id="FNanchor_296_296"></a><a href="#Footnote_296_296" class="fnanchor">[296]</a> </p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_503" id="Page_503">[Pg 503]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mrs. Sarah Langdon Williams sends us the following report from the +Toledo society:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In the winter of 1869, Mrs. Stanton and Miss Anthony returning +from an extended trip through the West, spent a few days in +Toledo. In addition to public meetings, their coming was the +occasion for many pleasant and hospitable gatherings. A large +circle of intelligent and earnest women were longing and waiting +to do something to speed the movement for woman suffrage, when +the coming of these pioneers of reform roused them to action. It +was like the match to the fire all ready for kindling, and an +organization was speedily effected.<a name="FNanchor_297_297" id="FNanchor_297_297"></a><a href="#Footnote_297_297" class="fnanchor">[297]</a> From that time forward, +the air seemed magnetized with reform ideas, and to the loyal +band who stood true to their flag, new members were added from +time to time, and from this little band went forth an influence, +a steady force which has operated silently though continuously +through both visible and invisible channels, moulding the thought +and action of the community. The meetings of this association +were regularly reported by the daily press, with more or less +justice, according as the reporter present, or the newspaper +which reported the proceedings, was more or less friendly.</p> + +<p>A letter published in <i>The Revolution</i> of June 10, 1869, +indicates the practical work of our association:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The first skirmish along the line of the suffrage army in Ohio +has been fought, and the friends of reformation may well rejoice +at the result. In this city there has existed for a long time a +library association to which women were admitted as members, but +in the control or management of which they had no voice. Under +the pressure of influences set in motion by your visit, it was +resolved that this relic of the past should be swept away, that +women should be represented in the management as well as in the +membership of the association. At the late election six directors +were to be chosen among other officers, and Miss Anna C. +Mott,<a name="FNanchor_298_298" id="FNanchor_298_298"></a><a href="#Footnote_298_298" class="fnanchor">[298]</a> Mrs. M. W. Bond and Mrs. M. J. Barker were candidates +upon a ticket called the Equal Rights Ticket, headed by Mr. A. W. +Gleason, for president. The dangerous proposition, not only of +allowing women to vote, but of giving them offices, was a +bombshell in the camp of conservatism, and every influence that +could be, was brought to bear against this ticket. After an +exciting contest, the result showed that notwithstanding a +powerful and influential opposition, the ticket was elected by a +vote of from 186 to 220 out of 327 votes. This result has been +all the more grateful, because in the opposition were to be found +many of the most wealthy and respected citizens of Toledo.</p> + +<p>As an index of the interest the women manifested in that +election, three-fourths of them voted. It was interesting to +notice the firmness with which the women walked up to the +ballot-box. No trembling was perceptible. They carried the ballot +with ease, deposited it with coolness, watched to see that no +fraud was perpetrated, and then departed as noiselessly as they +came. The deed was done. Woman's honor, woman's purity, woman's +domestic felicity, woman's conjugal love, woman's fidelity to her +home duties, all these and a thousand other of the finer +qualities were destroyed. No more peace in families; no more +quiet home evenings; no more refined domestic women;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_504" id="Page_504">[Pg 504]</a></span> but +wrangling and discords instead. Soldiers and sailors, policemen +and gravel-shovelers had taken the place of wives and mothers. +Sick at heart I went to my home and wept for American womanhood. +But the sun rose as usual, and the world still revolved. I went +to the police-court—all was quiet. I passed to the county-court, +and looked over the docket—no new divorce cases met my gaze. +With unsteady hand I have opened the morning papers for the past +few days, but nothing there betrayed the terrible results of that +false step. Oh, women! women! In the days of Indian warfare, the +skilled hunter would tell you that after an attack, when all was +quiet, and you thought the enemy had departed, the greatest +danger awaited, and the most careful vigilance was required. So I +still keep watching, for I know the vengeance of the gods must +fall upon this worse than Sodom, for since women have voted, +surely there be not five righteous within the city. Real estate +is not falling, however, but then!—</p> + +<p>The evening after the election, the friends of the association +and of the successful tickets, gathered to witness the incoming +of the new administration. Hearty words of cheer for the future +were spoken. The president, Mr. Gleason, delivered a beautiful +inaugural address, of which I send you a few sentences, and the +meeting adjourned.</p> + +<p>The president said: While thanking you most heartily, ladies and +gentlemen, for the distinguished honor conferred upon me in the +election, I do not forget that it is due to the great principles +of equal rights and universal suffrage—not to any merits of my +own. We live in an age of progress. In my humble opinion we have +taken a great step forward in admitting ladies to the management +of this association—not only from the fact that in this +particular institution they hold an equal footing with ourselves, +and of right are entitled to all its privileges, but from the +more important fact that it is a recognition here of those +principles which are now claiming recognition in the political +institutions of our country. It is in the natural order of events +that this "equal rights" movement should meet with opposition. +All movements of a novel and radical character at their +commencement meet with opposition. This is the ordeal through +which they must pass, but their success or failure depends upon +their intrinsic merit. Nothing is to be feared from opposition to +any movement that possesses these elements. Whatsoever idea has +its origin in the recesses of human nature, will, sooner or +later, become embodied in living action, and so we have this +assurance—that as here, so also in the political institutions of +our country—this principle of equal rights, both to man and +woman, will at last prevail. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1871 the <i>Sunday Journal</i> offered the association half a column, +which was gratefully accepted, and Mrs. Sarah Langdon Williams +appointed editor. The department increased to a full page, and the +circulation of the paper became as large as that of either of the +city dailies. When there was danger of its being sold to opponents +of the cause, Mrs. Williams purchased one-half interest, and by so +doing kept the other half in the hands of the friendly proprietor. +In the <i>Sunday Journal</i> the association had a medium through which +it could promptly answer all unjust attacks, and thus kept up a +constant agitation. In November, 1875, the sale of the paper closed +for a while direct communication between the association and the +public. But soon becoming restive without any medium through which +to express itself, the society started <i>The Ballot-Box</i> in April, +1876, raising money among the citizens in aid of the enterprise. +With this first assistance the paper became at once +self-supporting, and continued thus until April, 1878,<a name="FNanchor_299_299" id="FNanchor_299_299"></a><a href="#Footnote_299_299" class="fnanchor">[299]</a> when it +was transferred to Matilda Joslyn Gage, and published at Syracuse, +N. Y.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_505" id="Page_505">[Pg 505]</a></span></p> + +<p>The convention for the remodeling of the constitution of the State, +in 1873-74, afforded an opportunity for unflagging efforts of the +members of the association in the circulation of petitions; and so +successful were they that when their delegates presented themselves +with 1,500 signatures, asking for an amendment securing the right +of suffrage to women, a member of the convention, on scanning the +roll, exclaimed: "Why, you have here all the solid men of Lucas +county." Mr. M. R. Waite, since chief-justice of the Supreme Court +of the United States, was president of the convention, and in +presenting the petition said the names on that paper represented +fifteen millions of dollars. Mr. Waite's courtesy indicated +stronger convictions regarding the rights of women than he really +possessed. In an interview with our committee, appointed to secure +a hearing from the members-elect—Mr. Waite and Mr. Scribner—Mr. +Waite declared himself in favor of according equal wages to women, +and believed them entitled to all other rights, except the right to +vote. He thought women were entitled to a hearing in the +convention, and would aid them all he could to secure the +privilege. Mr. Waite, with great kindness of nature, possesses an +inborn conservatism which curbs his more generous impulses. He +adhered to this position in his decision in the case of <i>Minor vs. +Happersett</i>, declaring that "the constitution of the United States +has no voters." Many of the most sanguine friends were greatly +disappointed. They had fully believed his love of justice would +lead him to the broad interpretation of the constitution, so +clearly the true one, set forth in the first article of the +fourteenth amendment. It did prevail, however, when, after saying +the constitution does not confer the right of suffrage with +citizenship, he said: "If the law is wrong, it ought to be changed; +but the power is not with the Supreme Court."</p> + +<p>When, in February, 1873, an irascible judge of the Court of Common +Pleas refused to ratify the appointment of a woman—Miss Mary +Sibley—to the office of deputy clerk, which she had filled for +eight years with unusual acceptance, on the ground that not being +an elector she was legally disqualified, the association determined +to dispute the decision in her behalf, and on applying through +their president to Mr. Waite to act as counsel, he gave his +unhesitating acceptance, and declared that if the appointment was +illegal, the law ought to be changed at once. True to his promise, +he defended her most ably, and engaged other counsel to act with +him. His services were given gratuitously.</p> + +<p>Subsequently, in the constitutional convention, an amendment was +adopted making women eligible to appointive offices, and also to +any office under the school control, with the exception of State +commissioner. But when voted upon, the new constitution was lost, +and with it these amendments. The cause had able advocates in the +convention, leading whom was General A. C. Voris of Akron, who was +made chairman of the Special Committee on Woman Suffrage. The +Standing Committee on Elective Franchise was extremely unfriendly, +conspicuously so the chairman, Mr. Sample. A Special Committee on +Woman Suffrage was appointed, which performed its duty faithfully, +and reported unanimously in favor. Mr. Voris worked for the measure +with an enthusiasm equaled only by his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_506" id="Page_506">[Pg 506]</a></span> ability. When the report +came up for discussion he made a masterly speech of two hours, +during which the attention was so close that a pin could be heard +to drop. Other able speeches were also made in favor of the measure +by some of the most talented members of the convention. It came +within two votes of being carried. The defeat was largely due to +the liquor influence in the convention. The cause, however, +received a new impetus through the exertions of General Voris, to +whom, second to no other person in Ohio, should the thanks of the +women be rendered. During the contest the Toledo society was +constantly on the alert. On three occasions it sent its delegates +to the convention; but it has not limited its work to Ohio alone; +it has given freely of its means whenever it could to aid the +struggle in other States, and has rolled up large petitions to +congress asking for a sixteenth amendment.</p> + +<p>When the State convention met in Toledo, February, 1873, the +members of the city society exerted themselves to the utmost to +have all arrangements for their reception and entertainment of the +most satisfactory character, and the delegates unanimously agreed +they had never before had so delightful and successful a meeting. +Many lasting friendships were formed. The opera-house was well +filled at every session of the three days' convention. At the +opening session a cordial address of welcome was given by Rev. +Robert McCune, one of Toledo's most eloquent Republicans. The mayor +of the city, Dr. W. W. Jones, a staunch Democrat, also made a +courteous speech.</p> + +<p>The Toledo Society has always held itself an independent +organization, though its members, individually, have identified +themselves as they chose with other associations. Its attitude has +been of the most uncompromising character. It has never been +cajoled into accepting a crumb in any way in the place of the whole +loaf. Sometimes this has brought upon it the condemnation of +friends, but in the long run it has won respect, even from bitter +opponents. An illustration of this was given in its action with +regard to the centennial celebration. The Fourth of July, 1876, was +to be observed in Toledo as a great gala day. Long before its +arrival preparations were in progress through which patriotic +citizens were to express their gratitude over the nation's +prosperity on the one-hundredth anniversary of freedom. All trades, +professions and organizations were to join in one vast triumphal +procession. A call was issued for a meeting, to which all +organizations were requested to send representatives. The Woman +Suffrage Association was not neglected, and a circular of +invitation was mailed to its president. This raised a delicate +question, for how could women take part in celebrating the triumphs +of their country whose laws disfranchised them? But, having +received a courteous recognition, they must respond with equal +courtesy. The letter was laid before the society, and the president +instructed to politely decline the honor. <i>The Ballot-Box</i> of May, +1876, contains the correspondence:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Toledo</span>, Ohio, April 8, 1876.</p> + +<p>At a meeting of citizens, held at White's Hall, on the evening of +the 6th inst., the undersigned were instructed to invite your +organization, with others, to send a representative to a meeting +to be held at White's Hall, on the evening of Monday, April<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_507" id="Page_507">[Pg 507]</a></span> 17, +which will elect an executive committee, and make other +arrangements for a celebration by Toledo of the one-hundredth +anniversary of American independence in a manner befitting the +occasion and the character of our city. It is earnestly desired +that every organization, of whatever nature, in Toledo, be +represented at this meeting. We would, therefore, ask of you that +you lay the matter before your organization at its next regular +meeting, or in case it shall hold no meeting before the 17th, +that you appear as a representative yourself.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"><span class="smcap">Guido Marx</span>, <i>Chairman</i>.</p> +<p class="ltr-to"><span class="smcap">D. R. Locke, James H. Emory</span>, <i>Secretaries</i>.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>This was laid before the association at a meeting which occurred +the same afternoon, and by the order of the society the invitation +therein conveyed was replied to in season to be read at the meeting +at White's Hall, April 17:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Toledo</span>, Ohio, April 15, 1876.</p> + +<p><i>Hon. Guido Marx, Messrs. D. R. Locke and James H. Emory</i>:</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Gentlemen</span>: The printed circular, with your names attached, +inclosed to my address as president of the Toledo Woman Suffrage +Association, inviting that body to send a representative to a +meeting to be held at White's Hall, Monday evening, April 17, to +elect an executive committee and make other arrangements for a +celebration by Toledo of the one-hundredth anniversary of +American independence, was received just in time to lay before +the meeting held April 10. It was there decided that while the +members of the association fully appreciate the generosity of the +men of Toledo, and feel grateful for the implied recognition of +their citizenship, yet they manifestly have no centennial to +celebrate, as the government still holds them in a condition of +political serfdom, denying them the greatest right of +citizenship—representation.</p> + +<p>Conscious, however, of the great results which the nation's +hundred years have achieved in building up a great people, we are +aware that you, as American men, have cause for rejoicing, and we +bid you God-speed in all efforts which you may make in the +approaching celebration. In an equal degree we feel it +inconsistent, as a disfranchised class, to unite with you in the +celebration of that liberty which is the heritage of but one-half +the people. It is the will, therefore, of the association that I +respond to the above effect, thanking you for your courteous +invitation, and recognizing with pleasure among your names those +who have heretofore extended to us their sympathy and aid. I +remain, with sincere respect, yours,</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"> +<span class="smcap">Sarah R. L. Williams</span>, <i>President T. W. S. A.</i></p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The letter was intended to be in all respects courteous, as the +writer and the society which she represented had naught but the +kindest of feelings toward those who, in so friendly a manner, +recognized their citizenship by inviting them to take part in the +meeting, and also toward the Toledo public, who, as a general +thing, had treated their organization with friendly consideration. +It appears, however, that their attitude was misconstrued, +according to articles subsequently published in the <i>Blade</i> and +<i>Commercial</i>, which we reproduce below:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The women say they "manifestly have no centennial to celebrate." +If we are not mistaken, the women of this country have enjoyed +greater progress than the men under our free government, and it +illy becomes them now to steadily and persistently pout because +they have not yet attained the full measure of their earthly +desires—the ballot-box. Better by far give a hearty show of +appreciation of benefits received, and thereby materially aid in +further progress. Nothing can be gained by their refusing to +celebrate the one-hundredth anniversary of civil and religious +liberty. The rights of all are necessarily restricted wherever +there is a government, and time and experience can alone +demonstrate just what extension or contraction of rights and +liberties may be essential to the general good. In our judgment +the women, by refusing to participate in the coming Fourth of +July celebration, have committed an error, the influence<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_508" id="Page_508">[Pg 508]</a></span> of +which cannot but prove prejudicial to the interests of their +association. The opposite course would undoubtedly have won +friends.—<i>Blade.</i></p> + +<p>A singularly uncourteous letter was the one sent by the Woman +Suffrage Association to the meeting at White's Hall. +Ninety-nine-hundredths of the women of the country will be +surprised to learn that they "have no centennial to celebrate," +and will be still more surprised when they discover that it is +"inconsistent" for them to unite with their brothers, fathers, +sons and husbands "in the celebration of the liberty which is the +heritage" of <i>all</i> the people. We cannot but feel that the claims +set forth by the association would command more respectful +consideration with the display of a different spirit. The maids +and matrons of 1776 were of a different mold.—<i>Commercial.</i> </p></blockquote> + +<p>The <i>Blade</i> has been a good friend to woman suffrage for many +years, but we feel that the present article was written in a spirit +of needless irritability, such as we should think might ensue from +a fit of indigestion. The <i>Commercial</i>, since its change of +management, has certainly not been unfriendly, and we have thought +fair. Its present comments are unjust. The following editorial +appeared in <i>The Ballot-Box</i> of the same date:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Why We Cannot Celebrate the Centennial</span>.—The city dailies +criticise the suffrage association somewhat severely for +declining to unite in the centennial celebration. Perhaps from +the outlook of masculine satisfaction it may seem astonishing +that patriotism should not inspire us with gratitude for the +crumbs from the national table; that we should not rejoice at the +great banquet being prepared. But it is as impossible for us to +look from their standpoint, as for them to see from ours. While +appreciating the kindnesses measured out to us in this city by +our friends and the press, yet laboring without visible results +for the recognition of our rights as citizens of the United +States, we cannot, even through the potent incentive of +sympathizing with our "husbands, fathers, brothers and sons," lay +aside our grievances and rejoice in a triumph which more clearly +marks our own humiliation.</p> + +<p>Can our friends inform us what is our crime, that we are denied +the right of representation? Can they point to any mental or +moral deficiency, to render justifiable our being denied +political rights? If not—if there is no just cause for our +disfranchisement, it surely should not excite surprise that we +cannot rejoice with those who systematically persist in +perpetrating this great wrong. With no discredit to any of the +sovereign voters of this nation, we cannot forget that the most +ignorant negro, the most degraded foreigner, even refugees from +justice, are accorded the rights which we have been demanding in +vain; and we are conscious every day and hour these privileges +are denied us, that we are not only wronged by the American +government, but insulted. Every year that our appeals for +political rights to congress and the legislature are denied, +insult is heaped upon injury. Women are told by those who are in +the full enjoyment of all the privileges which this government +can confer, to rejoice in what little they have, and wait +patiently until more is bestowed. Wait we must, because they have +the reins of power, but to wait patiently, with the light we have +to perceive our relative condition, would be doing that for which +we should despise ourselves.</p> + +<p>We are not laboring for to-day alone, but for the fruïtion which +must come from the establishment of justice. If we fail in this +memorial year, a brighter day must surely come. Our failure now +will be the failure of the country to improve its opportunities. +All the successes which may be rejoiced over, all the triumphs of +trade, commerce and invention are secondary to the rights of +citizens, to those principles which lie at the foundation of +national liberty. When women are recognized as citizens of this +republic, there will be some occasion for their thankfulness and +rejoicing; then they can join in the jubilee which celebrates the +birthday of a mighty nation. </p></blockquote> + +<p>At the June meeting of the association, a declaration of rights, +and a series of radical resolutions were adopted. The president +urged the society to stand firm in the determination to take no +part in the centennial<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_509" id="Page_509">[Pg 509]</a></span> celebration, and the members of the +suffrage association passed the Fourth of July quietly at their own +homes, but they caused a banner, bearing the inscription, "Woman +Suffrage and Equal Rights," to be hung across one of the principal +streets, under which the whole procession passed. Of the original +members of the society,<a name="FNanchor_300_300" id="FNanchor_300_300"></a><a href="#Footnote_300_300" class="fnanchor">[300]</a> some who during its earlier years took +an active part have removed elsewhere, and a few have passed to the +beyond. But the majority still remain, and are earnest in their +labors with the hope for a better day, undampened by the delays and +disappointments which attend every step in progress. </p></blockquote> + +<p>There is a flourishing association at Cleveland called the Western +Reserve Club;<a name="FNanchor_301_301" id="FNanchor_301_301"></a><a href="#Footnote_301_301" class="fnanchor">[301]</a> Mrs. Sarah M. Perkins and her highly educated +daughters, graduates of Vassar College, are among the leading +members. They hold regular meetings, have a course of lectures +every winter and are exerting a wide influence. The club consists +of thirty members, paying five dollars annually into the treasury.</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Painesville Equal Rights Society,<a name="FNanchor_302_302" id="FNanchor_302_302"></a><a href="#Footnote_302_302" class="fnanchor">[302]</a> formed November 20, +1883, is one of the most flourishing county associations in the +State. It numbers 150 members, and it has organized many local +societies in the vicinity. The annual meeting of the State +society,<a name="FNanchor_303_303" id="FNanchor_303_303"></a><a href="#Footnote_303_303" class="fnanchor">[303]</a> held at Painesville, May 11, 12, 13, 1885, with a +large representation of the most active friends present, by a +unanimous vote declared itself no longer auxiliary to the +American, and thereby secured the coöperation of the Toledo, +South Newbury, and other independent local organizations of the +State. </p></blockquote> + +<p>We are indebted to Annie Laurie Quinby for the following account of +the founding of a hospital for women and children, and of some of +the difficulties women encountered in gaining admittance into the +medical colleges:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Mrs. Quinby says: In 1867, some Cincinnati ladies met at the +residence of Mrs. J. L. Roberts and organized a health +association, the object of which was to obtain and disseminate +knowledge in regard to the science of life and health. Mrs. +Leavett addressed the ladies on the importance of instituting a +medical school for women, stating a recent conversation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_510" id="Page_510">[Pg 510]</a></span> she had +with Prof. Curtis, and suggesting that he be invited to lay his +views before them. A vote to that effect was passed, and in his +address Professor Curtis touched the following points:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Women have greater need than men of the knowledge of the science +of life, and can make more profitable use of it. <i>First</i>: They +need this knowledge. In a practice of thirty-six years, full +seven-tenths of my services have been devoted to women who, had +they been properly instructed in the science of life, and careful +to obey those instructions, would not have needed one-seventh of +those services, while they would have prevented six-sevenths of +their sickness, suffering and loss of time, and a like proportion +of the expenses of doctoring, nursing, medicines, etc., etc. +<i>Second</i>: They can make a far better and more profitable use of +this knowledge than men can, because they can better appreciate +the liabilities, sufferings and wants of their sex, which are far +more numerous and imperative than ours; and they are always with +us, from infancy to boyhood and womanhood, to watch us and +protect us from injury, and to relieve us promptly from the +sufferings that may afflict us, as well as to teach us how to +avoid them. <i>Third</i>: Their intellectual power to learn principles +is as great as ours, their perceptions are quicker than ours, +their sympathies are more tender and persistent, and their +watchfulness and patient perseverance with the sick are untiring. +I regard the teaching and practice of the science of life as +woman's peculiarly appropriate sphere. Its value to the family of +the wife and the mother, is beyond estimation in dollars and +cents, by the husband and father. No money that he can properly +spend to secure it to his daughters, should be otherwise +appropriated; for, should they never enter the family relation, +it will be a means of escape from sickness mortification and +expense to themselves, and of useful and honorable subsistence, +not only priceless in its possession, but totally inalienable by +any reverses of fortune. The possession of this knowledge from +their infancy up, would do more to prevent their becoming poor +and "friendless," than do all the alms houses for the former, and +"homes" for the latter that society can build, while it would +cost less to each individual than does an elegant modern piano. +Forty years ago your speaker obtained from the legislature of +Ohio a liberal university charter under the title of "The +Literary and Botanical Medical College of Ohio," which was +afterwards changed to "The Cincinnati Literary and Scientific +Institute and Physio-Medical College." By the aid of able +assistants he conducted this institution for the benefit of men +only, till, in 1851, the students of the class were between +eighty and ninety. From that time to the present, he has received +women into the classes and demonstrated that they are not only as +competent as men to learn all parts of the science of life, but, +in very many particulars, far better qualified for the practice +of the art of curing disease. The last session of the college was +suspended that he might travel in the country and learn the +disposition of the friends of progress to establish the +institution on a permanent foundation, and is happy to say that +all that seems necessary to that glorious consummation is the +prompt and concentrated effort of a few judicious and influential +ladies and their friends to secure pecuniary aid. </p></blockquote> + +<p>June 11, 1879, a dispensary for women and children was opened in +Cincinnati, by Drs. Ellen M. Kirk, and M. May Howells, graduates of +the New York College and Hospital for Women. Their undertaking +proving successful, with other ladies of wealth and ability they +soon after established a hospital. November 1, 1881, the +certificate of incorporation<a name="FNanchor_304_304" id="FNanchor_304_304"></a><a href="#Footnote_304_304" class="fnanchor">[304]</a> was filed in the office of the +secretary of state. The ladies labored unweariedly for the support +of these institutions. At two public entertainments they realized +nearly a thousand dollars. For the establishment of a homeopathic<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_511" id="Page_511">[Pg 511]</a></span> +college they manifested equal earnestness and enthusiasm. Many of +them interested in this mode of practice, seeing the trials of Dr. +Pulte in introducing this new theory of medicine, determined to +help him in building up a college and hospital for that practice. +By one fair they raised $13,500, net profits, and the Pulte Medical +College was established. But the remarkable fact about these +institutions is that after being started through the labors of +women, women appealed in vain for admission for scholarships for a +long time. For a clear understanding of the matter, and a knowledge +of the defense made in behalf of the right of women to enter the +college, I send you the following from Dr. J. D. Buck:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Pulte Medical College, of Cincinnati, was organized under the +common law, and opened in 1872, for the admission of students, +with no provision, either for or against the admission of women. +From time to time, during the first seven years, the subject of +the admission of women was broached, but generally bullied out of +court amid sneers and ridicule. The faculty stood five against +and four for. The opposition was the most pronounced and bitter +imaginable, the staple argument being that the mingling of the +sexes in medical colleges led always and necessarily to +licentiousness.</p> + +<p>Finally, in the fall of 1877, seven of the nine members of the +faculty voted to admit women. One professor voted no, and the +leader of the opposition, Prof. S. R. Beckwith—a life-long +opponent of the broader culture of women—left the meeting with +the purpose of arresting all action. In this, however, he failed; +the vote was confirmed.</p> + +<p>On the following day another meeting was held, when the vote was +re-considered and again confirmed, each of the seven members +agreeing to stand by it. Still again, another meeting was called, +at the instance of the leader of the opposition, and in the +absence of two of the staunch friends, a bare majority of the +whole faculty voted to exclude women, as heretofore, and notified +the applicants for admission, who had been officially informed of +the previous resolution to admit them, that they would not be +admitted.</p> + +<p>Forbearance on the part of the friends of justice was no more to +be thought of, and notice was given that the wrong should be +righted, at all hazards. For the next two years war raged +persistent and unflinching on the part of the friends of the +rights of women, bitter and slanderous on the part of the +opposition. All the tricks of the politician were resorted to to +defeat the cause of right, and more than once by +misrepresentation they obtained the announcement in the public +press that the case was decided, and women forever excluded. +Still the cause moved on to complete triumph, and to the disgrace +and final exclusion from the college of two of the most bitter +leaders of the opposition.</p> + +<p>In the fall of 1879 it was announced in the annual catalogue, +"that students will be admitted to the lectures of Pulte college +without distinction of sex," a very simple result indeed, as the +outcome of two years' warfare. At the opening of lectures the +first of October, four female students presented themselves, and +were admitted to matriculation. Every prophecy of disaster had +failed. The class was an increase in numbers over that of any +preceding year, and showed a marked improvement in deportment and +moral tone from the presence of ladies, who from their high +character and bearing exerted a restraining influence, as they +always do, on those disposed to be gentlemen. At the commencement +exercises in March, 1881, three women, viz: Miss S. C. O'Keefe, +Mrs. Mary N. Street, and Mrs. M. J. Taylor, received the degree +of the college, after having attended the same lectures and been +submitted to the same examination as the male graduates. The +prize for the best examination (in writing) in physiology, was +awarded to Miss Stella Hunt, of Cincinnati. The right of women to +admittance to this college cannot again be raised except by a +two-thirds vote of both faculty and trustees—a majority which +will be difficult to obtain after the record which the women have +already made as students in the institution.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">J. D. Buck</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Yours truly,</p> +</blockquote> +</blockquote> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_512" id="Page_512">[Pg 512]</a></span></p> + +<p>After all this educational work and this seeming triumph for the +recognition of an equal status in the colleges for women, we find +this item going the rounds of the daily journals, under date of +Cleveland, March 29, 1885:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Considerable excitement prevails among the homeopathists of +Cleveland. Commencement exercises of the college are to be held +next Tuesday evening, and Miss Madge Dickson, of Chambers, Pa., +was to have delivered the salutatory address. Dr. H. H. Baxter, a +prominent professor of the college, objected, saying a woman +salutatorian would disgrace the college. Miss Dickson resigned +the honor, and no address will be delivered. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In April, 1873, Miss Nettie Cronise of Tiffin, was admitted to the +bar. In the following September, her sister Florence was admitted, +and they practiced as N. & F. Cronise, until Miss Nettie's marriage +with N. B. Lutes, with whom she has since been associated under the +firm name of Lutes & Lutes. Miss Florence Cronise has her office in +Tiffin. Soon after commencing practice Mrs. Lutes was appointed to +examine applicants for admission to the bar, the first instance of +a woman serving in this capacity in the United States, although +Florence Cronise and one or two other women have since done like +duty. These ladies and Miss Hulett were the first women to open law +offices and begin an active, energetic practice of the profession.</p> + +<p>In 1885, Miss Mary P. Spargo of Cleveland, was admitted to the bar.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<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> Among those associated with Mrs. Mendenhall were +Mrs. Calvin W. Starbuck, Mrs. W. Woods, Miss Elizabeth Morris, Miss +Ellen Thomas, Mrs. Kendrick, sister to General Anderson, Mrs. +Caldwell, Mrs. Annie Ryder, Mrs. Mary Graham, Mrs. Louisa Hill, +Mrs. Hoadly.</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> The officers of Cincinnati Equal Rights Society +were: <i>President</i>, Mrs. H. A. Leavitt; <i>Vice-President</i>, Mr. J. B. +Quinby; <i>Corresponding-Secretary</i>, Mrs. A. L. Ryder; +<i>Recording-Secretary</i>, Mrs. L. H. Blangy; <i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. Mary +Moulton; <i>Executive Committee</i>, Mrs. J. B. Quinby, Mr. —— Hill, +Mrs. A. L. Ryder. Mrs. Dr. Mortell, Mrs. Mary Moulton, Mrs. Mary +Graham, Mrs. Annie Laurie Quinby, Mrs. L. H. Blangy and Mrs. Dr. +Gibson.</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> The delegates appointed were, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. +Quinby, Mrs. Mary Graham, Mrs. Charles Graham, Mrs. Mary Moulton, +Mrs. Dr. Morrel, Mrs. Blangy, Mrs. M. V. Longley, Mr. and Mrs. A. +G. W. Carter, and Mrs. Soula and daughter.</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> The officers of the State Society were: <i>President</i>, +Mrs. H. Tracy Cutler, M. D., Cleveland; <i>Vice-President</i>, Mrs. M. +V. Longley; <i>Recording Secretary</i>, Mrs. H. M. Downey, Xenia; +<i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, Mrs. Miriam M. Cole, Sidney; +<i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. L. H. Crall, Cincinnati; <i>Warden</i>, Mr. J. B. +Quinby, Cincinnati; <i>Business Committee</i>, A. J. Boyer, esq., +Dayton; Elias Longley, esq., Cincinnati; Mrs. R. L. Segur, Toledo; +Mrs. Morgan K. Warwick, Cleveland; Dr. M. T. Organ, Urbana; Mrs. E. +D. Stewart, Springfield; Miss Rebecca S. Rice, Yellow Springs.</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> The speakers at Pike's Hall were Susan B. Anthony, +Mary A. Livermore, Lucy Stone, Henry B. Blackwell, Mrs. Dr. Chase, +Miriam M. Cole, Mr. A. J. Boyer, Dr. Mary Walker, J. J. Bellville, +Mary B. Hall, Mrs. Dr. Keckeler, Mrs. Longley, Mrs. Graham, Mrs. +Griffin, and Elizabeth Boynton.</p></div> + +<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> At a meeting of the corporators of the Cleveland +Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital for Women, the following +board of trustees was appointed: Stillman Witt, T. S. Beckwith, +Bolivar Butts, N. Schneider, M. D., T. S. Lindsey, Mrs. D.R. +Tilden, Mrs. S. F. Lester, Mrs. Peter Thatcher, Mrs. C. A. Seaman, +M. D., Mrs. M. K. Merrick, M. D., Mrs. S. D. McMillan, Mrs. M. B. +Ambler, Mrs. Lemuel Crawford, Mrs. Henry Chisholm, Mrs. G. B. +Bowers. At a subsequent meeting of the board of trustees, the +following officers were chosen: <i>President</i>, Mrs. C. A. Seaman, M. +D.; <i>Vice-president</i>, Mrs. S. F. Lester; <i>Secretary</i>, Mrs. M. B. +Ambler; <i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. S. D. McMillan.</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> +</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table class="smallprint" summary="Health"> +<tr><td class="center bt bb">Individual.</td><td class="center bt bb">Year of Graduation.</td><td class="center bt bb">Married or Single.</td><td class="center bt bb">Number of Children.</td><td class="center bt bb">Health.</td><td class="center bt bb">Remarks</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">1</td><td align="center">1857</td><td align="center">Married</td><td align="center">3</td><td align="center">Not living</td><td align="left">Died, 1874.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">2</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">1</td><td align="center">Good</td><td align="left">Taught eleven years; now in Indiana.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top">3</td><td align="center" valign="top">"</td><td align="center" valign="top">"</td><td align="center" valign="top">2</td><td align="center" valign="top">"</td><td align="left" valign="top">Has taught ever since graduating; now in Ohio.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">4</td><td align="center">1858</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">2</td><td align="center">Very good</td><td align="left">Taught five years; now in Ohio.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">5</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">6</td><td align="center">Good</td><td align="left">Has taught school; slight bronchial trouble.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">6</td><td align="center">1859</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">3</td><td align="center">"</td><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">7</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">3</td><td align="center">Uncertain</td><td align="left">Has taught school.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">8</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">Good</td><td align="left">Taught thirteen years, till married, in 1872.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top">9</td><td align="center" valign="top">"</td><td align="center" valign="top">"</td><td align="center" valign="top">2 or 3</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="left" valign="top">No recent intelligence; health good so far as known.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">10</td><td align="center">1860</td><td align="center">Single</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">Taught some years; now in England.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">11</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">Married</td><td align="center">2</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="left">Taught three years.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">12</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">Single</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">Has taught school.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">13</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">Very good</td><td align="left">Physician in Missouri.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">14</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">Married</td><td align="center">1</td><td align="center">" "</td><td align="left">Has taught school.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top">15</td><td align="center" valign="top">"</td><td align="center" valign="top">Single</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center" valign="top">" "</td><td align="left" valign="top">Constantly a teacher, except two years in Europe.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">16</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">Married</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">" "</td><td align="left">Minister in Connecticut; lately married.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">17</td><td align="center">1861</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">Good</td><td align="left">Taught three years; journalist in Ohio.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">18</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">1</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="left">Has taught school.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">19</td><td align="center">1862</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">1</td><td align="center">Not living</td><td align="left">Died of hereditary consumption.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">20</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">1</td><td align="center">" "</td><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">21</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">1</td><td align="center">Good</td><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">22</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">2</td><td align="center">Very good</td><td align="left">Resides in Ohio.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">23</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">2</td><td align="center">" "</td><td align="left">Resides in Vermont.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">24</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">2</td><td align="center">" "</td><td align="left">Resides in New York.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">25</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">Good</td><td align="left">Lately married.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">26</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">3</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">Has taught school.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">27</td><td align="center">1863</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">2</td><td align="center">Very good</td><td align="left">Taught four years, till married.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">28</td><td align="center">1864</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">3</td><td align="center">" "</td><td align="left">Taught one year.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top">29</td><td align="center" valign="top">1866</td><td align="center" valign="top">"</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center" valign="top">Not good</td><td align="left" valign="top">Troubled with scrofula, dating back earlier than her school days; practices medicine in Missouri.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top">30</td><td align="center" valign="top">1868</td><td align="center" valign="top">Single</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center" valign="top">Good</td><td align="left" valign="top">Has just returned from three years in Europe, where she took long pedestrian journeys.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">31</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">Married</td><td align="center">1</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">Has taught school and is teaching now.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">32</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">2</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">Taught three years.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">33</td><td align="center">1869</td><td align="center">Single</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center"> </td><td align="left">Taught constantly and is teaching now.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">34</td><td align="center">1870</td><td align="center">Married</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">Not living</td><td align="left">Died, 1871.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">35</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">1</td><td align="center">Good</td><td align="left">Has taught school in Missouri.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">36</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">1</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="left">Taught one year.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right" valign="top">37</td><td align="center" valign="top">1871</td><td align="center" valign="top">Single</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center" valign="top">Unknown</td><td align="left" valign="top">Came to college in delicate health, which improved while there; the youngest woman ever graduated at Antioch.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">38</td><td align="center">1872</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">Not living</td><td align="left">Died, 1873, of hereditary consumption.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">39</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">Fair</td><td align="left">Teaching in Massachusetts.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">40</td><td align="center">1873</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">Good</td><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="right">41</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center">"</td><td align="center"> </td><td align="center">"</td><td> </td></tr> +</table></div> +</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> But even old Yale has to succumb to the on-sweeping +tide of equal chances to women, as will be seen by the following +Associated Press item in the New York <i>Sun</i> of October 2, 1885: +"<span class="smcap">New Haven</span>, Conn., Oct. 1.—Miss Alice B. Jordin, of Coldwater, +Mich., a graduate of the academic and law departments of the +University of Michigan, entered the Yale law school to-day. She is +the first woman ever entered in any department of Yale outside of +the art school.</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> Mesdames Lima H. Ober, Lovina Greene, Hophni Smith, +Ruth F. Munn, Perleyette M. Burnett, Sophia L. O. Allen, Mary +Hodges, Lydia Smith, Sarah A. Knox. The men who sustained and voted +with these women were Deacon Amplias Greene, Darius M. Allen, +Ransom Knox, Apollos D. Greene, Wesley Brown. Their tickets were +different each year; their first read, "Our Motto—Equal Rights for +all—Taxation without Representation is Tyranny. Our +Foes—Tradition and Superstition." Among the speakers invited to +address the people at the polls were Mrs. Organ, of Yellow Springs, +and Mrs. Hope Whipple, of Clyde.</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> <i>President</i>, Ruth F. Munn; <i>Vice-Presidents</i>, Joel +Walker, D. M. Allen; <i>Recording Secretary</i>, Ellen Munn; +<i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, Julia P. Greene; <i>Treasurer</i>, Mary +Hodges; <i>Executive Committee</i>, William Munn, Sophia L. O. Allen, +Amanda M. Greene, Apollos D. Greene, Ransom Knox.</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> At other picnics the speakers were, Mrs. S. B. +Chase, M. D., Colonel S. D. Harris, J. W. Tyler Jane O. DeForrest, +T. W. Porter.</p></div> + +<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 Society of South Newbury, like that of Toledo, +refrained from auxiliaryship with the State Association from the +time of its organization to June, 1885, when such relationship was +made possible by the State Society voting itself an independent +organization, free to coöperate with all national or local +associations that have for their object the enfranchisement of +women; and to Mrs. Allen may be ascribed a large share of the +credit for the good work and broad platform of the South Newbury +club.</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> The presidents of the Toledo Society have been, Emma +J. Ashley, Elizabeth R. Collins, Sarah R. L. Williams, Rosa L. +Segur, Julia P. Cole, Sarah S. Bissell, Ellen S. Fray, Mary J. +Cravens. The vice-presidents, Martha Stebbins, Julia Harris, S. R. +L. Williams, Sarah S. Bissell, Ellen Sully Fray, Mary J. Barker. +Miss Charlotte Langdon Williams rendered valuable service in the +business department of <i>The Ballot-Box</i>, and served for three years +as secretary and treasurer of the association.</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> Miss Anna C. Mott, and her father, Richard Mott, +were two strong pillars of the woman suffrage movement in Ohio; +their beautiful home has for many years been a harbor of rest alike +to the advocates of anti-slavery, temperance and woman's rights.</p></div> + +<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> Mrs. Williams further adds that <i>The Ballot-Box</i> +became also a foster child of the National Association, Miss +Anthony canvassing for it after each of her lectures during the +winters of 1877 and 1878, thus largely increasing the circulation. +It, on the other hand, gave full and faithful account of the work +of the National Association, so that in reality it was the organ of +the National as well as of the Toledo society.</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> The officers of the Toledo Society are, 1885, +<i>President</i>, Mrs. Mary J. Cravens; <i>Vice-president</i>, Sarah R. L. +Williams; <i>Recording Secretary</i> Mrs. E. R. Collins; <i>Corresponding +Secretary</i>, Mrs. Sarah S. Bissell; <i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. Mary J. +Barker; <i>Executive Committee</i>, Mrs. Rosa L. Segur, Mrs. Julia P. +Cole, Mrs. Caroline T. Morgan, Miss Anna C. Mott, Mrs. E. M. +Hawley.</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> <i>President</i>, Mrs. Judge Caldwell; <i>Secretary</i>, Mrs. +Bushnell; <i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. Ammon.</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> The officers of the Painesville Society, 1885, are, +<i>President</i>, Mrs. Frances Jennings Casement; <i>Vice-Presidents</i>, +Mrs. Eliza P. Chesney, Mrs. Lydia Wilcox, Mrs. Cornelia Swezey; +<i>Recording Secretary</i>, Mrs. Martha Paine; <i>Corresponding +Secretary</i>, Mrs. Lou J. Bates; <i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. Adelia J. Bates; +<i>Trustees</i>, Mrs. J. B. Burrows, Mrs. A. G. Smith, Mrs. C. C. +Beardslee.</p></div> + +<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 officers of the Ohio State Association for 1885 +are, <i>President</i>, Mrs. Frances M. Casement, Painesville; +<i>Vice-Presidents</i>, Mrs. N. Coe Stewart, Cleveland; Mrs. C. C. +Swezey, Painesville; Hon. Richard Mott, Toledo; Mrs. U. R. Walker, +Cincinnati; Mrs. Dr. Warren, Elyria; <i>Recording Secretary</i>, Miss +Mary P. Spargo, Cleveland; <i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, Mrs. Rosa L. +Segur, Toledo; <i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. Elizabeth Coit, Columbus; +<i>Executive Committee</i>, Dr. N. S. Townshend, Columbus; Mrs. M. B. +Haven, Cleveland; Mrs. M. Cole, Painesville; Mrs. W. J. Sheppard, +Cleveland; Mrs. Elizabeth Coit, Columbus; Mrs. Ports Wilson, +Warren; Mrs. Sarah M. Perkins, Cleveland.</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> The incorporators were, Mrs. Davies Wilson, Mrs. +John Goddard, Mrs. Jane Wendte, Mrs. William N. Hobart, Dr. Ellen +M. Kirk, Dr. M. May Howells, Miss Jennie S. Smith, and Miss Harriet +M. Hinsdale; <i>Resident Physician</i>, Dr. Sarah J. Bebout; <i>Visiting +Physicians</i>, Drs. Ellen M. Kirk, M. May Howells.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_513" id="Page_513">[Pg 513]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLI" id="CHAPTER_XLI"></a>CHAPTER XLI.</h2> + +<h3>MICHIGAN.</h3> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>Women's Literary Clubs and Libraries—Mrs. Lucinda H. +Stone—Classes of Girls in Europe—Ernestine L. Rose—Legislative +Action, <i>1849-1885</i>—State Woman Suffrage Society, 1870—Annual +Conventions—Northwestern Association—Wendell Phillips' +Letter—Nannette Gardner Votes—Catharine A. F. Stebbins +Refused—Legislative Action—Amendments Submitted—An Active +Canvass of the State by Women—Election Day—The Amendment Lost, +40,000 Men Voted in Favor—University at Ann Arbor Opened to +Girls, 1869—Kalamazoo Institute—J. A. B. Stone, Miss Madeline +Stockwell and Miss Sarah Burger Applied for Admission to the +University in 1857—Episcopal Church Bill—Local +Societies—Quincy—Lansing—St. Johns—Manistee—Grand +Rapids—Sojourner Truth—Laura C. Haviland—Sybil Lawrence. </p> +</div> + + +<p><span class="sc">Traveling</span> through the State of Michigan, sufficiently at leisure to +make acquaintances, one would readily remark the unusual +intelligence and cultivation of the women. Every large town can +boast a woman's literary club, a reading-room, nicely furnished, +with a library containing, in many cases, one and two thousand +volumes, a choice collection of scientific, historical and +classical works. This may be attributed in part to the fact that +the population is largely from New York and New England, partly to +the many institutions of learning early opened to girls, and partly +to the extensive social influence of Mrs. Lucinda H. Stone,<a name="FNanchor_305_305" id="FNanchor_305_305"></a><a href="#Footnote_305_305" class="fnanchor">[305]</a> +whose rare culture, foreign travels and liberal views have fitted +her, both as a woman and as a teacher, to inspire the girls of +Michigan with a desire for thorough education. Mrs. Stone has +traveled through many countries in the old world with large classes +of young ladies under her charge, superintending their reading and +studies, and giving them lectures on history and art on classic +ground, where some of the greatest tragedies of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_514" id="Page_514">[Pg 514]</a></span> past were +enacted; in ancient palaces, temples and grand cathedrals; upon the +very spots still rich with the memories of kings and popes, great +generals, statesmen, poets and philosophers. We cannot estimate the +advantages to these young travelers of having one always at hand, +able to point out the beauties in painting and statuary, to +interpret the symbols and mysteries of architecture, the language +of music, the facts of history, and the philosophy of the rise and +fall of mighty nations. Mrs. Stone has also given courses of parlor +lectures to large classes of ladies in every city of the State, +thus, with her rare experiences and extensive observations, +enriching every circle of society in which she moved.</p> + +<p>To Catharine A. F. Stebbins we are indebted for compiling many of +the facts contained in this chapter. Reviewing the last forty +years, she says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The agitation on the question of woman suffrage began in this +State in 1846, with the advent of Ernestine L. Rose,<a name="FNanchor_306_306" id="FNanchor_306_306"></a><a href="#Footnote_306_306" class="fnanchor">[306]</a> who +spoke twice in the legislative hall in Detroit—once on the +"Science of Government," and once on the "Antagonisms in +Society." A resolution was passed by the House of +Representatives, expressing a high sense of her ability, +eloquence and grace of delivery. Her work in Detroit, Ann Arbor +and other places was three or four years prior to the first +report by the Special Committee of the Senate in the general +revision of the constitution, nine years before the House +Committee's report on elections in response to women's petitions, +and a dozen years before the favorable "report of the Senate upon +the memorial of ladies praying for the privilege of the elective +franchise," signed by Thomas W. Ferry.</p> + +<p><i>The Revolution</i> of April 30, 1868, gives an account of the +manner the women of Sturgis voted on the question of prohibition:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"A few weeks ago, at a large meeting of the citizens of Sturgis, +Michigan, the ladies were asked to help in the coming election +the cause of prohibition. They replied that they would if they +were allowed to vote. At a subsequent meeting the gentlemen could +do no less than to invite them. A committee of twelve was +appointed. They canvassed the village and invited all the ladies +to come out and join in the demonstration. At 2 o'clock on +election day they assembled at Union School Hall and marched to +the room where the election was held, and one hundred and +fourteen deposited their votes in favor of prohibition, and six +against it. Whilst they were marching through the room the utmost +order prevailed, and when they were retiring three hearty cheers +were given for the ladies of Sturgis. Great credit is due to Mrs. +William Kyte, chairman of the committee, as well as to all the +other members, for their management of the whole affair. The +utmost good feeling prevailed, and not a sneer or a jeer was +heard from the lords of creation, but a large majority seemed to +hail this as a precursor of what they expect in the future, when +the people shall be educated to respect the rights of all."</p> + +<p>We find the above in the Sturgis <i>Journal</i>, by the way, one of +the best in tone and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_515" id="Page_515">[Pg 515]</a></span> talent of all our western exchanges. Its +editor, Mr. Wait, is a prominent leader in the State, a member of +the legislature, and a believer in the equal civil and political +rights of women. We have more than once suggested in <i>The +Revolution</i> that the women should appear at the polls on election +days and demand their rights as citizens. The effect could not +but be beneficial wherever tried. Any considerable number of +intelligent women in almost any locality would in this way soon +inaugurate a movement to result in a speedy triumph. Let these +noble Sturgis women persevere. Methodist Bishop Simpson was right +when he declared the vote of woman at the polls would soon +extinguish the perdition fires of intemperance. The Sturgis women +have begun the good work, a hundred and fourteen to six! Surely, +blessed are the husbands and children of such wives and mothers.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">P. P.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>In <i>The Revolution</i> of September 3, 1868, we find the following +from the Sturgis <i>Star</i>:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Last spring the ladies of Sturgis went to the polls one +hundred and twenty in number, and demonstrated the propriety +of the movement. Their votes did not count, for they could +only be cast in a separate box, and the movement was only +good in its moral effect. But at the school meeting the +ladies have an equal right to vote with the men. Whatever +qualifications a man must possess to exercise privileges in +that meeting, any woman possessing like qualifications can +exercise like privileges there. To substantiate this, it is +only necessary to read the school law. Section 145 of the +Primary School law: "The words 'qualified voter' shall be +taken and construed to mean and include <i>all taxable +persons</i> residing in the district of the age of twenty-one +years, and who have resided therein three months next +preceding the time of voting."</p> + +<p>Ex-State Superintendent John M. Gregory's opinion of that +is, that "under this section (145) all persons liable to be +taxed in the district, and twenty-one years of age, and +having resided three months in the district, without +distinction of sex, color, or nationality, may vote in the +district meetings." In districts where they elect only a +director, assessor and moderator, the women can vote on all +questions except the election of officers. In graded +districts they can vote on all questions, election of +trustees included. Men having no taxable property, but who +vote at town meetings and general elections, can only vote +for trustees at a school meeting. Any woman, then, having a +watch, cow, buggy, or personal property of any kind, subject +to tax, or who has real estate in her own name, or jointly +with her husband, can vote. Here, then, is a lawful right +for women to vote at school meetings, and as there can be no +impropriety in it, we advocate it. We believe that it will +work good. Our Union school is something that all should +feel an active interest in. We hope, then, that those ladies +entitled to vote will exercise the rights that the law +grants them. To give these suggestions a practical effect, +we cheerfully publish the following notice:</p> + +<p>The undersigned respectfully request those ladies residing +in District No. 3, of the township of Sturgis, who are +entitled to vote at the annual meeting, to assemble in Mrs. +Pendleton's parlor, at the Exchange Hotel, on Friday evening +next, August 28, at 7:30 o'clock, to consider the matter of +exercising the privilege which the law gives them.</p> + +<p>This call is signed by about twenty of the best women of the +borough. Last week we called attention in <i>The Revolution</i> +to the earnestness of the English women in urging their +claim to the right of suffrage, and appealed to American +women from their example. We hear from different sources +that American women will attempt, to some extent, to be +registered this year as voters, and we hope so brave an +example will become a contagion. A boastful warrior once +demanded of his foe, "Deliver up your arms." The answer was, +"Come, if you dare, and take them!" Let women become brave +enough to take their rights, and there will not be much +resistance. According to their faith and their courage, so +shall it be.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">P. P.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The Michigan State Suffrage Society—always an independent +association—was organized at the close of the first convention +held in Hamblin's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_516" id="Page_516">[Pg 516]</a></span> Opera-house, Battle Creek,<a name="FNanchor_307_307" id="FNanchor_307_307"></a><a href="#Footnote_307_307" class="fnanchor">[307]</a> January 20, +1870, and has done the usual work of aiding in the formation of +local societies, circulating tracts and petitions, securing +hearings before the legislature, and holding its annual meetings +from year to year in the different cities of the State.</p> + +<p>The Northwestern Association held its first annual convention in +the Young Men's Hall, Detroit, November 28, 29, 1870, with large +and appreciative audiences.<a name="FNanchor_308_308" id="FNanchor_308_308"></a><a href="#Footnote_308_308" class="fnanchor">[308]</a> Legislative action on the question +of woman suffrage began in Michigan in 1849, when:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The special report favorable to Senate document No. 10, for +universal suffrage, was signed by Dwight Webb, Edward H. Thompson +and Rix Robinson.—House document No. 31, legislature of 1855: +"The Committee on Elections, to whom was referred the petition of +Betsy P. Parker, Lucinda Knapp, Nancy Fleming, Electa Myers, and +several other 'strong-minded' ladies of Lenawee county, asking +such amendments to the constitution of the State as will secure +to women an equal right to the elective franchise with men," +reported adversely, ridiculed the petitioners, and was signed by +A. P. Moorman.—Senate document No. 27, in the session of 1857: +On a memorial of ladies praying the legislature to grant them the +elective franchise, the report was signed by Thomas W. Ferry, and +was favorable and respectful.—House document No. 25, legislature +of 1859: On constitutional amendments in favor of universal +suffrage, the report was favorable for extending suffrage to +colored men, but doubtful as to the wisdom of extending it to +women. This was signed by Fabius Miles, chairman.—Senate +document No. 12: Upon the same constitutional amendments, in the +legislature of 1859, the report signed by R. E. Trowbridge, +chairman of the committee, was adverse to extending suffrage to +women.</p> + +<p>On February 13, 1873, Mr. Lamb introduced "a joint resolution +granting the privilege of the elective franchise to the women of +the State." Mr. Bartholomew introduced "a joint resolution +proposing an amendment to section 1, article 1., of the +constitution, in relation to the qualifications of electors." +Both were referred to the Committee on Elections, which made the +following report:</p> + +<p class="ltr-closelines ltr-break">The Committee on Elections, to whom was referred the joint +resolution granting the privilege of the elective franchise to +women of this State, respectfully report that they have had the +same under consideration, and have directed me to report the same +back to the House without recommendation. We think the time has +not arrived for us to decide on so important a matter. We await +further developments, and are under the impression that there is +no popular demand for the change—at least not sufficient<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_517" id="Page_517">[Pg 517]</a></span> to +warrant us in recommending so important a change in our form of +government at the present session of the legislature—and ask to +be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF40"><span class="smcap">A. Hewitt</span>, <i>Acting Chairman.</i></p> +<p class="ltr-left">[Signed:]</p> + +<p class="ltr-clear">Motion carried to lay the joint resolution on the table. March 4, +it was taken from the table and referred to the Committee of the +Whole, who recommended its passage, and April 10 it was lost by a +vote of 50 to 24:</p> + +<p class="ltr-closelines ltr-break">The committee have considered the matters embraced in the several +resolutions referred to them relative to providing for woman's +suffrage, and have instructed me to report against adding any +such provision to the constitution at present. The committee ask +to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF40"><span class="smcap">E. W. Meddaugh</span>, <i>Chairman.</i></p> +<p class="ltr-left">[Signed:]</p> + +<p class="ltr-clear">October 14.—A bill for separate submission to a vote of the +people of an amendment to the constitution relating to woman's +suffrage, was lost by a tie vote—7 for and 7 against.</p> + +<p>At the extra session of the legislature, 1874, in the House, +March 10, Mr. Hoyt introduced a joint resolution for separate +submission to a vote of the people of an amendment to the +constitution relating to woman suffrage. Referred to the +Committee on Elections and State Affairs, jointly. On March 12 +the following memorial from the State Woman Suffrage +Association<a name="FNanchor_309_309" id="FNanchor_309_309"></a><a href="#Footnote_309_309" class="fnanchor">[309]</a> was presented in the House:</p> + + +<p class="hang ltr-break ltr-closelines"><i>To the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of +Michigan, in Special Session Convened: </i></p> + +<p class="ltr-closelines">The Executive Committee of the Michigan State Woman Suffrage +Association, at their meeting held in Kalamazoo, February 10, +1874, voted to memorialize your honorable body, at your special +session now being held.</p> + +<p class="ltr-closelines">We beg leave to represent to you that the object of this +association is to secure, in a legal way, the enfranchisement of +the women of the State. They are, as you well know, already +recognized as citizens of the State according to the laws of the +United States. They are now taxed for all purposes of public +interest as well as the men. But they are not represented in the +legislature, nor in any branch of the State government, thus +affording a great example, and an unjust one for women, of +taxation without representation, which our fathers declared to be +tyranny; and which is contrary to the genius of our republican +institutions, and to the general polity of this commonwealth. +Women are also governed, while they have no direct voice in the +government, and made subject to laws affecting their property, +their personal rights and liberty, in whose enactment they have +no voice.</p> + +<p class="ltr-closelines">We therefore petition your honorable body, that in preparing a +new constitution, to be submitted for adoption or rejection by +the people of this State, you will strike out the word "male" +from the article defining the qualifications of electors; or if +deemed best by you, will provide for the separate submission of +an article for the enfranchisement of the women of Michigan, +giving them equal rights and privileges with the men. By thus +taking the lead of the States of the Union, to more fully secure +the personal rights of all the citizens, you will show yourselves +in harmony with the spirit of the age and worthy to be called +pioneers in this cause, as you are already most honorably +accounted pioneers in your educational system, which affords +equal and impartial advantages to the population of our State, +irrespective of sex or condition in life—thus aiming to elevate +the entire people to the highest practicable plane of +intelligence and true civilization.</p> + +<p class="ltr-closelines">By order, and in the name of the Michigan Woman Suffrage +Association.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"> +<span class="smcap">Lucinda H. Stone</span>, <i>Corresponding Secretary.</i></p> +<p class="ltr-to">Mrs. <span class="smcap">A. H. Walker</span>, <i>President.</i></p> + +<p class="ltr-break">On March 14, the joint committee made the following report:</p> + +<p class="ltr-closelines">The committees on State affairs and elections, to whom was +referred the joint resolution proposing an amendment to section +I, article VII., of the constitution, in relation to the +qualifications of electors, respectfully report that they have +had the same under consideration, and have directed us to report +the same back to the House without amendment, and recommend that +it do pass and ask to be discharged from the further +consideration of the subject.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_518" id="Page_518">[Pg 518]</a></span></p> + +<p class="ltr-closelines">The reasons which have influenced the committee in recommending +an amendment so radical and sweeping in the changes which it will +create if finally adopted by the people, are briefly these: The +question of granting the right of suffrage to women equally with +men, is one that has been seriously and widely agitated for +years, and while, like other political reforms which change in +any considerable degree the old and established order of things, +it has met with strong opposition, on the other hand it has been +ably advocated by men and women distinguished alike for their +intellectual ability and their excellent judgment. Although we +believe that there should be certain necessary and proper +restrictions to the exercise of the elective franchise, we are of +the opinion that there are reasonable grounds to doubt whether +the distinction of sex in the matter of voting, is not, in a +large measure, a fictitious one. The interests of women in all +matters pertaining to good government are certainly identical +with those of men. In the matter of property their rights +conceded by law are equal, and in some respects superior to those +of men; and if the principle of no taxation without +representation is a just one as applied among men, it would seem +that it might in justice be extended to women. As the reasons +given above are strongly urged by the advocates of woman +suffrage, and as several petitions, numerously signed by citizens +of the State, asking for some action on the part of the House in +this matter, are in the hands of the committee, we have deemed it +advisable, although not equally agreed as to the main question +involved, to recommend the passage of the resolution by the +House, in order that the people of the State may have an +opportunity of expressing their will at the ballot-box as to the +expediency of extending the right of suffrage to women.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from"> +<span class="smcap">Samuel H. Blackman</span>, <i>Chairman of Committee on State Affairs.</i><br /> +<span class="smcap">James Burnes</span>, <i>Chairman of Committee on Elections.</i><br /> +</p> + +<p>Report accepted, and joint resolution placed on the general +order.</p> + +<p>On March 18 the following joint resolution passed the House by a +vote of 67 to 27, and passed the Senate by a vote of 26 to +4,<a name="FNanchor_310_310" id="FNanchor_310_310"></a><a href="#Footnote_310_310" class="fnanchor">[310]</a> proposing an amendment to section I of article VII. of +the constitution, in relation to the qualification of electors:</p> + +<p class="ltr-closelines"><i>Resolved, By the Senate and House of Representatives of the +State of Michigan</i>, That at the election when the amended +constitution shall be submitted to the electors of this State for +adoption or rejection, there shall be submitted to such electors +the following propositions, to be substituted in case of +adoption, for so much of section I, of article VII., as precedes +the proviso therein, in the present constitution of this State as +it now stands, and substituted for section I, article VII., in +said amended constitution, if the latter is adopted, to wit:</p> + +<p class="ltr-closelines"><span class="smcap">Section 1.</span> In all elections, every person of the age of +twenty-one years who shall have resided in this State three +months, and in the township or ward in which he or she offers to +vote ten days next preceding an election, belonging to either of +the following classes, shall be an elector and entitled to vote:</p> + +<p class="ltr-closelines"><i>First</i>—Every citizen of the United States; <i>Second</i>—Every +inhabitant of this State, who shall have resided in the United +States two years and six months, and declared his or her +intention to become a citizen of the United States pursuant to +the laws thereof, six months preceding an election; +<i>Third</i>—Every inhabitant residing in this State on the +twenty-fourth day of June, one thousand eight hundred and +seventy-five.</p> + +<p class="ltr-closelines">Said proposition shall be separately submitted to the electors of +this State for their adoption or rejection, in form following, to +wit: A separate ballot may be given by every person having the +right to vote, to be deposited in a separate box. Upon the ballot +given for said proposition shall be written, or printed, or +partly written and partly printed, the words, "Woman +Suffrage,—Yes"; and upon ballots given against the adoption +thereof, in like manner, the words, "Woman Suffrage,—No." If at +said election a majority of the votes given upon said proposition +shall contain the words, "Woman Suffrage,—Yes," then said +proposition shall be substituted for so much of section I, of +article VII., as includes the proviso therein in the present +constitution of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_519" id="Page_519">[Pg 519]</a></span> the State as it now stands, or substituted for +section I, of article VII., in said amended constitution, if the +latter is adopted. </p></blockquote> + +<p>This bill was promptly signed by Governor Bagley, and from that +hour the attention of the advocates of suffrage for women was +centered on Michigan.</p> + +<p>The submission of this amendment to a vote of the people, gave an +unusual interest and importance to the annual meeting held at +Lansing, May 6, 1874,<a name="FNanchor_311_311" id="FNanchor_311_311"></a><a href="#Footnote_311_311" class="fnanchor">[311]</a> at which plans were to be made, and +money raised for a vigorous campaign throughout the State. The +large number of women ready to do the speaking, and the equally +large number of men ready to make generous contributions, were most +encouraging in starting. Women who could not aid the cause in any +other way cast their gold watches into the treasury. From the large +number of letters received at this convention we may judge how +thoroughly aroused the friends were all over the country. Lydia +Maria Child wrote:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It is urged, that if women participated in public affairs, +puddings would be spoiled, and stockings neglected. Doubtless +some such cases might occur; for we have the same human nature as +men, and men are sometimes so taken up with elections as to +neglect their business for a while. But I apprehend that puddings +and stockings, to say nothing of nurseries, suffer much greater +detriment from the present expenditure of time and thought upon +the heartless ostentation of parties, and the flounces and +fripperies of fashion, than can possibly accrue from the +intellectual cultivation of women, or their participation in +public affairs. Voting is a mere incident in the lives of men. It +does not prevent the blacksmith from shoeing horses, or the +farmer from planting fields, or the lawyer from attending courts; +so I see no reason why it need to prevent women from attending to +their domestic duties. On certain subjects, such as intemperance, +licentiousness and war, women would be almost universally sure to +exert their influence in the right directions, for the simple +reason that they peculiarly suffer from the continuance of these +evils. In the discharge of this new function, they would +doubtless make some mistakes, and yield to some temptations, just +as men do. But the consciousness of being an acknowledged portion +of the government of the country would excite a deeper interest +in its welfare, and produce a serious sense of responsibility, +which would gradually invigorate and ennoble their characters.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Thomas Wentworth Higginson</span> wrote: I believe that we fail to +establish a truly republican government, or to test the principle +of universal suffrage, so long as we enfranchise one sex only.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">A. Bronson Alcott</span> wrote: <span class="spacious">* * *</span> Where women lead—the best +women—is it unsafe for men to follow? Woman's influence cannot +be confined to her household;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_520" id="Page_520">[Pg 520]</a></span> woman is, and will be, womanly +wherever placed. No condition can unsex the sexes. The ten +commandments will not suffer in her keeping. Her vote will tell +for the virtues, against the vices all. Plato said: "Either sex +alone is but half itself." Socially, we admit his assertion, and +are just beginning to suspect that our republican institutions +need to be complemented and rounded with woman's counsels, and +administrations also. Good republicans are asking if our +legislation is not unsettled, demoralized by the debauchery of +hasty politics, by private vices, and the want of manly +integrity, woman's honor. Let our courtesy to women be +sincere—paid to her modesty as to her person; her intelligence +as to her housekeeping; her refining influence in political as in +social circles. Where a husband would blush to take his wife and +daughters, let him blush to be seen by his sons. "Revere no god," +says Euripides, "whom men adore by night." And Sophocles: "Seek +not thy fellow-citizens to guide till thou canst order well thine +own fireside." Mrs. Alcott and Louisa join in hearty hopes for +your success.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Edna D. Cheney</span> wrote: <span class="spacious">* * *</span> How I long for the time when this +question being settled, we can all go forward, working together, +to discuss and settle the really great questions of political and +social economy, of labor, of education, and the full development +of human life in State and society.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">John Greenleaf Whittier</span> wrote: <span class="spacious">* * *</span> I hope and trust the +electors will be wise and generous enough to decide it in your +favor. Were I a citizen of the State I should esteem it alike a +duty and a privilege to vote in the affirmative.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Asa Mahan</span>, president of Oberlin College, wrote: The cause which +has called you together is a very plain one. It is simply this, +whether "taxation without representation" is tyranny to all but +one-half of the human race, and the principle that rulers derive +their authority to make and administer law from the consent of +the governed, holds true of the white man and the black man, of +man native or foreign born, and even of the "heathen Chinee," if +he belong to the male sex, and is a lie in its application to +woman.<a name="FNanchor_312_312" id="FNanchor_312_312"></a><a href="#Footnote_312_312" class="fnanchor">[312]</a> </p></blockquote> + +<p>Dr. Stone, of Kalamazoo, read an able report of what had been done, +and all it was necessary to do if the friends desired to carry the +pending amendment. The following extract will give some idea of the +momentous undertaking in canvassing a State:</p> + +<blockquote><p>When the governor decided to call an extra session of the +legislature, so as to submit the new constitution to a popular +vote next November, the committee had but little time for the +circulation of petitions; but enough was done to secure the vote +in favor of submission. This was the more easily accomplished +because we have in the present legislature so many warm and +active friends, who gave that body no rest until their point was +carried. And here we find ourselves suddenly brought into a +campaign almost as novel as momentous, with scarce a precedent to +guide us. We ask the electors of Michigan to share their civil +and political power with those who have always been denied all +electoral rights—to vest the popular sovereignty not merely in +themselves, in a quarter of a million of men, as hitherto, but in +half a million of men and women, and so make our State what it is +not now, a truly republican commonwealth. We have a great work +before us, and no time should be lost in organizing a general +canvass of the entire State. Competent lecturers should be +employed wherever hearers can be found, and money raised to +defray the expenses. Printed documents too, must be circulated; +arguments and conclusions framed by those who have thought on +these subjects for men, and sometimes for women, who are too +indolent to think for themselves. And there are many other things +which we must do before the November election; ballots must be +furnished for every township and polling place, especially +affirmative ballots, and placed in the hands of all the voters. +The Executive Committee cannot<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_521" id="Page_521">[Pg 521]</a></span> be ubiquitous enough to discharge +all these multifarious duties. We therefore suggest that there be +appointed during this meeting, <i>First</i>, a Committee on Finance. +<i>Second</i>, a Committee on Printed Documents. <i>Third</i>, a Committee +on Lecturers. <i>Fourth</i>, a County Committee of perhaps three +persons in each county, who shall have power also to appoint a +sub-committee in each township. Whether so many distinct +committees will be needed, or more than one class of duties can +be entrusted to the same committee, the association can +determine. We do not want too much, nor too complicated +machinery, but just enough to accomplish the work. We must fall +into line; woman expects every man to do his duty; surely she +will not fail to be true to herself. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Representatives from the different counties gave their names<a name="FNanchor_313_313" id="FNanchor_313_313"></a><a href="#Footnote_313_313" class="fnanchor">[313]</a> +as ready to begin the work arranged by the several committees. With +this large and enthusiastic convention the campaign may be said +fairly to have opened at Lansing early in May, a political +organization being formed of Republicans and Democrats alike, +representing nearly every district in the State. Governor Bagley +having promptly signed the bill, and his wife being an earnest +advocate of the measure, the social influence of the family was all +in the right direction. The influence of the church, too, was in a +measure favorable. The Methodist denomination, in its general +conference, passed a resolution indorsing woman suffrage. Mrs. +Stanton, in a letter to the <i>Golden Age</i>, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>During the time I spent in Michigan, speaking every night and +twice on Sunday to crowded houses, I had abundant opportunities +of feeling the pulse of the people, both in public and private, +and it seemed to me that the tide of popular thought and feeling +was running in the right direction. The people are beginning to +regard the idea of woman's equality with man as not only a +political, but a religious truth, Methodist, Congregational, +Presbyterian, Baptist and Unitarian churches being all alike +thrown open to its consideration. Sitting Sunday after Sunday in +the different pulpits with reverend gentlemen, my discourses +given in the place of the sermon, in the regular services, I +could not help thinking of the distance we had come since that +period in civilization when Paul's word was law, "Let your women +keep silence in the churches." Able men and women are speaking in +every part of the State, and if our triumph should not be +complete at the next election, at all events a great educational +work will have been accomplished in the distribution of tracts, +in the public debates,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_522" id="Page_522">[Pg 522]</a></span> and in reviewing the fundamental +principles of our government and religion. Being frequently told +that women did not wish to vote, I adopted the plan of calling +for a rising vote at the close of my lectures, and on all +occasions a majority of the women would promptly rise. Knowing +that the men had the responsibility of voting before their eyes, +and might be diffident about rising, I reversed the manner of +expression in their case, requesting all those in favor of woman +suffrage to keep their seats, and those opposed to rise up, thus +throwing the onerous duty of changing their attitudes on the +opposition. So few arose under such circumstances that it was +somewhat embarrassing for those who did. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Those who were engaged in the canvass<a name="FNanchor_314_314" id="FNanchor_314_314"></a><a href="#Footnote_314_314" class="fnanchor">[314]</a> had enthusiastic +meetings everywhere. They not only filled all their regular +appointments, but spoke in the prisons, asylums; even the deaf and +dumb were refreshed with the gospel of woman suffrage. The press, +too, was generally favorable, though the opposition magnified the +occasional adverse criticisms out of all proportion to their +severity and number. Towards the last of September Miss Anthony, by +invitation of Mrs. Briggs and Mrs. Bliss of Grand Rapids, came into +the State and remained until election day. She often brought down +the house with her witty comments on the criticisms of the +press.<a name="FNanchor_315_315" id="FNanchor_315_315"></a><a href="#Footnote_315_315" class="fnanchor">[315]</a></p> + +<p>Everything that could be done was done by the friends of the +amendment throughout the State; meetings held and tracts on every +phase of the question scattered in all the most obscure +settlements; inspiring songs sung, earnest prayers offered, the +press vigilant in its appeals, and on election day women everywhere +at the polls, persuading voters to cast their ballots for +temperance, moral purity and good order, to be secured only by +giving the right of suffrage to their mothers, wives and daughters. +But the sun went down, the polls were closed, and in the early dawn +of the next morning the women of Michigan learned that their status +as citizens of the United States had not been advanced one iota by +the liberal action of their governor, their legislature, the +appeals of the women nor the votes of 40,000 of the best men of the +State.</p> + +<p>When the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments to the national +constitution were passed, many advocates of suffrage believed that +the right was conferred on women. In a letter to a State convention +held at that time, Wendell Phillips said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The new phase of the woman movement—that claiming the right to +vote under the fourteenth amendment—is attracting great +attention in Washington. Whether it ever obtains judicial +sanction or not, it certainly gives a new and most effective +means of agitation. The argument of the minority report, +understood to be written by General Butler, is most able. <span class="spacious">* * *</span> +The statement of the argument, and the array of cases<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_523" id="Page_523">[Pg 523]</a></span> and +authorities, are very striking. Nothing more cogent can be +imagined or desired. When two years ago a Western advocate of +woman's rights started this theory, we never expected to see it +assume such importance. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In accordance with this opinion, certain women resolved to apply +for registration, and offer their votes. On March 25, 1871, +Catherine A. F. Stebbins and Mrs. Nannette B. Gardner of Detroit +made the attempt to have their names regularly enrolled as legally +qualified voters. Mrs. Stebbins, accompanied by her husband, made +application in the fifth ward to have her name registered, but was +refused. She then proposed to her friend, Mrs. Gardner, to make the +trial in her ward, to which she assented. Accordingly, they went to +the first district of the ninth ward, where Peter Hill was the +enrolling officer. Mrs. Gardner gave her name, saying she was a +"person" within the meaning of the fourteenth amendment, and that +she was a widow, and a tax-payer without representation. Mr. Hill, +seeing the justice of her demand, entered her name upon the +register.</p> + +<p>This action took some of the board of registration by surprise, and +a motion was made to erase her name, but was decided in the +negative.<a name="FNanchor_316_316" id="FNanchor_316_316"></a><a href="#Footnote_316_316" class="fnanchor">[316]</a> The board was now asked for a decision in regard to +Mrs. Stebbins' name, as the question very naturally suggested +itself to the inspectors, if one woman can vote why not another. +Mrs. Stebbins was notified that her case would have a hearing. When +asked to submit her reasons for demanding the right to vote, Mrs. +S. stated that she asked it simply as the right of a human being +under the constitution of the United States. She had paid taxes on +personal and real estate, and had conformed to the laws of the land +in every respect. Since the fourteenth amendment had enfranchised +woman as well as the black man, she had the necessary +qualifications of an elector.</p> + +<p>A long debate followed. Inspectors Bagg, Hill and Folsom argued in +favor of the petitioner; Allison, Brooks, Henderson and Hughes +against. The opposition confessed that the negro had voted before +the word "white" had been expunged from the State constitution; but +that was done from a "political necessity." The question of +acceptance being put to vote, was negatived—13 to 10. This was +counted a victory, and stimulated the opposition to make another +effort to strike Mrs. Gardner's name from the register; but failing +in that, the board adjourned. There was now much curiosity to know +if Alderman Hill would have the nerve to stand by his initiative; +but with him the Rubicon was passed, and on April 3, Messrs. Hill +and Durfee accepted Mrs. Gardner's vote, Mr. Bond protesting. The +Detroit <i>Post</i> gave the following account:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Mrs. Gardner arrived at the polls of the first precinct of the +ninth ward at about half-past ten o'clock in a carriage, +accompanied by her son, a lad of ten years, Mrs. Starring and +Mrs. Giles B. Stebbins. Barely a dozen by-standers were present, +and the larger part of these were laboring men. No demonstration +followed the appearance of the ladies, the men remaining quiet, +and contenting themselves with comments <i>sotto voce</i> on this last +political development, and with speculations as to how the newly +enfranchised would vote. Mrs. Gardner presented herself at the +polls with a vase of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_524" id="Page_524">[Pg 524]</a></span> flowers and also a prepared ballot, which +she had decorated with various appropriate devices. The +inspectors asked the questions usually put to all applicants, and +her name being found duly registered, her ballot was received and +deposited in the box. There was no argument, no challenge, no +variation from the routine traversed by each masculine exerciser +of the elective franchise. Mrs. Gardner voted, as we understand; +for the Republican candidates generally, with one Democrat and +one lady. </p></blockquote> + +<p>At Battle Creek, Mrs. Mary Wilson voted at the election of 1871. +When she registered, she was accompanied by her lawyer.</p> + +<p>In the fall of 1872, Peter Hill again registered Mrs. Gardner, and +received her vote. Mr. Hill had been exposed to many animadversions +for his persistence, and as an acknowledgment of her appreciation +of his course, Mrs. Gardner presented him a silk banner suitably +inscribed. A city paper gives this account of it:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Mrs. Gardner, who has for years been a recognized voter in the +ninth ward of Detroit, again voted on Tuesday. She came on foot, +with Mrs. Stebbins, in a drenching rain, as no carriage could be +obtained. After voting, she presented a beautiful banner of white +satin, trimmed with gold fringe, on which was inscribed, "A +Woman's Voting Hymn." The reverse side, of blue silk, contained +the dedication: "To Peter Hill, Alderman of the Ninth Ward, +Detroit. First to Register a Woman's Vote. By recognizing civil +liberty and equality for woman, he has placed the last and +brightest jewel on the brow of Michigan." </p></blockquote> + +<p>The city board now felt called upon to pass a vote of censure upon +Mr. Hill's action. The record runs thus:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Canvasser <span class="smcap">Baxter</span>: <i>Resolved</i>, That the act of the inspectors of +election of the first district of the ninth ward, in receiving +the vote of Mrs. Nannette B. Gardner at the election just passed, +is emphatically disapproved by this board, on the ground that +said act is a plain violation of the election laws and +constitution of the State of Michigan, and is liable to lead to +the grossest abuses and complications.</p> + +<p>Canvasser <span class="smcap">Fulda</span> moved to lay the resolution on the table—lost. +Adopted as follows: <i>Yeas</i>—Langley, Flower, House, Lichtenberg, +Phelps, Parsons, Christian, Allison, Buehle, Dullea, Daly, +Barbier, Baxter—13. <i>Nays</i>—Wooley and Fulda—2.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Philo Parsons</span>, <i>Chairman</i>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left0"><span class="smcap">Chas A. Borgman</span>, <i>Secretary</i>.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p class="ltr-clear">Mrs. Stebbins attempted to register at this election with the same +result as before. Upon the fourth of November she provided herself +with a sworn statement that she had been "wrongfully prevented" the +record of her name, and offered her vote at the polls, calling +attention to the "enforcing act," provided for such cases. It had +no terror, however, for the valiant inspectors of the fifth ward. +In the fall of 1873, there was the following correspondence between +the board and the city counselor:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Hon. D. C. Holbrook, City Counselor</i>: <span class="smcap">Dear Sir</span>:—Mrs. Giles B. +Stebbins has applied to this board and demands the right to +register. This board has declined to grant the request on the +ground that it does not believe her to be a legal elector. Mrs. +Stebbins would have all the required qualifications of an +elector, but for the fact of her being a woman, and we therefore +respectfully request that you instruct us as to our duty in the +premises.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"> +<span class="smcap">S. B. Woolley</span>,<br /> +<span class="smcap">Albert Botsford</span>,<br /> +<i>Inspectors of First Ward</i>.<br /> +</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Very respectfully,</p> + + +<p class="ltr-clear">Woman cannot be enrolled or registered. Let her try it on.<a name="FNanchor_317_317" id="FNanchor_317_317"></a><a href="#Footnote_317_317" class="fnanchor">[317]</a></p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF40"><span class="smcap">D. C. Holbrook</span>, <i>City Counselor</i>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left0"><i>Oct. 24, 1873.</i></p> + +</blockquote> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_525" id="Page_525">[Pg 525]</a></span></p> + +<p class="ltr-clear">In company with Mrs. H. J. Boutelle, Mrs. Stebbins offered her vote +in the fifth ward. Mr. Farwell was in favor of receiving it, and +wished to leave the question to a dozen responsible citizens whom +he called in as referees, but Col. Phelps would not be influenced +by the judgment of outsiders, and would not agree to the +proposal.<a name="FNanchor_318_318" id="FNanchor_318_318"></a><a href="#Footnote_318_318" class="fnanchor">[318]</a></p> + +<p>Mrs. Gardner's name was retained on the ward voting list, and she +voted every year until she left the city for the education of her +children.</p> + +<p>Before the University at Ann Arbor was opened to girls in 1869, +there had been several attempts to establish seminaries for girls +alone.<a name="FNanchor_319_319" id="FNanchor_319_319"></a><a href="#Footnote_319_319" class="fnanchor">[319]</a> But they were not successful for several reasons. As +the State would not endow these private institutions, it made the +education of daughters very expensive, and fathers with daughters, +seeing their neighbors' sons in the State University educated at +the public expense, from financial considerations were readily +converted to the theory of coëducation. Again the general drift of +thought was in favor of coëducation throughout the young western +States. Then institutions of learning were too expensive to build +separate establishments for girls and boys, and the number of boys +able to attend through a collegiate course could not fill the +colleges ready for their reception. Hence from all considerations +it was a double advantage both to the State and the girls, to admit +them to the universities.</p> + +<p>James A. B. Stone and Mrs. Lucinda H. Stone went to Kalamazoo in +1843, immediately after his election to take charge of the Literary +Institute. The name was afterwards changed to Kalamazoo College. It +is the oldest collegiate institute in the State, having been +chartered in 1833, and was designed from the outset for both sexes. +In the beginning it did not confer degrees, but was the first, +after Oberlin, to give diplomas to women. Kalamazoo was an object +of derision with some of the professors of the University, because +it was, they averred, of doubtful gender. But a liberal-minded +public grew more and more in favor of epicene colleges. Literary +seminaries had been established for coëducation at Albion, Olivet, +Adrian and Hillsdale, but some of their charters were not exactly +of a collegiate grade, and it was doubtful whether under the new +constitution, new college charters would be granted, so that +Kalamazoo and Ann Arbor had the field. In January, 1845, a bill was +introduced in the legislature to organize literary institutions +under a general law, no collegiate degrees being allowed, unless on +the completion of a curriculum equal to that of the State +University. The championship of this bill fell to Dr. Stone, for +while it would have no special effect on Kalamazoo, it concerned +the cause of coëducation in the State, and the friends of the +University made it a kind of test of what the State policy should +be in reference to the higher learning for women. Dr. Tappan, then +the able president of the University, appeared at Lansing, +supported by Rev. Dr.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_526" id="Page_526">[Pg 526]</a></span> Duffield and a force of able lawyers, to +oppose it, and the far-seeing friends of education in the +legislature and in the lobby, rallied with Dr. Stone for its +support. For several weeks the contest was carried on with +earnestness, almost with bitterness, before the legislative +committees, before public meetings called in the capitol for +discussion, and on the floor of both houses. Dr. Tappan made +frantic appeals to Michigan statesmen not to disgrace the State by +such a law, which he prophesied would result in "preparatory +schools for matrimony," and, shocking to contemplate, young men +would marry their classmates. Among the friends of the measure +present, were President Fairfield, Professor Hosford, and Hon. Mr. +Edsell, of Otsego, all graduates of Oberlin, who had married their +classmates, and "been glad ever since." They replied, "What of it? +Are not those who have met daily in the recitation-room for four +years, as well prepared to judge of each other's fitness for +life-companionship, as if they had only met a few times at a ball, +a dress party, or in private interview?" The legislature was an +intelligent one, and the bill passed amid great excitement, crowds +of interested spectators listening to the final discussions in the +lower House. Governor Bingham was friendly to the bill from the +first. After its passage, he sent a handsome copy signed by himself +and other officers, to Dr. and Mrs. Stone, at Kalamazoo, to be +preserved as a record of the Thermopylæ fight for coëducation in +Michigan.</p> + +<p>Rev. E. O. Havens succeeded Dr. Tappan in the presidency, and was +supposed to be less strong in his prejudices, but when efforts were +made to open the doors to both sexes, he reported it difficult and +inexpedient, if not impossible. But he counted without the +broad-minded people of Michigan. A growing conviction that the +legislature would stop the appropriations to the University unless +justice was done to the daughters of the State, finally brought +about, at Ann Arbor, a change of policy. Under the light that broke +in upon their minds, the professors found there was really no law +against the admission of women to that very liberal seat of +learning. "To be sure, they never had admitted women, but none had +formally applied." This, though somewhat disingenuous, was received +in good faith, and soon tested by Miss Madeline Stockwell, who had +completed half her course at Kalamazoo, and was persuaded by Mrs. +Stone to make application at Ann Arbor. Mrs. Stone knew her to be a +thorough scholar, as far as she had gone, especially in Greek, +which some had supposed that women could not master. When she +presented herself for examination some members of the faculty were +far from cordial, but they were just, and she entered in the grade +for which she applied. She sustained herself ably in all her +studies, and when examined for her degree—the first woman graduate +from the literary department—she was commended as the peer of any +of her class-mates, and took an honorable part in the commencement +exercises. Moreover, she fulfilled the doleful prophecy of Dr. +Tappan, as women in other schools had done before her, and married +her class-mate, Mr. Turner, an able lawyer.</p> + +<p>The statement by the faculty, or regents, that "no woman had +formally applied," was untrue, as we shall see. The University was +opened to them in 1869; eleven years before, Miss Sarah Burger, now +Mrs. Stearns, made<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_527" id="Page_527">[Pg 527]</a></span> the resolve, the preparation, and the +application to enter the University of Michigan; and young as she +was, her clear-sightedness and courage called forth our admiration. +As a child, in Ann Arbor, from 1845, to 1852, she had often +attended the commencement exercises of the University, and on those +occasions had felt very unhappy, because all the culture given to +mind and heart and soul by this institution was given to young men +alone. It seemed a cruel injustice to young women that they could +not be there with their brothers, enjoying the same. In connection +with her efforts and those of her friends to enter those enchanted +portals, she bears grateful testimony to the discussions on the +question of woman's rights, as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>When it was my blessed privilege to attend a women's rights +convention at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1853,—and it was a grand +meeting—where dear Lucretia Mott, Ernestine L. Rose, Frances D. +Gage, Antoinette Brown, Lucy Stone, and others, dwelt upon the +manifold wrongs suffered by women, and called upon them to awake +and use their powers to secure justice to all, I felt their words +to mean that the Michigan University as well as all others, +should be opened to girls, and that women themselves should first +move in the matter. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Thus aroused, though but sixteen years old, she resolved at once to +make application for admission to the State University. Early in +the autumn of 1856, she entered the high school at Ann Arbor, and +studied Greek and Latin two years, preparatory to taking the +classical course. Four young ladies besides herself, recited with +the boys who were preparing for college, and they were all declared +by a university professor who had attended frequent examinations, +to stand head and shoulders in scholarship above many of the young +men. Miss Burger wishing as large a class as possible to appeal for +admission, wrote to a number of classical schools for young women, +asking coöperation, and secured the names of eleven<a name="FNanchor_320_320" id="FNanchor_320_320"></a><a href="#Footnote_320_320" class="fnanchor">[320]</a> who would +gladly apply with her. In the spring of 1858, she sent a note to +the regents, saying a class of twelve young ladies would apply in +June, for admission to the University in September. A reporter said +"a certain Miss B. had sent the regents warning of the momentous +event." At the board meeting in June, the young ladies presented +their promised letter of application, and received as reply, that +the board should have <i>more time to consider</i>. In September their +reply was, that it seemed inexpedient for the University to admit +ladies at present. In the meantime, a great deal had been said and +done on the subject; some members of the faculty had spoken in +favor, some against. University students, and citizens of Ann Arbor +also joined in the general discussion. The subject was widely +discussed in the press and on the platform; members of the faculty +and board of regents applied to the presidents of universities east +and west, for their opinions. The people of Michigan, thus brought +to consider the injustice of the exclusion of their daughters from +this State institution, there was offered for signature during the +winter of 1859, the following petition:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>To the Regents of the University of Michigan:</i></p> + +<p>The undersigned, inhabitants of ——, in the county of ——, and +State of Michigan, respectfully request that young women may be +admitted as students in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_528" id="Page_528">[Pg 528]</a></span> the University, for the following among +other reasons: <i>First</i>—It is incumbent on the State to give +equal educational advantages to both sexes. <i>Second</i>—All can be +educated in the State University with but little more expense +than is necessary to educate young men alone. <i>Third</i>—It will +save the State from the expenditure of half a million of dollars, +necessary to furnish young ladies in a separate institution with +the advantages now enjoyed by young men. <i>Fourth</i>—It will admit +young ladies at once to the benefits of the highest educational +privileges of the State. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Among the most active in lectures, debates, circulation of +petitions and general advocacy were James B. Gott, Judge Edwin +Lawrence, Giles B. Stebbins and O. P. Stearns, the last at that +time a student, since a lawyer, and the husband of Mrs. Sarah +Burger Stearns of Minnesota.</p> + +<p>In the spring of 1859 formal application was again made to the +regents by a class of young ladies, only to receive the same +answer. But the discussion was not dropped; indeed, that was +impossible. Some of the most intelligent on this question believe +that the final admission of women to the University was due to a +resolve on the part of the people of the State to place upon the +board of regents, as the terms of old members expired, men well +known to be favorable. On the election of Professor Estabrook of +the State Normal School there was one more noble man "for us," who, +with other new members, made a majority in favor of justice. In the +autumn of that year (1869) young women were admitted to full +privileges in Michigan University, and, like political freedom in +Wyoming, it has for years been confessed to have yielded only +beneficent results. As long ago, however, as the first application +was made (1858) women were permitted to attend certain lectures. +They could not join a class or read a book, but it was the custom +for them to go and listen to the beautiful and highly instructive +lectures by Professor Andrew D. White on history, sculpture, and +mediæval architecture, and they highly appreciated the privilege.</p> + +<p>In March, 1869, President Havens said in the House of +Representatives at Lansing, "he believed the University should be +opened to those who desired to obtain the benefit of the branches +of education which they could not obtain elsewhere." The Rev. +Gilbert Haven wrote to the American Society's meeting held in +Detroit, in 1874: "I have been identified with your cause through +its evil report, and, I was going to add, good report, but that +part has not yet very largely set in. I also had the honor to +preside over the first ecclesiastical body that has, just now, +pronounced in your favor." This church assembly was the Methodist +State Association, which adopted the following in October, 1874, +without a negative vote, though several of the delegates refused to +vote:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The legislature of Michigan, at its recent session, has +submitted to the electors of the State a proposition to change +the State constitution so as to admit the women of Michigan to +the elective franchise; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That this convention recognizes the action of the +legislature as a step toward a higher and purer administration of +the government of our country, and we hope the provision will be +adopted. </p></blockquote> + +<p>But the above was not the strongest utterance of Bishop Gilbert +Haven. Once at an equal rights society convention in the Academy of +Music, Brooklyn, where from floor to ceiling was gathered an +admirable and immense audience, with profound respect I heard these +memorable words:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_529" id="Page_529">[Pg 529]</a></span></p> + +<p>"I shall never be satisfied until a <i>black woman</i> is seated in the +presidential chair of the United States," than which no more +advanced claim for the complete legal recognition of woman has been +made in our country.</p> + +<p>In February, 1879, a spirited debate took place in the legislature +upon an amendment to the Episcopal Church bill, which struck out +the word "male" from the qualification of voters. The Detroit <i>Post +and Tribune</i> says a vigorous effort was made to defeat the measure, +but without success. The justice of allowing women to take part in +church government was recognized, and the amendment carried.</p> + +<p>We have written persistently to leading women all over the State +for facts in regard to their local societies, and such responses as +have been received are embodied in this chapter. We give +interesting reports of a few of the county societies in which much +has been accomplished.</p> + +<p>Of the work in Quincy Mrs. Sarah Turner says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We never organized a woman suffrage society, although our +literary club has done much for the cause in a general way. We +had crowded houses on the occasions of a very able speech from +Elizabeth Cady Stanton and a most spirited one from Miss Phœbe +Couzins. For the past eight years a dozen tax-paying women of +this town have availed themselves of the privilege granted them +years ago, and voted at the school meetings; and two years ago a +woman was elected member of the school-board.</p> + +<p>Lansing reports for January, 1871, Mrs. Livermore's lecture on +"The Reasons Why" [women should be enfranchised]; the +organization of a city society with sixty members at the close of +the annual meeting of the State Association held in that city in +March; a lecture from Mrs. Stanton before the Young Men's +Association; the adoption of a declaration of rights by the +Ingham County Society, March, 1872, signed by 169 of the best +people of the county. In 1874, of the many meetings held those of +Mrs. Stanton and Miss Couzins are specially mentioned.</p> + +<p>The St. Johns society, formed in 1872 with six members, reported +sixty at the State annual meeting of 1874, and also $171.71, +raised by fees and sociables, mainly expended in the circulation +of tracts and documents throughout the county. </p></blockquote> + +<p>From Manistee Mrs. Fannie Holden Fowler writes:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In the campaign of 1874 Hon. S. W. Fowler, one of the committee +for Northern Michigan appointed by the State Society, canvassed +Manistee county and advocated the cause through his paper, the +<i>Times and Standard</i>. The election showed the good of educational +work, as a large vote was polled in the towns canvassed by Mr. +Fowler, two of them giving a majority for the amendment. In an +editorial, after the election, Mr. Fowler said: "The combined +forces of ignorance, vice and prejudice have blocked the wheels +of advancing civilization, and Michigan, once the proudest of the +sisterhood of States, has lost the opportunity of inaugurating a +reform; now let the women organize for a final onset." However, +no active suffrage work was done until December 3, 1879, when +Susan B. Anthony was induced to stop over on her way from +Frankfort to Ludington and give her lecture, "Woman Wants Bread; +Not the Ballot." She was our guest, and urged the formation of a +society, and through her influence a "Woman's Department" was +added to the <i>Times and Standard</i>, which is still a feature of +the paper. In the following spring (April, 1880), Elizabeth Cady +Stanton gave her lecture, "Our Girls," with two "conversations," +before the temperance women and others, which revived the courage +of the few who had been considering the question of organization. +A call was issued, to which twenty-three responded, and the +society was formed June 8, 1880,<a name="FNanchor_321_321" id="FNanchor_321_321"></a><a href="#Footnote_321_321" class="fnanchor">[321]</a> adopting the constitution +of the National and electing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_530" id="Page_530">[Pg 530]</a></span> delegates to attend a convention to +be held under the auspices of that association the following week +at Grand Rapids. The society at once made a thorough canvass of +the city, which resulted in the attendance of seventy tax-paying +women at the school election in September, when the first woman's +vote was cast in Manistee county. Each succeeding year has +witnessed more women at the school election, until, in 1883, they +outnumbered the men, and would have elected their ticket but for +a fraud perpetrated by the old school-board, which made the +election void.</p> + +<p>In August 1881, Mrs. May Wright Sewall delivered two lectures in +Manistee. In February 1882, a social, celebrating Miss Anthony's +birthday, was given by the association at the residence of Mr. +and Mrs. Fowler, and was voted a success. Through the untiring +efforts of Mrs. Lucy T. Stansell, who was also a member of the +Ladies' Lever League, Mrs. Elizabeth Boynton Harbert gave a +Manistee audience a rich treat in her "Homes of Representative +Women," and her conversation on suffrage elicited much interest.</p> + +<p>During the autumn of 1882, petitions asking for municipal +suffrage were circulated. The venerable Josiah R. Holden of Grand +Rapids, father of Mrs. Fowler, then in his 88th year, obtained +the largest number of signatures to his petition of any one in +the State. A bill granting municipal suffrage to women was drawn +by Mrs. Fowler, introduced in the legislature by Hon. George J. +Robinson, and afterwards tabled. At the session of 1885 a similar +bill came within a few votes of being carried.</p> + +<p>In Grand Rapids there was no revival of systematic work until +1880, when the National Association held a very successful two +days' convention in the city. In response to a petition from the +society, the legislature in the winter of 1885 passed a law, +giving to the tax-paying women of the city the right to vote on +school questions at the charter elections. At the first meeting a +hundred women were present, and hundreds availed themselves of +their new power and voted at the first election. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The State Society held its annual meeting at Grand Rapids, October +7, 8, 9, 1885, at which the address of welcome was given by Mrs. +Loraine Immen, president of the City Society,<a name="FNanchor_322_322" id="FNanchor_322_322"></a><a href="#Footnote_322_322" class="fnanchor">[322]</a> and responded to +by Mrs. Stebbins of Detroit.<a name="FNanchor_323_323" id="FNanchor_323_323"></a><a href="#Footnote_323_323" class="fnanchor">[323]</a></p> + +<p>The only religious sect in the world, unless we except the Quakers, +that has recognized the equality of woman, is the Spiritualists. +They have always assumed that woman may be a medium of +communication from heaven to earth, that the spirits of the +universe may breathe through her lips messages of loving kindness +and mercy to the children of earth. The Spiritualists in our +country are not an organized body, but they are more or less +numerous in every State and Territory from ocean to ocean. Their +opinions on woman suffrage and equal rights in all respects must be +learned from the utterances of their leading speakers and writers +of books, from their weekly journals, from resolutions passed at +large meetings, and from their usage and methods. A reliable person +widely familiar with Spiritualism since its beginning in 1848, says +that he has known but very few Spiritualists who were not in favor<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_531" id="Page_531">[Pg 531]</a></span> +of woman suffrage; that all their representative men and women, and +all their journals advocate it, and have always done so; that +expressions in its favor in public meetings meet with hearty +approval, and that men and women have spoken on their platforms, +and held official places as co-workers in their societies through +all of these thirty-seven years. All this has taken place with very +little argument or discussion, but from an intuitive sense of the +justice and consequent benefits of such a course. A single +testimony, of many that might be given from their writings, must +suffice. In the <i>Religio-Philosophical Journal</i>, Chicago, Ill., +November 22, 1884, its editor, J. C. Bundy, says: "Although not +especially published in the interest of woman, this journal is a +stalwart advocate of woman's rights, and has for years given weekly +space to 'Woman and the Household,' a department under the care of +Mrs. Hester M. Poole, who has done much to encourage women to +renewed and persistent effort for their own advancement."</p> + +<p>It has been the custom of some of our journals to ask for letters +of greeting from distinguished people for New Year's day. We find +the following in the <i>Inter-Ocean</i>: "Sojourner Truth, the Miriam of +the later Exodus, sends us this remarkable letter. She is the most +wonderful woman the colored race has ever produced, and thus +conveys her New Year's greeting to our readers:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Friends</span>: More than a hundred New Years have I seen before +this one, and I send a New Year's greeting to one and all. We +talk of a beginning, but there is no beginning but the beginning +of a wrong. All else is from God, and is from everlasting to +everlasting. All that has a beginning will have an ending. God is +without end, and all that is good is without end. We shall never +see God, only as we see him in one another. He is a great ocean +of love, and we live and move in Him as the fishes in the sea, +filled with His love and spirit, and His throne is in the hearts +of His people. Jesus, the Son of God, will be as we are, if we +are pure, and we will be like him. There will be no distinction. +He will be like the sun and shine upon us, and we will be like +the sun and shine upon him; all filled with glory. We are the +children of one Father, and he is God; and Jesus will be one +among us. God is no respecter of persons, and we will be as one. +If it were not so, there would be jealousy. These ideas have come +to me since I was a hundred years old, and if you, my friends, +live to be a hundred years old, too, you may have greater ideas +than these. This has become a new world. These thoughts I speak +of because they come to me, and for you to consider and look at. +We should grow in wisdom as we grow older, and new ideas will +come to us about God and ourselves, and we will get more and more +the wisdom of God. I am glad to be remembered by you, and to be +able to send my thoughts; hoping they may multiply and bear +fruit. If I should live to see another New Year's Day I hope to +be able to send more new thoughts.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">Sojourner Truth.</p> +<p class="ltr-to">"<i>Grand Rapids, Mich.</i>, Dec. 26, 1880."</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>This was accompanied by a note from her most faithful friend, Mrs. +Frances W. Titus, relating matters of interest as to her present +circumstances. She also said: "We have recently another proof that +she is over one hundred years old. Mention of the 'dark day' May +19, 1780, was made in her presence, when she said, 'I remember the +dark day'; and gave a description of that wonderful phenomenon. As +the narrative of Sojourner's life has long been before the public, +we prefer to anything this latest thought of hers, standing then on +the verge of the life of the spirit."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_532" id="Page_532">[Pg 532]</a></span></p> + +<p>Sojourner was long a resident and laborer in reform in Michigan, +from which State she went out to the District of Columbia to +befriend her people, as well as to other distant fields. She went +to help feed and clothe the refugees in Kansas in 1879-80, and in +reaching one locality she rode nearly a hundred miles in a lumber +wagon. She closed her eventful life in Battle Creek, where she +passed her last days, having reached the great age of one hundred +and ten years.</p> + +<blockquote><p>Mrs. Laura C. Haviland is another noble woman worthy of mention. +She has given a busy life to mitigating the miseries of the +unfortunate. She helped many a fugitive to elude the kidnappers; +she nursed the suffering soldiers, fed the starving freedmen, +following them into Kansas,<a name="FNanchor_324_324" id="FNanchor_324_324"></a><a href="#Footnote_324_324" class="fnanchor">[324]</a> and traveled thousands of miles +with orphan children to find them places in western homes. She +and her husband at an early day opened a manual-labor school, +beginning by taking nine children from the county-house, to +educate them with their own on a farm near Adrian. Out of her +repeated experiments, and petitions to the legislature for State +aid, grew at last the State school for homeless children at +Coldwater, where for years she gave her services to train girls +in various industries.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sybil Lawrence, a woman of strong character, and charming +social qualities, exerted a powerful influence for many years in +Ann Arbor. Being in sympathy with the suffrage movement, and in +favor of coëducation, she did all in her power to make the +experiment a success, by her aid and counsels to the girls who +first entered the University. Her mother, sister, and nieces made +a charming household of earnest women ready for every good work. +Their services in the war were indispensable, and their +sympathies during the trying period of reconstruction were all on +the side of liberty and justice. </p></blockquote> + +<p>There are many other noble women in Michigan worthy of mention did +space permit, such as Miss Emily Ward, a woman of remarkable force +of character and great benevolence; Mrs. Lucy L. Stout, who has +written many beautiful sentiments in prose and verse: Eliza Legget +and Florence Mayhew, identified with all reform movements; Mrs. +Tenney, the State librarian; and Mrs. Euphemia Cochrane, a Scotch +woman by birth, who loved justice and liberty, a staunch friend +alike of the slave and the unfortunate of her own sex. Under her +roof the advocates of abolition and woman suffrage always found a +haven of rest. Henry C. Wright, Wendell Phillips, William Lloyd +Garrison, Sojourner Truth, Theodore Tilton, Frederick Douglass, +Abbey Kelley and Stephen Foster could all bear testimony to her +generous and graceful hospitality. She was president of the Detroit +Woman Suffrage Association at the time she passed from earth to a +higher life. </p></blockquote> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<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> Having made many lyceum trips through Michigan, I +have had several opportunities of meeting Mrs. Stone in her own +quiet home, and I can readily understand the wide influence she +exerted on the women of that State, and what a benediction her +presence must have been in all the reform associations in which she +took an active part. I always felt that Michigan would be a grand +State in which to make the experiment of woman suffrage, especially +as in Mrs. Stone we had an enthusiastic coädjutor. In paying this +well-deserved tribute to Mrs. Stone, I must not forget to mention +that Mrs. Janney of Flint, a woman of great executive ability, +started the first woman's reading-room and library many years +ago.—[E. C. S.</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> A sketch of this brilliant Polish woman, who has +taken such an active part in the woman suffrage movement, both in +this country and England, will be found in Volume I., page <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_95">95</a>.</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> The speakers at the Battle Creek convention were +Miriam M. Cole, editor of <i>The Woman's Advocate</i>, Dayton, Ohio; +Mary A. Livermore, editor <i>Woman's Journal</i>, Boston; Hannah Tracy +Cutler, Illinois; Rev. J. M. McCarthy, Saginaw; Mrs. J. C. Dexter, +Ionia; Mrs. D. C. Blakeman, Lucinda H. Stone, Kalamazoo; Adelle +Hazlett, Hillsdale; Rev. J. S. Loveland, D. M. Fox, Battle Creek; +Mary T. Lathrop, Jackson. Letters of sympathy were received from B. +F. Cocker and Moses Coit Tyler, professors of the Michigan State +University. The officers of the State association were: +<i>President</i>, Professor Moses Coit Tyler, Ann Arbor; +<i>Vice-President</i>, Lucinda H. Stone; <i>Recording Secretary</i>, Mary T. +Lathrop; <i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, Euphemia Cochran, Detroit; +<i>Treasurer</i>, Colin Campbell, Detroit; <i>Executive Committee</i>, Dr. S. +B. Thayer, Frances W. Titus, Battle Creek; Eliza Burt Gamble, East +Saginaw; Catharine A. F. Stebbins, Detroit; Hon. J. G. Wait, +Sturgis; Mrs. D. C. Blakeman, Kalamazoo; Mrs. L. H. T. Dexter, +Ionia.</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> The speakers at the Northwestern convention were +Mrs. Hazlett, the president; Hon. C. B. Waite, Professor D. C. +Brooks, Chicago; Susan B. Anthony, Celia Burleigh, New York; Lillie +Peckham, Wisconsin; Mrs. Lathrop, Jackson; Giles B. Stebbins, Adam +Elder, J. B. Bloss, Detroit. Letters were reported from Henry Ward +Beecher, Wendell Phillips, Rev. E. O. Haven, Professor B. F. +Cocker, Moses Coit Tyler, Mrs. Livermore, Lucy Stone, H. B. +Blackwell, Mrs. Josephine Griffing, T. W. Higginson, Theodore +Tilton, Phœbe Couzins, Anna E. Dickinson, Elizabeth Cady +Stanton, Miriam M. Cole and Rev. Robert Collyer. The officers +elected were: <i>President</i>, Mrs. A. M. Hazlett, Michigan; <i>Recording +Secretary</i>, Mrs. Rebecca W. Mott, Chicago; <i>Corresponding +Secretary</i>, Mrs. Harriet S. Brooks, Chicago; <i>Treasurer</i>, Hon. +Fernandol Jones, Chicago; <i>Vice-Presidents</i>, J. B. Bloss, Michigan; +Mrs. Myra Bradwell, Illinois; Mrs. E. R. Collins, Ohio; Mrs. Dr. +Ferguson, Indiana; Miss Phœbe Couzins, Missouri; <i>Executive +Committee</i>, C. B. Waite, Chicago; Colin Campbell, Detroit; Mrs. +Francis Minor, Missouri; Madame Anneke, Wisconsin; Mrs. Charles +Leonard and Mrs. E. J. Loomis, Chicago.</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> <i>President</i>, Mrs. A. H. Walker; <i>Corresponding +Secretary</i>, Lucinda H. Stone; <i>Recording Secretary</i>, Mrs. S. E. +Emory; <i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. E. Metcalf; <i>Executive Committee</i>, Dr. J. +A.B. Stone, Mrs. Frances Titus, Mrs. O. A. Jennison, Mrs. C. A. F. +Stebbins, Mrs. D. C. Blakeman, Mrs. L. B. Curtiss, Dr. J. H. +Bartholomew.</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 following named representatives voted <i>yea</i>: +Messrs, Armstrong, Bailey, Bartholomew, Blackman, Briggs, Brown, +Brunson, Buell, Burns, Cady, Carter, Chamberlain, Collins, +Dintruff, Drake, Drew, Edwards, Fancher, Ferguson, Garfield, +Gravelink, Gilmore, Goodrich, Gordon, Green, Haire, Harden, Hewitt, +Hosner, Howard, Hoyt, Kellogg, Knapp, Lamb, Luce, E. R. Miller, R. +C. Miller, Mitchell, Morse, O'Dell, Parker, Parsons, Pierce, +Priest, Remer, Rich, Robinson, Sanderson, Scott, Sessions, Shaw, +Smith, Taylor, Thomas, Thompson, VanAken, VanScoy, A. Walker, F. +Walker, Walton, Warren, Welch, Welker, Wheeler, Withington, Wixon, +Speaker—67. The following named Senators voted <i>yea</i>: Messrs. +Anderson, Beattie, Brewer, Butterfield, Childs, Clubb, Cook, +Crosby, Curry, DeLand, Ely, Goodell, Gray, Hewitt, Isham, Lewis, +Mickley, Mitchell, McGowan, Neasmith, Prutzman, Richardson, Sparks, +Sumner, Sutton, Wells—26.</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> Officers of the Michigan State Woman Suffrage +Association: <i>President</i>, Hon. Jonas H. McGowan, Coldwater; +<i>Vice-Presidents</i>, Rev. Richmond Fiske Jr., Grand Haven, Mrs. John +J. Bagley, Detroit; <i>Recording Secretary</i>, Mrs. N. Geddes, Lenawee; +<i>Secretary and Treasurer</i>, George H. Stickney, Grand Haven; +<i>Executive Committee</i>, Chairman, Hon. William M. Ferry, Grand +Haven; First District—Giles B. Stebbins, Z. R. Brockway, Wayne; +Second District—Hon. Charles E. Mickley, Lenawee, Mrs. M. A. +Hazlett, Hillsdale; Third District—Hon. W. H. Withington, Jackson, +Morgan Bates, Calhoun; Fourth District—James H. Stone, Kalamazoo, +Miss Sarah Clute, St. Joseph; Fifth District—Hon. B. A. Harlan, +Mrs. M. C. Bliss, Kent; Sixth District—Hon. I. H, Bartholomew, +Ingham, Mrs. A. Jenney, Genesee; Seventh District—Hon. J. C. Lamb, +Lapeer, J. P. Hoyt, Tuscola; Eighth District—Hon. C. V. DeLand, +Saginaw, Hon. J. D. Lewis, Bay; Ninth District—Hon. E. L. Gray, +Newaygo, Mrs. J. G. Ramsdell, Grand Traverse; <i>Vice-Presidents by +Congressional Districts</i>, First District—Mrs. Eliza Leggett, Hon. +W. N. Hudson, Wayne; Second District—Hon. W. S. Wilcox, Lenawee, +Hon. Talcott E. Wing, Monroe; Third District—Mrs. Ann E. Graves, +Calhoun, Mrs. Mary Lathrop, Jackson; Fourth District—Hon. Levi +Sparks, Berrien, Rev. H. C. Peck, Kalamazoo; Fifth District—Hon. +S. L. Withey, Hon. James Miller, Kent; Sixth District—Hon. +Randolph Strickland, Clinton, C. F. Kimball, Oakland; Seventh +District—Hon. Ira Butterfield, Lapeer, John M. Potter, Macomb; +Eighth District—Hon. Ralph Ely, Gratiot, Mrs. S. M. Green, Bay; +Ninth District—Elvin L. Sprague, Grand Traverse, S. W. Fowler, +Manistee.</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> Among many others were letters from Amos Dresser, +Parker Pillsbury, Henry B. Blackwell, Rev. S. Reed, of Ann Arbor, +William Lloyd Garrison, Lucy Stone, Isabella Beecher Hooker, +Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Boynton Harbert, Dr. Henry B. Baker, +Miriam M. Cole, Margaret V. Longley, Abby and Julia Smith, of +Glastonbury, Conn., A. C. Voris, from the Ohio constitutional +convention, Hon. J. Logan Chipman.</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> The following persons were announced and requested +to communicate at once with the Executive Committee, George H. +Stickney, Secretary, Grand Haven, Mich.: <i>Allegan</i>, Mrs. E. S. +Nichols; <i>Barry</i>, Mrs. Goodyear; <i>Bay</i>, Mrs. S. M. Green, Mrs. +Judge Holmes; <i>Berrien</i>, Hon. Levi Sparks, O. E. Mead; <i>Branch</i>, +Mrs. Celia Woolley, Mrs. H. J. Boutelle; <i>Calhoun</i>, W. F. Neil, +Mrs. Judge Graves, Morgan Bates, Dr. G. P. Jocelyn; <i>Cass</i>, Mr. +Rice, William L. Jaques; <i>Chippewa</i>, Mrs. Charles G. Shepherd; +<i>Clinton</i>, Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Gole; <i>Eaton</i>, J. Chance, Hon. A. K. +Warren, Mrs. J. Musgrave, Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Foote; <i>Genesee</i>, Mrs. +D. Stewart; <i>Grand Traverse</i>, Hon. W. H. C. Mitchell, Hon. J. G. +Ramsdell; <i>Gratiot</i>, Hon. Ralph Ely; <i>Hillsdale</i>, Mrs. M. A. +Pendill, Mrs. Dr. Swift, Mrs. E. Samm; <i>Ingham</i>, Dr. I. H. +Bartholomew, Mrs. O. A. Jenison, A. R. Burr; <i>Ionia</i>, Mrs. A. +Williams, Mrs. Chaddock, Mr. J. B. Smith; <i>Isabella</i>, Mrs. Douglas +Nelson; <i>Jackson</i>, Mrs. Mary Lathrop, Fidus Livermore; <i>Kalamazoo</i>, +J. H. Stone, Col. F. W. Curtenius, Merritt Moore. Dr. N. Thomas; +<i>Kent</i>, Mrs. E. L. Briggs, E. G. D. Holden, E. P. Churchill; +<i>Lapeer</i>, Hon. J. C. Lamb, Mrs. J. B. Wilson; <i>Lenawee</i>, Mrs. Dr. +Fox, Mrs. F. A. Rowley, Hon. Charles E. Mickley; <i>Livingston</i>, E. +P. Gregory; <i>Macomb</i>, Mrs. Ambrose Campbell, Daniel B. Briggs; +<i>Manistee</i>, S. W. Fowler, Hon. B. M. Cutcheon, T. J. Ramsdell; +<i>Marquette</i>, Sidney Adams, Hiram A. Burt; <i>Mason</i>, Mr. Foster; +<i>Midland</i>, Dr. E. Jennings, Mrs. Sumner; <i>Missaukee</i>, S. W. Davis; +<i>Monroe</i>, Hon. J. J. Sumner; <i>Montcalm</i>, Mr. J. M. Fuller; +<i>Muskegon</i>, Lieutenant-Governor H. H. Holt, Mrs. O. B. Ingersoll, +Mrs. Barney; <i>Newaygo</i>, Hon. E. L. Gray, Mrs. Lucy Utley; +<i>Oakland</i>, Mrs. D. B. Fox, J. Holman, jr., Mrs. Alexander; +<i>Oceana</i>, John Halsted; <i>Osceola</i>, B. F. Gooch; <i>Ottawa</i>, Dwight +Cutler, Mrs. W. C. Sheldon; <i>Roscommon</i>, Messrs. Davis & Hall; +<i>Saginaw</i>, Mrs. Whiting, Mrs. Gamble, J. F. Driggs, W. P. Burdick; +<i>Shiawassee</i>, Mrs. Dr. Parkill, J. H. Hartwell, Hon. J. M. Goodell, +Dr. King; <i>St. Clair</i>, Hon. B. W. Jenks; <i>St. Joseph</i>, W. S. Moore, +Mrs. Mary Peck; <i>Tuscola</i>, Mrs. J. P. Hoyt; <i>Van Buren</i>, Mr. and +Mrs. C. D. Van Vechten, A. S. Dyckman, Hon. S. H. Blackman; +<i>Washtenaw</i>, Mrs. Israel Hall, Mrs. Seth Reed, D. Cramer, Mary E. +Foster; <i>Wayne</i>, Mrs. C. A. F. Stebbins, Colin Campbell, G. W. +Bates, Lucy L. Stout.</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> Miss Eastman, Miss Hindman, Phœbe Couzins, +Margaret W. Campbell, Elizabeth K. Churchill, Lelia Partridge, Mrs. +Hazlett, Mrs. Samms, Miss Matilda Victor; George W. Julian of +Indiana, Giles B. Stebbins and Clinton R. Fisk, representing the +Michigan Association, and the following among volunteer workers: B. +A. Harlan of Grand Rapids, Mrs. Hathaway of Cass county, Mrs. Judge +Fuller, the Hon. J. H. McGowan and Mrs. Boutelle of Branch county; +Mrs. L. A. Pearsall of Macomb, Mrs. F. W. Gillette of Oakland, Miss +Strickland of Clinton, J. B. Stone of Kalamazoo, Mrs. Lucy L. Stout +of Wayne, and the Rev. T. H. Stewart of Indiana.</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> It was in this campaign that an editor in a +Kalamazoo journal said: "That ancient daughter of Methuselah, Susan +B. Anthony, passed through our city yesterday, on her way to the +Plainwell meeting, with a bonnet on her head looking as if she had +recently descended from Noah's ark." Miss Anthony often referred to +this description of herself, and said, "Had I represented 20,000 +votes in Michigan, that political editor would not have known nor +cared whether I was the oldest or the youngest daughter of +Methuselah, or whether my bonnet came from the ark or from +Worth's.—[E. C. S.</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 inspectors voting were: <i>Yeas</i>—Adams, Baxter, +Brooks, Dullea, Henderson, Smith. <i>Nays</i>—Bragg, Balch, Barclay, +Barry, Bond, Christian, Hill, Hughes, Langley, Mahoney, O'Keefe, +Sutherland.</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> We can easily see how little the opponents who talk +so much of chivalry, respect women or themselves, by the language +they use when they are opposed on this very question.</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> Mrs. Boutelle and Mrs. Stebbins were in the polling +place two or three hours, while Mr. Farwell made efforts to gain +favorable opinions enough to convert Colonel Phelps; many excellent +men were in favor of her vote. The ladies lunched from a daintily +filled basket, prepared by the wife of inspector Farwell.</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> Miss Abby Rogers, Miss Delia Rogers, Miss Emily +Ward, and Miss Clapp, were all deeply interested in establishing a +seminary where girls could have equal advantages with students in +the university. This seminary was in existence ten years, but +without State aid the struggle was too great, and Miss Abby Rogers, +the founder, abandoned the undertaking.</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> The names of the eleven young women Mrs. Stearns is +unable to recall.</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 officers of the Manistee Society are (1885): +<i>President</i>, Mrs. Lucy T. Stansell; <i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, +Fannie Holden Fowler; <i>Recording Secretary</i>, Miss Nellie Walker; +<i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. Susan Seymour.</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> The officers of the Grand Rapids Society are: +<i>President</i>, Mrs. Cordelia F. Briggs; <i>Vice-Presidents</i>, Loraine +Immen, Emma Wheeler; <i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. Henry Spring; <i>Secretary</i>, +Mrs. J. W. Adams.</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> Following is a complete list of all officers elected +in 1885: <i>President</i>, Mrs. Mary L. Doe of Carrollton; +<i>Vice-President</i>, Mrs. Loraine Immen of Grand Rapids; <i>Recording +Secretary</i>, Mrs. H. S. Spring of Grand Rapids; <i>Corresponding +Secretary</i>, Mrs. Fannie H. Fowler of Manistee; <i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. C. +A. F. Stebbins of Detroit; <i>Advisory Committee</i>, Mrs. E. L. Briggs +of Grand Rapids, and Mrs. S. E. V. Emery of Lansing; <i>Executive +Committee</i>—First District, Mrs. Harriet J. Boutell of Detroit; +Second District, Mrs. Annette B. Gardner Smith of Ann Arbor; Fifth +District, Mrs. Emily H. Ketchum of Grand Rapids; Sixth District, +Francis M. Stuart of Flint; Eighth District, Mrs. Frances C. +Stafford of Milwaukee; Ninth District, Col. S. W. Fowler of +Manistee; Eleventh and Twelfth Districts, Mrs. R. A. Campbell, +Traverse City.</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> Spending the summer of 1865 at Leavenworth, I +frequently visited Mrs. Haviland, then busily occupied in +ministering to the necessities of the 10,000 refugees just then +from the Southern States. On May 29, I aided her in collecting +provisions for the steamer, which was to transport over a hundred +men, women and children, for whom she was to provide places in +Michigan. I shall never forget that day nor the admiration and +reverence I felt for the magnanimity and self-sacrifice of that +wonderful woman.—[S. B. A.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_533" id="Page_533">[Pg 533]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLII" id="CHAPTER_XLII"></a>CHAPTER XLII.</h2> + +<h3>INDIANA.</h3> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>The First Woman Suffrage Convention After the War, 1869—Amanda +M. Way—Annual Meetings, 1870-85, in the Larger +Cities—Indianapolis Equal Suffrage Society, 1878—A Course of +Lectures—In May, 1880, National Convention in +Indianapolis—Zerelda G. Wallace—Social Entertainment—Governor +Albert G. Porter—Susan B. Anthony's Birthday—Schuyler +Colfax—Legislative Hearings—Temperance Women of Indiana—Helen +M. Gougar—General Assembly—Delegates to Political +Conventions—Women Address Political Meetings—Important Changes +in the Laws for Women, from 1860 to 1884—Colleges Open to +Women—Demia +Butler—Professors—Lawyers—Doctors—Ministers—Miss Catherine +Merrill—Miss Elizabeth Eaglesfield—Rev. Prudence Le Clerc—Dr. +Mary F. Thomas—Prominent Men and Women—George W. Julian—The +Journals—Gertrude Garrison. </p> +</div> + + +<p><span class="sc">This</span> was one of the first States to form a Woman Suffrage +Society<a name="FNanchor_325_325" id="FNanchor_325_325"></a><a href="#Footnote_325_325" class="fnanchor">[325]</a> for thoroughly organized action, with a president, +secretary, treasurer, and constitution and by-laws. From October, +1851, this association held annual meetings, sent petitions and +appeals to the legislature, and had frequent hearings at the +capitol, diligently pressing the question of political equality for +woman for ten consecutive years. Then, although the society did not +disband, we find no record of meetings or aggressive action until +1869, for here, as elsewhere, all other interests were forgotten in +the intense excitement of a civil war. But no sooner were the +battles fought, victory achieved, and the army disbanded, than +woman's protests against her wrongs were heard throughout the +Northern States; and in Indiana the same Amanda M. Way who took the +initiative step in 1851 for the first woman's convention, summoned +her coädjutors once more to action in 1869<a name="FNanchor_326_326" id="FNanchor_326_326"></a><a href="#Footnote_326_326" class="fnanchor">[326]</a>, and with the same +platform and officers renewed the work with added determination for +a final victory.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_534" id="Page_534">[Pg 534]</a></span></p> + +<p>For this interesting chapter we are indebted to Mrs. May Wright +Sewall, who has patiently gathered and arranged this material, and +laid it, as a free gift, at our feet. Those who have ever attempted +to unearth the most trivial incidents of history, will appreciate +the difficulties she must have encountered in this work, as well as +in condensing all she desired to say within the very limited space +allowed to this chapter. Mrs. Sewall writes:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The first convention after the war, June 8, 9, 1869, was held in +Masonic Hall, and continued two days. The Indianapolis <i>Journal</i> +devoted several columns daily to the proceedings, closing with +the following complimentary editorial:</p> + +<blockquote><p>As a deliberative assembly it compared favorably with the best +that have ever been conducted by our own sex. To say that there +was as much order, propriety and dignity as usually characterizes +male conventions of a political character is but to put the +matter in a very mild shape. Whatever was said, was said with +earnestness and for a purpose, and while several times the debate +was considerably spiced, the ladies never fell below their +brothers in sound sense. We have yet to see any sensible man who +attended the convention whose esteem for woman has been lowered, +while very many have been converted by the captivating speeches +of Mrs. Cole, Mrs. Swank and Mrs. Livermore. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In the <i>Sentinel</i> of June 11, 1869, an editorial appeared whose +evident object was to reässure the public mind and to restore to +peace and confidence any souls that might have been agitated during +the convention by so unusual and novel an exercise as thought. The +nature of the sedative potion thus editorially administered to an +alarmed public may be inferred from this sample:</p> + +<blockquote><p>No amount of human ingenuity can change the arrangement of +nature. The history of the race furnishes the evidence that the +species of man and woman are opposite. The distinctions that now +exist have existed from the time that the "Lord God caused a deep +sleep to fall upon Adam," and said: "Thy desire shall be to thy +husband; he shall rule over thee." This brief story comprises the +history of man and woman, and defines the relations which shall +ever exist between them. When woman ceases to be womanly, woman's +rights associations become her fitting province. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The editor of the <i>Journal</i> at that time was Colonel W. R. +Holloway, the present very liberal manager of the <i>Times</i>. The +editor of the <i>Sentinel</i> was Joseph J. Bingham. The State was then +Republican, and as the organ of that party the <i>Journal</i> probably +had the larger number of readers.</p> + +<p>The State Woman Suffrage Association convened in Indianapolis, June +8, 1870, and held a two days' meeting. The <i>Journal</i> contains, as +usual, a full report. The <i>Sentinel's</i> tone is quite different from +that which distinguished its utterances the preceding year. Its +reports are full and perfectly respectful. This convention is +memorable as that at which the Indiana Society became auxiliary to +the American Association. The records show that this union was +accomplished by a majority of <i>one</i>, the ballot on the proposition +standing 15 for and 14 against. As soon as the union was thus +effected the following was adopted:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That this association is in favor of the union of the +National and American Associations as soon as practicable. </p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_535" id="Page_535">[Pg 535]</a></span></p> + +<p>On the same day Judge Bradwell of Chicago submitted a resolution +favoring the union of the two national societies, which was laid on +the table. Of the annual meetings from 1871 to 1878 the +Indianapolis papers contain no reports, save the briefest mention +of those of 1873-4. From 1878 to 1885 short but fair reports may be +found. Since 1870, the conventions of this society<a name="FNanchor_327_327" id="FNanchor_327_327"></a><a href="#Footnote_327_327" class="fnanchor">[327]</a> have been +held in different towns throughout the State.<a name="FNanchor_328_328" id="FNanchor_328_328"></a><a href="#Footnote_328_328" class="fnanchor">[328]</a> The minutes show +that the propriety of withdrawing from the American Association and +remaining independent was brought before the convention of 1871, +under the head of <i>special business</i>; that it was decided to +postpone action until the next annual meeting, and to make the +matter of withdrawal a special order of business, but it does not +appear that from that time the subject has ever been broached. At +the annual meeting of 1875, held at a time when preparations for +celebrating our national centennial were in progress, the following +resolution was passed:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That we congratulate the voters of the United States +on their enjoyment of the right of suffrage, and commend them for +the great centenary celebration of the establishment of that +right, which they are about to have. But we do earnestly protest +against the action of the Indiana legislature by which it made +appropriations for that purpose of moneys collected by taxing +women's property. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In November, 1878, the ninth annual meeting of the American +Association was held in Indianapolis, by invitation from the State +Society.<a name="FNanchor_329_329" id="FNanchor_329_329"></a><a href="#Footnote_329_329" class="fnanchor">[329]</a></p> + +<p>In the month of March, 1878, some very mysterious whisperings +advertised the fact that there was to be a meeting of the ladies of +Indianapolis known to have "advanced ideas" concerning their sex. +In response to a secretly circulated summons, there met at No. 18 +Circle Hall nine women and one man, who, though not mutually +acquainted, were the most courageous of those to whom the call had +come. Probably each of the ten often thinks with amusement of the +suspicious glances with which they regarded one another. As a +participant, I may say that the company had the air of a band of +conspirators. Had we convened consciously to plot the ruin of our +domestic life, which opponents predict as the result of woman's +enfranchisement, we could not have looked more guilty or have moved +about with more unnatural stealth. That demeanor I explain as an +unconscious tribute to what "Madam Grundy" would have thought had +she known of our conclave.</p> + +<p>At that meeting one point only was definitely settled; which was, +whether the new society should take a name which would conceal from +the public its primary object, or one which would clearly advertise +it. The honesty of the incipient organization was vindicated by its +deciding<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_536" id="Page_536">[Pg 536]</a></span> upon the latter. I do not record in detail the initiative +steps of this flourishing society in order to awaken in its members +any humiliating memories, but because the fact that ten +conscientious, upright persons could thus secretly convene in an +obscure room, and that such a question could agitate them for more +than two hours, is the best indication that could be given of the +conservative atmosphere which enveloped Indianapolis, even as late +as 1878. The next meeting was appointed for April 2, at the +residence of Mrs. Zerelda G. Wallace. Notices were inserted in the +papers, and in the meantime some pains was taken to secure not only +the presence of persons who had not previously been identified with +any reform movement, but also that of some well-known friends. It +was attended by twenty-six men and women, representing various +religious and political parties, most of whom enjoyed the +advantages of education and social position, and resulted in a +permanent organization under a constitution whose first article is +as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>This organization shall be known as the Indianapolis Equal +Suffrage Society, and shall consist of such men and women as are +willing to labor for the attainment of equal rights at the +ballot-box for all citizens on the same conditions. </p></blockquote> + +<p>On the principle that that which has some restrictions is most +desired, membership was at first hedged about with certain +formalities. While most reform organizations welcome as members all +who will pay their annual fee and subscribe to the constitution, +this society requires that the names of candidates be presented at +one meeting and formally balloted on at the next, thus providing a +month for consideration. Since 1878 this society<a name="FNanchor_330_330" id="FNanchor_330_330"></a><a href="#Footnote_330_330" class="fnanchor">[330]</a> has held +forty-three public meetings, and distributed throughout the city +several thousand tracts. At intervals the society has engaged +speakers from abroad. Miss Anthony gave her "Bread and Ballot" to a +large audience in Masonic Hall, and many date their conversion from +that evening. Mrs. Stanton has appeared twice under the auspices of +the society. On the first occasion it secured for her the +court-room in which the upper house of the general assembly was +then sitting. Tickets of admission were sent to all the members of +both houses. Her lecture on "The Education of Girls," made a +profound impression. On her second appearance she spoke in the +First Christian Church, on "Boys." For Miss Frances E. Willard, +Robert's Park Church was obtained, and thus suffrage principles +were presented to a new class of minds. Mrs. J. Ellen Foster spoke +on "Women before the Law," in the Criminal-court room. The society +made every effort to secure the general attendance of members of +the bar. Before one of its regular meetings in the Christian +chapel, Mrs. Louise V. Boyd read a very bright paper on "A Cheerful +Outlook for Women." At its present parlors, Mrs. Harbert delivered +an address for the benefit of the suffrage campaign in Oregon.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_537" id="Page_537">[Pg 537]</a></span></p> + +<p>In May, 1880, this society invited the National Association to hold +its annual convention in Indianapolis. Entertainment was provided +for eighty-seven delegates, besides the friends who came from +different parts of the State. In Park Theatre, the largest +auditorium of the city, eloquent voices for two days pleaded the +cause of freedom. The reports in the city press were full and fair, +and the editorials commendatory. The fact that the <i>Sentinel</i> +contained a long editorial advocating the doctrines of equal +suffrage, shows the progress since 1869. The evening after the +convention a reception was given to the members and friends of the +National Association in the spacious parlors of Mrs. John C. New.</p> + +<p>From its origin the Indianapolis society has held aloof from all +formal alliances. Thus it has been free to work with individuals +and organizations that have woman suffrage for their aim. It +habitually sends delegates to the State annual conventions, and in +those of the American and National it is usually represented.</p> + +<p>In December, 1880, the society issued a letter, secured its +publication in the leading papers of the State, and addressed a +copy to each member of the General Assembly, in order to advise +that body that there were women ready to watch their official +careers and to demand from them the consideration of just claims:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Indianapolis</span>, Dec. 22, 1880.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Sir</span>: The Equal Suffrage Society of Indianapolis, in behalf +of citizens of Indiana who believe that liberty to exercise the +right of suffrage should neither be granted nor denied on the +ground of sex, would respectfully notify you that during the next +session of the State legislature it will invite the attention of +that body to the consideration of what is popularly called "The +Suffrage Question." The society will petition the legislature to +devote a day to hearing, from representative advocates of woman +suffrage, appeals and arguments for such legislation as may be +necessary to abolish the present unjust restriction of the +elective franchise to one sex, and to secure to women the free +exercise of the ballot, under the same conditions and such only, +as are imposed upon men. To this matter we ask your unprejudiced +attention, that when our cause shall be brought before the +legislature its advocates may have your coöperation.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF40"><span class="smcap">Zerelda G. Wallace</span>, <i>President</i>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Very respectfully yours,</p> + +<p class="ltr-to"><span class="smcap">May Wright Sewall</span>, <i>Secretary</i>,</p> +<p>By order of the Equal Suffrage Society of Indianapolis.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The society has lately taken a new departure, giving lunches, +parties and literary entertainments, to which invitations<a name="FNanchor_331_331" id="FNanchor_331_331"></a><a href="#Footnote_331_331" class="fnanchor">[331]</a> are +issued, by the officers, thus becoming a factor in the social life +of the city. The invitation, programme, and press comments of its +last entertainment indicate the character of these reünions, and +the esteem in which they are held. These occasions have been the +means of securing for the society greater popular favor than it has +hitherto enjoyed. At the conclusion of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_538" id="Page_538">[Pg 538]</a></span> formal toasts, the +president called upon Gov. Albert G. Porter, who had come in a few +minutes before. He thanked the meeting for its reference to what he +had done for the cause of equal suffrage, and announced that while +he remained governor of Indiana he would do all he could for the +rights of women.<a name="FNanchor_332_332" id="FNanchor_332_332"></a><a href="#Footnote_332_332" class="fnanchor">[332]</a> He referred to the progress made, and to the +refining influence that women would have on political matters. Of +all the social entertainments given, none has secured more converts +than the celebration of Susan B. Anthony's sixty-second birthday. +The arrangements for this event were placed in the hands of Mrs. +Mary E.N. Carey and Mrs. May Wright Sewall. The following account, +prepared by the author of this chapter for the Indianapolis <i>Times</i> +of February 18, 1882, will sufficiently indicate the spirit of the +occasion:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The anniversary was a unique event. A number of invitations were +issued to citizens interested in suffrage who were not formally +connected with the association. As a result, on the evening of +February 15, there were gathered in the spacious parlors of Dr. +Carey's hospitable home, one hundred and fifty persons +representing the best circles of Indianapolis society. A portrait +of Miss Anthony rested upon an easel, conspicuously placed, that +all might see the serene face of the woman who for thirty years +has preached the gospel of political freedom, and expounded the +constitution of the United States in favor of justice to all. The +programme was somewhat informal, all but two of the speeches<a name="FNanchor_333_333" id="FNanchor_333_333"></a><a href="#Footnote_333_333" class="fnanchor">[333]</a> +being spontaneous expressions of admiration for Miss Anthony and +her fidelity to principle. There were two regrets connected with +the programme. These were caused by the absence of Gov. Porter +and Hon. Schuyler Colfax; but the gracious presence of Mrs. +Colfax was a reminder of her husband's fidelity to our cause, and +Mrs. Porter's sympathetic face was a scarcely less potent support +than would have been a speech from the governor. Just before the +close of the meeting the following telegram was sent to Miss +Anthony:</p> + +<p><i>Susan B. Anthony, Tenafly, New Jersey</i>.</p> + +<p>The Indianapolis Equal Suffrage Society, in meeting assembled +with many friends sends you greeting on this anniversary +occasion, in recognition of your devotion to the cause of women.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"> +<span class="smcap">May Wright Sewall</span>, <i>Secretary</i>.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>To report the details of this social gathering would be wearisome, +but some reflections to which the occasion gave rise may be +permitted. One lady upon seeing the invitation to the meeting +exclaimed: "This little bit of paper is an indication of a higher +civilization than I supposed we had yet entered upon. Until +recently it has been like the betrayal of a secret for a woman, +particularly for an unmarried woman, to have a birthday." This +exclamation but expresses a historical fact and a prophetic truth. +So long as woman's only value depended upon physical charms, the +years which destroyed them were deemed enemies. The fact that an +unmarried woman's sixty-second birthday can be celebrated, shows +the dawning of the idea that the loss of youth and its fresh beauty +may be more than compensated by the higher charms of intellectual +attainments. The time will never come when women, or men either, +will delight in the possession of crows-feet, gray hairs and +wrinkles; but the time will come, aye, and now is, when they will +view these blemishes as but a petty price to pay for the joy of new +knowledge, for the deeper joy of closer contact with humanity, and +for the deepest joy of worthy work well done. </p> + +<p>The first legislative hearing since 1860, was that granted January, +1871, to Miss Amanda Way and Mrs. Emma B. Swank. The two houses +received them in joint session, the lieutenant-governor and speaker +of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_539" id="Page_539">[Pg 539]</a></span> house occupying the speaker's desk. Mr. William Cumback +introduced Miss Way, who read the following memorial:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Mr. President and Gentlemen</i>—We come before you as a committee +appointed by the Woman Suffrage Association to memorialize your +honorable body in behalf of the women of Indiana. We ask you to +take the necessary steps to so amend the State constitution as to +secure to women the right of suffrage. We believe the extension +of the full rights of citizenship to all the people of the State, +is in accordance with the fundamental principles of a just +government. We believe that as woman has an equal interest with +man in all public questions, she should therefore have an equal +voice in their decision. We believe that as woman's life, +prosperity and happiness are equally dependent upon the order and +morality of society, she should have an equal voice in the laws +regulating her surroundings. We believe that as woman is human, +she has human needs and rights, and as she is held responsible to +law, she should have an equal voice in electing her law-makers.</p> + +<p>We believe that the interests of man and woman are equally +improved in securing to both equal education, a place in the +trades and professions, equal honor and dignity everywhere; and +as the first step to this end is equality before the law, we, +your petitioners, ask that you extend to the women of Indiana the +right of suffrage, and thus enable one-half the citizens of the +State to protect themselves in their most sacred rights. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Way spoke briefly to the points in the memorial, urging the +legislators to give to women the same chances for improvement, the +same means for defense, and the same weapons for protection that +they have secured to themselves. Mrs. Swank also made a logical and +eloquent speech. No action was taken by the legislature.</p> + +<p>On January 22, 1875, the two houses of the General Assembly +convened in joint session, to receive petitions from the +"Temperance Women of Indiana," who were on this occasion +represented by Mrs. Zerelda G. Wallace, Mrs. Avaline and Mrs. +Robinson, who had been appointed by the State Temperance +Association. Mrs. Wallace read a memorial and stated that it was +signed by 10,000 women, and then argued its various points and +pleaded for the action of the "Honorable Body." Mrs. Avaline and +Mrs. Robinson followed in briefer, but not less earnest appeals. +The only answer elicited by these ladies was the assurance made by +Dr. Thompson, a member of the Senate, that he and his colleagues +were there, "not to represent their <i>consciences</i>, but to represent +their <i>constituents</i>," whose will was directly opposed to the +petition offered.</p> + +<p>On January 3, 1877, a resolution to the effect that the fourteenth +and fifteenth amendments to the Constitution of the United States +give the ballot to women, came to its third reading in the lower +House. On that occasion, Mrs. Wallace and Dr. Mary F. Thomas +represented the women of Indiana, and Mrs. Mary A. Livermore was +present to lend the assistance of her oratory. The speeches created +a profound impression, but neither native nor foreign eloquence was +able to secure the requisite vote. When the ayes and nays were +called, the resolution was lost—51 to 22.</p> + +<p>On February 24, 1879, once again in joint session, the General +Assembly received a committee appointed by the State Association +and the Equal Suffrage Society of Indianapolis, to support woman's +claim to the ballot. Mrs. Wallace, Dr. Mary F. Thomas, Mary E. +Haggart and Amy E. Dunn, each spoke at length on the points clearly +set forth in the memorial. Whatever arguments could reach the +intellect, whatever could touch the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_540" id="Page_540">[Pg 540]</a></span> sensibilities, were urged by +these ladies on that occasion, and the gentlemen did not fail to +compliment their abilities, although the exercise of them had no +palpable effect upon legislation.</p> + +<p>Before the General Assembly of 1880-81, had convened, it was known +by its members-elect that the women of the State would be a +constant factor in their deliberations. They had been notified of +this intention by the circular letter from the City Society, and by +the published fact that the State Association had already appointed +representatives, whose duty it should be to secure a hearing for +such an amendment to the constitution of the State as should enable +women to vote. As soon as the legislature assembled, committees on +women's claims were appointed in both branches; Simeon P. Yancey +being the chairman of the Senate, and J. M. Furnas of the House, +committee. Two points had been determined upon. These were to try +to secure the passage of a bill which should immediately authorize +women to vote for presidential electors, and such an amendment to +the constitution of the State as should enable women to exercise +the right of suffrage on all questions.</p> + +<p>In connection with the first of these points the name of Helen M. +Gougar deserves especial mention. At the Washington convention of +the American Association, Mr. Blackwell suggested that the States +try to secure the electoral ballot for women, and as soon as Mrs. +Gougar returned she urged the members of the legislature to take +the matter up. At her suggestion, Dr. Mary F. Thomas addressed a +letter to W. D. Wallace, esq., a prominent lawyer of Lafayette, +asking him if, in his opinion, the extension of the electoral +ballot to women would be incompatible with the present constitution +of the State; in reply to this Mr. Wallace set forth an exhaustive +argument,<a name="FNanchor_334_334" id="FNanchor_334_334"></a><a href="#Footnote_334_334" class="fnanchor">[334]</a> proving the entire constitutionality of such an act. +Five thousand were printed and gratuitously distributed throughout +the State.</p> + +<p>The Committee on Women's Claims in both Houses met at sundry times +with members of the Suffrage Association to discuss the merits of +these bills and to become familiar with the arguments. During the +regular session Mrs. Wallace and Mrs. Gougar spent two consecutive +weeks in attendance at the legislature, watching the attitude of +the different members and lobbying, in the good sense of that word. +The immediate object was to secure the passage of the electoral +bill, for that once gained, and women by act of the legislature +made voters upon the most important question, it was reasonably +thought that the passage of the amendment would be thereby +facilitated. A hearing was granted on February 16, 1881, and the +House took a recess to listen to the speeches of the women +appointed by the State Association, Mrs. Haggart and Mrs. Gougar. +The next day, February 17, the Senate afforded a similar +opportunity, and the same ladies addressed that body.</p> + +<p>In addition to the faithful exertions of Mrs. Wallace and Mrs. +Gougar, and the public hearing granted by both houses, much quiet +but most effective work was done with individual members. To no one +is more due than to Paulina T. Merritt, whose reputation for +intelligent charity is<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_541" id="Page_541">[Pg 541]</a></span> widely known. Mrs. Merritt was a frequent +attendant upon the sessions of the legislature and her untiring +efforts in private conversations with members were invaluable. In +spite of all these influences, when the electoral bill was brought +to a vote upon its third reading, it was lost on the ground that it +was unconstitutional.</p> + +<p>At the special session all efforts centered upon the bill for +amending section 2, of article II., of the State constitution, so +as to give women the right to vote in all elections. Mrs. Wallace +and Mrs. Gougar gave another week to the work, and on April 7 the +bill was brought to a vote in the House, and passed—ayes 62, nays +24; in the Senate, on April 8, it also passed—ayes 25, nays 18; +and so the first entrenchment was won.</p> + +<p>No one believed that the bill to amend the constitution would have +passed had it not been preceded by the battle over the electoral +bill and the consequent education of the General Assembly in regard +to this great question of political rights. Immediately a +conference was held as to the proper manner of expressing our +gratitude to the committees on women's political claims. It was at +first thought the recognition should come from the Equal Suffrage +Society, but it was finally considered wiser to have a reception +given the honorable body by a voluntary committee of women who +should act quite independently of any society.<a name="FNanchor_335_335" id="FNanchor_335_335"></a><a href="#Footnote_335_335" class="fnanchor">[335]</a></p> + +<p>The passage of the amendment by the legislature of 1881 gave the +advocates of our cause a common objective point, and the efforts of +all during the two years immediately succeeding were directed +toward securing the election of such a legislature as might be +relied upon to repass the bill in 1883. The State society at its +annual meeting enlarged its central committee and instructed it to +arrange meetings in various parts of the State, to send out +speakers, and to organize local societies.<a name="FNanchor_336_336" id="FNanchor_336_336"></a><a href="#Footnote_336_336" class="fnanchor">[336]</a> This committee +prepared a letter, for general distribution, indicating to the +women of the State their duty in the premises, and suggesting +various lines of work. Blanks for a special petition to the General +Assembly were sent to every township, which were industriously +circulated and numerously signed.</p> + +<p>In the spring of 1882 the officers of the State society issued a +call for a mass-meeting, to which "all women within the boundaries +of the State who believed in equal suffrage, or were interested in +the fate of the pending amendment," were invited. The meeting was +held on May 19, at the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_542" id="Page_542">[Pg 542]</a></span> Grand Opera House, and the attendance +exceeded the most extravagant hopes of those who had called it. If +any came to scoff, they remained to participate with pride in this +remarkable convention, which is yet frequently referred to as the +largest and most impressive meeting ever held in the Hoosier +capital. The call had invited those who could not attend the +meeting to manifest their sympathy by sending postal-cards to the +corresponding secretary. These were received in such numbers for +several days that Mrs. Adkinson and the half-dozen clerks appointed +to assist her in counting them, unable to bring in a full report, +announced at the close of the evening session, that having reached +5,000, they desisted from further enumeration.</p> + +<p>No effort was spared to make the demonstration truly representative +of the suffrage interest throughout the State. All the sessions +were presided over by Mrs. Sewall, who called the roll by +congressional districts, some one of whose representatives +responded. The ease and dignity with which women, many of whom had +never spoken before any audience save their own neighbors gathered +in Sunday-school or prayer-meeting, reported the status of their +respective communities on the suffrage question, was matter of +astonishment as well as of admiration.<a name="FNanchor_337_337" id="FNanchor_337_337"></a><a href="#Footnote_337_337" class="fnanchor">[337]</a> So exceptional in all +regards was the conduct of the meeting that the papers united in +expressing surprise at the strength of the suffrage sentiment in +the State as indicated by the mass-convention.</p> + +<p>This meeting of May 19, 1882, struck the key on which the friends +in the State spoke during the summer and fall of that year. Large +numbers of societies were organized and numerous meetings held; the +immediate object being to secure the election of a legislature that +should vote to submit the amendment passed by the General Assembly +of 1881 to the decision of what is mis-named "a popular vote." The +degree to which this action influenced the politicians of the State +cannot be accurately known, but we are compelled to believe that it +was one of the causes which induced the Republicans in convention +assembled to declare for the "submission of the pending +amendments." The Republican State convention was held August 8, +1882, and the first plank in the platform reads thus:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved, First</i>—That reposing trust in the people as the +fountain of power, we demand that the pending amendments to the +constitution shall be agreed to and submitted by the next +legislature to the voters of the State for their decision +thereon. These amendments were not partisan in their origin, and +are not so in character, and should not be made so in voting upon +them. Recognizing the fact that the people are divided in +sentiment in regard to the propriety of their adoption or +rejection, and cherishing the right of private judgment, we favor +the submission of these amendments at a special election, so that +there may be an intelligent decision thereon, uninfluenced by +partisan issues. </p></blockquote> + +<p>At the mass-meeting of May 19, Mrs. P. T. Merritt of Indianapolis, +Mrs. M. E. M. Price of Kokomo, and Mrs. J. C. Ridpath of +Greencastle were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_543" id="Page_543">[Pg 543]</a></span> appointed as delegates to the different political +State conventions. As a Republican, Mrs. Merritt was received with +great courtesy and accorded time to speak. Her address was +characterized by sound logic and dignity of expression, and was +reported in full with the rest of the proceedings of the Republican +convention. As a prohibition amendment had also been passed by the +legislature of 1881, the interests of suffrage and prohibition in +the campaign of 1882 were identical. The Woman's Christian +Temperance Union of Indiana sent Mrs. Helen M. Gougar to the +Republican State convention, by which she was respectfully received +and which she ably addressed.</p> + +<p>The advocates of suffrage did not content themselves during the +summer of 1882 by merely holding suffrage meetings proper, and +addressing political bodies, but they sought every opportunity to +reach the ears of the people for whatever purpose convened. The +Equal Suffrage Society received from the managers of the Acton +camp-meeting a place on their programme; accordingly Mrs. Haggart +and Mrs. Gougar, as delegates, addressed immense audiences. Both of +these ladies labored indefatigably, discussing the question of +submission of the amendments before Sunday-school conventions, +teachers' associations, agricultural fairs, picnics and assemblies +of every name. Others rendered less conspicuous, but not less +earnest or constant service; and when the political campaign proper +opened, it was evident that every candidate would firmly and +unreservedly answer the challenge: "Submission, or non-submission?"</p> + +<p>For the first time in the history of Indiana, women were employed +by party managers to address political meetings and advocate the +election of candidates. Mrs. Gougar addressed Republican rallies at +various points; she and Mrs. Haggart together made a canvass of +Tippecanoe county on behalf of the Republican candidate for +representative in the General Assembly, Captain W. De Witt Wallace, +who was committed not only to the submission of the amendments, but +also to the advocacy of both woman suffrage and prohibition. The +animosity of the liquor league was aroused, and this powerful +association threw itself against submission. The result was the +election of a legislature containing so large a Democratic majority +that there was no ground for hoping that the amendments would be +re-passed and sent to the voters of the State for final adoption or +rejection.</p> + +<p>Though the submission of the amendments was one of the chief issues +in the campaign, many candidates who pledged themselves on the +ground that they involved questions which it was the privilege of +the voters to decide, reserved their own opinions upon their +merits. There were, however, candidates who openly espoused woman +suffrage <i>per se</i>.<a name="FNanchor_338_338" id="FNanchor_338_338"></a><a href="#Footnote_338_338" class="fnanchor">[338]</a> Knowing that a majority of the members of +the General Assembly were pledged to vote down the pending +amendments, the friends tacitly agreed to maintain a dignified +silence toward that body concerning them. The Suffrage Society at +the capital, however, appointed a committee<a name="FNanchor_339_339" id="FNanchor_339_339"></a><a href="#Footnote_339_339" class="fnanchor">[339]</a> to watch the +interests<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_544" id="Page_544">[Pg 544]</a></span> of woman in the legislature; and through its influence, +special committees on women's claims were obtained in both Houses. +Disappointed by the result in the legislature of 1883, but not +discouraged, the society continued to labor with undiminished zeal, +and sought every legitimate opportunity to prove woman a factor in +State politics.</p> + +<p>Several weeks prior to the Republican nominating convention at +Chicago, June 3, 1884, this society appointed committees to +correspond with each of the gentlemen prominently named as +candidates for nomination to the office of president, and also +appointed committees<a name="FNanchor_340_340" id="FNanchor_340_340"></a><a href="#Footnote_340_340" class="fnanchor">[340]</a> to press upon the attention of the +different parties the political claims of women. The society +instructed each committee to carry on its work according to the +united judgment of its members and continue it until the close of +the legislative session of 1885. The committee appointed to +communicate with the Republicans addressed a letter to each of the +thirty delegates sent by Indiana to the nominating convention at +Chicago. They also addressed letters to the Republican State +central committee, and through the courtesy of Mr. John Overmeyer, +chairman, they were given an opportunity to appear before the +committee on resolutions. Mrs. Sewall presented a resolution, and +in a brief speech urged its adoption and incorporation into the +platform of the Republican party. Mrs. Merritt and Mrs. Sewall were +offered an opportunity to speak before the convention, which they +declined in the belief that it was a greater gain to the cause to +appear before the resolution and platform committee than before the +convention itself.</p> + +<p>To what an appalling degree women were discriminated against by the +law prior to 1860, may be inferred from subsequent legislative +enactments. At almost every sitting of the biënnial legislature, +since 1860, some important change will be observed. In 1861 was +passed the following:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hang"><span class="smcap">An act</span> <i>to enlarge the Legal Capacity of Married Women whose +Husbands are Insane, and to enable them to Contract as if they +were Unmarried.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Section 1.</span> Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of +Indiana: That all married women, or those who may hereafter be +married, whose husbands are or may be insane, are, during the +continuance of such insanity, hereby enabled and authorized to +make and to execute all such contracts, and to be contracted with +in relation to their separate property, as they could if they +were unmarried, and they may sue and be sued as if they were +<i>sole</i>. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The legislature of 1863 was undisturbed by any question concerning +women. In 1865 the legislature discriminated against women by the +passage of a very long act, prescribing the manner in which +enumerations of <i>white male citizens</i> shall be made; thus implying +that a <i>white male citizen</i> is an honorable and important person, +whose existence is to be noted with due care; with a care that +distinguishes him equally above the <i>white female</i> and the <i>black +male</i> citizen, and in effect places these two unenumerated +divisions of human beings into one class.</p> + +<p>Another act of 1865 reäffirmed an act of 1852 which prescribed the +classes of persons capable of making a will, from which married +women were excluded.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_545" id="Page_545">[Pg 545]</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 373px;"> +<a name="v3_545" id="v3_545"> +<img src="images/v3_545.jpg" width="373" height="500" alt="May Wright Sewall" title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p>The legislature of 1867 passed an act in regard to conveyance of +lands by wives of persons of unsound mind, which read as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Section 1.</span> Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Indiana: That +in cases where the guardian of any person of unsound mind, under +the direction of any court of competent jurisdiction has made, or +may hereafter make, sale of any lands of such person of unsound +mind, the wife of such person of unsound mind may by her separate +deed release and convey all her interest in and title to such +land, and her deed so made shall thereafter debar her from all +claim to such land, and shall have the same effect on her rights +as if her husband had been of sound mind and she had joined with +such husband in the execution of such conveyance. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1869, an act passed by the legislature of 1852, providing for +the settlement of a decedent's estate, was so amended as to provide +that the widow might select articles to the value of $500, or +receive the first $500 derived from the sale, or in case it was +worth no more than $500, might hold it. In 1871 the amendment of +1869 was further amended so that in case the personal property was +less than $500 the deficit could be a lien on the real estate, to +be settled with other judgments and mortgages.</p> + +<p>In 1873 the possible ability of women to serve the State officially +was recognized by the passage of the following bill:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Section 1.</span> Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Indiana: That +women are hereby declared to be eligible to any office, the +election to which is or shall be vested in the General Assembly +of this State; or the appointment to which is or shall be vested +in the governor thereof.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec. 2.</span> The foregoing shall not include women who shall labor +under any disability which may prevent them from binding +themselves by an official bond. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The legislature of 1873 also passed an act regulating the liquor +traffic, in which it is formally provided that a wife shall have +the same right to sue, to control the suit, and to control the sum +recovered by the suit, as a <i>feme sole</i>.</p> + +<p>In 1875 an act passed the General Assembly making it impossible to +sell real property in which a woman has, by virtue of her marriage; +an inchoate right, for less than four-ninths of its appraised +value: and also providing that upon the sale of any piece or +aggregate of pieces of real property not exceeding $2,000, the wife +has her absolute right; and moreover providing that in case of a +judicial sale, the wife's inchoate interests become absolute, and +she may demand a partition.</p> + +<p>In 1877 the General Assembly passed an act enabling married women +whose husbands are insane to sell and to convey real-estate +belonging to such married women, in the same way as if <i>femes +soles</i>.</p> + +<p>When the act for establishing a female prison passed the +legislature of 1860, it provided that the board managing its +affairs should consist of three men, who should be assisted by an +advisory board composed of one man and two women. By the +legislature of 1877 this section was so amended as to make the +managing board consist of women exclusively, and the advisory board +was abolished.<a name="FNanchor_341_341" id="FNanchor_341_341"></a><a href="#Footnote_341_341" class="fnanchor">[341]</a></p> + +<p>Of all the changes effected in the statutory law of Indiana since +1860, the following is the most important and may be regarded, so +far as women<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_546" id="Page_546">[Pg 546]</a></span> are concerned, the measure of the highest legislative +justice thus far attained in any State. This bill was prepared by +Addison C. Harris, then representing Indianapolis in the State +Senate, and was approved March 25, 1879:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">An Act</span> <i>concerning Married Women—Approved March 25, 1879:</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec. 1.</span>—Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of +Indiana: A married woman may bargain, sell, assign and transfer +her separate personal property the same as if she were <i>sole</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec. 2.</span>—A married woman may carry on any trade or business, and +perform any labor or service on her sole and separate account. +The earnings and profits of any married woman accruing from her +trade, business, services or labor, other than labor for her +husband or family, shall be her sole and separate property.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec. 3.</span>—A married woman may enter into any contract in reference +to her personal estate, trade, business, labor or service, and +the management and improvement of her separate real property, the +same as if she were <i>sole</i>; and her separate estate, real and +personal, shall be liable therefor on execution or other judicial +process.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec. 4.</span>—No conveyance or contract made by a married woman for +the sale of her lands or any interest therein, other than leases +for a term not exceeding three years, and mortgages on lands to +secure the purchase money of such lands, shall be valid, unless +her husband shall join therein. Provided, however, that if she +shall have attempted to convey her real estate or shall have +agreed to convey the same, and shall have received the whole or +any part of the consideration therefor, the person paying such +consideration, or the person for whose benefit the same was paid, +shall have the right to sue and recover judgment therefor, and +the same may be enforced against the property of such married +woman.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec. 5.</span>—A married woman shall be bound by the covenants of the +title in a deed of conveyance of her real property.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec. 6.</span>—A married woman may bring and maintain an action in her +own name against any person or body corporate for damages for any +injury to her person or character, the same as if she were +<i>sole</i>; and the money recovered shall be her separate property, +and her husband in such case shall not be liable for costs.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec. 7.</span>—Whenever the husband causes repairs or improvements to +be made on the real property of the wife, with her knowledge and +consent thereto in writing, delivered to the contractor or person +performing the labor or furnishing the material, she shall alone +be liable for material furnished or labor done.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec. 8.</span>—A husband shall not be liable for any debts contracted +by the wife in carrying on any trade, labor or business on her +sole and separate account, nor for improvements made by her +authority on her separate real property.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec. 9.</span>—Whenever a judgment is recovered against a married +woman, her separate property may be sold on execution to satisfy +the same, as in other cases. Provided, however, that her wearing +apparel and articles of personal adornment purchased by her, not +exceeding two hundred dollars in value, and all such jewelry, +ornaments, books, works of art and <i>virtu</i>, and other such +effects for personal or household use as may have been given to +her as presents, gifts and keep-sakes, shall not be subject to +execution. And provided further, that she shall hold as exempt, +except for the purchase money therefor, other property to the +amount of three hundred dollars to be set apart and appraised in +the manner provided by law for exemption of property.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec. 10.</span>—A married woman shall not mortgage or in any manner +encumber her separate property acquired by descent, devise or +gift, as a security for the debt or liability of her husband or +any other person. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The legislature of 1881 enacted the following, which is really a +sequence of the property-rights statute of 1879:</p> + +<blockquote><p>A married woman may sue alone when: <i>First</i>—The action concerns +her own property. <i>Second</i>—When the action is between herself +and her husband. But in no case<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_547" id="Page_547">[Pg 547]</a></span> shall she be required to sue or +defend by guardian or next friend, unless she be under twenty-one +years.</p> + +<p>It further enacted, making it section 28, to act 38, that: When a +husband or father has deserted his family, or is imprisoned, the +wife or mother may prosecute or defend in his name any action +which he might have prosecuted or defended, and shall have the +same powers and rights therein as he might have had. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The legislature of 1881 also passed the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">An Act</span> <i>to Authorize the Election of Women to School Offices</i>:</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec. 1.</span>—Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Indiana, that +any woman, married or single, of the age of twenty-one years and +upwards, and possessing the qualifications prescribed for men, +shall be eligible to any office under the general or special +school laws of the State.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec. 2.</span>—That any woman elected or appointed to any office under +the provisions of this act, before she enters upon the discharge +of the duties of her office, shall qualify and give bond as +required by law; and such bond shall be binding upon her and her +securities. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The following, enacted by this same legislature of 1881, would +indicate that fidelity to his domestic obligations is not even yet +esteemed in man as a virtue of high order; the value attached to +the fidelity can be measured by the penalty incurred by infidelity, +which is thus stated:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Whoever without cause deserts his wife or children, and leaves +wife and child or children as a charge upon any county of this +State, shall be fined not more than $100 nor less than $10. </p></blockquote> + +<p>As has been indicated in another connection, it was the legislature +of 1881 which distinguished itself by passing a bill for amending +section 2 of article <span class="smcap">II</span>. of the State constitution so as to give +women the right to vote in all elections. The legislature of 1883 +did nothing to further ameliorate the legal condition of women; and +the highest legal rights enjoyed by women of Indiana are indicated +in the foregoing recital of legislative action upon the subject +from 1860 to 1884 inclusive.</p> + +<p>For some years after public schools were established in Indiana, +women had no recognition. I am told by a reliable gentleman, Dr. R. +T. Brown, who served from 1833 to 1840 as examiner in one of the +most advanced counties of the commonwealth, that during that period +no woman ever applied to him for a license to teach, and that up to +1850 very few were employed in the public schools. At that time it +was permitted women to teach "subscription" schools during the +vacations, for which purpose the use of the district school-house +was frequently granted. It was by demonstrating their capacity in +this unobtrusive use of holidays, that women obtained employment in +the regular schools. The tables show that in 1861 there were 6,421 +men and 1,905 women employed in the primary schools, and 128 men +and 72 women in the high schools. From that time up to 1866, owing +to the war, the number of men decreased while that of women rapidly +increased. The tables for that year show 5,330 men and 4,163 women +in the schools. The number of men employed in 1880 was 7,802, of +women, 5,776. While the very best places are held by men, the +majority of the second-rate places are filled by women, and men +fill a majority of the lowest places. The average daily wages +received by men engaged in the public schools in 1880 was $1.86, +while the average daily wages of women was $1.76.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_548" id="Page_548">[Pg 548]</a></span></p> + +<p>Of the twenty-six academies, colleges and universities, all are, +with two notable exceptions—Hanover and Wabash—open to women. Of +these, Butler, at Irvington, formerly known as the Northwestern +Christian University, was the first to admit women to a "female +course," which its managers arranged to meet the needs of the +female mind. In its laudable endeavor to adapt its requirements to +this intermediate class of beings, the university substituted music +for mathematics, and French for Greek. Few, however, availed +themselves of this course, and it was utterly rejected by Demia +Butler, a daughter of the founder of the institution, who entered +it in 1860, and graduated from what was then known as the male +course, in 1864, thus winning the right to be remembered as the +first woman in Indiana to demonstrate the capacity of her sex to +cope with the classics and higher mathematics. From that time the +"female course" became gradually less popular, until it was +discarded. One after another, private and denominational schools +have fallen into line, until nearly all of them are open to women +without humiliating conditions.</p> + +<p>Up to 1867 the Indiana University exhibited the anomaly of a great +institution of learning supported by the State, and regarding +itself as the crown of the public-school system, free to but +one-half of the children of the commonwealth. Since that date it +has been open equally to both sexes in all three of its +departments—the State Normal School, located at Terre Haute, the +Agricultural College, located at Lafayette and commonly known as +Purdue University, and the State University proper, including +literary and scientific departments located at Bloomington. Of this +last branch, 30 per cent. are women. That there is no longer any +discrimination in these higher institutions of learning is not +true. Girls must always feel that they are regarded as belonging to +a subordinate class, wherever women are not found in the faculty +and board of managers. The depressing influence of their absence in +superior positions cannot be measured.</p> + +<p>Very few women are found in college faculties in Indiana, and none +on boards of trustees. Those most conspicuous in ability are Mrs. +Sarah A. Oren,<a name="FNanchor_342_342" id="FNanchor_342_342"></a><a href="#Footnote_342_342" class="fnanchor">[342]</a> who, having served two successive terms as +State librarian, was called from that position to fill a chair at +Purdue University, where she remained several years; Miss Catharine +Merrill, professor of English literature in Butler University, who +throughout her term of service from 1869 to 1883 enjoyed the +deserved reputation of being one of the strongest members of the +faculty;<a name="FNanchor_343_343" id="FNanchor_343_343"></a><a href="#Footnote_343_343" class="fnanchor">[343]</a> and Miss Rebecca I. Thompson, who is professor of +mathematics at Franklin College, the leading Baptist school in the +State. The women occupying these conspicuous positions are all +identified with the suffrage movement; Professor Thompson, of +Franklin, is the president of the Johnson County Suffrage +Association. Miss N. Cropsey has served the cause of public +education in Indianapolis in some capacity for twenty years, and +has for several years been superintendent of the primary schools, a +place which she fills with acknowledged ability. Miss<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_549" id="Page_549">[Pg 549]</a></span> Cropsey is +another living denial of the common assertion, that only +half-cultured and ill-paid women want the ballot.</p> + +<p>Of the four medical colleges in Indianapolis, two admit women and +two exclude them. No theological school in the State receives +women, nor does the only law school, which is located at +Indianapolis; but its former president, Hon. James B. Black, told +me that it was ready to receive them upon application.</p> + +<p>Formerly, many questions now decided by the board of trustees of +each school district, were directly settled by the people +themselves at the annual school meeting. For instance, the teacher +for the coming term was elected from among the candidates for that +place; the salary to be paid, the length of term, the location of +the school-house, were all questions to be decided by ballot. I +have reliable authority for the assertion that in some parts of the +State, as early as 1860, widows, and wives whose husbands were +necessarily absent from the school meetings, voted upon these +questions. During the years of the war this practice became very +common, but fell into disuse upon the return of peace.</p> + +<p>There are many physicians in Indiana enjoying the merited esteem of +their respective communities and having a lucrative practice. The +most notable example of success in this profession is Dr. Mary F. +Thomas of Richmond.<a name="FNanchor_344_344" id="FNanchor_344_344"></a><a href="#Footnote_344_344" class="fnanchor">[344]</a> Another living testimony to woman's right +in the medical profession is Dr. Rachel Swain of Indianapolis, +whose patrons are among the first families of the city. By zealous +devotion to her profession she has secured the respect and social +recognition of the community in which she moves. As an avowed +friend of suffrage, whose word in season is never lacking, Dr. +Swain carries a knowledge of our principles into circles where it +would otherwise slowly penetrate. Dr. Mary Wilhite of +Crawfordsville ranks with the best physicians of that city. In her +practice she has gained a competence for herself and disseminated +among her patients a knowledge of hygienic laws that has improved +the health and the morals of the community to which she has +ministered. She, too, advocates political equality for woman. Dr. +Sarah Stockton of Lafayette settled in Indianapolis in the autumn +of 1883, and was soon, on the petition of leading citizens, +including both men and women, appointed as physician to the Woman's +Department of the Hospital for the Insane. Her professional labors +at the hospital and in general practice indicate both learning and +skill. In November, Dr. Marie Haslep was elected attendant +physician at the Woman's Reformatory, a State institution having +some four hundred inmates, where her services have been +characterized by faithfulness and caution.</p> + +<p>Elizabeth Eaglesfield, a graduate of the law department of Michigan +University, was admitted to the bar of Marion county in the spring +of 1885, and is the first woman to open an independent law-office +in this State.</p> + +<p>Very few women have served in the ministry. The only one who ever +secured any prominence in this profession was Miss Prudence +LeClerc, who was pastor of the Universalist church in Madison in +1870-71, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_550" id="Page_550">[Pg 550]</a></span> served parishes at different points in south-eastern +Indiana until her death in 1878. Miss LeClerc frequently spoke at +suffrage conventions, and called meetings wherever she preached, +instructing the people in the philosophy of this reform.</p> + +<p>To obtain accurate statistics as to the professions and industries +is extremely difficult, as the year 1881 was the first in which the +State considered women at all. That year the head of the bureau of +statistics sent to each town and county commissioner certain sets +of questions relative to women's occupations. The grace with which +they were received, the seriousness with which they were +considered, the consequent accuracy with which they were answered, +may be inferred from the fact that one trustee replied, "The women +in our county are mostly engaged in baby-tending," and that his +response was generally copied by the press as a manifestation of +brilliant wit. Although some commissioners felt their time too +valuable to spend in gathering information relative to the work of +women, from the reports of those who seriously undertook to canvass +this matter, a table has been arranged and published, which, though +incomplete, must be regarded, both in variety of occupations and in +the numbers of women registered, as a most favorable showing for +this Western State. The total number of women engaged outside of +home, in non-domestic and money-making industries, is 15,122; the +number of industries represented by them is 51. Add to these the +number of teachers, and we have over 20,000 women in the trades and +professions denied the ballot, that sole weapon pledged by a +republic to every citizen for the protection of person and +property.</p> + +<p>Of the men and women prominent in this movement since 1860, whose +names are not mentioned in the first volume, the one meriting the +first place is beyond doubt Dr. R. T. Brown of Indianapolis. He has +the longest record as an advocate of suffrage to be found in the +State. As a speaker in the first Harrison campaign (1836) he +advocated suffrage without regard to sex. Engaged as a teacher or +inspector in the public schools in the early years, Dr. Brown +argued the adaptation of women to the teacher's profession, and +insisted that salaries should be independent of sex; and in many +individual cases where he had authority, women secured this +recognition before it was generally admitted even in theory to be +just.</p> + +<p>When, in 1855, the Northwestern Christian (now Butler) University +was founded, Dr. Brown, as one of the trustees, advocated +coëducation; in 1858 he took the chair of natural science, and in +that branch taught classes of both sexes until 1871. In 1868 he was +active in organizing the Indiana Medical College on the basis of +equal rights to women, and filled the chair of chemistry until +1872; in 1873 he was appointed to the chair of physiology, which he +held until 1877, and then resigned because the board of trustees +determined to exclude women. This proves that Dr. Brown's devotion +to the doctrine of equal rights is of that rare degree which will +bear the crucial test of official and pecuniary sacrifice. He has +been an active member of the State and city suffrage associations +from the beginning.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_551" id="Page_551">[Pg 551]</a></span></p> + +<p>The name of Mary E. Haggart first appears as a member of the State +Association at the convention held in Indianapolis in 1869. In +1870, Mr. Hadley made a speech in the State Senate against woman +suffrage, to which Mrs. Haggart wrote an able reply which was +published and widely commented on by the press of the State. Her +next notable effort was in a discussion through several numbers of +the <i>Ladies' Own Magazine</i>, published by Mrs. Cora Bland, where she +completely refuted the objections urged by her opponent, a literary +gentleman of some note. Mrs. Haggart has addressed the legislatures +of her own State, of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Kentucky, as +well as the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives at +the hearing granted the National Association. She seldom speaks +without the most careful preparation, and never without manifesting +abilities of the highest order. Perhaps no woman in the State, as a +speaker, has won higher encomiums from the press or has better +deserved them.</p> + +<p>The first active step taken in suffrage by Mrs. Florence M. +Adkinson (then Miss Burlingame) was to call a convention in +Lawrenceburg. In 1871, 1872, she gave several lectures on suffrage +and temperance in Ohio, and held a series of meetings in +southeastern Indiana. Though an acceptable speaker, it is as a +writer that Mrs. Adkinson is best known; she is an officer in both +the State and the city organizations, and in every capacity serves +the cause with rare fidelity.</p> + +<p>The name of Lizzie Boynton of Crawfordsville frequently occurs in +suffrage reports between 1865 and 1870. She was a member of the +State Association and a frequent speaker at its conventions. +Besides working in that body, she assisted in the organization of +the local society at Crawfordsville, wrote poems, stories, essays, +and won high rank in the State in literature and reform. From +mature womanhood her record as Mrs. Harbert belongs to Illinois +rather than Indiana.</p> + +<p>The first time I met Mrs. Zerelda G. Wallace she was circulating a +temperance petition to present to the legislature. One day while +busy on the third floor of the high-school building a +fellow-teacher sent up word that a lady wished to see me. +Descending, I was introduced to Mrs. Wallace, who, in a bland way, +requested me to sign the paper which she extended. Never doubting +that I might do so, I had taken my pen when my eye caught the +words: "While we do not clamor for any additional civil or +political rights." "But I do clamor," I exclaimed, and threw down +the paper and pen and went back to my work, vexed in soul that I +should have been dragged down three flights of stairs to see one +more proof of the degree to which honorable women love to humiliate +themselves before men for sweet favor's sake. Mrs. Wallace went +forward with her work of solicitation, thinking me, no doubt, to be +a very impetuous, if not impertinent, young woman.</p> + +<p>When, however, upon the presentation of her petition, whose framers +had taken such care to disclaim any desire "for additional civil +and political rights," Mrs. Wallace was startled by Dr. Thompson's +avowal (having known the doctor, as she naïvely says, "as a +Christian gentleman"), that he was not there "to represent his +conscience, but to obey his constituents,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_552" id="Page_552">[Pg 552]</a></span> in her aroused soul +there was that instant born the determination to become a +"constituent." As soon as the hearing was at an end, Mrs. Wallace +confessed this determination to Dr. Thompson, thanking him for +unintentionally awakening her to a sense of woman's proper position +in the republic. This change in Mrs. Wallace's attitude was not +generally known until the following May, when the annual State +Temperance convention was held in Indianapolis; then, in her +address before that body, she avowed her conviction that it was +woman's duty to seek the ballot as a means of exerting her will +upon legislation. From that time Mrs. Wallace has neglected no +opportunity to propagate suffrage doctrines, and has been most +potent in influencing her temperance coädjutors to embrace these +principles. Earnestness and logic are Mrs. Wallace's abiding +forces. Her literary work is chiefly confined to correspondence, in +which she is so faithful that it is doubtful if any man in public +life in Indiana can plead ignorance of the arguments in favor of +suffrage. Mrs. Wallace has been an officer in the National, the +American and the State suffrage societies, and has served the Equal +Suffrage Society of Indianapolis as president most of the time +since its formation. Having lived in this city more than half a +century, related to many men who have held high official positions, +she has had an opportunity to exert a wide influence, and it may be +safe to say that, by virtue of her own consecrated life, she exerts +more moral power in this community than any other woman in Indiana.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Helen M. Gougar has addressed the legislatures of New York, +Kansas and Wisconsin, besides that of her own State. As an +extempore speaker she has no peer among her co-workers; her first +suffrage speech was made at Delphi, May, 1877. In July, 1881, Mrs. +Gougar became the editor of <i>Our Herald</i>, a weekly which she +conducted with great ability and success in the interest of the two +constitutional amendments then pending. In 1884, in an extensive +lecturing tour, she addressed large audiences in Washington, +Philadelphia, New York and Albany. In the year 1883, Mrs. Josephine +R. Nichols of Illinois, and Mrs. L. May Wheeler of Massachusetts, +came to reside in Indianapolis. Both these ladies have lectured +frequently and with marked effect in various parts of the State.</p> + +<p>I cannot close without a mention of those public men who have +honored this State by their adherence to the principle of woman +suffrage and thereby earned a title to the fame which will belong +to the advocates of this cause in the hour of its triumph. Among +these Hon. George W. Julian is most conspicuous. Referring to his +services in congress, Mr. Julian once wrote:</p> + +<blockquote><p>My opinions about woman suffrage, however, date much further +back. The subject was first brought to my attention in a brief +chapter on the "Political Non-existence of Women," in Miss +Martineau's book on "Society in America," which I read in 1847. +She there pithily stated the substance of all that has since been +said respecting the logic of woman's right to the ballot; and +finding myself unable to answer, I accepted it. On recently +referring to this chapter I find myself more impressed by its +force than when I first read it. <span class="spacious">* * *</span> My interest in +anti-slavery was awakened about the same time, and I regarded it +as the <i>previous</i> question, and as less abstract and far more +important and absorbing than that of suffrage for women. For<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_553" id="Page_553">[Pg 553]</a></span> the +sake of the negro I accepted Mr. Lincoln's philosophy of "one war +at a time," though always ready to own and defend my position as +to woman's right to the ballot. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The sincerity of Mr. Julian's belief in woman suffrage is proved by +his repeated efforts to further the cause in the United States +congress. On December 8, 1868, he submitted an amendment to the +constitution, guaranteeing suffrage to all United States citizens, +which, as the negro had not then been enfranchised, he numbered +article fifteen. On March 15, 1869, he submitted the same +amendment, with the exception that the words "race" and "color" +were omitted; on the same day Mr. Julian offered a bill providing +for the immediate enfranchisement of women in all the territories +of the United States, thus doubling on one day his claim to the +gratitude of American women. On April 4, 1870, he offered another +amendment, numbered article sixteen, which followed the exact form +and phraseology of the fifteenth. On January 20, 1871, he offered +an amendment to the bill, providing a government for the District +of Columbia, striking out the word "male" in the section defining +the right of suffrage. It is interesting to note that even so long +ago that amendment received 55 yeas against 117 nays.<a name="FNanchor_345_345" id="FNanchor_345_345"></a><a href="#Footnote_345_345" class="fnanchor">[345]</a> The +bills which Mr. Julian thus submitted to congress when he was a +member of that body prove his constancy to a cause early espoused, +his conversion to which was due to that remarkable English woman +whose claims to the gratitude of her American sisters are thus +enhanced. Mr. Julian has not worked much with the suffrage +societies of his own State, but he has never failed in his repeated +canvasses to utter the seasonable word. His conviction that it is +the duty of the national government to take the initiative in +defining the political rights of its citizens has naturally led him +to present this question to the nation as represented in its +congress, rather than to agitate it in the State.</p> + +<p>Oliver P. Morton and Joseph E. McDonald are two other names +conspicuous in Indiana history which occur frequently in connection +with "aye" in the records which have preserved the action of every +member of congress on the various amendments brought before it +involving woman's political equality.</p> + +<p>Albert G. Porter, ex-governor of Indiana, has on more than one +public occasion avowed his belief in woman's equality as a citizen, +and has assented to the proposition that under a republic the only +sign of such equality is the ballot. Ardent advocates have often +thought him inexcusably reticent in expressing his convictions upon +this subject, but such have learned that it is given to but few +mortals to "remember those in bonds as bound with them," and no +other governor of Indiana has ever taken occasion to remind the +General Assembly of its duties to women, as Governor Porter +habitually did. In his address of 1881 he called the attention of +the legislature to the improved condition of women under the laws, +pointed out disabilities still continuing, and bespoke the +respectful attention of the General Assembly to the women who +proposed to come before it with their claims. In his biënnial +message, 1883, the governor recommended the enactment of a statute +which should require that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_554" id="Page_554">[Pg 554]</a></span> at least one of the physicians appointed +to attend in the department for women in the hospital for the +insane should be a woman. The whole tone of Governor Porter's +administration was liberal toward women; he invariably implied his +belief in their equality, and on one or two occasions has evinced +his respect for their ability by conferring on them responsible +offices. Many of the leading men in the Republican party, and a few +in the Democratic, are favorable, and while they do not labor for +the enfranchisement of their sisters with the same enthusiasm which +personal bondage excites, their constant influence is on the side +of woman's emancipation.</p> + +<p>As to the charities conducted by Indiana women, for a condensed +narrative of the efficient service of Mrs. L. B. Wishard and Miss +Susan Fussell, I must refer readers to the account kindly prepared +for me by Mrs. Paulina T. Merritt.<a name="FNanchor_346_346" id="FNanchor_346_346"></a><a href="#Footnote_346_346" class="fnanchor">[346]</a></p> + +<p>Whether or not justified by the facts, the feeling is current that +those whom the masses favor hold themselves aloof from those whom +personal experience, or a sense of justice, compels to walk the +stony path of reform. The <i>litteratéurs</i> often form a sort of +pseudo-intellectual aristocracy, and do not willingly affiliate +with reformers, whom they are ready to assume to be less cultivated +than themselves. Of this weakness our literary women have not been +guilty. Most of them are members of the suffrage society.<a name="FNanchor_347_347" id="FNanchor_347_347"></a><a href="#Footnote_347_347" class="fnanchor">[347]</a></p> + +<p>A system is now developing which will not only stimulate women to +engage in competitive industries and secure justice in rewarding +such labor, but will greatly facilitate the work of ascertaining +what part women do take in the general industries of the State. +Indiana, being mainly agricultural, is divided into sixteen +districts, each of which has organized an agricultural society. +Besides these there are also county societies. These organizations +are composed of men and women, the latter having nominally the same +powers and privileges as the former. Annually the State +Agricultural Association holds a meeting at Indianapolis. This is a +delegate body, consisting of representatives from the district and +county societies. There is no constitutional check against sending +women as delegates, though it has not hitherto been done. One chief +duty of the primary convention is to elect a State board of +agriculture. This board consists of sixteen members, one for each +agricultural district. The managers of the Woman's State Fair +Association have called an industrial convention, whose sessions +will be held at the same time that the Agricultural Association +holds its annual meeting.<a name="FNanchor_348_348" id="FNanchor_348_348"></a><a href="#Footnote_348_348" class="fnanchor">[348]</a></p> + +<p>If the press reflects the public, it also moulds it; and its +conservative<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_555" id="Page_555">[Pg 555]</a></span> attitude is doubtless to a very considerable degree +responsible for the tone of opinion which prevailed here up to +recent years. Papers throughout the State naturally take their cue +from the party organs published at the capital, while the few +papers identified with no party are wont to adapt themselves even +more carefully to popular opinion upon general subjects.</p> + +<p>The citations made in the earlier part of this chapter from the +<i>Sentinel</i> and the <i>Journal</i> clearly show the spirit of their +management in 1869. But it must not be inferred that the <i>Journal</i> +has through all these years maintained the position occupied by it +at that time. Had it done so, one may reasonably believe that the +women of Indiana would before to-day have been enfranchised. On the +contrary, that sheet has been very vacillating, speaking for or +against the cause according to the principles of its managers, the +paper having frequently changed hands; and until recently the +principles of the same managers upon this question have been +shifting; but for the last five or six years the <i>Journal</i> has been +a consistent, though somewhat mild, supporter of woman suffrage.</p> + +<p>On the contrary, the <i>Sentinel</i> had been constant in its +opposition, until, about eight years since, Mr. Shoemaker becoming +the manager, it announced a Sunday issue devoted to the interests +of women. The pledge then made has been nobly kept, and although +for a few months the <i>Sentinel</i> seemed to edit its week-day issues +with a view to counteracting the possible good effect of its Sunday +utterances, the better spirit gradually triumphed, until at last, +so far as the woman question is concerned, the paper is from Sunday +to Saturday in harmony with itself. For some time it gave one +column in each Sunday issue to the control of the State Central +Suffrage Committee, and printed two hundred copies of the column +for special distribution among the country papers.</p> + +<p>The <i>Saturday Herald</i>, established in 1873, under the editorial +management of George C. Harding, deserves mention. From the outset, +this paper was the advocate of woman's right to be paid for work +done according to its market value, and to protect herself and her +property by the ballot. Perhaps the best service rendered to women +by Mr. Harding, was that of securing in 1874 Gertrude Garrison as +assistant editor of the <i>Herald</i>. Mrs. Garrison is, beyond +question, one of the ablest journalists Indiana can boast, and the +influence of her pen in modifying the popular estimate of woman's +capabilities has been incalculable. From 1874 she did half the +work, editorial articles, locals, sketches, and all the varieties +of writing required upon a weekly paper, but at her own request her +name was not announced as associate editor until 1876. In this +capacity she remained upon the <i>Herald</i> until January 1, 1880, when +the paper passed from Mr. Harding's into other hands. During her +connection with the <i>Herald</i>, if there was anything particularly +strong in the paper, her associate received the credit. The public +will not permit itself to believe a woman capable of humor, though +I think Mrs. Garrison did as much to sustain the paper's reputation +for wit as even Mr. Harding. A. H. Dooley succeeded Mr. Harding as +editor of the <i>Saturday Herald</i>, and it remained under his +management a sturdy advocate of woman's enfranchisement.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_556" id="Page_556">[Pg 556]</a></span> The +<i>Saturday Review</i> was established by Mr. Harding in October, 1880, +with Mrs. Garrison associate editor. Upon the death of Mr. Harding, +May 8, 1881, Mr. Charles Dennis became chief editor, Mrs. +Garrison<a name="FNanchor_349_349" id="FNanchor_349_349"></a><a href="#Footnote_349_349" class="fnanchor">[349]</a> remaining on the staff as his assistant.</p> + +<p>The <i>Times</i> was founded in June, 1881. From the first it devoted a +column to notes on women's work. From September of that year there +appeared in each Saturday issue a department devoted to the +interests of women, particularly to woman suffrage, under the +editorial management of May Wright Sewall. This department +reäppeared in the weekly and was thus widely circulated among +country readers. The <i>Times</i> is under the management of Colonel W. +R. Holloway. Although from the first fair in its discussions of all +reform questions, it did not avow itself to be an advocate of woman +suffrage until the week after the public entertainment of the Equal +Suffrage Society, 1881, when there appeared an editorial nearly one +column in length, setting forth its views upon the whole subject. +This editorial contained the following paragraph:</p> + +<blockquote><p>As the question is likely to become a prominent theme of +discussion during the next few years, the <i>Times</i> will now say +that it is decidedly and unequivocally in favor of woman +suffrage. We believe that women have the same right to vote that +men have, that it is impolitic and unjust to deprive them of the +right, and that its free and full bestowal would conserve the +welfare of society and the good of government. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In the daily <i>Evening News</i>, Mr. J. H. Holliday, with his editorial +aids, has set himself to stem the tide of progress which he +evidently thinks will, unless a manful endeavor on his part shall +prevent it, bear all things down to ruin. The character of his +efforts may be inferred from the following extracts which appeared +in January and December of 1881:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We wish our legislators would go home and ponder this thing. Read +the Bible and understand the scheme of creation. Read the New +Testament, and appreciate the creation of the Christian home, and +the headship of things. Reflect upon what rests the future of +this government we have reared, and ask what would become of it +if the Christian homes in which it is founded were broken up; +then reflect upon what would become of the Christian homes if men +and women were to attend to the same duties in life. To get a +realistic notion, let every man who has a wife ask himself how he +would relish being told by her, "I have an engagement with John +Smith to-night to see about fixing up a slate to get Mrs. Jones +nominated for sheriff," and being left to go his own way while +she goes with Smith. If that wouldn't make hell in the household +in one act we don't know what would, yet this is merely one +little trivial episode of what this anti-christian woman suffrage +scheme means.</p> + +<p>To what straits must the advocates of suffrage for women be +driven when they needs must seek to show that the ballot is not +degrading. What becomes of all our fine talk of the ballot as an +educator if they who seek to secure it for women must advocate as +a reason why it should not be withheld that it is not degrading! +But what better can one expect from those who, when it is +suggested that there are duties attaching to the ballot as well +as rights, solemnly say that the few moments necessary to deposit +a ballot will not interfere with women's duties of sweeping and +dusting and baby-tending. When one hears talk of this sort, there +is indeed a grave doubt as to whether the ballot really is an +educator after all. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The first of the above citations is from what might be called an +article of instruction addressed to the legislature then in +session, and considering<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_557" id="Page_557">[Pg 557]</a></span> the question of woman suffrage. The +occasion which inspired the second paragraph may be readily +inferred. It seems "profitable for the instruction" of the future +to preserve a few extracts like the above, that it may be seen how +weak and wild, strength itself becomes, when the ally of prejudice +and precedent.</p> + +<p>The <i>Indiana Farmer</i>, exceptionally well edited, having a wide +circulation in the agricultural sections of the State, and enjoying +there a powerful influence, is an outspoken advocate of equal +suffrage. From statistics regarding papers published outside of +Indianapolis, it may be safe to say that two hundred of them favor, +with varying degrees of constancy, giving the ballot to women. On +the staff of nearly all the papers whose status is above given, are +women, who in their respective departments faithfully serve the +common cause. During the last few years, efforts have been directed +to the capture of the local press, and many of the county papers +now have a department edited by women. In most instances this work +is done gratuitously, and their success in this new line, entering +upon it as they have without previous training, illustrates the +versatility of woman's powers. Mrs. M. E. Price of Kokomo, Mrs. +Sarah P. Franklin of Anderson, Mrs. Laura Sandafur of Franklin, and +Mrs. Ida M. Harper of Terre Haute, deserve especial mention for +their admirable work in the papers of their respective towns. Mrs. +Laura C. Arnold is the chief editor of the Columbus <i>Democrat</i>, and +is the only woman in the State having editorial charge of a +political party paper, <i>Our Herald</i>, under the able editorial +management of Mrs. Helen M. Gougar, was a weekly published at +Lafayette. It was devoted to securing the re-passage and adoption +of the woman suffrage and prohibition amendments. It was a strong, +aggressive sheet, and deserved its almost unparalleled +success.<a name="FNanchor_350_350" id="FNanchor_350_350"></a><a href="#Footnote_350_350" class="fnanchor">[350]</a> </p></blockquote> + +<p>In closing this able report for Indiana a few facts in regard to +the author may interest the general reader as well as the student +of history.</p> + +<p>Mrs. May Wright Sewall has been well known for many years in +Indianapolis in the higher departments of education, and has +recently crowned her efforts as a teacher by establishing a model +classical school for girls, in which she is not only training their +minds to vigorous thought, but taking the initiative steps to +secure for them an equally vigorous physical development. Her +pupils are required to wear a comfortable gymnastic costume, all +their garments loosely resting on their shoulders; corsets, tight +waists and high-heeled boots forbidden, for deep thinking requires +deep breathing. The whole upper floor of her new building is a +spacious gymnasium, where her pupils exercise every<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_558" id="Page_558">[Pg 558]</a></span> day under the +instruction of a skillful German; and on every Saturday morning +they take lessons from the best dancing master in the city. The +result is, she has no dull scholars complaining of headaches. All +are alike happy in their studies and amusements.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sewall is a preëminently common-sense woman, believing that +sound theories can be put into practice. Although her tastes are +decidedly literary and æsthetic, she is a radical reformer. Hence +her services in the literary club and suffrage society are alike +invaluable. And as chairman of the executive committee of the +National Association, she is without her peer in planning and +executing the work.</p> + +<p>As her husband, Mr. Theodore L. Sewall, is also at the head of a +classical school, and equally successful in training boys, it may +be said that both institutions have the advantage of the united +thought of man and woman. As educators, Mr. and Mrs. Sewall have +reaped much practical wisdom from their mutual consultations and +suggestions, the results of which have been of incalculable benefit +to their pupils.</p> + +<p>Peering into the homes of the young women in the suffrage movement, +one cannot but remark the deference and respect with which these +intelligent, self-reliant wives are uniformly treated by their +husbands, and the unbounded confidence and affection they give in +return. For happiness in domestic life, men and women must meet as +equals. A position of inferiority and dependence for even the best +organized women, will either wither all their powers and reduce +them to apathetic machines, going the round of life's duties with a +kind of hopeless dissatisfaction, or it will rouse a bitter +antagonism, an active resistance, an offensive self-assertion, +poisoning the very sources of domestic happiness. The true ideal of +family life can never be realized until woman is restored to her +rightful throne. Tennyson, in his "Princess," gives us the +prophetic vision when he says:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i4">"Everywhere<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Two heads in council, two beside the hearth,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Two in the tangled business of the world,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Two in the liberal offices of life,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Two plummets dropped for one, to sound the abyss<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Of science, and the secrets of the mind."<br /></span> +</div></div> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<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> See <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_306">Vol. I., page 306</a>.</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> The call for this convention was signed by Amanda M. +Way, Mrs. M. C. Bland, Mrs. M. M. B. Goodwin, Mrs. Henry Blanchard, +Mrs. Emma B. Swank, Indianapolis; Mrs. Isaac Kinley, Richmond; Dr. +Mary F. Thomas, Camden; Dr. Mary H. Wilhite, Miss Lizzie Boynton, +Miss Mollie Krout, Dr. E. E. Barrett, Crawfordsville; Mrs. Abula +Pucket Nind, Fort Wayne; Mrs. L. S. Bidell, Crown Point; Rev. E. P. +Ingersoll, J. V. R. Miller, Rev. Henry Blanchard, Rev. William +Hannaman, Professor A. C. Shortridge, Professor R. T. Brown, +Professor Thomas Rhodes, Dr. T. A. Bland, Indianapolis; Hon. Isaac +Kinley, Isaac H. Julian, Richmond; Hon. L. M. Nind, Fort Wayne; +Hon. S. T. Montgomery, Kokomo; D. R. Pershing and Rev. T. Sells, +Warsaw.</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> The officers of the State Association in 1883 were: +<i>President</i>, Dr. Mary F. Thomas: <i>Vice-Presidents</i>, Mrs. Helen V. +Austin, Mrs. S. S. McCain, Mrs. M. V. Berg, Mrs. G. Gifford, Mrs. +M. P. Lindsey, Mrs. C. A. P. Smith and Mrs. F. G. Scofield; +<i>Secretary</i>, Mrs. M. E. M. Price; <i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, Mrs. +F. M. Adkinson; <i>Treasurer</i>, Miss Mary D. Naylor; <i>State Central +Committee</i>, Mrs. Mary E. Haggart, Mrs. Z. G. Wallace and May Wright +Sewall.</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> Annual—1871, June 21, 22, Bloomington; 1872, June +5, 6, Dublin; 1873, June 11, 12, Terre Haute; Semi-Annual, November +19, Richmond. Annual—1874, May 28, 29, Fort Wayne; 1875, May 25, +26, Liberty; Semi-Annual, November 23, 24, Winchester. +Annual—1876, May 30, 31, Anderson; 1877, September 4, 5, +Knightstown; 1878, June 11, 12, Richmond: 1879, May 14, 15, Kokomo; +1880, April 27, 28, Crawfordsville; 1881, June 15, 16, Kokomo; +Semi-Annual, October 29, Dublin. Annual—1882, May, Columbus; 1883, +June, Logansport; 1884, Kokomo; 1885, November 22, 23, Warsaw.</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> See <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_851">Vol. II., page 851</a>.</p></div> + +<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 Equal Suffrage Society has now, 1885, a +membership of 175, including many representatives of whatever in +Indianapolis is best in character, culture and social place. The +society has lately districted the city for local work, assuming the +boundaries of the school districts as its own for this purpose; its +present plan is to place each of these twenty-six districts under +the especial care of a committee whose business shall be to hold +meetings, distribute literature and circulate petitions. The +society thus hopes to create a stimulating suffrage atmosphere at +the capital which shall inspire the legislators with courage to do +good work for women at their next session.</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> <span class="smcap">Invitation</span>.—The Indianapolis Equal Suffrage Society +requests the pleasure of your company at a literary and social +entertainment to be given in the Bates House parlors, Friday +evening, November 4, 1881. <i>Committee</i>—May Wright Sewall, Mary C. +Raridan, Mrs. H.G. Carey, Mrs. Charles Kregelo, and Miss Lydia +Halley. Please present invitation at the door. +</p><p> +<span class="smcap">Programme</span>.—1. Music, piano solo, Miss Dietrich; 2. Toast, +Yorktown, Henry D. Pierce; 3. Toast, The True Republic, Mrs. Z.G. +Wallace; 4. Music, solo (vocal), Mrs. J.J. Cole; 5. Toast, Women in +Indiana, Gen. John Coburn; 6. Toast, Women in the "Revised +Version," Arthur W. Tyler; 7. Music, solo (vocal), Arthur Miller: +8. Toast. The Literary Women of Indiana. 9. Toast, Women in the +U.S. School System, Horace S. Tarbell; 10. Recitation, Lida Hood +Talbott; 11. Toast, Our Forefathers, Rev. Myron W. Reed; 12. A +Reply, Mary C. Raridan; 13. Music, solo (vocal), Mrs. J.C. New. +Music In charge of Mrs. John C. New. W.B. Stone, accompanist.</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> The speakers were Helen M. Gouger, Florence M. +Adkinson, Mary A. Haggart, Ex-Gov. Baker, Judge Martindale, Mrs. +Wallace, Messrs. Walker and Dooley, editors of the <i>Times</i> and +<i>Herald</i>, Mr. Tarbell, superintendent of the city schools, and May +Wright Sewall.</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="#Indiana_A">Indiana Appendix, note A</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> See <a href="#Indiana_B">Appendix to Indiana, note B</a>.</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> The following invitation was sent to every member of +the legislature who had voted for the amendment, and also to all +the leading people of the city: The pleasure of your company is +requested at the parlors of the New-Denison, Friday evening, April +15, from 8 to 12, where a social entertainment will be given in +honor of the passage of the suffrage amendment by our State +legislature. [Signed:] Mrs. Zerelda G. Wallace, Miss Catherine +Merrill, Mrs. Harvey G. Carey, Mrs. Charles Kregelo, Mrs. Henry D. +Pierce, Mrs. Thomas A. Hendricks, May Wright Sewall, Mrs. George +Merritt, Mrs. John C. New and Mrs. John M. Judah. The programme was +as follows: 1. Music, Solo (vocal), Zelda Seguin Wallace. 2. Toast, +Our Legislature, Senator Spann. 3. Toast, Our Opponents, Colonel +DeWitt Wallace. 4. Toast, The Press and Progress, Laura Ream. 5. +Toast, The Indiana Woman under the Law, William Wallace. 6. Music, +Solo (vocal), Mrs. John C. New. 7. Toast, The Ideal Man, Mrs. J. M. +Judah. 8. Toast, The Ideal Woman, Mr. A. S. Caldwell. 9. Toast, The +Home of the Future, May Wright Sewall. 10. Music, German Song, +Professor John Fiske. 11. Toast, The Woman who "Don't want to +Vote," Gertrude Garrison. 12. Recitation, Lida Hood Talbot. 13. +Toast, The Attitude of the Pulpit toward Reform, Rev. Myron W. +Reed. 14. Music, Solo (vocal), Zelda Seguin Wallace.</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> The persons thus authorized by the central committee +to hold meetings and organize societies were Dr. Mary F. Thomas, +Mary E. Haggart, Zerelda G. Wallace, Helen M. Gougar, May Wright +Sewall and L. May Wheeler.</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> Besides these five-minute reports, addresses were +delivered by Rev. Myron W. Reed, pastor of the First Presbyterian +Church of Indianapolis; Captain DeWitt Wallace of Lafayette, Dr. +Ridpath of DePaun University, Colonel Maynard, chief editorial +writer on the <i>Sentinel</i>; Mrs. Haggart, Mrs. Gougar, Mrs. Josephine +R. Nichols, and other men and women of less prominence, but on that +occasion of hardly less interest.</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> Among these the names of William Dudley Foulke of +Richmond, W. DeWitt Wallace of Lafayette, G. H. Thomas of +Huntington, and S. P. Yancey, merit honorable mention.</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. Sewall, Mrs. Merritt and Mrs. Mary E. Newman +Carey.</p></div> + +<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> Republican, May Wright Sewall and Paulina T. +Merritt; Democratic, Mary E. Haggart and Florence M. Adkinson.</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> For an account of this prison, see <a href="#Indiana_C">Appendix to +Indiana chapter, note C</a>.</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> See <a href="#Indiana_G">Appendix to Indiana chapter, note G</a>.</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> Miss Merrill resigned in the autumn of 1883, and was +immediately succeeded by Miss Harriet Noble of Vincennes, a +graduate of Vassar, and a lady of most admirable qualities, whose +success is assured by the record of her first year in this +responsible position.</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> See sketch of Dr. Thomas, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_324">Vol. I., page 324</a>.</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> For these bills and amendments, see +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_325">Vol. II., pages 325</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_333">333</a>.</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> See <a href="#Indiana_E"> Appendix, Indiana chapter, notes E and F.</a></p></div> + +<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> Mrs. Sarah T. Bolton, Laura Ream, Mrs. Lew Wallace, +Mary H. Korut, Mary Dean, Margaret Holmes (Mrs. M. V. Bates), Mrs. +M. E. Banta, Mrs. Louise V. Boyd, Mrs. Helen V. Austin, Mrs. Hettie +A. Morrison, Mrs. E. S. L. Thompson, Mrs. Amy E. Dunn, Mrs. A. D. +Hawkins, Miss Rena L. Miner, Miss Edna C. Jackson and Mrs. D. M. +Jordan are all literary women who sympathize with and aid this +reform.</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> The woman's department has constantly grown in +extent and value, until it has become one of the most important +features of the State fair, and this year, 1885, the managers have +allowed to it twice the space hitherto occupied. It is worthy of +note that suffrage papers, tracts and books are always to be found +among the exhibits.</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> Mrs. Garrison left Indianapolis for New York in May +of 1882. Success followed her to the metropolis and she now has, +1885, the entire editorial management of the literary department of +the American Press Association, and her work goes into more than +fifty of the best weekly papers in the country.</p></div> + +<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> <i>Our Herald</i> did royal service in the campaign of +1882; it subsequently became a monthly and in addition to other +admirable efforts, undertook to introduce leading western women to +the larger world by publishing a series of biographical sketches of +the most prominent. In the winter of 1885 Mrs. Gougar sold <i>Our +Herald</i> to Mrs. Harbert, who published it in Chicago as the <i>The +New Era</i>.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_559" id="Page_559">[Pg 559]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLIII" id="CHAPTER_XLIII"></a>CHAPTER XLIII.</h2> + +<h3>ILLINOIS.</h3> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>Chicago a Great Commercial Center—First Woman Suffrage +Agitation, 1855—A. J. Grover—Society at Earlville—Prudence +Crandall—Sanitary Movement—Woman in Journalism—Myra +Bradwell—Excitement in Elmwood Church, 1868—Mrs. Huldah +Joy—Pulpit Utterances—Convention, 1869, Library Hall, +Chicago—Anna Dickinson—Robert Laird Collier Debate—Manhood +Suffrage Denounced by Mrs. Stanton and Miss Anthony—Judge +Charles B. Waite on the Constitutional Convention—Hearing Before +the Legislature—Western Suffrage Convention, Mrs. Livermore, +President—Annual Meeting at Bloomington—Women Eligible to +School Offices—Evanston College—Miss Alta Hulett—Medical +Association—Dr. Sarah Hackett Stephenson—"Woman's Kingdom," in +the <i>Inter-Ocean</i>—Mrs. Harbert—Centennial Celebration at +Evanston—Temperance Petition, 180,000—Frances E. +Willard—Social Science Association—Art Union—International +Congress at Paris—Jane Graham Jones—Moline Association. </p> +</div> + + +<p><span class="sc">Illinois</span>, one of the Central States in our vast country, stretching +over five and a half degrees of latitude, was admitted to the Union +in 1818. Its chief city, Chicago, extending for miles round the +southern shores of Lake Michigan, is the great commercial center of +the boundless West. We may get some idea of the magnitude of her +commerce from the fact that the receipts and shipment of flour, +grain and cattle from that port alone in 1872 were valued at +$370,000,000.</p> + +<p>When the battles with the Indians were finally ended, the +population of the State rapidly increased, and in 1880 the census +gave 1,586,523 males and 1,491,348 females. In the school +statistics we find about the same proportionate number of women and +girls as teachers and scholars in the public schools and in all the +honest walks of life; while men and boys in the criminal ranks are +out of all proportion. For example, in the state-prison at Joliet +there were, in 1873, 1,321 criminals; fifteen only were women. And +yet the more virtuous, educated, self-governed part of the +population, that shared equally the hardships of the early days, +and by industry and self-sacrifice helped to build up that great +State, is still denied the civil and political rights<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_560" id="Page_560">[Pg 560]</a></span> declared by +the constitution to belong to every citizen of the commonwealth. +The trials and triumphs of the women of Illinois are vividly +portrayed in the following records sent us by Elizabeth Boynton +Harbert, Ph. D.:</p> + +<blockquote><p>His biographer asserts that Bernini, the celebrated Florentine +artist, architect, painter and poet, once gave a public opera in +Rome, for which he painted the scenes, composed the music, wrote +the poem, carved the statues, invented the engines, and built the +theater. Because of his versatile talents the man Bernini has +passed into history. Of almost equal versatility were the women +of the equal-rights movement, since in many instances their names +appear and reäppear in the records we have consulted as authors, +editors, journalists, lecturers, teachers, physicians, lawyers, +ordained ministers and home-makers; and in many localities a +woman, to be eligible for the lyceum, was expected to be +statesmanlike as Elizabeth Cady Stanton, executive as Susan B. +Anthony, spiritual as Lucretia Mott, eloquent as Anna Dickinson, +graceful as Celia Burleigh, fascinating as Paulina Wright Davis; +a social queen, very domestic, a skillful musician, an excellent +cook, very young, and the mother of at least six children; even +then she was not entitled to the rights, privileges and +immunities of an American citizen. So "the divine rights of the +people" became the watchword of thoughtful men and women of the +Prairie State, and at the dawn of the second half of the present +century many caught the echoes of that historic convention at +Seneca Falls and insisted that the fundamental principles of our +government should be applied to all the citizens of the United +States.</p> + +<p>In view of the fearless heroism and steady adherence to principle +of many comparatively unknown lives, the historian is painfully +conscious of the meagerness of the record, as compared with the +amount of labor that must necessarily have been performed. In +almost every city, village and school district some earnest man +or woman has been quietly waging the great moral battle that will +eventually make us free; and while it would be a labor of love to +recognize every one who has wrought for freedom, doubtless many +names worthy of mention may unintentionally be omitted.</p> + +<p>The earliest account of specific work that we have been able to +trace is an address delivered in Earlville by A. J. Grover, esq., +in 1855, who from that time until the present has been an able +champion of the constitutional rights of women. As a result of +his efforts, and the discussion that followed, a society was +formed, of which Mrs. Susan Hoxie Richardson (a cousin of Susan +B. Anthony) was elected president, and Mrs. Octavia Grover +secretary. This, we believe, was the first suffrage society in +Illinois. Its influence was increased by the fact that, during +two years of Mr. Grover's editorial control, the Earlville +<i>Transcript</i> was a fearless champion of equal rights. While that +band of pioneers was actively at work, Prudence Crandall, who was +mobbed and imprisoned in Connecticut for teaching a school for +colored girls, was actively engaged in Mendota,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_561" id="Page_561">[Pg 561]</a></span> in the same +county. A few years later, lectures were delivered<a name="FNanchor_351_351" id="FNanchor_351_351"></a><a href="#Footnote_351_351" class="fnanchor">[351]</a> on the +subject of equal rights for women in different parts of the +State.</p> + +<p>Copies of two of the early appeals have been secured. One by A. +J. Grover, published in pamphlet form, was extensively +circulated; the other by Mrs. Catharine V. Waite, appeared in the +Earlville <i>Transcript</i>. Both of these documents are yellowed with +age, but the arguments presented are as logical as the more +recent utterances of our most radical champions. There is a +tradition of a convention at Galesburg some years later, but we +have failed to find any accurate data. During the interim between +these dates and that never-to-be-forgotten April day in 1861, but +little agitation of this great subject can be traced, and during +the six years subsequent to that time we witness all previously +defined boundaries of spheres brushed away like cobwebs, when +women, north and south, were obliged to fill the places made +vacant by our civil war. An adequate record of the work +accomplished during those eventful years by Illinois women, +notably among them being Mary A. Livermore and Jane C. Hoge, lies +before us in a bound volume of the paper published under the +auspices of the Northwestern Sanitary Fair, edited by the Hon. +Andrew Shuman. This little journal was called the <i>Voice of the +Fair</i>, a prophetic name, as really through the medium of these +sanitary fairs were the voices of the <i>fair</i> all potent, and +through their patriotic services to our soldiery did the women of +the United States first discover their talent for managing and +administering great enterprises. In his first editorial +Lieutenant-Governor Shuman says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>On motion of Mrs. Elizabeth A. Loomis, it was decided to open the +fair on February 22, 1865, Washington's birthday, and to continue +it till March 4, the presidential inauguration day. A committee, +consisting of Mrs. H. H. Hoge, Mrs. D. P. Livermore and Mrs. E. +W. Blatchford for the commission, and Mrs. O. E. Hosmer, Mrs. C. +P. Dickinson and Mr. L. B. Bryan for the Home, was appointed as +executive. This was the little cloud, scarcely larger than a +man's hand, which grew till it almost encircled the heavens, +spreading into every corner of our broad land, and including +every department of industry in its ample details. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The undertaking was herculean, and on the grand occasion of the +opening of the fair, although we do not find any account of women +sharing in the honors of the day, yet they were vouchsafed +honorable mention in the following terms by the governor of the +State: "I do not know how to praise women, but I can say nothing so +good as our late president once said on a similar occasion, 'God +bless the women of America.' They have been our faithful allies +during this fearful war. They have toiled steadily by our side, +with the most enduring constancy through the frightful contest." +Amid the first impulses of genuine gratitude men recognized what at +present they seem to forget, that by inheritance and patriotic +service woman has an equal right with man to a share in the rights +and privileges of this government.</p> + +<p>In the winter of 1860 Hannah Tracy Cutler, M. D., and Mrs. Frances +D. Gage made a canvass of the interior and western parts of the +State, procuring<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_562" id="Page_562">[Pg 562]</a></span> signatures to petitions asking for equality +before the law, and especially for the right of married women to +earn and hold and dispose of property the same as a <i>feme-sole</i>. +Also, that property acquired before marriage, or that may afterward +accrue to a married woman by gift, devise, descent or deed, may be +held, controlled and disposed of by herself where it had not been +intentionally converted to common property by her consent. In +response to a request for data on this point, Mrs. Cutler writes:</p> + +<blockquote><p>At the close of our campaign we were summoned to Ohio to assist +in the canvass in that State. Returning to Illinois, I learned +that no action had been taken on our petitions. The member to +whom we had consigned them, and who had promised to act in our +behalf, had found no convenient opportunity. I at once repaired +to Springfield, and, on inquiry, was told that it was now too +late in the session—that members were so busy that no one could +be induced to draft a bill for an act granting such laws as we +desired. I found one member ready to assist to the full measure +of his ability—Mr. Pickett of Rock Island. By his encouragement +I went to the State library and there drew up a bill giving +women, during coverture, certain personal and property rights. +Mr. Pickett presented our petitions, got a special committee, +took my bill before it, got a favorable report, and a law was +passed to that effect. Some decisions occurred under this law. I +think, however, that in a codification a year or two after, this +law was left out, I know not by what authority, and some years +later Mrs. Livermore, Mrs. Bradwell and others presented the +matter afresh, and succeeded in procuring again a similar +enactment. The winter following I presented petitions for the +right of guardianship; also, I asked that for estates not +exceeding $5,000 the widow should not be required to take out +letters of administration, but should be permitted to continue in +possession, the same as the husband on the decease of the wife, +the property subject to the same liabilities for the payment of +debts and the maintenance of children as before the decease of +the husband. I made this small claim for the relief of many wives +whose husbands had gone into the army, leaving them with all the +responsibility; and there seemed no sufficient reason for +disturbing and distributing either the family or the estate, when +the husband exchanged the battle-field for the "sleep that knows +no waking." This petition, asking for these reasonable and +righteous laws, was, by motion of Colonel Mack, in a spirit of +burlesque, referred to the Committee on Internal Navigation, and +a burlesque report was made in open Senate, too indecent to be +entered on the records. The grave and reverend seigniors, on +this, indulged in a hearty guffaw, hugely enjoyed by his honor +Lieutenant-Governor Hoffman, and, to this day, no further action +has been taken to give the wife and mother this small modicum of +justice, though many of the senators at that time promised the +question an early consideration. </p></blockquote> + +<p>On Saturday, October 3, 1868, a genuine sensation was produced by +the appearance of the Chicago <i>Legal News</i>, edited by Mrs. Myra +Bradwell. At this day it is impossible to realize with what supreme +astonishment this journal was received. Neither can we estimate its +influence upon the subsequent legislation of the State. Looking +through its files we find that no opportunity was lost for exposing +all laws unjust to woman, or for noting each indication of progress +throughout the world. Under date of October 31, 1868, a short +article in regard to the "Citizenship of Women" reads thus:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The act of congress provides that any alien, being a free white +person, may become a citizen of the United States. While congress +was very careful to limit this great privilege of citizenship to +the free white person, it made no distinction or limitation +whatever on account of sex. Under this statute it has been held +that a married woman<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_563" id="Page_563">[Pg 563]</a></span> may be naturalized and become a citizen of +the United States, and that, too, without the consent of her +husband. A woman may be a citizen of the United States, be +subject to the laws, own property, and be compelled to pay taxes +to support a government she has no voice in administering or vote +in electing its officers. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In the same issue of the <i>News</i> we meet with an earnest appeal for +the prompt passage of a law conferring upon woman a right to her +earnings. When we realize that one of the Supreme Judges soon after +this assured Mrs. Bradwell that she was editing a paper that no +lawyer could afford to do without, we shall understand how +important a part this journal has played in the courts. In the +sixth number of the <i>News</i> we find the attention of the legal +fraternity called to the fact that in the reign of James I. it was +held in the cases of <i>Coats vs. Lyall</i> and <i>Holt vs. Lyall</i>, tried +in Westminster Hall, that a single woman, if a freeholder, had the +right to vote for a parliament man; and in the reign of Queen +Elizabeth, Lady Packington, in right of property held by her, did +actually vote for a return of two burgesses to parliament for the +borough of Aylesburg; and in the time of Charles I., Mrs. Copley +voted, in right of her property, for the return of a burgess for +Gratton. The subject of their return was brought before parliament, +and amended by joining other persons with Mrs. Copley in the right +of returning burgesses for Gratton. Women have actually sat and +voted in the English parliament.</p> + +<p>In 1868, Sorosis, a woman's club, was organized in Chicago, with +Mrs. Delia Waterman president, and soon after several periodicals +were established; <i>The Chicago Sorosis</i>, with Mrs. Mary L. Walker, +Cynthia Leonard and Agnes L. Knowlton, editors; <i>The Inland +Monthly</i>, Mrs. Charlotte Clark, editor and publisher; and <i>The +Agitator</i>, with Mary A. Livermore and Mary L. Walker editors. +Though all were short-lived, they serve to show woman's ambition in +the direction of journalism.</p> + +<p>In 1868 there was a decided "awakening" on the question of woman +suffrage in central Illinois. In the town of Elmwood, Peoria +county, the question drew large audiences to lyceum discussions, +and was argued in school, church and caucus. The conservatives +became alarmed, and announced their determination to "nip the +innovation in the bud." A spirited editorial in the New York +<i>Independent</i> was based upon the following facts, given by request +of some of the disfranchised women:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Rev. W. G. Pierce was the pastor of the Elmwood Congregational +Church. A large majority of the members were women, and there was +no discrimination against them in the church manual. The pastor +and two or three members decided that a change of rules was +needed. A church meeting was held in March, 1868, at which the +number in attendance was very small, owing to some irregularities +in issuing the call. The suffrage question was brought up by the +pastor, and the talk soon became so insulting that the women +present felt compelled to leave the house. The manual was then +amended so as to exclude women from voting "in matters pertaining +to the welfare of the church," and making a two-thirds vote of +adult males necessary to any change thereafter. This was carried +by five yeas to one nay—only six votes out of a membership of +210! The church was taken by surprise, and there was no little +excitement when the fact became known next day. A vigorous +protest and a call for reconsideration was quickly signed by +nearly a hundred members and sent to the pastor. The meeting was +not called for weeks, and when at last it was secured, he, as +moderator, ruled reconsideration out, on the ground that there +was an error in the announcement<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_564" id="Page_564">[Pg 564]</a></span> of the business (by himself!) +from the pulpit. At a later meeting a vote on reconsideration was +reached, and enough of the male adult minority were in attendance +to make the vote stand 19 to 17, not two-thirds of the male adult +element voting for reconsideration.</p> + +<p>The contention now became bitter, and twenty-eight of the more +intelligent and earnest members withdrew and asked for letters to +other churches. Such of the "adult males" as "tarried by the +altar," refused to give the outgoing members the usual letters, +to join in a mutual council on an equal footing, or to discipline +the seceders. The latter called an ex-parte council, composed of +such men as Dr. Bascom, of Princeton; Dr. Edward Beecher, of +Galesburg; Dr. Haven, of Evanston; Dr. C. D. Helmer, of Chicago, +and others. This council gave the desired letters, but advised +reconciliation. Among the seceders, Mrs. Huldah Joy, an educated +and intensely religious woman, was one of the most active and +earnest, her husband, F. R. Joy, and her daughters, also doing +good service. Mrs. H. E. Sunderland,<a name="FNanchor_352_352" id="FNanchor_352_352"></a><a href="#Footnote_352_352" class="fnanchor">[352]</a> another woman of +culture, and Mrs. Mary Ann Cone and Mrs. S. R. Murray were +faithful, brave and earnest. The church, which previous to the +secession, was strong and flourishing, became an inharmonious +organization, and has never rallied from the effects of that +unjust action. </p></blockquote> + +<p>At a meeting held in Chicago, in the autumn of 1868, a resolution +was offered to the effect that "a State association be formed, +having for its object the advocacy of universal suffrage." Among +the many interesting facts connected with the "rise and progress" +of the equal-rights movement is the large number of representative +men and women who have from the first been identified with it.<a name="FNanchor_353_353" id="FNanchor_353_353"></a><a href="#Footnote_353_353" class="fnanchor">[353]</a> +January 25, 1860 we find among the most progressive utterances from +the pulpit, a sermon by the Rev. Sumner Ellis of Chicago, while +Rev. Charles Fowler and Dr. H. W. Thomas were ever fearless and +earnest in their advocacy of this measure. In February, 1869, the +<i>Legal News</i> said: <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_565" id="Page_565">[Pg 565]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>A call has been issued, inviting all persons in favor of woman +suffrage to meet in convention in Library Hall, Chicago. There +are many hundred names appended, including the judges of all the +courts of Cook county, leading members of the bar throughout the +State, representatives of the press, ministers of the gospel, +from all denominations, and representatives from every profession +and business. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, and the +Rev. Olympia Brown have been invited and are expected to attend. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Pursuant to the foregoing "call," a notable convention was +held.<a name="FNanchor_354_354" id="FNanchor_354_354"></a><a href="#Footnote_354_354" class="fnanchor">[354]</a> The <i>Tribune</i> devoted nine columns to an account of the +proceedings, respectful in tone and fair in statement. During its +two days' session, Library Hall was packed to its utmost capacity +with the beauty and fashion of the city. Able lawyers, eloquent and +distinguished divines and gallant generals occupied seats upon the +platform and took part in the deliberations. The special importance +of this convention at this time, was the consideration of the +immediate duty of securing a recognition of the rights of women in +the new constitution, for the framing of which a convention had +been called.</p> + +<p>All the speakers had strong convictions and showed broad +differences, continually making sharp points against each other. +Several clergymen were present, some in favor of woman suffrage, +some opposed, some in doubt. Among these were the two +Collyers—one, the Rev. Robert, the English blacksmith of former +days, liberal, progressive, of large physical proportions; the +other, the Rev. Robert Laird, a much smaller man, and of +conservative tendencies.</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Rev. Robert Collyer dissented so entirely from what the +preceding speaker, Dr. Hammond, had said, that he was determined +to run the risk of attempting to reply. He thought that a +majority of men who began by being reformers, ended by being old +fogies, and he thought that might be the case with Mr. Hammond. +He felt no doubt that the whole movement of women's rights was to +be established in America. He had seen the effects of woman's +presence in associations upon men, and he was sure that this same +agency would have the effect of bringing politics to such a +condition as that decent people of either sex might take part in +it. As to the Bible declaring that man shall rule over woman, he +found a similar case where it used to be quoted in support of the +institution of slavery, but when the grander and more beautiful +principles of the Bible came to be applied the contrary was +clearly established. So it was with the question of woman's +rights. To him the Bible seemed like an immense pasture wherein +any and every species of animal might find its own peculiar food. +In regard to what Mr. Hammond said as to the rights of infants, +he wished he had conferred with his wife and got her approval +before he said it. The speaker was sure his own wife would not +have advised him to say it. He believed that when maternal and +home duties conflicted, the children and the home relations would +take the preference invariably, and the remarks of Mr. Hammond +seemed to imply a terrible want of confidence in woman. He +believed that woman would always do her duty to her children and +her home. Then, too, he had been surprised, that Mr. Hammond, in +speaking of preventing children from coming into the world, had +failed to speak of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_566" id="Page_566">[Pg 566]</a></span> the complicity of man, in reality the +greatest criminal, in that matter. As to the excitement attendant +upon political issues, was it worse, viewed as mere excitement, +than that which is so earnestly sought to be aroused at religious +meetings? Elizabeth, Anne, and Victoria were, with the exception, +perhaps, of Cromwell, the best rulers England ever had, and, when +the administration of Andrew Johnson was remembered, he thought +we might do worse than to have a woman for president, after +Grant's term shall have expired. [Applause.] In conclusion, Mr. +Collyer said that, even if the fearful picture drawn by Mr. +Hammond, of 70,000 immoral women marching to the polls in New +York, were realized, he could draw another picture—that of +75,000 good and pure women marching to the polls to vote the +others down. [Applause.]</p> + +<p>Rev. Edward Beecher, of Galesburg, said: Exclusive class +legislation was not safe; it was oppressive and degrading. Female +influence has procured the repeal of some obnoxious laws, and +that proved it was a powerful element. He thought the Bible, as +regards man being the head, had been misinterpreted. When man +took the attitude in relation to women which Christ sustains to +the church, that of love, of service, of helpfulness and +sacrifice, he would be an example of true headship. He read an +extract from an editorial in the <i>Tribune</i>, of February 11, in +regard to the giving way of moral integrity in the affairs of the +nation, and commended the question to the consideration of all. +The country was never in greater danger than now of having the +whole political system destroyed. Some great moral influence +ought to be brought to eradicate the corruption so prevalent +among public men. There were two great vices in +existence—drunkenness and licentiousness—and in both, woman was +the victim of man in the majority of cases. The legislation which +pressed down women was wrong, and should be remedied. He admitted +it was an experiment to introduce the female element into +legislation, but the success of the male element had thus far +been such that, according to his judgment, things could not be +much worse than they are. Women were always deeply interested in +all public questions. If responsibilities were put upon them they +would become greater intellectually, morally and socially. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Several able lawyers also took part in the convention, who brought +their legal learning to bear on the question. Mrs. Stanton and Miss +Anthony, hostile to the action of the Republican party as +manifested in the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments, were present +with their stern criticisms and scathing resolutions on "manhood +suffrage," submitting the following to the convention:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That a man's government is worse than a white man's +government, because in proportion as you increase the rulers you +make the condition of the ostracised more hopeless and degraded.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That as the Democratic cry of "a white man's +government" created an antagonism between the Irish and the +negro, culminating in the New York riots of '63, so the +Republican cry of "manhood suffrage" creates an antagonism +between the black man and all women, and will culminate in +fearful outrages on womanhood, especially in the Southern States.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That by the establishment of an aristocracy of sex in +the District of Columbia, by the introduction of the word "male" +into the federal constitution in article <span class="smcap">XIV.</span>, section 2, and by +the proposition to enforce manhood suffrage in all the States of +the Union, the Republican party has been guilty of three +successive arbitrary acts, three retrogressive steps in +legislation, alike invidious and insulting to women and suicidal +to the nation. </p></blockquote> + +<p>After a long and earnest discussion, the resolutions were voted +down. Mrs. Stanton's speech setting forth six reasons against a +"male aristocracy"<a name="FNanchor_355_355" id="FNanchor_355_355"></a><a href="#Footnote_355_355" class="fnanchor">[355]</a> was pronounced able and eloquent, though +directly in opposition to the general sentiment of the convention, +which was mainly Republican.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_567" id="Page_567">[Pg 567]</a></span> Miss Anna Dickinson, having a lyceum +engagement in Chicago, was present at one of the sessions, and had +quite a spirited encounter with Robert Laird Collier. As she +appeared on the platform at the close of some remarks by that +gentleman, loud calls were made for her, when she came forward and +spoke as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Mrs. President, Ladies and Gentlemen</span>: It is impossible for me to +continue in my seat after so kind and cordial a call from this +house, and I thank you for the pleasant and friendly feeling you +have shown. I have but a word to say. I had gone out of the room, +not because of the discussion, but because it was too warm and +the atmosphere so stifling, when I was recalled by hearing +something to this effect: "That there had not been a single +logical argument used on this platform in behalf of woman +suffrage; that woman is abundantly represented by some man of her +family; that when a woman lifts herself up in opposition against +her husband, she lifts herself up, if I properly and rightly +understood the declaration, against God; that the inspired +assertion is that the husband is the head of the wife." Oh! but +Mr. Collier forgot to say the husband is the head of the wife as +Christ is the head of the church. In my observation, and it has +not been a limited one, though I confess I am not an unprejudiced +observer, I have never yet discovered a man who is the head of +the wife as Christ is the head of the church. Furthermore, he +announces that these women, being represented by men, if they +lift themselves up in opposition to their husbands, lose that +womanly and feminine element which is so admirable and pure and +beautiful, and nothing can preserve them from the contamination +of politics. Woman is to lift herself against God if she lifts +herself against her husband, and woman is abundantly represented +by this same husband, or by some man in her own family. There are +a multitude of women who have no husbands [laughter]. There are a +multitude of women who never will have any husbands [renewed +laughter]. There are a great many women who have no men in their +own households to represent them, either for their wrongs or +their rights. Mr. Collier, I suppose, however, is talking about +women who have husbands.</p> + +<p>He says the woman loses her purity, her delicacy, her feminine +attributes when she lifts her voice and sentiments against the +man whose name she bears. We will say, then, look across these +western prairies to Utah. If the women there dare to say to the +congress of the United States, "Amend this constitution that we +women of Utah can have one husband, and that the husband can take +but one wife"; if these women demand decency in the marriage +relation, demand justice for themselves, demand purity, they are +lifting themselves against the laws of womanhood and the laws of +God. Every woman represented by her husband is to lose her +purity, her delicacy, her refinement, if she dares to lift her +hand against him and his will. You have here, within the limits +of your State of Illinois, 100,000 drunkards. Every woman who +dares to lift her hand, cry out with her voice, "Give me the +ballot that may offset the votes of these drunkards at the polls +and save my children from starvation and myself from being put +into the workhouse"—this woman is lifting herself against the +laws of God and womanhood. That is not all! Last summer this +question of prohibition was being tested in Massachusetts by +votes. I went from town to town—my engagements taking me all +over the State at that time—and said my say upon this question +of woman suffrage. In whatever city or town I went, women, bowed +down with grief, who desired to preserve their womanhood, their +persons from blows and abuse, their sons from going to gambling +hells and rum shops, their girls from being sent to houses of +abomination, came to me and said: "Anna Dickinson, if you are a +woman, speak and use your influence for our cause." Women who +have drunken husbands, whether they lived in Beacon street or at +the North End, whether they lived in luxury or poverty, said: +"For the sake of womanhood, for the sake of motherhood, for the +sake of all things good and true in the world, lift up our hands +and voices, through yourself, to protest against these men whose +names we bear." Ah! that Mr. Collier could have seen these +drunkards' wives, standing with tears streaming down their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_568" id="Page_568">[Pg 568]</a></span> +cheeks, and begging for power, begging for the ballot to save +their homes, and themselves, and their children. Do you tell this +audience—do you tell any mother or daughter here this afternoon, +that she protests against the purity of womanhood, and lifts her +powers against the laws of God? Pardon me for taking this much of +your time. I will simply add a thought. This is the cause of +purity. This is the cause which is to strengthen young girls, +which is to give them self-reliance and self-respect. This is the +thing that is to put these girls on their feet; say to them "you +are an independent being; you are to earn the clothes that cover +you," and this will allow them to walk with steady feet through +rough places. This thing which is to give these women such power, +certainly will be strengthening to them by making them +independent and self-reliant. The ballot is to save womanhood and +save purity, which he says is in danger—the feminine element of +dependence and weakness and tenderness, of clinging helplessness, +which he so much adores. Let justice be done. Give us the ballot. +Here is the power to defend yourself when your rights are +assailed; when your home is entered. Here is the authority to +tell the spoiler to stand back; when our sons are being brought +up to wickedness and our daughters to lives of shame, here is the +power in the mother's hand which says these children shall be +taken from the wrong place and put in the right one. For the +rights of mothers I plead. Let us allow, from one end of this +country to the other, every man and woman, black and white, to go +to the polls to defend their own rights and the rights of their +homes.</p> + +<p>The Rev. <span class="smcap">R. L. Collier</span> said he would to God that every woman in +America had such a heart and such a voice for woman's rights. But +sympathy was one thing and logic was another. If he thought the +ballot in the hand of woman would cure the wrongs she speaks of, +he would favor female suffrage, but he was firmly convinced that +it would only aggravate their wrongs. He could not fight Anna +Dickinson.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Anna Dickinson</span>: I certainly do not intend to fight Mr. Collier. I +believe I have the name of not being a belligerent woman. Mr. +Collier says sympathy is one thing and logic is another. Very +true! I did not speak of the 40,000 women in the State of +Massachusetts who are wives of drunkards, as a matter which shall +appeal to your sympathies, or move your tears. Mr. Collier says +that these women are to find their rights by influence at home.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Collier:</span> That is what I mean.</p> + +<p>Miss <span class="smcap">Dickinson</span>: That they are to do it by womanly and feminine +love, and I tell him that is the duty of this same feminine +element which is so admirable and adorable. I have seen men on +your street corners, as I have seen men on the street corners of +every city of America, with bloated faces, with mangled forms, +and eyes blackened by the horrible vice and orgies carried on in +their dens of iniquity and drunkenness and sin. I have seen men +with not a semblance of humanity in their form or in their face, +and not a sentiment of manhood in their souls. I have seen these +men made absolute masters of wives and children; men who reel to +their homes night after night to beat some helpless child; to +beat some helpless woman. A woman was beaten here in Chicago the +other day until there was scarcely a trace of the woman's face +left, and scarcely a trace of the woman's form remaining. Mr. +Collier tells me, then, that these women whose husbands reel home +at 12, 1, 2, 3 o'clock at night, to demolish the furniture, beat +the children, and destroy their wives' peace and lives—that +these women are to find their rights by influence, by argument, +by tenderness. These brutes who deserve the gallows if any human +being can deserve anything so atrocious in these days—are these +women, their wives, to find their safety, their security for +themselves and their children, by influence, through argument and +tenderness, or love, when nothing can influence save drink? The +law gives man the power to say, "I will have drink; I will put +this into my mouth." If the ballot were given to women they would +vote against drunkenness. It is not sentiment, it is logic, if +there be any logic in votes and in a home saved.</p> + +<p>The Rev. <span class="smcap">R. L. Collier</span>, in reply to Miss Dickinson, quoted a +story from an English author of a drunkard who was reclaimed by a +daughter's love and devotion. He never wanted to hear a woman say +that law could accomplish what love could not.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_569" id="Page_569">[Pg 569]</a></span></p> + +<p>Miss <span class="smcap">Dickinson</span>: I only want to ask Mr. Collier a question, and it +is this: Whether he does not think that man would have been a +great deal better off if this woman's vote could have offset his +vote, and the rum thereby prevented from being sold at the +outset?</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Collier</span>: I wish to say that law never yet cured crime; that +men are not our only drunkards. Women are drunkards as well as +men.</p> + +<p>Miss <span class="smcap">Dickinson</span> (excitedly): It is not so, in anything like the +same proportion; a drunken woman is a rare sight.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Collier</span>: I wish to say that intemperance can never be cured +by law.</p> + +<p>Miss <span class="smcap">Dickinson</span>: Very well. You tell me that there are woman in +the land who are drunkards. Doubtless there are. Then I stand +here as a woman to entreat, to beseech, to pray against this sin. +For the sake of these drunken woman, I ask the ballot to drag +them back from the rum-shops and shut their doors [applause]. God +forbid that I should underrate the power of love; that I should +discard tenderness. Let us have entreaty, let us have prayers, +and let us have the ballot, to eradicate this evil. Mr. Collier +says he is full of sympathy, and intimates that women should +stand here and elevate love above law. So long as a man can be +influenced by love, well and good. When a man has sunk to the +point where he beats his wife and children, and burns the house +over them, reduces his family to starvation to get this accursed +drink; when a man has sunk to such a level, is woman to stand +still and entreat? Is this all woman is to do? No! She is to have +the power added that will drag the firebrand out of his hand, and +when sense and reason return, when the fire is extinguished, +then, I say, let us have the power of love to interfere. I think +keeping a man out of sin is better than trying to drag him out +afterward by love.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Collier</span> said he was placed in a false position of prominence +because, unfortunately, he was the only gentleman on the platform +who entertained serious convictions on the negative side of the +subject. The only question was, would the ballot cure these +wrongs? If so, he would like to hear the reasons, philosophical +and logical, set forth. The appeals that had been made to the +convention were illogical and sympathetic. He believed the +persecutors of women were women. Fashion and the prejudice in the +minds of women had been the barriers to their own elevation. That +the ballot in the hands of women would cure these evils he +denied.</p> + +<p>Miss <span class="smcap">Dickinson</span>: Mr. Collier says, "The worst enemies of women are +women"; that the worst opponents of this measure are fashion, +dress and idleness. I confess there are no bitterer opponents or +enemies of this measure than women. On that very ground I assert +that the ballot will prove woman's best friend. If woman has +something else to think about than simply to please men, +something else than the splendor of her diamonds, or the +magnificence of her carriage, you may be sure, with broader +fields to survey, it would be a good thing for her. If women +could earn their bread and buy the houses over their heads, in +honorable and lucrative avocations; if they stood in the eye of +the law men's equals, there would be better work, more hopeful +hearts, more Christian magnanimity, and less petty selfishness +and meanness than, I confess with sorrow and tears, are found +among women to-day. </p></blockquote> + +<p>One of the ablest speeches of the convention was made by Judge +Chas. B. Waite, on woman's position before the law. Immediately +after this enthusiastic convention<a name="FNanchor_356_356" id="FNanchor_356_356"></a><a href="#Footnote_356_356" class="fnanchor">[356]</a> the Illinois State Suffrage +Association was formed, a committee<a name="FNanchor_357_357" id="FNanchor_357_357"></a><a href="#Footnote_357_357" class="fnanchor">[357]</a> appointed to visit +Springfield and request the legislature to so "change the laws that +the earnings of a married woman may be secured<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_570" id="Page_570">[Pg 570]</a></span> to her own use; +that married women may have the same right to their own property +that married men have; and that the mother may have an equal right +with the father to the custody of the children." The need of such a +committee existed in that year of 1869, and they seemed to have +wrought effective service, since on March 24 the married woman's +earnings act was approved.</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">An Act</span> <i>in Relation to the Earnings of Married Women.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec. 1.</span>—Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, +represented in the General Assembly, That a married woman shall +be entitled to receive, use and possess her own earnings, and sue +for the same in her own name, free from the interference of her +husband or his creditors: <i>Provided</i>, This act shall not be +construed to give to the wife any compensation for any labor +performed for her minor children or husband. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Livermore, Mrs. Stanton, Judge Waite, Judge and Mrs. Bradwell, +had an enthusiastic meeting in the Opera House, Springfield, most +of the members of the legislature being present.</p> + +<p>September 9, 10, 1869, the Western Convention was held in Library +Hall, Chicago; Mrs. Livermore presided. This influential gathering +was largely attended by leading friends from other States.<a name="FNanchor_358_358" id="FNanchor_358_358"></a><a href="#Footnote_358_358" class="fnanchor">[358]</a> +Mrs. Kate Doggett and Dr. Mary Safford were appointed to attend the +Woman's Industrial Congress at Berlin. Letters were read from Wm. +Lloyd Garrison and others.<a name="FNanchor_359_359" id="FNanchor_359_359"></a><a href="#Footnote_359_359" class="fnanchor">[359]</a></p> + +<p>February 8, 9, 1870, the first annual meeting of the State +Association was held at Springfield in the Opera House, Hon. James +B. Bradwell in the chair. Many members of the legislature were +present during the various sessions and a hearing<a name="FNanchor_360_360" id="FNanchor_360_360"></a><a href="#Footnote_360_360" class="fnanchor">[360]</a> before the +House was granted next day. Resolutions were discussed and adopted, +declaring that women were enfranchised under the fourteenth +amendment. As a constitutional convention was in session, and there +was an effort being made to have an amendment for woman suffrage +submitted to a vote of the people, greater interest was felt in all +that was said at this convention.</p> + +<p>The strange inconsistency of the opponents of woman suffrage was +perhaps never more fully illustrated than by the following +occurrence: While the patriotic and earnest women of Illinois were +quietly acting upon the advice of their representatives, and +relying upon their "quiet, moral influence" to secure a just +recognition of their rights in the constitutional convention, a +conservative woman of Michigan, who, afraid that the women of +Illinois were about to lose their womanliness by asking for the +right to have their opinions counted, deserted her home in the +Peninsular State, went to Springfield, secured the hall of the +convention, and gave two lectures against woman suffrage. A meeting +was called at the close<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_571" id="Page_571">[Pg 571]</a></span> of the second lecture, and in a resolution +moved by a member of the convention, as Mrs. Bradwell pertinently +says, "the people of the State were told that <i>one woman</i> had +proved herself competent and well qualified to enlighten the +constitutional convention upon the evils of woman suffrage."<a name="FNanchor_361_361" id="FNanchor_361_361"></a><a href="#Footnote_361_361" class="fnanchor">[361]</a> +Such was the effect of this self-appointed obtruder from another +State that the members of the convention, without giving a woman of +their own State opportunity for reply, not only struck out the +clause submitting the question to the people in a separate article, +but actually incorporated in the body of the constitution a clause +which would not allow a woman to hold any office, public position, +place of trust or emolument in the State. Through the efforts of +such staunch friends as Judge Bradwell, Judge Waite and others, +this latter clause was stricken out, and one inserted which, under +a fair construction, will allow a woman to hold almost any office, +provided she receives a sufficient number of votes.</p> + +<p>By the accidental insertion of another clause in the constitution +under consideration, Section 1, of Article VII., any foreign born +woman, naturalized previous to January, 1870, was given the right +to vote. So that Illinois was the first State in the Union, since +the time when the women of New Jersey were disfranchised, to give +to foreign-born women the elective franchise. This mistake of the +wise Solons was guarded as a State secret.</p> + +<p>Previous to the great fire of 1871, the most popular and +influential woman's club in Chicago was the organization known as +Sorosis. This club, by the generous aid of many prominent gentlemen +of the city, established pleasant headquarters, where, in addition +to bright carpets and artistic decorations, were books, flowers, +birds, and other refined accessories. Mrs. Elizabeth Loomis says of +the meetings held in those delightful parlors: "At every successive +session we could see that we were gaining ground and receiving +influential members. I well remember how it encouraged us to number +the Rev. Dr. Thomas among our friends; and how gladly I made the +motion to have him appointed temporary chairman in the absence of +the president—a position which he cheerfully accepted." One of the +most brilliant reunions ever enjoyed by the club, was a reception +given to Mrs. Stanton and Miss Anthony, as they were <i>en route</i> to +California, early in June, 1871. Of this reception, Miss Anthony, +in a letter from Des Moines, Iowa, to <i>The Revolution</i>, said: "Mrs. +Stanton and I were in Chicago the evening the Illinois State and +Cook County Association held their opening reception at their new +central bureau, a suite of fine rooms handsomely carpeted and +furnished by prominent merchants of the city, where, with music, +conversation, speeches, etc., the hours passed delightfully away," +forming, as Miss Anthony might have added, a delightful oasis amid +the many discomforts of a continuous appeal to the people to deal +justly.</p> + +<p>In November, 1871, Mrs. Catharine V. Waite, of Hyde Park, made a +written application to the board of registration, asking them to +place her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_572" id="Page_572">[Pg 572]</a></span> name upon the register as a voter, which they refused to +do on the ground that she was a woman, whereupon Mrs. Waite filed a +petition in the Supreme Court of Cook county, stating the facts, +and praying that the board be compelled by mandamus to place her +name upon the register. Chief-Justice Jameson granted an +alternative writ, returnable on the following Monday, commanding +the board to show cause, if any they have, why Mrs. Waite's name +should not be placed upon the register. Judge Charles B. Waite, the +husband of the plaintiff, made an exhaustive and unanswerable +argument before Judge Jameson, but to no purpose as far as the +result of that case was concerned, as the opinion of the court +delivered January 12, 1872, which was very lengthy,<a name="FNanchor_362_362" id="FNanchor_362_362"></a><a href="#Footnote_362_362" class="fnanchor">[362]</a> denied the +relator with costs.</p> + +<p>In 1872, Norman T. Gassette, esq., clerk of the Circuit Court of +Cook county, and recorder of deeds, remembering the limited number +of industrial occupations open to women, and seeing no reason why +they could not perform the work of that office, resolved to try the +experiment. A room was fitted up for the special use of women, a +number of whom gladly accepted the proffered positions and received +the same pay per folio as that earned by men. The experiment proved +entirely satisfactory, Major Brockway having officially testified +in regard to woman's especial fitness for the work.</p> + +<p>There was an attempt this year to get a law licensing houses of +ill-fame in Chicago, and an immense petition was rolled up and +presented to the legislature by ladies who desired to defeat the +proposed enactment. They carried their point by as neat a flank +movement as Sherman ever executed. A quiet move to Springfield with +a petition signed by thousands of the best men and women of the +city, and our enemies found themselves checkmated before the game +had fairly begun.</p> + +<p>February 13, 14, 1872, the State Association held its annual +meeting at Bloomington, with large and interested audiences.<a name="FNanchor_363_363" id="FNanchor_363_363"></a><a href="#Footnote_363_363" class="fnanchor">[363]</a> +March 28 Mrs. Jane Graham Jones secured a hearing before the +legislature for Miss Anthony, who made one of her most convincing +arguments, and had in her audience nearly every member of that body +who voted for what was termed the Alta Hulett bill.</p> + +<p>To Myra Bradwell and Alta C. Hulett belongs the credit of a long +and persevering struggle to open the legal profession to women. The +latter succeeded at last in slipping the bolt which had barred +woman from her right to practice law. We take the following +statement in regard to Miss Hulett's experience from the "Women of +the Century":</p> + +<blockquote><p>At the age of seventeen, Miss Alta Hulett entered the law office +of Mr. Lathrop, of Rockford, as a student, and after a few +months' study passed the required examination, and sent her +credentials to the Supreme Court, which, instead of granting or +refusing her plea for admission, ignored it altogether. Myra +Bradwell, the successful editor of the <i>Legal News</i>, had just +been denied admission. Her case, stated in brief,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_573" id="Page_573">[Pg 573]</a></span> is this: Mrs. +Bradwell made application for a license to practice law. The +court refused it on the ground of her being a married woman. She +immediately brought a suit to test the legality of this decision. +This interesting case was carried to the Supreme Court of the +United States, which sustained the decision of the lower +courts.<a name="FNanchor_364_364" id="FNanchor_364_364"></a><a href="#Footnote_364_364" class="fnanchor">[364]</a> Miss Hulett had reason to expect that since she was +unmarried, this decision would not prejudice her case. Just on +the threshold of her chosen profession, the rewards of youthful +aspirations and earnest study apparently within her grasp, her +dismay may be imagined when no response whatever was vouchsafed +her petition. A fainter heart would have accepted the situation. +To battle successfully with old prejudices, entrenched in the +strongholds of the law, required not only marked ability, but +also a courage which could not surrender. Miss Hulett took a +country school for four months, and bravely went to work again. +While teaching and "boarding round," she prepared a lecture, +"Justice vs. The Supreme Court," in which she vigorously and +eloquently stated her case. This lecture was delivered in +Rockford, Freeport, and many other towns, enlisting everywhere +sympathy and admiration in her behalf. After taking counsel with +Lieutenant-Governor Early and other prominent members of the +legislature, she drafted a bill, the provisions of which are:</p> + +<p><i>Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois represented +in the General Assembly</i>, That no person shall be precluded or +debarred from any occupation, profession, or employment (except +military), on account of sex. Provided this act shall not be +construed to affect the eligibility of any person to an elective +office.</p> + +<p>Nothing in this act shall be construed as requiring any female to +work on streets or roads, or serve on juries. All laws +inconsistent with this act are hereby repealed.</p> + +<p>Friends obtained for this bill a very favorable introduction into +the legislature, where it passed and received the Governor's +signature. Passing up the steps to her home one rainy day, the +telegram announcing that the bill had become a law was placed in +her hands, and in referring to the incident, Miss Hulett said: "I +shall never again know a moment of such supreme happiness." We +can only add in this connection that after a most vigorous +examination she stood at the head of a class of twenty-eight, all +the other members being gentlemen. This time the Supreme Court +made the amende honorable, courteously and cordially welcoming +her into the ranks of the profession on her birthday, June 4, +1873, and at the age of nineteen Miss Hulett commenced the +practice of law. </p></blockquote> + +<p>But Miss Hulett's career, so full of promise, was soon ended. The +announcement of her untimely death, which occurred at San Diego, +Cal., March 26, 1877, sent a pang to the hearts of those who knew +her personally, and of thousands who regarded her with pride as a +representative woman. A Chicago correspondent says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The daily press of the city have already borne ample testimony to +her professional talents and success and to the esteem and +admiration accorded her by the bar of Chicago and by the general +public; for her somewhat exceptional position as well as her +ability had made her one of the marked characters of the city. +Her short life, so successful and brilliant to the public eye, +was not without its dark and thorny places. Unusual +responsibilities of a domestic nature, opposition of various +kinds and keen disappointments only nerved her to greater +persistency, and her courage was upheld by the generous and +abundant recognition which she received on every hand from +leading members of the bar—a recognition for which she never +failed, when opportunity offered, to express her sense of +profound obligation—and she was accustomed to say that the law +was the most liberal of the professions. Much as Miss Hulett had +accomplished hitherto, it was felt that she had only crossed the +threshold of a career of surpassing usefulness; all things seemed +possible to one so richly endowed; her mental vigor seemed +matched by a <i>physique</i>, the apparent type of blooming health; +but the seeds of disease were inherited and only awaited a +combination of circumstances to assert<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_574" id="Page_574">[Pg 574]</a></span> their fatal power. +Absorbing enthusiasm for her profession, and the cares of a +rapidly increasing practice, made her overlook the insidious +danger lurking in a cold, and not until her alarmed physician +ordered her to the soft climate of Southern California did she +comprehend her danger. This peremptory order was a terrible +shock, and the forced exile from the field of her hopes and +ambitions, more bitter than death. She never rallied, but +continued rapidly to fail until the end came. At a meeting of the +bar of Chicago, held to take action in commemoration of the death +of Miss Alta M. Hulett, attorney-at-law, the following was one of +the resolutions adopted:</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That although the legal profession has hitherto been +almost, if not altogether, considered as exclusively for men to +practice, yet we freely recognize Miss Hulett's right to adopt it +as her pursuit in life, and cheerfully bear testimony to the fact +that in her practice she never demeaned herself in any way +unbecoming a woman. She was always true to her clients and their +interests, but she was equally true to her sex and her duty; and +if women who now are, or hereafter shall become, members of our +profession shall be equally true, its honor will never be +tarnished, nor the respect, good-will and esteem which it is the +duty and pride of man to accord to woman be in the least +diminished by their membership.</p> + +<p>Which, translated, means that men are not only ready to welcome +into one of their own professions women having the requisite +intellectual qualifications, but that the welcome will be the +warmer if the women entering shall not leave behind the more +feminine attributes of the sex. Portia did deliver judgment, but +the counselor's cap became the pretty locks it could not hide, +and the jurist's cloak lent additional grace to the symmetry and +litheness of female youth. </p></blockquote> + +<p>M. Fredrica Perry began the study of law in the office of Shipman & +Loveridge, Coldwater, Michigan, in the winter of 1870-71. She spent +two years in the law-office and then two years in the law-school of +Michigan University. On graduating from the law-school in March, +1875, she was admitted to the Michigan bar. She located in Chicago +in August, and in September was admitted to the Illinois bar and +began practice. A few weeks later she was, on motion of Miss +Hulett, admitted to the U.S. Circuit and District Courts for the +Northern District of Illinois. She was in partnership with Ellen A. +Martin under the name of Perry & Martin. Her death occured June 3, +1883, and was the result of pneumonia. Miss Perry was a successful +lawyer and combined in an eminent degree the qualities which +distinguish able barristers and jurists; her mind was broad and +catholic, clear, quick, logical and profound; her information on +legal and general matters was extensive. She was an excellent +advocate, a skillful examiner of witnesses, and understood as few +do, save practitioners who have grown old in experience, the nice +discriminations of common-law pleading and the rules of evidence. +She was engrossed in the study and practice of law, and gained +steadily in efficiency and power year by year. She had the genius +and ability for the highest attainment in all branches of civil +practice, and joined with these the power of close application and +hard work. She belonged to the Strong family which has furnished a +good deal of the legal talent of the United States. Judge Tuley, a +chancery judge of Chicago before whom she often appeared, said of +her at the bar meeting called to take action upon her death: "I was +surprised at the extent of her legal knowledge and the great legal +acumen she displayed." And of her manner and method of conducting a +certain bitterly-contested case in his court: "I became satisfied +that the influence of woman would be highly beneficial in +preserving<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_575" id="Page_575">[Pg 575]</a></span> and sustaining that high standard of professional +courtesy which should always exist among the members of our +profession."——Ellen A. Martin, of Perry & Martin, Chicago, spent +two years in a law-office and two years in Michigan University +law-school, and was graduated and admitted to practice in Michigan +at the same time with Miss Perry. She was admitted in Illinois in +January, 1876, and since then to the U. S. Circuit Court.——In the +summer of 1879, Mrs. M. B. R. Shay, Streator, graduating from the +Bloomington law-school, was admitted to the bar. She has published +a book entitled, "Students Guide to Common-Law Pleading."——In +1880, Cora A. Benneson, Quincy, was graduated from the Michigan +University law-school and admitted to the Michigan and Illinois +bar.——Ada H. Kepley, in practice with her husband at Effingham, +was graduated from the Chicago law-school in June, 1870, but was +refused admission to the bar. In November of that year, a motion +was made in the Court at Effingham that she should be allowed to +act as attorney in a case at that bar, and Judge Decius said that +though the Supreme Court had refused to license a woman, he yet +thought the motion was proper and in accord with the spirit of the +age and granted the motion. Mrs. Kepley was finally admitted, +January, 1881.——Miss Bessie Bradwell, graduated from the Union +College of Law of Chicago and admitted to the bar in 1882, is +associated with her parents, Judge and Mrs. Bradwell, on the <i>Legal +News</i> and in the preparation of Bradwell's Appellate Court Reports.</p> + +<p>July 1, 1873, the bill making women eligible as school officers +became a law, and in the fall elections of the same year the people +gave unmistakable indorsement of the champions of the bill, by +electing women as superintendent of schools in ten counties, while +in sixteen others women were nominated. Many of these earnest women +have been in the service ever since. As the practical results of +woman's controlling influence as superintendents of schools seems +to epitomize her work in all official positions, we submit a report +compiled by Miss Mary Allen West, made at the request of the +Illinois Social Science Association, regretting that we have not +space for one of the model reports of Miss Sarah Raymond, also for +ten years superintendent of the schools of Bloomington:</p> + +<blockquote><p>During the session of 1872-3, Judge Bradwell introduced into the +legislature the following bill, which became a law April 3, 1873: +"Be it enacted by the people of Illinois, represented in General +Assembly, that any woman, married or single, of the age of +twenty-one years and upwards, and possessing the qualifications +prescribed for men, shall be eligible to any office under the +general school laws of this State." A second section provides for +her giving bonds.</p> + +<p>At the next election, November, 1873, ten ladies were elected to +the office of county superintendent of schools for a term of four +years. As this term has now expired, it is a favorable time to +inquire how women have succeeded in this new line of labor. That +the work that devolves upon county superintendents may be +understood, I give a part of the synopsis of the duties +pertaining to the office, as enumerated by Dr. Newton Bateman:</p> + +<p><i>First</i>—She must carefully inspect and pass upon the bonds of +all township treasurers, and upon the securities given in each +case, and is personally liable as well upon her official bond for +any loss to the school funds sustained through her neglect or +careless performance of duty.</p> + +<p><i>Second</i>—She must keep herself fully and carefully informed as +to what townships<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_576" id="Page_576">[Pg 576]</a></span> have and what have not complied with the +provisions of the law in respect to maintenance of schools; so +that no funds may in ignorance be paid to townships having no +legal claim to them.</p> + +<p><i>Third</i>—She must collect, transcribe, classify, verify, +tabulate, and transmit annually to the State superintendent the +school statistics of her county, together with a detailed written +report of the condition of the common schools therein.</p> + +<p><i>Fourth</i>—She must arrange, classify, file and preserve all +books, papers, bonds, official correspondence and other documents +belonging to her office.</p> + +<p><i>Fifth</i>—She must impart instruction and give directions to +inexperienced teachers in the science, art and method of +teaching, and must be ready, at all times, to counsel, advise and +assist the school officers of her county.</p> + +<p><i>Sixth</i>—She must take an active part in the management of County +Teachers' Institutes, and labor in every way to improve the +quality of teaching in her county.</p> + +<p><i>Seventh</i>—She must hear, examine, and determine all questions +and controversies under school law, which may be referred to her, +and must carefully prepare, to the best of her knowledge and +ability, such replies to all letters from school officers and +teachers as each case demands.</p> + +<p><i>Eighth</i>—She must examine all candidates desiring to teach in +her county, and grant certificates to such, and such only, as she +honestly thinks are of good moral character and sufficient +scholastic attainments. As no one can teach in a public school +without such certificate, this gives her the veto power over all +teachers. Dr. Bateman, commenting on fourteen specifications, of +which the foregoing constitute but eight, says these are <i>some</i> +of the <i>many</i> duties made obligatory upon the county +superintendent by law. Besides all these, is the visitation of +schools, which every true superintendent considers a very +important part of the work.</p> + +<p>For convenience we will group these duties in three classes: 1. +Those concerning finance. 2. Legal duties. 3. Duties to teachers +and schools.</p> + +<p>I. To give an idea of the financial interests intrusted to the +hands of these women, we find by reference to the State +superintendent's report for last year that the total receipts for +school purposes in these ten counties which they superintend was +$1,009,441. So far as can be learned from the records, not one +cent of the large sums over which they had supervision has been +lost through their dishonesty, or, what was more to be feared, +their ignorance of business. Unlike those of Dora Copperfield, +their accounts <i>will</i> "add up." In the county (Knox) where the +receipts are greatest, aggregating $182,423.22, the greatest +difference between receipts and expenditures, as shown by the +superintendent's books, is ten cents. In many of these counties +the financial affairs were in the greatest confusion when the +ladies came into office. In one, perhaps more, the preceding +superintendent was a defaulter, in another he was engaged in a +law-suit with the county board, and in still others strange +irregularities were discovered. In every instance, so far as we +can ascertain, these crookednesses have been straightened out, +the finances put upon a surer basis, hundreds, we believe +thousands, of dollars of bad debts have been collected, +treasurers and directors have been induced to keep their books +with greater care and in better shape, reckless expenditure of +school funds has been discouraged, and directors encouraged to +expend the money for things which will permanently benefit the +schools. So much for finance.</p> + +<p>II. <i>Legal Duties.</i>—Rightly to discharge the duties imposed by +specification 7, the county superintendent needs to be a very +good lawyer, for school law in its ramifications reaches many +other departments of law. Especially is it inextricably mixed up +with election laws, and all know that cases arising under +election laws are among the most complex and difficult to handle. +Probably a school election never occurrs in which some such cases +are not referred to the county superintendent. In the settlement +of these and other cases arising under school law, these women +have been peculiarly successful, and some of them have earned the +blessing bestowed upon the peacemakers. We know of one county +where, after last spring's election, five contested cases were +referred to the superintendent for settlement; these were all +satisfactorily adjusted by her. During her four years' +administration, scores of controversies were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_577" id="Page_577">[Pg 577]</a></span> referred to her, +and there has never been a single appeal from her decisions. +Another most complicated case involving a defaulting treasurer, +was conducted entirely by the county superintendent until it +became necessary to employ a lawyer to argue the case in court. +What she had done was then submitted to one of the leading +lawyers of the State, and he sanctioned and approved each step. +Numerous other instances might be cited to show that woman has +not failed in the legal part of her work as superintendent of +schools.</p> + +<p>III. <i>Her Work with Teachers and Schools.</i>—Here our +superintendents were perfectly at home. Each of the ten had +taught successfully for years, and so knew the wants of the +school-room. This knowledge was invaluable, both in the +examination of teachers and in the supervision of schools. Fears +were expressed lest in the examination of candidates, womanly +sympathy would lead them to grant certificates to needy +applicants who were not altogether qualified. But the +motherliness which is in every true woman's heart, warded off +this danger. As one remarked, "I have a great deal of the milk of +human kindness in my nature, but its streams flow toward the +roomful of children to be injured by an incompetent teacher, +rather than toward that teacher, however needy he may be. If his +claims rest on his needs rather than his merits, let the +poormaster attend to his wants, not the superintendent. School +money is not a pauper fund." This motherliness comes in good play +in school visitation. It draws the children to the +superintendent; keeps them from being afraid of her, and hence +leads them to work naturally during her visit; thus she can +obtain a true idea of the status of the school, and know just how +to advise and direct the teacher. The same thing holds true in +regard to teachers; the majority of them are ladies, and they +will come to a lady for the solution of their doubts and +difficulties much more freely than to a gentleman. This gives her +better opportunity to "impart instruction and give directions to +inexperienced teachers." Woman's power to lift up the teachers +under her control to a higher plane, both intellectually and +morally, has been signally demonstrated by the experience of the +past four years.</p> + +<p>In looking after the details of official work, those tiresome +minutiæ so often left at "loose ends," producing endless +confusion, woman has shown great aptitude. You say, "this is but +the clean sweeping of a new broom." May be so, in part; but in +part it comes from the womanly instinct to "look well to the ways +of her household," whether that household be the occupants of a +cottage or the schools of a county. In the work of the State +Association of County Superintendents, the ladies have well +sustained their part. When placed on the programme, they have +come prepared with carefully written papers, showing their desire +to give the Association the benefit of their best thoughts, and +not put off upon it such crudely digested ideas as may spring up +at the moment. At the last meeting at Springfield, four out of +the nine superintendents now in office were present, 44 per +cent.; out of the 93 gentlemen in the same office, 18 were +present, 19 per cent. The ratio of attendance has been about the +same for the four years.</p> + +<p>How has woman's work as county superintendent impressed other +educators? State-Superintendent Etter, who confesses that he was +not in favor of the plan, said at the State Teachers' +Association, above referred to: "The ladies compare very +favorably with their gentlemen co-laborers." Mr. E.L. Wells, for +twelve years county superintendent of Ogle county, and thoroughly +conversant with the work throughout the State, concurs in this +opinion. President Newton Bateman, than whom no man in the State +is better fitted to speak on this subject, in his +political-economy class in Knox college, took occasion to commend +the efficiency of women as county superintendents of our State. A +gentleman who travels extensively, and looks into school affairs +closely, says he is convinced that in every county where a woman +was elected four years ago, the efficiency of the office had been +doubled and in some cases increased four or even ten fold. If +this be not an exaggeration, an explanation may be found in the +fact that in most of these counties the best ladies were put in +the place of gentlemen most poorly fitted for the place. The +office had become a political foot-ball, kicked about as party +exigencies demanded, and often came into possession of political +hacks who "must be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_578" id="Page_578">[Pg 578]</a></span> provided for," and for whom no other place +could be found. They had no qualifications for the office, and, +of course, could not perform its duties. The people, disgusted, +turned to the women for relief, and took good care to elect the +ones best fitted to do the work. Had equal care been used in the +selection of their predecessors, they might have done equally +good work. In quoting opinions, I have purposely confined myself +to those given by gentlemen.</p> + +<p>The limits of this paper have restricted this discussion to the +work of woman as a county superintendent; but in other school +offices she is doing efficient work. All over the State we have +examples of her efficiency as school director. Miss Sarah E. +Raymond, in Bloomington, and Miss Ludlow, in Davenport (by the +way, the Iowa State Teachers' Association last year honored +itself by electing her president), abundantly proves woman's +ability to superintend the schools of large cities. M.A.W. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In <i>Zion's Herald</i> 1873, on the origin of the Woman's College in +Evanston, Miss Frances E. Willard writes:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In 1866, when we were all tugging away to build Heck Hall for +ministers, I heard several thoughtful women say, "We ought to be +doing this for our own sex. Men have help from every side, while +no one thinks of women." In the summer of 1868 Mrs. Mary F. +Haskins, who had been treasurer of the American Methodist Ladies' +Centenary Association, which built Heck Hall, raising for the +purpose $50,000, invited the ladies of Evanston to her home to +talk over the subject of founding a Woman's College, which should +secure to young women the highest educational advantages. Mrs. +Haskin originated the thought—with her own hands assisted in +laying the corner-stone, and in her first address as president +she said: "I have often thought that to the successful teacher +the words must be full of hope and promise, which a great writer +uses of education: 'It is a companion which no misfortune can +distress, no crime destroy, no enemy alienate, no despot enslave; +at home a friend, abroad an introduction; in solitude a solace, +in society an ornament. It chastens vice, it guides virtue, it +adds a grace to genius. Without it what is man?'—and I would add +with emphasis, Without an education, what is woman?" </p></blockquote> + +<p>This Woman's College at Evanston is the first on record to which a +charter, granting full collegiate powers, was ever given by +legislative act, including only names of women in its board of +trustees. This board, elected Miss Frances E. Willard president, +who presided over the institution for two years, during which term +a class of young women was graduated, the first in history to whom +diplomas were voted and conferred by women. The degree of A. M. was +given Mrs. Jennie Fowler Willing, of Chicago, who preached the +baccalaureate sermon at the unique commencement exercises. Mrs. +Mary F. Haskin, and Mrs. Elizabeth Greenleaf were respectively +presidents of the board of trustees.</p> + +<p>Later on, as a higher evolution of the central thought, an +arrangement was made between the Woman's College and the +Northwestern University, by which the former became the woman's +department of the latter, on condition that in its board of +trustees, faculty of instruction, and all its departments of +culture, women should be admitted on an equality with men, as to +opportunities, positions and salaries. Miss Willard was then chosen +dean of the Woman's College, and professor of æsthetics in the +University. Mrs. Emily Huntington Miller was placed on the +executive committee of the board, and Mrs. R. F. Queal, Mrs. Jennie +Fowler Willing, Mrs. Mary Bannister Willard, and Mrs. L. L. +Greenleaf were elected trustees. One year later, Miss Willard +entered the temperance work<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_579" id="Page_579">[Pg 579]</a></span> since which time Miss Ellen M. Soule +and Miss Jane Bancroft have successively served in the position of +dean.</p> + +<p>The young women have led in scholarship, taken prizes in +composition and oratory, while upon one occasion the delighted +students dragged forth the only artillery in the village to voice +their enthusiasm over the fact that to Miss Lizzie R. Hunt had been +awarded at the great international contest the first prize for the +best English essay.</p> + +<p>In 1873, while filling the duties of professor in Wesleyan +University, Mrs. Jennie Fowler Willing was licensed as a local +preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, the first woman engaged +as evangelist in Illinois.</p> + +<p>The Monticello Ladies' Seminary at Godfrey is worthy of mention. +Miss Harriet N. Haskell, its president, has done a noble work there +in making possible for many girls, by labor under her roof to pay +in part for a liberal education. She has been at the head of this +institution for thirty years. Mrs. F.A. Shiner at Mt. Carroll, is +another grand woman worthy of mention. She, too, gives poor girls +an opportunity in her household to pay in part for their education. +In this way many are being trained in domestic accomplishments as +well as the higher branches of education. There is no distinction +made between those who work a certain number of hours each day and +those who pay in full for their advantages; and in many cases the +best scholars have been found from year to year among those who had +the stimulus of labor. As Miss Haskell and Mrs. Shiner have +uniformly entertained all the lyceum lecturers<a name="FNanchor_365_365" id="FNanchor_365_365"></a><a href="#Footnote_365_365" class="fnanchor">[365]</a> at their +beautiful homes, many have had the pleasure of seeing and talking +with these bright girls, and the worthy presidents of the +institutions.</p> + +<p>We believe to Illinois belongs the distinction of being the +birthplace of the first woman admitted to the American Medical +Association—Dr. Sarah Hackett Stevenson, born at Buffalo Grove, +Ogle county. Dr. Stevenson was admitted to this time-honored +association June, 1876. The Philadelphia <i>Evening Bulletin</i> thus +refers to the innovation:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The doctors have combined millennial with centennial glories. The +largest assemblage of the medical profession ever held in America +yesterday honored itself by bursting the bonds of ancient +prejudice, and admitting a woman to its membership by a vote that +proved the battle won, and that henceforth professional +qualification, and not sex, is to be the test of standing in the +medical world. Looking over the past fierce resistance by which +every advance of woman into the field of medical life was met, +yesterday's action seems like the opening of a scientific +millennium. It was a most appropriate time and place for the +beginning of this new era of medical righteousness and peace. +Here, in the centennial year, in the "City of Brotherly Love," +where the first organized effort for the medical education of +women was made, where the oldest medical college for women in the +world is located, and where the fight against woman's entry into +the medical profession was most hotly waged, was the place to +take the manly new departure, which, so far as the National +Association is concerned,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_580" id="Page_580">[Pg 580]</a></span> began yesterday in the election of Dr. +Sarah Hackett Stevenson as a member in full standing from the +State of Illinois. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Dr. Mary H. Thompson, who was graduated at Boston in 1863, and who, +removing to Chicago, succeeded in establishing a woman's hospital, +is included in a short list of notable alumnæ of the Boston Medical +School. Dr. Lelia G. Bedell, Dr. E. G. Cook, Dr. Julia Holmes +Smith, Dr. Alice B. Stockham, and many others have won honorable +distinction in this profession.</p> + +<p>One of the marked crises in the history of the reform we trace was +the centennial Fourth of July. The daughters of the Pilgrims +realized as never before the cruel injustice by which they were +deprived of their birthright, and from the Western prairies and +Eastern hills their earnest protest was given to the nation. As +early as May 2, 1876, at a special convention of the Illinois Woman +Suffrage Association, two vigorous protests were read as the +official utterances of State and National Associations. The +convention was called to order by Mrs. Alma Van Winkle, who stated +that Mrs. Jane Graham Jones,<a name="FNanchor_366_366" id="FNanchor_366_366"></a><a href="#Footnote_366_366" class="fnanchor">[366]</a> the beloved and efficient +president of the association, having determined upon a European +sojourn, had sent her resignation to the executive committee, and +that Mrs. Elizabeth Boynton Harbert, recently removed to the State, +had been elected to fill her place. This action being ratified, +Susan B. Anthony was introduced, and although she had just +concluded an intensely vigorous lyceum tour, extending through many +months, she spoke with unusual power. Just here I wish to emphasize +the great loss to women in the fact that as Miss Anthony's speeches +were never written, but came with thrilling effect from her +patriotic soul, scarce any record of them remains, other than the +intangible memories of her grateful countrywomen. At this +convention the following address was read and adopted:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>To the Women of the United States of America, greeting:</i></p> + +<p>While the centennial clock is striking the hour of opportunity +for the Pilgrims' daughters to prove themselves regenerate +children of a worthy ancestry, while the air reverberates to the +watchwords of the statesmen of the Revolution, let the daughters +of the nation, in clear, steady and womanly voices, chorus +through the States: "Taxation without representation is tyranny," +and "all governments derive their just powers from the consent of +the governed."</p> + +<p>Womanly hands, firm, capable and loving, have been steadily, +persistently and unceasingly knocking, knocking at the doors of +judicial, ecclesiastical and legislative halls, until at last the +rusty bars are yielding and the persistent knocking is beginning +to tell upon iron nerves and all kinds of masculine +constitutions. Just now, in the centennial year, another door has +opened, preparing the way for the Pilgrims' daughters to present +their claim before the assembled nation on the "Fourth of July, +1876."</p> + +<p>A joint resolution of congress, signed by the president of the +United States, and made the subject of proclamation by the +governor of the State, reads as follows:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_581" id="Page_581">[Pg 581]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the +United States of America</i>, That it be, and is hereby, recommended +by the Senate and the House of Representatives to the people of +the several States, that they assemble in the several counties +and towns on the approaching centennial anniversary of our +national independence, and that they cause to have delivered on +such day an historical sketch of said county or town from its +foundation, and that a copy of said sketch may be filed, in print +or manuscript, in the clerk's office of said county, and an +additional copy be filed in the office of the librarian of +congress at the city of Washington, to the intent that a complete +record may thus be obtained of the progress of our institutions +during the first centennial of their existence.</p> + +<p>The governor of this State earnestly recommends that prompt +measures be taken in each county and town for the selection of +one or more persons who shall prepare complete, thorough and +accurate historical sketches of each county, city, town or +village, from the date of the settlement to the present time.</p> + +<p>In view of the fact that since our civil war thousands of +charitable, scientific, philanthropic, religious and political +associations have been organized among women, of which but few +accurate records are now accessible to the general public, and in +view of the fact that the Supreme Court and many of our +legislators construe "persons" to indicate only men (except when +persons are to be taxed, fined or executed), we respectfully +suggest that in all cases one member of the committee shall be a +woman, to the end that there may be submitted to future +historians accurate data of the extent and scope of the work of +American women; that this historian of woman shall carefully and +impartially record the literary, educational, journalistic, +industrial, charitable and political work of woman as expressed +in temperance, missionary and woman suffrage organization.</p> + +<p>Let a meeting of every woman suffrage organization throughout the +State, or, where none exists, let any friend of the cause call a +meeting, at which a committee shall be appointed to present this +suggestion to the people as they may meet in the different +cities, villages and towns, to perfect arrangements for their +local celebration.</p> + +<p>As American citizens we salute the tri-color, emblem of the +rights obtained and liberties won by husbands, fathers and sons, +meanwhile pledging, if need be, another century of toil and +effort to the sacred cause of human rights, and the establishment +of a genuine republic.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"> +<span class="smcap">Elizabeth Boynton Harbert</span>,<br /> +<i>Pres. Ill. Woman Suffrage Society.</i></p> +</blockquote> + +<p>It was decided at this convention to celebrate the Fourth of July +in some appropriate manner. Under the auspices of Mrs. Harbert this +was done at Evanston. The occasion was heralded as "The Woman's +Fourth," and programmes<a name="FNanchor_367_367" id="FNanchor_367_367"></a><a href="#Footnote_367_367" class="fnanchor">[367]</a> were scattered through the village.</p> + +<p>The auditorium of the large Methodist Church was tastefully +decorated with exquisite flowers; flags were gracefully festooned +about the pulpit, and all the appointments were pronounced artistic +by the most critical, and Mrs. Harbert's oration, of which we give +a few extracts, aimed to be in keeping with her surroundings:</p> + +<blockquote><p>If possessed of artistic genius, I would seize the pencil and +imprison in rich and gorgeous coloring two pictures for the +woman's pavilion of our centennial; for the first I would +reproduce that prophetically symbolic scene at the dawn of our +history, when with a faith and generosity worthy of honorable +mention, Isabella of Castile placed her jewels in the almost +discouraged mariner's hands, and bade Columbus give to the world +Columbia. The second scene would be the antithesis of the first, +as to-day, the women of the United States make haste to lay at +the feet of our statesmen and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_582" id="Page_582">[Pg 582]</a></span> prophets their jewels of thought +and influence, bidding them, in the name of woman, give to the +world a perfected government, a genuine republic, a purer +civilization. Now, as then, there are many ready with mocking +jeers; but, turning not to the right nor the left, the faith of +woman and the courage of man move on apace to sure success. That +historic "first gun" not only jarred loose every rivet in the +manacles of 4,000,000 slaves, but when the smoke of the +cannonading had lifted, the entire horizon of woman was +broadened, illuminated, glorified. On that April day when a +nation of citizens were suddenly transformed into an army of +warriors, American women, with a patriotism as intense as theirs, +a consecration as true, quietly assumed their vacated places and +became citizens. Out from market-place and forum, counting-house +and farm—keeping time to the chime of the music of the +Union—marched father, husband and son; into office, store and +farm, called there by no ambitious desire to wander out of their +sphere, but by the same dire military necessity that called our +men to the front stepped orphaned daughter and widowed wife. Anna +Dickinson captured the lyceum and platform. The almost classic +scene of "Corinne at the Capitol" is not more remarkable than +that historic scene of the Quaker girl at Washington, called +there to receive the plaudits of the highest officials of our +nation, for services rendered in the then vital political +campaigns of New Hampshire, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and New +York.</p> + +<p>The cruel, scarlet days of war dragged wearily on. Up from the +Southern battle-fields, borne northward in the lull of the war +tempest, came a wailing appeal from "the boys," who hitherto had +never appealed to "mother" in vain: "We are wounded, sick and +starving." Instantly the mother-heart responded—waiting not for +"orders," snapping official red-tape, as though it had been woven +of cob-webs, two women started southward with the needed +supplies, and this great, anxious, agonized North gave a sob of +relief when the message thrilled through the land that Jane C. +Hoge and Mary A. Livermore had arrived at the front with the +needed supplies. Idle, helpless, dependent queens were not then +in demand, but women fitted to be wives of heroes. Because our +lake-bordered, tree-fringed village was once her home, I lovingly +trace first on Evanston's scroll of honor the name of Jane C. +Hoge, while just underneath it I write that of our venerable +philanthropist, who was the first woman in these United States to +receive the badge of the Christian commission, Mrs. Arza Brown.</p> + +<p>And now, standing here upon the border-land of two centuries, +over-shadowed by the dear old flag, re-baptized with the blood of +my beloved as of yours—standing here, a native-born citizen, as +a woman to whom the honor, purity, peace and freedom of native +land is dear as life; as a wife vitally interested in the +interests of manhood; as a mother responsible for the best +development of her children; as a human being, responsible to her +Creator for the highest possible usefulness, I claim equality +before the law. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Mary Bannister Willard gave some surprising facts in regard to +woman's work in connection with the North Western University, and +reminded us that foremost among the women of the dawning century +was Eliza Garret of Chicago, who secured to the Garret Biblical +Institute its endowment of a quarter of a million of dollars, with +the proviso that a certain increase of income from the same after +the wants of the young theologues had been met, should be applied +to the erection and endowment of a seminary for young ladies. But +alas! the theological appetite has been insatiate, even unto this +last, and deliverance has come to our girls from another quarter. +And this was the throwing down of university gates and bars, and a +free extension of all educational privileges to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_583" id="Page_583">[Pg 583]</a></span> women. Upon the +roll of honor connected with this work we gratefully place the +names of many brave, self-sacrificing women.<a name="FNanchor_368_368" id="FNanchor_368_368"></a><a href="#Footnote_368_368" class="fnanchor">[368]</a></p> + +<p>The Rev. Mr. Chappell, pastor of the Baptist church, then gave a +most eloquent, liberal oration. In closing, he said: "But what +think you, sisters, of the dangers that threaten the republic? Do +they lie on your hearts? Are they in your prayers? Do they enter +into your plans? All compliments and gallantries aside, it makes a +vast difference in the destiny of the republic whether you +understand and feel its dangers. The scale has turned. No longer +need we dread oppression, disability, power; but on the other hand, +license, luxury, listlessness, forgetfulness of God and the +wholesome truth. This watch-night of the republic augurs well. This +gathering of the sisterhood has its meaning. You are the power +behind the throne; with you and with God lies the destiny of the +republic." After the benediction the audience dispersed, all +expressing of the entire programme the most enthusiastic approval.</p> + +<p>About the close of the year 1876, a noticeable change in the +direction of thought and effort was very apparent in the State of +Illinois. As a result of the ravages of the fire and the severe +mental strain to which business men were subjected, women sprang to +the rescue, and actively engaged in business. These additional +burdens assumed by the many, the few were left to bear the weight +of religious, philanthropic and social duties. Women had tested +their powers sufficiently to realize their strength, and were +impatient for immediate results, hence many of the active friends +of woman suffrage, believing that the temperance ballot could be +more speedily secured than entire political equality, joined the +home-protection movement, while through the broadening and helpful +influence of the Grange in the farm-homes of the northwest, +requests for aids to organization came from all quarters. In order +that the earnest thoughts of the one class and the practical +methods of the other, might be rendered mutually beneficial, I one +day entered the sanctum of the progressive editor of the +<i>Inter-Ocean</i>, and asked for a ten-minute audience. The request was +granted, and Wm. Penn Nixon, esq., courteously listened to the +following questions: "As a progressive journalist, and one who must +recognize the philanthropic activity of the women of the Northwest, +has it ever occurred to you that there is nowhere in journalism a +special recognition of their interests? We have special fashion +departments, special cooking departments, but no niche or corner +devoted to the moral, industrial, educational, philanthropic and +political interests of women; and does not your judgment assure you +that such a department could be rendered popular?" As a result of +this conversation a special corner of the <i>Inter-Ocean</i> was yielded +to woman's interests, designated by the editors, "Woman's Kingdom," +and on January 6, 1877, the following announcement appeared:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Congratulations to women that we have at last found a home in +journalism; that amid the clashing of sabers of our modern press +tournament, the knights of the quill<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_584" id="Page_584">[Pg 584]</a></span> recognize that women have +some rights that journalists are bound to respect. These columns +are in the interest of no class, clique, sect, or section, and we +earnestly request accurate data of woman's work. All missionary, +literary, temperance and woman suffrage organizations, will be +accorded space for announcing their aims. With an occasional +review of new books, we will confer in regard to what woman has +written; wandering through studios and sanctums, we will record +what she is painting and preaching. Pleading an intense and +loving interest in the splendid opportunities now opening to +American women, we shall hope that some truth may be evolved that +may enrich their lives. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Notwithstanding this was the first special department of the kind, +much of the best journalistic work of the State was being done by +women,<a name="FNanchor_369_369" id="FNanchor_369_369"></a><a href="#Footnote_369_369" class="fnanchor">[369]</a> who seemed to have received a new baptism to serve the +higher interests of humanity. From the desire for coöperation +expressed by many contributors to "Woman's Kingdom," the following +little item was set afloat in May, 1877:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Many facts recently arresting attention, in connection with the +industrial, political, and moral interests of women, seem to +render a conference of their representatives in regard to +business aims, expedient. There is need of a bureau through which +the industrial interests of women can be promoted and some +practical answer given to the question everywhere heard, "How can +we earn a living?" There is a demand for an educational bureau of +correspondence and also a lyceum bureau through whose agency good +lectures upon practical subjects can be secured in every city and +village. All interested in such a conference are requested to +send their names to Mrs. Elizabeth Boynton Harbert, Evanston, +Ill., or Mrs. Louise Rockwood Wardner, Cairo, Ill. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Hon. Frank Sanborn, in his annual report to the American Social +Science Association, mentioned the formation of a branch +society<a name="FNanchor_370_370" id="FNanchor_370_370"></a><a href="#Footnote_370_370" class="fnanchor">[370]</a> in this State. He said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Like the State Charities Aid Association of New York, which was +organized and is directed by women, the Illinois Association +devotes itself chiefly to practical applications of social +science, though in a somewhat different direction. It was formed +in October, 1877, with a membership of some two hundred women; it +publishes a monthly newspaper, <i>The Illinois Social Science +Journal</i>, full of interesting communications, and it has +organized in its first seven months' existence eight smaller +associations in other States. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The enthusiasm in this society branching out in so many practical +directions, absorbed for a time the energies of the Illinois women. +Our membership reached 400. This may account for the apparent +lethargy of the Suffrage Association during the years of 1877-78. +Caroline F. Corbin<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_585" id="Page_585">[Pg 585]</a></span> dealt an effective blow in her novel, entitled +"Rebecca; or, A Woman's Secret." Jane Grey Swisshelm, with +trenchant pen, wrote earnest strictures against the shams of +society. Elizabeth Holt Babbitt wrote earnestly for all reform +movements. Myra Bradwell persistently held up to the view of the +legislators of the State the injustice of the laws for woman. Mrs. +Julia Mills Dunn and Mrs. Hannah J. Coffee were doing quiet but +most effective work in Henry county. Miss Eliza Bowman was +consecrating her young womanhood to the care of the Foundlings' +Home. Mrs. Wardner, Mrs. Candee, Mrs. George, and other women in +the southern part of the State, were founding the library at Cairo, +while in every village and hamlet clubs for study or philanthropic +work were being organized. Mrs. Kate N. Doggett, as president of +the Association for the advancement of Women, was lending her +influence to the formation of art clubs. And all this in addition +to the vast army of faithful teachers, represented by Sarah B. +Raymond, Professor Louisa Allen Gregory and Mary C. Larned. Mrs. +Louise Rockwood Wardner, president of the Illinois Industrial +School for Girls, and the noble band of women associated with her, +were earnestly at work in the endeavor to secure to the vagrant +girls of the State an industrial education. Miss Frances E. Willard +and the dauntless army of temperance workers were petitioning for +the right to vote on all questions pertaining to the liquor +traffic.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile many of the members of the Illinois Social Science +Association were beginning to realize that every measure proposed +for progressive action was thwarted because of woman's inability to +crystallize her opinions into law. This has been the uniform +experience in every department of reform, and sooner or later all +thinking women see plainly that the direct influence secured by +political power gives weight and dignity to their words and wishes. +Mrs. Jane Graham Jones, ex-president of the State Association, +continued her effective work in Europe, and, as a delegate from the +National Association, prepared the following address of welcome to +the International Congress, convened in Paris, July 5, 1878:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Friends, compatriots, and confrères of the International Congress +assembled to discuss the rights of women: Allow me to extend to +you the congratulations of the National Woman Suffrage +Association of America, which I have the honor to represent. I +congratulate you upon this important, this sublime moment, this +auspicious place for the meeting of a woman's congress. Paris, +gorgeous under the grand monarch who surrounded his royal person +with a splendid galaxy of beauty, genius, and chivalry; +attractive and influential under the great emperor whose meteoric +genius held spell-bound the wondering gaze of a world; to-day, +with neither king nor court, nor man of destiny, is grander, more +gorgeous, more beautiful and more influential than ever before. +To-day this is the shrine toward which the pilgrims from every +land turn their impatient steps.</p> + +<p>Each balmy breeze comes to us heavily laden with the dialects of +all nations. Not only are the different parts represented in +their economic and industrial products, but each thought, idea, +motive and need is brought before the world in the various +congresses assembled during this great union festival of liberty, +peace and labor. Literature, science, religion, education, +philosophy, and labor, each has had its eloquent advocates. At +this time, when the great ones of the earth are met together in +earnest thought and honest discussion, when each mind and +conscience is attuned to the highest motive, how appropriate that +woman, whose labor, wealth and brain have cemented<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_586" id="Page_586">[Pg 586]</a></span> the stones in +every monument that man has reared to himself; that woman, the +oppressed, woman, the hater of wars, the faithful, quiet drudge +of the centuries, watching while others slept, working while +others plundered and murdered; woman, who has died in prison and +on the scaffold for liberty, should here and now have her +audience and her advocates.</p> + +<p>As a child of America I love and venerate France. We cannot +forget LaFayette, although a hundred years have passed since +generous France sent him to our aid in our great struggle for +freedom. But as a woman I glory in her. [Great and deafening +applause.] All true women love and honor France. [At this point +the reader was interrupted with wild cries of "Bravo! bravo!" +"Live America!" "True, true."] France, in whose prolific soil +great and progressive ideas generate and take root, in spite of +king, emperor, priest or tyrant; France, the protectress of +science, art, and philosophy; France, the home of the scholar and +thinker; France, the asylum which generously received the women +who came hither seeking those intellectual advantages and +privileges cruelly denied them at home; France, that compelled +republican America and civilized England to open their +educational institutions to women; France, the birth-place of a +host of women whose splendid genius, devoted lives, and heroic +deaths have encouraged and inspired women of other lands in their +struggles to strike off the ignominious shackles which the ages +have riveted upon them! [Loud applause.] How apropos it is, then, +that the women from all nations meet on the free soil of France +to give to the world their declaration of rights. To-day we clasp +hands and pledge hearts to the sacred cause of woman's +emancipation. To-day we meet to thank France for the grand women +whose lofty utterances come echoing and reëchoing to us through +the corridors of time, and to thank her for her great men who +have been the beacon lights to guide the world to higher +civilization and greater hatred of oppression. In the name of my +great countrywomen, inaugurators and leaders of the woman's +rights movement in America, the eloquent and ardent advocates of +liberty for men and women alike, both black and white; in the +name of the officers of the National Woman Suffrage Association; +in the name of those grand women, Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady +Stanton, and Susan B. Anthony, I salute the women of France and +of the world assembled in this congress, and bid them god-speed. +When we call to mind what has been accomplished by noble women +everywhere, we are encouraged to renewed effort.</p> + +<p>In America we have accomplished wonders, and yet we demand more; +and shall continue to demand until we are equal in the state, in +the church, and in the home. Twenty years ago woman entered our +courts of law only as a criminal to be tried; now she enters as +an advocate to plead the cause of justice, and invoke the spirit +of mercy. Twenty years ago woman entered the sick room only as +the poorly-paid nurse; now she is the trusted medical adviser, +friend and counsellor. To-day she is in many respects the peer of +man, to-morrow she will be in all respects his acknowledged +equal. [Great and continued applause.]</p> + +<p>Who can measure the influence this congress may have on woman's +advancement toward that perfect equality which justice and +humanity demand. Women of France and of the world, be of good +cheer, and continue to agitate for the right, for in the +elevation of woman lies the progress of the world. [Deafening +applause, and cries of hear, hear.] </p></blockquote> + +<p>A letter to the Chicago <i>Times</i> commenting upon the above address +says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Mrs. Jones being indisposed, was replaced momentarily by her +daughter, a beautiful young lady of about sixteen summers, who +read the opening address of her mother; her rich voice +pronouncing with such distinctness and beauty, the earnest words, +translated into French, won all hearts, and gave to the opening +of the congress such a prestige as it would otherwise never have +had. After its close, Miss Jones regained her seat amidst the +hearty congratulations of the throng assembled in that great +hall, and I was proud of our little American. Her beauty and +courage, coupled with her extreme youth, were the principal +topics discussed during the day by outsiders. I was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_587" id="Page_587">[Pg 587]</a></span> thankful +that our nation was so well represented at the very first +meeting, and the Parisian journals were all loud in their praise +of Mrs. Jones' welcoming address, as well as the charming +apparition of her young and accomplished daughter. </p></blockquote> + +<p>As indicating the numerous lines along which woman's aroused +energies have found expression, we would call attention to the Art +Union of central Illinois. It is composed of nine societies, "The +Historical," and "The Palladium," of Bloomington; the art class at +Decatur; "Art Society," of Lincoln; "Art Association," of +Jacksonville; "Art Society," of Peoria; "Art Society," of +Springfield, and "Art Club," of Champagne. Mrs. Lavilla Wyatt +Latham, wife of Col. Robert G. Latham, of Lincoln, was the +originator of the Art Union. Their spacious home, built with large +piazzas in true southern style, is a museum of curiosities. Its +library, cabinet, pictures, and statuary, make it a most attractive +harbor of rest to the wandering band of lecturers, especially as +the cultivated host and hostess are in warm sympathy with all +reform movements. Mr. Latham was a warm friend of Abraham Lincoln, +and entertained him many times under his roof.</p> + +<p>The <i>Woman's Journal</i> of March 24, 1877, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Seventy women of Illinois, appointed by the Woman's State +Temperance Union, went to the legislature, bearing a petition +signed by 7,000 persons, asking that no licenses to sell liquor +be granted, which are not asked for by a majority of the citizens +of the place.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Sherman</span> moved a suspension of the rules to admit of the +presentation of the petition.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Merritt</span> objected, but, by a decided vote, the rules were +suspended, and the petition was received and read.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Sherman</span> moved that Mrs. Prof. S. M. D. Fry of Wesleyan +University of Bloomington, be invited to address the House upon +the subject of the petition.</p> + +<p>Mr. <span class="smcap">Herrington</span> objected to the obtrusion of such trifling matter +upon the House, which had business to do. It was well enough to +let the petition be received, but he wanted nobody to be allowed +to interfere with the business of the House. Referring to some +forty or fifty ladies of the Union who had been admitted to the +floor of the House, he wanted to know by what authority persons +not entitled to the privilege of the floor had been admitted. He +insisted on his prerogative as a member, and asked that the floor +and lobbies be cleared of all persons not entitled to the +privilege of the House.</p> + +<p>According to the Chicago <i>Tribune</i>, this speech of Herrington +created a slight sensation, among the ladies especially, but Mr. +Herrington's demand was ignored, and a recess of thirty minutes +was taken to allow Mrs. Fry to address the House in support of +the petition, which she did in a speech put in very telling +phrases. At its conclusion, some of the members opposed to +temperance legislation, signalized their ill-breeding, to say the +least, by derisive yells for Mr. Herrington and others to answer +Mrs. Fry. Presently the hall was resonant with yells and cheers, +converting it into a a very babel, and the hubbub was kept up +until, at the expiration of the half-hour recess, Speaker Shaw +called "order" and the House immediately adjourned.</p> + +<p>If any body of men bearing a petition of 7,000 voting men, had +gone to the same legislature, and by courtesy been admitted to +speak for their petition, no member would have dared to insult +them. It is because they had no recognized political rights that +these women were insulted. Claim your right, ladies, to be equal +members of the legislature, then you can enact temperance laws, +and have an unquestioned right "to the privilege of the floor." </p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1879, under the lead of their president, Frances E. Willard, the +women of Illinois rolled up a mammoth petition of 180,000, asking +the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_588" id="Page_588">[Pg 588]</a></span> right to vote on the question of license. This prayer, like +that of the 7,000, met the fate of all attempts of disfranchised +classes to influence legislation. Following this repulse, in some +ten or fifteen of the smaller cities of the State, boards of common +council were prevailed upon to pass ordinances giving the women the +right to vote on the question. Without an exception, the result was +overwhelming majorities for "No License." In the cities where +officers were elected at the same time, almost without exception, +the majority of them were in favor of license, while in those in +which the old board of officers held over, no licenses were +granted, until the new board elected only by the votes of the men +of the city, was installed. Dr. Alice B. Stockham, in her report at +the Washington convention of 1885, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>After the city ordinance of Keithsburg allowed women to vote, the +hardest work was to convert the women themselves. Committees were +appointed who visited from house to house to persuade women to go +to the polls for the suppression of the rule of liquor. On the +morning of election they met in a church for conference and +prayer. At 10 o'clock forty brave women marched to the polls and +cast their first ballot for home protection. Carriages were +running to and fro all day to bring the invalid and the aged. For +once they were induced to leave the making of ruffles and crazy +quilts, to give their silent voice for the suppression of vice. +Three weeks later not a woman could be found in the town opposed +to suffrage, and for one year not a glass of liquor could be +bought in Keithsburg. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Under the act of 1872, the women of Illinois thought their right to +pursue every avocation, except the military, secure. But in 1880, a +judicial decision proved the contrary. We quote from the <i>National +Citizen</i>:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In June, 1879, the Circuit Court of Union County, Judge John +Dougherty presiding, appointed Helen A. Schuchardt, resident of +the county, to the office of Master in Chancery. Mrs. Schuchardt +gave bond with security approved by the court, taking and +subscribing the required oath of office. Since that day, she has +been the acting Master of Chancery of that county, taking proofs, +making judicial rules, and performing the other various duties +incident to such office. At the last term of the court the State +attorney, at the instance of Mr. Frank Hall, relator, filed an +information in the nature of a <i>quo warranto</i> charging that Mrs. +Schuchardt had usurped and was unlawfully holding and exercising +the office. Mrs. Schuchardt filed pleas setting forth the order +of the court appointing her, her bonds with the order of +approval, and the oath of office filed by her. To these pleas a +general demurrer was interposed and argued.</p> + +<p>The questions presented by the demurrer were: <i>First</i>—Is the +defendant eligible to this office, she being neither a practicing +nor a learned lawyer? <i>Second</i>—Is the defendant eligible to this +office, she being a female? The court dismissed the first +question on the ground that the statute does not require +admission to the bar as a qualification. Of the eleven Masters in +Chancery in that Judicial Circuit, it was shown that only five +had been admitted to the bar. As to the second objection, <i>i. +e.</i>, that Mrs. Schuchardt was a female (!) it was decided that +the common law never contemplated the admittance of a woman to +the office of Master in Chancery, and that doubtless it was the +first instance in which a woman had been admitted to the office. +It was also decided that the act of March 22, 1872, did not make +women eligible to this office; Master in Chancery—for woman—did +not mean "occupation, profession, or employment," and that +"persons do not select an office, but are selected for the +office."</p> + +<p>Judge Harker, in delivering this opinion, said: "It is due to +Mrs. Schuchardt to say in conclusion, that while I am constrained +to sustain this demurrer and hold that under the law she cannot +retain this office, there is not one of the Masters in Chancery +in the four counties where I preside, who has been more faithful +or attentive in the discharge of his duties, and none who has +exhibited higher qualifications to discharge<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_589" id="Page_589">[Pg 589]</a></span> well those duties. +And it is my sincere hope that at its next session the +legislature will make this office accessible to females." </p></blockquote> + +<p>One of the most influential local associations has been that of +Chicago, or Cook county.<a name="FNanchor_371_371" id="FNanchor_371_371"></a><a href="#Footnote_371_371" class="fnanchor">[371]</a> From 1870 to 1876 Mrs. Jane Graham +Jones was its president, as well as the leading spirit in the State +Society.<a name="FNanchor_372_372" id="FNanchor_372_372"></a><a href="#Footnote_372_372" class="fnanchor">[372]</a> She was the one to plan and execute the attacks upon +the board of education, the common council, and the legislature, +holding many meetings in Chicago, and at Springfield, the seat of +government. Another flourishing association is that of Moline. We +give the following from its secretary:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In May, 1877, Mrs. Eunice G. Sayles, and Mrs. Julia Mills Dunn, +secured Mrs. Stanton to give a lecture on woman suffrage in +Moline, and at a reception given to her by Mrs. Sayles, a society +with 22 members was organized, which has held meetings regularly +since that time, with the reading of papers on topics previously +arranged by the president. It is a matter of pride that not a +failure has ever occurred, each member always cheerfully +performing the duty assigned her. An evening reception is held +annually to celebrate the organization of the society, to which +two hundred or more guests are invited, each member being +entitled to bring several outside of her own family. The meetings +have been valuable, not only in promoting friendly relations +between the members, but also in the mental stimulus they have +afforded. Much of the success of this society is due to the +literary culture and earnestness of Mrs. Anne M. J. Dow, who was +our president for three years. We have sustained a great loss in +the death of Mrs. Sarah D. Nourse, who for thirty-five years was +an earnest friend of all reforms.</p> + +<p>Soon after its organization, our society became auxiliary to the +National Association. We have circulated petitions and forwarded +them to Springfield and Washington, where they have met the fate +common to all prayers of the disfranchised; we have circulated +tracts, placed on file in the public reading room all the +suffrage journals, and secured the best lecturers on the +question. We are organizing an afternoon reading society, to have +read aloud "The History of Woman Suffrage," and shall soon place +it on the shelves of the public library of the village. While we +cannot point to any wonderful revolution in public sentiment +because of our work, we are nevertheless full of courage, and +under the leadership of our State president, Elizabeth Boynton +Harbert, we shall go forward in faith and good works, hoping for +the end of woman's political slavery.<a name="FNanchor_373_373" id="FNanchor_373_373"></a><a href="#Footnote_373_373" class="fnanchor">[373]</a> </p></blockquote> + +<p>In concluding this meager record of the methods of earnest men and +women of Illinois in their brave work for liberty, we are painfully +conscious<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_590" id="Page_590">[Pg 590]</a></span> of a vast aggregate of personal toil and self sacrifice +which can never be reported. We write of petitions presented to +State and National legislative assemblies, but it is impossible to +record the personal sacrifice and moral heroism of the women who +went from house to house in the cities and villages, or traveled +long distances across the broad prairies to secure the signatures. +Only those who have carried a petition from door to door can know +the fatigue and humiliation of spirit it involves. Though these +earnest women ask only the influence of the names of persons to +help on our reform, they are often treated with less courtesy than +the dreaded book-agent and peddler.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Watseka</span>, Ill.</p> + +<p>I send you petitions, the one circulated by me has 270 names—the +other by Clara L. Peters, 139.<a name="FNanchor_374_374" id="FNanchor_374_374"></a><a href="#Footnote_374_374" class="fnanchor">[374]</a> We are interested heart and +soul in the movement, and our efforts here have made many friends +for the cause. Have been an ardent worker since I was a child, +and well remember that grand hero of moral reforms, Samuel J. May +of Syracuse, N. Y., at a Woman's Temperance Convention held in +Rochester in 1852, when I was eight years old.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from"> +Viola Hawks Archibald.<a name="FNanchor_375_375" id="FNanchor_375_375"></a><a href="#Footnote_375_375" class="fnanchor">[375]</a></p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The following letter from Mary L. Davis, gives some idea of the +toils of circulating petitions:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"> +<span class="smcap">Davis</span>, Stephenson Co., Ill., May 28, 1877.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Editor</span> <i>Ballot-Box</i>:—The question of suffrage for woman has been +thoroughly discussed in our society, and last week I started out +with my petition. I could work but a short time each day, but I +systematically canvassed our beautiful little village, taking it +by streets, and although I have been over but a small portion, I +have ninety signatures. I met with but little opposition, and +with kind wishes in abundance; with some amusing, some provoking, +some pathetic, and some disgusting phases of human nature—with +very agreeable disappointments, and very disagreeable ones. Very +often some person would say to me, there is no use in calling at +such a house; the man will not, and the woman dare not, sign. I +went to such a place last week, was met with all the courtesy one +could ask. The man looked over the petition thoughtfully, affixed +his own name, and asked his wife if she did not wish to do so, +and called in a beautiful sister who was out playing ball with +the children, telling her as it was for the especial benefit of +women, she ought to sign it too. I write these things to +encourage our young girls, who will take up the work. Take every +house, ask every person; "No," will not hurt or kill you. Be +prepared to meet every argument that can possibly be advanced. +The one which I meet oftenest, is that woman cannot fight, and +therefore she shall not vote; and strange to relate, it is almost +always advanced by a person who was never a soldier, through +physical disability, cowardice, or over or under age.</p> + +<p>The shortest "No," without the slightest shadow of courtesy, was +shot from the lips of a man who is doing business on capital +furnished by his wife, and who lives in a house purchased with +his wife's money. Graceful return for her devotion, wasn't it? I +suppose he prefers to keep her in her present state of serfdom, +as, if she should ever<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_591" id="Page_591">[Pg 591]</a></span> find out that she was of any importance +in the world, except as his housekeeper, cook, washerwoman, and +waiter-in-general, she might possibly inquire into the +stewardship of her lord and master. And it seemed to me if that +ever came to pass, a man who could say "no" so cavalierly, +without even a "thank you, ma'am," or, "you're quite welcome," +both could and would manage to make surroundings rather +disagreeable to the party of the second part. So far no person +who has thought much, read much, or suffered much, has refused to +sign, and in the few hours which I have devoted to the work, +three grandmothers nearly ninety years of age, wished to have +their names recorded on the right side of the question, and in +two of those instances the grandmother, daughter, and grandfather +affixed their signatures, one after another.<a name="FNanchor_376_376" id="FNanchor_376_376"></a><a href="#Footnote_376_376" class="fnanchor">[376]</a> </p></blockquote> + +<p>We have been permitted to copy the following private letter from +A.J. Grover to Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who is now at her home +in Tenafly, N. J., busily at work with Miss Anthony and Mrs. Gage +on the second volume of the "History of Woman Suffrage." The first +volume should be on the center-table of every family in the land as +a complete text-book on the woman suffrage question, which is to be +one of the great issues, social and political, in the coming years. +These three women have grown old and won their crowns of white hair +in the cause of not only their sex, but of mankind:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Chicago</span>, November 29, 1881.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Friend</span>: You represent a movement of more importance to +mankind than any that ever before claimed attention in the whole +history of the race, viz.: the freedom of one-half of it. You +have enforced this claim by half a century of heroic +discussion—of persistent, unanswerable logic and appeal against +the theory and practice of all nations, against all governments, +codes and creeds. You proclaimed fifty years ago the novel +doctrine that woman by nature is, and by law and usage should be, +the absolute equal of man. A claim so self-evident should only +have to be stated to be recognized by all civilized nations; and +yet to this hour the highest civilization, equally with the +lowest, is built on the slavery of woman. In the darkest corners +of the earth and on the sunlit heights of civilization, the +mothers of the race are by law, religion and custom doomed to +degradation. And if the seal of their bondage is never to be +broken, they themselves as well as the lords and masters they +serve, are equally unconscious of the servitude. No religion, no +civil government, has ever taught or recognized any other +condition for woman than that of subjection. Against the +accumulated precedents of all the ages, you and your noble +coädjutors have rebelled in the face of derision for fifty long, +weary years. Was ever such sublime womanly heroism and +self-sacrifice before known? Was ever such worth of culture, such +wealth of womanhood, laid on the altar of country and humanity? +And all this comparatively unrecognized and unrewarded. Where is +the boasted chivalry of the English-speaking nations? It is a +virtue we boast of, but do not possess. It never, in fact, had +any real existence based on genuine respect for woman. It is a +bitter sarcasm in the mouth of an American male citizen. A few +men like Theodore Parker, Joshua R. Giddings, William Lloyd +Garrison, Wendell Phillips, Gerrit Smith, Samuel J. May and +Parker Pillsbury have measurably redeemed this nation, +recognizing your claim for woman as self-evidently just and +righteous, and coöperating with you in maintaining it. There are +only a score or two of such men in a generation with sufficient +chivalry or perception of justice to publicly claim for women the +rights they themselves possess.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_592" id="Page_592">[Pg 592]</a></span></p> + +<p>Science has demonstrated that men to be manly must be well born, +must have noble mothers. How can a mother give birth to a noble +soul while herself a slave? How can she impart a free spirit when +her own is servile? A stream cannot rise higher than its +fountain.</p> + +<p>We have thought to bring about a high order of civilization by +freeing our sons, while chaining our daughters, by sending sons +to college and daughters to menial service for a mere pittance as +wages, or selling them in marriage to the highest bidder—by +robbing them on the very threshold of life of all noble ambition. +By the degradation of our women we take from the inherited +qualities of the race as much as is added by culture. We take +from the metal before casting as much as we restore by polish +afterwards, and thus we curse and stultify both sexes.</p> + +<p>The law and religion of man can be no better than man himself. If +religion, law, justice and social order are to improve, man must +first be improved. Religion and law are effects, not causes. They +are fruits, not the tree—the products of the human mind. If +these are to be improved, mankind must first be improved. This +will be impossible until freedom and culture shall become the +inalienable rights of woman. It would be a thousand times better, +if either must be a slave to the other, that man should be a +slave to woman. The History of Woman Suffrage, on which you are +engaged, if the second volume shall prove equal to the first, +will be the richest legacy this age will bequeath to the future. +It is a revelation from God, in which, if men believe, they shall +be saved. Religion itself, without this great salvation, will +continue to remain little else than "a wretched record of +inspired crime" against woman. Woman must be free! Protection as +an underling from man, savage or civilized, she in reality never +had and never will have. Protection she does not want. What she +needs is equal rights, when she can protect herself—rights of +person, rights of labor, rights of property, rights of culture, +rights of leisure, rights to participate in the making and +administering of the laws. Give her equality in exchange for +protection; give her her earnings in exchange for support; give +her justice in exchange for charity. Let man trust woman as woman +trusts man, with entire liberty of action, and she will show the +world that liberty is her highest good.</p> + +<p>In conclusion, let me confess that I read your first volume with +a feeling of inexpressible shame and mortification for my sex.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">A.J. Grover</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Yours faithfully,</p> +</blockquote> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 386px;"> +<a name="v3_592" id="v3_592"> +<img src="images/v3_592.jpg" width="386" height="500" alt="Elizabeth Boynton Harbert" title="" /></a> +</div> +</blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Boynton Harbert, to whom we are indebted for this chapter, has +from girlhood been an enthusiastic advocate of the rights of women. +Growing up in Crawfordsville, Indiana, under the very shadow of a +collegiate institution into which girls were not permitted to +enter, she early learned the humiliation of sex. After vain +attempts to slip the bolts riveted with precedent and prejudice +that barred the daughters of the State outside, she tried with pen +and voice to rouse those whose stronger hands could open wide the +doors to the justice of her appeals. Her youthful peäns to liberty +in prose and verse early found their way into our Eastern journals, +and later in arguments before conventions and legislative +assemblies in Illinois, Iowa and other Western States. As editor +for seven years of the "Woman's Kingdom" in the Chicago +<i>Inter-Ocean</i>—one of the most popular journals in the nation—she +has exerted a widespread influence over the lives of women, +bringing new hope and ambition<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_593" id="Page_593">[Pg 593]</a></span> into many prairie homes. As +editor-in-chief of the <i>New Era</i>, in which she is free to utter her +deepest convictions; as wife and mother, with life's multiplied +experiences, a wider outlook now opens before her, with added +wisdom for the responsibilities involved in public life. In all her +endeavors she has been nobly sustained by her husband, Mr. William +Harbert, a successful lawyer, many years in practice in Chicago, +whose clear judgment and generous sympathies have made his services +invaluable in the reform movements of the day.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<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> Judge and Mrs. Catharine V. Waite, Mrs. Hannah M. +Tracy Cutler, Amelia Bloomer, Dr. Ellen B. Ferguson, Mrs. E. O. G. +Willard, the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Harrison of Earlville; Professor and +Mrs. D. L. Brooks, Mrs. M. E. De Geer, Mrs. Frances D. Gage.</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> Mrs. Sunderland was one of the many New England +girls who in the early days went West to teach. Speaking of the +large number of women elected to the office of county +superintendent (one of them her own daughter), she told me that +thirty years ago when she arrived at the settlement where she had +been engaged as teacher, the trustees being unable to make the +"examination" deputed one of their number to take her to an +adjoining county, where another New England girl was teaching. The +excursion was made in a lumber wagon with an ox-team. All the +ordinary questions asked and promptly answered, the trustee rather +hesitatingly said, "Now, while you're about it, wouldn't you just +as lief write out the certificate?" This was readily done, and the +man affixing his cross thereto, triumphantly carried the applicant +back to his district, announcing her duly qualified to teach; and +that trio of unlettered men installed the cultivated New England +girl in their log school-house, probably without the thought +entering the heads of trustees or teacher, that woman, when better +educated, should hold the superior position.—[S. B. A.</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> Dr. Mary Safford, Mrs. A. M. Freeman, Hon. and Mrs. +Sharon Tyndale, Hon. E. Haines, Fernando Jones, Jane Graham Jones, +Professor Bailey, Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Prince, Mr. and Mrs. R. M. +Fell, Mrs. Belle S. Candee, General J. M. Thompson, Mrs. Professor +Noyes of Evanston, Charles B. Waite, Catharine V. Waite, Susan +Bronson, E. S. Williams, Kate N. Doggett, C. B. Farwell, L. Z. +Leiter, J. L. Pickard, Henry M. Smith, Frank Gilbert, Ann Telford, +Mrs. L. C. Levanway, Myra Bradwell, Mary E. Haven, Mrs. A. L. +Taylor, Elizabeth Eggleston, P. D. Livermore, James B. Bradwell, +Joseph Haven, J. H. Bayliss, D. Blakely, R. E. Hoyt, C. D. Helmer, +Alfred L. Sewell, George D. Willigton, H. Allen, R. N. Foster, W. +W. Smith, M. B. Smith, Amos G. Throop, Robert Collyer, L. I. +Colburn, G. Percy English, Arthur Edwards, A. Reed and Sons, S. M. +Booth, Sumner Ellis, George B. Marsh, Sarah Marsh, Ruth Graham, +John Nutt, J. W. Butler, Mrs. J. Butler, Mrs. S. A. Richards, Mrs. +S. W. Roe, F. W. Hall, Mrs. Fanny Blake, Mary S. Waite, J. F. +Temple, A. W. Kellogg, W. H. Thomson, J. W. Loomis, James E. +Curtis, Elizabeth Johnston, E. F. Hurlbut, E. E. Pratt, Mrs. E. M. +Warren, William Doggett, Edward Beecher, James P. Weston, E. R. +Allen, J. E. Forrester, Mrs. J. F. Temple, Mrs. F. W. Adams, L. +Walker, Mary A. Whitaker, Elvira W. Ruggles, W. W. Corbett, H. B. +Norton, W. H. Davis, I. S. Dennis, G. T. Flanders, Mrs. H. B. +Manford, Edward Eggleston, Sarah G. Cleveland, G. G. Lyon, E. +Manford, William D. Babbitt, Elizabeth Holt Babbitt, I. S. Page, W. +O. Carpenter, Mrs. W. O. Carpenter, Mrs. H. W. Cobb, T. D. Fitch, +Harriet Fitch, Mary A. Livermore, T. W. Eddy, A. G. Brackett, +Andrew Shuman, John A. Jameson, John V. Farwell, B. W. Raymond, E. +G. Taylor, Mems Root and lady, Rev. John McLean, Mrs. Owen Lovejoy, +Mrs. Noyes Kendall.</p></div> + +<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 officers were: <i>President</i>, Mrs. M. Livermore; +<i>Vice-Presidents</i>, the Rev. Dr. Goodspeed, Mrs. Helen M. Beveridge, +Judge Bradwell, the Rev. Edward Beecher, the Rev. D. Eggleston, +Miss Eliza Bowman, the Rev. Dr. Fowler, Mrs. Elizabeth Loomis, Mrs. +M. Hawley, Mrs. M. Wheeler, Mrs. Myra Bradwell; <i>Secretaries</i>, Mrs. +Jeanne Fowler Willing, of Rockford, Mrs. Elizabeth Babbitt, and +George Graham, Esq.; <i>Committee on Finance</i>, Judge Bradwell, +General Beveridge and the Hon. S. M. Booth. The speakers were Anna +Dickinson, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Rev. Robert +Collyer, Rev. Mr. Hammond, Rev. Robert Laird Collier, Kate N. +Doggett, and many of the officers of the convention.</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> For this speech see <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_348">Vol. II., page 348</a>.</p></div> + +<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 officers of the convention were: <i>President</i>, +Mary A. Livermore; <i>Vice-Presidents</i>, the Rev. Robert Collyer, +Professor Haven; <i>Recording Secretary</i>, Jeanne Willing, of +Rockford; <i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, Myra Bradwell; <i>Executive +Committee</i>, Professor Haven, chairman; the Rev. Dr. Edward Beecher, +Elizabeth J. Loomis, Hannah B. Manford, the Rev. E. Eggleston, the +Rev. C. H. Fowler the Rev. E. J. Goodspeed, Rebecca Mott, Charlotte +L. Levanway.</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 committee to visit Springfield were Hon. James +B. Bradwell, Mrs. Myra Bradwell, Mrs. Kate N. Doggett, the Rev. E. +Goodspeed, the Hon. C. B. Waite, and Mrs. Rebecca Mott.</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> <i>Indiana</i>—Elizabeth Boynton Harbert, Dr. Mary +Wilhite, Emma Mallory, and Amanda Way; <i>Missouri</i>—Rebecca N. +Hazzard; <i>Wisconsin</i>—Lelia Peckham; <i>Iowa</i>—Mary Newbury Adams, +Matilda Fletcher; <i>Minnesota</i>—Mrs. Bishop; <i>Kansas</i>—Mrs. Henry; +<i>Ohio</i>—Margaret V. Longley; <i>Michigan</i>—Professor Stone; +<i>Massachusetts</i>—Henry B. Blackwell, and Lucy Stone; <i>New +York</i>—Susan B. Anthony, most of whom took part in the +discussions.</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> Letters were also received from Paulina Wright +Davis, Frederick Douglass, Hon. Sharon Tyndale, Rev. D. H. N. +Powers, Mrs. Arabella Mansfield, Rev. Willis Lord.</p></div> + +<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 speakers were Mrs. Livermore, Mrs. Stone, Hon. +Sharon Tyndale, Hon. E. Haines, and Judge Bradwell.</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> One thousand three hundred and eighty women of +Peoria also prayed that the constitution might not be so amended as +to enfranchise women; another evidence of the demoralizing +influence of any form of slavery upon the human mind. Had not these +women been lacking in a proper self-respect they would not have +protested against the right to govern themselves.—[E. C. S.</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> Our limited space prevents the publication of Judge +Waite's argument and Judge Jameson's decision.</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> Jane Graham Jones and Elizabeth Loomis represented +the Cook County Association. Delegates from several other districts +were present. The speakers were A. J. Grover, Mrs. Jane Graham +Jones, Miss Anthony, Mrs. Adelle Hazlett of Michigan, Dr. Ellen B. +Furguson of Indiana, Mr. and Mrs. Fell, Mr. and Mrs. Prince.</p></div> + +<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> For Mrs. Bradwell's case <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_601">see Vol. II., page 601</a>.</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> Those who have traveled and lectured through the +West and spent many rainy Sundays in dreary hotels, know how to +appreciate a few days rest in the delightful homes scattered over +the country as well as in the towns and cities. How many of these +memory recalls in the State of Illinois! What a hospitable +reception we had in the cozy farm-house of Mrs. Owen Lovejoy at +Princeton, and in the stately residence of Mrs. Noyes Kendall at La +Moile, in the home of Judge Lawrence at Galesburg, Mrs. Judge +Joslyn at Woodstock, Mrs. R.M. Patrick, Marengo; Mrs. A.W. Brayton, +Mt. Morris; Mrs. Eldridge Norwood, Olney; Rev. Dr. Moffatt, +Monticello; Col. E.B. Loop, Belvidere; Mrs. Judge Greer, Decatur; +Mr. and Mrs. Prince, Bloomington; Col. and Mrs. Latham, Lincoln, +and others too numerous to mention in all the Western +States.—[S.B.A.</p></div> + +<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> At her beautiful home, 910 Prairie avenue, her +social influence was even more than her public work. An unfriendly +report in any journal was uniformly followed by an invitation to +dinner to the editor or some one of his staff, to meet the lady +criticised, or discuss the point of attack. Miss Emily Faithful, +Mrs. Stanton, Miss Anthony and Miss Couzins have all in turn shared +these dinners and discussions. If the Methodist Episcopal +conference sent an opponent to preach in their church, and a little +social attention did not convert him, two persons left the church. +Neither Mrs. Jones nor her husband would listen to the Rev. Dr. +Hatfield, for Fernando Jones was always as staunch an advocate of +the suffrage for women as his wife, and had no faith in a religion +that did not teach human equality.—[S. B. A.</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> "<i>Ducit Amor Patriæ</i>"; "1876."—Centennial +Commemoration, Evanston, Ill. Music, prayer, music; recitation, +Miss M. E. Brown; music, "Battle Hymn"; salutatory, "Woman and +Philanthropy," Mrs. Elizabeth Boynton Harbert; "Historical Record +of the Educational Work of Our Women," Mrs. Mary Bannister Willard; +music, "Whittier's Hymn; recitation, Miss M. E. Brown; Missionary +Roll of Honor, Miss Jessie Brown; oration, Rev. F. L. Chapell; +benediction.</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> Mary F. Haskin, Melinda Hamline, Caroline Bishop, +Elizabeth M. Greenleaf, Harriet S. Kidder, Mary T. Willard, Mary I. +K. Huse, Cornelia Lunt, Harriet N. Noyes, Maria Cook, Margaret P. +Evans, Sarah I. Hurd, Annie H. Thornton, Abby L. Brown, and +Virginia S. Kent.</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> Prominent among these journalists were Margaret +Buchanan Sullivan and Mrs. Annie Kerr of the Chicago <i>Times</i>, Mrs. +Hubbard of the <i>Tribune</i>, Miss Farrand of the <i>Advance</i>, Virginia +Fitzgerald and Alice Hobbins of the <i>Inter-Ocean</i>, Mrs. Myra +Bradwell, editor of the <i>Legal News</i>, Mrs. Catharine V. Waite and +Mrs. DeGeer of the <i>Crusader</i>, Mrs. Louisa White of the Moline +<i>Dispatch</i>, Mrs. C. B. Bostwick of the Mattoon <i>Gazette</i>, Mrs. J. +Oberly of the Cairo <i>Bulletin</i>, Miss Mary West of the Galesburg +<i>Republican</i>, Mrs. Celia Wooley, Miss Eliza Bowman, Mrs. Clara Lyon +Peters of the Watseka <i>Times</i>, Jane Grey Swisshelm, Elizabeth Holt +Babbitt, and many others.</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 officers of the Illinois Social Science +Association were: <i>President</i>, Mrs. Elizabeth Boynton Harbert, +Evanston; <i>Recording Secretary</i>, Miss Sarah A. Richards, Chicago; +<i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, Mrs. W. E. Clifford, Evanston; +<i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. H. H. Candee, Cairo; <i>Directors</i>, Mrs. Helen M. +Beveredge, Evanston; Mrs. Frank Denman, Quincy; Mrs. C. A. Beck, +Centralia; Mrs. R. McLoughrey, Joliet; Mrs. W. O. Carpenter, +Chicago; Miss M. Fredricka Perry, Chicago; <i>Vice-Presidents</i>, First +Congressional District, Mrs. Eliza R. Sunderland, Chicago; Second, +Mrs. W. D. Babbitt, Chicago; Third, Mrs. Chas. E. Brown. Evanston; +Fourth, Mrs. Carrie A. Potter, Rockford; Fifth, Mrs. F. A. W. +Shimer, Mt. Carroll; Sixth, Mrs. Sarah C. McIntosh, Joliet; +Thirteenth, Mrs. B. M. Prince, Bloomington; Fourteenth, Mrs. C. B. +Bostwick, Mattoon; Sixteenth, Mrs. J. W. Seymour, Centralia; +Nineteenth, Mrs. J. H. Oberly, Cairo.</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> <i>President</i>, Mrs. Fernando Jones; <i>Vice-Presidents</i>, +Mrs. Robert Collyer, Mrs. Richard Somers, Rev. C. D. Helmer; +<i>Corresponding-Secretary</i>, Mrs. C. B. Waite; <i>Recording-Secretary</i>, +Mrs. S. H. Pierce; <i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. J. W. Loomis; <i>Executive +Committee</i>, Mrs. Rebecca Mott, Mrs. H. W. Fuller, Mrs. Dr. C. D. R. +Levanway, Fernando Jones, Miss Thayer, Rev. J. M. Reid, Mrs. Jno. +Jones, Mrs. Wm. Coker, Dr. S. C. Blake.</p></div> + +<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 officers of the Illinois State Association are +now, 1885; <i>President</i>, Mrs. Elizabeth Boynton Harbert, Evanston; +<i>Vice-President-at-large</i>, Mrs. M. E. Holmes, Galva; <i>Secretary</i>, +Rev. Florence Kollock, Englewood; <i>Treasurer</i>, Dr. L. C. Bedell, +354 N. La Salle street, Chicago; <i>Executive Committee</i>, Hon. M. B. +Castle, Sandwich: Mrs. E. J. Loomis, 2,939 Wabash avenue, Chicago; +Mrs. Clara L. Peters, Watseka; Mrs. L. R. Wardner, Anna; Mrs. Julia +Mills Dunn, Moline; Mrs. Helen E. Starrett, Lake Side Building, +Chicago; Capt. W. S. Harbert, Evanston; Rev. C. C. Harrah, Galva.</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> From time to time we have had for president, Mrs. +Eunice G. Sayles, Mrs. Anna M. J. Dow, Mrs. Flora N. Candee, Mrs. +Julia Mills Dunn, Mrs. Nettie H. Wheelock; for secretaries, Mrs. C. +W. Heald, Mrs. Lucy Anderson, Mrs. Kate Anderson; among those who +have been active members of the society from its formation are, +Harriet B. G. Lester, Ida Peyton, L. F. M'Clennan, Catharine H. +Calkins, Dr. Jane H. Miller, Margaret Osborne, Harriet M. Gillette, +Laoti Gates, Mary F. Barnes, Mary Wright, M. M. Hubbard, Emma +Jones, Mary A. Stewart, Kate S. Holt, Mary A. Stephens, Abbie A. +Gould, Mrs. M'Cord, Lydia Wheelock, Mrs. E. P. Reynolds, J. A. +Tallman, Ann Eliza Reator, Dr. S. E. Bailey, Dr. E. A. Taylor, Lucy +Ainsworth, Jerome B. Wheelock, M. A. Young, Mary Knowles, M. E. +Abbot, Lois Forward, Mrs. Young.</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> Mrs. Clara Lyon Peters of Watseka, furnished the +largest petition ever sent from Illinois; W. B. Wright of +Greenview, Mrs. S. Eliza Lyon of Toulon, Mrs. Hannah J. Coffee of +Orion, Mrs. Eva Edwards of Plymouth, Mrs. C. E. Larned of +Champaign, Mrs. Barbara M. Prince of Bloomington, Mrs. F. B. Rowe +of Freedom, Mrs. Jane Barnett, Mrs. E. H. Blacfan, and Mrs. E. T. +Lippincott of Orion, Mrs. Julia Dunn of Moline, Mrs. Clara P. +Bourland of Peoria, Sybilla Leek Browne of Odell, Mrs. Jacob +Martin, Cairo, Mary E. Higbee, Kirkland Grove, Mary Thompson, +LaSalle, Emily Z. Hall of Savoy, Elizabeth J. Loomis of Chicago, +have all done worthy work in circulating petitions, both to +congress and the State legislature.</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> Mrs. Archibald is the daughter of Betsey Hawks, of +Genesee county, N. Y. I well remember the brave-hearted mother in +the early days of the movement, when in 1852 I made my first +stammering speech in the town-hall at Batavia. She arranged the +meeting, and entertained the speakers, and was indeed "the cause" +in that conservative village.—[S. B. A.</p></div> + +<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> When at Durand, near Davis, in 1877, Mrs. Davis and +her husband drove over, and at the close of my lecture, she gave me +her maiden name and said, "Do you not remember me? I sat by your +side and fairly pushed you up in that teachers' convention at +Rochester, in 1853, when you made that first speech you told about; +and I have been most earnestly hoping and working for the +enfranchisement of women ever since."—[S.B.A.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_594" id="Page_594">[Pg 594]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLIV" id="CHAPTER_XLIV"></a>CHAPTER XLIV.</h2> + +<h3>MISSOURI.</h3> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>Missouri the First State to Open Colleges of Law and Medicine to +Woman—Liberal Legislation—Eight Causes for Divorce—Harriet +Hosmer—Wayman Crow—Works of Art—Women in the War—Adeline +Couzins—Virginia L. Minor—Petitions—Woman Suffrage +Association, May 8, 1867—First Woman Suffrage Convention, Oct. +6, 1869—Able Resolutions by Francis Minor—Action Asked for in +the Methodist Church—Constitutional Convention—Mrs. Hazard's +Report—National Suffrage Association, 1879—Virginia L. Minor +Before the Committee on Constitutional Amendments—Mrs. Minor +Tries to Vote—Her Case in the Supreme Court—Miss Phœbe +Couzins Graduated from the Law School, 1871—Reception by Members +of the Bar—Speeches—Dr. Walker—Judge Krum—Hon. Albert +Todd—Ex-Governor E. O. Stanard—Ex-Senator Henderson—Judge +Reber—George M. Stewart—Mrs. Minor—Miss Couzins—Mrs. Annie R. +Irvine—"Oregon Woman's Union." </p> +</div> + + +<p><span class="sc">It</span> has often been a subject for speculation why it was that a slave +State like Missouri should have been the first to open her medical +and law schools to women, and why the suffrage movement from the +beginning should there have enlisted so large a number of men<a name="FNanchor_377_377" id="FNanchor_377_377"></a><a href="#Footnote_377_377" class="fnanchor">[377]</a> +and women of wealth and position, who promptly took an active +interest in the inauguration of the work. A little research into +history shows that there must have been some liberal statesmen, +some men endowed with wisdom and a sense of justice, who influenced +the early legislation in Missouri.</p> + +<p>By the constitution, imprisonment for debt is forbidden, except for +fines and penalties imposed for violation of law. A homestead not +exceeding $3,000 in value in cities of 40,000 inhabitants or more, +and not exceeding $1,500 in smaller cities and in the country, is +exempt from levy on execution. The real estate of a married woman +is not liable for the debts of her husband. There<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_595" id="Page_595">[Pg 595]</a></span> are eight causes +for divorce, so many doors of escape for unfortunate wives from the +bondage of a joyless union.</p> + +<p>The memory of the unjust treatment of Miss Hosmer will always be a +reproach to Massachusetts. That she enjoyed the privileges of +education in Missouri denied her in Massachusetts was due in no +small measure to the generosity and public spirit of Wayman Crow. +Speaking of the gifted sculptor, a correspondent says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Harriet Hosmer was born in 1830. She studied sculpture in the +studio of Mr. Stephenson, in Boston, and also with her father. In +1830, after being denied admission to anatomical lectures in +Harvard and many other colleges at the East, she went to St. +Louis, where, through the spirited determination of Wayman Crow, +a most liberal benefactor of Washington University, she was +admitted to the Missouri Medical College through the kindness and +courtesy of Dr. Joseph N. McDowell, its founder and head. Here +for a whole winter she pursued her studies under the instruction +of Dr. McDowell and Dr. Louis T. Pim, the able demonstrator of +anatomy of the college, who gave her the benefit of their +constant and unremitting aid; also Dr. B. Gratz Moses and Dr. J. +B. Johnson were particularly kind in inviting her to be present +when important cases were before them. The names of these men are +gratefully mentioned, now that the doors of hundreds of colleges +have opened to women. While in St. Louis Miss Hosmer had a +constant companion and friend in Miss Jane Peck, a lady well +known in society circles, and together they daily attended at the +college; indeed, Miss Peck informed the writer, that on no +occasion did Miss Hosmer go to the college without her. So +quietly was this done, it was not until the month of February +that the students became aware of their attending, and when +informed of it the entire class, numbering about one hundred and +thirty, gave them a most cordial and hearty endorsement, and from +that time on until the day of graduation they were treated by the +young gentlemen with marked attention. The students were not +aware of their attending in the earlier part of the course, +because it had been the custom for the ladies to attend in the +amphitheater after the class had left to go to the various +hospitals. On one occasion while on their way to the college, a +number of the students being behind them, they heard the +gentlemen say to some men they met, "These ladies are under our +charge, and if you offer them an insult we will shoot you down." +They did not hear the language of the men, only the reply of the +students. At the close of the session the students gave a ball +and not only were Miss Hosmer and Miss Peck invited, but a +carriage was specially sent to take them to it. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In March, 1869, Mrs. Stanton and Miss Anthony again visited St. +Louis. In a letter to <i>The Revolution</i> the former said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We went to the Mercantile Library to see Miss Hosmer's works of +art, and there read the following letter to Wayman Crow, who had +been a generous friend to her through all those early days of +trial and disappointment.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_596" id="Page_596">[Pg 596]</a></span> One of the best of her productions is +an admirable bust of her noble benefactor:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Boston</span>, October 18, 1857.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Mr. Crow</span>: Will you allow me to convey through you to +the Mercantile Library Association "The Beatrice Cenci." +This statue is in execution of a commission I received three +years ago from a friend who requested me not only to make a +piece of statuary for that institution, but to present it in +my own name. I have finished the work, but cannot offer it +as my own gift—but of one who, with a most liberal hand, +has largely ministered to the growth of the arts and +sciences in your beautiful city. For your sake, and for +mine, I would have made a better statue if I could. The will +was not wanting, but the power—but such as it is, I rejoice +sincerely that it is destined for St. Louis, a city I love, +not only because it was there I first began my studies, but +because of the many generous and indulgent friends who dwell +therein—of whom I number you most generous and indulgent of +all, whose increasing kindness I can only repay by striving +to become more and more worthy of all your friendship and +confidence, and so I am ever affectionately and gratefully +yours,</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"><span class="smcap">H.G. Hosmer</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-to"><i>Wayman Crow, Esq.</i></p> +</blockquote> +</blockquote> + +<p>The very active part that the women of Missouri had taken in the +civil war, in the hospitals and sanitary department, had aroused +their enthusiasm in the preservation of the Union and their sense +of responsibility in national affairs. The great mass-meetings of +the Loyal Women's Leagues, too, did an immense educational work in +broadening their sympathies and the horizon of their sphere of +action. So wholly absorbed had they been in the intense excitement +of that period, that when peace came their hands and hearts, +unoccupied, naturally turned to new fields of achievement. While in +some States it was the temperance question, in St. Louis it was +specifically woman suffrage.</p> + +<p>We are indebted for the main facts of this chapter to Mr. Francis +Minor, Mrs. Rebecca N. Hazard, Miss Couzins and Miss Arathusa +Forbes, who have kindly sent us what information they had or could +hastily glean from the journals of the time or the imperfect +records of the association.</p> + +<blockquote><p>The labors of Mrs. Minor and Mrs. Couzins were exceptionally +protracted and severe. The latter offered her services as nurse +at the very opening of the war. The letters received from men in +authority show how highly their services were appreciated. Dr. +Pope who writes the following, was the leading surgeon in St. +Louis:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">St. Louis</span>, April 26, 1861.</p> + +<p>Mrs. <span class="smcap">J. E. D. Couzins</span>—<i>Dear Madam</i>: Your note in which, in case +of collision here, you generously offer your services in the +capacity of nurse, is just received. Should so dire a calamity +befall us (which God forbid), I shall, in case of need, most +assuredly remember your noble offer. With high regard and sincere +thanks, I am,</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Chas. A. Pope</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Yours very truly,</p> + + +<p class="ltr-break ltr-date"> +<span class="smcap">Headquarters 2d Brig., Mo. Vol., St. Louis, Mo.</span>, Aug. 23, 1861. +</p> + +<p>Mrs. <span class="smcap">J. E. D. Couzins</span>, <i>present—Madam</i>: I received your kind +letter, dated Aug. 17. Accept my heartfelt thanks for your +generous offer. I regard the nursing of our wounded soldiers by +the tender hands of patriotic ladies as a most effectual means<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_597" id="Page_597">[Pg 597]</a></span> +of easing their condition and encouraging them to new efforts in +defense of our glorious cause. You will please confer with Mrs. +von Wackerbarth, corner Seventh and Elm streets, in regard to the +steps to be taken in this matter.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">F. Sigel</span>, <i>Brig.-Gen. Com.</i></p> +<p class="ltr-left">Your obedient servant,</p> + + +<p class="ltr-break ltr-date"> +<span class="smcap">Headquarters Department of the Missouri</span>, February 18th, 1862. +</p> + +<p>The commanding officers at Cairo, Paducah, or vicinity, are +hereby requested to grant any facilities consistent with the +public interests that may be desired by the bearers of this note. +They are Mrs. Couzins and Crawshaw, of the Ladies' Union Aid +Society, who wish to administer relief to our sick and wounded. +By order of</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2">Maj.-Gen'l <span class="smcap">Halleck</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-to"><span class="smcap">J. T. Price</span>, <i>A. D. C.</i></p> + + +<p class="ltr-break ltr-date"> +<span class="smcap">Rooms Western Sanitary Commission, St. Louis</span>, Oct, 6th, 1862. +</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Mrs. Couzins</span>: The surgeon-general has notified me that he +may want me to send nurses and surgeons to Columbus and Corinth. +I look to you, my dear madam, as one ever ready to volunteer when +you can be of real service. In case it should become necessary, +may I rely on your valuable services? Such other names as you may +suggest I would be pleased to have.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Jas. E. Yeatman</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Very respectfully,</p> + + +<p class="ltr-break ltr-date"> +<span class="smcap">Office of Western Sanitary Commission</span>, }<br /> +<span class="smcap">Saint Louis, Mo.</span>, Oct. 8th, 1862. } +</p> + +<p>Mrs. Couzins has been detailed to service in the hospital steamer +T.L. McGill, as volunteer nurse.</p> + +<p>N.B.—If the place of service is changed, a new certificate will +be issued.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"> +<span class="smcap">James E. Yeatman</span>, President of Sanitary Commission. +</p> + + +<p class="ltr-break ltr-date"> +<span class="smcap">Corinth</span>, Oct. 13, 1862. +</p> + +<p>Pass Mrs. Couzins from Corinth to Columbus.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"> +<span class="smcap">W. S. Rosecranz</span>, <i>Maj.-Gen'l U. S. A.</i> +</p> + + +<p class="ltr-break ltr-date"> +<span class="smcap">Headquarters Dep't of the Tennessee</span>, }<br /> +<span class="smcap">Before Vicksburg</span>, Feb'y 21st, 1863. } +</p> + +<p>The quartermaster in charge of transportation at Memphis, Tenn., +will furnish transportation on any chartered steamer plying +between Memphis, Tenn., and St. Louis, to Mrs. Couzins and five +other ladies, members of the Western Sanitary Commission, and who +have been with this fleet distributing sanitary goods for the +benefit of sick soldiers.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"> +<span class="smcap">U.S. Grant</span>, <i>Maj.-Gen. Com</i>.</p> +<p class="ltr-to"> +Capt. <span class="smcap">J. B. Lewis</span>, +<i>A. Q. M. and Master of Transportation</i>, Memphis, Tenn.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>While Mrs. Couzins thus gave herself to mitigating the sufferings +of the "boys in blue," in camp and hospital, Mrs. Minor was no less +active and energetic in the equally important department of +preserving supplies for the sanitary commission. Although Mrs. +Minor resided too far from the city to attend the evening meetings, +and her name does not appear in the accounts of such gatherings, +she was one of the first members of the Ladies' Union Aid Society +of St. Louis, and took part in the meeting of loyal women called +and presided over by Gen. Curtis. Having an orchard and dairy on +her place, she furnished the hospital with milk and fruit, and for +more than two years, sent a supply every day to the soldiers in +camp at Benton barracks. When the news came that the army around +Vicksburg was suffering with scurvy, she took her carriage and +drove through the country soliciting fruit, and in one week she +canned with her own hands, a wagon-load of cherries, the sanitary +commission finding the cans and sugar, and from time to time she +continued the work until the end of the war. When the great fair +was held under the auspices of the Western Sanitary Commission, she +was a member of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_598" id="Page_598">[Pg 598]</a></span> the floral department, and worked with her +accustomed energy. The sanitary commission, feeling that she had +done so much, wrote her a letter of thanks, and enclosed her a +check for a liberal amount; but she returned the check, saying that +hers was a work of love, and not for money. Although the official +letter of the commission thanking Mrs. Minor for her most valuable +services, is lost, the following to Mr. Minor may fairly be +considered as including her also:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"> +<span class="smcap">Rooms Western Sanitary Commission</span>, St. Louis, Oct. 7, 1863. +</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Francis Minor</span>, Esq.—<i>My Dear Sir</i>: I am directed by our board to +return you their thanks in behalf of the soldiers in the +hospitals, for your long-continued remembrance of them, and for +the daily supply of fresh fruits, vegetables and milk, which you +have furnished for the sick, now more than two years. Your garner +and sympathy have been like the widow's cruse, and may they ever +continue to be so. What you have done has been in the most quiet +and unobtrusive way. The sick soldier has had no more constant, +uniform and untiring friend, and it is with pleasure that I +convey the thanks of the board, both to yourself and wife, who +have been as indefatigable at home in preparing canned fruits and +other delicacies for the sick soldiers in the field, as you have +been in providing for those in the hospitals. With grateful +feelings and many thanks and best wishes, I remain,</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF60"> +<span class="smcap">James E. Yeatman</span>,<br /> +<i>President Western Sanitary Commission</i>. +</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Very respectfully yours,</p> +</blockquote> + +<p class="ltr-clear">The submission of a constitutional amendment in Kansas, and the +preparations for a thorough canvass of that State, had its +influence in heightening the enthusiasm and increasing the +agitation in Missouri, as most of the speakers going to Kansas held +meetings at various points. Mrs. Stanton and Miss Anthony stopped +at St. Louis both going and returning, held large meetings in +Library Hall, and had a pleasant reception in the parlors of the +Southern Hotel, where many warm friendships that have lasted ever +since, were formed.</p> + +<p>The subject of woman's enfranchisement had doubtless often occurred +to the thoughtful men and women of Missouri, long before the +movement in its behalf assumed anything like a practical shape. The +manifest absurdity and injustice of declaring, as the constitution +of the State did, "that all political power is vested in, and +derived from the people; that all government of right originates +from the people, is founded upon their will only, and is instituted +solely for the good of the whole," and at the same time, denying to +one-half of the people any voice whatever in framing their +government or making their laws, could not fail to strike the +attention of any one who gave the subject the slightest +consideration. But no attempt was made towards an organization in +behalf of woman suffrage until the winter of 1866-7; and the +movement then had its origin from the following circumstance: +During the debate in the Senate of the United States, on the +district suffrage bill, December 12, 1866, Senator Brown, of +Missouri, in the course of his remarks said: <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_599" id="Page_599">[Pg 599]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>I have to say then, sir, here on the floor of the American +Senate, I stand for universal suffrage, and as a matter of +fundamental principle do not recognize the right of society to +limit it on any ground of race, color, or sex. I will go further, +and say that I recognize the right of franchise as being +intrinsically a natural right; and I do not believe that society +is authorized to impose any limitation upon it that does not +spring out of the necessities of the social state itself. </p></blockquote> + +<p>When Mrs. Francis Minor, of St. Louis, who had given the subject +much thought, read the report of Senator Brown's speech, she +considered that it was due to him from the women of the State that +he should receive a letter of thanks for his bold and out-spoken +utterances in their behalf. She accordingly wrote him such a +letter, obtaining to it all the signatures she could, and it was +presented to Senator Brown on his return home. But although first +an advocate of the measure, he soon recanted, and gave his +influence against it.</p> + +<p>It was next determined to petition the legislature of the State +then in session, January, 1867, to propose an amendment to the +constitution, striking out the word "male," in the article on +suffrage. Such a petition was presented, and attracted much +attention, as it was the first instance of the kind in the history +of the State. This move was followed by a formal organization of +the friends of the cause, and on May 8, 1867, the "Missouri Woman +Suffrage Association" was organized, and officers elected.<a name="FNanchor_378_378" id="FNanchor_378_378"></a><a href="#Footnote_378_378" class="fnanchor">[378]</a></p> + +<p>We find the following letter from Mr. Minor in <i>The Revolution</i> of +January 22, 1868:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Editors of The Revolution</i>: In order to show the steady progress +that the grand idea of equal rights is slowly but surely making +among the people of these United States, I think it would be +well, in the beginning, at least, to make a record in <i>The +Revolution</i> of the fact of each successive State organization; +and for that purpose I send you the list of officers for the +association in Missouri not yet a year old; as also their +petition to the legislature for a change in the organic law, and +a brief address to the voters of the State, in support of the +movement:</p> + + +<p><i>To the Voters of Missouri:</i></p> + +<p>The women of this State, having organized for the purpose of +agitating their claims to the ballot, it becomes every +intelligent and reflecting mind to consider the question fairly +and dispassionately. If it has merits, it will eventually +succeed; if not, it will fail. I am of the number of those who +believe that claim to be just and right, for the following, among +other reasons:</p> + +<p>Taxation and Representation should go hand in hand. This is the +very corner-stone of our government. Its founders declared, and +the declaration cannot be too often repeated, "We hold these +truths to be self-evident, 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. That to secure those rights, governments are +instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent +of the governed." The man who believes in that declaration, +cannot justly deny to women the right of suffrage. They are +citizens, they are tax-payers; they bear the burdens of +government—why should they be denied the rights of citizens? We +boast about liberty and equality before the law, when the truth +is, our government is controlled by one-half only of the +population. The others have no more voice in the making of their +laws, or the selection of their rulers, than the criminals who +are in our penitentiaries; nay, in one respect, their condition +is not as good as that of the felon, for he may be pardoned and +restored to a right which woman can never obtain. And this, not +because she has committed any crime, or violated any law, but +simply because she is, what God made her—a woman! Possessed of +the same intelligence—formed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_600" id="Page_600">[Pg 600]</a></span> in the same mold—having the same +attributes, parts and passions—held by her Maker to the same +measure of responsibility here and hereafter, her actual position +in society to-day is that of an inferior. No matter what her +qualifications may be, every avenue of success is virtually +closed against her. Even when she succeeds in obtaining +employment, she gets only half the pay that a man does for the +same work. But, it is said, woman's sphere is at home. Would +giving her the right to vote interfere with her home duties any +more than it does with a man's business? Again it is said, that +for her to vote would be unfeminine. Is it at all more indelicate +for a woman to go to the polls, than it is for her to go to the +court-house and pay her taxes? The truth is, woman occupies just +the position that man has placed her in, and it ill becomes him +to urge such objections. Give her a chance—give her the +opportunity of proving whether these objections are well founded +or not. Her influence for good is great, notwithstanding all the +disadvantages under which she at present labors; and my firm +belief is, that that influence would be greatly enhanced and +extended by the exercise of this new right. It would be felt at +the ballot-box and in the halls of legislation. Better men, as a +general rule, would be elected to office, and society in all its +ramifications, would feel and rejoice at the change.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">A Voter.</p> + + +<p><i>To the General Assembly of the State of Missouri: </i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Gentlemen</span>: The undersigned women of Missouri, believing that all +citizens who are taxed for the support of the government and +subject to its laws, should have a voice in the making of those +laws, and the selection of their rulers; that, as the possession +of the ballot ennobles and elevates the character of man, so, in +like manner, it would ennoble and elevate that of woman by giving +her a direct and personal interest in the affairs of government; +and further, believing that the spirit of the age, as well as +every consideration of justice and equity, requires that the +ballot should be extended to our sex, do unite in praying that an +amendment to the constitution may be proposed, striking out the +word "male" and extending to women the right of suffrage.</p> + +<p>And, as in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray.</p> + +<p>On behalf of the Missouri Woman Suffrage Association.</p> + +<p>[Signed:] <i>President</i>, Mrs. Francis Minor; <i>Vice-President</i>, Mrs. +Beverly Allen; <i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, Mrs. Wm. T. Hazard; +<i>Recording Secretary</i>, Mrs. Geo. D. Hall; <i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. N. +Stevens, St. Louis, Missouri.</p> + +<p>Copies of the petition, and information furnished upon addressing +either of above named officers. Formation of auxiliary +associations in every county requested. Petitions when completely +signed, to be returned to the head office.</p> + +<p>These papers will serve to show that the idea has taken root in +other States beyond the Mississippi besides Kansas; and may also +be somewhat of a guide to others, who may desire to accomplish +the same purpose elsewhere. A work of such magnitude requires, of +course, time for development; but the leaven is working. The +fountains of the great deep of public thought have been broken +up. The errors and prejudices of six thousand years are yielding +to the sunlight of truth. In spite of pulpits and politicians, +the great idea is making its way to the hearts of the people; and +woman may rejoice in believing that the dawn of her deliverance, +so long hoped for and prayed for, is at last approaching.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">F. M.</p> +<p class="ltr-to"><i>St. Louis</i>, January, 1868.</p> +</blockquote> +</blockquote> + +<p>The following from <i>The Revolution</i> shows that the women of St. +Louis were awake on the question of taxation:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The women here have endeavored to find out to what extent +taxation without representation, because of sex, obtains in this +city, and as the result of their inquiries they are enabled to +place on their records the following very suggestive document.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"> +<span class="smcap">Assessor's Office, St. Louis</span>, January 30, 1869. +</p> + +<p><i>To Mrs. Couzins and Emma Finkelnburg, Committee of the Ladies' +Suffrage Association:</i></p> + +<p>In reply to your request to report to your association the amount +of property listed in the city of St. Louis in the name of +ladies, permit me to state that the property in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_601" id="Page_601">[Pg 601]</a></span> question is +represented by over 2,000 tax-paying ladies, and assessed at the +value of $14,490,199.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF40"><span class="smcap">Robt. J. Rombauer</span>, <i>Assessor</i>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Yours very respectfully,</p> +</blockquote> + +<p class="ltr-clear">This exhibit has opened the eyes of a good many people. "Two +thousand on 'em," exclaimed a male friend of mine, "and over +fourteen millions of property! Whew! What business have these women +with so much money?" Well, they have it, and now they ask us, +"Shall 2,000 men, not worth a dollar, just because they wear +pantaloons go to the polls and vote taxes on us, while we are +excluded from the ballot-box for no other reason than sex?" What +<i>shall</i> we say to them? They ask us if the American Revolution did +not turn on this hinge, <i>No taxation without representation</i>. Who +can answer?</p> + +<p>The advocates of suffrage in St. Louis made their attacks at once +in both Church<a name="FNanchor_379_379" id="FNanchor_379_379"></a><a href="#Footnote_379_379" class="fnanchor">[379]</a> and State, and left no means of agitation +untried. There has never been an association in any State that +comprised so many able men and women who gave their best thoughts +to every phase of this question, and who did so grand a work, until +the unfortunate division in 1871, which seemed to chill the +enthusiasm of many friends of the movement.</p> + +<p>In the winter of 1869 the association sent a large delegation of +ladies to the legislature with a petition containing about 2,000 +signatures. A correspondent in <i>The Revolution</i>, February 6, 1869, +said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It will not be feminine to say, yet I fear I must say, the women +of Missouri have stormed their capitol, and if it is not yet +taken, the outworks are in our hands, and I believe with a few +more well-directed blows the victory will be ours. On February 3 +a large delegation of ladies, representing the Suffrage +Association of Missouri, visited Jefferson City for the purpose +of laying before the legislature a large and influentially signed +petition, asking the ballot for women; and we were gratified to +see the great respect and deference shown to the women of +Missouri by the wisest and best of her legislators in their +respectful and cordial reception of the delegates. Both Houses +adjourned, and gave the use of the house for the afternoon, when +eloquent addresses were made by Mrs. J.G. Phelps of Springfield, +Dr. Ada Greunan of St. Louis, and the future orator of Missouri, +Miss Phœbe Couzins, whose able and effective address the press +has given in full. Of the brave men who stood up for us, it is +more difficult to speak. To give a list would be impossible; for +every name would require a eulogy too lengthy for the pages of +<i>The Revolution</i>. We will, therefore, record them on the tablets +of our memory with a hand so firm that they shall stand out +brightly till time shall be no more. Of the small majority who +oppose us we will say nothing, but throw over them the pall of +merciful oblivion. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The first woman suffrage convention ever held in the city of St. +Louis, or the State of Missouri, assembled in Mercantile Library, +October 6, 7,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_602" id="Page_602">[Pg 602]</a></span> 1869. Many distinguished people were on the +platform.<a name="FNanchor_380_380" id="FNanchor_380_380"></a><a href="#Footnote_380_380" class="fnanchor">[380]</a> At this convention Mr. Francis Minor introduced a +very able series of resolutions, on which Mrs. Minor made a +remarkably logical address.<a name="FNanchor_381_381" id="FNanchor_381_381"></a><a href="#Footnote_381_381" class="fnanchor">[381]</a> The following letter from Mr. +Minor shows the careful research he gave to the consideration of +this question:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">St. Louis</span>, December 30, 1869.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Revolution</span>: So thoroughly am I satisfied that the +surest and most direct course to pursue to obtain a +recognition of woman's claim to the ballot, lies through the +courts of the country, that I am induced to ask you to +republish the resolutions that I drafted, and which were +unanimously adopted by the St. Louis convention. And I will +here add, that to accomplish this end, and to carry these +resolutions into practical effect, it is intended by Mrs. +Minor, the president of the State Association, to make a +test case in her instance at our next election; take it +through the courts of Missouri, and thence to the Supreme +Court of the United States at Washington. I think it will be +admitted that these resolutions place the cause of woman +upon higher ground than ever before asserted, in the fact +that for the first time suffrage is claimed as a privilege +based upon citizenship, and secured by the Constitution of +the United States. It will be seen that the position taken +is, that the States have the right to regulate, but not to +prohibit, the elective franchise to citizens of the United +States. Thus the States may determine the qualifications of +electors. They may require the elector to be of a certain +age, to have had a fixed residence, to be of a sane mind, +and unconvicted of crime, etc., because these are +qualifications or conditions that all citizens, sooner or +later, may attain; but to go beyond this, and say to +one-half the citizens of the State, notwithstanding you +possess all these qualifications you shall never vote, is of +the very essence of despotism. It is a bill of attainder of +the most odious character.</p> + +<p>A further investigation of the subject will show that the +language of the constitutions of all the States, with the +exception of those of Massachusetts and Virginia, on the +subject of suffrage is peculiar. They almost all read +substantially alike: "White male citizens, etc., shall be +entitled to vote," and this is supposed to exclude all other +citizens. There is no direct exclusion, except in the two +States above named. Now the error lies in supposing that an +enabling clause is necessary at all. The right of the people +of a State to participate in a government of their own +creation requires no enabling clause; neither can it be +taken from them by implication. To hold otherwise would be +to interpolate in the constitution a prohibition that does +not exist. In framing a constitution the people are +assembled in their sovereign capacity; and being possessed +of all rights and all powers, what is not surrendered is +retained. Nothing short of a direct prohibition can work a +disseizin of rights that are fundamental. In the language of +John Jay to the people of New York, urging the adoption of +the Constitution of the United States, "silence and blank +paper neither give nor take away anything," and Alexander +Hamilton says (<i>Federalist</i>, No. 83), "Every man of +discernment must at once perceive the wide difference +between silence and abolition."</p> + +<p>The mode and manner in which the people shall take part in +the government of their creation may be prescribed by the +constitution, but the right itself is antecedent to all +constitutions. It is inalienable, and can neither be bought, +nor sold, nor given away. But even if it should be held that +this view is untenable, and that women are disfranchised by +the several State constitutions directly, or by implication, +then I say that such prohibitions are clearly in conflict +with the Constitution of the United States, and yield +thereto. The language of that instrument is clear and +emphatic: "All persons<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_603" id="Page_603">[Pg 603]</a></span> 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 that shall +abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the +United States." It would be impossible to add to the force +or effect of such language, and equally impossible to +attempt to explain it away.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Francis Minor</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Very respectfully,</p> + +</blockquote> + + +<p>The St. Louis <i>Democrat</i> spoke of the convention as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Readers of our report have doubtless been interested to observe +the fair spirit and dignified manner of the woman suffrage +convention, and the ability displayed in some of the addresses. +It is but due to the managers to say that they extended most +courteous invitations to gentlemen not identified with the +movement to address the convention, and state freely their +objections to the extension of the franchise. Of those invited +some were prevented by duties elsewhere from attending. Others, +it may be, felt that it would scarcely be a gracious thing, in +spite of the liberality of the invitation, to occupy the time of +a convention in favor of the extension of the franchise with +arguments against it. But the objections which, after all, +probably have most weight with candid men are those which it is +not easy to discuss in public, namely: "Will not extension of +suffrage to women have an injurious effect upon the family and +sexual relations?" "Will not the ballot be used rather by that +class who would not use it wisely than by those who are most +competent?" We do not argue these questions, but are sure that +some frank discussion of them, however delicate the subject may +be, is necessary to convince the great majority of those who are +still doubting or opposed. Meanwhile the reports are of interest, +and reflect no little credit upon the women of this city who have +taken so prominent a part in the movement. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The officers of the Missouri Society were annually reëlected for +several years, and the work proceeded harmoniously until the +division in the National Association. The members of the Missouri +Society took sides in this division as preference dictated. Mr. and +Mrs. Minor, Miss Forbes, Miss Couzins and others were already +members of the National Association, and sympathized with its views +and modes of pushing the question.</p> + +<p>In order that there might be no division in the Missouri +Association, a resolution was introduced by Mr. Minor and +unanimously adopted, declaring that each member of the society +should be free to join the National body of his or her choice, and +that the Missouri Association, as a society, should not become +auxiliary to either the "National" or the "American." The good +faith of the association was thus pledged to respect the feelings +and wishes of each member, and as long as this course was observed +all went well. But, at the annual meeting in 1871, just after Mrs. +Minor had for the fifth time been unanimously reëlected president, +in violation of the previous action of the association a resolution +was introduced and passed, declaring that the association should +henceforth become auxiliary to the American. This gross disregard +of the wishes and feelings of those who were members of the +National Association left them no alternative, with any feeling of +self-respect, but to withdraw; and accordingly Mrs. Minor at once +tendered her resignation as president and her withdrawal as a +member of the association. She was followed in this course by Mr. +Minor, Miss Couzins, Miss Forbes and others.<a name="FNanchor_382_382" id="FNanchor_382_382"></a><a href="#Footnote_382_382" class="fnanchor">[382]</a> However, the work +went steadily on. Meetings were held regularly from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_604" id="Page_604">[Pg 604]</a></span> week to week, +with occasional grand conventions, tracts and petitions were +circulated, and constant agitation in some way kept up. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In answer to an earnest solicitation for facts and incidents of the +suffrage movement in Missouri, Mrs. Rebecca N. Hazard, one of the +earliest and most active friends in that State, sends us the +following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I think the cruel war had much to do in educating the women of +Missouri into a sense of their responsibilities and duties as +citizens; at least all who first took part in the suffrage +movement had been active on the Union side during the war, and +that having ended in the preservation of the government, they +naturally began to inquire as to their own rights and privileges +in the restored Union. My own feelings were first fully awakened +by the hanging of Mrs. Surrat; for, although a Unionist and an +abolitionist, I could but regard her execution by the government, +considering her helpless position, as judicial murder. I wrote on +the subject to the editor of the New York <i>Independent</i>. The +letter was handed to Miss Anthony, and resulted in an invitation +to the next meeting of the Equal Rights Society. This almost +frightened me, for I had hitherto looked askance at the woman's +rights movement.</p> + +<p>Meeting an old friend and neighbor not long after, the talk +turned upon negro suffrage. I expressed myself in favor of that +measure, and timidly added, "And go farther—I think women also +should vote." She grasped my hand cordially, saying, "And so do +I!" This was Mrs. Virginia L. Minor. We had each cherished this +opinion, supposing that no other woman in the community held it; +and this we afterwards found to have been the experience of many +others. This was in 1866; and in the following autumn Mrs. Minor +prepared and circulated for signatures a card of thanks to Hon. +B. Gratz Brown for the recognition of woman's political rights he +had given in the United States Senate in a speech upon extending +the suffrage to the women of the District of Columbia.<a name="FNanchor_383_383" id="FNanchor_383_383"></a><a href="#Footnote_383_383" class="fnanchor">[383]</a> This +card received enough names to justify another step—that of a +petition to the Missouri General Assembly. This was headed by +Mrs. Minor, and circulated with untiring energy by her, receiving +several hundred signatures, and was sent to the legislature +during the winter, where it received some degree of favor.</p> + +<p>But as yet no effort had been made toward an organization. The +first step in that direction was in May, 1867, by Mrs. Lucretia +P. Hall and her sister, Miss Penelope Allen, daughters of Mrs. +Beverly Allen, and nieces of General Pope, in the parlors of Mrs. +Anna L. Clapp, the president of the Union Aid Society during the +war. Mrs. Hall, Mrs. Clapp and myself called a public meeting on +May 8, when the Woman Suffrage Society of Missouri was organized, +with Mrs. Minor president.</p> + +<p>In the winter of 1868 the association sent a large delegation of +ladies to Jefferson with a petition containing about 2,000 names, +to present to the legislature. The Republicans were then in the +ascendency, and the ladies having many professed friends among +the members, were received with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_605" id="Page_605">[Pg 605]</a></span> every demonstration of respect. +Addresses were made by Miss Phœbe Couzins and Dr. Ada Greunan. +The petition was respectfully considered and a fair vote given +for the submission of an amendment.</p> + +<p>Subsequent sessions of the legislature have been besieged, as was +also the constitutional convention in 1875; but beyond the +passage of several laws improving the general status of women, we +have not made much impression upon the law-making power of our +State; not so much since the State passed into the hands of the +Democrats, as while the Republicans were in the majority.</p> + +<p>But the public meetings and social influence of our association +have done much for the cause of woman suffrage. Strangers are +surprised to find so little prejudice existing against a movement +so decidedly unpopular in many places. The convention held in St. +Louis in October, 1869, was one of the very best I have ever +known, and its influence was long felt for good. In the spring of +1871 our association became auxiliary to the American, and in +consequence several of our active members seceded, viz.: Mr. and +Mrs. Minor, Miss Couzins, Dr. Greunan and others. In the autumn +of 1872 the American Association held its annual meeting in St. +Louis.</p> + +<p>The law school of Washington University has always been open to +women. Miss Couzins was the first to avail herself of its +advantages in 1869, though Miss Barkaloo of Brooklyn, denied +admission to Columbia Law School, soon joined her, and was +admitted to the bar in 1870. While Miss Barkaloo was not the +first woman admitted to the bar in the United States, she +doubtless was the first to try a case in court. She died after a +few months of most promising practice.<a name="FNanchor_384_384" id="FNanchor_384_384"></a><a href="#Footnote_384_384" class="fnanchor">[384]</a> Miss Couzins was +admitted to the bar in May, 1871.</p> + +<p>The St. Louis School of Design, which has done much for woman, +was originated by members of our association; principally by Mrs. +Mary F. Henderson, who has given untiring effort in that +direction. Our members were also instrumental in opening to women +the St. Louis Homeopathic Medical College, and active in opposing +what was known as the St. Louis "Social Evil Law." They aided Dr. +Eliot in his valiant struggle against that iniquity. Mrs. E. +Patrick and myself called the first public meeting to protest +against the law. It was repealed March 27, 1874.</p> + +<p>You are probably familiar with Mrs. Minor's suit to obtain +suffrage under the fourteenth amendment. We all admired her +courageous efforts for that object. Previous to that attempt our +society had earnestly advocated a sixteenth amendment for the +protection of woman's right to vote, but held the matter in +abeyance pending the suit. After its failure, we again renewed +our efforts for a sixteenth amendment, circulating and sending to +Washington our petitions. Our association holds monthly meetings +and proposes to continue the agitation.<a name="FNanchor_385_385" id="FNanchor_385_385"></a><a href="#Footnote_385_385" class="fnanchor">[385]</a> I ought to say, +perhaps,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_606" id="Page_606">[Pg 606]</a></span> that our society lends all the help possible to other +States. It gave $520 to Michigan in 1874, and $200 to Colorado in +1877.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">R. N. H.</p> + +<p>To bring the question of woman's right as a citizen of the United +States to vote for United States officers before the judiciary, +Mrs. Minor attempted to register in order to vote at the national +election in November, 1872, and being refused on account of her +sex, brought the matter before the courts in the shape of a suit +against the registering officer.<a name="FNanchor_386_386" id="FNanchor_386_386"></a><a href="#Footnote_386_386" class="fnanchor">[386]</a> The point was decided +adversely to her in all the courts, being finally reported in +Vol. 21 of Wallace's U. S. Supreme Court Reports. The importance +of this decision cannot be over-estimated. It affects every +citizen of the United States, male as well as female, if, as +there pronounced, the United States has no voters of its own +creation. The Dred-Scott decision is insignificant in comparison. +Mrs. Minor made the following points in her petition:</p> + +<blockquote><p>1. As a <i>citizen</i> of the United States, the plaintiff is entitled +to any and all the "privileges and immunities" that belong to +such position however defined; and as are held, exercised and +enjoyed by other citizens of the United States.</p> + +<p>2. The elective franchise is a "privilege" of citizenship, in the +highest sense of the word. It is the privilege preservative of +all rights and privileges; and especially of the right of the +citizen to participate in his or her government.</p> + +<p>3. The denial or abridgment of this privilege, if it exist at +all, must be sought only in the fundamental charter of +government—the Constitution of the United States. If not found +there, no inferior power or jurisdiction can legally claim the +right to exercise it.</p> + +<p>4. But the Constitution of the United States, so far from +recognizing or permitting any denial or abridgment of the +privileges of citizens, expressly declares that "no State shall +make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or +immunities of citizens of the United States."</p> + +<p>5. It follows that the provisions of the Missouri constitution +and registry law before recited are in conflict with, and must +yield to the paramount authority of, the Constitution of the +United States. </p></blockquote> + +<p>At a mass meeting held in St. Louis January 25, 1875, a +committee<a name="FNanchor_387_387" id="FNanchor_387_387"></a><a href="#Footnote_387_387" class="fnanchor">[387]</a> was appointed to prepare an address to the people of +the State, setting forth the necessity of such action by the +constitutional convention, soon to assemble, as would insure to all +citizens the right of choice in their lawmakers and in the officers +whose duty it should be to execute the laws. The address was +prepared and widely circulated over the State. In June, the +convention being in session at Jefferson, Mrs. Minor, Miss Couzins, +and Mrs. Dickinson went to the capitol and were granted a gracious +hearing, but no action was conceded.</p> + +<p>In May, 1879, the National Woman Suffrage Association held its +annual meeting at St. Louis, holding its session through the day, +morning, afternoon and evening, and so much interest was aroused +that on May 13 a local society was organized under the head of the +National Woman Suffrage Association for St. Louis,<a name="FNanchor_388_388" id="FNanchor_388_388"></a><a href="#Footnote_388_388" class="fnanchor">[388]</a> with Mrs. +Minor president, which has continued<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_607" id="Page_607">[Pg 607]</a></span> to do most efficient service +to the present. During the summer of 1879, Mrs. Minor refused to +pay the tax assessed against her:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">St. Louis, Mo.</span>, August 26, 1879.</p> + +<p>Hon. <span class="smcap">David Powers</span>, <i>President Board of Assessors</i>: I honestly +believe and conscientiously make oath that I have not one +dollars' worth of property subject to taxation. The principle +upon which this government rests is representation before +taxation. My property is denied representation, and therefore can +not be taxable. The law which you quote as applicable to me in +your notice to make my tax return is in direct conflict with +section 30 of the bill of rights of the constitution of the State +which declares, "No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or +property, without due process of law," And that surely cannot be +due process of law wherein one of the parties only is law-maker, +judge, jury and executioner, and the other stands silenced, +denied the power either of assent or dissent, a condition of +"involuntary slavery" so clearly prohibited in section 31 of the +same article, as well as in the Constitution of the United +States, that no legislation or judicial prejudice can ignore it. +I trust you will believe it is from no disrespect to you that I +continue to refuse to become a party to this injustice by making +a return of property to your honorable body, as clearly the +duties of a citizen can only be exacted where rights and +privileges are equally accorded.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">Virginia L. Minor</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Respectfully,</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Again, in February, 1881, Mrs. Minor made an able argument before +the legislative committee on constitutional amendments in support +of the petition for the enfranchisement of the women of the State. +Her pivotal point was, "By whatever tenure you, as one-half of the +people, hold it, we, the other half, claim it by the same." And +again in December of the same year at a meeting of the Knights and +Ladies of the Father Matthew Debating Club, at which the subject +was, "Is the woman's rights movement to be encouraged?" Patrick +Long, Daniel O'Connel Tracy, Richard D. Kerwen, spoke in the +affirmative; several gentlemen and two ladies in opposition, when +Mrs. Minor, who was in the audience, was called out amid great +applause, to which she responded in an able speech, showing that +the best temperance weapon in the hands of woman is the ballot. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Of the initial steps taken for the elevation of women in the little +village of Oregon, Mrs. Annie R. Irvine writes:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Woman's Union, an independent literary club, designed to +improve the mental, moral, and physical condition of women, held +its first meeting in Oregon, Holt county, on the evening of +January 6, 1872, at the residence of Dr. Asher Goslin. Temporary +officers were elected, and a committee appointed to prepare +by-laws for the government of the club. Six ladies<a name="FNanchor_389_389" id="FNanchor_389_389"></a><a href="#Footnote_389_389" class="fnanchor">[389]</a> were +present. The succeeding meetings grew in interest, and took +strong hold upon the minds of all classes, from the fact that +hitherto no outlet had been found for the energies of our women +outside the circle of home and church. During the first two years +of its existence, the Woman's Union had to bear in a small way, +many of the sneers and taunts attending more pretentious +organizations, but luckily, when the novelty wore off, we were +allowed to pursue the quiet tenor of our way, with an occasional +slur at the "strong-minded" tendency of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_608" id="Page_608">[Pg 608]</a></span> the organization. During +nearly fourteen years we have held regular meetings in a hall +rented for the purpose, and paid for by earnings of the society. +An excellent organ is owned by the club; they have a library of +several hundred volumes, book-cases, carpet, curtains, pictures, +tables, chairs, stove, etc., and the members take great pride in +their cosy headquarters. At this writing, interesting meetings +are held on each Wednesday evening at the homes of the different +members of the society.<a name="FNanchor_390_390" id="FNanchor_390_390"></a><a href="#Footnote_390_390" class="fnanchor">[390]</a> In the course of so long a time, +this organization has had many changes. Members have removed to +all parts of the United States, and many similar clubs elsewhere +trace their origin to our society.</p> + +<p>Several years ago an open letter from here to "Woman's Kingdom," +in the Chicago <i>Inter-Ocean</i> called attention to our plan of work +for small towns; as a result fifteen similar Unions were +organized, some of them still flourishing. In northwest Missouri +the same kind of clubs were formed in Maryville, Nodaway county, +and Savannah, Andrew county, but neither of them became +permanent. In the course of twelve years many of the best +speakers on the American platform have addressed Oregon +audiences, brought here by the determined efforts of a few women. +To-day, public opinion in this part of Missouri is in advance of +other sections on all questions relating to the great interests +of humanity. In March, 1879, a call signed by prominent +citizens<a name="FNanchor_391_391" id="FNanchor_391_391"></a><a href="#Footnote_391_391" class="fnanchor">[391]</a> brought together a large assembly of men and women +in the court-house. An address in favor of woman suffrage was +delivered by Rev. John Wayman of the M. E. Church of St. Joseph. +Mr. James L. Allen acted as chairman of the meeting, and a +society was then organized, to bear the name of the Holt County +Woman Suffrage Society. At the National Woman Suffrage Convention +held at St. Louis later in the same year, Jas. L. Allen acted as +delegate from this association and reported our progress. The +best organized woman's society in the State is probably the +Women's Christian Temperance Union. In its different departments, +although hampered by too much theological red tape, it is +reaching thousands of ignorant, prejudiced, good sectarian women +who would expect the "heavens to fall" if they accidentally got +into a meeting where "woman's rights" was mentioned even in a +whisper. Mrs. Clara Hoffman, of Kansas City, is State president, +and a woman of great force. She, as well as other leading lights +in the Women's Christian Temperance Union, is strongly advocating +woman suffrage as a <i>sine qua non</i> in the temperance work. The +women of this part of the State have been given quite a prominent +place among organizations mentioned in a late "History of +Missouri, by Counties." The Woman's Union has taken the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_609" id="Page_609">[Pg 609]</a></span> place of +honor.<a name="FNanchor_392_392" id="FNanchor_392_392"></a><a href="#Footnote_392_392" class="fnanchor">[392]</a> From the very outset we have had the most bitter and +persistent opposition from the churches, more particularly the +Presbyterian, although some of our most capable members were of +that faith. Exceptions should be made in favor of the Christian, +or Campbellite, and as a general thing, the M. E. churches. The +greatest shock we have had to resist, however, came a few months +since in the shape of a division among our own members, and has +really discouraged the more independent among us more than +anything else. The W. C. T. U. sent their Mascatine organizer +here, to wake up the women in the interests of the State society. +Although ignorant and prejudiced, he created a fanatical +stampede, and in the goodness of their hearts and the weakness of +their heads, our church women in the Woman's Union proposed to +give to the three temperance clubs, numbering perhaps 150, the +free use of our rooms and property, and suspend our own club, +claiming that our mission was ended, and that a field of greater +usefulness was opened in the W. C. T. U. line of work. The +liberal element refused to abandon the old organization, although +many joined in the W. C. T. U. work and attended both clubs.</p> + +<p>However, in a small community, where the consciences of many good +women are not free, we have met with serious drawbacks. We have +had to submit to a sort of boycotting process, for some time, the +orthodox, goody-goody people evidently trying to freeze us out; +although I must claim that nearly every member of the Woman's +Union is strongly interested in the temperance cause, and as the +different departments in the W. C. T. U. fail to cover the ground +we occupy, quite a respectable number seem determined to hold on +in their own way, trying little by little to better the condition +of all, and particularly to increase and strengthen the feeble +germ of independent thought in women, so often smothered and +destroyed by too much theology. What we need for women is not +more spirituality but more hard common-sense, applied to reform +as well as religion. One thing connected with our organization is +a matter of pride to all women, namely, that no pecuniary +obligation has ever been repudiated by the Woman's Union. Besides +paying our debts we have given hundreds of dollars to works of +charity and education, and keep a standing fund of $100, to be +used in case of emergency, when, as often happens, we fail to +make expenses on lectures, entertainments, etc. It would not be +claiming too much if the Woman's Union of Oregon was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_610" id="Page_610">[Pg 610]</a></span> to go upon +the historic page as the only free, independent woman's club ever +successfully carried on for any length of time, in the great +State of Missouri.<a name="FNanchor_393_393" id="FNanchor_393_393"></a><a href="#Footnote_393_393" class="fnanchor">[393]</a> </p></blockquote> + +<p>Missouri has always felt a becoming pride in the gifted daughter, +Miss Phœbe Couzins, who was the first woman to enter the law +school, go through the entire course, and graduate with honor to +herself and her native State. Hence, a reception to her, to mark +such an event, was preëminently fitting. This compliment was paid +to her by Dr. and Mrs. G. A. Walker, and a large gathering of the +elite of St. Louis honored her with their presence.<a name="FNanchor_394_394" id="FNanchor_394_394"></a><a href="#Footnote_394_394" class="fnanchor">[394]</a> The +drawing-rooms were festooned with garlands of evergreens and +brilliant forest leaves and hanging-baskets of roses; the bountiful +tables were elaborately decorated with fruits and flowers and +statuettes, while pictures of distinguished women looked down from +the wall on every side. After the feast came letters, toasts and +speeches, a brilliant address of welcome was given by Dr. Walker, +and an equally brilliant reply by Miss Couzins. Witty and +complimentary speeches were made by Judge Krum, Hon. Albert Todd, +Mrs. Francis Minor, ex-Governor Stanard, Judge Reber, Professor +Riley, I. E. Meeker, Mrs. Henrietta Noa. Congratulatory letters +were received from several ladies and gentlemen of national +reputation, and the following regrets:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Rev. W. G. Eliot, chancellor of the University, with "compliments +and thanks to Dr. and Mrs. Walker. I regret that engagements this +evening prevent me from enjoying the pleasure of meeting Miss +Couzins and welcoming her to her new and well-deserved honors, as +I had expected to do until an hour ago."</p> + +<p>James E. Yeatman sent regrets accompanied with "his warmest +congratulations to Miss Couzins, with best wishes for her success +in the noble profession of the law."</p> + +<p>George Partridge regrets, "hoping every encouragement will be +given to those who aspire to high honors by their intellectual +and moral attainments."</p> + +<p>General J. H. Hammond, Kansas City, Mo.: "I would feel honored in +being allowed the privilege of congratulating this lady who so +practically honors her sex." </p></blockquote> + +<p>In addition to the many congratulations showered upon Miss Couzins, +she was the recipient of testimonials of a more enduring<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_611" id="Page_611">[Pg 611]</a></span> and +equally flattering character. Among many valuable presents were +twelve volumes of Edmund Burke from Miss A. L. Forbes, who wished +to testify her appreciation of the event by deeds rather than +words. Mrs. E. O. Stanard presented a handsomely-bound set of +"Erskine's Speeches," in five volumes.</p> + +<p>There were other gifts of great intrinsic worth. These tokens of +regard were sent from admiring friends scattered all over the +country, from the Atlantic to the Pacific.</p> + +<p>Although Miss Couzins has never practiced in her chosen profession, +yet the knowledge and discipline acquired in the study of our +American system of jurisprudence and constitutional law have been +of essential service to her in the prolonged arguments on the +enfranchisement of woman, in which she has so ably and eloquently +advocated the case of the great plaintiff of the nineteenth +century, in that famous law-suit begun by Margaret Fuller in 1840, +"Woman versus Man." Our junior advocate has taken the case into the +highest courts and made her appeals to a jury of the sovereign +people and "the judgment of a candid world." On all principles of +precedent and importance our case now stands first on the calendar. +When will the verdict be rendered and what will it be?</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<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> Among them were Isaac H. Sturgeon, Francis Minor, +James E. Yeatman, Judge John M. Krum, Judge Arnold Krekel, Hon. +Thomas Noël, Ernest Decker, Dr. G. A. Walker, John E. Orrick, J. B. +Roberts, Rev. G. W. Eliot, Bishop Bowman, Albert Todd, Rev. John +Snyder, John Datro, J. B. Case, H. E. Merille, Mrs. Virginia L. +Minor, Mrs. Rebecca N. Hazard, Mrs. Adeline Couzins, Miss Phœbe +Couzins, Mrs. Beverly Allen, Miss Mary Beedy, Miss Arathusa Forbes, +Mrs. Isaac Sturgeon, Mrs. Hall, and many others.</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> <i>President</i>, Mrs. Virginia L. Minor; +<i>Vice-President</i>, Mrs. Beverly Allen; <i>Secretaries</i>, Mrs. Rebecca +N. Hazard, and Mrs. George D. Hall; <i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. George W. +Banker. There were present, besides the officers, Mrs. Anna L. +Clapp, Miss Penelope Allen, Mrs. Frank Fletcher, Miss Arathusia L. +Forbes, Mrs. Nannie C. Sturgeon, Mrs. Harriet B. Roberts, Mrs. N. +Stevens, Mrs. Joseph Hodgman, Miss A. Greenman, etc. Among the men +who aided the movement were Francis Minor, Isaac W. Sturgeon, James +E. Yeatman, Judge John M. Krum, Judge Arnold Krekel, Hon. Thomas +Noël, who gave the society its first twenty-five dollars, Ernest +Decker, Dr. G.A. Walker, John C. O'Neill, J.B. Roberts, Wayman +Crow, Rev. Dr. Wm. G. Eliot, Bishop Bowman, Albert Todd, Rev. John +Snyder, John Datro, J.B. Case, H.C. Leville.</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 following we find in the St. Louis papers. It is +significant of the sentiment of the Methodist women of the West: +"We, the undersigned, join in a call for a mass-meeting of the M.E. +Church in St. Louis, to meet at Union Church on the 15th inst., at +3 o'clock <span class="sc">p.m.</span>, to consider a plan for memorializing the General +Conference to permit the ordination of women as ministers. All +women of the M.E. Church are requested to attend. Mrs. Henry +Kennedy, Mrs. T.C. Fletcher, Mrs. E.O. Stanard, Mrs. A.C. George, +Mrs. Lucy Prescott, Mrs. U.B. Wilson, Mrs. L. Jones, Mrs. E.L. +Case, Mrs. W.F. Brink, Mrs. S.C. Cummins, Mrs. R.N. Hazard, Mrs. +Dutro, Mrs. M.H. Himebaugh." The result of this meeting of the +ladies of the Methodist churches to discuss a plan for admitting +women into the pulpit as preachers was the appointment of a +committee to draft a memorial to the General Conference to meet at +Brooklyn, N.Y., asking that body to sanction and provide for the +ordination of women as ministers of the Methodist Church.</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> On the platform were Julia Ward Howe, Massachusetts; +Lillie Peckham, Wisconsin; Miriam M. Cole, Ohio; Mary A. Livermore, +Hon. Sharon Tyndale, Judge Waite and Rev. Mr. Harrison, Illinois; +Susan B. Anthony, New York. The officers of the Woman Suffrage +Association of Missouri: <i>President</i>, Mrs. Francis Minor: +<i>Vice-President</i>, Mrs. Beverly Allen: <i>Secretary</i>, Mrs. William T. +Hazard: <i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. George B. Hall; Miss Mary Beady, Miss +Phœbe Couzins, Mrs. E. Tittman, Mrs. Alfred Clapp, Miss A. L. +Forbes, Isaac H. Sturgeon, Mrs. J. C. Orrick, Mrs. R. J. Lackland, +Francis Minor, and many others.</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> For speech and resolutions, see <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_408">Vol. II., page 408</a>.</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> Dissension and division were the effect in every +State, except where the associations wisely remained independent +and all continued to work together, and the forces otherwise +expended in rivalry were directed against the common enemy.</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> For this speech of B. Gratz Brown see +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_136">Vol. II., page 136</a>.</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> For full account of Miss Barkaloo see New York +chapter, page <a href="#Page_404">404</a>.</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> Besides those already named, there are many other +women worthy of mention—Mrs. Hannah Stagg, Mrs. George H. Rha, +Mrs. S. F. Gruff, Miss N. M. Lavelle, Mrs. Helen E. Starrett, Mrs. +A. E. Dickinson, Mrs. E. R. Case, Miss S. Sharman, Mrs. Mary S. +Phelps, Miss Mary E. Beedy, Mrs. Fanny O'Haly, Mrs. J. C. Orrick, +Miss Henrietta Moore, Mrs. Stephen Ridgeley, Mrs. M. E. Bedford, +Mrs. M. Jackson; and among our German friends are Mrs. Rosa +Tittman, Mrs. Dr. Fiala, Mrs. Lena Hildebrand, Mrs. G. G. +Fenkelnberg, Mrs. Rombauer, Miss Lidergerber.</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> For a full report of Mrs. Minor's trial, see History +of Woman Suffrage, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_715">Vol. II., page 715</a>.</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> The committee were: J. B. Merwin, Virginia L. Minor, +John Snyder, Lydia F. Dickinson, Maria E. F. Jackson.</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> The officers were: <i>President</i>, Mrs. Virginia L. +Minor; <i>Vice-Presidents</i>, Mrs. Eliza J. Patrick, Mrs. Caroline J. +Todd, Miss Phœbe W. Couzins; <i>Executive Committee</i>, Mrs. E. P. +Johnson, Mrs. W. W. Polk; <i>Secretary</i>, Miss Eliza B. Buckley; +<i>Treasurer</i>, Miss Maggie Baumgartner.</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> They were, Mrs. S. L. Goslin, Mis. A. E. Goslin, +Mrs. M. M. Soper, Annie E. Batcheller, Mary Curry, Annie R. +Irvine.</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> <i>President</i>, Emma G. Dobyns; <i>Vice-President</i>, Kate +Evans Thatcher; <i>Secretary</i>, Matilda C. Shutts; <i>Treasurer</i>, Lucy +S. Rancher; <i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, Annie R. Irvine.</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> Believing that the best interests of society, as +well as government, would be best served by admitting all citizens +to the full rights of citizenship, we, the undersigned, hereby give +notice that a meeting will be held at the court-house, Oregon, on +Saturday, March 1, 1879, at 2 p. m., for the purpose of organizing +a Woman Suffrage Association. Those interested are urged to attend. +Clarke Irvine, C. W. Lukens, James L. Allen, S. B. Lukens, Samuel +Stuckey, Sudia Johnson, D. J. Lukens, Elvira Broedbeck, Mary Curry, +Jas. B. Curry, Annie R. Irvine.</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 1875 I made my first visit to Oregon, and +remember my surprise at meeting so large a circle of bright, +intelligent women. After taking an old stage at Travesty city, and +lumbering along two miles or more over bad roads on a dull day in +March into a very unpropitious looking town, my heart sank at the +prospect of the small audience I should inevitably have in such a +spot. Wondering as to the character of the people I should find, we +jolted round the town to the home of the editor and his charming +wife, Mrs. Lucy S. Rancher. Their cordial welcome and generous +hospitalities soon made the old stage, the rough roads, and the +dull town but dim memories of the past. One after another the +members of the Union club came to greet me, and I saw in that +organization of strong, noble women, wisdom enough to redeem the +whole State of Missouri from its apathy on the question of woman's +rights. One of the promising features of the efforts of the +immortal six women who took the initiative, was the full sympathy +shown by their husbands in their attempts to improve themselves and +the community. Miss Couzins and Miss Anthony soon followed me, and +were alike surprised and delighted with the Literary Club of +Oregon. I was there again in '77, and was entertained by Mrs. R. A. +Norman, now living in St. Joseph, and in '79, I stayed in a large, +old-fashioned brick house near the public square with Mrs. +Montgomery, then "fat, fair and forty," and all three visits, with +the teas and dinners at the homes of different members of the club, +I thoroughly enjoyed.—[E. C. S.</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> Among progressive women in this part of Missouri, +Mrs. Adela M. Kelly, of Savannah, wife of Circuit Judge Henry S. +Kelly, is prominent; in Mound City, Mrs. Emma K. Hershberger, Mrs. +Mary L. Mamcher, Mrs. Mary C. Tracy, Mrs. Fanny Smith, and others, +are leading women, and were once residents here, and members of the +Woman's Union. Among those actively interested here now, I shall +only mention a few, Mrs. Nancy Hershberger, Mary Curry, Elvira +Broedbeck, Lucy A. Christian, Ella O. Fallon, Mary Stirrell, and +many others.</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> Among those present were the following ladies and +gentlemen: Dr. and Mrs. Walker, Phœbe Couzins, esq., Hon. and +Mrs. John B. Henderson, Gov. and Mrs. E. O. Stanard, Mr. and Mrs. +Chester H. Krum, Mr. and Mrs. Francis Minor, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. +Patrick, Major and Mrs. J. E. D. Couzins, Major and Mrs. J. R. +Meeker, Major and Mrs. W. S. Pope, Mr. and Mrs. Lippmann, Mr. and +Mrs. Leopold Noa, Miss Noa, Miss A. L. Forbes, Judge Krum, Judge +Reber, Judge Todd, Geo. M. Stuart (dean), Prof. Riley, State +Entomologist; Prof. Hager, State Geologist; J. R. Stuart, artist, +and others.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_612" id="Page_612">[Pg 612]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLV" id="CHAPTER_XLV"></a>CHAPTER XLV.</h2> + +<h3>IOWA.</h3> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>Beautiful Scenery—Liberal in Politics and Reforms—Legislation +for Women—No Right yet to Joint Earnings—Early +Agitation—Frances Dana Gage, 1854—Mrs. Bloomer Before the +Territorial Legislature, 1856—Mrs. Martha H. Brinkerhoff—Mrs. +Annie Savery, 1868—County Associations Formed in 1869—State +Society Organized at Mt. Pleasant, 1870, Henry O'Connor, +President—Mrs. Cutler Answers Judge Palmer—First Annual +Meeting, Des Moines—Letter from Bishop Simpson—The State +Register Complimentary—Mass-Meeting at the Capitol—Mrs. Savery +and Mrs. Harbert—Legislative Action—Methodist and Universalist +Churches Indorse Woman Suffrage—Republican Plank, 1874—Governor +Carpenter's Message, 1876—Annual Meeting, 1882, Many Clergymen +Present—Five Hundred Editors Interviewed—Miss Hindman and Mrs. +Campbell—Mrs. Callanan Interviews Governor Sherman, +1884—Lawyers—Governor Kirkwood Appoints Women to Office—County +Superintendents—Elizabeth S. Cook—Journalism—Literature— +Medicine—Ministry—Inventions—President of a National Bank— +The Heroic Kate Shelly—Temperance—Improvement in the Laws. </p> +</div> + + +<p><span class="sc">The</span> euphonious Indian name, Iowa, signifying "the beautiful land," +is peculiarly appropriate to those gently undulating prairies, +decorated in the season of flowers with a brilliant garniture of +honey-suckles, jassamines, wild roses and violets, watered with a +chain of picturesque lakes and rivers, chasing each other into the +bosom of the boundless Mississippi. The motto on the great seal of +the State, "Our liberties we prize and our rights we will +maintain," is the key-note to the successive struggles made there +to build up a community of moral, virtuous, intelligent people, +securing justice, liberty and equality to all. Iowa has been the +State to give large Republican majorities; to prohibit the +manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors by a constitutional +amendment; and to present propositions before her legislature for +eight successive sessions to give the right of suffrage to woman. +In the article on Iowa, in the American Cyclopædia, the writer +says: "No distinction is made in law between the husband and the +wife in regard to property. One-third in value of all the real +estate of either, upon the death of the other, goes to the survivor +in fee simple. Neither is liable for the separate debts of the +other. The wife may make contracts and incur liabilities which may +be enforced<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_613" id="Page_613">[Pg 613]</a></span> by or against her in the same manner as if she was +unmarried; and so a married woman may sue and be sued without the +husband being joined in the action." Many women living in Iowa +often quote these laws with pride, showing the liberality of their +rulers as far as they go. But in new countries the number of women +that inherit property is very small compared to the number that +work all their days to help pay for their humble homes. It is in +the right to these joint earnings where the wife is most cruelly +defrauded, because the mother of a large family, who washes, irons, +cooks, bakes, patches and darns, takes care of the children, labors +from early dawn to midnight in her own home, is not supposed to +earn anything, hence owns nothing, and all the labors of a long +life, the results of her thrift and economy, belong absolutely to +the husband, so that when he dies they call it liberality for the +husband to make his partner an heir, and give her one-third of +their joint earnings.</p> + +<p>For this chapter we are indebted to Mrs. Amelia Bloomer, who moved +into this State from New York in the spring of 1855 with her +husband, who commenced the practice of law in Council Bluffs, where +they have resided ever since. Mrs. Bloomer had been the editor for +several years of a weekly paper called the <i>Lily</i>, which advocated +both temperance and woman's rights, and for the six years of its +publication was of inestimable value alike to both reforms. She was +one of the earliest champions of the woman's rights movement, and +as writer, editor and lecturer, did much to forward the cause in +its infancy.<a name="FNanchor_395_395" id="FNanchor_395_395"></a><a href="#Footnote_395_395" class="fnanchor">[395]</a></p> + +<blockquote><p>The first agitation of the question of woman suffrage in Iowa was +in the summer of 1854, when Frances Dana Gage of Ohio gave a +series of lectures in the southeastern section of the State on +temperance and woman's rights. Letters written to <i>Lily</i> at the +time show that large audiences congregated to see and hear a +woman publicly proclaiming the wrongs of her sex, and demanding +equal rights before the law. During the year 1855 the writer gave +several lectures at Council Bluffs, and in January,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_614" id="Page_614">[Pg 614]</a></span> 1856, by +invitation, addressed the second territorial legislature of +Nebraska, in Representative Hall, Omaha; and in the year +following lectured in Council Bluffs, Omaha, Nebraska City, +Glenwood and other towns.</p> + +<p>In 1868 Mrs. Martha H. Brinkerhoff made a very successful +lecture-tour through the northern counties of Iowa. She roused +great interest and organized many societies, canvassing meanwhile +for subscribers to <i>The Revolution</i>. In the same year Mrs. Annie +C. Savery gave a lecture for the benefit of a blind editor at Des +Moines. In February, 1870, by invitation, she responded to a +toast at a Masonic festival in that city; and during that and the +year following she lectured in several places on woman suffrage, +and wrote many able articles for the press.</p> + +<p>On April 17, 1869, the "Northern Woman Suffrage Association" was +organized at Dubuque.<a name="FNanchor_396_396" id="FNanchor_396_396"></a><a href="#Footnote_396_396" class="fnanchor">[396]</a> This was the first society in Iowa, +though about the same time others were being organized in +different localities. J. L. McCreery, in his editorial position, +advocated the enfranchisement of woman, and wrote an able paper +in favor of the object of the organization. Mrs. Mary N. Adams +opened a correspondence with friends of the movement in other +parts of the State; Henry O'Connor, Mary A. Livermore and others +lectured before the society, thus educating the people into a +better understanding of woman's rights and needs. Mrs. Adams not +only addressed the home society, but gave lectures before lyceums +and educational institutions.</p> + +<p>Des Moines has always maintained the most successful organization +having a band of earnest women enlisted in the work, and being +the capital of the State, where every opportunity was afforded to +facilitate their efforts. The liberality of the press, too, aided +vastly in moulding public sentiment in favor of the cause. About +the earliest work done in that city was in June, 1870, when +Hannah Tracy Cutler and Amelia Bloomer (immediately on returning +from the formation of the State Society at Mt. Pleasant) held two +meetings there—one in the open air on the grounds where the new +capitol now stands, on the question of temperance, Sunday +afternoon, presided over by Governor Merrill; the other in the +Baptist Church, on woman suffrage, the following evening, Mrs. +Annie C. Savery presiding.</p> + +<p>The Polk County Woman Suffrage Society was formed October 25, and +has never failed to hold its meetings regularly each month since +that time. Every congress and every legislature have been +appealed to by petitions signed by thousands of the best +citizens, and it is on record that the senators and +representatives of Polk county, with one exception,<a name="FNanchor_397_397" id="FNanchor_397_397"></a><a href="#Footnote_397_397" class="fnanchor">[397]</a> have +always voted in favor of submitting the question of woman's +enfranchisement to the electors of the State. When men are talked +of for legislative honors they are interviewed by a committee +from the society, and pledges secured that they will vote "aye" +on any woman suffrage bill that may come before them.</p> + +<p>This society has from time to time engaged the services of +prominent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_615" id="Page_615">[Pg 615]</a></span> lecturers,<a name="FNanchor_398_398" id="FNanchor_398_398"></a><a href="#Footnote_398_398" class="fnanchor">[398]</a> and nearly all of the ministers and +lawyers of the city have given addresses in favor of the cause. +Only one minister has openly and bitterly opposed the measure, +and his sermon on the "Subordination of Woman," published in the +<i>Register</i>, called out spirited replies from Mrs. Savery and Mrs. +Bloomer in the same journal, which completely demolished the +flimsy fancies of the gentleman.</p> + +<p>About 1874 Mrs. Maria Orwig edited a column in the <i>Record</i>, and +Mary A. Work a column in the <i>Republican</i>. Since 1880, Mesdames +Hunter, Orwig, Woods and Work have filled two columns in <i>The +Prohibitionist</i>, of which Laura A. Berry is one of the editors. +Mrs. M. J. Coggeshall has for several years served the society as +reporter for the <i>Register</i>, proving herself a very ready and +interesting writer. All of these ladies are efficient and +untiring in whatever pertains to woman's interest.<a name="FNanchor_399_399" id="FNanchor_399_399"></a><a href="#Footnote_399_399" class="fnanchor">[399]</a> The +<i>Register</i> says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The field of labor in Des Moines is pretty well occupied by the +ladies. You will find them at the desks in the county and United +States court-houses, in the pension office, in the insurance +office, in the State offices, behind the counters in stores, in +attorneys' offices—and there is one woman who assists her +husband at the blacksmith's trade, and she can strike as hard a +blow with a sledge as the brawniest workman in the shop. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In the autumn of 1870 a society was organized at Burlington, with +fifty members. One of the earliest advocates of the cause in this +place was Mary A. P. Darwin, president of the association, who +lectured through the southern tier of counties during the summer of +1870. She was an earnest and forcible speaker.</p> + +<p>At Oskaloosa the opening work was done in 1854 by Frances D. Gage, +who gave four lectures there, and roused the people to thought and +discussion. Mattie Griffith Davenport has long filled a prominent +place in the woman suffrage movement in that city. She commenced +lecturing in 1868, and during that and the two succeeding years +traveled over much of the State, speaking upon temperance and +woman's rights. During 1879 she edited a column of the Davenport +<i>News</i> in the interest of suffrage. In the summer of 1870 Mrs. +Cutler and Mrs. Bloomer held two meetings in Oskaloosa, in one of +which a gentleman engaged in the discussions, and as is usual in +such encounters, the women having right and justice on their side, +came out the victors; at least so said the listeners. Following +this a Woman's Suffrage Society was organized.<a name="FNanchor_400_400" id="FNanchor_400_400"></a><a href="#Footnote_400_400" class="fnanchor">[400]</a> Many prominent +speakers lectured here in turn, and helped to keep up the interest.</p> + +<p>Council Bluffs also organized a society<a name="FNanchor_401_401" id="FNanchor_401_401"></a><a href="#Footnote_401_401" class="fnanchor">[401]</a> in 1870, holding +frequent meetings and sociables. There is here a large element in +favor of the ballot<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_616" id="Page_616">[Pg 616]</a></span> for woman; and though we are unfortunate in +not having an advocate in the press, still Council Bluffs will give +a good report of itself when the question of woman's +enfranchisement shall come before the electors for action. The +trustees of the public library of this city are women; the +librarian is a woman: the post-office is in the hands of a woman; +the teachers in the public schools, with one or two exceptions, are +women; the principal of the high school is a woman; and a large +number of the clerks in the dry goods stores are women. Miss +Ingelletta Smith received the nomination of the Republican party +for school superintendent in the fall of 1881, but was defeated by +her Democratic competitor.</p> + +<p>Marshalltown had a suffrage organization as early as July, +1870.<a name="FNanchor_402_402" id="FNanchor_402_402"></a><a href="#Footnote_402_402" class="fnanchor">[402]</a> Nettie Sanford lectured in several of the central +counties of the State during that and the previous year. Josephine +Guthrie, professor of Belles-Lettres at Le Grand College, in a +series of able articles in the Marshalltown <i>Times</i> in 1869, +claimed for women equality of rights before the law. In 1873, Aubie +Gifford, a woman of high culture and an experienced teacher, was +elected to the office of county superintendent of the public +schools of Marshall county, by a handsome majority; she was +reëlected, serving, in all, four years.</p> + +<p>At Algona a society<a name="FNanchor_403_403" id="FNanchor_403_403"></a><a href="#Footnote_403_403" class="fnanchor">[403]</a> was formed in 1871. At the annual meeting +of the State Society at Des Moines, in 1873, Lizzie B. Read +delivered an address entitled, "Coming Up Out of the Wilderness," +and in July, 1875, at a mass-meeting at Clear Lake, one on "The +Bible in Favor of Woman Suffrage." Mrs. Read, formerly as Miss +Bunnel, published a paper called the <i>Mayflower</i>, at Peru, Indiana, +and in 1865 a county paper in this State called the <i>Upper Des +Moines</i>.</p> + +<p>Since 1875 Jackson county has had an efficient Equal Rights +Society.<a name="FNanchor_404_404" id="FNanchor_404_404"></a><a href="#Footnote_404_404" class="fnanchor">[404]</a> On July 4, 1876, Nancy R. Allen, at the general +celebration at Maquoketa, the county-seat, read the "Protest and +Declaration of Rights," issued by the National Association from its +Centennial Parlors in Philadelphia. It was well received by the +majority of the people assembled; but, as usual, there were some +objectors. The Presbyterian minister published a series of articles +in the <i>Sentinel</i>, to each of which Mrs. Allen replied ably +defending the principles of the Woman Suffrage party. The Maquoketa +Equal Rights Society celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of the +woman's rights movement July 19, 1878, by holding a public meeting +in Dr. Allen's grounds, in the shade of the grand old trees. It was +a large gathering, and many prominent gentlemen of the city, by +their presence and words of cheer, gave dignity to the occasion. +Jackson county has long honored women with positions of trust. The +deputy recorder is a woman; Mrs. Allen was notary public; Mrs. +Patton was nominated for auditor by the Greenback party in 1880, +but was defeated with the rest of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_617" id="Page_617">[Pg 617]</a></span> the ticket. Women are +book-keepers, merchants, clerks, teachers; and, in fact, almost +every avenue is open to them.</p> + +<p>Of Fort Dodge, Mrs. Haviland writes: "The subject has never been +much agitated here. I have stood almost alone these long years, +watching the work done by my sisters in other parts of the State, +and hoping the time would soon come when some move could be made in +this place. Last spring the annual meeting of our State Society was +held here, but it was with difficulty that I found places where the +few who came could be entertained, people were so afraid of woman's +rights. After the refusal of the other churches, the Baptists +opened theirs; the crowd of curious ones looked on and seemed +surprised when they failed to discover the 'horns.'" Mrs. A. M. +Swain also writes: "Miss Anthony came here first in June, 1871, and +has been here twice since. Mrs. Swisshelm was here in 1874. Both +were my guests when no other doors were open to the advocates of +woman suffrage. The late convention of the State Society held here +was a decided success; the best class of ladies attended; the +dignity and ability shown in the management, and the many +interesting and logical papers read disarmed all criticism and +awakened genuine interest. I have handed in my ballot for several +years, but it has never been received or counted."</p> + +<p>Societies were organized in 1869 and 1870, in Independence and +Monticello. Humboldt, Nevada, West Union, Corning, Osceola, +Muscatine, Sigourney, Garden Grove, Decorah, Hamburg, and scores of +other towns have their local societies. At West Liberty Mrs. Mary +V. Cowgill and her good husband are liberal contributors to the +work, both State and National.</p> + +<p>At a convention held at Mt. Pleasant, June 17, 18, 1870, different +sections of the State being well represented, the Iowa Woman +Suffrage Society<a name="FNanchor_405_405" id="FNanchor_405_405"></a><a href="#Footnote_405_405" class="fnanchor">[405]</a> was formed. Belle Mansfield, president, Frank +Hatton,<a name="FNanchor_406_406" id="FNanchor_406_406"></a><a href="#Footnote_406_406" class="fnanchor">[406]</a> editor of the Mt. Pleasant <i>Journal</i>, secretary. W.R. +Cole opened the convention with prayer. After many able addresses +from various speakers,<a name="FNanchor_407_407" id="FNanchor_407_407"></a><a href="#Footnote_407_407" class="fnanchor">[407]</a> in response to an invitation from the +president, Judge Palmer in a somewhat excited manner stated his +objections to woman's voting. He wanted some guarantee that good +would result from giving her the ballot. He thought "she did not +understand driving, and would upset the sleigh. Men had always +rowed the boat, and therefore always should. Men had more force and +muscle than women, and therefore should have all the power in their +hands." He spoke of himself as the guardian of his wife, and said +she did not want to vote. After talking an hour in this style, he +took his seat, greatly to the relief of his hearers. Mrs. Cutler, +in her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_618" id="Page_618">[Pg 618]</a></span> calm, dignified, deliberate manner, answered his arguments. +She proved conclusively that muscular force was not the power most +needed in our government. If it were, all the little, weak men and +women, no matter how intellectual must stand aside, and let only +the strong, muscular do the voting and governing. In clearness of +perception, and readiness of debate, she distanced her opponent +altogether in the opinion of the convention.</p> + +<p>The first annual meeting of the State Society was held at Des +Moines, October 19, 1871. Mrs. Bloomer presided<a name="FNanchor_408_408" id="FNanchor_408_408"></a><a href="#Footnote_408_408" class="fnanchor">[408]</a> in the absence +of the president, Gen. O'Connor. Speakers had been engaged for this +convention, a good representation secured, and every arrangement +made for a successful meeting. And such it was, barring a +difference of opinion among the friends of the movement as to what +questions should properly come before a society whose only object, +as declared in its constitution, was to secure suffrage for women. +The following letters were received:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Iowa City,</span> October 11, 1871.</p> + +<p>Mrs. <span class="smcap">Annie Savery</span>—<i>Dear Madam</i>: Your kind and very flattering +invitation to address the Woman's State Suffrage Convention, in +Des Moines, reached me just prior to my departure for this city, +and I avail myself of my first leisure to respond. It would not +only give me great pleasure, but I should esteem it among my +higher duties to accept your invitation, and give my emphatic +endorsement to the great reform movement represented by the woman +suffrage convention, were it at all practicable. But I have just +reached my new charge, and can not dispose of immediate pressing +claims upon my time and effort here. Please accept my apology for +declining, and believe me, ever yours for woman's +enfranchisement.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">C. R. Pomeroy.</p> + + +<p class="ltr-break ltr-date"> +<span class="smcap">Indianola</span>, Sept. 30, 1871.</p> + +<p>Mrs. <span class="smcap">Annie Savery</span>—<i>Madam</i>: I am in receipt of your letter, +asking me to take part in your annual convention. I thank you for +the honor, as I expect from such a convention results the most +salutary, not only to the condition of woman, but also to the +progress of our young and vigorous commonwealth. I have read +carefully the circular enclosed in your letter, and consider the +logic irrefutable, and its suggestions well worthy the attention +of all who desire the complete enfranchisement of woman. I fear +that I shall not be able to attend, but if I am, I shall be with +you, should I do no more than say "Amen" to the words of my +eloquent countryman, O'Connor, whom I learn you have honored with +the presidency of your association. Wishing for your cause the +fullest success, I subscribe myself—one for the enfranchisement +of woman.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">Alexander Burns.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>A letter was also received from Bishop Matthew Simpson, of the +Methodist church, who was always ready to declare his adherence to +this great reform:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Owatoma</span>, Oct. 2, 1871.</p> + +<p>Hon. <span class="smcap">J. Harlan</span>—<i>Dear Senator</i>: Yours, inclosing Mrs. Savery's +kind invitation, was received before I left Mankota. I would be +pleased to comply with her invitation, joined as it is with your +earnest solicitation. But I am under bonds—if not to keep the +peace, at least to keep silence—so far as either sermons or +public addresses are concerned, until the full restoration of my +health. I am glad to say my health is improving. I have presided +at five conferences this fall—two still await me. But I have not +ventured any extra labor, nor dare I for some time to come. +Please convey to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_619" id="Page_619">[Pg 619]</a></span> Mrs. Savery my thanks for her kind invitation, +and say to her that I sympathize fully with the suffrage +association in its desire to attain for women the ballot. </p></blockquote> + +<p>A series of resolutions was discussed, other letters read, and a +large number of new converts joined the association. The <i>State +Register</i> spoke in a very complimentary manner of the deliberations +of this convention:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It is but just, perhaps, that we should say, in general terms, of +the State woman suffrage convention, in session in Des Moines the +past week, that its proceedings were characterized with good +sense, dignity, and the best of order. The world has had an +impression for five or six thousand years that women cannot talk +without wrangling, counsel without confusion. Again, many are so +unjust as to imagine that a convention composed of ladies, +assembled to discuss serious subjects, can be nothing more than a +quilting party or tattlers' club enlarged and let loose.</p> + +<p>We have never seen a convention conducted with more decorum, or a +greater degree of intelligent accord exhibited in the routine of +proceedings, than was noticeable in this first annual gathering +of the friends of suffrage in Iowa. A majority of the members +were women. They opened the convention and conducted the +discussions with a spirit and in a manner after which men might +well pattern. In some respects, the ladies who took the lead, +showed themselves better posted in general information, in all +matters of deliberation, than men.</p> + +<p>We would not endorse all that was done at the convention, but we +would be fair enough to give to it the meed of having been, in +all respects, well conducted. The convention strengthened those +in whose name it met, not only among themselves, but with the +public. All who attended it were impressed with the conviction +that its members were earnest and honest, and could see that they +were intelligent and well armed. Whatever it may have done +directly, and that we know was much, it accomplished more good +for its cause by impressing the public mind that its adherents in +Iowa are banded together in union, and bound to make every +honorable effort for success. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In January, 1872, I received a letter from a very prominent member +of the legislature, from which the following is an extract:</p> + +<blockquote><p>After consultation I believe the House would resolve itself into +committee of the whole (when senators would be likely also to +come in), and hear you on the question of woman suffrage. Should +you desire to press it to vote this session, I should advise that +course. As to the time of your hearing, it should be in the day, +and appointed soon after the recess. We meet again on February +13. I think it could be arranged for Friday, the 16th, if +agreeable to you.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF sc">John A. Kasson.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">With kind regards,</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Notwithstanding this kind proposal of Mr. Kasson, I did not act +upon his suggestion. But Mrs. Harbert and Mrs. Savery, feeling that +something must be done, had the courage and the conscience, on +their individual responsibility, to call a mass-meeting at the +capitol on the evening previous to the day appointed for the vote +on the amendment in the House. Mrs. Harbert presided and opened the +meeting with an earnest appeal; Mrs. Savery, Mr. C.P. Holmes, +Senator Converse, and Governor Carpenter, made eloquent speeches. +The governor, in opening his address said he voted to strike +"black" from the constitution sixteen years ago, and would then, as +now, had the opportunity been presented, have voted to strike out +"male."</p> + +<p>On the following day when the amendment came up in the House for +the final vote, it was carried by 58 to 39. In the Senate there was +a spirited discussion, Hon. Charles Beardsley making an earnest +speech in favor of the resolution. The vote on engrossing the bill +for the third<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_620" id="Page_620">[Pg 620]</a></span> reading stood 26 ayes to 20 nays. Hope ran high with +the friends; but alas! on a final vote, taken but a few minutes +later, the bill was lost by 24 nays to 22 ayes.<a name="FNanchor_409_409" id="FNanchor_409_409"></a><a href="#Footnote_409_409" class="fnanchor">[409]</a> The general +sentiment was well stated by the Iowa <i>State Register</i>:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Senate disposed of the woman suffrage question yesterday by +voting it down. We think it made a mistake. Certainly there was, +at the lowest count, thirty out of every hundred voters in the +State who desired to have this legislature ratify the action of +the last Assembly, and submit the question at the polls this +fall. The Republican party has its own record to meet here. The +first time the negro suffrage question was submitted to the +people of Iowa, it was submitted by a Republican legislature, and +the submission was made when not over one voter in a hundred +desired it done. This latter thing was a plain proposition, a +most justly preferred petition. The people who were anxious to +have the question submitted, are, it is confidently claimed, in +majority. We think their wishes might well and fitly have been +granted. Even those who were opposed to them must see that the +advocates of the reform will now have a chance to claim that the +opponents of it are afraid to go with them to the people. This is +not merely a defeat for the present year, but practically for +four years. Our State constitution can be amended only after two +legislatures have acted upon the amendment, and the people have +voted upon it. The legislature of two years ago passed the +resolution voted down yesterday. Now, we presume, it will have to +take another start. Four years of waiting and working before the +friends of the reform can be given a chance to get a verdict from +the people, is a long and painful ordeal. It will not be endured +with patience. It would be asking too much of human nature to +expect that. </p></blockquote> + +<p>At the annual convention of 1874, at Des Moines, Bishop Gilbert +Haven of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a clear and liberal +thinker, made a very impressive speech on the power woman could +wield with the ballot in her own hand in making our towns and +cities safe for our sons and daughters to live in. This year, the +Des Moines annual conference of the M. E. Church passed resolutions +advocating woman suffrage as a great moral reform; while the State +convention of the Universalist Association in its resolution said: +"This convention recognizes that women are entitled to all the +social, religious, and political rights which men enjoy."</p> + +<p>At the Diocesan Convention held at Davenport May 1881, the +Episcopal Church took a step forward by striking the word male out +of a canon, thus enabling women to vote for vestrymen, a right +hitherto withheld. It is but a straw in the right direction, but +"straws show which way the wind blows," and we may hope for more +good things to follow.</p> + +<p>The Republican party, in convention assembled, at Des Moines, July +1, 1874, inserted the following, as the tenth plank of its +platform:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That since the people may be entrusted with all +questions of governmental reform, we favor the final submission +to them of the question of amending the constitution so as to +extend the right of suffrage to women, pursuant to the action of +the fifteenth General Assembly. </p></blockquote> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_621" id="Page_621">[Pg 621]</a></span></p> + +<p>The reading of the resolution called forth cheers of approval, and +was adopted without a dissenting vote, Mrs. Elizabeth Boynton +Harbert is entitled to great credit for this "woman's plank," she +having gone before the committee on resolutions and made an earnest +appeal for woman's recognition by the Republican party. The <i>State +Record</i> said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>When the Republicans, in national convention, recognized woman, +and gave her a plank in the platform of the party, it reflected +back a spirit of justice and progress which is looked for in vain +in the party opposing, of whatever name. But when the Republicans +of Iowa gave to a woman the privilege of bringing in a plank of +her own production, and that plank was added to the State +platform without a dissenting voice, it placed Iowa, men and +women alike, in the vanguard of the world's onward march to a +more rational life, more even justice, and purer government.</p> + +<p>In the Republican State platform of Iowa is the first real and +purely woman's plank that ever entered into any political +platform—because it originated in the brain of woman. It was by +a woman carried to the committee, and in response to an able, +dignified, and true womanly appeal, it was accepted, and by the +convention incorporated into the platform of the party. It may +seem to be a small plank, but it has strength and durability. It +is the live oak of a living principle, that will remain sound +while other planks of greater bulk around it will have served +their purpose and wasted away.</p> + +<p>It argues thus: if woman is competent to present a political +issue, clothed in her own language, with a dignity and modesty +that silence opposition, is she not competent to exercise with +prudence and intelligence the elective franchise? and would she +not, if entrusted with it, exercise it for the elevation of a +common humanity? The <i>Record</i> tenders hearty congratulations not +only to Mrs. Harbert, who we know will bear the honors modestly, +but also to those who by their presence in the convention gave +encouragement to greater respect for woman's wishes, and by whose +work is demonstrated woman's fitness to be in truth a helpmeet +for man. We had a mother, and have sisters, wife, and daughter, +and that is why we would have woman enjoy every privilege and +opportunity to be useful to herself and her country that we claim +for ourself. </p></blockquote> + +<p>At the annual meeting of 1875, held at Oskaloosa, the following +letter from the governor of the State was received:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"> +<span class="smcap">Executive Department</span>, Des Moines, Iowa. +</p> + +<p>Mrs. <span class="smcap">R. G. Orwig</span>, <i>Cor. Sec. I. W. S. S.—Dear Madam</i>: I have +your letter inviting me to be present at your annual meeting. +Thanking you and the association for the consideration implied, I +have to express my regrets that business of an official character +will prevent me from coming. I hope your proceedings may be +characterized by such wisdom, moderation, and sincerity as to +advance the cause to which your efforts are given. I have never +been able to discover any argument to sustain my own right to +vote that does not equally apply to woman. Whether my right is +founded upon the interest I have, in common with my fellows, in +the preservation of the free institutions of my country; or upon +the protection of my personal interests as a citizen; or upon my +right to a voice in the creation of laws to which I am held +amenable; or upon my right to influence by a vote the direction +given to revenues which I am taxed to help supply; or upon any +other right, personal, political or moral, I have never been able +to see why the reasons which make the vote valuable to me do not +apply with equal force to woman. You doubtless think your efforts +are comparatively fruitless; but I need not tell you that while +your agitation has failed, so far, to bring you the ballot, it +has ameliorated the condition of woman in very many particulars. +Her property rights are better protected; her sphere of activity +has been enlarged, and her influence for good is more widely +recognized. So I wish you well. Yours truly,</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">C. C. Carpenter.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_622" id="Page_622">[Pg 622]</a></span></p> + +<p>This year women were members of a lay delegation in the Methodist +conference, and also lay delegates to the Presbyterian synod. And +in two or three instances women have been invited to address these +bodies, and have received a vote of thanks. Many of the orthodox +clergy are openly advocating our cause, and in some instances women +have been invited by them to occupy their desks on Sunday to preach +the Gospel to the people. This is a wonderful advance in sentiment +since 1852, when in New York the clergy would not permit women to +speak, even on temperance in a public hall.</p> + +<p>In 1876 the society secured the services of Matilda Hindman, of +Pittsburg, Pa., who traveled over the greater part of the State, +lecturing and organizing societies, and was everywhere spoken of as +an eloquent and logical speaker. She was followed by Margaret W. +Campbell, and those who know her feel that the State gained in her +a valuable friend in everything pertaining to the interests of +woman. What is said of Miss Hindman as a speaker may also be said +of Mrs. Campbell.</p> + +<p>The first governor of Iowa to officially recognize woman's right to +the ballot was the Hon. C. C. Carpenter, who in his message to the +General Assembly of 1876, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The proposed amendment to the constitution, adopted by your +predecessors, and which requires your sanction before being +submitted to the voters of the State, will come before you. I +venture to suggest, that the uniform expression in Wyoming +Territory, where woman suffrage is a fact, is favorable to its +continuance, and that wherever in Europe and America women have +voted for school or minor officers the influence of their +suffrage has been beneficent; and in view of the peculiar +appropriateness of submitting this question in this year, 1876, +when all America is celebrating achievements which were inspired +by the doctrine that taxation and representation are of right +inseparable, it is recommended that you give the people of Iowa +an opportunity to express their judgment upon the proposed +amendment at the ballot-box. </p></blockquote> + +<p>At the request of the State Association, Miss Matilda Hindman was +granted a hearing before the legislature, and most respectful +attention was accorded to her able address. Miss Anthony was also +invited, and, at the suggestion of Mrs. Savery, she engaged the +opera-house. The seats reserved for the members were all filled, +and every part of the house occupied. The day following, the vote +in the House was taken, and carried by 54 to 40. After a careful +canvass of the Senate, it was found that there were ten votes to +spare; but alas! when the day for final action came the amendment +was lost by one vote.<a name="FNanchor_410_410" id="FNanchor_410_410"></a><a href="#Footnote_410_410" class="fnanchor">[410]<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_623" id="Page_623">[Pg 623]</a></span></a></p> + +<p>In 1880 Senator Gaylord of Floyd county made a speech, giving +twenty-one reasons why he voted against the submission of the +proposition for the enfranchisement of women, which was published +in full in the Des Moines <i>Register</i>, and thus sent broadcast over +the State. Mrs. Bloomer replied to Mr. Floyd through the same +paper, meeting and refuting every objection, thus in a measure +antidoting the poisonous influence of the senator's pronunciamento.</p> + +<p>In the spring of this year Dr. Harriette Bottsford and Mrs. Jane C. +McKinney were appointed by a caucus of Republican women, to the +Powesheik county convention, to choose delegates to the State +convention. They presented their credentials to the committee, and +the chairman reported them as delegates. On motion, they were +accepted—but some men soon bethought them that this was +establishing a bad precedent, and began maneuvering to get rid of +them. This was finally done by declaring the delegation full +without them—two men having been quietly appointed to fill +vacancies after the ladies had presented their credentials. Mrs. +McKinney made a spicy speech, saying they did not expect to be +received as delegates, but wished to remind the men that women were +citizens, tax-payers and Republicans, but unrepresented.</p> + +<p>At the Greenback State convention of 1881, Mrs. Mary E. Nash was +nominated as the candidate of that party for State superintendent +of schools. Mrs. Nash declined the honor intended, and said that +her political flag, if it were to float at all, would be found in +another camp. She would not desert her colors for office. In 1884 +Mrs. H. J. Bellangee and Mrs. A. M. Swain were regularly accredited +delegates to the National Greenback convention, held at +Indianapolis, Ind., to nominate a candidate for the presidency, +where they were received with the greatest courtesy.</p> + +<p>The annual meeting of 1882, at Des Moines, was remarkable for the +number of clergymen, representing nearly all the different +denominations, who took part in its proceedings, each of the nine +seeming to vie with the others in expressing his belief that the +ballot for woman, as for man, was a right, not a privilege. Bishop +Hurst of the M. E. Church, made an able speech. The executive +committee sent a memorial to the Republican convention, held in +June for the nomination of State officers, asking a plank in their +platform favoring the submission of the woman suffrage amendment. +The request was not granted. Leading politicians who professed to +believe in equality of rights for women feared that to do so would +make too heavy a weight for the party to carry, it having already +incorporated a prohibition plank in its platform. The committee +also interviewed 500 editors, asking them to open the columns of +their papers to the advocacy of woman suffrage. One hundred and +twenty replied favorably, while many were courteous and others +brusque in their refusals.</p> + +<p>A committee on legislation (Mrs. Narcissa T. Bemis, chairman) did +good<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_624" id="Page_624">[Pg 624]</a></span> work during this session of the legislature, and also +published a tract composed of contributions from twelve leading +ministers of the State, called "The Clergymen's Tract." This was +sent broadcast. Nine hundred of the clergy were favored with a +copy. The Ministerial Association, held in Des Moines, passed the +following:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That we are heartily in favor of woman suffrage as +advocated by your association, and regard the same as a proper +subject for pulpit-teaching, and, as opportunity offers of +furthering said cause in our pulpit ministry, we will avail +ourselves of the same. </p></blockquote> + +<p>During this year the State Society contributed liberally to the +Nebraska campaign. Mrs. Nancy R. Allen and Mrs. Mary B. Lee each +left a small legacy to the association.</p> + +<p>Of the annual meeting of 1883,<a name="FNanchor_411_411" id="FNanchor_411_411"></a><a href="#Footnote_411_411" class="fnanchor">[411]</a> held at Ottumwa, the local +papers gave full and fair reports; while 200 papers of the State +published a condensed statement prepared by the secretary. Miss +Hindman and Mrs. Campbell were again invited to the State. No +grander work than theirs was ever done in Iowa. There is scarcely a +county which they have not canvassed; holding meetings, forming +associations, circulating petitions, distributing tracts, preaching +on Sundays in the churches, traveling, often for months at a time, +without a pledge of pecuniary aid, depending for their expenses +wholly on funds contributed at their meetings.</p> + +<p>The State convention of 1884 met at the Christian Church at Des +Moines; Mrs. Nacissa T. Bemis presided. Mrs. Helen M. Gougar of +Indiana was one of the speakers. A committee, of which Mrs. Martha +C. Callanan was chairman, interviewed the governor, asking a +recognition of woman's right of suffrage, and were told it should +receive consideration. Accordingly, in his message to the +legislature, Governor Sherman said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Your attention is respectfully directed to the question of +impartial suffrage, in respect to which the nineteenth General +Assembly proposed an amendment to the constitution. Should this +meet your approval, as preliminary to taking the judgment of the +voters, I recommend that it be submitted at a special election, +in order that it may be freed from the influence of partisan +politics, and thus receive an unprejudiced vote of our citizens. +Not caring to here express an opinion upon the question itself, +it is sufficient to say that now, as heretofore, I am in favor of +the submission of any question which is of importance and general +interest. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Governor Sherman also gave it as his opinion that a good woman +should be placed on the board of trustees of every public +institution. This was the second time that an Iowa governor had +referred to this great political question in his message to the +General Assembly, Governor Carpenter having heartily indorsed the +measure in 1876. It is said, however, that Governor Newbold had +written a clause on the subject in his message in 1878, but that it +was suppressed by the careful counsel of some guardian angel of his +party.</p> + +<p>Previous to the assembling of this legislature, petitions had been +widely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_625" id="Page_625">[Pg 625]</a></span> circulated,<a name="FNanchor_412_412" id="FNanchor_412_412"></a><a href="#Footnote_412_412" class="fnanchor">[412]</a> praying for the submission of the +amendment. Over 6,000 signatures were obtained. Each petition was +placed in the hands of a senator or member from the county in which +the names were gathered, for presentation in the respective Houses.</p> + +<p>For fifteen consecutive years the State Society has met annually, +made reports, passed resolutions, elected officers, listened to +speeches and transacted what other business has come before it. +Though its anniversaries have usually been held at Des Moines, its +influence through the press has pervaded the whole State. Since +1875, the annual meetings have been held in different cities<a name="FNanchor_413_413" id="FNanchor_413_413"></a><a href="#Footnote_413_413" class="fnanchor">[413]</a> +outside the capital, thus giving the people of all sections of the +State an opportunity to participate in the deliberations. Petitions +to the legislature and to congress have been circulated by the +society, delegates sent to the conventions of the National and +American Suffrage Associations,<a name="FNanchor_414_414" id="FNanchor_414_414"></a><a href="#Footnote_414_414" class="fnanchor">[414]</a> and letters addressed to the +delegates of the State and National nominating conventions of the +political parties, asking for a recognition of woman's right to the +ballot in their platforms.</p> + +<p>A brief recital of the proceedings of the Iowa legislature will +show that a large majority of the Representatives have been in +favor of submitting the question of woman suffrage to a direct vote +of the men of the State. The proposition was first presented in the +House by Hon. John P. Irish, in 1870. The resolution passed both +Houses with very little debate, was approved by the governor, and +submitted to the next General Assembly. In the session of 1872 it +was discussed in both Houses at considerable length, and again +passed in the Lower House by the strong vote of 58 ayes to 39 nays; +while in the Senate it was lost by only two majority. The House has +never failed at any session since that time, until 1884, to give a +majority in its favor; but the Senate has not made for itself so +good a record. In 1872 the vote in the Senate stood: ayes, 22; +nays, 24. In 1876 it was lost by one vote; and in 1880 lost on +engrossment. In 1884 the tables were turned; when the amendment +came up in the twentieth General Assembly for ratification, the +Senate passed the bill, while the House, for the first time, +defeated it by a small majority.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_626" id="Page_626">[Pg 626]</a></span></p> + +<p>By the constitution of Iowa an amendment must be approved by two +consecutive legislatures, convened in regular session. When so +approved it is then submitted to the popular vote of the electors. +As in this State the legislature meets but once in two years, the +reader can see how easily a bill passed at one session may, two +years later, be defeated by the election of new members who are +opposed to it. And thus through all these years those who claim the +ballot for woman in this State have been elated or depressed by the +action of each succeeding legislature.</p> + +<p>The thirteenth General Assembly not only earned a good name for +enlightened statesmanship by passing the constitutional amendment +in favor of woman suffrage, but it also, by chapter 21, approved +March 8, 1870, passed an act admitting women to the practice of +law. It was under this that Judith Ellen Foster—so widely known as +an eloquent lecturer and able lawyer—Annie C. Savery, Mrs. Emma +Haddock, Louisa H. Albert, Jessie M. Johnson, and several others +have passed the necessary examination and been admitted to practice +as attorneys and counselors in all the courts of the State. Mrs. +Arabella Mansfield was admitted to the bar in 1869, just a year +previous to the enactment of the law.</p> + +<p>Miss Linda M. Ramsey, now Mrs. Hartzell, was employed as a clerk by +Adjutant-General Baker in 1864, and held the office for some time +after the war closed. The <i>Record</i> says she was the first woman +regularly employed and paid by the State for clerical services. +Miss Augusta Matthews served as military secretary for Governor +Stone during the war under pay of the State.</p> + +<p>It was the thirteenth General Assembly, 1870, that first elected a +woman, Miss Mary E. Spencer, to the office of engrossing clerk; and +upon her it devolved to convey the message from the House to the +Senate, announcing the passage of the woman suffrage amendment. In +1872 each House elected one woman among its officers; and each +succeeding General Assembly since that time has elected from three +to six women. The office of postmaster has been filled by women for +the last ten years, and is now held by the venerable widow of +General N. A. Baker, for many years the popular adjutant-general of +the State. The office of State librarian was filled by Mrs. Ada +North for seven years, and is now held by Mrs. S. B. Maxwell. Mrs. +North is (1885) librarian of the State University at Iowa City.</p> + +<p>The State insane hospitals are inspected by a visiting commission, +one of whom is a woman. Several of the city hospitals are managed +by women of the Catholic orders. The reform schools have a woman on +their board of trustees, of whom Governor Sherman was graciously +pleased to say that "she discovered more of the true inwardness of +the institution in three days than her honorable colleague had done +in three years."</p> + +<p>In 1876 Governor Kirkwood appointed Mrs. Nancy R. Allen notary +public. He also appointed Mrs. Merrill as teacher and chaplain at +the State penitentiary, Miss McCowen as physician of the State +insane asylum, and Dr. Sara A. Pangborn, one of the staff of +physicians of the insane hospital at Independence.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_627" id="Page_627">[Pg 627]</a></span></p> + +<p>In 1874 Governor Carpenter appointed Mrs. Deborah Cattell a +commissioner to investigate the alleged cruelty in the State Reform +School at Eldora; and for this service she was paid the same as men +who served on the same commission. Governor Gear appointed Dr. +Abbie M. Cleaves delegate from Iowa to the National Conference of +Charities and Correction, and to the National Association for the +Protection of the Insane and the Prevention of Insanity, which was +held in Cleveland, Ohio, July, 1880. Mrs. Mary Wright and Dr. Abbie +Cleaves were commissioned to the conference of the same +associations at Louisville, Ky., in 1883. The legislature of 1880 +appointed Jane C. McKinney one of the trustees of the Hospital for +the Insane, at Independence.</p> + +<p>The eighteenth General Assembly, 1880, passed an act to extend to +women the right to hold the office of county recorder. A bill +giving them the right to hold the office of county auditor passed +the House, but was lost in the Senate. Under the above law Miss +Addie Hayden was elected recorder of Warren county by a majority of +397 votes. She ran on an independent ticket. Mrs. C. J. Hill was +chosen recorder of Osceola county at the same election.</p> + +<p>The instruction of the youth of Iowa has fallen largely into the +hands of women. During the year 1879 the number of women employed +as teachers was 13,579, while the number of men was 7,573. In the +larger towns and cities women are almost exclusively engaged as +teachers. Miss Phebe Ludlow, after having for several years +acceptably discharged the duties of city superintendent of schools +at Davenport, was elected professor of English language and +literature in the State University at Iowa City. The chair is still +occupied by a woman, as is that of instructor of mathematics and +several other branches in that institution, which, to the honor of +Iowa be it said, always opened its doors to both sexes alike.</p> + +<p>The question of the eligibility of women to the office of county +superintendent of public schools having arisen by the election of +Miss Julia C. Addington in the autumn of 1869, the matter was +referred to the attorney-general by the State superintendent of +public instruction, and the following was his reply:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Hon. A. S. Kissell, Superintendent of Public Instruction:</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Sir</span>: Rights and privileges of persons (citizens) are +frequently extended but never abridged by implication. The +soundness and wisdom of this rule of construction is, I believe, +universally conceded. Two clauses of the constitution, only, +contain express provisions excluding women from the rights and +privileges in said provisions. Section 1, of Article I., as to +the right of suffrage, and Section 4, of Article III., which +provides that members of the legislature must be free white male +citizens. "Free" and "white" have lost their meaning (if the +words in that use ever had any suitable or good meaning), but the +word "male" still retains its full force and effect. If this +express restriction exists in the constitution as to any other +office, it has escaped my notice. It is true that the words +"person" and "citizen" frequently occur in other parts of the +constitution in connection with eligibility and qualification for +office, and I fully admit that by usage—"time-honored usage," if +you will—these phrases have in common acceptation been taken to +mean man in the masculine gender only, and to exclude woman. But +a recent decision in the Court Exchequer, England, holding that +the generic term "man" includes woman also, indicates our +progress from a crude barbarism to a better civilization.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_628" id="Page_628">[Pg 628]</a></span></p> + +<p>The office of county superintendent was created by chapter 52 of +the acts of the seventh General Assembly, laws of 1868, pages +52-72. Neither in that act, nor in any subsequent legislation on +the subject, have I been able to find any express provisions +making male citizenship a test of eligibility for the place, or +excluding women; and when I look over the duties to be performed +by that officer—as I have with some care, and, I trust, not +without interest—I deem it exceedingly fortunate for the cause +of education in Iowa that there is no provision in the law +preventing women from holding the office of county superintendent +of common schools. I know that the pronoun "he" is frequently +used in different sections of the act, and referring to the +officer; but, as stated above, this privilege of the citizen +cannot be taken away or denied by intendment or implication; and +women are citizens as well and as much as men.</p> + +<p>I need scarcely add that, in my opinion, Miss Addington is +eligible to the office to which she has been elected; that she +will be entitled to her pay when she qualifies and discharges the +duties of the office, and that her decisions on appeal, as well +as all her official acts, will be legal and binding. It is +perhaps proper to state that an opinion on this question, +substantially in agreement with the present one, was sent from +this office to a gentleman writing from Osage, in Mitchell +county, several weeks ago, which for some reason unknown to me, +seems not to have been made public in the county. I have the +honor to be, etc.,</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"> +<span class="smcap">Henry O'Connor</span>, <i>Attorney-General</i>. +</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Miss Addington, in her short letter of inquiry to the +superintendent, has the following modest conclusion: "The position +is not one I should have chosen for myself, but since my friends +have shown so much confidence in me, and many of them are desirous +that I should accept the office, I feel inclined to gratify them, +if it be found there is nothing incompatible in my doing so."</p> + +<p>The question of the eligibility of women to hold school offices was +again raised at the October election of 1875. Miss Elizabeth S. +Cooke was elected to the office of superintendent of common schools +in Warren county. The question of her right to hold the office was +carried by her opponent, Mr. Huff, to the District Court of that +county, by appeal; and that court decided that the defendant, Miss +Cooke, "being a woman, was ineligible to the office." It was then +carried to the Supreme Court of the State, which held that "there +is no constitutional inhibition upon the rights of women to hold +the office of county superintendent." In the meantime, however, and +immediately following the decision of the Warren county judge, the +General Assembly, March 2, 1876, promptly came to the rescue and +passed the following act, almost unanimously:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Section 1.</span> No person shall be deemed ineligible, by reason of +sex, to any school office in the State of Iowa.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec. 2.</span> No person who may have been, or shall be, elected or +appointed to the office of county superintendent of common +schools, or director, in the State of Iowa, shall be deprived of +office by reason of sex. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Under the provisions of this law, and the above-cited decision of +the Supreme Court, Miss Cooke was allowed to serve out her term of +office without hindrance. Since that time women have been elected, +and discharged the duties of county superintendent with great +credit to themselves and advantage to the public. Women have also +been elected to other school offices in different parts of the +State. Mrs. Mary A. Work was unanimously elected sub-director in +district No. 6, Delaware township, Polk county, in the spring of +1880; and soon after was made president<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_629" id="Page_629">[Pg 629]</a></span> of the board—the first +woman, so far as known, to fill the position of president of a +school board.</p> + +<p>In 1877, in Frederica, Bremer county, Mrs. Mary Fisher attended the +school meeting, and was elected as one of the three directors. The +two others were men, one of whom immediately resigned, saying he +would not hold office with a woman. His resignation was at once +accepted. He further remarked that "woman's place was <i>to hum</i>; she +was out of her <i>spear</i> to school <i>meetin's</i>, <i>holdin'</i> office," +etc. Mrs. Fisher had been a teacher for six years. Mrs. Shirley, +another successful teacher, accompanied Mrs. Fisher to the next +school meeting, and both ladies voted on all questions that came up +for action, and nothing was said against their doing so.</p> + +<p>This year (1885) the school board of Des Moines elected Mrs. Lou. +M. Wilson to the office of city superintendent of public schools, +with a salary of $1,800 a year. She has in charge eighty teachers, +among whom are two men in the position of principals. At the +woman's congress, held at Des Moines in October, 1885, Dr. Jennie +McCowen, in her report for this State, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>An increasing number of women have been elected on school-boards, +and are serving as officers and county superintendents of +schools. Last year six women served as presidents, thirty-five as +secretaries, and fifty as treasurers of school-boards. Of the +superintendents and principals of graded schools about one in +five is a woman; of county superintendents, one in nine; of +teachers in normal institutes, one in three; of principals of +secondary institutions of learning, one in three; of tutors and +instructors in colleges, one in two; and in the twenty-three +higher institutions of learning, thirteen young women are +officiating as professors, and in three of these colleges the +secretary of the faculty is a woman. The State board of examiners +has one woman—Miss Ella A. Hamilton of Des Moines—and the State +superintendent of public instruction has for a number of years +availed himself of the valued services of a woman for private +secretary. The <i>Northwestern Educational Journal</i> is edited by a +woman. At the last meeting of the State Teachers' Association a +committee was appointed to prepare a regular course of reading +for teachers. This course is mainly professional and literary, +with a leaning toward the latter. A large number of these reading +circles have already been organized, and much interest, and even +enthusiasm, is being manifested by teachers in all parts of the +State. The school of Domestic Economy, in connection with the +Agricultural College, is in charge of a woman as dean, and, +although but a year old, has made an auspicious beginning. A +number of young ladies, graduates of the State University and +other literary schools, have gone to the School of Domestic +Economy to finish their education. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Iowa has many women engaged as journalists. Prominent among these +is Miss Maggie VanPelt, city editor of the Dubuque <i>Times</i>. She +conducts her department very ably, and acceptably to her readers. +Whether an advocate for suffrage or not, she is certainly a +practical woman's rights woman. Independent and fearless, she goes +about day and night where she pleases, and wherever her business +calls her. A revolver, which she is known to carry, makes it safe +for her to walk the street at all hours. Mrs. Will Hollingsworth, +of the Sigourney <i>Review</i>, does a large part of the writing for +that paper, and assists in the management of the establishment. +<i>Woman's Hour</i>, edited by Mary J. Coggeshall, was published by +women at Des Moines two seasons, during the exposition. Ten +thousand copies were printed for free distribution, and a +handsomely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_630" id="Page_630">[Pg 630]</a></span> decorated department granted the society in the +exposition for their work. Mrs. E. H. Hunter and Mrs. Woods +represented the society. Mrs. Pauline Swaim is noted for her +journalistic ability. Besides working on her husband's paper, the +Oskaloosa <i>Herald</i>, she has done much for the <i>State Register</i>, +reporting for it the proceedings of the Senate. In October, 1875, +Nettie Sanford started a paper at Marshalltown, called <i>The Woman's +Bureau</i>, which she published for two years. During 1878 she +published the <i>San Gabriel Valley News</i>, in California. Mrs. L. M. +Latham for many years conducted a suffrage column in the Cedar +Rapids <i>Times</i>; since 1884 she has been associated with Mrs. J. L. +Wilson on the <i>Transcript</i>, an eight column paper devoted to +general news, temperance and woman suffrage. The paper is owned by +Mrs. Wilson. Mrs. Nettie P. Fox edits the <i>Spiritual Offering</i> at +Ottumwa; Mrs. Hattie Campbell, a suffrage department in <i>The +Advance</i>, at Des Moines; Mary Osborne edits the <i>Osceola Sentinel</i>, +and is superintendent of the public schools of Clark county; Mrs. +Lafayette Young is engaged on the <i>Atlantic Telegraph</i>. Very many +papers in the State have women in charge of one or more columns.</p> + +<p>In the humbler walks of literature Iowa can boast quite a number of +women who have made successful attempts at authorship.<a name="FNanchor_415_415" id="FNanchor_415_415"></a><a href="#Footnote_415_415" class="fnanchor">[415]</a> In +sculpture Mrs. Harriet A. Ketcham, of Mt. Pleasant, deserves +mention. She has the exclusive contract to model the prominent men +of Iowa for the new capitol. Mrs. Estelle E. Vore, Mrs. Cora R. +Fracker, and Miss Emma G. Holt, are known as musical composers.</p> + +<p>Among the lecturers of Iowa, Mrs. Matilda Fletcher is worthy of +mention. Though she has never made woman suffrage a specialty, she +is sound on that question, and frequently introduces it +incidentally in her lectures. In 1869 she was living in obscurity +in Council Bluffs, her husband being employed as a teacher in one +of the suburban schools. Young, girlish-looking, no one seeing her +would have dreamed of her possessing the capabilities she has since +displayed. She started out under many discouragements, but has +shown a perseverance, a self-reliance, and an indomitable will that +few women manifest in the same direction. Mrs. Fletcher has been +employed by the Republican party during some of the most important +and exciting campaigns, speaking throughout the State, in halls, +tents, and in the open air. Every such effort on the part of woman +is an advantage to the cause we advocate, bringing it nearer to +final success. But it is to Mrs. Stanton, Miss Anthony, Anna +Dickinson, Mrs. Livermore, and other lyceum lecturers<a name="FNanchor_416_416" id="FNanchor_416_416"></a><a href="#Footnote_416_416" class="fnanchor">[416]</a> that our +State is especially indebted for a knowledge of the true principles +upon which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_631" id="Page_631">[Pg 631]</a></span> woman founds her claim to equal civil and political +rights with man. In all sections of our land their voices have been +heard by interested and delighted audiences.</p> + +<p>There are about one hundred and fifty women in the medical +profession in the different cities of the State. Mrs. Yeomans, of +Clinton, is a successful practitioner. Mrs. King, allopathist, and +Mrs. Hortz, homeopathist, are regular graduates in good practice at +Des Moines. Dr. Harding, electrician, and Dr. Hilton, allopathist, +also graduates, have all the practice they can attend to in Council +Bluffs. In 1883, Dr. Jennie McCowen was elected president of the +Scott County Medical Society. This was the first time a woman was +ever elected to that office in this State, if not in the United +States.</p> + +<p>It is quite sure that Iowa may justly claim the first woman in the +profession of dentistry—Mrs. Lucy B. Hobbs, as early as 1863.<a name="FNanchor_417_417" id="FNanchor_417_417"></a><a href="#Footnote_417_417" class="fnanchor">[417]</a> +At Cresco there is the firm of Dr. L. F. & Mrs. M. E. Abbott, +dental surgeons. At Mt. Pleasant, Mrs. M. E. Hildreth is a licensed +dentist in successful practice.</p> + +<p>Rev. Augusta Chapin was, I think, the first woman to enter the +sacred office in this State. Miss Safford, Algona; Mrs. Gillette, +Knoxville; Mrs. M. A. Folsom, Marshalltown; Florence E. Kollock, +Waverly; Mrs. M. J. Janes, Spencer; Mrs. Hartsough, Ft. Dodge, are +regularly ordained preachers of the Universalist and Unitarian +faiths. There are several licensed preachers of the M. E. Church, +but none have received regular ordination.</p> + +<p>Iowa furnished the following women who went to the front as nurses +during the war: Mrs. Harlan, wife of Senator Harlan; Mrs. Almira +Fales, Mrs. Anne Wittenmeyer, Miss Phebe Allen, Mrs. Jerusha R. +Small, Miss Melcena Elliott, Mrs. Arabella Tannehill. These all did +good service in hospital and on the field, and some of them laid +down their lives as a sacrifice. We copy the following as one of +the many facts of the war:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Some years ago Adjutant-General Baker of Des Moines received a +letter of inquiry asking about a certain soldier in the +Twenty-fourth Iowa infantry. The tone of the letter was so +peculiar as to attract considerable attention and create much +comment in the office. In reply the general stated that the +records of the regiment and the record of the soldier (whom, for +the sake of convenience, we will call Smith, although that is far +from the real name) were in his office. A few days afterwards a +gentleman from Northern Iowa appeared, inquired for General +Baker, and was closeted with him long enough to divulge the +following singular tale:</p> + +<p>When the war broke out Miss Mary Smith, daughter of the general's +visitor, was residing in Ohio, working for a farmer. Her father's +family had moved to Iowa the fall preceding the attack on Sumter, +leaving Mary behind to follow in the spring. Various causes +conspired to delay her departure for her Iowa home until autumn, +and it was September before she landed at Muscatine, from which +place she expected to travel by land to her father's house. She +was a large-sized, hearty-looking girl, eighteen years of age. +Arriving at Muscatine, some strange freak induced her to assume +man's apparel and enlist in the Twenty-fourth infantry, then in +rendezvous at that city. She did this without exciting any +suspicion, burned all her feminine garments and papers, neglected +to inform her friends of her arrival, and became a soldier. Some +comment was elicited by her beardless face and girlish +appearance, but as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_632" id="Page_632">[Pg 632]</a></span> she did her duty promptly and was +particularly handy in cooking and taking care of the sick, the +young warrior speedily became a general favorite alike with +officers and men.</p> + +<p>She passed through all the campaigns in which the regiment was +engaged without a scratch, except a close call from a minie ball +at Sabine's Cross Roads, which took the skin off the back of her +left hand, voted with the other members of the regiment for +president in 1864, and was finally mustered out with her comrades +at the close of the war. When she was discharged she procured +female apparel—although in doing so she was obliged to make a +confidant of one of her own sex—and procured work in Illinois, +not far from Rock Island. Six months elapsed before the tan of +five summers wore off, and when she had again become "white," and +had re-learned the almost forgotten customs of womanhood, she +presented herself at her father's house, where she was received +with open arms.</p> + +<p>To all the questions which were asked by the various members of +the family she replied that she had been honestly employed, and +had never forsaken the right way. She had been economical in the +army, and invested several hundred dollars in land in Northern +Iowa, which rapidly appreciated in value, and to-day she is well +off. With the remainder of her money she attended school. Last +January a worthy man, who had been in the same regiment, but in a +different company, made her an offer of marriage. Like a true +woman she was unwilling to bestow her hand when any part of her +former life was unknown, and before accepting the offer she made +to him a full revelation of her soldier-days. At first he could +not believe it, but when she proceeded to narrate events and +incidents which could be known only to active participants in +them, told of marches, camps, skirmishes, battles, and the +thousand and one things which never appear in print, but which +ever remain living pictures with "old soldiers," he was obliged +to accept the strange tale as true. The story, however, did not +lessen his regard for her, and about the first of February they +were married.</p> + +<p>The lady's father, after hearing the tale of her life, was still +incredulous, and only satisfied himself of its truth by a visit +to the adjutant-general's office and an inspection of the +records. By comparing dates furnished him by his daughter with +the original rolls there on file he became fully convinced that +it was all true. </p></blockquote> + +<p>A few of the inventions patented by women of Iowa are the +following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Fly-screen door-attachment, by Phœbe R. Lamborne, West +Liberty; photograph-album, Viola J. Angie, Spencer; step-ladder, +Mrs. Mary J. Gartrell, Des Moines; baking-powder can with measure +combined, Mrs. Lillie Raymond, Osceola; egg-stand, Mrs. M. E. +Tisdale, Cedar Rapids; egg-beater, and self-feeding +griddle-greaser, Mrs. Eugenia Kilborn, Cedar Rapids; tooth-pick +holder, Mrs. Ayers, Clinton; thermometer to regulate oven heat, +Mrs. F. Grace, Perry; the excelsior ironing-table, Mrs. S. L. +Avery, Marion; neck-yoke and pole-attachment, by which horses can +be instantly detached from the vehicle, Maria Dunham, Dunlap; +invalid bed, Mrs. Anna P. Forbes, Dubuque. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In the various business avocations I find the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Mrs. T. Nodles is the largest fancy grocer in the State, doing a +yearly business of $80,000. Mrs. C. F. Barron, Cedar Rapids, +designs and manufactures perforated embroidery patterns. +Statistics show there are nine hundred and fifty-five Iowa women +who own and direct farms; eighteen manage farms; six own and +direct stock-farms; twenty manage dairy-farms; five own +green-houses; nine manage market-gardens; thirty-seven manage +high institutions of learning; one hundred and twenty-five are +physicians; five attorneys-at-law; ten ministers; three dentists; +one hundred and ten professional nurses, and one civil engineer. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In the summer of 1884, the Fort Dodge <i>Messenger</i> had this +paragraph about a Des Moines family:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Miss Kate Tupper, of Des Moines, has been in town, visiting at +Mr. Bassett's for a few days. Kate comes of a family which is +remarkable for intelligent womanly effort and success. Her mother +is Mrs. Ellen S. Tupper, the Bee-queen of Iowa,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_633" id="Page_633">[Pg 633]</a></span> whose work on +bee-culture is a recognized authority everywhere; her eldest +sister is a very eloquent preacher at Colorado Springs; Miss Kate +is studying medicine, having taken herself through a full course +at the Agricultural College by her own work; and Miss Madge, who +is only sixteen, is a famous poultry raiser, and an officer of +the State Poultry Association, who has made money enough in this +business to defray her entire expenses through a full collegiate +course. Mrs. Tupper's family is a sufficient answer to the +question of woman's work, if there were no other. Let any mother +in Iowa show three boys who can beat this. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In this year Mrs. Louisa B. Stevens was elected president of the +First National Bank at Marion, Linn county. The important position +women are taking in the business world is illustrated by the +presence of two delegates at the meeting of the American Street +Railway Association held in St. Louis in the autumn of 1885—Mrs. +L. V. Gredenburg, proprietor and treasurer of the New Albany Street +Railway of New Albany, Ind., and Mrs. M. A. Turner, secretary and +treasurer of the Des Moines Railway, Des Moines, Ia. One of the +gentlemen expressed the belief that fully $25,000,000 of +street-railway stock in this country is owned by women.</p> + +<p>As to the distribution of the cardinal virtues between men and +women it is generally claimed that the former possess courage, the +latter fortitude. Although the pages of history are gilded with +innumerable instances of the remarkable courage of women of all +ages and conditions, and oftimes dimmed with the records of +cowardice in men of all classes, yet what has been said for +generations will probably be repeated, even in the face of so +remarkable a fact as the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>On March 1, 1882, the Iowa House of Representatives, on motion of +Hon. A. J. Holmes, suspended the rules and passed a bill +introduced by that gentleman providing for the presentation of a +gold medal and the thanks of the General Assembly of the State of +Iowa to Miss Kate Shelly, to which was added a money +appropriation of two hundred dollars, which passed both Houses +and became a law.</p> + +<p>In support of the bill, Mr. Holmes spoke as follows:</p> + +<p>Mr. Speaker: No apology is required for the introduction of this +bill, and I shall make no explanation in regard to it, save a +brief <i>résumé</i> of the facts upon which the bill is based. Miss +Kate Shelly, with her widowed mother and little sisters and +brother, lives in a humble home on the hill-side, in a rugged +country skirting the Des Moines River. Her father had died years +ago in the service of the great railway company whose line for +some distance is overlooked by her home, while her mother, by +economy, severe toil, and the assistance of Kate, was able to +support her little family.</p> + +<p>On the night of July 6, 1881, about 8 o'clock, there commenced +one of the most memorable storms that ever visited Central Iowa; +nothing like it had ever been witnessed by the oldest +inhabitants. The Des Moines river rose over six feet in one +hour—little rills that were dry almost the year round, suddenly +developed into miniature rivers—massive railway bridges and +lines of track were swept away as if they had been cobwebs. It +was while looking out of her window toward the high railroad +bridge over Honey Creek, that Kate Shelley saw the advancing +head-light of a locomotive descend into an abyss and become +extinguished, carrying with it the light of two lives. It was +then she realized in all its force that a terrible catastrophe +had occurred, and another more terrible, if not averted, would +soon follow to the east-bound express train, heavily laden with +passengers from the Pacific. She announced to her mother, sisters +and brother, that she must go to the scene of the accident, and +render assistance if possible, and also warn the oncoming +passenger train.</p> + +<p>It was in vain they tried to dissuade her. Although she was +obliged to almost improvise a lantern in many of its parts, it +was but a few minutes before she was ready to set out. Realizing +then that her mission was one of peril, and that she might not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_634" id="Page_634">[Pg 634]</a></span> +again look upon those dear faces, she kissed each of them +affectionately, and amid their sobs, hurried out into the gloom, +into the descending floods, toward the rushing torrents—drenched +to the skin, on she passed toward the railroad to the well +remembered foot-log, only to find the waters rushing along high +above and beyond the place where it had been. Then she thought of +the great bluff rising to the west of her home and extending +southward toward the railroad track, and she determined to ascend +it and reach the bridge over this barrier to the waters. Need I +recount how she struggled on and up through the thick oak +undergrowth, that, being storm-laden drooped and made more +difficult her passage; how with clothing torn, and hands and face +bleeding she arrived at the end of the bridge, and standing out +upon the last tie she peered down into the abyss of waters with +her dim light, and called to know if any one was there alive. In +answer to her repeated calls came the answer of the engineer, who +had caught hold of and made a lodgment in a tree-top, and around +whom the waters were still rapidly rising, sending floating logs, +trees, and driftwood against his frail support, and threatening +momentarily to dislodge and engulf him.</p> + +<p>It took but a moment to be assured that he was the survivor of +four men who went down with the engine, and after a moment's +hurried consultation, she started for Moingona, a mile distant, +to secure assistance and to warn the eastward-bound passenger +train then nearly due. As she passed along the high grade it +seemed as if she must be blown over the embankment, and still the +heavens seemed to give not rain but a deluge. As she approached +the railway bridge over the Des Moines river the light in her +lantern, her only guide and protection, went out. It was then +that the heroic soul of this child of only sixteen years became +most fully apparent; facing the storm which almost took away her +breath, and enveloped in darkness that rendered every object in +nature invisible, she felt her way to the railroad bridge. Here +she must pass for a distance of four or five hundred feet over +the rushing river beneath on the naked ties. As the wind swept +the bridge she felt how unsafe it would be to attempt walking +over it, and getting down upon her hands and knees, clutching the +timbers with an almost despairing energy, she painfully and at +length successfully made the passage. She reached the station, +and having told of the catastrophe at the bridge, and requested +the stoppage of the passenger train then about due, she fainted +and fell upon the platform. This very briefly, wanting in much +that is meritorious in it, is the story of Kate Shelly and the +6th of July. Her parents were countrymen of Sarsfield, of Emmett, +and O'Connell—of the land that has given heroes to every other +and dishonored none. It was an act well worthy to rank her with +that other heroine, who, launching her frail craft from the long +stone pier, braved the terrible seas on that Northumberland coast +to save the lives of others at the risk of her own.</p> + +<p>Mr. Holmes then produced a copy of the <i>State Register</i>, and +requested the clerk to read the article therein contained, giving +the details of the heroic girl's action, written at the time of +its occurrence, and after the clerk had read the article, +concluded by saying: "I hope, Mr. Speaker, that this bill may +pass, believing that it is right, and further believing that the +State of Iowa will do itself as much honor as the young lady +named in the bill, in thus recognizing the greatest debt in our +power to pay—that to humanity." Mr. Pickler moved to amend by +instructing the gentleman from Boone (Mr. Holmes) to make the +presentation. Carried, and the bill was amended accordingly, as +above. On motion of Mr. Holmes, the rules were suspended, and the +bill passed by a vote of 90 to 1. The governor of the State, Hon. +A. J. Holmes, and Hon. J. D. Gillett were authorized to procure a +medal of design and inscription to be approved by them, and +present the same to the donee with the thanks of the General +Assembly of the State of Iowa.</p> + +<p>The medal, which is of elegant design and workmanship, was +executed by Messrs Tiffany & Co., of New York, and was presented +to Miss Shelly during the holidays of 1883. It is round in form, +about three inches in diameter and weighs four ounces five and a +half pennyweights. On both sides it is sunken below the circular +edges and the figures and decorations are then displayed in bold +relief. On the face is a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_635" id="Page_635">[Pg 635]</a></span> figure emblematic of Kate Shelly's +daring exploit. It represents a young girl with a lantern in her +left hand and her right thrown far out in warning, her hair +streaming in the wind and her wet drapery clinging to her form, +making her way over the ties of a high railroad bridge, in storm +and tempest, with the lightning playing about her. In a +semi-circle over the figure are the words: "Heroism, Youth, +Humanity." On the reverse is the following inscription:</p> + +<p>"Presented by the State of Iowa to Kate Shelly, with the thanks +of the General Assembly, in recognition of the courage and +devotion of a child of fifteen years, whom neither the terror of +the elements nor the fear of death could appal in her efforts to +save human life during the terrible storm and flood in the Des +Moines valley on the night of July 6, 1881."</p> + +<p>Surrounding the inscription is a wreath of leaves and beneath it +the great seal of Iowa.</p> + +<p>The presentation was made at Ogden in the presence of 3,000 +people. It was given in the name of the State of Iowa by Mr. +Welker Given, secretary to Governor Sherman, July 4, 1884, who +represented the governor in his necessary absence. Hon. J. A. T. +Hull, Secretary of State, introduced Miss Shelly and recounted +her heroic deed of that fearful night, after which Mr. Given made +the presentation speech. The response on behalf of Miss Shelly +was made by Professor J. D. Curran, an old friend and teacher. </p></blockquote> + +<p>All very well, but how much better to have placed Kate Shelly +(bearing the name of one of England's great poets) in the +University at Des Moines, and given her a thorough education, from +the primary through the whole collegiate course, and the school for +law, medicine, or theology. A girl capable of such heroism and +self-sacrifice must possess capacities and powers worthy the +highest opportunities for development. Kate Shelly, with the +scientific training of a civil engineer, might shed far more honor +on her native State than sitting in ignorance and poverty on the +banks of the Des Moines river with a gold medal round her neck.</p> + +<p>The Patrons of Husbandry, having at one time as many as 1,998 +Granges in the State, admit women to equal membership and equal +rights. They have the same privileges in debate as men, and an +equal vote in all matters concerning the Grange. The Grangers do +not seem to fear that the children will suffer, or home interests +be neglected, on account of this liberty given to women. Miss +Garretson is State agent and lecturer for this order, and has +accomplished much good by her labors among the people of the rural +districts. She claims equal rights for woman even to the ballot. +The Independent Order of Good Templars passed resolutions +unqualifiedly committing the grand lodge of the State in favor of +granting suffrage to woman, and pledging themselves to labor for +the furtherance of that object. Temperance women who have +heretofore opposed the enfranchisement of their sex, and objected +to mixing the two questions, are coming to see that a powerless, +disfranchised class can do little toward removing the great evil +that is filling the land with pauperism and crime, and sending +sixty thousand victims annually to a drunkard's grave. They have +prayed and plead with the liquor-seller; they have petitioned +electors and law-makers, but all in vain; and now they begin to see +that work must accompany prayer, and that if they would save their +sons from destruction they must strike a blow in their defense that +will be felt by the enemy. Hence the Christian Temperance Union, +which at the outset declared itself opposed to woman suffrage, has +now<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_636" id="Page_636">[Pg 636]</a></span> resolved in favor of that measure as a necessity for the +furtherance of their cause.</p> + +<p>On March 31, 1880, Judith Ellen Foster, of Clinton, made an able +and eloquent argument before the Senate Committee on Education and +Labor, at Washington, on Senator Logan's proposition to constitute +the revenue on alcoholic liquors a national educational fund. At a +meeting of the State Union held in 1883, resolutions were passed, +declaring woman's efforts in temperance of no avail, until with +ballots in their own hands, they could coin their ideas and +sympathies into law, and that henceforward they would labor to +secure that power, that would speedily make their prayers and tears +of some avail. This action gave a new impetus to the suffrage +movement. At the State convention, Mrs. Jane Amy M'Kinney was +appointed Superintendent of Franchise. Circulars were issued +advising the Unions to make suffrage a part of their local work, +and the advice was promptly followed in many sections of the State. +At the election on the prohibitory amendment, June 29, 1882, women +rallied at the polls, and furnished tickets to all whom they could +persuade to take them, and this helped to roll up a large vote in +favor of the amendment.</p> + +<p>The laws of Iowa have been comparatively liberal to woman, and with +each successive codification have been somewhat improved. By the +code of 1857, the old right of dower, or life interest in one-third +of the real estate of a deceased husband, was made an absolute +interest; and this is the law at the present time. Of the personal +property, the wife takes one-third if there are children, and +one-half if there are no children to inherit. The same rule applies +to the husband of a deceased wife. The codes of 1857 and 1860 each +provided that the husband could not remove the wife, nor their +children, from their homestead without the consent of the wife; and +the code of 1875, now in force, changed this only so as to provide +that neither shall the wife remove the husband without his consent. +Deeds of real estate must be signed by both husband and wife, but +no private examination of either has ever been required in Iowa. A +husband and wife may deed property directly to each other.</p> + +<p>By the code of 1851 the personal property of the wife did not vest +at once in the husband, but if left within his control it became +liable for his debts, unless she filed a notice with the recorder +of deeds, setting forth her claim to the property, with an exact +description. And the same rule applied to specific articles of +personal property. Married women abandoned by their husbands could +be authorized, on proper application to the District Court, to +transact business in their own name. The same provisions were +substantially reënacted in the code of 1860. Under both codes the +husband was entitled to the wages and earnings of his wife, and +could sue for them in the courts.</p> + +<p>But the code of 1873 made a great advance in recognizing the rights +of married women; and it is said the revisers sought, as far as +possible, to place the husband and wife on an entire equality as to +property rights. By its provisions, a married woman may own, in her +own right, real and personal property acquired by descent, gift or +purchase; and she may manage, sell, convey, and devise the same by +will to the same extent,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_637" id="Page_637">[Pg 637]</a></span> and in the same manner, that the husband +can property belonging to him. And this provision is followed by +others which fully confer on the married woman the control of her +own property. Among other things it is enacted, that a wife may +receive the wages of her personal labor, and maintain an action +therefor in her own name, and hold the same in her own right; and +she may prosecute and defend all actions at law, or in equity, for +the preservation and protection of her rights and property. +Contracts may be made by a wife, and liabilities incurred, and the +same may be enforced by, or against her, to the same extent as +though she were unmarried. The property of both husband and wife is +equally liable for the expenses of the family and the education of +their children, and neither is liable for the debts of the other +contracted before marriage. By the code of 1873, now in force, it +is declared that the parents are the natural guardians of their +children, and are equally entitled to their care and custody; and +either parent dying before the other, the survivor becomes the +guardian.</p> + +<p>But notwithstanding the seemingly equal provisions of our code, +there is still a great disparity in the laws relating to the joint +property of husband and wife—or property accumulated during +marriage by their joint earnings and savings. Such property, +whether real or personal, is generally held in the name of the +husband—no matter how much his wife may have helped to accumulate +it. If the wife dies, the husband still holds it all, and neither +law nor lawyers can molest him, or question his right to it. But if +the husband dies, the case is very different. Instead of being left +in quiet possession of what is rightfully her own, to use and guard +with all a mother's care and watchfulness for the benefit of her +children, the law comes in and claims the right to appoint +administrators and guardians—to require bonds and a strict +accountability from her, and to set off to her a certain share of +what should be as wholly hers as it is the husband's when the wife +dies.</p> + +<p>This is the old common law, that has come down to us from barbarous +times, and the light of the nineteenth century has not yet been +sufficient to so illumine the minds of Iowa legislators as to +enable them to render exact justice to woman. </p></blockquote> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<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> In 1849 her husband was, appointed post-master, she +became his deputy, was duly sworn in, and during the administration +of Taylor and Fillmore served in that capacity. When she assumed +her duties the improvement in the appearance and conduct of the +office was generally acknowledged. A neat little room adjoining +became a kind of ladies' exchange where those coming from different +parts of the town could meet to talk over the contents of the last +<i>Lily</i> and the progress of the woman suffrage movement in general. +Those who enjoyed the brief interregnum of a woman in the +post-office, can readily testify to the loss to the ladies of the +village and the void felt by all when Mrs. Bloomer and the <i>Lily</i> +left for the West and men again reigned supreme. +</p><p> +Mr. and Mrs. Bloomer removed to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, in 1853, and the +publication of the <i>Lily</i> was continued; she was also the associate +editor of the <i>Western Home Visitor</i>. Mrs. Bloomer lectured in the +principal cities of Ohio and throughout the north-west, and was one +of a committee of five appointed to memorialize the legislature of +Ohio for a prohibitory law, and assisted in the formation of +several lodges of Good Templars.</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> The officers were: <i>President</i>, Mrs. D. S. Wilson; +<i>Vice-President</i>, Mrs. W. P. Sage; <i>Secretary</i>, Mrs. J. S. +McCreery; <i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, Mrs. Mary N. Adams.</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> Frank Allen.</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> Lucy Stone, Mrs. Stanton, Miss Anthony, Mrs. Cutler, +Mrs. Livermore, Anna Dickinson, Phœbe Couzins, Mrs. Swisshelm, +Miss Hindman and Mrs. Campbell, from abroad; Mesdames Savery, +Callanan, Gray, Pittman, Boynton, Harbert, Brown, and Messrs. +Fuller, Pomeroy, Rutkay, Cole, and Maxwell, of the city, have each +in turn come to the aid and encouragement of the society's work.</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> For information regarding Des Moines I am indebted +to Mary A. Work, one of the most able advocates of woman suffrage +in the State.</p></div> + +<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> <i>President</i>, Porte Welch; <i>Secretary</i>, Mattie +Griffith Davenport.</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> <i>President</i>, Amelia Bloomer; <i>Vice-Presidents</i>, C. +Munger and Mary McPherson; <i>Recording Secretary</i>, Ada McPherson; +<i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, Will Shoemaker; <i>Treasurer</i>, E. S. +Barnett.</p></div> + +<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> Its officers were: <i>President</i>, Nettie Sanford; +<i>Secretary</i>, Mrs. Fred. Baum; <i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. Dr. Whealen.</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> <i>President</i>, M. W. Stough; <i>Secretary</i>, Lizzie B. +Read. Mrs. Read was president of the State society in 1873, and +Mrs. C. A. Ingham in 1881.</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> <i>President</i>, Hon. John E. Goodenow; +<i>Vice-Presidents</i>, Nancy R. Allen, Mrs. M. J. Stephens, Mrs. A. B. +Wilbur; <i>Secretary</i>, Mrs. E. D. Stewart; <i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, +Mrs. Julia Dunham; <i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. T. P. Connell; <i>Executive +Committee</i>, Mrs. S. Stephens, Mrs. Julia Doe, Mrs. Polly Hamley, +Dr. J. H. Allen, W. S. Belden.</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> <i>President</i>, Henry O'Connor; <i>Vice-Presidents</i>, +Amelia Bloomer, Nettie Sanford, Mrs. Frank Palmer, Joseph Dugdale, +John P. Irish; <i>Secretary</i>, Belle Mansfield; <i>Corresponding +Secretary</i>, Annie C. Savery; <i>Executive Committee</i>, Mary A. P. +Darwin, Mattie Griffith Davenport, Mrs. J.L. McCreery, Rev. Augusta +Chapin, Hon. Charles Beardsley.</p></div> + +<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> Assistant postmaster-general under President +Arthur.</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> Mary A.P. Darwin, professor of the college, and Hon. +Charles Beardsley, editor of the <i>Hawkeye</i>, Burlington; Hon. Henry +O'Connor, Muscatine; Mary N. Adams, Dubuque; Annie C. Savery, Des +Moines; Amelia Bloomer, Council Bluffs; A.P. Lowrie, Marshalltown; +Mrs. Beavers, Valisca. Hannah Tracy Cutler of Illinois, was the +leading speaker; Edwin A. Studwell of New York representing <i>The +Revolution</i>, Col. George Corkhill, Joseph Dugdale, Rev. Mr. Cooper, +Mt. Pleasant, were also in attendance.</p></div> + +<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 speakers were Mr. Rutkay, Mrs. Sanford, Mrs. +Bloomer, Mrs. Spaulding, Mrs. Savery. Encouraging letters were read +from Joseph A. Dugdale, and Hon. Henry O'Connor, president of the +association. The officers for 1871 were: <i>President</i>, Mrs. Amelia +Bloomer; <i>Recording Secretary</i>, Mrs. Belle Mansfield; +<i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, Mrs. Annie Savery; <i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. M. +Callanan.</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> <i>Yeas</i>, Senators Beardsley, Bemis, Burke, Campbell, +Chambers, Converse, Dague, Dashiell, Dysart, Howland, Hurley, +Kephart, Maxwell, McCold, McKean, McNutt, Read, Shane, Smith, Vale, +West, Young—22. <i>Nays</i>, Senators Allen, Boomer, Claussen, Crary, +Fairall, Fitch, Gault, Havens, Ireland, Ketcham, Kinne, Larrabee, +Leavitt, Lowry, McCollough, Merrill, Miles, Murray, Russell, Stone, +Stewart, Taylor, Willett, Wonn—24. Senator Murray had voted in the +affirmative in the first instance, but changed his vote in order to +be able to move a reconsideration of the vote, by which the +resolution was lost.</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> The names of the representatives voting on the Woman +Suffrage amendment are as follows (Republicans in Roman, Democrats +in Italics): <span class="smcap">Yeas</span>—Allen, <i>Baker</i>, <i>Bolter</i>, Brooks, Brush, Calvin, +Campbell, Case, Chapman, Clark of Johnson, Cleveland, Colvin, +Craver, Deweese, Giltner, Given, Glendenning, Glover, Hall, Hoag, +Homer, Horton, <i>Hotchkiss</i>, <i>Hunt</i>, Irwin of Warren, Jaqua, Jordan, +Johnson of Benton, Kauffman, Lane, Lathrop, <i>Lynch</i>, McCartney, +McHugh, McNeill, Madden of Polk, <i>Madison</i>, Maris, Mills, Moffit, +Morse of Wright, Norris, Palmer, Proudfoot, Rae, Reed of Howard, +Robinson, Said, Scott, Smith, Tice, Underwood, Ure, Wilson—54. +<span class="smcap">Nays</span>—Auld, Benton, <i>Birchard</i>, <i>Brown</i>, Bush, <i>Christy</i>, <i>Clark</i> +of Marion, <i>Crawford</i> of Dubuque, Danforth, <i>Dixon</i>, <i>Elliot</i>, +Evans, Fuller, <i>Gibbons</i>, Gilliland, <i>Gray</i>, <i>Harned</i>, Hemenway, +<i>Hobbs</i>, <i>Horstman</i>, <i>Johnston</i> of Dubuque, Johnson of Winneshiek, +McCune, <i>Madden</i> of Taylor, Manning, <i>Mentzel</i>, Morse of Adams, +<i>Mueller</i>, Reed of Jackson, Rees, Shaw, Simmons, Stone, Stuart, +<i>Stuckey</i>, <i>Thayer</i>, <i>White</i>, Williams, <i>Young</i>, Mr. Speaker (John +W. Gear)—40. Absent—Shepardson, Graves, Irwin of Lee, Seevers, +McElderry, <i>Crawford</i> of Scott. +</p><p> +The vote in the Senate was: <span class="smcap">Yeas</span>—Arnold, Bailey, Campbell, +Conaway, Dashiell, Dwelle, Gallup, Gilmore, Graham, Harmon, Hersey, +Jessup, McCoid, Miller of Appanoose, Miller of Blackhawk, Mitchell, +Newton, Nichols, Perkins, Thornburg, Wood, Woolson—22. +<span class="smcap">Nays</span>—Bestow, Carr, Clark, Cooley, Dows, Hartshorn, Hebard, +<i>Kinne</i>, Larrabee, Lovell, <i>McCormack</i>, <i>Maginnis</i>, <i>Merrell</i> of +Clinton, Merrill of Wapello, <i>Pease</i>, Rothert, Rumple, Teale, +Willett, Williams, <i>Wilson</i>, <i>Wonn</i>, Wright—23. <span class="smcap">Absent</span>—Hitchcock +(who was sick and died in a few days), yea; <i>Murphy</i>, nay; Shane +(resigned on account of being appointed district judge), yea; +<i>Stoneham</i>, nay; Young, nay.</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> Narcissa T. Bemis of Independence was reëlected +president, and Mary A. Work chairman of the executive committee, +with headquarters at Des Moines; Mrs. Margaret W. Campbell was made +State lecturer and organizer, and Mariana T. Folsom financial +secretary of the association.</p></div> + +<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> Mrs. M. A. Darwin, Mrs. Martha Callanan, Mrs. Judith +Ellen Foster, superintendents of the franchise department of the W. +C. T. U. of the State, rolled up petitions in their respective +districts; and Mrs. Campbell and Miss Hindman aided largely in +gathering the signatures.</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> In August, 1875, at Oskaloosa; October, 1880, Fort +Dodge; 1881, Marshalltown; 1883, Ottumwa; 1885, Cedar Rapids; all +of the intervening anniversaries have been held at Des Moines. The +presidents of the State society since its organization have been +Attorney-General Henry O'Connor, Amelia Bloomer, Lizzie B. Read, +Elizabeth Boynton Harbert, Mrs. Dr. Porter, James Callanan, Martha +C. Callanan, Mrs. Caroline A. Ingham, Narcissa T. Bemis, Margaret +W. Campbell. When the society was organized, in 1870, it declared +itself independent and remained thus until 1879, when, by a small +vote, it was made auxiliary to the American Association. The +officers for 1885 are: <i>President</i>, Mrs. M. W. Campbell, Des +Moines; <i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. Eliza H. Hunter, Des Moines; <i>Recording +Secretary</i>, Mrs. Jennie Wilson, Cedar Rapids; <i>Corresponding +Secretary</i>, Mrs. Martha C. Callanan, Des Moines; <i>Executive +Committee</i>, Mary J. Coggeshall, <i>Chairman</i>; R. Amanda Stewart, +Harriet G. Bellanger, Des Moines; Orilla M. James, Knoxville; +Florence English, Grinnell; Ellen Armstrong, Ottumwa; Narcissa T. +Bemis, Independence; Angeline Allison, Cedar Rapids; Elizabeth P. +Gue, Des Moines.</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> At the State Fair held September, 1885, at Des +Moines, the women had a very handsomely decorated booth where they +received many hundred calls, distributed an immense amount of +suffrage literature, obtained a thousand signatures to a petition +to the legislature and wrote notes of the fair for various +newspapers, in all of which woman suffrage was freely discussed.</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> In literature there is "Europe through a Woman's +Eye," by Mrs. Cutler of Burlington; "The Waverly Dictionary," by +Miss May Rogers, Dubuque; "Common-School Compendium," by Mrs. +Lamphere, Des Moines; "Hospital Life," by Mrs. Sarah Young, Des +Moines; "Wee Folks of No Man's Land," by Mrs. Wetmore, Dubuque; +"Two of Us," by Calista Patchin, Des Moines; "For Girls," by Mrs. +E. R. Shepherd, Marshalltown; "Autumn Leaves," by Mrs. Scott, +Greencastle; "Phonetic Pronunciation," by Mrs. Henderson, Salem; +"Her Lovers," by Miss Claggett, Keokuk; "Practical Ethics," by +Matilda Fletcher. There are several writers of cook-books, of +medical and sanitary papers, of poems, of legal papers and of +musical compositions. Miss Adeline M. Payne of Nevada has compiled +catalogues of stock.</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> Miss Anthony has given her lecture, entitled "Woman +Wants Bread, not the Ballot," in over one hundred of the cities and +villages of the State; and Mrs. Stanton and the others have +doubtless lectured in fully as many places.</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> See New York chapter, page <a href="#Page_401">401</a>.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_638" id="Page_638">[Pg 638]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLVI" id="CHAPTER_XLVI"></a>CHAPTER XLVI.</h2> + +<h3>WISCONSIN.</h3> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>Progressive Legislation—The Rights of Married Women—The +Constitution Shows Four Classes Having the Right to Vote—Woman +Suffrage Agitation—C. L. Sholes' Minority Report, 1856—Judge +David Noggle and J. T. Mills' Minority Report, 1859—State +Association Formed, 1869—Milwaukee Convention—Dr. Laura +Ross—Hearing Before the Legislature—Convention in Janesville, +1870—State University—Elizabeth R. Wentworth—Suffrage +Amendment, 1880, '81, '82—Rev. Olympia Brown, Racine, +1877—Madame Anneke—Judge Ryan—Three Days' Convention at +Racine, 1883—Eveleen L. Mason—Dr. Sarah Munro—Rev. Dr. +Corwin—Lavinia Goodell, Lawyer—Angie King—Kate Kane. </p> +</div> + + +<p><span class="sc">For</span> this digest of facts in regard to the progress of woman in +Wisconsin we are indebted to Dr. Laura Ross Wolcott,<a name="FNanchor_418_418" id="FNanchor_418_418"></a><a href="#Footnote_418_418" class="fnanchor">[418]</a> who was +probably the first woman to practice medicine in a Western State. +She was in Philadelphia during all the contest about the admission +of women to hospitals and mixed classes, maintained her dignity and +self-respect in the midst of most aggravating persecutions, and was +graduated with high honors in 1856 from the Woman's Medical College +of Pennsylvania, of which Ann Preston,<a name="FNanchor_419_419" id="FNanchor_419_419"></a><a href="#Footnote_419_419" class="fnanchor">[419]</a> M. D., was professor +for nineteen years, six years dean of the faculty, and four years +member of the board of incorporators. After graduation Laura Ross +spent two years in study abroad, and, returning, commenced practice +in Milwaukee, where she has been ever since.</p> + +<blockquote><p>By an act of Congress approved May 29, 1848, Wisconsin was +admitted to the Union. Its diversity of soil and timber, the +healthfulness of its climate and the purity of its waters, +attracted people from the New England and Middle States, who +brought with them fixed notions as to moral conduct and political +action, and no little repugnance to many of the features of the +old common law. Hence in Wisconsin's territorial conventions and +legislative assemblies many of the progressive ideas of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_639" id="Page_639">[Pg 639]</a></span> East +were incorporated into her statutes. Failing to lift married +women into any solid position of independence, the laws yet gave +them certain protective rights concerning the redemption of lands +sold for taxes, and the right to dispose of any estate less than +a fee without the husband's consent. In case of divorce the wife +was entitled to her personal estate, dower and alimony, and with +the consent of her husband she could devise her real estate. She +was entitled to dower in any lands of which the husband was +seized during marriage. Gen. A. W. Randall was active in making +the first digest and compilation of the laws of Wisconsin.</p> + +<p>The legislature of 1850 was composed of notably intelligent men. +Nelson Dewey was governor, Moses M. Strong, a leading lawyer, +speaker of the Assembly, and the late Col. Samuel W. Beal, +lieutenant-governor. Early in the session a bill was introduced, +entitled "An act to provide for the protection of married women +in the enjoyment of their own property," which provoked a stormy +debate. Some saw the dissolution of marriage ties in the +destruction of the old common-law doctrine that "husband and wife +are one, and that one the husband"; while arguments were made in +its favor by Hon. David Noggle, George Crasey, and others. +Conservative judges held that the right to own property did not +entitle married women to convey it; therefore in 1858 the law was +amended, giving further security to the wife to transact business +in her own name, if her husband was profligate and failed to +support her; but not until 1872 did the law protect a married +woman in her right to transact business, make contracts, possess +her separate earnings, and sue and be sued in her own name. The +legislature of 1878 reënacted all the former laws; and married +women may now hold, convey and devise real estate; make contracts +and transact business in their own names; and join with their +husbands in a deed, without being personally liable in the +covenants. In the matter of homesteads, the husband cannot convey +or encumber without the signature of the wife, and thus a liberal +provision is always secure for her and the children.</p> + +<p>By the law of 1878, if the husband dies leaving no children and +no will, his entire estate descends to his widow.<a name="FNanchor_420_420" id="FNanchor_420_420"></a><a href="#Footnote_420_420" class="fnanchor">[420]</a> If the +owner of a homestead dies intestate and without children, the +homestead descends, free of judgments and claims—except +mortgages and mechanics' liens—to his widow; if he leaves +children, the widow retains a life interest in the homestead, +continuing until her marriage or death.</p> + +<p>Thus from the organization of the State, Wisconsin has steadily +advanced in relieving married women from the disabilities of the +old common law. The same liberal spirit which has animated her +legislators has admitted women to equality of opportunities in +the State University at Madison; elected them as county +superintendents of public schools; appointed them on the State +board of charities, and as State commissioners<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_640" id="Page_640">[Pg 640]</a></span> to a foreign +exposition;<a name="FNanchor_421_421" id="FNanchor_421_421"></a><a href="#Footnote_421_421" class="fnanchor">[421]</a> and welcomed them to the professions of +medicine, law and the ministry.</p> + +<p>By the constitution of Wisconsin the right of suffrage was +awarded to four classes of citizens, twenty-one years and over, +who have resided in the State for one year next preceding an +election.</p> + +<p><i>First</i>—Citizens of the United States.</p> + +<p><i>Second</i>—Persons of foreign birth who have declared their +intention to become citizens of the United States.</p> + +<p><i>Third</i>—Persons of Indian blood who have already been declared +by act of congress citizens of the United States.</p> + +<p><i>Fourth</i>—Civilized persons of Indian descent who are not members +of any tribe.</p> + +<p>While thus careful to provide for all males, savage and +civilized, down to one thousand Indians outside their tribe, the +constitution in no way recognizes the women of the State, +one-half its civilized citizens. However, the question of woman +suffrage was early agitated in this State, and its advocates were +able men. In 1856 there was an able minority report published, +from C. L. Sholes, of the Committee on Expiration and Reënactment +of Laws, to whom were referred sundry petitions praying that +steps might be taken to confer upon women the right of suffrage. +In 1857, there was another favorable minority report by Judge +David Noggle, and J. T. Mills. It has been twice considered by +the legislatures of 1868-69, and 1880-81, failing each time by a +small majority. A constitutional amendment is supposed by some to +be necessary to effect this needed reform, but the legislature is +competent to pass a bill declaring women possessed of the right +to vote, without any constitutional amendment. The legislature of +New York all through the century has extended the right of +suffrage to certain classes and deprived others of its exercise, +without changing the constitution. The power of the legislature +which represents the people is anterior to the constitution, as +the people through their representatives make the constitution.</p> + +<p>The women, both German and American, awoke to action and +organized a local suffrage society at Janesville in 1868. <i>The +Revolution</i> said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>From the report of a recent convention held in Janesville, we +find the leading men and women of that city have formed an +Impartial Suffrage organization, and are resolved to make all +their citizens equal before the law. Able addresses were made by +the Rev. S. Farrington, Rev. Sumner Ellis, and a stirring appeal +issued to the people of the State, signed by Hon. J. T. Dow, G. +B. Hickox, Mrs. J. H. Stillman, Joseph Baker and Mrs. F. Harris +Reed. Mrs. Paulina J. Roberts of Racine, a practical farmer in a +very large sense, delivered an address which was justly +complimented. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The first popular convention held in Wisconsin, with national +speakers, convened in Milwaukee February 15, 16, 1869.<a name="FNanchor_422_422" id="FNanchor_422_422"></a><a href="#Footnote_422_422" class="fnanchor">[422]</a> The +bill then pending in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_641" id="Page_641">[Pg 641]</a></span> the legislature to submit the question of +woman suffrage to the electors of the State added interest to this +occasion. Parker Pillsbury, in <i>The Revolution</i>, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Wisconsin convention seems to have been quite equal in all +respects to its predecessors at Chicago and other places. Mrs. +Stanton and Miss Anthony were accompanied to Milwaukee by Mrs. +Livermore, a new Western star of "bright particular effulgence," +and the proceedings throughout were characterized by argument, +eloquence and interest beyond anything of the kind ever witnessed +there before. The Milwaukee papers teem with accounts of it, most +of them of very friendly tone and spirit, even if opposed to the +objects under consideration. The <i>Evening Wisconsin</i> said, if any +one supposed for an instant that the call for a Woman's Suffrage +convention would draw out only that class known as strong-minded, +such a one was never more deceived in his or her life. At the +opening of the convention<a name="FNanchor_423_423" id="FNanchor_423_423"></a><a href="#Footnote_423_423" class="fnanchor">[423]</a> yesterday, the City Hall was +crowded with as highly intelligent an audience of ladies and +gentlemen as ever gathered there before. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Stanton spoke at the evening session to an immense audience on +the following resolutions:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That a man's government is worse than a white man's +government, because in proportion as you increase the rulers you +make the condition of the ostracised more hopeless and degraded.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That, as the cry of a "white man's government" +created an antagonism between the Irish and the negro, +culminating in the New York riots of '63, so the Republican cry +of "Manhood Suffrage" creates an antagonism between the black man +and all women, and will culminate in fearful outrages on +womanhood, especially in the Southern States.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That by the establishment of an aristocracy of sex in +the District of Columbia, by the introduction of the word "male" +into the Federal Constitution in Article 14, Section 2, and by +the proposition now pending to enforce manhood suffrage in all +the States of the Union, the Republican party has been guilty of +three excessively arbitrary acts, three retrogressive steps in +legislation, alike invidious and insulting to woman, and suicidal +to the nation. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Anthony followed showing that every advance step in manhood +suffrage added to woman's degradation. Quite a number of ladies and +gentlemen<a name="FNanchor_424_424" id="FNanchor_424_424"></a><a href="#Footnote_424_424" class="fnanchor">[424]</a> of Wisconsin spoke well of the various sessions of +the convention. Altogether it was a most enthusiastic meeting, and +the press and the pulpit did their part to keep up the discussion +for many weeks after.</p> + +<p>These resolutions, readily passed in the Milwaukee convention, had +been rejected at all others held in the West during this campaign, +although Mrs. Stanton and Miss Anthony had earnestly advocated them +everywhere. They early foresaw exactly what has come to pass, and +did their uttermost to rouse women to the danger of having their +enfranchisement indefinitely postponed. They warned them that the +debate once closed on negro suffrage, and the amendments passed, +the question would not be opened again for a generation. But their +warnings were unheeded. The fair promises of Republicans and +Abolitionists that, the negro question settled, they would devote +themselves to woman's enfranchisement,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_642" id="Page_642">[Pg 642]</a></span> deceived and silenced the +majority. How well they have kept their promises is fully shown in +the fact that although twenty years have passed, the political +status of woman remains unchanged. The Abolitionists have drifted +into other reforms, and the Republicans devote themselves to more +conservative measures. The Milwaukee convention was adjourned to +Madison, where Mrs. Livermore, Mrs. Stanton and Miss Anthony +addressed the legislature, Gov. Fairchild presiding.</p> + +<p>In 1870, March 16, 17, a large and enthusiastic convention was held +at Janesville, in Lappin's Hall. Rev. Dr. Maxon, Lilia Peckham and +Mrs. Stanton were among the speakers. After this, the latter being +on a lyceum trip, spoke in many of the chief cities of the State +and drew general attention to the question.</p> + +<p>The following clear statement of the petty ways in which girls can +be defrauded of their rights to a thorough education by narrow, +bigoted men entrusted with a little brief authority, is from the +pen of Lilia Peckham, a young girl of great promise, who devoted +her rare talents to the suffrage movement. Her early death was an +irreparable loss to the women of Wisconsin:<a name="FNanchor_425_425" id="FNanchor_425_425"></a><a href="#Footnote_425_425" class="fnanchor">[425]</a></p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Ed. News</span>:—We find proofs at every step that one class cannot +legislate for another, the rich for the poor, nor men for women.</p> + +<p>The State University, supported by the taxes of the people and +for the benefit of the people, should offer equal advantages to +men and women. By amendment of the Constitution in 1867, it was +declared that the University shall be open to female as well as +male students, under such regulations and restrictions as the +board of regents may deem proper. At first the students recited +together, but Mr. Chadbourne made it a condition of accepting the +presidency that they should be separated. I do not speak of the +separation of the sexes to find fault. I conceive that if equal +advantages be given women by the State, whether in connection +with or apart from men, they have no ground for complaint. My +object is to compare the advantages given to the sexes and see +the practical effect of legislation by men alone in this +department. From all the facts that are now pressed upon us, +confused, contradictory and obscure, we begin to obtain a glimpse +of the general law that informs them. The University has a +college of arts (including the department of agriculture, of +engraving and military tactics), a college of letters, +preparatory department, law department, post-graduate course, +last and certainly least, a female college. The faculty and board +of instructors number twenty-one. The college of arts has nine +professors, one of natural philosophy, one each of mental +philosophy, modern languages, rhetoric, chemistry, mathematics, +agriculture,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_643" id="Page_643">[Pg 643]</a></span> and comparative anatomy, and a tutor. In the +department of engineering is an officer of the United States +Army. In the college of letters is the same faculty, with the +addition of William F. Allen, professor of ancient languages and +history, one coming from a family of scholarly teachers and +thoroughly fitted for his post. In the law department are such +names as L. S. Dixon and Byron Paine.</p> + +<p>Read now the names composing the faculty of the female college, +Paul A. Chadbourne, M. D., president; T. N. Haskell, professor of +rhetoric and English literature; Miss Elizabeth Earle, +preceptress; Miss Brown, teacher of music; Miss Eliza Brewster, +teacher of drawing and painting. Compare these faculties and note +what provision is made here for the sciences and languages. Look +at the course of instruction in the college of arts. During the +first year the men study higher algebra, conic sections, plane +trigonometry, German (Otto's) botany, Gibbon's Rome. In the +college of letters the course is similar, but more attention is +given to classical studies; to Livy, Xenophon and Horace. During +the same years in the female college, they are studying higher +arithmetic, elementary algebra, United States history, grammar, +geography and map drawing. Truly a high standard! The studies in +the first term of the preparatory department (to which none can +be admitted under twelve years of age) are identical with those +in the female college at the same time, except the Latin. Indeed, +I cannot see why it would not be an advantage to the students of +the female college to go into the preparatory department during +their first college year, since they can get their own course +with geometry added, and if they stay three years a proportional +amount of Latin and Greek. I could compare the whole course in +the same way, but my time and the reader's patience would fail. +There is no hint either of any thorough prescribed course in any +of the languages. In the first and fourth year no foreign +language is put down. In each term of the second year French and +Latin are written as elective, the same for Latin or German in +the third. This is a wretched course at the best. I have no faith +in a course set down so loosely as "Latin" instead of being +defined as to what course of Latin, and what authors are read. In +that case we know exactly how much is required and expected, and +what the standard of scholarship. In the college of letters we +know that they go from Livy to Cicero on Old Age, then to Horace +and Tacitus. Similar definiteness would be encouraging in the +female catalogue. Its absence gives us every reason to believe +that the course does not amount to enough to add any reputation +to the college by being known. Under the head of special +information we are told that in addition to this prescribed +course of "thorough education young ladies will be instructed in +any optional study taught in the college of letters or arts, for +which they are prepared." By optional I understand any of the +studies marked elective, since they are the only optional +studies. In the college of letters there is but one, and that is +the calculus. In the college of arts the optional studies are +generally, not always, those that they could not be prepared for +in the course prescribed by their own college. Under the head of +degrees we find a long account of the A. B., A. M., P. B., S. B., +S. M., L. B., Ph. D., to which the fortunate gentlemen are +entitled after so much study. Lastly, the students of the female +college may receive "such appropriate degrees as the regents may +determine." I wonder how often that solemn body deliberates as to +whether a girl shall be A. B., P. B., or A. M., or whether they +ever give them any degree at all. It makes little difference. +With such a college course a degree means nothing, and only +serves to cheapen what may be well earned by the young men of the +college. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1870, the stockholders of the Milwaukee Female College elected +three women on their board of trustees: Mrs. Wm. P. Lynde, Mrs. Wm. +Delos Love and Mrs. John Nazro. This is the first time in the +history of the institution that women have been represented in the +board of trustees.</p> + +<p>Elizabeth R. Wentworth was an earnest and excellent writer and kept +up a healthy agitation through the columns of her husband's paper +at Racine. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_644" id="Page_644">[Pg 644]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Racine</span>, August 4, 1875.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Miss Anthony</span>: Would it not be well for us women to accept +the hint afforded by these Englishmen, and bind ourselves +together by a constitution and by-laws. By so doing we might +sooner be enabled to secure the rights which men seem so +persistently determined to withhold from us.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF sc">E. R. Wentworth.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Very respectfully yours,</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The growing strength of woman suffrage in England has caused +considerable commotion in that country, among officials and others. +Its growth has led the men to form a club in opposition to it, +composed of such men as Mr. Bouverie, a noted member of Parliament; +Sir Henry James, late attorney-general; Mr. Childers, late first +lord of the admiralty.</p> + +<p>The formation of this club calls out a few words from Mrs. Stanton, +who sarcastically says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Is not this the first organized resistance in the history of the +race, against the encroachment of women; the first manly +confession by those high in authority—by lords, +attorney-generals, sirs, and gentlemen—of fear at the +progressive steps of the daughters of men? These conservative +gentlemen had no doubt found Lady Amberly, Lydia Becker, and Mrs. +Fawcett too much for them in debate; they had probably winced +under the satire of Frances Power Cobbe, and trembled before the +annually swelling lists of suffrage petitions. Single-handed they +saw they were helpless against this incoming tide of feminine +persuasiveness, and so it seems they called a meeting of +faint-hearted men, and bound themselves together by a +constitution and by-laws to protect the franchise from the +encroachment of women. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In the legislature of 1880, the proposition to submit an amendment +for woman suffrage to a vote of the people, passed both Houses. In +1881 it passed one branch and was lost in the other. Senator +Simpson introduced another bill in 1882<a name="FNanchor_426_426" id="FNanchor_426_426"></a><a href="#Footnote_426_426" class="fnanchor">[426]</a> which was lost. These +successive defeats discouraged the women and they instructed their +friends in the legislature to make no further attempts for a +constitutional amendment, because they had not the slightest hope +of its passage.</p> + +<p>The growing interest in the temperance question at this time +produced some divisions in the suffrage ranks. Some thought it had +been one of the greatest obstacles to the success of the suffrage +cause, rousing the opposition of a very large and influential +class. Millions of dollars are invested in this State in breweries +and distilleries, and members are elected to the legislature to +watch these interests. Knowing the terrible sufferings of women and +children through intemperance, they naturally infer that the ballot +in the hands of women would be inimical to their interests, hence +the opposition of this wealthy and powerful class to the suffrage +movement. Others thought the agitation was an advantage, especially +in bringing the women in the temperance movement to a sense of +their helplessness to effect any reform without a voice in the +laws. They thought, too, that the power behind the liquor interests +was readily outweighed by the moral influence of the best men<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_645" id="Page_645">[Pg 645]</a></span> and +women in the State, especially as the church began to feel some +responsibility in the question. The Milwaukee <i>Wisconsin</i> of June +4, 1883, gives this interesting item:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Rev. Father Mahoney, of St. John's Cathedral, preached a +temperance sermon to a large concourse of people yesterday +morning, in which he heartily indorsed the action of Mayor +Stowell in his war against the ordinary saloon, and declared that +he should be reëlected. He also said that the men who opposed him +were covering themselves with infamy, and that he could not +conscientiously administer the sacraments to any saloon-keeper +who refused to obey the commands of the Church or the laws of the +State concerning the good order and welfare of the city. The +sermon caused quite a stir, and was much discussed in secular as +well as religious circles. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The State Association<a name="FNanchor_427_427" id="FNanchor_427_427"></a><a href="#Footnote_427_427" class="fnanchor">[427]</a> has maintained an unswerving course, +between fanatacism and ultra-conservatism. Since 1869 it has stood +as on the watch-tower, quick to see opportunities, and ever ready +to coöperate with the legislative bodies in the State, and well may +we be proud of our achievements when we remember that by the census +of 1870 Wisconsin is the first foreign and the second Roman +Catholic State in the Union, and that at our centennial exposition +in 1876 our public schools stood number one.</p> + +<p>Rev. Olympia Brown Willis moved into the State of Wisconsin in +1877, and became pastor of the church of the Good Shepherd, in +Racine, and exerted a wide influence, not only as a liberal +theologian, but as an earnest advocate of suffrage for woman. As a +result of her efforts a most successful Woman's Council was held in +Racine, March 26, 1883, alternating in the church of the Good +Shepherd and Blake's Opera House. One of the chief speakers<a name="FNanchor_428_428" id="FNanchor_428_428"></a><a href="#Footnote_428_428" class="fnanchor">[428]</a> +was Dr. Corwin, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, who was +also on the managing committee. The cordiality of many of the +western clergy, in strong contrast with those in the east, makes +their favorable action worthy of comment, though the liberality of +the few is of little avail until in their ecclesiastical +assemblies, as organizations, they declare the equality of woman +not only before the law, but in all the offices of the church. Mrs. +Katharine R. Doud was chosen president of the convention; Mrs. Olin +gave the address of welcome, to which Mrs. Sewall responded. Mrs. +Doud, in the <i>Advocate</i>, thus sums up the three days' meetings:</p> + +<blockquote><p>During the past week a woman's council has been held in Racine, +the success of which has been most noticeable. The different +sessions have been attended by large audiences of intelligent men +and women, who have very thoughtfully and carefully weighed and +discussed the various questions under consideration.</p> + +<p>From the beginning to the end there has never been a hitch or +jar; the myriad wheels of the machinery required to make smooth +the workings of such large assemblies have moved so quietly, and +have been so well oiled and in such perfect order<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_646" id="Page_646">[Pg 646]</a></span> as to be +absolutely unnoticed; really, one might have been tempted to feel +that the machine had no master, no controlling hand.</p> + +<p>But now that the council is over; now that we can pause and begin +to estimate the good that has been done; now that the seed is +sown, from which, please God, a grand harvest shall be +reaped—now we can look back and see how one brain has planned it +all. One clear-eyed, far-seeing will gathered together these +women of genius, who have been with us; one practical, +mathematical brain made all estimates of expense, and accepted +all risks of failure; one hospitable heart received a house full +of guests, and induced others to be hospitable likewise; and one +earnest, prayerful soul—and this the best of all—besought and +entreated God's blessing upon the work. Need we tell you where to +find this master-hand which has planned so wisely? the strong +will, the clear brain, the warm heart, the pure soul? We all know +her; she is indeed a noble woman, and her name—let us whisper +lest she hear—is Olympia Brown Willis. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The following sketch of the leading events of her life, shows how +active and useful she has been in all her public and private +relations:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Olympia Brown was born in Kalamazoo county, Michigan, January 5, +1835. At the age of fifteen she began to teach school during the +winter months, attending school herself in the summer. At +eighteen she entered Holyoke seminary, but finding the advantages +there inadequate for a thorough education, her parents removed, +for her benefit, to Yellow Springs, Ohio, where she entered +Antioch college, Horace Mann, one of the best educators of his +day, being president. There her ambition was thoroughly +satisfied, and she was graduated with honor in 1860. She then +entered Canton Theological school, was graduated in 1863, and, +duly ordained as a Universalist minister, commenced preaching in +Marshfield and Montpelier, Vermont, often walking fifteen miles +to fill her appointments. In 1864 she was regularly installed +over her first parish at Weymouth, Massachusetts. Her energy and +fidelity soon raised that feeble society into one of numbers and +influence.</p> + +<p>In 1869, she accepted a call to Bridgeport, Connecticut, where +she remained seven years. In 1878, with her husband, John Henry +Willis, and two children she removed to Racine, Wisconsin, where +she became pastor of the church of the Good Shepherd, without the +promise of a dollar. The church had been given up as hopeless by +several men in succession, because of the influence of the +Orthodox theological seminary. But she soon gathered large +audiences and earnest members about her; established a Sunday +school, had courses of lectures in her church during the winter, +which she made quite profitable financially for the church, +beside educating the people. Outside her profession she has also +done a grand work, in temperance and woman suffrage.<a name="FNanchor_429_429" id="FNanchor_429_429"></a><a href="#Footnote_429_429" class="fnanchor">[429]</a> She is +rarely out of her own pulpit; has generally been superintendent +of her own Sunday school, and head of the young ladies' club, +doing at all times more varied duties than any man would deem +possible, and with all this she is a pattern wife, mother and +housekeeper, and her noble husband, while carrying on a +successful business of his own, stands ever ready to second her +endeavors with generous aid and wise counsel, another instance of +the happy homes among the "strong minded." </p></blockquote> + +<p>Among the estimable women who have been identified with the cause +of woman suffrage in this country, Mathilde Franziska Anneke, a +German lady, is worthy of mention:</p> + +<blockquote><p>She was born in Westphalia, April 3, 1817. Her childhood was +passed in happy conditions in a home of luxury, where she +received a liberal education, yet her married life was +encompassed with trials and disappointments. From her own +experiences she learned the injustice of the laws for married +women and early devoted her pen to the redress of their wrongs. +Her articles appeared in leading journals of Germany and awoke +many minds to the consideration of the social and civil condition +of woman.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_647" id="Page_647">[Pg 647]</a></span></p> + +<p>She was identified with the liberal movement of '48, her home +being the resort for many of the leaders of the revolution. She +published a liberal paper which freely discussed all the abuses +of the government, a whole edition of which was destroyed. At +length denounced by the government, she secretly made here escape +from Cologne, and joined her husband at the head of his command +in active preparation for a struggle against the Prussians.</p> + +<p>She immediately declared her determination to share the toils of +the expedition. Accordingly Col. Anneke appointed her +<i>Tolpfofsort</i>, the duties of which she continued to discharge to +the end of the campaign. In one of her works published in 1853, +she has given a graphic description of the disastrous termination +of the revolution, of their flight into France, of their +expulsion from France and Switzerland, and of their final +determination to come to the United States.</p> + +<p>They reached New York in the fall of 1849. Madame Anneke lectured +in most of the Eastern cities on the social and civil condition +of women, claiming for them the right of suffrage and more +liberal education. She also published a woman's journal in New +York, and was soon recognized as one of the earnest +representative women in America. For many years she made her home +in Milwaukee, where she taught a successful school for young +ladies. Madame Anneke, a widow with one son and two daughters, +lived quietly the closing years of her life, and in death found +the peace and rest she had never known in her busy life on earth. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Prof. G. S. Albee, president of the State Normal School at Oshkosh, +is a firm friend and outspoken advocate of equal right of the sexes +to all the privileges of education, not excepting the education of +the ballot-box. John Bascom, president of the Wisconsin University, +has been an advocate of suffrage for women many years. While +connected with Williams College he worked to secure the admission +of women thereto. As one of a committee of five to whom the matter +was referred, he, together with David Dudley Field, presented a +minority report favoring their admission. Since he has been at the +head of our State University he has been in perfect sympathy with +its liberal coëducational policy, and has insured to the young +women equal advantages in every respect with the young men. To his +wise management may be attributed the success of higher coëducation +in Wisconsin. He gave an able and scholarly address before our +convention at Madison in '82, and is always found ready to speak +for woman suffrage, both in public and private. His influence has +done much for the advancement of the cause in our State. A cordial +letter was received from Mrs. Bascom at the last Washington +convention, which was listened to with interest and prized by the +officers of the National Association:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Madison</span>, Wis., January 16, 1885.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Miss Anthony</span>: I am sorry I cannot be present and meet the +many wise and great women who will respond to your call for the +Seventeenth Annual Convention.</p> + +<p>What a glorious record these words reveal of unwavering faith in +the right, and heroic persistency in its pursuit on one side, and +what blindness of prejudice and selfishness of power on the +other. The struggle has indeed been a long one, and yet no other +moral movement involving so many and so great social changes ever +made more rapid progress. You and your fellow-laborers are truly +to be congratulated on the full and abundant harvest your +faithful seed-sowing has brought to humanity. The irrational +sentiment, based upon the methods and customs of barbarous times, +is rapidly yielding to reason. The world is learning—women are +learning—that character, even womanly character, does not suffer +from too much breadth of thought, or from too active a sympathy +in human interests and human affairs, but is ever enriched by a +larger circle of ideas, larger experience, and more extended +activities.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_648" id="Page_648">[Pg 648]</a></span></p> + +<p>The advance of women in position and influence has been +especially great during the past year, and in directions +especially cheering and hopeful to the heart of every woman. In +national political conventions, as your call so justly says, she +has "actively participated in the discussion of candidates, +platforms and principles." The last mile-stone before the goal +has been reached and passed!</p> + +<p>Your convention will offer the final opportunity to the +Republican party. Will it be wise enough to seize it for self +preservation, if not from principle? Will there be found in this +party enough of spiritual life to lay hold of the help now +proffered it, and once more renew its strength thereby? Or will +it, as so repeatedly in the past, turn a deaf ear to reason, and +still continue to deny the rights of half the human family? If +so, if it continue deaf, dumb and blind, then the Republican +party has no longer any function, and the power of government +will pass forever from its hands. The sixteenth amendment to the +national constitution is coming, but it will be the crown of +blessing and of fame of another party that will inaugurate this +era in social life! I take the liberty to send loving greetings +to you and the convention in the name of our Wisconsin Equal +Suffrage society. I hope our bright, eloquent Rev. Olympia Brown +will be with you. Of Wisconsin's eleven representatives in +congress, I am happy to make honorable mention, as broad-minded +advocates of our cause, of three, Cameron, Price and Stephenson. +In earnest sympathy with the object and method of the convention, +and with high regard for yourself, I remain yours truly,</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">Emma C. Bascom.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>In this, as in many other States there was a prolonged struggle +over the equal rights of women in the courts. The first woman to +practice law in Wisconsin was Lavinia Goodell. She was admitted in +the First Judicial Circuit Court, June 17, 1874, Judge H. S. +Conger, presiding. She commenced practicing in Janesville. The +following year she had a case which was appealed to the Supreme +Court. When the appeal was made, Miss Goodell applied to the +Supreme Court for the right to go with her case. She argued her own +case and based her claim upon a statute which provides, "That words +of the masculine gender may be applied to females; unless such +construction would be inconsistent with the manifest intention of +the legislature." After she had shown clearly that she had an equal +right in the courts in an able and unanswerable argument, Judge +Ryan considered her application for two months and rendered an +adverse decision. As a result of the agitation induced by this +case, the legislature of 1877 passed a law that "no person shall be +refused admission to the bar of this State on account of sex," thus +showing the power of the legislative branch of the government to +over-ride all judicial decisions. Miss Goodell immediately +commenced practice in the Supreme Court. She reviewed the judicial +decision with keen satire,<a name="FNanchor_430_430" id="FNanchor_430_430"></a><a href="#Footnote_430_430" class="fnanchor">[430]</a> and ably illustrated the +comparative capacity of an educated man and woman to reason +logically on American jurisprudence and constitutional law.</p> + +<p>In the early part of 1879 Kate Kane and Angie J. King were admitted +to the bar. Miss Kane studied in a law office and in the law school +of Michigan University. She practiced in Milwaukee until 1883, when +she located in Chicago. Miss King practices in Janesville and was +at first associated with Miss Goodell, under the name of Goodell & +King. Cora Hurtz, Oshkosh, was admitted and began practice in 1882. </p></blockquote> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<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> Mrs. Wolcott is a remarkable woman, of rare +intelligence, keen moral perceptions and most imposing presence. +Much of her success in life is due no doubt to her gracious +manners. Her graceful figure, classic face, rich voice and choice +language make her attractive in the best social circles, as well as +in the laboratory and lecture-room. She is a perfect housekeeper +and a most hospitable hostess. Having enjoyed many visits at her +beautiful home I can speak alike of her public and domestic +virtues.—[E. C. S.</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> See <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_389">Vol. I., page 389</a>.</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> During a visit with my school-friend, Mrs. Elizabeth +Ford Proudfit, at Madison, in 1879, I heard a great deal said of +the injustice of this law as illustrated in two notable cases of +widows in the enjoyment of their husbands' entire estates, while +the dead men's relatives, many of them, were living in poverty. +This was most shocking! though widowers, from time immemorial, have +possessed the life-earnings and inheritance of their wives, while +the dead women's mothers and sisters were starving and freezing +within sight of the luxurious homes that rightfully belonged to +them! It makes a mighty odds whose ox is gored—the widower's or +the widow's!—[S. B. 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> In 1867 the governor, General Lucius Fairchild, +appointed Laura J. Ross, M. D., as commissioner to the World's +Exposition in Paris. In 1871 Mrs. Mary E. Lynde was appointed on +the State Board of Charities and Corrections by Governor +Fairchild.</p></div> + +<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 committee on resolutions were: Dr. Laura J. +Ross, N. S. Murphey, Mrs. Livermore, Madame Annecke, Geo. W Peckham +and Rev. Mr. Gannett. The officers of the convention were: +<i>President</i>, Rev. Miss Augusta J. Chapin; <i>Vice-Presidents</i>, O. P. +Wolcott, M. D., Laura J. Ross, M. D., and Madame Matilde F. +Annecke; <i>Secretary</i>, Miss Lilia Peckham.</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> For a further description of this convention see +Mrs. Stanton's letters from <i>The Revolution</i>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_873">Vol. I., page 873</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> Miss Lilia Peckham, G. W. Peckham, esq., Mrs. Mary +A. Livermore, Madam Matilde Annecke, Rev. Augusta J. Chapin, Rev. +Mr. Eddy, Rev. Mr. English, Rev. Mr. Fallows.</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> Miss Lilia Peckham died in Milwaukee, the city of +her residence. She had been ill but a few weeks, her physicians +considering her recovery certain up to within an hour of her death; +but a sudden and unlooked-for change took place. One of the truest, +purest and best spirits we have ever met has thus passed from earth +to heaven. All who met her soon came to appreciate her gifted +nature, her rare talent and spiritual insight. But only those who +knew her well can bear witness to her wonderful unselfishness, her +remorseless honesty of speech and deed, the loftiness of her ideal +and the beauty of her womanly soul. The Milwaukee <i>Sentinel</i> closes +a brief obituary notice of our friend and co-worker as follows: +</p><p> +"This talented young woman is well known throughout the country as +an earnest advocate of the woman's rights movement. Only a few +weeks since she made a successful tour through the West, speaking +in various city pulpits. Fearlessly she spoke all that she had come +to feel was truth, though it shook the very foundations of old +creeds and ideas. Many efforts from her scholarly pen attest to her +devotion to every onward movement of the hour. She was to have +entered the Cambridge Divinity School early in the present autumn, +having chosen the ministry for her life-work. That a life so full +of promise of usefulness should be so suddenly stopped is +irreconcilable with our finite judgment. It is hard to say, 'it is +well,' though God's fact may be that this young life, with its +beauty of character, its sisterly affection, its still larger +sisterly sympathy with a suffering humanity, its longings and +aspirations, its zealous strivings after the true and good, is full +and complete <i>now</i>; still we shall mourn her loss, her brief though +beautiful career."</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> The members of the Wisconsin Senate who voted +against the woman suffrage amendment were: Ackley, Adams, Burrows, +Chase, Coleman, Delaney, Flinkelberg, Flint, Kusel, Palmetier, +Pingel, Rankin, Ryland, Smith and Van Schaick—15. No better work +can be done by Wisconsin suffragists than to try to defeat every +one of them at the next election. The following voted for the +measure: Bennett, Crosby, Ellis, Hamilton, Hill, Hudd, Kingston, +Meffert, Phillipps, Scott, Simpson, Wiley, Randall—13. Senators +Wing and McKeeby were paired, and Senators Erwin and Richardson +were absent.</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> The officers of the Wisconsin State society for 1885 +were: <i>President</i>, Harriet T. Griswold, Columbus; +<i>Vice-Presidents</i>, Laura Ross Wolcott, Milwaukee; Rev. Olympia +Brown, Racine; Emma C. Bascom, Madison; F. A. Delagise, Antigo; +Laura James, Richland Center; <i>Recording Secretary</i>, Helen R. Olin, +Madison; <i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, M. W. Bentley, Schofield; +<i>Treasurer</i>, Dr. Sarah R. Munro, Milwaukee; <i>Chairman Executive +Committee</i>, Amelia B. Gray, Schofield. Among others active in the +movement are Eliza T. Wilson, Menominee; Alura Collins, Muckwonago; +Mrs. S. C. Burnham, Bear Valley; Sarah H. Richards, Milwaukee; Mrs. +W. Trippe, Whitewater.</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> Eveleen Mason, May Wright Sewall, Mary A. Livermore, +Dr. Sarah Munro, Mrs. Haggart, Mrs. K. R. Doud, Miss Comstock, the +Grand Worthy Vice-Templar from Milwaukee, Mrs. Le Page, and Mrs. +Amy Talbot Dunn, as Zekel's wife, made a deep impression.</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> See vol. II. page <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_259">259</a>.</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> For her argument see <i>Woman's Journal</i>, April, +1876.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_649" id="Page_649">[Pg 649]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLVII" id="CHAPTER_XLVII"></a>CHAPTER XLVII.</h2> + +<h3>MINNESOTA.</h3> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>Girls in State University—Sarah Burger Stearns—Harriet E. +Bishop the First Teacher in St. Paul—Mary J. Colburn Won the +Prize—Mrs. Jane Grey Swisshelm, St. Cloud—Fourth of July +Oration, 1866—First Legislative Hearing, 1867—Governor Austin's +Veto—First Society at Rochester—Kasson—Almira W. Anthony—Mary +P. Wheeler—Harriet M. White—The W. C. T. U.—Harriet A. +Hobart—Literary and Art Clubs—School Suffrage, 1876—Charlotte +O. Van Cleve and Mrs. C. S. Winchell Elected to School +Board—Mrs. Governor Pillsbury—Temperance Vote, 1877—Property +Rights of Married Women—Women as Officers, Teachers, Editors, +Ministers, Doctors, Lawyers. </p> +</div> + + +<p><span class="sc">Minnesota</span> was formally admitted to the Union May 11, 1858. Owing to +its high situation and dry atmosphere the State is a great resort +for invalids, and nowhere in the world is the sun so bright, the +sky so blue, or the moon and stars so clearly defined. Its early +settlers were from New England; hence, the church and the +school-house—monuments of civilization—were the first objects in +the landscape to adorn those boundless prairies, as the red man was +pushed still westward, and the white man seized his hunting-ground.</p> + +<p>This State is also remarkable for its admirable system of free +schools, in which it is said there is a larger proportion of pupils +to the population than in any other of the Western States. All +institutions of learning have from the beginning been open alike to +boys and girls.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sarah Burger Stearns, to whom we are indebted for this +chapter, was one of the first young women to apply for admission to +the Michigan University.<a name="FNanchor_431_431" id="FNanchor_431_431"></a><a href="#Footnote_431_431" class="fnanchor">[431]</a> Being denied, she finished her +studies at the State Normal School, and in 1863 married Mr. O. P. +Stearns, a graduate of the institution that barred its doors to +her. Mr. Stearns, at the call of his country, went to the front, +while his no less patriotic bride remained at home, teaching in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_650" id="Page_650">[Pg 650]</a></span> +the Young Ladies' Seminary at Monroe and lecturing for the benefit +of the Soldiers' Aid Societies.</p> + +<p>The war over, they removed to Minnesota in 1866, where by lectures, +newspaper articles, petitions and appeals to the legislature, Mrs. +Stearns has done very much to stir the women of the State to +thought and action upon the question of woman's enfranchisement. +She has been the leading spirit of the State Suffrage Association, +as well as of the local societies of Rochester and Duluth, the two +cities in which she has resided, and also vice-president of the +National Association since 1876. As a member of the school-board, +she has wrought beneficent changes in the schools of Duluth. She is +now at the head of a movement for the establishment of a home for +women needing a place of rest and training for self-help and +self-protection. Mrs. Stearns has the full sympathy of her husband +and family, as she had that of her mother, Mrs. Susan C. Burger, +whose last years were passed in the home of her daughter at Duluth. +Mrs. Stearns writes:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The advocates of suffrage in Minnesota were so few in the early +days,<a name="FNanchor_432_432" id="FNanchor_432_432"></a><a href="#Footnote_432_432" class="fnanchor">[432]</a> and their homes so remote from each other, that there +was little chance for coöperation, hence the history of the +movement in this State consists more of personal efforts than of +conventions, legislative hearings and judicial decisions. The +first name worthy of note is that of Harriet E. Bishop. She was +invited by Rev. Thomas Williamson, M. D., a missionary among the +Dakotas, to come to his mission home and share in his labors in +1847, where she was introduced to the leading citizens of St. +Paul. She was the first teacher of a public school in that +settlement. She lectured on temperance, wrote for the daily +papers, and preached as a regular pastor in a Baptist pulpit. She +published several books, was one of the organizers of the State +Suffrage Association in 1881, and in 1883 rested from her labors +on earth.</p> + +<p>The first lecture in the State on the "Rights and Wrongs of +Woman," was by Mrs. Mary J. Colburn, in the village of Champlin, +in 1858, the same year that Minnesota was admitted to the Union. +In 1864, the State officers promised two prizes for the first and +second best essays on "Minnesota as a Home for Emigrants," +reserving to the examining committee the right to reject all +manuscripts offered if found unworthy. The first prize was +accorded to Mrs. Colburn. Most of the other competitors were men, +some of them members of the learned professions. Mrs. Colburn +says, in writing to a friend, "I am doing but little now on the +suffrage question, for I will not stoop longer to ask of any +congress or legislature for that which I know to be mine by the +divine law of nature."</p> + +<p>In 1857, Mrs. Jane Grey Swisshelm settled at St. Cloud, where she +lived until 1863, editing the St. Cloud <i>Democrat</i>, the organ of +the Republican party, and making a heroic fight for freedom and +equality. In 1860 she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_651" id="Page_651">[Pg 651]</a></span> spoke in the Hall of Representatives, on +Anti-slavery; in 1862 she was invited to speak before the Senate +on woman's rights, and was listened to with great respect.<a name="FNanchor_433_433" id="FNanchor_433_433"></a><a href="#Footnote_433_433" class="fnanchor">[433]</a></p> + +<p>In 1866, at a Fourth of July celebration, Mrs. Stearns accepted +an invitation to respond to the sentiment, "Our young and growing +State; may she ever be an honor to her citizens." This offered +her an opportunity for an off-hand woman suffrage speech, which +elicited hearty cheers, and gave, as an old gentleman present +said, "something fresh to think of and act upon." About this time +the friends of equality began petitioning the legislature for an +amendment to the constitution, striking out the word "male." +Through the efforts of Mr. A. G. Spaulding—the editor of the +<i>Anoka Star</i>—and others, these petitions were referred to a +special committee which granted a hearing to Mrs. Colburn and +Mrs. Stearns in 1867. Mrs. Colburn read a carefully prepared +argument, and Mrs. Stearns sent a letter, both of which were +ordered to be printed. In 1868 a bill was introduced proposing to +submit the desired amendment, but when brought to a vote it was +defeated by a majority of one.</p> + +<p>In March, 1869, <i>The Revolution</i> copied from the Martin County +<i>Atlas</i> the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Show us the man who from the bottom of his heart, laying aside +his prejudices and speaking the unbiased truth, will not say that +women should have the same rights that he himself enjoys, and we +will show you a narrow-minded sycophant, a cruel, selfish tyrant, +or one that has not the moral courage to battle for a principle +he knows to be just. Equal rights before the law is justice to +all, and the more education we give our children and ourselves, +as a people, the sooner shall we have equal rights. May the +glorious cause speed on. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1869, a suffrage society was organized in the city of Rochester, +with fifty members, and another at Champlin; the homes of Mrs. +Stearns and Mrs. Colburn. Petitions were again circulated and +presented to the legislature early in the session of 1870. It had +not then been demonstrated by Kansas, Michigan, Colorado, Nebraska +and Oregon, that the votes of the ignorant classes on this question +would greatly outnumber those of the intelligent. The legislature +granted the prayer of the petitioners and passed a bill for the +submission of an amendment, providing that the women of the State, +possessing the requisite qualifications, should also be allowed to +vote upon the proposition, and that their votes should be counted +as legal. The governor, Hon. Horace Austin, vetoed the bill, saying +it was not passed in good faith, and that the submission of the +question at that time would be premature. In a private letter to +Mrs. Stearns, the governor said: "Had the bill provided for the +voting of the women, simply to get an expression of their wishes +upon the question, without requiring their votes to be counted as +legal in the adoption or rejection of it, the act would not have +been vetoed, notwithstanding my second objection that it was +premature."</p> + +<p>In 1871, petitions to congress were circulated in Minnesota, asking +a declaratory act to protect the women of the nation in the +exercise of "the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_652" id="Page_652">[Pg 652]</a></span> citizen's right to vote" under the new guarantees +of the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments. During that year the +National Woman Suffrage Association appointed Mrs. Addie Ballou its +vice-president for Minnesota.</p> + +<p>In 1872 a suffrage club was formed at Kasson. Its three +originators<a name="FNanchor_434_434" id="FNanchor_434_434"></a><a href="#Footnote_434_434" class="fnanchor">[434]</a> entered into a solemn compact with each other that +while they lived in that city there should always be an active +suffrage society until the ballot for women should be obtained. +Their secretary, Mrs. H. M. White, writes:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Although our club was at first called a ladies' literary society, +the suspicion that its members wished to vote was soon whispered +about. Our working members were for some years few in number, and +our meetings far between. But our zeal never abating, we tried in +later years many plans for making a weekly meeting interesting. +The most successful was, that every one should bring something +that had come to her notice during the week, which she should +read aloud, thus furnishing topics of conversation in which all +could join. This never failed to make an interesting and +profitable meeting. And still later we invited speakers from +other States. In our various courses of lectures, Kasson +audiences have enjoyed the brave utterances of Anna Dickinson, +Julia Ward Howe, Susan B. Anthony, and others. The pulpit of +Kasson we have found about evenly balanced for and against us; +but those claiming to be friendly generally maintained a +"masterly inactivity." Our editors have always shown us much +kindness by gratuitously advertising our meetings and publishing +our articles. Our members were all at the first meeting after +school suffrage was granted to women, and one lady was elected +director for a term of three years. The next year another lady +was elected. While they were members of the board, a new and +beautiful school house was erected, though some men said, +"nothing in the line of building could be safely done until after +the women's term of office had expired." Our co-workers have +always treated us with great courtesy. In this respect our labors +were as pleasant as in any church work. </p></blockquote> + +<p>At a temperance convention in 1874, a woman suffrage resolution was +ably defended by Mrs. Julia Ballard Nelson and Mrs. Harriet A. +Hobart; Mrs. Asa Hutchinson, of beloved memory, also spoke at this +meeting.</p> + +<p>As the women in several of the States voted on educational matters, +the legislature of 1875 wished to confer the same privilege upon +the women of Minnesota. But instead of doing so by direct +legislation, as the other States had done, they passed a resolution +submitting a proposition for an amendment to the constitution to +the electors of the State, as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>An amendment to the State constitution giving the legislature +power to provide by law that any woman of the age of twenty-one +years and upwards, may vote at any election held for the purpose +of choosing any officers of schools; or upon any measure relating +to schools; and also that any such woman shall be eligible to +hold any office pertaining solely to the management of schools. </p></blockquote> + +<p>No effort was made to agitate the question, lest more should be +effected in rousing the opposition than in educating the masses in +the few months intervening between the passage of the bill and the +election in November. Mrs. Stearns, however, as the day for the +decision of the question approached, wishing to make sure of the +votes of the intelligent men of the State, wrote to the editor of +the <i>Pioneer Press</i>, the leading paper of Minnesota, begging him to +urge his readers to do all in their power to secure<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_653" id="Page_653">[Pg 653]</a></span> the adoption +of the amendment. The request was complied with, and the editor in +a private letter, thanking Mrs. Stearns, said he "had quite +forgotten such an amendment had been proposed."</p> + +<p>At this last moment the question was, what could be done to secure +the largest favorable vote. Finding that it would be legal, the +friends throughout the State appealed to the committees of both +political parties to have "For the amendment of Article VII. +relating to electors—Yes," printed upon all their tickets. This +was very generally done, and thereby the most ignorant men were led +to vote as they should, with the intelligent, in favor of giving +women a voice in the education of the children of the State, while +all who were really opposed could scratch the "yes," and substitute +a "no." When election day came, November 5, 1875, the amendment was +carried by a vote of 24,340 for, to 19,468 against. The following +legislature passed the necessary law, and at the spring election of +1876, the women of Minnesota voted for school officers, and in +several cases women were elected as directors.</p> + +<p>I have given these details because the great wonder has been how +the combined forces of ignorance and vice failed to vote down this +amendment, as they always have done every other proposition for the +extension of suffrage to women in this and every other State where +the question has been submitted to a popular vote. I believe our +success was largely, if not wholly, attributable to our studied +failure to agitate the question, and the affirmative wording of all +the tickets of both parties, by which our bitterest opponents +forgot the question was to be voted upon, and the ignorant classes +who could not, or did not read their ballots, voted unthinkingly +for the measure.</p> + +<p>In the cities the school officers are elected at the regular +municipal elections usually held in the spring, while in the rural +districts and smaller villages they are chosen at school meetings +in the autumn. In East Minneapolis, Hon. Richard Chute, chairman of +the Republican nominating convention, having, without their +knowledge, secured the nomination of Mrs. Charlotte O. +VanCleve<a name="FNanchor_435_435" id="FNanchor_435_435"></a><a href="#Footnote_435_435" class="fnanchor">[435]</a> and Mrs. Charlotte S. Winchell<a name="FNanchor_436_436" id="FNanchor_436_436"></a><a href="#Footnote_436_436" class="fnanchor">[436]</a> as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_654" id="Page_654">[Pg 654]</a></span> school +directors, called a meeting of the women of the city to aid in +their election. It was a large and enthusiastic gathering. Mrs. +Mary C. Peckham presided, Mrs. Stearns of Duluth, and Mrs. +Pillsbury, wife of the governor, made stirring speeches, after +which the candidates were called upon, and responded most +acceptably. When election day came, the names of Mrs. VanCleve and +Mrs. Winchell received a handsome majority of the votes of their +districts. A correspondent in the <i>Ballot-Box</i> said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The women of Minnesota are rejoicing in the measure of justice +vouchsafed them,—the right to vote and hold office in school +matters. Two hundred and seventy women voted in Minneapolis, the +governor's wife among others. Although it rained all day they +went to the polls in great numbers. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Including both East and West Minneapolis, fully 1,000 women voted; +and while the numbers in other cities and villages were not so +great, they were composed of the more intelligent. In St. Charles, +where Dr. Adaline Williams was elected to the school-board, some of +the gentlemen requested her to resign, on the ground that she had +not been properly elected. Her reply was, "If I have not been +elected, I have no need to resign; and if I have been elected, I do +not choose to resign." But to satisfy those who doubted, she +proposed that another election should be held, which resulted in an +overwhelming majority for the Doctor.</p> + +<p>As the law says women are "eligible to any office pertaining solely +to the management of schools," one might be elected as State +superintendent of public instruction. There have been many women +elected to the office of county superintendent, and in several +counties they have been twice reëlected,<a name="FNanchor_437_437" id="FNanchor_437_437"></a><a href="#Footnote_437_437" class="fnanchor">[437]</a> and wherever women +have held school offices, they have been reported as doing +efficient service. Although the law provided that women might "vote +at any election for the purpose of choosing any officers of +schools," the attorney-general gave an opinion that it did not +entitle them to vote for county superintendent; hence "an act to +entitle women to vote for county superintendent of schools," was +passed by the legislature of 1885.</p> + +<p>The ladies' city school committee. Miss A. M. Henderson, chairman, +secured the appointment of a committee of seven women in +Minneapolis, to meet with a like number of men from each of the +political parties, to select such members of the school-board as +all could agree upon. Having thus aided in the nominations, women +were interested in their election. In 1881 Mrs. Merrill and Miss +Henderson stood at the polls all day and electioneered for their +candidates. It was said that their efforts not only decided the +choice of school officers, but elected a temperance alderman. In +many cities of the State the temperance women exert a great +influence at the polls in persuading men to vote for the best +town-officers. At the special election held in Duluth for choosing +school officers, one of the judges of election, and the clerks at +each of the polling places have for the last two years been women +who were teachers in our public schools.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_655" id="Page_655">[Pg 655]</a></span></p> + +<p>The early homestead law of Minnesota illustrates how easily men +forget to bestow the same rights upon women that they carefully +secure to themselves. In 1869, the "protectors of women" enacted a +law which exempted a homestead from being sold for the payment of +debts so long as the man who held it might live, while it allowed +his widow and children to be turned out penniless and homeless. It +was not until 1875 that this law was so amended that the exemption +extended to the widow and fatherless children.</p> + +<p>In 1877, a law was passed which gave the widow an absolute +title—or the same title her husband had—to one-third of all the +real estate, exclusive of the homestead, and of that, it gave her +the use, during her lifetime. So that now the widow has the +absolute ownership, instead of the life use of one-third of +whatever she and her husband may have together earned and saved. +That is, should there be any real estate left, over and above the +homestead, after paying all the husband's debts, she now has, not +merely the difference, as heretofore, between the amount of the tax +and the income on one-third, but she may avoid the tax and other +costs of keeping it, by selling her third, if she prefers, and +putting the money at interest. The law still puts whatever may be +left of the other two-thirds, after payment of debts, into the +hands of the probate judge and others, and the interest thereof, or +even the principal, may go to reward them for their services, or, +if falling into honest hands, it may be left for the support and +education of the children.</p> + +<p>The legislature of 1877 submitted a constitutional amendment giving +women a vote on the temperance question. This seemed likely to be +carried by default of agitation, as was that of school suffrage, +until within a few weeks of the election, when the liquor interest +combined all its forces of men and money and defeated it by a large +majority. The next year the temperance people made a strong effort +to get the proposition re-submitted, but to no purpose.</p> + +<p>In 1879, acting upon the plan proposed to all the States by the +National Association, we petitioned for the adoption of a joint +resolution asking congress to submit to the several State +legislatures an amendment to the National constitution, prohibiting +the disfranchisement of woman. Mrs. Stearns and others followed up +the petitions with letters to the most influential members, in +which they argued that the legislatures of the States, not the rank +and file of the electors, ought to decide this question; and +further, that the same congress that had granted woman the +privilege of pleading a case before the Supreme Court of the United +States would doubtless pass a resolution submitting to the +legislatures the decision of the question of her right to have her +opinion on all questions counted at the ballot-box. The result was +a majority of six in the Senate in favor of the resolution, while +in the House there was a majority of five against it.</p> + +<p>Since 1879, our legislature has met biënnially. In 1881 the +temperance women of the State again petitioned for the right to +vote on the question of licensing the sale of liquor. Failing to +get that, or a prohibitory law, they became more than ever +convinced of the necessity of full suffrage.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_656" id="Page_656">[Pg 656]</a></span> The annual meetings +of the State Union<a name="FNanchor_438_438" id="FNanchor_438_438"></a><a href="#Footnote_438_438" class="fnanchor">[438]</a> have ever since been spoken of by the press +as "suffrage conventions," because they always pass resolutions +making the demand.</p> + +<p>Mr. L. Bixby, editor of the <i>State Temperance Review</i>, gives +several columns to the temperance and suffrage societies. Mrs. +Helen E. Gallinger, the editor of these departments, is a lady of +great ability and earnestness. Mr. Charles H. Dubois, editor of +<i>The Spectator</i>, gives ample space in his columns to notes of +women. Miss Mary C. Le Duc is connected with <i>The Spectator</i>. Other +journals have aided our cause, though not in so pronounced a way. +Mrs. C. F. Bancroft, editor of the <i>Mantorville Express</i>, and Mrs. +Bella French, of a county paper at Spring Valley, Mrs. Annie +Mitchell, the wife of one editor and the mother of another, for +many years their business associate, have all given valuable +services to our cause, while pecuniarily benefiting themselves. The +necessity of finding a voice when something needed to be said, and +of using a pen when something needed to be written, has developed +considerable talent for public speaking and writing among the women +of this State.<a name="FNanchor_439_439" id="FNanchor_439_439"></a><a href="#Footnote_439_439" class="fnanchor">[439]</a></p> + +<p>All our State institutions are favorable to coëducation, and give +equal privileges to all. The Minnesota University has been open to +women since its foundation, and from 1875 to 1885 fifty-six young +women were graduated with high honor to themselves and their +sex.<a name="FNanchor_440_440" id="FNanchor_440_440"></a><a href="#Footnote_440_440" class="fnanchor">[440]</a> Miss Maria L. Sanford has been professor of rhetoric and +elocution for many years. The faculties of the State Normal Schools +are largely composed of women. Hamline University and Carlton +College are conducted on principles of true equality. At Carlton +Miss Margaret Evans is preceptress and teacher of modern languages. +Of the Rochester High School, Miss Josephine Hegeman is principal; +of Wasioga, Miss C. T. Atwood; of Eyota Union School, Miss Adell +M'Kinley.<a name="FNanchor_441_441" id="FNanchor_441_441"></a><a href="#Footnote_441_441" class="fnanchor">[441]</a></p> + +<p>For many years Mrs. M. R. Smith was employed as State Librarian. +Mrs. H. J. M'Caine for the past ten years has been librarian at St. +Paul, with Miss Grace A. Spaulding as assistant. Among the +engrossing and enrolling clerks of our legislature, Miss Alice +Weber is the only lady's name we find, though the men holding those +offices usually employ a half dozen women to assist them in +copying, allowing each two-thirds of the price paid by the State, +or ten cents per folio.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 381px;"> +<a name="v3_656" id="v3_656"> +<img src="images/v3_656.jpg" width="381" height="500" alt="Sarah Burger Stearns" title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p>In this State the suffrage cause has had the sympathy of not a few +noble women in the successful practice of the healing art; thus +lending their influence for the political emancipation of their +sex, while blessing the community with their medical skill. To +Doctors Hood and Whetstone is due the credit of establishing the +Northwestern Hospital for Women and Children, and training school +for nurses, of which they are now the attending<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_657" id="Page_657">[Pg 657]</a></span> physicians; and +Dr. Hood also attends the Bethany Home, founded by the sisterhood +of Bethany, for the benefit of friendless girls and women. In the +town of Detroit may be seen a drug store neatly fitted up, with +"Ogden's Pharmacy" over the door, and upon it, in gilt letters, +"Emma K. Ogden, M. D." While the doctor practices her profession, +she employs a young woman as prescription clerk. The Minnesota +State Medical Society has admitted nine women to membership.<a name="FNanchor_442_442" id="FNanchor_442_442"></a><a href="#Footnote_442_442" class="fnanchor">[442]</a></p> + +<p>Conspicuous among evangelists in this State are Mrs. Mary C. Nind, +Minneapolis, Mrs. Mary A. Shepardson, Wasioga, Mrs. Ruth Cogswell +Rowell, Winona, and Rev. Eliza Tupper Wilkes, Rochester.</p> + +<p>Thus far this chapter has been given mainly to individuals in the +State, and to the home influences that have aided in creating +sentiment in favor of full suffrage for woman. United with these +have been other influences coming like the rays of the morning sun +directly from the East where so many noble women are at work for +the freedom of their sex. Among them are some of the most popular +lecturers in the country.<a name="FNanchor_443_443" id="FNanchor_443_443"></a><a href="#Footnote_443_443" class="fnanchor">[443]</a></p> + +<p>In September, 1881, representative women from various localities +met at Hastings and organized a State Woman Suffrage +Association<a name="FNanchor_444_444" id="FNanchor_444_444"></a><a href="#Footnote_444_444" class="fnanchor">[444]</a> auxiliary to the National. During the first year +one hundred and twenty-four members were enrolled. During the +second the membership more than doubled. In October, 1882, the +association held its first annual meeting. The audiences were +large, and the speakers<a name="FNanchor_445_445" id="FNanchor_445_445"></a><a href="#Footnote_445_445" class="fnanchor">[445]</a> most heartily applauded. Mrs. Nelson +presided. In her letter of greeting to this meeting, from which +ill-health obliged her to be absent, the president urged the +association to firmly adhere to the principles of the National +Association. Let us not ask for an amendment to the State +constitution, and thus put it in the power of ignorance and +prejudice to deny the boon we seek; while we are auxiliary to the +National let us work according to its plans. Mrs. Stearns was +unanimously reëlected president, and her views heartily endorsed.</p> + +<p>In the spring of '83, at the request of the State society, and with +the generous consent of Mr. Bixby, the editor of the <i>State +Temperance Review</i>, Mrs. Helen E. Gallinger commenced editing a +woman suffrage column in that paper. This has been a very +convenient medium of communication between the State society and +the local auxiliaries which have since been organized by Mrs. L. +May Wheeler, who was employed as lecturer and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_658" id="Page_658">[Pg 658]</a></span> organizer,<a name="FNanchor_446_446" id="FNanchor_446_446"></a><a href="#Footnote_446_446" class="fnanchor">[446]</a> in +the summer and fall of 1883. Auxiliary societies had previously +been organized by Mrs. Stearns, in St. Paul and Minneapolis. The +Kasson society, formed in 1872, also became auxiliary to the State.</p> + +<p>During the Northwestern Industrial Exhibition, held in Minneapolis +August, 1883, a woman suffrage headquarters was fitted up on the +fair-grounds, in a fine large tent, made attractive by flags, +banners and mottoes. The State and local societies were +represented, officers and members being there to receive all who +were in sympathy, to talk suffrage to opposers, to pass out good +leaflets, and to exhibit copies of the Woman Suffrage History. At +the annual convention this year we were honored by the presence of +Julia Ward Howe and Mrs. Marianna Folsom of Iowa, and many of the +clergymen<a name="FNanchor_447_447" id="FNanchor_447_447"></a><a href="#Footnote_447_447" class="fnanchor">[447]</a> of Minneapolis. Rev. E. S. Williams gave the address +of welcome, and paid a beautiful tribute to the self-sacrificing +leaders in this holy crusade. Mrs. Howe not only encouraged us with +her able words of cheer, but she presided at the piano while her +Battle Hymn of the Republic was sung, and seemed to give it new +inspiration. In the course of her remarks the president said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Should congress finally adopt that long-pending amendment in the +winter of 1883-4 enfranchising women, we should still have work +to do in 1885 to secure the ratification of this amendment by our +State legislature. But should congress still refuse, let us be +thankful that the way is opening for women to secure their +freedom by the power of the legislature independent of all +constitutional amendments, as there is nothing in ordinary State +constitutions to prevent legislators from extending suffrage to +women by legislative enactment. The constitution of the State of +Minnesota simply enfranchises men, and does not even mention +women; we have clearly nothing to do but to convince our +legislators that they are free to give educated women full +suffrage. </p></blockquote> + +<p>With this view the society adopted the following resolution:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That we accept with joy the argument that comes to us +from the east and from the west declaring suffrage amendments to +State constitutions unnecessary, because the word "male," +occurring as it does in most State constitutions, in no wise +restrains legislatures from extending full suffrage to women, +should they feel inclined to do so. Be it also</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That it therefore becomes our duty to talk with all +men and women who are friendly to our cause, and ask them to +examine the argument, and if it commends itself to their +judgment, to give us the benefit of their convictions. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Though passing the above resolutions at that time, the State +Association of course waits to see what may be done, in view of +this new idea, by older and stronger States whose constitutions are +similar to ours. Although failing health induced Mrs. Stearns, in +the fall of 1883, to resign her suffrage work into other hands, and +ask to be excused from any office whatever, she has, with improving +health lately accepted the presidency of an Equal Rights League in +Duluth. Dr. Ripley was not present<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_659" id="Page_659">[Pg 659]</a></span> herself at the convention<a name="FNanchor_448_448" id="FNanchor_448_448"></a><a href="#Footnote_448_448" class="fnanchor">[448]</a> +which chose her for president for the ensuing year, being then at +the East, but immediately after returning, she entered upon her new +duties with enthusiasm. As there was to be no legislature in 1884, +there could be no petitioning, except to continue the work +commenced as long ago as 1871, of petitioning congress for a +sixteenth amendment. The work was carried on with vigor, and many +hundreds of names obtained in a short time. Early in 1884 Mrs. L. +May Wheeler continued to lecture in the interests of the suffrage +cause. While so engaged she issued her "Collection of Temperance +and Suffrage Melodies."</p> + +<p>In 1884 a woman suffrage headquarters was again fitted up in +Newspaper Row, on the grounds of the Northwestern Industrial +Exhibition. The large tent was shared by the State W. C. T. U., and +appropriately decked within and without to represent both of the +State organizations and their auxiliaries. A large amount of +suffrage and temperance literature was distributed among the many +who were attracted by the novelty of the sight and sentiments +displayed on banners and flags.</p> + +<p>As Minneapolis had already become headquarters for the suffrage +work of the State, it was thought best to again hold the annual +meeting in that city. This was in October, continuing two days, and +was both interesting and encouraging. Dr. Martha G. Ripley +presided. Many interesting letters were read, and cheering +telegrams received.<a name="FNanchor_449_449" id="FNanchor_449_449"></a><a href="#Footnote_449_449" class="fnanchor">[449]</a> Miss Marion Lowell recited "The Legend," +by Mary Agnes Ticknor, and "Was he Henpecked?" by Phebe Cary, Mrs. +A. M. Tyng of Austin, made a good speech, also recited a poem +entitled "Jane Conquest." Mr. Lars Oure of Norway, spoke well upon +the "Claims of Woman." Dr. L. W. Denton of Minneapolis, gave a very +good address. Dr. Martha G. Ripley spoke on suffrage as a natural +right, and in support of this view read extracts from a pamphlet +entitled, "Woman Suffrage a Right, and not a Privilege," by Wm. I. +Bowditch; Eliza Burt Gamble of St. Paul, read a very able paper on +"Woman and the Church"; Mrs. Stearns spoke upon the new era to be +inaugurated when women have the ballot. Miss Emma Harriman read a +bright and entertaining paper. The fine address of the occasion was +given by Rev. W. W. Satterlee, showing the nation's need of woman's +vote. Judge and Mrs. Hemiup, of Minneapolis, just returned from a +visit to Wyoming Territory, were present. The judge made several +speeches, and was enthusiastic in his praise of the workings of +woman suffrage there. He and his wife are now active members of the +State and city (Minneapolis) suffrage societies. The judge is also +a member of the State executive committee.</p> + +<p>Wishing to give honor to whom honor is due, we would mention the +brave young women who have formed the Christian Temperance Unions,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_660" id="Page_660">[Pg 660]</a></span> +the leading spirits<a name="FNanchor_450_450" id="FNanchor_450_450"></a><a href="#Footnote_450_450" class="fnanchor">[450]</a> in this grand movement in Minneapolis, St. +Paul, Winona and St. Cloud. Their names will be usually found as +delegates to the annual meetings of all the State Unions. The small +army of noble girls who have helped to make the Good Templars' +lodges attractive and worthy resorts for their brothers and +friends, have done an inestimable work in elevating the moral tone +of the community all over the State. They have also done their full +share in petitioning congress for a sixteenth amendment, in which +they have received most untiring help from the young men of the +lodges. In 1884 Miss Frances Willard again visited the State, +advocating the ballot as well as the Bible as an aid to temperance +work. Her eloquent voice here as elsewhere woke many to serious +thought on the danger of this national vice to the safety and +stability of our republican institutions. It was through Miss +Willard's influence, no doubt, that the friends of temperance +established a department of franchise for the State, and made Mrs. +E. L. Crockett its superintendent.</p> + +<p>The women of Minnesota seem thus far to have no special calling to +the legal profession. Mrs. Martha Angle Dorsett is the only woman +as yet admitted to the bar. She was graduated from the law school +at Des Moines, and admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of +Iowa in June, 1876. She was refused admission at first in +Minnesota, whereupon she appealed to the legislature, which in 1877 +enacted a law securing the right to women by a vote of 63 to 30 in +the House, and 26 to 6 in the Senate.</p> + +<p>In some of the larger cities and towns the literary, musical and +dramatic taste of our women<a name="FNanchor_451_451" id="FNanchor_451_451"></a><a href="#Footnote_451_451" class="fnanchor">[451]</a> is evidenced by societies and +clubs for mutual improvement. Many are attending classes for the +study of natural history, classic literature, social science, etc. +There is an art club in Minneapolis, composed wholly of artists, +both ladies and gentlemen, which meets every week, the members +making sketches from life. Miss Julie C. Gauthier had on exhibition +at the New Orleans Exposition, a full-length portrait, true to +life, of a colored man, "Pony," a veteran wood-sawer of St. Paul, +which received very complimentary notices from art critics of that +city, as well as from the press generally.</p> + +<p>In the Business Colleges of Mr. Curtis at St. Paul and Minneapolis, +many women are teachers, and many more are educated as shorthand +reporters, telegraphers, and book-keepers. These have no difficulty +in finding places after completing their college course. Nearly +fifty young women are employed in the principal towns of the State +as telegraphers alone. Miss Mary M. Cary has been employed for +seven years as operator and station agent at Wayzata, for the St. +Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba R. R. Her services are highly valued, +as well they may be, for during her absence from the station two +men are required to do her work. By her talents and industry she +has acquired a thorough education for herself, besides educating +her two younger sisters. Mrs. Anna B. Underwood of Lake City, has +for many years been secretary of a firm conducting a large nursery +of fruit trees, plants and flowers. Her husband being one of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_661" id="Page_661">[Pg 661]</a></span> +partners, she has taken a large share of the general management. +The orchard yields a profit of over $1,000 a year.</p> + +<p>From the list of names to be found in the Appendix, we see that +Minnesota is remarkable for its galaxy of superior women actively +engaged as speakers and writers<a name="FNanchor_452_452" id="FNanchor_452_452"></a><a href="#Footnote_452_452" class="fnanchor">[452]</a> in many reforms, as well as in +the trades and professions, and in varied employments. One of the +great advantages of pioneer life is the necessity to man of woman's +help in all the emergencies of these new conditions in which their +forces and capacities are called into requisition. She thus +acquires a degree of self-reliance, courage and independence, that +would never be called out in older civilizations, and commands a +degree of respect from the men at her side that can only be learned +in their mutual dependence. </p></blockquote> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<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 names of the young women who applied for +admission to the classical course of the Michigan State University, +in 1858, were Sarah Burger, Clara Norton, Ellen F. Thompson, Ada A. +Alvord, Rose Anderson, Helen White, Amanda Kieff, Lizzie Baker, +Nellie Baker, Anna Lathrop, Carrie Felch, Mary Becker, Adeline Ladd +and Harriet Patton.</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> See <a href="#XLVII_A">Appendix, Chapter XLVII., note A</a>.</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> For further account of Mrs. Swisshelm's patriotic +work in Minnesota see her "Reminiscences of Half a Century": +Janson, McClurg & Co., Chicago, Ill.</p></div> + +<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 three women were, Mrs. Almira W. Anthony (whose +husband was a cousin of Susan B. Anthony), Mrs. Mary Powell Wheeler +and Mrs. Hattie M. White.</p></div> + +<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> In a volume of Minnesota biography, Mrs. VanCleve is +reported as a woman of great force of character, strong in her +convictions of what is right, and fearless in following the +dictates of her conscience. She was one of the original founders of +the Sisterhood of Bethany, a society for the reformation of +unfortunate women, and has held the position of president since its +formation. Through the medium of lectures and social influence, she +has enlisted the sympathy of a large number of the community. She +has served faithfully as a member of the East Minneapolis board of +education, and has always improved every opportunity to advocate +the right of suffrage for women. She is a member of the State +Suffrage Society, and has been for many years honorary +vice-president for this State, of the National Suffrage +Association. The following interesting fact is told of her, on the +authority of Major-General R. W. Johnson. It was given in an +address delivered by that gentleman before the old settlers' +association of Hennepin county, at a reunion in the city of +Minneapolis: Many years ago a soldier at Fort Snelling received an +injury to his feet, and mortification ensued. Amputation became +necessary and the case could not be postponed until a surgeon could +be sent for, because there was none nearer than the post-surgeon at +Prairie du Chien. No gentleman in the garrison was willing to +undertake so difficult an operation. Equal to any emergency, Mrs. +VanCleve, on hearing of the case, resolved to make the attempt. She +performed the operation skillfully, and saved the soldier's life.</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> Mrs. Charlotte S. Winchell was a graduate of Albion +College, Michigan, and came to this State in 1873, with her +husband, Prof. Newton H. Winchell, widely known as Minnesota's +State geologist. Mrs. Winchell has always been an advocate of +suffrage for woman, and cheerfully accepted the position on the +school board, serving as clerk. She took an active part in the +nominations and elections of school officers. She was chairman of +the committee for introducing temperance text books into the +schools, secretary of the Woman's Board of Foreign Missions, a +member of the State and City Suffrage Societies, and of the +Association for the Advancement of Women.</p></div> + +<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> For names of women elected as school directors and +county superintendents, see <a href="#XLVII_B">Appendix to Minnesota, Chapter XLVII., +Note B.</a></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> The officers of the Minnesota State W. C. T. U. are: +<i>President</i>, Mrs. H. A. Hobart; <i>Vice-Presidents</i>, Mrs. Mary A. +Shepardson, Mrs. E. J. Holley, Mrs. R. C. C. Gale, Mrs. H. C. May, +Mrs. L. M. Wylie; <i>Recording Secretary</i>, Mrs. D. S. Haywood; +<i>Corresponding Secretaries</i>, Mrs. E. S. Wright, Miss M. E. +Mclntyre; <i>Treasurer</i>, Miss A. M. Henderson. Editor W. C. T. U. +department of <i>Temperance Review</i>, Mrs. Helen E. Gallinger.</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> See <a href="#XLVII_C">Appendix, Chapter XLVII., Note C</a>.</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> During the same decade 138 young men were graduated +from the different departments of the University.</p></div> + +<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> For names of graduates and professors, see <a href="#XLVII_D">Appendix, +Chapter XLVII., Note D.</a></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> See <a href="#XLVII_F">Appendix, Chapter XLVII., Note F</a>.</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> Miss Anna Dickinson, Mrs. Livermore, Mrs. Howe, Miss +Alice Fletcher, Miss Frances Willard, Mrs. Wittenmeyer, Mrs. Sarah +B. Chase, M. D. In the years 1875-6, Mrs. Stanton favored our State +with a series of lectures that awakened much interest. In 1878-9, +Miss Anthony came, and spoke in the principal cities. From Iowa +came Mrs. J. Ellen Foster, Matilda Fletcher, and Marianna Folsom, +and from Missouri, Miss Phœbe Couzins.</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> <i>President</i>, Sarah Burger Stearns; <i>Vice-President</i>, +Julia Bullard Nelson; <i>Recording Secretary</i>, Mrs. C. Smith; +<i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. H. J. Moffit; <i>Executive Committee</i>, Mrs. Minnie +Reed, Mrs. L. H. Clark, Mrs. R. Coons; <i>Corresponding Sec'y</i>, Mrs. +Laura Howe Carpenter. The following were the charter members: Mrs. +Harriet E. Bishop, Mrs. Martha Luly, St. Paul; Mrs. A. T. Anderson, +Mrs. H. J. Moffit, Mrs. C. Smith, Minneapolis; Mrs. Harriet A. +Hobart, Julia Bullard Nelson, Mrs. R. Coons, Red Wing; Sarah Burger +Stearns, Duluth; Mrs. L. C. Clarke, Worthington; Mrs. L. G. Finen, +Albert Lea; Mrs. K. E. Webster, Mrs. Minnie Reed, Mrs. M. A. +VanHoesen, Hastings.</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> Mrs. Nelson, Mrs. Hobart, Mr. Satterlee, Mrs. +Charlotte O. Van Cleve, Mrs. Laura Howe Carpenter, Mrs. Viola +Fuller Miner.</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> The societies organized were at Wayzata, Farmington, +Red Wing, Mantorille, Excelsior, Rochford, Lake City, Shakopee, and +Jordan: committees for suffrage work were also formed in the +following places: Anoka, Armstrong, Blakely, Brooklyn Center, +Champlin, Frontenac, Long Prairie, Long Lake, and Wabashaw.</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> Rev. W. W. Satterlee, Rev. H. M. Simmons, Rev. F. J. +Wagner, whose church we occupied, and others. The speakers at this +convention were Mr. and Mrs. Dubois, Mrs. Wheeler, Mrs. Elliott, +Mrs. Hobart, Mrs. Carpenter, Miss Harriman. Letters were received +from Mrs. Devereux Blake, Dr. Clemence Lozier, Rev. J. B. Tuttle, +H. B. Blackwell, Lucy Stone and Col. T. W. Higginson.</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> The officers elected at this convention were: +<i>President</i>, Martha G. Ripley, M. D., Minneapolis; +<i>Vice-President</i>, Mrs. Lizzie Manson, Shakopee; <i>Recording +Secretary</i>, Mary T. Emery, M. D., St. Paul; <i>Corresponding +Secretary</i>, Emma Harriman, Minneapolis; <i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. Helen E. +Gallinger, Minneapolis; <i>Executive Committee</i>, Mrs. S. K. Crawford, +Anoka; Mrs. M. A. Warner, Hamline; Mrs. F. G. Gould, Excelsior; +Rev. E. S. Williams, Prof. W. A. Carpenter, Mrs. A. T. Anderson and +Mrs. Laura Howe Carpenter, Minneapolis.</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> From John G. Whittier, Mrs. Julia B. Nelson +(teaching school in Tennessee) and Henry B. Blackwell.</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> Miss Carrie Holbrook, Miss Eva McIntyre, Miss +Harriman.</p></div> + +<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> See <a href="#XLVII_F">Appendix, Chapter XLVII., Note F</a>.</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> See <a href="#XLVII_G">Appendix, Chapter XLVII., Note G</a>.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_662" id="Page_662">[Pg 662]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLVIII" id="CHAPTER_XLVIII"></a>CHAPTER XLVIII.</h2> + +<h3>DAKOTA.</h3> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>Influences of Climate and Scenery—Legislative Action, 1872—Mrs. +Marietta Bones—In February, 1879, School Suffrage Granted +Women—Constitutional Convention, 1883—Matilda Joslyn Gage +Addressed a Letter to the Convention and an Appeal to the Women +of the State—Mrs. Bones Addressed the Convention in Person—The +Effort to Get the Word "Male" Out of the Constitution +Failed—Legislature of 1885—Major Pickler Presents the +Bill—Carried Through Both Houses—Governor Pierce's Veto—Major +Pickler's Letter. </p> +</div> + + +<p><span class="sc">Philosophers</span> have had much to say of the effect of climate and +scenery upon the human family—the inspiring influence of the grand +and the boundless in broadening the thought of the people and +stimulating them to generous action. Hence, one might naturally +look for liberal ideas among a people surrounded with such vast +possessions as are in the territory of Dakota. But alas! there +seems to be no correspondence in this republic between areas and +constitutions. Although Dakota comprises 96,595,840 acres, yet +one-half her citizens are defrauded of their rights precisely as +they are in the little States of Delaware and Rhode Island. The +inhabitants denied the right of suffrage by their territorial +constitution are, the Indians not taxed (a hint that those who pay +taxes vote), idiots, convicts and women. But from records sent us +by Mrs. Marietta Bones, to whom we are indebted for this chapter, +there seem to have been some spasmodic climatic influences at work, +though not sufficiently strong as yet to get that odious word +"male" out of the constitution. Our Dakota historian says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The territorial legislature, in the year 1872, came within one +vote of enfranchising women. That vote was cast by Hon. W. W. +Moody, who, let it be said to his credit, most earnestly espoused +the cause in our constitutional convention in 1883, and said in +the course of his remarks: "Are not my wife and daughter as +competent to vote as I am to hold office?" which question caused +prolonged laughter among the most ignorant of the delegates, and +cries of, "You're right, Judge!" Although it is deeply to be +regretted that through one vote twelve years ago our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_663" id="Page_663">[Pg 663]</a></span> women were +deprived of freedom, yet we must forgive Judge Moody on the +ground that "it is never too late to mend."</p> + +<p>In February, 1879, the legislature revised the school law, and +provided that women should vote at school meetings. That law was +repealed in March, 1883, by the school township law, which +requires regular polls and a private ballot, so, of course, +excluding women from the small privilege given them in 1879. That +act, however, excepted fifteen counties<a name="FNanchor_453_453" id="FNanchor_453_453"></a><a href="#Footnote_453_453" class="fnanchor">[453]</a>—the oldest and most +populous—which had districts fully established, and therein +women still vote at school meetings.</p> + +<p>In townships which are large and have many schools under one +board and no districts, the people select which school they +desire their children to attend. The persons who may so select +are parents: first, the father; next, the mother, if there be no +father living; guardians (women or men), and "persons having in +charge children of school age." These persons hold a meeting +annually of their "school," and such women vote there, and one of +them may be chosen moderator for the school, to hold one year. +This office is a sort of responsible agency for the school, and +between it and the township board.</p> + +<p>Since the legislation upon the subject of school suffrage there +has not been much work done for the promotion of the cause. The +wide distances between towns and the sparsely settled country +make our people comparative strangers to each other. We lack +organization; the country is too new; in fact, the most and only +work for woman suffrage has been done by Matilda Joslyn Gage and +myself, and, owing to disadvantages mentioned, that has been but +little. Mrs. Gage reached Dakota just at the close of the Huron +convention, held in June, 1883, to discuss the question of +territorial division. The resolutions of the convention declared +that just governments derived their powers from the consent of +the governed; that Dakota possessed a population of 200,000, +women included; that the people of a territory have the right, in +their sovereign capacity, to adopt a constitution and form a +State government. Accordingly, a convention was called for the +purpose of enabling those residing in that part of Dakota south +of the forty-sixth parallel to organize a State. Mrs. Gage at +once addressed a letter to the women of the territory and to the +constitutional convention assembled at Sioux Falls:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>To the Women of Dakota:</i></p> + +<p>A convention of men will assemble at Sioux Falls, September 4, +for the purpose of framing a constitution and pressing upon +congress the formation of a State of the southern half of the +territory. This is the moment for women to act; it is the +decisive moment. There can never again come to the women of +Dakota an hour like the present. A constitution is the +fundamental law of the State; upon it all statute laws are based, +and upon the fact whether woman is inside or outside the pale of +the constitution, her rights in the State depend.</p> + +<p>The code of Dakota, under the head of "Personal Relations," says: +"The husband is the head of the family. He may choose any +reasonable place, or mode of living, and the wife must conform +thereto." Under this class legislation, which was framed by man +entirely in his own interests, the husband may, and in many cases +does, file a preëmption<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_664" id="Page_664">[Pg 664]</a></span> claim, build a shanty, and place his +wife upon the ground as "a reasonable place and mode of living," +while he remains in town in pursuit of business or pleasure.</p> + +<p>Let us examine this condition of affairs a little closer. If the +wife is not pleased with this "place and mode of living," but +should leave it, she is, under this law of class legislation, +liable to be advertised as having left the husband's bed and +board, wherefore he will pay no debts of her contracting. And how +is it if she remains on this until her continued residence upon +it has enabled her husband to prove up? Does she then share in +its benefits? Is she then half owner of the land? By no means. +Chapter 3, section 83, article V. of the Code, says: "No estate +is allowed the husband or tenant by courtesy upon the death of +his wife, nor is any estate in dower allowed to the wife upon the +death of the husband."</p> + +<p>This article carries a specious fairness on its face, but it is a +bundle of wrongs to woman. By the United States law, only "the +head of the family" is allowed to enter lands—either a +preëmption, homestead or tree claim. In unison with the United +States, the law of Dakota (see chapter 3, section 76) recognizes +the husband as the head of the family, and then declares that no +estate in dower is allowed to the wife upon the death of her +husband. Neither has she any claim upon any portion of this land +the husband, as head of the family, may take, except the +homestead, in which she is recognized as joint owner. The +preëmption claim upon which, in a comfortless claim-shanty, she +may have lived for six months, or longer, if upon unsurveyed +land, as "the reasonable place and mode of living" her husband +has selected for her, does not belong to her at all. She has no +part nor share in it. Upon proving, her husband may at once sell, +or deed it away as a gift, and she has no redress. It was not +hers. The law so declares; but she is her husband's, to the +extent that she can be thus used to secure 160 acres of land for +him, over which she has no right, title, claim or interest. I +have not space to pursue this subject farther, but will assure +the women of Dakota that reading the code, and the session laws +of the territory will be more interesting to them than any novel. +If they wish to still farther know their wrongs, let them look in +the code under the heads of "Parent and Child," "Crimes Defined," +"Probate Court," etc., etc.</p> + +<p>Every woman in Dakota should be immediately at work. Inasmuch as +the constitution is the fundamental law of the State, it should +be the effort of the women of Dakota to prevent the introduction +of the restrictive word "male." The delegates to the Sioux Falls +convention have now largely been elected. Address letters of +protest to them against making the constitution an organ of class +legislation. In as far as possible have personal interviews with +these delegates, and by speech make known your wishes on this +point. These are your only methods of representation. You have in +no way signified your desire for a constitution. You have not +been permitted to help make these laws which rob you of property, +and many other things more valuable. Many women are settling in +Dakota. Unmarried women and widows in large numbers are taking up +claims here, and their property is taxed to help support the +government and the men who make these iniquitous laws.</p> + +<p>I have not mentioned a thousandth part of the wrongs done woman +by her being deprived of the right of self-government. Every +injustice under which she suffers, as wife, mother, woman, child, +in property and person, is due to the fact that she is not +recognized as man's political equal—and her only power is that +of protest. Lose not a moment, then, women of Dakota, in +objecting to the introduction of the word "male" into the +proposed new constitution. Besides seeing and writing to +delegates, make effort to be present at Sioux Falls during the +time of the convention, to labor with delegates from distant +points, and to go before committees, and the convention itself, +with your protests. Above all, remember that <i>now</i> is the +decisive hour.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"> +<span class="smcap">Matilda Joslyn Gage</span>,<br /> +<i>Vice-President-at-Large, National Woman Suffrage Association</i>. +</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Gage also addressed the following to the constitutional +convention: <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_665" id="Page_665">[Pg 665]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Gentlemen of the Convention</i>: The work upon which you are now +engaged is an important one in the interests of liberty, that of +framing a constitution for a proposed new State. As a +constitution is the fundamental law, its provisions should be +general in their character, equally recognizing the rights of all +its citizens by its protective powers. Our National principle, +that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the +governed, is becoming more and more widely recognized.</p> + +<p>At an early day suffrage was restricted by qualifications of +property and education in many of the States, and the removal of +such restrictions has been left entirely to the States, except in +the one instance of color. Within the last two decades, by +amendments to the national constitution, all States are forbidden +to exclude citizens from the ballot upon that account.</p> + +<p>As "sex" is now the only remaining disqualification, on behalf of +the National Woman Suffrage Association I ask you to omit the +word "male" from your proposed constitution, and leave the women +of Dakota free to exercise the right of suffrage. We simply ask +you to make your State a true republic, in which all your +citizens may stand equal before the law. While foreign men of +every nation are welcomed to your magnificent prairies as equals, +it is humiliating to the women of the territory, who are helping +you to develop its resources, who have endured with you all the +hardships of pioneer life, to be treated as inferiors, outside +the pale of political consideration. It should be the pride of +Dakota to take the initiative step in the legislation of the +period, now steadily growing more liberal, and by one generous +and graceful act accord to the women of this territory all the +rights, privileges and immunities that men claim for themselves.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"> +<span class="smcap">Matilda Joslyn Gage</span>,<br /> +<i>Vice-President-at-Large, N. W. S. A.</i> +</p> +<p class="ltr-to"><i>Aberdeen, Dakota, Sept. 3, 1883.</i></p> +</blockquote> + + +<p>It is to be regretted that the argument presented by Mrs. Gage +could not convince that honorable body of the injustice of laws +towards woman. To me was given the privilege of addressing the +convention. I said:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Convention</i>: The honor +conferred on me, of being allowed to address you on this +important occasion is fully appreciated. I am here in behalf of +the women of our territory, who are opposed to being left in the +State organization with no more authority in the government than +paupers, lunatics and idiots. We are willing to do one-half of +the manual labor in this country, and will promptly pay our +portion of the taxes. As sober and peaceful citizens, we compare +favorably with the other sex. I have the honor to present to you +a petition signed by hundreds of Day county voters, praying your +honorable body not to allow the word "male" to be incorporated +within our State constitution. There is no doubt that this +petition speaks the honest sentiment of the people throughout the +territory. In but a single instance was I refused a name, and in +a second case a man hesitated, saying, "Well, now, if it's as +many rights you're wantin' es I hev got fur meself, you'll be +after signin' my name fur me—fur I niver do any writin' at all +fur meself." And yet that man whose name I had to write has more +rights in this, his adopted country, than I and all other women +have in this our native land. The right of franchise, which has +heretofore been regarded as a privilege, should more properly be +considered a right—a right to be exercised by every citizen for +the public good. If there is not another woman in Dakota who +wants to vote, I do! There is no doubt that many women are +indifferent upon this subject, but when once given the ballot you +will see that their progress will equal, if not exceed, that of +the emancipated slaves in the South. Look at Wyoming Territory, +where woman suffrage has a fair test; no one will deny it has +proved a marked success. Elections there now are quiet and more +orderly than they are elsewhere. Before the enfranchisement of +the women of Wyoming, election days were a terror generally, +being both boisterous and riotous. It is really true that Dakota +men are the most<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_666" id="Page_666">[Pg 666]</a></span> energetic and enterprising anywhere to be +found, and in number they largely exceed our women. Gentlemen, +make this the most advantageous State for women, and they will +soon be wending their way hither. Women have been granted select +committees in both Houses of congress, and better still, each of +those committees has given us a majority report in favor of a +sixteenth amendment to the constitution of the United States, +prohibiting the disfranchisement of citizens on account of sex. +Gentlemen, delegates of this State constitutional convention, I +now appeal to your highest sense of honor and justice to give us +the right to vote—give it to us, not because we possess any +particular merit, but give it to us because it is our right! Then +Dakota will in fact be "a home of the free"—honored by all +nations, and the Banner State of the Union [applause]. </p></blockquote> + +<p>But, after all our work and pleading, they turned a deaf +ear—infinitely worse, they were dishonest; at least this was true +of the committee on elections. I was present at every meeting of +that committee. At their last, I was with them three hours (the +entire session) to answer objections. One member made the motion, +"that the word 'male' be not incorporated within our State +constitution." The vote on the motion was a tie, when the chairman +cast his vote in the affirmative. After weeks of hard work I had +reached the goal! and with eyes brim full of tears, thanked that +committee. They then adjourned, to report in open convention the +next morning to my utter surprise, that "Women may vote at school +elections and for school officers." No words of mine can express +the disappointment and humiliation this defeat of justice caused +me.</p> + +<p>Among the hundreds of questions asked me by that committee were +these: "Do you want a prohibitory plank in our State constitution?" +Answer: "No; prohibition should be settled by the people; it cannot +be with one-half our citizens disfranchised, and that half its most +earnest advocates." "Do you think prohibition prohibits?" "No; +man's prohibitory laws are good enough, but he does not enforce +them; women have not the authority to do so; but if you will give +us the power, we will soon have prohibition that <i>will</i> prohibit." +A voice: "I believe it!" "Do you think the majority of women want +to vote?" "I do not; but is that any reason why you should deprive +the one who does? You do not force men to vote; women, as a rule, +have not given this subject the attention they should; many of them +are as ignorant of the advantages the ballot would secure as were +the negroes when John Brown raised the insurrection at Harper's +Ferry."</p> + +<p>There is a trite saying: "The darkest hour is just before the +dawn." The day cannot be far distant when Dakota's women will be +free; for the most intelligent men, and those occupying the most +prominent positions in our territory, are avowed friends of +suffrage. Chief-Justice of the Supreme Court for Dakota, Hon. A. J. +Edgerton, said in his Fourth of July oration here: "How necessary +it is for us to elect only good and honest men to office! To do +this, woman likewise must act her part in the labor of arresting +the advance of crime and corruption, although through timidity the +politician is slow to invest her with the higher duties and +obligations of American citizenship."</p> + +<p>This same just judge has appointed a woman (Mrs. Washburn of +Chamberlain) stenographer of his judicial district—the best +salaried office in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_667" id="Page_667">[Pg 667]</a></span> his gift.<a name="FNanchor_454_454" id="FNanchor_454_454"></a><a href="#Footnote_454_454" class="fnanchor">[454]</a> With the assistance of this +grand man (occupying the highest position in our territory), and +many others equally efficient, it is not to be supposed that our +most intelligent women will be obliged to wait for the education of +the most ignorant men to consent to their enfranchisement.</p> + +<p>In the last legislature (1885) Major John A. Pickler introduced a +bill enfranchising the women of the territory, which, after full +discussion, passed the House by 29 to 18,<a name="FNanchor_455_455" id="FNanchor_455_455"></a><a href="#Footnote_455_455" class="fnanchor">[455]</a> and the Council by +14 to 10. The hopes of the friends were soon disappointed by the +governor's veto:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"> +<span class="smcap">Executive Office, Bismark, D. T.</span>, March 13, 1885. +</p> + +<p><i>To the Speaker of the House of Representatives:</i></p> + +<p>I herewith return House file No. 71, with my objections to its +becoming a law. A measure of this kind demands careful and candid +consideration, both because of its importance and because of the +acknowledged sincerity and high character of those who favor it. +There are certain reasons, however, why I cannot approve such a +measure at this time, and other reasons why I cannot approve this +particular bill. It is desirable, in my judgment, that we act, so +far as possible, as if we were governed, restrained and guided by +a constitution adopted by ourselves. If we had a constitution +modeled after those of the States, an extraordinary proposition +like this would be submitted to the people. If congress thinks +woman suffrage wise, it has the power to establish it. It is +unfair to shift the responsibility on the territory and then hold +it responsible for alleged imprudent legislation. I am assured +the enactment of this law will delay our claims to statehood, and +in so critical a period it is better that no pretext whatever be +given for such postponement. It is doubted by many if a majority +of the women of Dakota want the franchise. The point is made, and +a very good one, that the fact that one woman does not want a +right is not a justifiable reason for refusing it to another who +does, yet it must not be forgotten that the enfranchisement of +women confers not only a privilege but a grave burden and +responsibility. We condemn the man who neglects to vote as +recreant to his duty. If women are enfranchised, the right +conferred becomes an obligation as imperious to them as to men; +on those opposed as on those who favor the act. I think the women +of Dakota should have a voice in determining whether they should +assume this burden or not. So much for the general proposition. +There are two other features of this bill which I can scarcely +think satisfactory to the advocates of woman suffrage themselves. +I am satisfied that they should appear in a measure claiming to +advance the rights of women. If the vote of a woman is needed +anywhere, it is in our cities. In many existing city charters a +distinct clause appears, providing that males alone shall possess +the qualifications of electors. In this bill the word "male" is +only stricken out of one chapter of the code, leaving the +disability still standing against hundreds of women equally +entitled to recognition. The women of Sioux Falls, the women of +Mitchell, the women of Brookings, the women of Chamberlain, of +Watertown and a great many of the more important cities in +southern Dakota, would be disqualified from voting under these +special enactments, even though this bill became a law at this +very session. Charters have been created with that provision +retained, and they would make this bill abortive and largely +inoperative. A still more objectionable feature, and one +deliberately inserted, is the clause debarring women from the +right to hold office. If the word<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_668" id="Page_668">[Pg 668]</a></span> "male" had been stricken out +of the code, and no other action taken, they would have been +eligible, and I believe there is a wide feeling that many +offices, particularly those connected with penal and benevolent +institutions, could be most appropriately filled with women, but +this clause practically forbids their appointment. If women are +good enough to vote they are good enough to be voted for. If they +are qualified to choose officials, they are qualified to be +chosen. I don't say that I would approve this measure were it +otherwise worded, but I certainly would not indorse a bill which +thus keeps the word of promise to the ear and breaks it to the +hope, which deliberately and avowedly debars and disqualifies +women while assuming to exalt and honor them. These objections +are apart from the abstract right of women to the ballot, but +they show how necessary it is to approach such a subject with +deliberation. If women are to be enfranchised, let it be done, +not as a thirty days' wonder, but as a merited reform resulting +from mature reflection, approved by the public conscience and +sanctioned by the enlightened judgment of the people.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF40"><span class="smcap">Gilbert A. Pierce</span>, <i>Governor</i>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">[Signed:]</p> + +</blockquote> + +<p>An effort was promptly made to carry the measure over the +governor's veto, which failed by a vote of 18 to 26.</p> + +<p>During the last session of the legislature a large public meeting +was held in Bismarck, at which many of the members spoke strongly +in favor of the woman suffrage amendment, the chief-justice and a +majority of his associates advocating the measure. Mrs. Gage, in a +letter from Dakota, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>An acquaintance of mine, the owner of a green-house, sent each of +the members voting "aye" a buttonhole bouquet, a badge of honor +which marked our friends for a few hours at least. It is a +pertinent fact that, while the opposition insist that women do +not want to vote, in a single county of this sparsely settled +territory 222 women did vote in the midst of a severe storm. In a +series of articles signed "Justice," published in the Bismarck +<i>Tribune</i>, we find the following:</p> + +<p>The women of Dakota do desire the power to vote. One year ago a +majority of the commissioners of Kingsbury county signed a +request that at an election to be held March 4, 1884, the women +should, with the men, express their wishes by vote upon a +specified question of local policy. The women immediately +responded, prepared their separate ballot-boxes, placed them in +charge of the election officers by the side of the men's boxes +upon the same table at De Smet and other towns, and voted all day +side by side with the men, casting throughout the county 222 +votes. A more orderly election was never known. No self-respect +was lost and no woman was lowered in public esteem. Clergymen, +lawyers, merchants, farmers, all voted with their wives, the +ballots going into different boxes. One thousand men voted in the +county. The day was stormy and snow deep on the ground. If 222 +women in one county would without previous experience spring +forward to vote on a week's notice, is it to be supposed they do +not appreciate the right?</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">Justice.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Mr. Pickler, who had taken an active part in the discussion on the +amendment, received many letters of thanks from the friends of +woman suffrage throughout the nation, and made his acknowledgments +in the following cordial letter to Mrs. Matilda Joslyn Gage:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"> +<span class="smcap">Faulkton</span>, D. T., April 20, 1885. +</p> + +<p><i>Matilda Joslyn Gage, Syracuse, N. Y.</i>:</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Madam</span>: Your kind letter addressed to me on the Woman +Suffrage bill, at Bismarck, would have been earlier acknowledged +had it not been that I suffered quite a severe illness upon my +return from the legislature. I beg to assure you that words of +encouragement from such able and distinguished personages as +yourself have been highly appreciated in my effort to secure +suffrage for women in Dakota. I am half inclined to think that +your indication as to a coming political party, with woman +suffrage as one plank in its platform, may not be without +foundation.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_669" id="Page_669">[Pg 669]</a></span></p> + +<p>I introduced the bill in the Dakota legislature, having +previously supported a like measure in the Iowa legislature, +really without consultation with any one, or without knowledge as +to the sentiment of the members upon the question. I have had my +convictions since my college days that simple justice demands +that woman should have the ballot, and in this opinion I am +warmly seconded by my wife, who desires to vote, as I think all +sensible women should. I was pleased with the favor the bill +received, and after a week or two believed it possible to have it +pass the House, with constant exertion and watchfulness. Those +who at first laughed at the idea, learning I was very much in +earnest, stopped to consider and to discuss, and finally came to +vote for it.</p> + +<p>It passed the House, and after considerable difficulty in getting +it out of the hands of an adverse committee in the Council, who +insisted on having it referred to them, it passed with an +amendment "to submit to a vote of the people." I managed to have +the House refuse to concur in this amendment, which resulted in a +conference committee, five out of six of whom reported in favor +of the Council receding from their amendment, which they did, and +yet, after all, and when we thought it safe, it was vetoed. Few, +if any, supposed that Governor Pierce, a governor only appointed +over us less than six months, would place himself a barrier in +the way of the will of the people, and opposed to the advancement +of human rights. I deeply regret that he did not rise to the +grandest opportunity of his life, but he failed to do so.</p> + +<p>Your words were particularly encouraging, being personally +interested in Dakota as you are, and I dare say you will bear +witness that we have an intelligent people, and a great many good +women, land-owners and property-holders, who should have a voice +in the taxation of their property, real and personal. We shall +not give it up; we shall continue in the work, not doubting that +success will finally crown our efforts. Our constitution is not +yet formed, and if ever the political parties cease to exercise +their tyranny over us, by allowing us to be admitted as a State, +we shall endeavor at least to secure it so the legislature may +grant or prescribe the qualifications of voters without requiring +a change in the constitution.</p> + +<p>Will you visit Dakota again? In another contest we would be much +aided by your presence and assistance, confidently believing that +"Heaven will one day free us from this slavery." If your +children<a name="FNanchor_456_456" id="FNanchor_456_456"></a><a href="#Footnote_456_456" class="fnanchor">[456]</a> reside in this section of the territory, I should +be pleased to form their acquaintance. Again thanking you for +your kind words, I am,</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">J. A. Pickler</span>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Yours truly,</p> + +</blockquote> +</blockquote> + +<p>As Dakota has thus deliberately trampled upon the rights of +one-half her people, it is to be hoped that congress will not admit +her into the Union until that odious word "male" is stricken from +her constitution.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<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> These counties are Union, Lincoln, Clay, Minnehaha, +Moody, Deuel, Codington, Cass, Walsh, Grand Forks, Pembina, Barnes, +Lawrence and Hutchinson.</p></div> + +<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> Since 1882 Mrs. Bones has held the office of +deputy-clerk of the District Court of Day county; Mrs. Washburn was +appointed to her office in 1884; Miss Elizabeth M. Cochrane, +appointed by Judge Seward Smith, is clerk of the District Court of +Falk county; Mrs. Virginia A. Wilkins is deputy-clerk of the +District Court of Hand county; Mrs. Dutton, deputy county-clerk, +and Mrs. Hanson deputy-sheriff of Day county; and Mrs. Pease is +deputy-receiver of the Watertown Land-office.</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> <i>Yeas</i>—Barnes, Blackmore, Coe, Bayard, Clark, +Dermody, Gregg, Hutson, Johnson, Miller, McCall, Parshall, Pierce, +Roach, Southwick, Smith, Stebbins, J. P. Ward, Huntington, +Hutchinson, Langan, Martin, Morgan, Pickler, Riddell, Steele, +Stevens, Sprague, Stewart—29. <i>Nays</i>—Davison, Hobart, Larson, +McCumber, Oliver, Pugh, Ruger, Strong, Eldridge, Helvig, Myron, +McHugh, Runkle, Swanton, Van Osdell, Williams, Mark Ward, Mr. +Speaker—18.</p></div> + +<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> Mrs. Gage has a son and daughter residing in Dakota, +both well educated, superior young people, whose influence will, no +doubt, be felt in every progressive movement in that State. Mrs. +Gage's children sympathize with their mother in her broad, liberal +views on all questions.—[E. C. S.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_670" id="Page_670">[Pg 670]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XLIX" id="CHAPTER_XLIX"></a>CHAPTER XLIX.</h2> + +<h3>NEBRASKA.</h3> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>Clara Bewick Colby—Nebraska Came into the Possession of the +United States, 1803—The Home of the Dakotas—Organized as a +Territory, 1854—Territorial Legislature—Mrs. Amelia Bloomer +Addresses the House—Gen. Wm. Larimer, 1856—A Bill to Confer +Suffrage on Woman—Passed the House—Lost in the +Senate—Constitution Harmonized with the Fourteenth +Amendment—Admitted as a State March 1, 1867—Mrs. Stanton, Miss +Anthony Lecture in the State, 1867—Mrs. Tracy Cutler, 1870—Mrs. +Esther L. Warner's Letter—Constitutional Convention, 1871—Woman +Suffrage Amendment Submitted—Lost by 12,676 against, 3,502 +for—Prolonged Discussion—Constitutional Convention, +1875—Grasshoppers Devastate the Country—<i>Inter-Ocean</i>, Mrs. +Harbert—Omaha <i>Republican</i>, 1876—Woman's Column Edited by Mrs. +Harriet S. Brooks—"Woman's Kingdom"—State Society formed, +January 19, 1881, Mrs. Brooks President—Mrs. Dinsmoore, Mrs. +Colby, Mrs. Brooks, before the Legislature—Amendment again +Submitted—Active Canvass of the State, 1882—First Convention of +the State Association—Charles F. Manderson—Unreliable +Petitions—An Unfair Count of Votes for Woman Suffrage—Amendment +Defeated—Conventions in Omaha—Notable Women in the +State—Conventions—<i>Woman's Tribune</i> Established in 1883. </p> +</div> + + +<p><span class="sc">Clara Bewick Colby</span>, the historian for Nebraska, is of English +parentage, and came to Wisconsin when eight years of age. In her +country home, as one of a large family, she had but scant +opportunities for attending the district school, but her father +encouraged and assisted his children to study in the winter +evenings, and in this way she fitted herself to teach in country +schools. After a few terms she entered, the State University at +Madison, and while there made a constant effort to secure equal +privileges and opportunities for the students of her sex. She was +graduated with honors in 1869, and at once became a teacher of +history and Latin in the institution. She was married to Leonard W. +Colby, a graduate of the same university, and moved to Beatrice, +Nebraska, in 1872. Amidst the hardships of pioneer life in a new +country, the young wife for a season found her family cares +all-absorbing, but her taste for study, her love of literature and +her natural desire to improve the conditions about her, soon led +her to work up an interest in the establishment of a library and +course of lectures. She afterwards edited a department in the +Beatrice <i>Express</i> called "Woman's Work," and in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_671" id="Page_671">[Pg 671]</a></span> 1883 she started +<i>The Woman's Tribune</i>, a paper whose columns show that Mrs. Colby +has the true editorial instinct. For several years she has been +deeply interested in the movement for woman's enfranchisement, +devoting her journal to the advocacy of this great reform. In +addition to her cares as housekeeper<a name="FNanchor_457_457" id="FNanchor_457_457"></a><a href="#Footnote_457_457" class="fnanchor">[457]</a> and editor, Mrs. Colby +has also lectured extensively in many States, east and west, not +only to popular audiences, but before legislative and congressional +committees.</p> + +<p>In her description of Nebraska and the steps of progress in woman's +civil and political rights, Mrs. Colby says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Nebraska makes its first appearance in history as part of +Louisiana and belonging to Spain. Seized by France in 1683, ceded +to Spain in 1762; again the property of France in 1800, and sold +to the United States in 1803; the shifting ownership yet left no +trace on that interior and inaccessible portion of Louisiana now +known as Nebraska. It was the home of the Dakotas, who had come +down from the north pushing the earlier Indian races before them. +Every autumn when <i>Heyokah</i>, the Spirit of the North, puffed from +his huge pipe the purpling smoke "enwrapping all the land in +mellow haze," the Dakotas gathered at the Great Red Pipestone +Quarry for their annual feast and council. These yearly +excursions brought them in contact with the fur traders, who in +turn roamed the wild and beautiful country of the Niobrara, +returning thence to Quebec laden with pelts. With the exception +of a few military posts, the first established in 1820 where the +town of Fort Calhoun now stands, Nebraska was uninhabited by +white people until the gold hunters of 1849 passed through what +seemed to them an arid desert, as they sought their Eldorado in +the mountains beyond. Disappointed and homesick, many of the +emigrants retraced their steps, and found their former trail +through Nebraska marked by sunflowers, the luxuriance of which +evidenced the fertility of the soil, and encouraged the travelers +to settle within its borders.</p> + +<p>Nebraska became an organized territory by the Kansas-Nebraska +bill in 1854, including at first Dakota, Idaho and Colorado, from +which it was separated in 1863. The early settlers were +courageous, keeping heart amid attacks of savages, and +devastations of the fire-demon and the locust. Published history +is silent concerning the part that women took in this frontier +life, but the tales told by the fireside are full of the +endurance and heroism of wives whose very isolation kept them +hand to hand, shoulder to shoulder, and thought to thought with +their husbands. It is not strange then that the men of those +early days inclined readily to the idea of sharing the rights of +self-government with women who had with them left home and +kindred and the comforts of the older States. But it is +remarkable,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_672" id="Page_672">[Pg 672]</a></span> and proof that the thought belongs to the age, that, +thirty years ago, when the discussion of woman's status was still +new in Massachusetts and New York, and only seven years after the +first woman-suffrage convention ever held, here—half way across +a continent, in a country almost unheard of, and with but scant +communication with the older parts of the Republic—this +instinctive justice should have crystalized into legislative +action.</p> + +<p>In December, 1855, an invitation was extended by the territorial +legislature to Mrs. Amelia Bloomer of Council Bluffs, to deliver +an address on woman's rights, in the Hall of the House of +Representatives. This invitation was signed by twenty-five +members of the legislature and was accepted by Mrs. Bloomer for +January 8. The following pleasing account of this address and its +reception was written by an Omaha correspondent of the Council +Bluffs <i>Chronotype</i> of that date:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Mrs. Amelia Bloomer, who had been formally invited by members of +the legislature and others, arrived at the door of the +state-house at 7 o'clock, P. M., and by the gallantry of Gen. +Larimer, a passage was made for her to the platform. The house +had been crowded for some time with eager expectants to see the +lady and listen to the arguments which were to be adduced as the +fruitage of female thought and research. When all had been packed +into the house who could possibly find a place for the sole of +the foot, Mrs. Bloomer arose, amid cheers. We watched her +closely, and saw that she was perfectly self-possessed—not a +nerve seemed to be moved by excitement, and the voice did not +tremble. She arose in the dignity of a true woman, as if the +importance of her mission so absorbed her thoughts that timidity +or bashfulness were too mean to entangle the mental powers. She +delivered her lecture in a pleasing, able, and I may say, +eloquent manner that enchained the attention of her audience for +an hour and a half. A <i>man</i> could not have beaten it.</p> + +<p>In mingling with the people next day, we found that her argument +had met with much favor. As far as property rights are concerned, +all seemed to agree with the lady that the laws of our country +are wrong, and that woman should receive the same protection as +man. All we have time to say now is, that Mrs. Bloomer's +arguments on woman's rights are unanswerable. We may doubt it is +policy for women to vote, but who can draw the line and say that +naturally she has not a right to do so? Mrs. Bloomer, though a +little body, is among the great women of the United States; and +her keen, intellectual eye seems to flash fire from a fountain +that will consume the stubble of old theories until woman is +placed in her true position in the enjoyment of equal rights and +privileges. Her only danger is in asking too much.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">Oneida.</p> +</blockquote> + + +<p>Eight days after Mrs. Bloomer's address, Hon. Jerome Hoover, member +for the counties of Nemaha and Richardson, introduced in the House +a bill to confer suffrage equally upon women. The bill was put upon +its third reading, January 25, and was earnestly championed by +General William Larimer of Douglas county, formerly of Pittsburgh, +Pa. It passed by a vote of 14 to 11.<a name="FNanchor_458_458" id="FNanchor_458_458"></a><a href="#Footnote_458_458" class="fnanchor">[458]</a> The result of the passage +of the bill by the House was graphically described by the +<i>Chronotype</i> of January 30:</p> + +<blockquote><p>On Friday afternoon and evening quite an excitement took place, +which resulted in offering an insult to one of the ablest members +of the legislature, but which, while it reflected no dishonor +upon the person against whom it was aimed, should cover the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_673" id="Page_673">[Pg 673]</a></span> +perpetrators with lasting shame. We will state briefly the facts +as we have heard them.</p> + +<p>The bill giving woman the right to vote came up at 11 o'clock, by +a special order of the House. A number of ladies entered the hall +to listen to the proceedings. General Larimer spoke eloquently +and ably in favor of the bill, making, perhaps, the best speech +that could be made on that side of the question. On the vote +being taken, it stood—ayes 14, nays 11. The bill was then sent +to the Council, where it was referred to the Committee on +Elections. Its passage by the House of Representatives created a +great deal of talk, and several members threatened to resign. At +the evening session J. S. Morton, W. E. Moore, A. F. Salisbury +and L. L. Bowen came into the House and proposed to present +General Larimer with a petticoat, which did not tend much to +allay the excitement. The General, of course, was justly +indignant at such treatment, as were also the other members. The +proposal was characteristic of the prime mover in it, and we are +astonished that the other gentlemen named should have been +willing to associate themselves with him in offering this +indignity to the oldest and most respected member of the body—a +man who was elected to the station he has so ably filled by the +unanimous vote of the people of Douglas county. General Larimer +had a perfect right to advocate or oppose the bill according to +his own sense of duty, and any man, or set of men, who would +attempt to cast insult or ridicule upon him for so doing, is +worthy only of the contempt of decent people. In saying this we, +of course, express no opinion on the merits of the bill itself. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The bill was taken up in the Council, read twice, and referred to +the Committee on Elections, whose chairman, Mr. Cowles, reported it +back without amendment, and recommended its passage. This being the +last day of the session, the bill could not come up again. The +<i>Chronotype</i>, after the adjournment, commented as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The bill granting women the right to vote, which had passed the +House, was read the first and second time in the Council and +referred to the Committee on Elections, where it now remains for +want of time to bring it up again. A gentleman who was opposed to +the passage of a bill to locate the seat of justice of Washington +county, obtained the floor, and delivered a speech of many hours +on some unimportant bill then under consideration, in order to +"kill time" and prevent the Washington county bill from coming +up. The hour for adjournment <i>sine die</i> arrived before he +concluded, and the Woman Suffrage bill, and many others of great +importance, remained upon the clerk's table without being acted +upon. It is admitted by every one that want of time only defeated +the passage of the bill through the Council. The citizens of +Nebraska are ready to make a trial of its provisions, which +speaks volumes for the intelligence of the free and independent +squatters of this beautiful territory. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Bloomer says that assurance was given by members of the +Council that the bill would have passed that body triumphantly had +more time been allowed, or had it been introduced earlier in the +session. The general sentiment was in favor of it, and the +gentlemen who talked the last hours away to kill other bills were +alone responsible for its defeat. Mrs. Bloomer followed up her work +by lectures in Omaha and Nebraska City two years later.</p> + +<p>The exigencies attending the settlement of the territory and the +absorbing interests of the civil war occupied the next decade. The +character of the settlers may be inferred from the fact that, with +only about 5,000 voters, Nebraska gave over 3,000 soldiers for the +defense of the Union and of their home borders, where the Indians +had seized the occasion to break out into active hostilities. The +war over, Nebraska sought to be admitted as a State, and a +constitution was prepared on the old<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_674" id="Page_674">[Pg 674]</a></span> basis of white male suffrage. +Congress admitted Nebraska, but provided that the act should not +take effect until the constitution should be changed to harmonize +with the fourteenth amendment. After some discussion the condition +was accepted, and Nebraska was thus the first State to recognize in +its constitution the sovereignty of all male persons. Some of the +debates of this time indicate that the appreciation of human rights +was growing, nor were allusions wanting making a direct application +of the principle to women. The debates and resolutions connected +with the ratification of the fourteenth amendment are historically +and logically connected with the growth of the idea of woman's +political equality. The man who, from regard for justice and civil +liberties, advocates the right of franchise for additional classes +of men, easily extends the thought until it embraces woman. On the +other hand the man who sees men enfranchised whom he deems unworthy +to use the ballot, thinks it a disgrace to withhold it from +intelligent women. Gov. Alvin Saunders,<a name="FNanchor_459_459" id="FNanchor_459_459"></a><a href="#Footnote_459_459" class="fnanchor">[459]</a> in his message urging +the ratification of the fourteenth amendment said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The day, in my opinion, is not far distant when property +qualifications, educational qualifications, and color +qualifications, as precedent to the privilege of voting, will be +known no more by the American people, but that intelligence and +manhood will be the only qualifications necessary to entitle an +American citizen to the privilege of an elector. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Later, Acting-governor A. S. Paddock<a name="FNanchor_459a_459a" id="FNanchor_459a_459a"></a><a href="#Footnote_459_459" class="fnanchor">[459]</a> in his message said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I should hail with joy a radical change in the rule of suffrage +which would give the franchise to intelligence and patriotism +wherever found, regardless of the color of the possessor. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The majority report of the committee to whom was referred that +portion of the governor's message which related to rights of +suffrage, was as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We hold that the dogma of partial suffrage is a dangerous +doctrine, and contrary to the laws of nature and the letter and +spirit of the Declaration of Independence.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF60 sc">Isaac Wiles, William Dailey, George Crow.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">[Signed:]</p> + + +<p class="ltr-clear">A minority report was brought in by S. M. Curran and Aug. F. +Harvey. On its rejection Mr. Harvey introduced this resolution:</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we, the members of the House of Representatives, +of the legislature of Nebraska, are in favor of impartial and +universal suffrage, and believe fully in the equality of all +races, colors and sexes at the ballot-box. </p></blockquote> + +<p>This was not intended to advance the rights of women, but simply to +slay the advocates of the enlargement of the franchise with their +own weapons. A. B. Fuller moved to amend by striking out the word +"universal," and all after the word "suffrage," which was carried +by a vote of 22 to 9. The Committee on Federal Relations reported:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The constitution recognizes all persons born within the United +States, or naturalized in pursuance of the law, to be citizens, +and entitled to the rights of citizenship; and a recent act of +congress amends the organization acts of the several territories +so as to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_675" id="Page_675">[Pg 675]</a></span> confer the rights of suffrage upon all citizens except +such as are disqualified by reason of crime. Consequently, when +congress decrees that we shall not, as a State, deprive citizens +of rights already guaranteed to them, it does not transcend its +powers, or impose upon us conditions from which we are now +exempt. </p></blockquote> + +<p>With these discussions of fundamental principles which, although +couched in the most comprehensive terms, strangely enough conserved +the rights of only half the citizens, the fourteenth amendment was +ratified, and Nebraska became a State on March 1, 1867.</p> + +<p>The early legislation of Nebraska was favorable to woman, and much +ahead of that passed in the same period by most of the older +States, The records show that a few legislators treated any matter +that referred to the rights of woman as a jest, but the majority +were liberal or respectful, and the honored names of Dailey, +Reavis, Majors, Porter, Kelley, and others, constantly recur in the +records of the earlier sessions as pushing favorable legislation +for women. At almost every session, too, the actual question of the +ballot for woman was broached. The legislature of 1869 bestowed +school suffrage on women;<a name="FNanchor_460_460" id="FNanchor_460_460"></a><a href="#Footnote_460_460" class="fnanchor">[460]</a> and a joint resolution and a +memorial to congress relative to female suffrage were introduced. +The journals show that:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Hon. Isham Reavis of Falls City, introduced in the Senate January +30, a memorial and joint resolution to congress, on the subject +of female suffrage. After the second reading, on motion of Mr. +Majors, it was referred to a select committee of bachelors, +consisting of Senators Gere, Majors, Porter, and Goodwill, who +reported it back without recommendation. It was afterwards +considered in committee of the whole, then taken up by the +Senate. Reavis moved it be taken up for third reading on the +following day. The yeas and nays being demanded the motion was +lost by a vote of 6 to 7. On motion of Mr. Stevenson the matter +was referred to the Judiciary Committee, with the usual result of +neglect and oblivion. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In the autumn of 1867 Mrs. Stanton and Miss Anthony lectured in +Omaha and sowed seed which bore fruit in the large number of +petitions sent later from that city. In December 1870, Mrs. Tracy +Cutler gave several addresses in Lincoln. Miss Anthony lectured +January 28, 1871, on "The False Theory," and before leaving the +city looked in on the legislature, which promptly extended to her +the privilege of the floor. A number of ladies met Miss Anthony for +consultation, and took the initiatory steps for forming a State +association. A meeting was appointed for the following Friday, when +it was decided to memorialize the legislature. The memorial was +headed by Mrs. Lydia Butler, wife of the governor of the State, who +spent some days in securing signatures. A lively pen-picture of +those times is furnished by private correspondence of Mrs. Esther +L. Warner of Roca:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The first work done for woman suffrage in Lincoln was in +December, 1870. Mrs. Tracy Cutler stopped when on her way to +California, and gave several addresses in Lincoln. Her +womanliness and logic won and convinced her hearers, and had a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_676" id="Page_676">[Pg 676]</a></span> +marked effect upon public sentiment. There are men and women +to-day in Nebraska who date their conversion to the cause of +equal rights from those lectures. Some steps were taken towards +organization, but the matter was dropped in its incipient stages. +During the same winter Miss Susan B. Anthony lectured in Lincoln, +and presented a petition to be signed by women, asking to be +allowed to vote under the fourteenth amendment. She also called a +meeting of ladies in a hotel parlor and aided in organizing a +State suffrage society. Her rare executive ability accomplished +what other hands would have failed to do, for the difficulties in +the way of such a movement at that early day were great. Lydia +Butler, wife of Governor Butler, was elected president, and other +representative women filled the various offices, but after a +short time it was deemed wise to disband, as circumstances made +it impossible to keep up an efficient organization. Time and +money were not plentiful with western women, but we did what we +could, and sent a petition to the legislature that winter asking +a resolution recommending to the coming State convention to omit +the word "male" from the constitution. The petition was signed by +about 1,000 women, and received respectful attention from the +legislature, and speeches were made in its favor by several +members. Among others the speaker of the House, F. M. McDougal, +favored the resolution. Governor Butler sent a special message +with the petition, recommending the passage of the resolution, +for which Nebraska women will always honor him.</p> + +<p>Next it was thought best to call a convention in the interest of +woman suffrage, to be held while the constitutional convention +should be in session the coming summer. Two women were +commissioned to prepare the call and present it for the +signatures of members of the legislature who favored the measure. +It was thought this course would give dignity and importance to +the call which would secure attention throughout the State. The +session of the legislature was very exciting. Intrigue +accomplished the impeachment of a high State official, and others +were being dragged down. As it neared its close the political +cauldron boiled and bubbled with redoubled violence. It was more +than any woman dared do to approach it. Were not the political +fortunes and the sacred honor (?) of men in jeopardy? Woman's +rights sunk into insignificance. We subsided. Our hour had not +yet come. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Butler says of the part she took at this time: "I entertained +the speakers because requested to, and found them so pleasant and +persuasive that I soon became a convert to their views. The active +and intelligent leaders at that time were Mesdames Cropsey, Galey, +Warner, Monell, Coda, and many others whose names I cannot recall." +As the result of the effort thus made the legislature of 1871 +memorialized the constitutional convention relative to submitting +the question to the electors. The proceedings given in the journals +are as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>February 4, 1871, Mr. J. C. Myers announced that ladies were in +the gallery, and desired to present a petition. A committee was +appointed to wait on them. D. J. Quimby introduced a resolution +asking an opinion of the attorney-general as to whether in +accepting the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments we grant the +right of suffrage to women. It was carried, and the memorial, the +opinion, and the governor's message were referred to the +judiciary committee, which reported through Mr. Galey as follows:</p> + +<p><i>Whereas</i>, The constitution of the State of Nebraska prohibits +the women of said State from exercising the right of the elective +franchise; and</p> + +<p><i>Whereas</i>, Taxation without representation is repugnant to a +republican form of government, and applies to women as well as +all other citizens of this State; and</p> + +<p><i>Whereas</i>, All laws which make any distinction between the +political rights and privileges of males and females are +unbecoming to the people of this State in the year 1871 of the +world's progress, and tend only to deprive the latter of the +means necessary for their own protection in the various pursuits +and callings of life. Therefore be it</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, By the House of Representatives of the State of +Nebraska, that the constitutional convention to be begun and +holden on the—day of May, 1871, for the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_677" id="Page_677">[Pg 677]</a></span> purpose of revising and +amending the constitution of said State, is hereby most +respectfully and earnestly requested to draft such amendment to +the constitution of this State as will allow the women thereof to +exercise the right of the elective franchise and afford to them +such other and further relief as to that honorable body may be +deemed wise, expedient and proper; and be it further</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That said convention is hereby most respectfully and +earnestly requested to make such provision (when said amendment +shall be submitted to a vote of the people of said State) as will +enable the women of Nebraska to vote at said election for the +adoption or rejection of the same.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, Further, that the Secretary of State is hereby +instructed to present a copy of this resolution to said +convention as soon as the same shall be convened.</p> + +<p>Mr. Porter moved the adoption of the report, which was carried by +a vote of 19 to 16.<a name="FNanchor_461_461" id="FNanchor_461_461"></a><a href="#Footnote_461_461" class="fnanchor">[461]</a> In the Senate, March 22, E. C. +Cunningham offered the following amendment to the bill providing +for calling a constitutional convention:</p> + +<p>That the electors of the State be and are hereby authorized and +recommended to vote for and against female suffrage at the +election for members of the constitutional convention. Provided, +That at such election all women above the age of 21 years, +possessing the qualifications required of male electors are +hereby authorized and requested to vote upon said proposition, +and for the purpose of receiving their votes a separate polling +place shall be provided.</p> + +<p>The amendment was lost by a vote of 6 to 6.<a name="FNanchor_462_462" id="FNanchor_462_462"></a><a href="#Footnote_462_462" class="fnanchor">[462]</a> </p></blockquote> + +<p>In accordance with the memorial of the legislature, the +constitutional convention that met in the following summer by a +vote of 30 to 13<a name="FNanchor_463_463" id="FNanchor_463_463"></a><a href="#Footnote_463_463" class="fnanchor">[463]</a> submitted a clause relative to the right of +suffrage. The constitution itself was rejected by the voters; and +on this clause the ballot stood, for, 3,502; against, 12,676. Had +it been carried at the polls, it would only have conferred upon the +legislature the right to submit amendments, and it was therefore no +special object to the adherents of impartial suffrage to make +efforts for its adoption, while the fact that it was the outgrowth +of the discussion of that principle brought upon it all the +opposition that a clause actually conferring the ballot would have +insured. The right of woman to the elective franchise was +championed by the ablest men in the convention. Night after night +the question was argued <i>pro</i> and <i>con</i>. Petitions from Lincoln and +Omaha were numerously presented. The galleries were filled with +women eagerly watching the result. The proposition finally adopted +did not touch the point at issue, but was accepted as all that +could be obtained on that occasion. As the constitution was not +adopted, the succeeding legislature felt no interest in the +proceedings of the convention, and the journals were not printed; +and the records of this battle for justice and civil liberty were +hidden in the dusty archives of the state-house until brought out +to tell their story for these pages. As this is the only discussion +of the question by Nebraska statesmen which has been officially +preserved, and as the debaters were among the most prominent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_678" id="Page_678">[Pg 678]</a></span> men +of the State, and many of them retain that position to-day, a few +extracts will be of interest:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The discussion began with the motion of Mr. I. S. Hascall to +strike out "men" and insert "persons" in the clause "All men are +by nature free and independent." The motion was lost. General E. +Estabrook moved to add "Every human being of full age, and +resident for a proper length of time on the soil of the Nation +and State, who is required to obey the law, is entitled to a +voice in its enactment; and every such person whose property is +taxed for the support of the government is entitled to a direct +representation in such government." Mr. Hascall moved that "man" +be inserted in place of "human being." Mr. E. S. Towle desired to +put "male" in the place of "man." General Estabrook, on being +asked if his amendment was intended to cover "woman's rights," +replied:</p> + +<p>I take pleasure in making the amendment because it is a step in +the right direction. Justice to woman is the keystone in the arch +of the temple of liberty we are now building. That no citizen +should be taxed without representation is an underlying principle +of a republic and no free government can exist without it.</p> + +<p>General Estabrook seems to have stood alone in considering that +the principle of impartial suffrage properly belonged to the Bill +of Rights. The amendments were lost. When the article on +extension of suffrage was under discussion, General Estabrook +opened the subject in a comprehensive speech, lasting all one +evening and part of the next. He proved that women were citizens, +citing the petitions to congress relative to woman's right to +vote under the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments, and the +reports of the committee thereupon—one in favor and one opposed, +but both agreeing that women are citizens. Then he showed what +rights they were entitled to as citizens, quoting the Federal +Constitution, Bouvier's Institutes and Law Dictionary, James +Madison, Paine's Dissertation on the Principles of Government, +Otis' Rights of the Colonies, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin +Franklin, and others. Commenting upon these, he set forth that +women vote in corporations, administer estates, manage hospitals +and rule empires without harm to themselves and with benefit to +everybody else. He made a special argument to the Democrats, +reviewing the position of some of their leading men, and closed +with saying, "This is the most important measure yet considered, +because it contains a fundamental principle."</p> + +<p>General Strickland then introduced a resolution that an article +for woman suffrage should be submitted to the people, that the +women should vote separately, and that if a majority of both men +and women should be in favor, it should become a law. The member +did not move this because he favored the principle, but because +he felt sure the women would not vote for it. He could not +understand what a woman could possibly want more than she had, +having the privileges while man has the drudgery. He closed with +the prophecy that in two years not a woman would vote in Wyoming.</p> + +<p>General Charles F. Manderson followed. Taking the ground that the +members were not in convention to look after the rights of the +males only, he said: "Did we recognize the right of all the +people to be represented, we should have to-day on this floor +some persons sent here to represent the women of our State. Men +do not represent women because they are not and cannot be held +responsible by them. We have no more right to represent the women +here than a man in Iowa has to go to congress and presume to +represent Nebraska there." To illustrate the principle General +Manderson instanced that in the New York Constitutional +Conventions of 1801 and 1821, persons voted for delegates who had +not the property qualifications to vote at ordinary elections. +Even the black man was represented by delegates for whom he had +voted. In presenting a petition from Lincoln with seventy names +of women who desired to vote, General Manderson said he had made +inquiries, and these were the names of the respectable, +influential ladies of Lincoln, sixty-three of whom were married. +He then reviewed the history and workings of woman suffrage in +Wyoming, furnishing the highest testimony in its favor, and +closed as follows:</p> + +<p class="ltr-closelines">Mr. Chairman, I envy not the heart or the head of the man, let +him occupy what place he may, let him sit in a legislative body +or wield the editorial pen, who is so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_679" id="Page_679">[Pg 679]</a></span> base as to denounce the +advocates of this measure as demagogues, and to say that if the +right is extended to woman, the low, the miserable, will +outnumber at the polls the thousands of virtuous wives throughout +this land who advocate this measure; the lie is thrown in his +teeth by that noble woman, Mrs. Livermore, who did more service +in time of war as a soldier battling for the right than did even +my gallant friend, and did far more than myself. She inaugurated +and carried in her mighty hand and guided by her mighty brain +that Western Ladies' Aid Society, and helped by some means the +Western Sanitary Association that did more than 10,000 armed men +to suppress the late rebellion. The lie is hurled in the teeth of +the vile slanderer by this petition from the honest, virtuous +ladies of the city of Lincoln. If we have planted one seed, that +will bring forth good fruit, God be thanked for that result.</p> + +<p>Mr. Kenaston spoke in favor of the measure, and Judge Moore +opposed it in a very witty speech, of which the principal points +were that the members were to decide according to expediency, not +right; that women had always consented to the government—never +trampled the flag in the dust, but always rallied to its support. +Judge O. P. Mason followed in opposition, also J. C. Myers, the +latter claiming that for twenty years the advocates of woman +suffrage have made little, if any, impression on the public mind. +E. F. Gray had begun speaking in favor when Victor Vifquain moved +the previous question. A lively debate followed this, but it did +not prevail. Mr. Mason said: "If we hold the right on this +question let us challenge discussion and meet the opposition. It +is not a wasted time that sows the seed of truth in the brain." +Mr. Manderson urged the number of petitions that had been sent in +as a reason for full discussion. R. F. Stevenson said he was +opposed to it in every form. A. L. Sprague was against submitting +this question at any time, that neither by the laws of God nor of +man were women entitled to vote. Seth Robinson would like to hear +the social aspects of the question discussed. He said: "I would +like, gentlemen, to show whether it would not have a tendency to +regenerate our social system and make women as a class more +efficient than they are." The motion for the previous question +being lost a motion was made to strike out this section. While +this was pending General Estabrook insisted that it should be +re-committed, saying: "It is the only political question that has +essential principle in it. There are not brains enough in this +convention to show the justice of taxation without +representation. Judge George B. Lake warmly seconded Mr. +Estabrook's motion. O. P. Mason wanted the proposition to be +submitted to both sexes separately. J. E. Philpott advocated +woman suffrage in a comprehensive argument. In closing, he said:</p> + +<p class="ltr-closelines">I demand that suffrage shall be extended to females for the +reason that they have not adequate representation in the +electoral department. As evidence of this I cite the undeniable +facts that in this State woman has not fair wages for her +work—has not a fair field to work in. The law, with all its +freedom, does not place her on the same footing as to property +that it does males. She has no voice as an elector in the making +of the laws which regulate her marital union, no voice in the +laws which sever those ties. The motto of the State is "Equality +Before the Law." This can no more be among us with women +disfranchised than in our nation all men could be free and equal +while there were more than 3,000,000 slaves.</p> + +<p>A. J. Weaver spoke in opposition and was followed by Hon. I. S. +Hascall, who based his advocacy of the principle on the rights +that woman has as an individual:</p> + +<p class="ltr-closelines">Because we have started upon the wrong track, because women in +the dark ages were in bondage, is no reason, when we have +advanced to a higher civilization, that we should continue this +barbarous practice. There is a higher point to reach and I want +to see the people reach that point. I think that the American +people are old enough in experience to bring order out of +disorder, and that when the question arises they will meet it in +such a way as will be satisfactory to all.</p> + +<p>Mr. Stevenson spoke in opposition basing his argument on man's +superiority to woman and closed with this remarkable prediction +which has probably never been surpassed as a specimen of "spread +eagle":</p> + +<p class="ltr-closelines">Finally, Mr. President, I really think that if the ballot were +placed in the hands of woman the old American eagle that stands +with one foot upon the Alleghanies and the other upon the +Rockies, whetting his beak upon the ice-capped mountains of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_680" id="Page_680">[Pg 680]</a></span> +Alaska, and covering half the Southern gulf with his tail, will +cease to scream and sink into the pits of blackness of darkness +amidst the shrieks of lost spirits that will forever echo and +reëcho through cavernous depths unknown.</p> + +<p class="ltr-closelines">S. P. Majors advocated the measure, and in the course of the +discussion, B. I. Hinman offered a burlesque resolution, +proposing to change the duties and functions of the sexes by law, +and John D. Neligh said:</p> + +<p class="ltr-closelines">The gentleman from Otoe (Mr. Mason) will get the commission of +the Christian mothers, not <i>against</i> the right of female +suffrage, but <i>for</i> universal suffrage. That will be a happy +day—a day when we shall shine out as a nation more brightly than +any other nation under the sun.<a name="FNanchor_464_464" id="FNanchor_464_464"></a><a href="#Footnote_464_464" class="fnanchor">[464]</a> </p></blockquote> + +<p>The constitution of 1871 not having been adopted, it became +necessary to present another to the people. Accordingly in the +summer of 1875 delegates of the male citizens met in the capital +city. No outside pressure was brought to bear upon them to +influence their consideration of this subject. The grasshoppers had +ravaged the State the previous year, cutting off entirely the +principal crop of the country. Again in the spring of 1875, in some +of the river counties, the young had hatched in myriads, and +devoured the growing crops ere winging their way to their mountain +home. Gloom overspread the people at the prospect of renewed +disaster, and the dismal forebodings were realized even as the +delegates sat in council, for at this time occurred the final +appearance of the locust. As the people gazed into the sky and +watched the silver cloud floating in the sunshine resolve itself +into a miniature army clad in burnished steel, women forgot to be +concerned for their rights, and the delegates thought only of +completing their work with the utmost economy and speed.</p> + +<p>The new constitution, however, was formed on a more liberal basis. +Hon. R. B. Harrington, of Beatrice, in the Committee on Bill of +Rights, substituted the word "people" for "men," and it passed +without comment. An article on amendments was embodied in the +constitution, the same in substance as the one defeated in 1871, +under which, as was actually done in 1881, the legislature could +present amendments relating to suffrage.</p> + +<p>The question of adopting the article relating to qualifications of +electors being before the convention. Judge Clinton Briggs of Omaha +sat during the reading of the first clause, "every male," etc., +meditating, as he related to a friend, on how many lives had been +sacrificed and how many millions of money had been spent in getting +rid of the word "white," which had made such an unjust restriction, +and how easy it would be, by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_681" id="Page_681">[Pg 681]</a></span> one dash of the pen, to blot out the +word "male," and thus abolish this other unjust restriction. On the +inspiration of the moment, he moved to strike out the word "male," +R. B. Harrington relates that the motion of Judge Briggs, who had +not before expressed his sentiments, and who had not consulted with +the known advocates of the measure, so astonished the convention +that it was some time before they could realize that he was in +earnest. The friends rallied to Judge Briggs' support. Gen. Chas. +F. Manderson—a member of this, as of the preceding +convention—seconded the motion, and sustained it with a forcible +speech. Mr. Harrington made a speech in its favor, and after a +short and vigorous discussion it came to a vote, which showed +fifteen for the motion and fifty-two against.<a name="FNanchor_465_465" id="FNanchor_465_465"></a><a href="#Footnote_465_465" class="fnanchor">[465]</a></p> + +<p>About this time Nebraska was again visited by lecturers on woman +suffrage, who found an intelligent class of people, who, with +growing material prosperity, were kindly disposed toward +progressive ideas. Mrs. Margaret Campbell lectured in Nebraska in +1875, at about fifteen places between Kearney and the Missouri. In +1877-8 and 9, Mrs. Stanton and Miss Anthony lectured at many +points. These, with some local lectures aroused an intelligent +interest in equal rights for women. It was attempted to give this +expression in the legislature of 1879. Resolutions were introduced, +favorable reports made and the subject treated with kindly +consideration, but for lack of time, or some one deeply interested, +nothing was accomplished.</p> + +<blockquote><p>The legislation of 1879 on the subject of equal suffrage +originated with Senator McMeans and C. B. Slocumb of Fairbury. +The former offered a petition from Thos. Harbine and 160 others, +asking a constitutional amendment prohibiting the disfranchising +of citizens on account of sex. Referred to a committee of whom a +majority recommended that its consideration be indefinitely +postponed. A minority report was brought in by Orlando Tefft and +Chas. H. Brown recommending that the prayers of petitioners be +granted. In the House, at the same session, C. B. Slocumb +presented the petition of Calvin F. Steele and others, with a +resolution asking that the committee on constitutional amendments +be instructed to provide for the submission of an amendment +conferring the franchise upon woman. The resolution was adopted, +referred, and reported back with draft of an amendment. The +committee were Messrs. True, Windham, Batty, Simonton, Mitchell, +Sparks and Gaylord. On motion of Mr. True the joint resolution +was ordered to first reading; no further mention appears of it. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The first suffrage society of the State was formed at Fairbury by +Mrs. H. Tyler Wilcox, and although this organization lived but a +short time, it secured petitions and drew the attention of +legislators elect—Senator McMeans and C. B. Slocumb—to the +general interest felt in Jefferson county. The second society was +formed in Thayer county. The sisters, Mrs. Davis and Mrs. Cornell, +of Alexandria, called a meeting, which resulted in organizing the +Alexandria Free Suffrage Association, Sept. 27, 1878. Prof. W. D. +Vermilion and E. M. Correll of Hebron, lectured before this +society, but, most of the members living in the country, the +meetings were given up when the cold weather set in.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_682" id="Page_682">[Pg 682]</a></span></p> + +<p>The first working society was that of Hebron, which was organized +by Mrs. Stanton, April 15, 1879. The citizens were prepared for the +undertaking. E. M. Correll, editor of the Hebron <i>Journal</i>, in +editorials, in lectures by himself and others, had urged on women +the dignity and importance of interesting themselves in their own +behalf. The society had been encouraged by lectures from Miss +Couzins and Mrs. H. T. Wilcox, the latter taking the ground then +comparatively new, that woman's ballot is necessary for successful +temperance effort. Meetings were kept up regularly and with +increasing membership, and the Thayer County Woman Suffrage +Association won a deserved triumph in being primarily connected +with the origin and successful passage of the joint resolution of +1881. The legislators elected in 1880 were Senator C. B. Coon, and +Representative E. M. Correll. Both these gentlemen were active +members of the Thayer County Association, and after their election +a committee waited on them, pledging them to special effort during +the coming session.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile a general favorable sentiment was growing. In noting this +it would not be right to omit mention of Mrs. Harbert's "Woman's +Kingdom," in the Chicago <i>Inter-Ocean</i>, which circulated largely +among country readers. The Omaha <i>Republican</i> passed, in 1876, +under the editorial management of D. C. Brooks, who, with his wife, +had been prominent in the suffrage work of Michigan and Illinois. +The favorable attitude of this paper, and the articles which Mrs. +Brooks from time to time contributed to it, exerted a wide +influence. In the winter of 1881, Mrs. Brooks established a woman's +department in the <i>Republican</i> which crystallized the growing +interest around the leadership of its editor. Letters were +addressed to her from various sections of the State, urging +immediate action. The following from Mrs. Lucinda Russell will show +the interest felt:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Tecumseh</span>, Neb., December 4, 1880.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Mrs. Harriet S. Brooks</span>—<i>Dear Madam</i>: I have been shown a form of +petition for the suffrage which you enclosed to Rev. Mary J. +DeLong, of this place. Will you please inform me if this is to be +the form of petition to be presented during the present session +of the legislature? We wish the exact words in order that we may +have it published in our local paper.</p> + +<p>We think it best to call a meeting, even now at this somewhat +late day, and send women to Lincoln who will attend personally to +this matter. We have left these things neglected too long. Will +you call on all women of the State who can do so to assemble at +Lincoln during the session of the legislature, appointing the +day, etc.? I think we would be surprised at the result. This town +contains scarcely a woman who is opposed to woman suffrage. We +know we are a power here; and we do not know but the same hearty +support which Tecumseh would afford may exist in many towns +throughout the State. All we need for good earnest work and +mighty results is organization.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">L. R.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>In accordance with these requests a meeting for conference was +called at Lincoln, January 19, 1881, Mrs. Brooks presiding. A +second meeting was held at the M. E. Church, January 22, and a +Lincoln Woman Suffrage Association was formed. A mass convention +was held January 26, and a State Association was formed next +day:<a name="FNanchor_466_466" id="FNanchor_466_466"></a><a href="#Footnote_466_466" class="fnanchor">[466]</a> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_683" id="Page_683">[Pg 683]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>The meeting of January 26 was held in the opera-house and was +presided over by Mrs. Franc E. Finch. The speakers were John B. +Finch, Rev. Mary J. DeLong, Judge O. P. Mason and Mrs. Esther L. +Warner. Reading and music filled the programme. Mrs. DeLong's +address was in behalf of the prohibitory and suffrage amendments. +Judge Mason's address was afterwards printed for distribution. It +showed how forcible and eloquent the Judge could be when on the +right side. It will be remembered that Judge Mason opposed woman +suffrage in the constitutional convention of 1871. His closing +sentences were:</p> + +<p class="ltr-closelines">The more intelligent and exalted the character of the electors in +a government whose foundation rests upon the franchise, the more +safe and secure are the liberties of the people and the property +of that government. The higher the social and moral standard of +the electors, the better will be the type of manhood that is +chosen to make laws and administer the government. As you elevate +the standard of intelligence, and increase the ability and +intensify the power to recognize the right and a sense of +obligation to follow it, you make sure the foundations of civil +and religious liberty. You do more, you elevate the character of +the laws, and better the administration in every department of +government. It has been wisely said that government is best which +is best administered.</p> + +<p class="ltr-closelines">Do as we will, however, forget the rights of others, treat them +with contempt, summon to our aid the united efforts of great +political parties, invoke statutory and constitutional law to aid +us in the mad career, yet, let no one forget that God's balances, +watched by his angels, are hung across the sky to weigh the +conduct of individuals and nations, and that in the end divine +wisdom will pronounce the inexorable judgment of compensatory +justice. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Previous to all of these meetings Hon. E. M. Correll had introduced +on January 13, H. R. 59, a bill for an amendment to the +constitution striking the word "male" from qualifications of +electors. This had given impetus to the friends of the measure and +inspiration to the meetings. A vote of thanks was tendered Mr. +Correll by both the State and Thayer County Associations. The bill +not being technically correct, Mr. Correll introduced on February +3, a joint resolution of the same purport, H. R. 162. The +committees of Senate and House on constitutional amendments gave a +hearing that evening to the advocates of the measure:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Of the fourteen members of the committees, ten were present; the +full number from the House and three from the Senate. Mr. Correll +pressed the claims of the resolution in the first speech, and +then introduced the different speakers representing the State +association. Mrs. Harriet S. Brooks reviewed the progress of +sentiment elsewhere and said that her acquaintance and +correspondence in this State led her to think the time ripe for +action of this kind. Mrs. Orpha Clement Dinsmoor argued the +abstract right of it, saying:</p> + +<p>It has now come to the question of absolute right—whether one +class of people shall say to another: "You can come only thus far +in the direction of liberty." We realize that woman must be +educated to this new privilege, just as man has been educated to +it, and just as this nation is now educating millions of the +newly enfranchised to it. Feeling that in intellectual and moral +capacity woman is the peer of man, I think that her actual steps +forward in needful preparation have given her the right to say +who shall rule over her.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Jennie F. Holmes based her remarks on the added influence it +would give women in securing wise legislation in matters of +welfare to the home. Clara B. Colby answered questions of the +committee. It was a most encouraging fact that every member of +the committee, after the speakers had finished presenting the +case,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_684" id="Page_684">[Pg 684]</a></span> spoke in favor of the amendment, except one, a Bohemian, +who was suffering from hoarseness and induced his colleague to +express favorable sentiments for him. These gentlemen all +remained friendly to the bill until its passage. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Headquarters were established in Lincoln. Mrs. Brooks remained +during the session, and Mesdames Holmes, Russell, Dinsmoor and +Colby all, or most of the time, until the act was passed, +interviewing the members and securing the promise of their votes +for the measure:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The joint resolution went through all the preliminary stages in +the House without opposition on account of the discretion of its +advocates, the watchfulness of its zealous friends among the +members, and the carefulness of Mr. Correll with regard to all +pending measures. The bill was made a special order for February +18, 10:45 A. M., and Mrs. Brooks, Mrs. Dinsmoor and Mrs. Colby +addressed the House by invitation. At the close of their remarks +Mr. Roberts offered the following:</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That, as the sense of this House, we extend our +thanks to the ladies who have so ably addressed us in behalf of +female suffrage, and we wish them God-speed in their good work.</p> + +<p>On motion of Mr. Howe the resolution was unanimously adopted. Mr. +Correll moved that H. R. 162 be ordered engrossed for third +reading. The motion prevailed. The final vote in the House, +February 21, stood 51 for the amendment; 22 against.<a name="FNanchor_467_467" id="FNanchor_467_467"></a><a href="#Footnote_467_467" class="fnanchor">[467]</a> </p></blockquote> + +<p>The passage of the bill had its dramatic features. Intense interest +was felt by the crowds which daily gathered in the capitol to watch +its progress, while the officers of the State association were +extended the courtesies of the floor, and came and went, watching +every opportunity and giving counsel and assistance at every step. +On this eventful Monday afternoon but one of these was present, and +she watched with anxiety the rapid passage of the bills preceding, +which made it evident that H. R. 162 would soon be reached. Six +more than the needed number of votes had been promised, but three +of these were absent from the city. There were barely enough +members present to do business, as important bills claimed +attention in committee-rooms and lobbies. The last bill ahead of +this was reached, and the friends hurried out in every direction to +inform the members, who responded quickly to the call. One man +pledged to the amendment went out and did not return, the only one +to betray the measure.</p> + +<p>The roll was called amid breathless interest and every one kept the +tally. Church Howe, in voting, said: "I thank God that my life has +been spared to this moment, when I can vote to extend the right of +suffrage to the women of my adopted State." And C. B. Slocumb +responded to his name, "Believing that my wife is entitled to all +the rights that I enjoy, I vote aye." The last name had been +called, and all knew that only fifty votes had been cast for the +amendment, lacking one of the required three-fifths of all members +elect. The chief clerk of the House, B. D. Slaughter, usually so +glib, slowly repeated the names of those who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_685" id="Page_685">[Pg 685]</a></span> had voted and more +slowly footed up the result. Two favorable members were outside; if +only one could be reached! The speaker, who had just voted against +the amendment, but was kindly disposed towards those interested in +it, held the announcement back for a moment which gave Church Howe +time to move the recommitment of the resolution. His motion was +seconded all over the House, but just at this juncture one of the +absent friends, P. O. Heacock, a German member from Richardson +county, came in, and, being told what was going on, called out, "I +desire to vote on this bill." He walked quickly to his place and, +in answer to his name, voted "aye." The speaker asked Mr. Howe if +he wished to withdraw his motion, which he did, and the vote was +announced. The galleries cheered, and the House was in a hubbub, +unrebuked by the speaker, who looked as happy as if he had voted +for the bill. The members gathered around the woman who sat in +their midst, shook hands and extended congratulations, many even +who had voted against the amendment expressing their personal +sympathy with its advocates.</p> + +<p>The joint resolution was immediately sent to the Senate, where, +after its second reading, it was referred to the Committee on +Constitutional Amendments, who returned it with two reports:</p> + +<blockquote><p>That of the majority, recommended its passage, while the minority +opposed it on the ground that it would be inadvisable to +introduce opposing measures into the House and thus create new +divisions in politics and a new cause of excitement; but +principally upon the claim that in the territory where female +suffrage had obtained "for a period of two years" the experiment +had been disastrous, the "interests of the territory damaged in +emigration," and the administration of justice hindered in the +courts. This report was signed by Senators J. C. Myers and S. B. +Taylor, who had persistently refused to listen to argument or +information on the subject. As soon as the report was made, the +senators were informed of their glaring mistake as to the length +of time the women of Wyoming had voted, and information was laid +before them proving that the results in that territory had been +in every way beneficial,<a name="FNanchor_468_468" id="FNanchor_468_468"></a><a href="#Footnote_468_468" class="fnanchor">[468]</a> but they refused to withdraw or +change their report.</p> + +<p>The parliamentary tactics and watchfulness of Senators Doane, +Coon, Smith, White, Dinsmore, Harrington and Tefft carried the +bill through the bluster of the minority to its final vote; by +twenty-two for to eight against.<a name="FNanchor_469_469" id="FNanchor_469_469"></a><a href="#Footnote_469_469" class="fnanchor">[469]</a> When Senator Howe's name +was called he offered the following explanation:</p> + +<p class="ltr-closelines">The question of submitting this proposition to a vote of the +people is not to be regarded as a pleasantry, as some members +seem to think. However mischievously the experiment of giving the +suffrage to women may operate, the power once given cannot be +recalled. I have endeavored to look at the question +conscientiously. I desire to keep abreast of all legitimate +reforms of the day. I would like to see the moral influence of +women at the polls, but I would not like to see the immoral +influence<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_686" id="Page_686">[Pg 686]</a></span> of politics in the home circle. The Almighty has +imposed upon woman the highest office to which human nature is +subject, that of bearing children. Her life is almost necessarily +a home life; it should be largely occupied in rearing and +training her children to be good men and pure electors. Therein +her influence is all-powerful. Again, I incline to the belief +that to strike out the word 'male' in the constitution would not +change its meaning so as to confer the suffrage upon women. I am +not acquainted with half a dozen ladies who would accept the +suffrage if it were offered to them. They are not prepared for so +radical a change. For these reasons, briefly stated, and others, +I vote <i>No</i>.</p> + +<p>Mr. Turner explained his vote as follows:</p> + +<p class="ltr-closelines">Our wives, mothers and sisters having an equal interest with us +in the welfare of our commonwealth, and being equal to ourselves +in intelligence, there appears no good reason why the right to +vote should be withheld from them. The genius of our institutions +is opposed to taxation without representation; opposed to +government without the consent of the governed, and therefore I +vote <i>Aye</i>.</p> + +<p>The act was then signed by the president of the Senate and +speaker of the House, and sent to Gov. Nance. The latter, who, +although not personally an advocate of the measure, had given all +courtesy and assistance to its supporters, signed it promptly. To +take a bill like this, which even a minority are anxious to +defeat, through the intricate course of legislation requires +work, watchfulness and the utmost tact and discretion on the part +of its friends in both Houses. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The suffrage association immediately arranged to begin a canvass of +the State. The vice-president was appointed State organizer and +entered upon the duties of the office by forming a society at +Beatrice, March 5. The next step was to secure ample and +unimpeachable testimonials from Wyoming, which were printed in +<i>Woman's Work</i>, and then spread broadcast in leaflet form. Lectures +were given, and societies and working committees formed as rapidly +as possible. The <i>Western Woman's Journal</i>, a neat monthly +magazine, was established in May, by Hon. E. M. Correll, and a host +of women suddenly found themselves gifted with the power to speak +and write, which they consecrated to the cause of their civil +liberties.</p> + +<p>The Thayer County Association, as the elder sister of the numerous +family now springing up, maintained its prominence as a centre of +activity and intelligence. Barbara J. Thompson, secretary from its +organization, wrote at this time of the enthusiasm felt, and of the +willingness of the women to work, but added, "nearly all our women +are young mothers with from one to five children, and these cannot +do anything more than attend the meetings occasionally when they +can leave the children." This might have been said of any society +in the State, and this fact must be considered in judging from +their achievements of the zeal of the Nebraska women. Few, +comparatively, could take a public part, and all others were +constantly reckoned by opponents as unwilling or indifferent. +Thayer County Association celebrated the Fourth of July in a novel +manner, making every feature an object lesson. <i>Woman's Work</i> gave +an account of it at the time, which is quoted to give a pleasant +glance backward at the enthusiasm and interest that marked the work +of this society:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We found to our surprise that the women of Thayer county had in +charge the whole celebration. The Fourth dawned cool and clear, +and with news of the improvement of Garfield, everybody felt +happy. The procession, marshaled by ladies on their handsome +horses, and assisted by Senator C. B. Coon, was formed in due +time, and presented a very imposing appearance. The band wagon +was followed by nearly a hundred others, and among the novelties +of the occasion was the boys' brigade, consisting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_687" id="Page_687">[Pg 687]</a></span> of a score of +little fellows, some with drums and some with cornets, who played +in quite tolerable time. The States were represented to indicate +their progress with regard to equal rights. Young men represented +those wherein no advance had been made; young women those where +school suffrage had been granted to women; and Wyoming Territory +was represented by two, a man and a woman. The little girls were +all dressed in the appropriate colors, the wagons were gaily +decorated, and the procession well managed. After singing and +prayer, the president, Mrs. Ferguson, gave a short address. Mrs. +Vermilion, who is a direct descendant of one of the signers of +the Declaration of Independence, read the Woman's Declaration of +Independence and Bill of Rights, a document couched in such +forcible terms as Hancock, Adams & Co., would use if they were +women in this year of our Lord 1881. Then followed the oration of +the day, delivered by Mrs. Colby, and for the audience it had at +least two points of interest: First, that the woman suffrage +society had acted in defiance of precedent, and had engaged a +woman as their orator; and secondly, that it was given from the +standpoint of a citizen and not of a woman. There being nothing +in the address on the matter of woman suffrage, the society +desired the speaker to address them in the evening on that +subject. Accordingly a meeting was held, and despite the fatigue +of the day, there was a good attendance and considerable +interest. A good dinner was provided on the grounds, and +afterwards they had singing and speaking. Mr. Hendershot +addressed the children. It will be an item of interest to the +readers of the <i>Express</i> that the W. S. A. of Thayer county have +had some songs printed appropriate for their use. Among them is +"Hold the Polls," a song by the editor of the <i>Express</i>, and this +was sung with considerable enthusiasm. It may be said that the +whole affair was a success, and reflected great credit on the +executive ability of the ladies in charge. One item of interest +must not be forgotten—among the various banners indicative of +the virtues which are worthy of cultivation, was one whose motto +read, "In Mother we Trust." A lady being asked the peculiar +significance of this, said, "It has always been God and father, +now we want the children to learn to trust their mothers, and to +think they are of some account." </p></blockquote> + +<p>A successful State convention was held at Omaha July 6, 7, Mrs. +Brooks presiding and making the opening address. The address of +Mrs. Ada M. Bittenbender on "The Legal Disabilities of Married +Women" created quite a discussion among a number of noted lawyers +present. Of this the <i>Republican</i> said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>This lady is the well-known recent editor of the Osceola +<i>Record</i>, which she has now relinquished for the study and +practice of law, in partnership with her husband. Her address, +although learned, elaborate, comprehensive, and dealing with +principles and technicalities, was delivered extemporaneously, +with great animation and effect, and in a manner at once womanly, +captivating and strong. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Ida Edson read a paper on "Might and Right." Mrs. Bloomer, +whose presence was an interesting feature of the convention, gave +reminiscences of her own work for woman's ballot in Nebraska. The +convention was enlivened by the dramatic readings of Mrs. H. P. +Mathewson, and the inspiring ballads of the poet-singer, James G. +Clark, who had come from Colorado to attend the meeting. A glimpse +at the convention through the friendly eyes of the editor of the +<i>Republican</i> will indicate the interest and ability shown by the +women of the State:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The first general convention of the Woman's State Suffrage +Association commenced its session last evening at Masonic hall, +the president, Mrs. Harriet S. Brooks, in the chair, assisted by +the first vice-president, Mrs. Clara B. Colby of Beatrice; the +secretary, Mrs. A. M. Bittenbender of Osceola; and the treasurer, +Mrs. Russell of Tecumseh. A majority of the members of the +executive committee and of the vice-presidents were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_688" id="Page_688">[Pg 688]</a></span> also +present, with several friends of the cause from abroad, including +Hon. E. M. Correll, editor of the <i>Western Woman's Journal</i>, who +was the "leader of the House" on the bill for submitting the +suffrage amendment to the people. The evening was sultry and +threatening, and Masonic hall was not so full as it would +otherwise have been, considering both "promise and performance." +The local attendance was representative, including quite a number +of our leading citizens, with their wives, and the editors of our +contemporaries the <i>Herald</i> and the <i>Bee</i>. The meeting was a very +interesting one, more especially the "conversational" portion, in +which free discussion was solicited. This was opened by Hon. E. +Rosewater, who spoke in response to a very general call. His +address of half an hour in length was marked by apparent +sincerity, and was a calm and argumentative presentation of +objections, theoretical and practical, which occurred to him +against the extension of the franchise to women. It was replied +to by Mrs. Colby, in a running comment, which abounded in womanly +wisdom and wit, and incessantly brought down the house. Our +restricted space will compel us to forego a report of the +discussion at present. On the conclusion of Mrs. Colby's very +bright and convincing remarks, Dr. McNamara addressed the +convention in a brief speech of great earnestness, depth and +power.</p> + +<p>The last session was most interesting. The hall was nearly +filled, and among the audience were representatives of many of +our leading families. There was rather too much crowded into this +session, but the convention "cleaned up" its work thoroughly, and +the audience displayed a patient interest to the very end. +Besides the address of Professor Clark, there was a masterly +constitutional argument by Mrs. Clara B. Colby, which +demonstrated that woman can argue logically, and can support her +postulates with the requisite legal learning, embracing a +knowledge of the common and statute law authorities from +Blackstone down. The address abounded in historical and literary +allusions which show its author to be a person of broad culture +as well as an adept in "book learning." Following came another +address from Mrs. Bloomer, in which she disposed—as he +expressed, to Dr. McNamara's entire satisfaction—of the stock +biblical argument down from Moses to Paul against "woman's +rights" to act in the same spheres, and speak from the same +platform with men. This address was given at the special request +of several leading ladies of this city, and though the hour was +late, it was received with unbroken interest, and was +complimented with a special vote of thanks, moved by Mrs. Colby. +Most interesting reports of district and local work were made by +Mrs. Holmes, of Tecumseh, Mrs. Chapin of Riverton, and Mrs. +Slaughter of Osceola. Dr. McNamara closed the convention with a +few stirring words of exhortation to the ladies to go right to +work from now on to November, 1882. He excused himself from a set +speech with the promise that, if "let off" now, he would, at some +future time, present a full expression of his views on the reform +to which he has so earnestly pledged himself. The closing word in +which the <i>Republican</i> would sum up the varied proceedings of the +first State suffrage convention is the magic word success. </p></blockquote> + +<p>A second very successful convention was held at Kearney, October +19, 20. A score or more societies were represented by delegates and +their reports were very encouraging.</p> + +<blockquote><p>The principal features of the programme were: Address of +president, Harriet S. Brooks; welcome, Mrs. H. S. Sydenham; +response, Mrs. A. P. Nicholas; addresses by Mrs. Esther L. +Warner, Gen. S. H. Connor (whose name appeared among the votes of +the opponents in 1875); Mrs. Orpha C. Dinsmoor, on "Inherent +Rights"; L. B. Fifield, regent of the State University, on +"Woman's Influence for Women"; and Rev. Crissman, resident +Presbyterian minister, on "Expediency." Among the letters +received was the following, addressed to Mrs. Dinsmoor, by Gen. +Manderson, whose name has been mentioned as voting for woman's +ballot in the constitutional conventions of 1871 and 1875:</p> + +<p class="ltr-date ltr-closelines"> +<span class="smcap">Omaha</span>, October, 17. +</p> + +<p class="ltr-closelines">Your esteemed favor inviting me to speak before the convention at +Kearney, October 18, 19, upon the subject of the extension of +suffrage to women, was duly received. I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_689" id="Page_689">[Pg 689]</a></span> have delayed replying to +it until to day in the hope that my professional engagements +would permit me to meet with you at Kearney. The continuing +session of our District Court prevents my absence at this time. I +would like very much to be with you at the meeting of your +association. My desire, however, would be to hear rather than to +speak. Ten years have passed since, with other members of the +constitutional convention of 1871, I met in argument those who +opposed striking the word "male" from the constitution of +Nebraska. In those days "the truth was mighty and prevailed," +almost to the extent of full success, for, as the result of our +effort, we saw the little band of thirteen increase to thirty. I +feel that there must be much of new thought and rich argument +growing from the agitation of the last ten years, and to listen +to those who, like yourself and many other members of your +association, have been in the forefront of the battle for the +right, would be most interesting. But I must, for the present, +forego the pleasure of hearing you. I write merely to keep myself +"on the record" in the good fight. Now, as ever, I favor the +enfranchisement of women, the disfranchisement of ignorance. I +would both extend and contract the right to vote in our republic; +extend it so that intelligence without regard to color or sex +should rule, and contract it so that ignorance should be ruled. +If this be not the cure for the political ills that threaten the +permanency of American institutions, then there is no cure. May +Nebraska be the first of the States to apply the remedy.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF sc">Charles F. Manderson.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Very respectfully yours,</p> +</blockquote> +</blockquote> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 375px;"> +<a name="v3_689" id="v3_689"> +<img src="images/v3_689.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Clara Bewick Colby" title="" /></a> +</div> + +<blockquote><p>The association sent out its scouts, and as a result a convention +was held in quite the northern part of the State, at Norfolk, +November 30 and December 1. This was much appreciated by the +citizens, whose locality was at that time not much frequented by +speakers on any topic.<a name="FNanchor_470_470" id="FNanchor_470_470"></a><a href="#Footnote_470_470" class="fnanchor">[470]</a> The first annual meeting, held at +Lincoln in February, 1882, found a large number of delegates, +each with reports of kindred local work, ready to receive the +record of this year of preparation. Everything indicated a +favorable termination to the effort, as it became evident that +all sections of the State were being aroused to active interest.</p> + +<blockquote><p>The address of the president, Mrs. Harriet S. Brooks, was +entitled, "Work, Wages and the Ballot." It was a review of a +lecture given earlier in the season by Chancellor Fairchild of +the University, in which he had taken the ground that the work of +women should not receive the same wages as that of men. Rev. Dr. +McNamara and others spoke briefly and earnestly. Miss Lydia Bell, +at the closing evening session, gave an address which, to use the +words of the reporter, "for felicity of composition, strength of +argument, and beauty of delivery, fully merited the special +resolution of thanks unanimously given by the society."<a name="FNanchor_471_471" id="FNanchor_471_471"></a><a href="#Footnote_471_471" class="fnanchor">[471]</a> </p></blockquote> + +<p>The work of organizing and lecturing was continued with as much +zeal and efficiency as the busy days and limited resources of the +women would permit. Many of the counties held conventions, took +count of their friends, and prepared for a vigorous campaign. As +the summer advanced, at picnics, old settlers' gatherings, +soldiers' reünions, fairs, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_690" id="Page_690">[Pg 690]</a></span> political conventions,—wherever a +company of people had assembled, there interested women claimed an +opportunity to present the subject to audiences it would otherwise +have been impossible to reach. With but few exceptions, officials +extended the courtesies asked.</p> + +<p>During the summer of 1882, the work was greatly aided by the +lectures of Margaret Campbell and Matilda Hindman; and during the +month of September by Helen M. Gougar. The American Suffrage +Association, at its annual meeting in 1881, elected Hon. E. M. +Correll president, as a recognition of his services to the cause in +Nebraska, and in 1882, it held its annual meeting in Omaha, +September 12 and 13. Lucy Stone, H. B. Blackwell, and Hannah Tracy +Cutler remained for some weeks, lecturing in the State, and were +warmly received by the local committees. Ex-Governor John W. Hoyt, +and Judge Kingman, of Wyoming, gave a few addresses. The National +Association also held its annual meeting at Omaha, Sept. 26, 27, +28. A reception was given at the Paxton Hotel on the close of the +last session. Following this, a two days' convention was held at +Lincoln, from which point the speakers diverged to take part in the +campaign.<a name="FNanchor_472_472" id="FNanchor_472_472"></a><a href="#Footnote_472_472" class="fnanchor">[472]</a></p> + +<p>While those friendly to the amendment were laboring thus earnestly, +the politicians held themselves aloof and attended strictly to +"mending their own fences." After the act had passed the +legislature, it was found that almost every prominent man in the +State was friendly to the amendment. The bench and bar were +especially favorable, while three-fourths of the press and a large +majority of the clergy warmly espoused the cause. Leading +politicians told the women to go ahead and organize, and they would +assist in the latter part of the canvass. Thayer and Clay county +Republicans endorsed woman suffrage in their platform, while +Franklin county delegates were instructed to vote for no one who +was not in favor of the amendment.</p> + +<p>Previous to the session of the Republican State Convention, great +hopes were entertained that this body would put an endorsement of +the amendment in its platform, as a majority of the delegates were +personally pledged to vote for such a measure. But the committee on +resolutions was managed by a man who feared that such endorsement +would hurt the party, and the suffrage resolution which was handed +in, was not reported with the rest. On the plea of time being +precious, the convention was maneuvered to pass a resolution that +the report of the committee should not be discussed. The report was +brought in at the last moment of the convention, and adopted as +previously arranged, and the convention was adjourned, everybody +wondering why a resolution relative to the amendment had not been +presented. The Republican leaders feared that their party was +endangered by the passage of the bill by the legislature, for it +was very largely carried by Republican votes, and while +individually friendly, they almost to a man avoided the subject.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_691" id="Page_691">[Pg 691]</a></span></p> + +<p>As the canvass progressed, it was comical to note how shy the +politicians fought of the women to whom they had promised +assistance. Judge O. P. Mason, who had agreed to give ten lectures +for the amendment, and whose advocacy would have had immense +weight, engaged to speak for the Republican party, and at every +place but one, the managers stipulated that he should be silent on +the amendment. Of the vast array of Republican speakers, had even +those who had expressed themselves in favor of the amendment +advocated it intelligently and earnestly, the result would have +been different.</p> + +<p>Due credit must be given to ex-United States Senator Tipton, Judge +W. H. Morris, and a few others who lectured outside of their own +counties, as well as at home, while David Butler, candidate for +senator from Pawnee county, E. M. Correll of Hebron, C. C. Chapin +of Riverton, Judge A. P. Yocum of Hastings, and doubtless a few +others, regardless of their political prospects, advocated the +cause of woman along with their own. The women of Nebraska will +always cherish the memory of the enthusiastic young student from +Ann Arbor, Michigan, who spent some months of the campaign in +Nebraska, giving lavishly of his means and talents to aid the +cause. Wilder M. Wooster was a bright, logical speaker, and his +death, which occurred in 1885, cost the world a promising and +conscientious journalist.</p> + +<p>Towards the close of the campaign it became evident that the saloon +element was determined to defeat the amendment. The organ of the +Brewers' Association sent out its orders to every saloon, bills +posted in conspicuous places by friends of the amendment +mysteriously disappeared, or were covered by others of an opposite +character, and the greatest pains was taken to excite the +antagonism of foreigners by representing to them that woman +suffrage meant prohibition. On the other hand, the temperance +advocates were by no means a unit for its support.</p> + +<p>The morning dawned bright and clear on November 5, 1882. The most +casual observer would have seen that some unusual interest was +commanding attention. Everything wore a holiday appearance. Polling +places were gaily decorated; banners floated to the breeze, bearing +suggestive mottoes: "Are Women Citizens?" "Taxation Without +Representation is Tyranny!" "Governments Derive their Just Powers +from the Consent of the Governed." "Equality before the Law," etc., +etc. Under pavilions, or in adjoining rooms, or in the very shadow +of the ballot-box, women presided at well-filled tables, serving +refreshments to the voters, and handing to those who would take +them, tickets bearing the words: "For Constitutional Amendment +Relating to Right of Suffrage," while the national colors floated +alike over governing and governed; alike over women working and +pleading for their rights as citizens, and men who were selling +woman's birth-right for a glass of beer or a vote. It looked like a +holiday picnic—the well-dressed people, the flowers, the badges, +and the flags; but the tragic events of that day would fill a +volume.</p> + +<p>The conservative joined hands with the vicious, the egotist with +the ignorant, the demagogue with the venial, and when the sun set, +Nebraska's opportunity to do the act of simple justice was +gone—lost by a vote of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_692" id="Page_692">[Pg 692]</a></span> 50,693 to 25,756—so the record gives it. +But it must not be forgotten that many tickets were fraudulently +printed, and that tickets which contained no mention of the +amendment were counted against it, as also were tickets having any +technical defect or omission; for instance, tickets having the +abbreviated form, "For the Amendment," were counted against it. It +will always remain an open question whether the amendment did not, +after all, receive an actual majority of all votes cast upon that +question. In this new State, burdened with the duties incident to +the development of a new country, the women had done what women +might do to secure their rights, but their hour had not yet struck.</p> + +<p>On the following evening, the speakers of the National Association, +who still remained in the State held a meeting<a name="FNanchor_473_473" id="FNanchor_473_473"></a><a href="#Footnote_473_473" class="fnanchor">[473]</a> at the +opera-house in Omaha, at which the addresses were in the main +congratulatory for the large vote, making proportionally the +largest ever cast for woman's ballot.</p> + +<p>While history must perforce be silent concerning the efforts and +sacrifices of the many, a word will be expected in regard to some +of the principal actors. Looking back on these two eventful years, +not a woman who took part in that struggle would wish to have been +inactive in that heroic hour. It is an inspiration and an ennobling +of all the faculties that they have once been lifted above all +personal aims and transient interests; and for all who caught the +true meaning of the moment, life can never again touch the low +level of indifference. The officers of the State Association who +were most active in the canvass are here mentioned with a word as +to their subsequent efforts:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Mrs. Harriet S. Brooks, whose services have so often been +referred to, after working in three States for the privileges of +citizenship, is devoting herself to the congenial study of +sociology, and her able pen still does service.</p> + +<p>Ada M. Bittenbender was admitted to the bar May 17, 1882, and +from that time until the election gave undivided attention to the +duties of her office as president of the State Association. The +campaign song-book, the supplement folded in the county papers, +the columns of notes and news prepared for many journals in the +State, the headquarters in Lincoln from which, with the +assistance of E. M. Correll and Mrs. Russell, she sent forth +documents, posters, blanks and other campaign accessories, +sufficiently attest her energy and ability. She is now a +practicing lawyer of Lincoln, and was successful during the +session of the legislature of 1885 in securing the passage of a +law making mothers joint and equal guardians of their children.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Belle G. Bigelow of Geneva was an active and reliable +officer during the canvass of 1882, and is now prominent in the +temperance work of Nebraska.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Lucinda Russell of Tecumseh, for two years the treasurer of +the State Association, edited a department in the local paper in +the interest of the amendment, was one of the campaign committee, +and spared no effort to push the work in her own county. Her +sister, Mrs. Jennie F. Holmes, was one of the most efficient +members of the executive committee. She drove all over her own +county, holding meetings in the school-houses. The efforts of +these two women would have carried Johnson county for the +amendment had not the election officials taken advantage of a +technical defect in the tickets used in some of the precincts. +Mrs. Holmes sustained the suffrage work in Nebraska through the +two following years as chairman of the executive committee, was +elected in 1884 to the office of president of the State Woman's +Christian Temperance Union, and reëlected in 1885 to the same +position.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_693" id="Page_693">[Pg 693]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mrs. Orpha C. Dinsmoor of Omaha, as chairman of the executive +committee during the first year (Mrs. De Long having resigned), +contributed largely to the most successful conventions of the +campaign. One of the most notable lectures given in the State was +hers in reply to Chancellor Fairfield of the Nebraska University, +on "Work and Wages." As it was known that the chancellor held the +ground that woman should not be paid equally with man, even for +the same work and the same skill, the Lincoln Woman Suffrage +Association invited him to give his lecture on that subject, and +Mrs. Dinsmoor to answer him on the following evening. Mrs. +Dinsmoor is well known for her interest in education and +scientific charity, and has, by appointment of the governor of +the State, represented Nebraska at the National Conference of +Charities and Corrections at its last two annual meetings. She is +now the president of the Nebraska Woman's Board of Associated +Charities.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Barbara J. Thompson, of English birth, was one of the +leading spirits of the Thayer County Society, and was active in +holding meetings and organizing committees. Her principal service +was by her ready pen, which furnished articles for a large number +of papers. It is pleasant to reflect that one woman who worked so +earnestly for the rights of citizenship in Nebraska has obtained +them in her new home at Tacoma, Washington Territory.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Gertrude McDowell of Fairbury lent her wit and wisdom to +many conventions, was ready with her pen, and secured a thorough +canvass in Jefferson county. She was the third president of the +State Association.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Mollie K. Maule of Fairmont laid by her law studies to serve +on the executive board of the State Association. In company with +Mrs. Susie Fifield and others, she held meetings in all the +precincts of Fillmore county, securing a good vote. Mrs. Maule +was elected president of the State Association in 1885.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Jennie G. Ford of Kearney, for some time member of the +executive committee, was one of the leading advocates in Buffalo +county. Always aiding and inspiring others to effort, she was an +incessant worker in the causes dear to her heart. She was +president of the Nebraska Woman's Christian Temperance Union from +1882 to 1884. She died June 18, 1885, leaving in the hearts of +all who had known her, tender memories of her beautiful life.</p> + +<p>Miss Lydia Bell, a talented elocutionist of Lincoln, devoted some +months to lecturing. Her great intellectual and rhetorical gifts +made her a very effective speaker.</p> + +<p>Dr. Hetty K. Painter was a graduate of the Pennsylvania Medical +College in 1860. She was a physician in the army during the civil +war, and her proudest possession is the badge which proves her +membership in the Fifth Army Corps. Her practice and her +infirmary at Lincoln did not prevent her helping largely the +cause in which she felt so great an interest.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Esther L. Warner of Roca was the only person actively +engaged in the last canvass who had been connected with the +effort of 1871. As vice-president of her judicial district, she +spoke at many places, organizing wherever practicable. Her +motherly face, and persuasive but humorous argument, made her a +favorite at conventions. Coming to Nebraska in its early days, a +widow with a large family, she purchased a large farm and devoted +herself to its management, to the care and education of her +children, and to the direction of the village school, being a +member of the board of trustees for many years. She had not used +tongue or pen for public service since her girlhood until this +occasion enlisted her interest and proved her gifts.</p> + +<p>Clara C. Chapin, <i>La Petite</i>, as she was called at conventions, +or as a friend styles her, "the dear little English bud that +blossomed on American soil," was one of the most zealous of our +women, organizing, lecturing and arranging campaigns. She is at +present very active in the temperance work, and is one of the +editors of a State temperance paper, the <i>Republican Valley +Echo</i>. An extract from a letter received from her in answer to +inquiry will show the spirit that actuates this representative +advocate of woman's political enfranchisement:</p> + +<p>I never thought much about "woman's rights" until within the last +five years—that is, <i>political</i> rights. I always had a strong +sense of my responsibilities as a woman<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_694" id="Page_694">[Pg 694]</a></span> and a mother (have three +children), and realize that we need something more than moral +suasion to make our influence practical and effective. My +husband, though not what is called a "politician," has been +sufficiently in politics for me to know just what power the +ballot has, and to see the necessity of woman's work in that +direction. I am happy to say that Mr. Chapin is heart and soul +with me in this, and it is a wonder to us how any wife or mother, +how any Christian woman can say, "I have all the rights I want." </p></blockquote> + +<p>Hoping to hold the vantage ground already gained, a State +convention was held at Kearney, December 6, 7, the place being +selected because Buffalo county had carried the amendment by a good +majority.</p> + +<blockquote><p>The association held three formal sessions, which were well +attended and very interesting. Speeches of encouragement and +congratulation were made, plans for work discussed, and campaign +reminiscences recounted. One of the most interesting that was +given was that of Mrs. Beedy of Gardner precinct, who said that +the women actively interested in the suffrage work talked +socially on the subject with every man in the precinct. There +were seventy-two votes, and only four against the amendment. Of +these four persons, two could neither read nor write, a third +could not write his own name, and the fourth could not write his +name in English. All the delegates present reported that the +social work had been a prime cause of such success as they had +found. Mrs. Bigelow said that Geneva precinct stood ninety-eight +for the amendment and ninety-eight against. At Fairmont sixty +ladies went to the polls. They wore white ribbon badges on which +was printed, "Are we citizens?" The general impression among +those attending the convention was that the Association should +petition congress for a sixteenth amendment, petition the +Nebraska legislature for municipal suffrage, and make use of +school suffrage to its fullest extent. The executive committee +held four sessions, appointed a number of working committees, and +attended to settling up the campaign business of the Association. +The convention was considered a decided success in every way. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The annual meeting was held in January, 1883. Mrs. Gertrude +McDowell was elected president. The usual business was transacted, +and a special committee appointed to secure favorable legislation. +In view of the fact that so much of the opposition had been based +on the allegation that "women do not want to vote," a resolution +was prepared for the immediate re-submission of a constitutional +amendment with a provision making it legal for women to vote on its +final ratification. The joint resolution was introduced by Senator +Charles H. Brown of Omaha, and ably advocated by him and others, +especially by Senator David Butler. It was lost by nearly a +two-thirds vote. The Committee on Amendments gave a hearing to +Lydia Bell, Clara C. Chapin and Clara B. Colby. The joint +resolution was taken up in the Senate for discussion February 15. +<i>Woman's Work</i> gives the record of the proceedings:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Senator McShane of Douglas moved indefinite postponement. Senator +Brown of Douglas, who introduced the resolution, spoke against +the motion and made a forcible historical argument for the bill. +Senator McShane then spoke at length against the bill, basing his +opposition to the enfranchisement of woman on the ground that it +would be detrimental to the interests of the foreigner. Senator +Schönheit of Richardson opposed the bill on the plea that it +would mar the loveliness of woman in her domestic relations. +Senator Reynolds of Butler favored the bill. He had voted against +the amendment last fall, but he did it because he feared the +women did not want the ballot, and he was willing to let them +decide for themselves. Senator Dech of Saunders favored the bill +in remarks showing a broad and comprehensive philosophy. Senator +Butler of Pawnee made a magnificent arraignment of the Republican +and Democratic parties, and an appeal to the anti-monopolists to +oppose the monopoly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_695" id="Page_695">[Pg 695]</a></span> of sex. His speech was the longest and most +earnest of the session. Several persons expressing a desire to +continue the discussion, McShane withdrew his motion to postpone. +The Senate adjourned, and on Friday morning it was moved and +carried that this bill be made the special order for that +evening. Accordingly, the chamber and gallery were filled. On +motion, Mrs. Colby was unanimously requested to address the +Senate in behalf of the bill. Senator Butler escorted her to the +clerk's desk, and she delivered an extemporaneous address, of +which a fair synopsis was given by the <i>Journal</i> reporter. +Foreseeing the defeat of the bill, she said, in closing, "You may +kill this bill, gentlemen, but you cannot kill the principle of +individual liberty that is at issue. It is immortal, and rises +Phœnix-like from every death to a new life of surpassing +beauty and vigor. The votes you cast against the bill will, like +the dragons' teeth in the myth of old, spring up into armed +warriors that shall obstruct your path, demanding of you the +recognition of woman's right to 'equality before the law.'" The +grave and reverend senators joined in the applause of the +gallery, and carried Senator Reynolds' motion "that the thanks of +this Senate be returned to Mrs. Colby for the able, eloquent and +instructive address to which we have listened"; but with no +apparent reluctance, on Senator McShane's motion being renewed, +they postponed the bill by a vote of 18 to 6.<a name="FNanchor_474_474" id="FNanchor_474_474"></a><a href="#Footnote_474_474" class="fnanchor">[474]</a> Of the absent +ones, Senator Dech was known to be sick, some of the others were +in their seats a moment previous, and it is fairly to be presumed +that they did not dare to vote upon the question. Of those voting +aye, Senators Brown of Clay, and Walker of Lancaster had favored +the bill in the committee, and the friends were counting on their +vote, as also some others who had expressed themselves favorable. +It is due to Senators Brown of Douglas and Butler to say that +they championed the bill heartily, and furthered its interests in +every possible way. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Conventions were held at Grand Island in May, at Hastings in August +of 1883, and at Fremont August, 1884. The annual meeting of 1884 +was held at York, and that of 1885 in Lincoln. At all of these +enthusiasm and interest were manifested, which indicate that the +idea has not lost its foothold. The <i>Woman's Tribune</i>, established +in 1883, circulates largely in the State, and maintains an +intelligent if not an active interest. When a new occasion comes +the women will be able to meet it. Their present attitude of +hopeful waiting has the courage and faith expressed in the words of +Lowell:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"Endurance is the crowning quality,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And patience all the passion of great hearts;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">These are their stay, and when the hard world<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With brute strength, like scornful conqueror,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">Clangs his huge mace down in the other scale,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">The inspired soul but flings his patience in,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And slowly that out-weighs the ponderous globe;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">One faith against a whole world's unbelief,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">One soul against the flesh of all mankind."<br /></span> +</div></div> +</blockquote> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<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> Having visited Beatrice twice to speak in different +courses of lectures arranged by Mrs. Colby, I can testify to her +executive ability alike in her domestic and public work. She can +get up a meeting, arrange the platform, with desk and lights, and +introduce a speaker with as much skill and grace as she can spread +a table with dainty china and appetizing food, and enliven a dinner +with witty and earnest conversation.—[E. C. S.</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> <i>Yeas</i>—Messrs. Boulwere, Buck, Campbell, Chambers, +Clancy, Davis, Decker, Hail, Haygood, Hoover, Kirk, Larimer, Rose, +Sullivan—14. +</p><p> +<i>Nays</i>—Messrs. Beck, Bowen, Gibson, Harsh, Laird, Miller, Moore, +Morton, McDonald, Riden, Salisbury—11.</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> It is a pleasure to record that both these gentlemen +have reached the logical result of their former views, and now +advocate giving the franchise to intelligence and patriotism +regardless of the sex of the possessor. Governor Saunders, in the +capacity of United States Senator, cast a favorable ballot on +measures in any manner referring to woman's civil rights, and in +1882 spoke on the platform of the National Association, at its +Washington convention.</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> The legislature of 1875 repealed this law except so +far as it referred to unmarried adult women and widows. In the +legislature of 1881, Senator C. H. Gere introduced a bill revising +the laws relating to schools. One of the provisions of the bill +conferred the school ballot on women on the same terms as on +men—viz: Any person having children of school age, or having paid +taxes on personal property, or being assessed on real estate, +within such a period, is entitled to vote at all elections +pertaining to schools. This, however, does not include the power to +vote for State or county superintendents. The women of the State +now vote so largely that it is no longer a matter of comment or +record.</p></div> + +<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 following named representatives voted "yea": +Messrs. Ahmanson, Cannon, Doone, Galey, Goodin, Hall, Jenkins, +Kipp, Majors, Myers, Nims, Patterson, Porter, Quimby, Rhodes, Ryan, +Wickham, Riordan, Roberts—19. Voting "nay": Messrs. Briggs, Beall, +E. Clark, J. Clark, Dillon, Duby, Grenell, Hudson, Munn, Overton, +Reed, Rosewater, Rouse, Schock, Shook, Sommerlad—16.</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> Voting in the affirmative: Messrs. Gerrard, Hascall, +Kennedy, Tucker, Tennant, and Mr. President—6. Voting in the +negative: Messrs. Brown, Hawke, Hillon, Metz, Sheldon, and +Thomas—6.</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> Voting "yea": Messrs. Ballard, Boyd, Campbell, +Cassell, Estabrook, Gibbs, Gray, Hascall, Kenaston, Kilburn, +Kirkpatrick, Lake, Lyon, Majors, Mason, Manderson, Maxwell, Neligh, +Newsome, Philpott, Price, Robinson, Stewart, Spiece, Shaff, Thomas, +Tisdel, Towle, Wakeley, President Strickland—30. Voting "nay": +Messrs. Abbott, Eaton, Granger, Griggs, Moore, Myers, Parchin, +Reynolds, Sprague, Stevenson, Hummel, Vifquain, Weaver—13.</p></div> + +<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 gentlemen who advocated the measure most warmly, +were among the ablest judges and jurists of the State. Of the +opposition, Judge O. P. Mason experienced a change of heart, and +ten years later appeared as a foremost advocate. General E. +Estabrook of Omaha lent all his influence to the amendment in the +late canvass, and Col. Philpott of Lincoln was also a warm +advocate, often accompanying his zealous wife and other members of +the effective and untiring Lincoln association to the school-house +meetings held in all parts of Lancaster county. D. T. Moore was +called out at a meeting in York in 1881, and came forward without +hesitation, saying that he was in favor of woman suffrage. He +related this incident: that on his return home from the convention +of 1871, he found that his wife had been looking after his stock +farm and attending to his business so that everything was in good +order. He praised her highly, when she replied, "Yes, and while I +was caring for your interests, you were voting against my rights." +The reply set him to thinking, and he thought himself over on the +other side. A. J. Weaver opposed the clause in a very bitter +speech. The friends of the amendment in 1881 were given to +understand that Mr. Weaver was friendly, but to prevent the +foreigners having that opinion, Mr. Weaver translated the record of +his opposition into German, and distributed the papers among the +German voters. Having been elected to congress, he was one of only +three Republican members who voted against the standing committee +on woman's claims. These facts cost him a great many votes at the +time of his reëlection in 1884, and are not yet forgotten.</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 debates of this convention were not reported for +the economical reasons mentioned. The names of the honored fifteen +are, Clinton Briggs, W. L. Dunlap, R. C. Eldridge, J. G. Ewan, C. +H. Frady, C. H. Gere, R. B. Harrington, D. P. Henry, C. F. +Manderson, J. McPherson, M. B. Reese, S. M. Kirkpatrick, L. B. +Thorne, A. M. Walling, J. F. Zediker. Many of these were active +friends of the amendment of 1881.</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> The officers elected were: <i>President</i>, Harriet S. +Brooks, Omaha; <i>Vice-President-at-Large</i>, Clara Bewick Colby, +Beatrice; <i>Vice-Presidents</i>—First Judicial District, Mrs. B. J. +Thomson, Hebron; Second, Mrs. E. L. Warner, Roca; Third, Mrs. A. P. +Nicholas, Omaha; Fourth, Mrs. J. S. Burns, Scribner; Fifth, Mrs. C. +C. Chapin, Riverton; Sixth, Mrs. D. B. Slaughter, Fullerton; +<i>Recording Secretary</i>, Mrs. Ada M. Bittenbender, Osceola; +<i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, Mrs. Gertrude McDowell, Fairbury; +<i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. L. Russell, Tecumseh; <i>Executive Committee</i>, Rev. +M. J. DeLong, Tecumseh; Mrs. Orpha C. Dinsmoor, Omaha; Mrs. J. C. +Roberts, David City; Mrs. C. B. Parker, Mrs. J. B. Finch, Lincoln; +Mrs. E. M. Correll, Hebron; Mrs. J. H. Bowen, Hastings.</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> Members voting in the affirmative were: Messrs. +Abbott, Babcock; Bailey, Baldwin, Bartlett, Broatch, Brown, +Cantlin, Carman, Cook, Cole, Correll, Dailey, Dew, Dowty, Filley, +Fried, Graham, Gray, Hall, Heacock, Herman, Hostetter, Howe, +Jackson of Pawnee, Jensen, Johnson, Jones, Kaley, Kempton, Kyner, +Linn, McClun, McDougall, McKinnon, Mickey, Moore of York, +Montgomery, Palmer, Paxton, Ransom, Reed, Roberts, Root, Schick, +Scott, Sill, Slocumb, Watts, Wilsey and Windham—51. Voting in the +negative: Messrs. Bick, Bolln, Case, Franse, Frederick, Gates, +Hollman, Jackson of Douglas, King, Lamb, Laughlin, McShane, Moore +of Otoe, Mullen, Overton, Peterson, Putney, Sears, Wells, Whedon, +Ziegler and Mr. Speaker—22.</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> At this time the valuable information from Wyoming +with which Nebraska was afterwards flooded; letters from Gov. Hoyt, +editorials from leading papers of the territory, and testimony from +every reputable source, had not been gathered; but two members of +the House, J. H. Helm and Church Howe, had been residents of +Wyoming, and these cheerfully gave their assurance that only good +had resulted from the enfranchisement of the women of Wyoming.</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> Those voting in the affirmative were: Messrs. Baker, +Burns (of Dodge), Burns (of York), Coon, Daily, Dinsmore, Doane, +Evans, Gere, Graham, Harrington, Morse, Perkins, Pierce, Powers, +Smith, Tefft, Turner, Van Wyck, Wells, Wherry and White—22. Those +voting in the negative were: Messrs. Ballentine, Cady, Ervin, Howe, +Myers, Taylor, Turk and Zehrung—8. Two of these names cannot stand +in the roll of honor without an explanation; for twenty votes +indicate the full strength of the bill. The irrelevance of +opponents was illustrated by Senators Morse and Pierce. The former +in voting said, he had opposed the measure every step of the way, +and now to be consistent he voted aye. Senator Pierce said he had +been watching the other side of the capitol and nothing there +seemed popular but whiskey and women, therefore, he voted aye!</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> The speakers of this convention were Clara Bewick +Colby, acting president; Mr. Sattler, who gave the welcome; Ada M. +Bittenbender, Esther L. Warner, Judge I. N. Taylor, Mrs. M. E. +Vandermark, Rev. Haywood and Professor Wood of Nebraska City +College. The latter spoke in English in the afternoon, and in +German, his native tongue, in the evening. The announcement that he +would do so drew a large number of his countrymen. One of these was +allowed the floor by request, when he soundly berated (in German) +the women as opposed to foreigners, while at the same time he tried +to weaken Professor Wood's argument by saying it was to be +attributed to an American wife. It was reported that the marked +contrast between the speakers was commented on by resident Germans +greatly to the disadvantage of their fellow-townsman.</p></div> + +<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 officers elected were: <i>President</i>, Ada M. +Bittenbender; <i>Vice-President</i>, Clara Bewick Colby; <i>Secretary</i>, +Belle G. Bigelow; <i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, Gertrude M. McDowell; +<i>Treasurer</i>, Lucinda Russell; <i>Executive Committee</i>, Harriet S. +Brooks, E. M. Correll, Susie Noble Fifield, George B. Skinner, Rev. +John McNamara, Jennie F. Holmes; <i>Vice-Presidents of Judicial +Districts</i>—First, Barbara J. Thompson; second, Dr. Ruth M. Wood; +third, Orpha Clement Dinsmoor; fourth, Ada Van Pelt; fifth, Mrs. H. +S. Sydenham.</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> Most of the speakers spent several weeks in the +State. Mrs. Helen M. Gougar, Mrs. May Wright Sewall, Mrs. Saxon, +Mrs. Blake, Mrs. Harbert, Mrs. Shattuck, Mrs. Neyman, Miss Anthony, +Miss Couzins and Miss Hindman were the principal National speakers, +and their ability and zeal aroused the whole State. Mrs. Colby was +indefatigable in her exertions from the moment the amendment was +submitted to the end of the canvass. Mrs. Colby and Miss Rachel +Foster organized the whole campaign throughout the State, and kept +all the speakers in motion.—[S. B. 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> For further details of the closing scenes, see Vol. +III. page <a href="#Page_241">241</a>.</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> <i>Yeas</i>—Brown (Clay), Brown (Colfax), Butler, +Canfield, Conklin, Dolan, Dunphy, Harrison, Heist, McShane, Norris, +Patterson, Rogers, Sang, Schönheit, Sowers, Thatch and Walker—18. +Senator Butler voted with these for the purpose of being able to +move a reconsideration. <i>Nays</i>—Bomgardner, Brown (Douglas), +Conner, Dye, Filley and Reynolds—6. <i>Absent</i>—Barker, Brown +(Lancaster), Case, Dech, Fisher, Harris, Kinkaid and Rich.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_696" id="Page_696">[Pg 696]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_L" id="CHAPTER_L"></a>CHAPTER L.</h2> + +<h3>KANSAS.</h3> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>Effect of the Popular Vote on Woman Suffrage—Anna C. +Wait—Hannah Wilson—Miss Kate Stephens, Professor of Greek in +State University—Lincoln Centre Society, 1879—The Press—The +Lincoln <i>Beacon</i>—Election, 1880—Sarah A. Brown, Democratic +Candidate—Fourth of July Celebration—Women Voting on the School +Question—State Society, 1884—Helen M. Gougar—Clara Bewick +Colby—Bertha H. Ellsworth—Radical Reform Association—Mrs. A. +G. Lord—Prudence Crandall—Clarina Howard Nichols—Laws—Women +in the Professions—Schools—Political Parties—Petitions to the +Legislature—Col. F. G. Adams' Letter. </p> +</div> + + +<p><span class="sc">We</span> closed the chapter on Kansas in Vol. II. with the submission and +defeat of the woman suffrage amendment, leaving the advocates of +the measure so depressed with the result that several years elapsed +before any further attempts were made to reorganize their forces +for the agitation of the question. This has been the experience of +the friends in every State where the proposition has been submitted +to a vote of the electors—alike in Michigan, Colorado, Nebraska +and Oregon—offering so many arguments in favor of the +enfranchisement of woman by a simple act of the legislature, where +the real power of the people is primarily represented. We have so +many instances on record of the exercise of this power by the +legislatures of the several States in the regulation of the +suffrage, that there can be no doubt that the sole responsibility +in securing this right to the women of a State rests with the +legislature, or with congress in passing a sixteenth amendment that +should override all State action in protecting the rights of United +States citizens.</p> + +<p>We are indebted to Anna C. Wait for most of the interesting facts +of this chapter. She writes:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I watched with intense interest from my home in Ohio, the +progress of the woman suffrage idea in Kansas in the campaign of +1867, and although temporary defeat was the result, yet the moral +grandeur displayed by the people in seeking to make their +constitution an embodiment of the principle of American liberty, +decided me to become a citizen of that young and beautiful State. +Gov. Harvey's message was at that time attracting much attention +and varied comments by the press. For the benefit of those<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_697" id="Page_697">[Pg 697]</a></span> who +have not studied the whole history of the cause, we give the +following extracts from his message, published February 9, 1871:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The tendency of this age is towards a civil policy wherein +political rights will not be affected by social or ethnological +distinctions; and from the moral nature of mankind and the +experience of States, we may infer that restrictions merely +arbitrary and conventional, like those based upon color and sex, +cannot last much longer than they are desired, and cannot be +removed much sooner than they should be. This consideration +should give patience to the reformer, and resignation to the +conservative.</p> + +<p>Let us have a true republic—a "government of the people, by the +people, for the people," and we shall hear no more the +oligarchical cry of croaking conservatism calling for a "white +man's government"—appealing by this, and like slogans of class +and caste to the lowest and meanest principles of human nature, +dangerous alike to real republicanism and true democracy. +Expediency, that great pretext for the infringement of human +rights, no longer justifies us in the retention of a monopoly of +political power in our own favored class of "white male +citizens." </p></blockquote> + +<p>In the summer of 1871, Mr. Wait and myself removed to Salina, where +Mrs. Hannah Wilson resided. She was the only person in this section +of Kansas I ever heard of doing any suffrage work between the years +of 1867 and 1877. She was a woman of great force of character, and +a strong advocate of suffrage. She was born in Hamilton county, +Ohio, and came to Salina in 1870. After Miss Anthony lectured in +that city in 1877, Mrs. Wilson circulated petitions to the +legislature and to congress. She was also active and aggressive in +the temperance cause. When she learned of the Lincoln <i>Beacon</i>, and +its advocacy of woman suffrage, she wrote an article for the paper, +and accompanied it with a kind letter and the price of a year's +subscription. Mrs. Wilson was a Quaker, and in her dress and +address strictly adhered to the peculiarites of that sect.</p> + +<p>Miss Kate Stephens, professor of Greek in the Kansas State +University, writes that she has made diligent search during the +past summer among the libraries of Topeka and Lawrence for record +of suffrage work since the campaign of 1867, and finds absolutely +nothing, so that I am reduced to the necessity of writing, +principally, of our little efforts here in central Kansas. In the +intensely interesting letters of Mesdames Helen Ekin Starrett, +Susan E. Wattles, Dr. R. S. Tenney and Hon. J. P. Root, in Vol. +II., all written since 1880, I find no mention of any woman +suffrage organizations. Mrs. Wattles, of Mound City, says: "My work +has been very limited. I have only been able to circulate tracts +and papers"; and she enumerates all the woman suffrage papers ever +published in America, which she had taken and given away. A quiet, +unobtrusive method of work, but one of the most effective; and +doubtless to the sentiment created and fostered by this sowing of +suffrage literature by Mrs. Wattles, is largely due the wonderful +revival which has swept like one of our own prairie fires over +south-eastern Kansas during the past year; a sentiment so strong as +to need but "a live coal from off the altar" to kindle into a blaze +of enthusiasm. This it received in the earnest eloquence of Mrs. +Helen M. Gougar, who has twice visited that portion of the State. +All these writers express their faith in a growing interest in the +suffrage cause, and, some of them, the belief that if the question +were again submitted to a vote of the people, it would carry.</p> + +<p>In our State suffrage convention, June, 1884, among the demands +which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_698" id="Page_698">[Pg 698]</a></span> we resolved to make of our incoming legislature, was the +submission of an amendment striking out the word "male" from the +State constitution. For myself, I entertained no hope that it would +succeed further than as a means of agitation and education. On +reflection, I hope it will not be done. The women of Kansas have +once been subjected to the humiliation of having their political +disabilities perpetuated by the vote of the "rank and file" of our +populace. While I believe the growth of popular opinion in favor of +equality of rights for women has nowhere been more rapid than in +Kansas, yet I do not lose sight of the fact that thousands of +foreigners are each year added to the voting population, whose +ballots in the aggregate defeat the will of our enlightened, +American-born citizens. Besides, it is a too convenient way for a +legislature to shirk its own responsibility. If the demand is made, +I hope it may be done in connection with that for municipal and +presidential suffrage.</p> + +<p>The history of the woman suffrage organizations in Kansas since +1867, may be briefly told. The first owes its existence to one copy +of the <i>National Citizen and Ballot-Box</i> subscribed for by my +husband, W. S. Wait, who by the merest chance heard Miss Anthony +deliver her famous lecture, "Woman wants Bread, not the Ballot," in +Salina, in November, 1877. The paper was religiously read by Mrs. +Emily J. Biggs and myself; although we did not need conversion, +both being radical in our ideas on this question, we had long felt +the need of something being done which would fix public attention +and provoke discussion. This was all we felt ourselves competent to +do, and the knowledge that nobody else in our section of the +country would do it, coupled with the inspiration of the <i>National +Citizen</i>, culminated, in November 1879, in sending to the <i>Saline +Valley Register</i>, George W. Anderson, editor and proprietor, a +notice for a meeting of women for the purpose of organizing a +suffrage society. In response to the call, Mrs. Emily J. Biggs, +Mrs. Sarah E. Lutes, and Mrs. Wait, met November 11, 1879, at the +house of A. T. Biggs, and organized the Lincoln Auxiliary of the +National Association. We elected a full corps of officers from +among ladies whom we believed to be favorable, interviewed them for +their approval, and sent a full report of the meeting to be +published as a matter of news in the <i>Register</i>, which had given +our call without comment. The editor had a few weeks previously +bought the paper, and we were totally ignorant in regard to his +position upon the question. We were not long left in doubt, for the +fact that we had actually organized in a way which showed that we +understood ourselves, and meant business, had the effect to elicit +from his pen a scurrilous article, in which he called us "the three +noble-hearted women," classed us with "free-lovers," called us +"monstrosities, neither men nor women," and more of the same sort. +Of course, the effect of this upon the community was to array all +true friends of the cause on our side, to bring the opposition, +made bold by the championship of such a gallant leader, to the +front, and cause the faint-hearted to take to the fence. And here +we had the discussion opened up in a manner which, had we foreseen, +I fear our courage would have been inadequate to the demand. But +not for one moment did we entertain a thought of retreating. +Knowing that if we maintained silence, the enemy would consider us +vanquished, I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_699" id="Page_699">[Pg 699]</a></span> wrote an article for his paper, quoting largely from +Walker's American Law, which he published; and Mrs. Biggs also +furnished him an article in which she showed him up in a manner so +ludicrous and sarcastic that he got rid of printing it by setting +it up full of mistakes which he manufactured himself, and sending +her the proof with the information that if he published it at all, +it would be in that form. It appeared the following week, however, +in the first number of <i>The Argus</i>, a Democratic paper, Ira C. +Lutes, editor and proprietor, in which we at once secured a column +for the use of our society. About a dozen ladies attended our +second meeting, at which the following resolutions were unanimously +adopted, all the ladies present being allowed to vote:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The local newspaper is adjudged, by common consent, to +be the exponent of the intelligence, refinement, and culture of a +community, and, in a large degree, the educator of the rising +generation; and</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, In one issue of the Lincoln <i>Register</i> there appears no +fewer than forty-seven misspelled words, with numerous errors in +grammatical construction and punctuation; also a scurrilous +article headed "Woman vs. Man," in which the editor not only +grossly misrepresents us, but assails the characters of all +advocates of suffrage everywhere in a manner which shocks the +moral sense of every true lady and gentleman in this community; +therefore</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That this association present the editor of the +<i>Register</i> with a copy of some standard English spelling-book, +and English Language Lessons, for his especial use.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That as he has been so kind as to offer his advice to +us, unsolicited, we reciprocate the favor by admonishing him to +confine himself to facts in future, and to remember that the +people of Lincoln are capable of appreciating truth and common +decency.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That a copy of these resolutions be furnished the +editor of the Lincoln <i>Register</i>, with the books above named. </p></blockquote> + +<p>This was promptly done, and so enraged him that the following week +he published a tirade of abuse consisting of brazen falsehoods, +whereupon a gentleman called a halt, by faithfully promising to +chastise him if he did not desist, which had the desired effect so +far as his paper was concerned.</p> + +<p>W. S. Wait bought the <i>Argus</i> at the end of four months, changed +its politics to Republican, and its name to the Lincoln <i>Beacon</i>, +in which I established a woman suffrage department, under the head +of "Woman as a Citizen," with one of Lucretia Mott's favorite +mottoes, "Truth for Authority, and not Authority for Truth"; and +weekly, for six years, it has gone to a constantly increasing +circle of readers, and contributed its share to whatever strength +and influence the cause has gained in this portion of the State. In +the summer of 1880, G. W. Anderson announced himself a candidate +for the legislature. He had just before made himself especially +obnoxious by shockingly indecent remarks about the ladies who had +participated in the exercises of the Fourth of July celebration. At +a meeting of the suffrage society, held August 6, the following +resolution, suggested by Mrs. S. E. Lutes, were unanimously +adopted:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, We, as responsible members of society, and guardians of +the purity of our families and community, are actuated by a sense +of duty and our accountability to God for the faithful +performance of it; and</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, George W. Anderson, editor and proprietor of the Lincoln +<i>Register</i>, during his few months' residence in our county has, +by constant calumny and scurrility,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_700" id="Page_700">[Pg 700]</a></span> both verbal and through the +columns of his paper, sought to injure the reputation of the +honorable women who compose the Lincoln suffrage and temperance +associations, and of all women everywhere who sympathize with the +aims and purposes which these societies represent; and</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, His utterances through the columns of the Lincoln +<i>Register</i> are often unfit to be read by any child, or aloud in +any family, because of their indecency, we are unanimously of the +opinion that his course is calculated to defeat the aims and +purposes of Christianity, temperance and morality; therefore</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That whenever George W. Anderson aspires to any +position of honor, trust or emolument in the gift of the voters +of Lincoln county, we will use all honorable means in our power +to defeat him; and we further urge upon every woman who has the +welfare of our county at heart, the duty and necessity of +coöperating with us to accomplish this end. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The above preamble and resolution appeared in the woman's column of +the Lincoln <i>Beacon</i> the following week, and 250 copies were +printed in the form of hand-bills and distributed to the +twenty-three post-offices in Lincoln county. It did not prevent his +election, and we did not expect it would, but we believed it our +duty to enter our protest against the perpetration of this outrage +upon the moral sense of those who knew him best. We ignored him in +the legislature, sending our petitions asking that body to +recommend to congress the adoption of the sixteenth amendment, to +Hon. S. C. Millington of Crawford, who had come to our notice that +winter by offering a woman suffrage resolution in the House. In +1882 Anderson sought a second indorsement as a candidate for the +legislature, but that portion of the community which he really +represented had become disgusted with him; he struggled against +fate with constantly waning patronage for another year, when he +succumbed to the inevitable and sought a new field, a wiser if a +sadder man. His mantle has fallen upon E. S. Bower, whose capacity +and style were graphically portrayed in caustic rhyme by Mrs. +Ellsworth, making him the target for the wit of the women long +after.</p> + +<p>I have given more space and prominence to these two editors than +they merit, but the influence of a local newspaper is not to be +despised, however despicable the editor and his paper may be; and +it takes no small degree of courage to face such an influence as +that exerted in this county by the one in question, which, I am +happy to say, has gradually dwindled, until to-day it is too +trifling, both in extent and character, to deserve recognition.</p> + +<p>Six years ago I do not believe there was a paper in the State of +Kansas which contained a woman suffrage department, and we rarely +saw any reference whatever to the subject; now, within a radius of +fifty miles of Lincoln Centre, fully two-thirds of all newspapers +published have a column devoted to suffrage or temperance, or both, +edited by women. The reason this is not true of the press of the +entire State is because our indefatigable corresponding secretary, +Mrs. Bertha H. Ellsworth, has not yet had sufficient time to +personally present the matter; but there has been such a growth on +the subject that by the press generally it seems to be accepted as +one of the living issues of the day. A very efficient agency in +bringing about this desirable result was the printed column, +entitled "Concerning Women," sent out gratis every week during<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_701" id="Page_701">[Pg 701]</a></span> the +year 1882, by Mrs. Lucy Stone, from the office of <i>The Woman's +Journal</i>, to all newspapers that would publish it. Many Kansas +editors availed themselves of this generous offer, greatly to the +advantage of their patrons and themselves.</p> + +<p>But to return to the Lincoln Woman Suffrage Association. The first +year our membership increased to twenty-seven; the second, to +forty, including six gentlemen. We did not invite gentlemen to join +the first year; owing to the character and attitude of the +opposition, we preferred to demonstrate our ability to conduct the +affairs of the society without masculine assistance. During our six +years' existence we have enrolled eighty members, eighteen of whom +are gentlemen. Of this number, forty-five women and fourteen men +still reside in Lincoln county. We have held, on an average, one +parlor meeting a month and ten public meetings.</p> + +<p>In 1880, Mesdames Emily J. Biggs, Mary Crawford, Bertha H. +Ellsworth and myself were assigned places on the programme for the +Fourth of July celebration, after solicitation by a committee from +our society. To me was assigned the reading of the Declaration of +Independence, and I embraced the opportunity of interspersing a few +remarks not found in that honored document, to the delight of our +friends and the disgust of our foes. The other ladies all made +original, excellent and well-timed addresses. In 1881 we got up the +Fourth of July celebration<a name="FNanchor_475_475" id="FNanchor_475_475"></a><a href="#Footnote_475_475" class="fnanchor">[475]</a> ourselves, and gave the men half +the programme without their asking for it. In 1883 we had a +"Foremothers' Day" celebration, and confined the programme to our +own society. In September, 1882, the society sent the writer as +delegate to the annual meeting of the National Woman Suffrage +Association, held at Omaha, Nebraska; and in March, 1884, we sent +Bertha H. Ellsworth to the Washington convention in the same +capacity. Our society has taken an active part in the annual school +district elections in Lincoln Centre. In the last five elections we +have been twice defeated and three times successful. Our defeats we +claimed as victories, inasmuch as we forced our opponents to bring +out all their friends to outvote us. Fifty per cent. of all the +votes cast at the last three elections were by women. Only twelve +women in the town failed to vote in 1884. This increase is general +all over the State; and, although we have only once tried in +Lincoln Centre to elect a woman, and then failed, yet very<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_702" id="Page_702">[Pg 702]</a></span> many of +the country districts have one, some two women on the school-board, +and at one time all three members in one district were women. That +they are honest, capable and efficient is the verdict in every +case.</p> + +<p>In the spring of 1881, Mrs. Emily J. Biggs organized the Stanton +Suffrage Society, eight miles from Lincoln Centre, with a +membership of over twenty, more than half of whom were gentlemen. +Mesdames Mary Baldwin, N. Good, T. Faulkner, M. Biggs, Mrs. Swank +and others were the leading spirits. All their meetings are public, +and are held in the school-house. Through this society that portion +of the county has become well leavened with suffrage sentiment. +Failing health alone has prevented Mrs. Biggs from carrying this +school district organization to all parts of the county and beyond +its limits, as she has been urgently invited to do. "Instant in +season and out of season" with a word for the cause, she has, +individually, reached more people with the subject than any other +half-dozen women in the society. Her pen, too, has done good +service. Over the <i>nom de plume</i> of "Nancy," in the <i>Beacon</i>, she +has dealt telling blows to our ancient adversary, the <i>Register</i>. +In October, 1882, the writer went by invitation to Ellsworth and +organized a society<a name="FNanchor_476_476" id="FNanchor_476_476"></a><a href="#Footnote_476_476" class="fnanchor">[476]</a> auxiliary to the National, composed of +excellent material, but too timid to do more than hold its own +until the summer of 1884, when Mrs. Gougar, and later, Mrs. Colby, +lectured there, soon after which Mrs. Ellsworth canvassed the town +with literature and a petition for municipal suffrage, which was +signed by eighty of the eighty-five women to whom it was presented, +showing that there was either a great deal of original suffrage +sentiment there, or that the society had exerted a large amount of +"silent influence." In October, 1883, Mrs. Helen M. Gougar came to +fill some lecture engagements in the southeastern part of the +State. During this visit she organized several clubs.<a name="FNanchor_477_477" id="FNanchor_477_477"></a><a href="#Footnote_477_477" class="fnanchor">[477]</a></p> + +<p>In June, 1884, Mrs. Gougar again visited Kansas, lecturing for a +month in different parts of the State. She drew large audiences and +made many converts. A suffrage society was organized at Emporia, +Miss M. J. Watson, president. The active friends availed themselves +of her assistance to call a State Suffrage Convention, which met in +the Senate chamber in Topeka, June 25, 26, and organized a State +Association.<a name="FNanchor_478_478" id="FNanchor_478_478"></a><a href="#Footnote_478_478" class="fnanchor">[478]</a> Mrs. Gougar, by the unanimous vote of the +convention, presided, and dispatched business with her +characteristic ability. In view of all the circumstances, this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_703" id="Page_703">[Pg 703]</a></span> +convention and its results were highly satisfactory. The attendance +was not large, but the fact that the call was issued from Topeka to +the press of the State but eight days before the convention met, +and probably did not reach half the papers in time for one +insertion, accounts for the absence of a crowd. Some even in Topeka +learned that the convention was in progress barely in time to reach +its last session. Reporters for the Topeka <i>Capital</i>, the Topeka +<i>Commonwealth</i> and Kansas City <i>Journal</i> attended all the day +sessions of the convention, and gave full and fair reports of the +proceedings. After the adjournment of the State convention, the +women of Topeka formed a city society. The corresponding secretary, +Mrs. Ellsworth, with Mrs. Clara B. Colby, made an extensive +circuit, lecturing and organizing societies. They were everywhere +cordially welcomed.<a name="FNanchor_479_479" id="FNanchor_479_479"></a><a href="#Footnote_479_479" class="fnanchor">[479]</a></p> + +<p>Kansas has a flourishing Women's Christian Temperance Union which +at its last annual meeting adopted a strong woman suffrage +resolution; Miss O. P. Bray of Topeka is its superintendent of +franchise. Mrs. Emma Molloy of Washington, both upon the rostrum +and through her paper, the official organ of the State Union, ably +and fearlessly advocates woman suffrage as well as prohibition, and +makes as many converts to the former as to the latter.</p> + +<p>Mrs. A. G. Lord did a work worthy of mention in the formation of +the Radical Reform Christian Association, for young men and boys, +taking their pledge to neither swear, use tobacco nor drink +intoxicating liquors. A friend says of Mrs. Lord:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Like all true reformers she has met even more than the usual +share of opposition and persecution, and mostly because she is a +woman and a licensed preacher of the Methodist church in Kansas. +She was a preacher for three years, but refuses to be any longer +because, she says, under the discipline as it now is, the church +has no right to license a woman to preach. Trying to do her work +inside the church in which she was born and reared, she has had +to combat not only the powers of darkness outside the church, but +also the most contemptible opposition, amounting in several +instances to bitter persecutions, from the ministers of her own +denomination with whom she has been associated in her work as a +preacher; and through it all she has toiled on, manifesting only +the most patient, forgiving spirit, and the broadest, most +Christ-like charity. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The R. R. C. A. has been in existence two and a half years, and has +already many hundreds of members in this and adjoining counties, +through the indefatigable zeal of its founder. Mitchell county has +the honor of numbering among its many enterprising women the only +woman who is a mail contractor in the United States, Mrs. Myra +Peterson, a native of New Hampshire. The <i>Woman's Tribune</i> of +November, 1884, contains the following brief sketch of a grand +historic character:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Marianna T. Folsom is lecturing in Kansas on woman suffrage. She +gives an interesting account of a visit to Mrs. Prudence Crandall +Philleo. Miss Crandall over<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_704" id="Page_704">[Pg 704]</a></span> fifty years ago allowed a girl with +colored blood in her veins to attend her young ladies' school in +Connecticut. On account of the social disturbance because of +this, she dismissed the white girls and made her school one for +colored pupils. Protests were followed by indictments, and these +by mobbings, until she was obliged to give up her school. For her +fortitude, the Anti-Slavery Society had her portrait painted. It +became the property of Rev. Samuel J. May, who donated it to +Cornell University when opened to women. Miss Crandall married, +but has now been a widow many years. She is in her eighty-third +year, and is vigorous in mind and body, having been able to +deliver the last Fourth of July oration at Elk Falls, Kan., where +she now lives and advocates woman suffrage and temperance. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In the introduction to <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_171"> +Chapter VII., Vol. I.</a>, of this history, +appears this sentence: "To Clarina Howard Nichols<a name="FNanchor_480_480" id="FNanchor_480_480"></a><a href="#Footnote_480_480" class="fnanchor">[480]</a> the women of +Kansas are indebted for many civil rights which they have as yet +been too apathetic to exercise." Uncomplimentary as this statement +is, I must admit its truthfulness as applied to a large majority of +our women of culture and leisure, those who should have availed +themselves of the privileges already theirs and labored for what +the devotion of Mrs. Nichols made attainable. They have neither +done this, nor tried to enlighten their less favored sisters +throughout the State, the great mass of whom are obliged to exert +every energy of body and mind to furnish food, clothes and shelter +for themselves and children. Probably fully four-fifths of the +women of Kansas never have heard of Clarina Howard Nichols; while a +much larger number do know that our laws favor women more than +those of other States, and largely avail themselves of the school +ballot. The readiness with which the rank and file of our women +assent to the truth when it is presented to them, indicates that +their inaction results not so much from apathy and indifference as +from a lack of means and opportunity. Among all the members of all +the woman suffrage societies in Central Kansas, I know of but just +one woman of leisure—one who is not obliged to make a personal +sacrifice of some kind each time she attends a meeting or pays a +dollar into the treasury. Section 6, Article XV., of the +constitution of Kansas reads:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The legislature shall provide for the protection of the rights of +women, in acquiring and possessing property, real, personal, and +mixed, separate and apart from her husband; and shall also +provide for their equal rights in the possession of their +children. In accordance with the true spirit of this section, our +statute provides that the law of descents and distributions as +regards the property of either husband or wife is the same; and +the interests of one in the property of the other are the same +with each; and that the common-law principles of estates of +dower, and by courtesy are abolished.<a name="FNanchor_481_481" id="FNanchor_481_481"></a><a href="#Footnote_481_481" class="fnanchor">[481]</a> </p></blockquote> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 407px;"> +<a name="v3_704" id="v3_704"> +<img src="images/v3_704.jpg" width="407" height="500" alt=""The world needs women who do their own thinking. +Cordially yours, Helen M. Gougar"" title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p>The rights of husband and wife in the control of their respective +properties, both real and personal, are identical, as provided +for in sections 1, 2, 3, and 4. Chapter 62, page 539, compiled +laws of Kansas, 1878:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Section 1.</span> The property, real and personal, which any woman in +this State may own at the time of her marriage, and the rents, +issues, profits, and proceeds thereof,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_705" id="Page_705">[Pg 705]</a></span> and any real, personal, +or mixed property which shall come to her by descent, devise, or +bequest, or the gift of any person except her husband, shall +remain her sole and separate property, notwithstanding her +marriage, and not be subject to the disposal of her husband, or +liable for his debts.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec</span>. 2. A married woman, while the marriage relation subsists, +may bargain, sell and convey her real and personal property, and +enter into any contract with reference to the same, in the same +manner, to the same extent, and with like effect as a married man +may in relation to his real and personal property.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec</span>. 3. A woman may, while married, sue and be sued, in the same +manner as if unmarried.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec</span>. 4. Any married woman may carry on any trade or business, and +perform any labor or services, on her sole and separate account, +and the earnings of any married woman from her trade, business, +labor or services, shall be her sole and separate property, and +may be used and invested by her in her own name. </p></blockquote> + +<p>It is a fact worthy of note that the above legislation, also the +passage of the law of descents and distributions, immediately +followed the woman suffrage campaign of 1867.</p> + +<p>In 1880, the Democrats of Kansas, in their State convention at +Topeka, nominated Miss Sarah A. Brown of Douglas county, for +superintendent of public instruction, the first instance on record +of a woman receiving a nomination from one of the leading political +parties for a State office. The following is Miss Brown's letter of +acceptance:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"> +<span class="smcap">Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction</span>, Douglas Co., Kansas, }<br /> +<span class="smcap">Lawrence</span>, Kansas, Sept. 30, 1880. }</p> + +<p><i>To Hon. John Martin, Topeka, Kansas, Chairman of the State +Democratic Central Committee:</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>:—I am in receipt of your communication of August 30, +advising me of the action of the Democratic convention of August +26, in nominating me as their candidate for State superintendent +of public instruction.</p> + +<p>In making this nomination the Democratic party of Kansas has, +with a liberal and enlightened spirit, and with a generous +purpose, yielded to the tendency of the times, which demand equal +rights and equal opportunities for all the people, and it has +thus shown itself to be a party of progress. It has placed itself +squarely and unequivocally before the people upon this great and +vital question of giving to woman the right to work in any field +for which she may be fitted, thus placing our young and glorious +State in the foremost rank on this, as on the other questions of +reform.</p> + +<p>Furthermore, in nominating one who has no vote, and for this +reason cannot be considered in politics, and in doing this of its +own free will, without any solicitation on my part, the +Democratic party of this State has shown that it is in full +accord with the Jeffersonian doctrine that the office should seek +the man and not the man the office; and also that it fully +appreciates the fact which is conceded by all persons who have +thought much on educational matters, that the best interests of +our schools demand that the office of superintendent, both of the +State and county, should be as far as possible disconnected from +politics, and it has done what it could to rescue the office from +the vortex of mere partisan strife. For this reason I accept the +nomination, thanking the party for the honor it has conferred +upon me.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF sc">Sarah A. Brown.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Respectfully,</p> + +</blockquote> + + +<p>Miss Brown was defeated. The vote of the State showed the average +Democrat unable to overcome his time-rusted prejudices sufficiently +to vote for a woman to fill the highest educational office in the +gift of the people, so that Miss Brown's minority was smaller even +than that of the regular Democratic ticket.</p> + +<p>January 21, 1881, Hon. S. C. Millington of Crawford county +introduced in the House a joint resolution providing for the +submission to the legal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_706" id="Page_706">[Pg 706]</a></span> voters of the State of Kansas of a +proposition to amend the constitution so as to admit of female +suffrage. The vote on the adoption of the resolution stood 51 ayes +and 31 noes in the House, and a tie in the Senate. Later in the +same session, Hon. A. C. Pierce of Davis county introduced in the +House a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the constitution +which should confer the right of suffrage on any one over 21 years +of age who had resided in the State six months. Mr. Hackney of +Cowley county, introduced a like resolution in the Senate.</p> + +<p>In December, 1881, Governor St. John appointed Mrs. Cora M. Downs +one of the regents of the State University at Lawrence. In 1873, +Mrs. Rice was elected to the office of county clerk of Harper +county, and Miss Alice Junken to the office of recorder of deeds, +in Davis county. In 1885 Miss Junken was reëlected by a majority of +500 over her competitor, Mrs. Fleming, while Trego county gave a +unanimous vote for Miss Ada Clift as register of deeds.</p> + +<p>In proportion to her population Kansas has as many women in the +professions as any of the older States. We have lawyers, +physicians, preachers and editors, and the number is constantly +increasing. In Topeka there are eight practicing physicians, +holding diplomas from medical colleges, and two or three who are +not graduates. In the Woman's Medical College of Chicago, Kansas +now has four representatives—Mrs. Sallie A. Goff of Lincoln, Miss +Thomas of Olathe, Miss Cunningham of Garnett, and Miss Gilman of +Pittsburg.</p> + +<p>All female persons over the age of twenty-one years are entitled to +vote at any school-district meeting on the same terms as men.</p> + +<p>The right of a woman to hold any office, State (except member of +the legislature), county, township or school-district, in the State +of Kansas, is the same as that of a man. In 1882, six counties, +viz., Chase, Cherokee, Greenwood, Labette, Pawnee, and Woodson, +elected women as superintendents of public instruction.</p> + +<blockquote><p>Section 23, Article II., Constitution of Kansas, reads: "The +legislature, in providing for the formation and regulation of +schools, shall make no distinction between males and females." </p></blockquote> + +<p>Under the legislation based upon this clause of our constitution, +males and females have equal privileges in all schools controlled +by the State. The latest report of the State superintendent of +public instruction shows that over one-half of the pupils of the +Normal school, about two-fifths in the University, and nearly +one-third in the Agricultural College, are females.</p> + +<p>In the private institutions of learning, including both +denominational and unsectarian, over one-half of the students are +females who study in the same classes as the males, except in +Washburn college which has a separate course for ladies.</p> + +<p>Most of these institutions have one woman, or more, in their +faculties. One-half of the faculty of the State University is +composed of women. In the last report of the State superintendent +is the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The ratio of female teachers is greater than ever before, some 69 +per cent. of the entire number employed. It is, indeed, a matter +of congratulation that the work of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_707" id="Page_707">[Pg 707]</a></span> the schools, especially the +primary teaching, is falling more and more to the care of women. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The Republican State convention of 1882, by an overwhelming +majority endorsed woman suffrage, which action the Lincoln W. S. A. +promptly recognized as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The Republican party of the State of Kansas, by and +through its chosen representatives in the Republican State +convention at Topeka, August 9, 1882, did, by an overwhelming +majority, pledge itself to the support of the principle of woman +suffrage by the following:</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we request the next legislature to submit such +an amendment to the constitution of the State as will secure to +woman the right of suffrage. And,</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, By this action the Republican party of Kansas has placed +itself in line with the advanced thought of the times in a manner +worthy a great political party of the last quarter of the +nineteenth century, thereby proving itself worthy the respect and +confidence of the women of the State; therefore,</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the Lincoln Woman Suffrage Association, in +behalf of the women of Kansas, does hereby express thanks to the +Republican party for this recognition of the political rights of +the women of the State, and especially to the Hon. J. C. Root of +Wyandotte, Hon. Hackney of Winfield, Col. Graves of Montgomery, +and Gen. Kelly, for their able and fearless support of the +measure, and to each and every member of the convention who voted +for it. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1883. Senator Hackney introduced a bill of which we find the +following in the <i>Topeka Capital</i> of that date:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Senate bill No. 46, being Senator Hackney's, an act to provide +for the submission of the question of female suffrage to the +women of Kansas, was taken up, the reading thereof being greeted +with applause. It provides that at the general election in 1883 +the women of the State shall decide, by ballot, whether they want +suffrage or not. Senator Hackney made an address to the Senate +upon the bill, saying he believed in giving women the same rights +as men had. The last Republican platform declared in favor of +woman suffrage, and those Republicans who opposed the platform +said they believed the women of the State should have their say +about it; the Democratic platform said the same as the dissenters +from the Republican. Several humorous amendments were made to the +bill. Senator Kelley favored the bill because there were a great +many women in the State who wanted to vote. He hoped the Senate +would not be so ungallant as to vote the bill down. Senator Sluss +moved the recommendation be made that the bill be rejected. +Carried. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The Republican State convention of 1884 ignored the woman suffrage +question. The Anti-monopoly (Greenback) party State convention, of +August 1884, placed in its platform the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>That we believe the advancing civilization of the past quarter of +the nineteenth century demands that woman should have equal pay +for equal work, and equal laws with man to secure her equal +rights, and that she is justly entitled to the ballot. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Fanny Randolph of Emporia, was nominated by acclamation for +State superintendent of public instruction, by this convention. The +Prohibition State convention, in session in Lawrence, September 2, +1884, placed the following plank in its platform:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We believe that women have the same right to vote as men, and in +the language of the Republican State platform of two years ago, +we request the next legislature to submit such an amendment to +the constitution of the State as will secure to woman the right +of suffrage. </p></blockquote> + +<p>This year we sent from Lincoln a petition with 175 names asking for +a resolution recommending to congress the adoption of the +sixteenth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_708" id="Page_708">[Pg 708]</a></span> amendment. The results of the election of 1884, showed +quite a gain for women in county offices. There are now eleven +superintendents of public instruction, several registers of deeds, +and county clerks. The number of lawyers,<a name="FNanchor_482_482" id="FNanchor_482_482"></a><a href="#Footnote_482_482" class="fnanchor">[482]</a> physicians, notaries +public, principals of schools, members of school-boards in cities +and school districts, is rapidly increasing, as is also the number +of women who vote in school-district elections. Miss Jessie +Patterson, who ran as an independent candidate for register of +deeds in Davis county, beat the regular Republican nominee 286 +votes, and the Democratic candidate 299 votes.</p> + +<p>The work of organizing suffrage societies has also progressed, +though not as rapidly as it should, for want of speakers and means +to carry it on. Through the efforts of Mrs. Laura M. Johns of +Salina, vice-president of the State society, several new and +flourishing clubs have been formed this summer in Saline county, so +that it is probably now the banner county in Kansas. The Lincoln +society is preparing to hold a fair in September, for the benefit +of the State association, which will hold its next annual +convention in October. Suffrage columns in newspapers are +multiplying and much stress is placed upon this branch of work. On +July 18, a convention was held to organize the Prohibition party in +Lincoln county. A cordial invitation was extended to women to +attend. Eight were present, and many more would have been had they +known of it. I was chosen secretary of the convention, and Mesdames +Ellsworth and Goff were appointed upon the platform committee, and +several of the central committee are women. The position of the new +party upon the question may be inferred from the following clauses +in its platform:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, By the Prohibition party of Lincoln county, Kansas, +in convention assembled, that the three vital issues before the +people to-day are prohibition, anti-monopoly, and woman suffrage.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we believe in the political equality of the +sexes, and we call on the legislature to submit such an amendment +to the people for adoption or rejection, to the constitution of +the State as will secure to women equal political rights. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Later the convention nominated me for register of deeds, and Dr. +Sallie A. Goff for coroner. I immediately engaged Miss Jennie Newby +of Tonganoxie, member of the executive committee and State +organizer of the Prohibition party of Kansas, to make a canvass of +the county with me in the interest of the party and the county +ticket. We held ten meetings and at all points visited made +converts to both prohibition and woman suffrage, though nothing was +said about the latter. There were two men on the ticket; one of +them received more votes than Dr. Goff and I did, and the other +fewer. Emma Faris ran independently for register of deeds in +Ellsworth county and received a handsome vote. It is no longer a +matter of much comment for a woman to run for an office in Kansas.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Gougar came again to Kansas in June to attend the third annual +meeting of the Radical Reform Christian Association, and spent a +month lecturing on woman suffrage and temperance.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_709" id="Page_709">[Pg 709]</a></span></p> + +<p>January 15, 16, 1885, the annual meeting of the State society was +held at Topeka. Large and enthusiastic audiences greeted Mrs. +Gougar on this, her third visit to Kansas. She remained at the +capital for several days, and largely through her efforts with +members of the legislature special committees were voted for in +both Houses to consider the interests of women. The measure was +carried in the House by a vote of 75 to 45.<a name="FNanchor_483_483" id="FNanchor_483_483"></a><a href="#Footnote_483_483" class="fnanchor">[483]</a> In the Senate it +was a tie, 19 to 19. The new committee<a name="FNanchor_484_484" id="FNanchor_484_484"></a><a href="#Footnote_484_484" class="fnanchor">[484]</a> through its chairman, +George Morgan of Clay, reported in favor of a bill for municipal +suffrage. It was so low on the calendar that there was no hope of +its being reached, but a motion was made to take it out of its +regular course, which was lost by 65 to 52.</p> + +<p>The second annual meeting of the State society was held at Salina, +October 28, 29, 1885. Mrs. Laura M. Johns gave the address of +welcome, to which Mrs. Anna C. Wait, the president, responded. +"Mother Bickerdyke,"<a name="FNanchor_485_485" id="FNanchor_485_485"></a><a href="#Footnote_485_485" class="fnanchor">[485]</a> who followed Sherman's army in its march +to the sea, was present and cheered all with her stirring words of +the work of women in the war.<a name="FNanchor_486_486" id="FNanchor_486_486"></a><a href="#Footnote_486_486" class="fnanchor">[486]</a> Her introduction was followed +with applause and the earnest attention to her remarks showed in +what high esteem she is held. She said that half the work of the +war was done by women, but she made no complaint, indeed no +mention, of the fact that these women had never been pensioned.</p> + +<p>As it may add force to some facts already stated to have them +repeated by one in authority, we give the following letter from the +secretary of the Kansas Historical Society: <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_710" id="Page_710">[Pg 710]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"> +<span class="smcap">Kansas Historical Society</span> Topeka, Nov. 26, 1885 +</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Miss Susan B. Anthony</span>, Rochester, N. Y.:</p> + +<p><i>My Dear Friend</i>:—In answer to your request for information upon +certain points bearing upon the subject of woman suffrage in +Kansas, I give the following:</p> + +<p>The women avail themselves quite generally of their privilege of +voting at the annual and special school district meetings, at +which district officers are elected, and all questions of taxes +and expenditures are voted on and settled. Women are, in many +instances, elected members of the board of school directors, and +thus are charged with the duty of employing teachers, with the +supervision of the schools, and with the general management of +the affairs of the district. Women vote on the question of the +issue of school district bonds, and thus they take part in +deciding whether new school houses shall be built and the +property of the districts be pledged for the future payment of +the cost of the same.</p> + +<p>In the chartered cities women do not generally vote for school +officers although, under the constitution, it is believed they +have the right to do so, and in one or more instances I am +informed they have done so, without the right being contested. In +cities, school officers are elected at general elections for +other city officers, for which women are not permitted to vote, +and as they cannot vote for all they generally do not choose to +vote for any. Women do not vote for either city, county, or State +superintendents, and it is not considered that under our +constitution they have the right to do so.</p> + +<p>In 1884, there were 4,915 women teaching in the State, and 1,936 +men. The average monthly wages of women was $32.85, and of men, +$40.70. There are at present twelve women holding the office of +county superintendent of public schools in the State. In 72 +counties the office is filled by men. Thus, of the 84 organized +counties of the State, one-seventh of the school superintendents +are women, who generally prove to be competent and efficient, and +the number elected is increasing.</p> + +<p>In one county, Harper, a woman holds the office of county clerk. +A young woman was recently elected to the office of register of +deeds, in Davis county. It is conceded that these two offices can +very appropriately be filled by women; and now that the movement +has begun, no doubt the number of those elected will increase at +recurring elections. Already, in numerous instances, women are +employed as deputies and assistants in these and other public +offices.</p> + +<p>The participation of women in school elections and their election +to membership of school district boards, are resulting in a +steady growth of sentiment in favor of woman suffrage, generally. +It is seen that in the decision of questions involving the proper +maintenance of schools, and the supplying of school apparatus, +women usually vote for liberal and judicious expenditures, and +make faithful school officers. Their failures are not those of +omission, as is so frequently the case with men holding these +offices. If they err in judgment, it is from a lack of that +business information and experience which women as non-voters +have had little opportunity to acquire, but which, under our +Kansas system is now rapidly being supplied.</p> + +<p>Among the influences tending to increase the suffrage sentiment +in Kansas, may be mentioned those growing out of the active part +women are taking in the discussion of political, economical, +moral and social questions, through their participation in the +proceedings of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, the State +Temperance Union, the Woman's Social Science Association, the +Kansas Academy of Science, the Grange, the State and local +Teachers' Associations, and many other organizations in which +women have come to perform so prominent a part. In these +organizations, and in the part they take in discussions, they +show their capacity to grapple with the political, social, and +scientific problems of the day, in such a manner as to +demonstrate their ability to perform the highest duties of +citizenship. Still the chief influence which is bringing about a +growth of opinion in favor of woman suffrage in Kansas, comes +from what has now become the actual, and I may say, the popular +and salutary practice of woman suffrage at school district +meetings. It is seen that the reasons which make it right and +expedient for women to vote on questions pertaining to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_711" id="Page_711">[Pg 711]</a></span> +education of their children, bear with little, if any, less force +upon the propriety of their voting upon all questions affecting +the public welfare.</p> + +<p>I think I may truly say to you that the tendencies in Kansas are +to the steady growth of sentiment in favor of woman suffrage. +This is so apparent that few of those even who do not believe in +its propriety or expediency now doubt that it will eventually be +adopted, and the political consequences fully brought to the test +of experience.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF sc">F. G. Adams.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Yours sincerely,</p> + +</blockquote> + +<p>The greatest obstacle to our speedy success in this State, as +elsewhere, is the ignorance and indifference of the women +themselves. But the earnestness and enthusiasm of the few, in their +efforts from year to year, cannot be wholly lost—the fires kindled +by that memorable campaign of 1867 are not dead, only slumbering, +to burst forth with renewed brilliancy in the dawn of the day that +brings liberty, justice, and equality for woman. </p></blockquote> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<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> In the centennial year, when protests were in order, +the following was sent to the National Association at Philadelphia, +describing the manner in which a lady eighty-four years old +celebrated her birthday: +</p> +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"> +"<span class="smcap">Neutral Station</span>, Kansas, July 17, 1876.</p> +<p> +"<span class="smcap">Dear Sisters</span>: Two days ago, on Saturday, the 15th, as has been +usual for three or four years, a company of our friends and +neighbors met at our house to celebrate my eighty-fourth +birthday. We had a pleasant time. Some pieces, composed for the +occasion, were read, and a clergyman made some appropriate +remarks. I improved the opportunity to obtain the names of the +ladies present, and succeeded with all, old and young, except one +who was afraid it would get her into a trap; but with <i>the rest +it needed but little electioneering beside reading your +advertisement to secure their names</i>. We, as a neighborhood, are +ignorant on the subject. I solicited assistance pecuniarily, and +send you what I can, with a word of encouragement still to work +and wait, and my earnest prayer for your final success. +</p> +<p class="ltr-from">Elsie Stewart."</p> +</blockquote> +<p> +The other signatures were: Henrietta L. Miller, Mrs. Julia A. +Ingraham, Mrs. Hollet, Mrs. Lottie Griffin, Selinda Miller, Celina +Lake, Mollie Yeates, Betsey J. Corse, Mary G. Hapeman, Mrs. Maggie +Clark, Miss Elsie Miller, Louie Ingraham, Malura Hickox, C. A. +Eddy, Anna Lowe, Charlotte H. Butler.</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> <i>President</i>, Mrs. Mary Maberly; <i>Secretary</i>, Miss +Lillie M. Hull; <i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. Emma H. Johns; and an able +executive committee, of which Mrs. E. M. Alden, Mrs. Emma Faris, +Mrs. Mattie McDowell and Bertha H. Ellsworth, who was then teaching +there, were members.</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> Arkansas City Suffrage Club, with Mrs. M. B. +Houghton, <i>President</i>; Mrs. E. T. Ayers, <i>Vice-President</i>; Miss +Gertrude Fowler, <i>Secretary</i>, and Mrs. F. Daniels, <i>Treasurer</i>; +also one at Winfield, county-seat of Cowley county, with Mrs. J. +Cairns, <i>President</i>; Mrs. M. R. Hall, <i>Secretary</i>, and Mrs. E. D. +Garlick, <i>Treasurer</i>; and vice-presidents from each of the +churches, as follows: Mesdames P. P. Powell, G. Miller, M. Burkey +and J. C. Fuller.</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> <i>President</i>, Mrs. Hetta P. Mansfield, Winfield; +<i>Vice-President-at-Large</i>, Mrs. Anna C. Wait, Lincoln; +<i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, Mrs. Bertha H. Ellsworth, Lincoln; +<i>Recording Secretary</i>, Miss Georgiana Daniels, Eureka; <i>Treasurer</i>, +Mrs. D. A. Millington, Winfield; <i>Chaplain</i>, Rev. S. S. Cairns, +Winfield; <i>Vice-Presidents</i> and <i>Executive Committee</i>, Mrs. Judge +Griswold, Leavenworth; Miss Sarah Hurtsel, Columbus; Mrs. Anna +Taylor, Wichita; Miss Myra Willets, Independence; Mrs. W. P. +Roland, Cherryvale; Judge Lorenzo Westover, Clyde; Mr. V. P. +Wilson, Abilene; Hon. Albert Griffin, Manhattan; Mrs. A. O. +Carpenter, Emporia; Mrs. Noble Prentis, Atchison; Mrs. S. S. Moore, +Burden; Mrs. Emma Faris, Carnerio; Mrs. Houghton and Mrs. Farrer, +Arkansas City; Mrs. Finley, Topeka.</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> The towns visited were: Beloit, Lincoln Center, +Wilson, Ellsworth, Salina, Solomon City, Minneapolis, Cawker City +and Clyde. The officers of the Topeka society were: <i>President</i>, +Mrs. Priscilla Finley; <i>Secretary</i>, Mrs. E. G. Hammon; <i>Treasurer</i>, +Mrs. Sarah Smith. The officers of Beloit were: <i>President</i>, Mrs. H. +Still; <i>Vice-Presidents</i>, Mrs. J. M. Patten, Mrs. M. Vaughan; +<i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, Mrs. F. J. Knight; <i>Recording +Secretary</i>, Mary Charlesworth; <i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. M. Bailey. At +Salina, Mrs. Johns and Mrs. Christina Day are the officers.</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> The women of Kansas should never forget that to the +influence of Mrs. Nichols in the Constitutional convention at +Wyandotte, they owe the modicum of justice secured by that +document. With her knitting in hand, she sat there alone through +all the sessions, the only woman present, watching every step of +the proceedings, and laboring with members to so frame the +constitution as to make all citizens equal before the law. Though +she did not accomplish what she desired, yet by her conversations +with the young men of the State, she may be said to have made the +idea of woman suffrage seem practicable to those who formed the +constitution and statute laws of that State.—[E. C. S.</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 compiled laws of Kansas, 79, page 378, chapter +XXXIII.</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> Miss Flora M. Wagstaff of Paoli was among the first +to practice law in Kansas. In 1881, Ida M. Tillotson of Mill Brook, +and in 1884, Maria E. DeGeer were admitted.</p></div> + +<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 names of representatives voting for the +committee stand as follows: <i>Yeas</i>—Barnes, Beattie, Bollinger, +Bond, Bonebrake, Brewster, Buck, Butterfield, Caldwell, Campbell, +Carter, Clogston, J. B. Cook of Chetopa, H. C. Cook of Oswego, +Collins, Cox, Currier, Davenport, Dickson, Edwards, Faulkner, +Gillespie, Glasgow, Gray, Grier, Hargrave, Hatfield, Hogue, +Hollenshead, Holman, Hopkins, Hostetler, Johnson of Ness City, +Johnson of Marshall, Johnson of Topeka, Johnson (Speaker of the +House), Kelley of Cawker City, King, Kreger, Lawrence, Lewis, +Loofburrow, Lower, McBride, McNall, McNeal, Matlock, Maurer, +Miller, Moore, Morgan of Clay, Morgan of Osborne, Mosher, Osborn, +Patton, Pratt, Reeves, Rhodes, Roach, Roberts, Slavens, Spiers, +Simpson, Smith of McPherson, Smith of Neosho, Stewart, Stine, +Sweezy, Talbot, Vance, Veach, Wallace, Wentworth, Wiggins, +Willhelm—75. The names of senators were: <i>Yeas</i>—Bowden, Congdon, +Donnell, Edmunds, Granger, Hicks, Humphrey, Jennings, M. B. Kelley, +Kellogg, Kimball, Kohler, Pickler, Ritter, Rush, Shean, Sheldon, +White, Young—19.</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> The Committee on the Political Rights of Women, +granted by the House, were: George Morgan of Clay, George Seitz of +Ellsworth, David Kelso of Labette, F. W. Rash of Butler, W. C. +Edwards of Pawnee, F. J. Kelley of Mitchell, W. H. Deckard of +Doniphan.</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 speakers were: Rev. Amanda May (formerly of +Indiana), Mrs. Martha L. Berry, Mrs. Ada Sill, Mrs. Colby, Dr. +Addie Kester, Mrs. M. D. Vale, Rev. C. H. Rogers, Mrs. De Geer, +Miss Jennie Newby. Officers: <i>President</i>, Mrs. Anna C. Wait of +Lincoln; <i>Vice-President</i>, Mrs. Laura M. Johns of Salina; +<i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. Martia L. Berry of Cawker City; <i>Corresponding +Secretary</i>, Mrs. B. H. Ellsworth of Lincoln; <i>Recording Secretary</i>, +Mrs. Alice G. Bond of Salina.</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> When Miss Anthony and I went through Kansas in 1867 +we held an afternoon and evening meeting in Salina. Our +accommodations at the hotel were wretched beyond description. +Mother Bickerdyke was just preparing to open her hotel but was +still in great confusion. Hearing of our dismal quarters she came +and took us to her home, where her exquisitely cooked food and +clean beds redeemed in a measure our dolorous impressions of +Salina. Our meetings were held in an unfinished church without a +floor, the audience sitting on the beams, our opponents (two young +lawyers) and ourselves on a few planks laid across, where a small +stand was placed and one tallow candle to lighten the discussion +that continued until a late hour. Being delayed the next day at the +depot a long time waiting for the train we held another prolonged +discussion with these same sprigs of the legal profession. We had +intended to go on to Ellsworth, but hearing of trouble there with +the Indians we turned our faces eastward. Mother Bickerdyke and her +thrilling stories of the war are the pleasant memories that still +linger with us of Salina.—[E. C. S.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_712" id="Page_712">[Pg 712]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LI" id="CHAPTER_LI"></a>CHAPTER LI.</h2> + +<h3>COLORADO.</h3> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>Great American Desert—Organized as a Territory, February 28, +1860—Gov. McCook's Message Recommending Woman Suffrage, +1870—Adverse Legislation—Hon. Amos Steck—Admitted to the +Union, 1876—Constitutional Convention—Efforts to Strike Out the +Word "Male"—Convention to Discuss Woman Suffrage—School +Suffrage Accorded—State Association Formed, Alida C. Avery, +President—Proposition for Full Suffrage Submitted to the Popular +Vote—A Vigorous Campaign—Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. Patterson of +Denver—Opposition by the Clergy—Their Arguments Ably +Answered—D. M. Richards—The Amendment Lost—<i>The Rocky Mountain +News</i>. </p> +</div> + + +<p><span class="sc">That</span> our English readers may appreciate the Herculean labors that +the advocates of suffrage undertake in this country in canvassing a +State, they must consider the vast territory to be traveled over, +in stages and open wagons where railroads are scarce. Colorado, for +example, covers an area of 104,500 square miles. It is divided by +the Rocky Mountains running north and south, with two hundred lofty +peaks rising thirteen thousand feet above the level of the sea, and +some still higher. To reach the voters in the little mining towns a +hundred miles apart, over mountains such as these, involves +hardships that only those who have made the journeys can +understand. But there is some compensation in the variety, beauty +and grandeur of the scenery, with its richly wooded valleys, vast +parks and snow-capped mountains. It is the region for those awake +to the sublime in nature to reverently worship some of her grandest +works that no poet can describe nor artist paint. Here, too, the +eternal struggle for liberty goes on, for the human soul can never +be attuned to harmony with its surroundings, especially the grand +and glorious, until the birthright of justice and equality is +secured to all.</p> + +<p>For a history of the early efforts made in the Centennial State to +secure equal rights for women, we are indebted to Mrs. Mary G. +Campbell and Mrs. Katharine G. Patterson, two sisters who have been +actively interested in the suffrage movement in Colorado, as +follows:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_713" id="Page_713">[Pg 713]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>In 1848, while those immortal women whose names will be found on +many another page of the volume in which this chapter is +included, were asking in the convention at Seneca Falls, N. Y., +that their equal membership in the human family might be admitted +by their husbands, fathers and sons, Colorado, unnamed and +unthought of, was still asleep with her head above the clouds. +Only two mountain-tops in all the-world were nearer heaven than +hers, and they, in far Thibet, had seen the very beginnings of +the race which, after six thousand years, had not yet penetrated +Colorado. Islanded in a cruel brown ocean of sand, she hid her +treasures of gold and silver in her virgin bosom and dreamed, +unstirred by any echoes of civilization. When she woke at last it +was to the sound of an anvil chorus—to the ring of the mallet +and drill, and the hoarse voices of men greedy only for gold.</p> + +<p>In 1858, when the Ninth National Convention of women to demand +their legal rights was in session in New York, there were only +three white women in the now rich and beautiful city of Denver. +Still another ten years of wild border life, of fierce +vicissitudes, of unwritten tragedies enacted in forest and mine, +and Colorado was organized into a territory with a population of +5,000 women and 25,000 men.</p> + +<p>The first effort for suffrage was made in 1870, during the fifth +session of the legislative assembly, soon after General Edward +McCook was sent out by President Grant to fill the gubernatorial +chair. In his message to the legislature, he promptly recommended +to the attention of its members the question of suffrage for +woman:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Before dismissing the subject of franchise, I desire to call your +attention to one question connected with it, which you may deem +of sufficient importance to demand some consideration at your +hands before the close of the session. Our higher civilization +has recognized woman's equality with man in all respects save +one—suffrage. It has been said that no great reform was ever +made without passing through three stages—ridicule, argument, +and adoption. It rests with you to say whether Colorado will +accept this reform in its first stage, as our sister territory of +Wyoming has done, or in the last; whether she will be a leader or +a follower; for the logic of a progressive civilization leads to +the inevitable result of a universal suffrage. </p></blockquote> + +<p>This was the first gun of the campaign, and summoned to the field +various contending forces, armed with ridicule, argument, or an +optimistic diplomacy, urging an immediate surrender of the ground +claimed. Bills favoring the enfranchisement of women were discussed +both in the Territorial Council Chamber and in the lower House of +the legislature. The subject was taken up by the press and the +people, and not escaping its meed of ridicule, was seriously dealt +with by both friend and enemy. Perhaps the western champions of +woman's recognition as an intelligent part of the body politic were +brought to understand the full meaning of her disabilities by their +own experiences as territorial minors. Certain it is that the high +spirit of the citizens of Colorado chafed intolerably under the +temporary limitations of accustomed rights of sovereign manhood. +The federal government, in the capacity of regent, sent to these +territorial wards their officers and governors and fixed the rate +of their taxation without full representation. These wards were +indeed empowered, as were the people of their sister territories, +to elect a delegate to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_714" id="Page_714">[Pg 714]</a></span> national congress, whose opinions upon +territorial matters were allowed expression in that body, but who +could no more enforce there his convictions upon important +measures, by a vote, than could the most intelligent woman of this +territory upon the question of his election to represent her +interests.</p> + +<p>In the Colorado papers of those days of territorial tutelage, there +appeared repeatedly most impatient protests against these +humiliating conditions of citizenship. With the attainment of +statehood in 1876 there came to the men of Colorado a restoration +of their full rights as citizens of the Republic. According to the +proscriptive usage, the humiliating conditions of citizenship +without the ballot, remained to the women of the Centennial State; +and those of their reënfranchised brothers who had felt most keenly +their own unaccustomed restrictions, were without doubt the +foremost advocates of the movement to secure the full recognition +of women's rights.</p> + +<p>The majority of the territorial legislative assembly of 1870 was +unexpectedly Democratic, and almost as unexpected was the favor +promptly shown by the Democratic members to the passage of the bill +proposing woman suffrage. The measure was indeed characterized by +the opposing Republicans, as "the great Democratic reform," and for +weeks seemed destined to triumph through Democratic votes, in spite +of the frivolous and serious opposition of the Republican minority, +and the few Democratic members who deserted what then seemed the +party policy upon this question. The pleas urged in advocacy of the +new movement, as well as the protests urged against it, were +substantially the same as were used in the East at that stage of +the question. Accompanying them were the extravagancies of hope and +fear incident to the early consideration of every suggested change +in a long-accepted social order. An impossible Utopia was promised +on the one hand no less confidently than was predicted upon the +other a dire iconoclasm of the sacred shrine of long-adored ideals, +as a consequence of simply granting to intelligent women a +privilege justly their due. Both the derision and the adverse +reasoning of the alarmists were well met by fearless friends, in +Council and House. Bills looking to the removal of woman's +disabilities were referred in each to a select committee for +consideration, on January 19. The majority report to the House +through the chairman of its special committee, M. DeFrance, was an +able advocacy of the measure under consideration, while the adverse +recommendation of the Council committee was accompanied by an +excellent report by Hon. Amos Steck, setting forth clearly the +reasons of the minority for their favorable views. After hearing +the reports, both Houses went into committee of the whole for a +free discussion upon the question.</p> + +<p>"The criterion of civilization, physical force," "Strength as the +measure of right,"—as recent writers have defined the divine right +of might—seemed the basis of reasoning with those who claimed that +woman should not be given the ballot because she might not carry +the sword. Dark pictures were drawn of possible women as electors +plunging their country into wars, from whose consequences they +would themselves suffer nothing.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_715" id="Page_715">[Pg 715]</a></span> By the more hopeful it was urged +that the mighty heart, the moral force of humanity, as represented +in womanhood, and united with clear womanly intelligence, would +prove a greater power in all State interests than sword or bayonet.</p> + +<p>The strongest speaker in the legislature upon the subject of +suffrage—President Hinsdale of the Council—was, unfortunately, a +bitter enemy of the proposed reform. Yet some of his most forcible +utterances made in committee of the whole, were excellent arguments +in favor of, rather than against the measure. Excellent arguments +in favor of the bill in question were made by leading members of +the House—Messrs. Lea, Shepard and DeFrance. By invitation of the +legislature, that body was addressed by a prominent member of the +Denver bar, Mr. Willard Teller, the brother of one of our U. S. +senators. The hall was filled by an interested audience to hear Mr. +Teller's address, which was a strong presentation of the principles +upon which rest the claims of American citizens to universal +suffrage.</p> + +<p>Outside the assembly halls, Governor McCook and his beautiful, +accomplished, and gracefully aggressive wife, strongly favored the +affirmative of the question at issue, while Willard Teller, D. M. +Richards and other distinguished men and women of the territory +were active friends during the contest. In the press, the measure +had a most influential support in the <i>Daily Colorado Tribune</i>, a +well-conducted Denver journal, edited by Mr. R. W. Woodbury. Space +in its columns was given to well-written articles by contributors +interested in the success of the cause, and many able editorials +appeared, embodying strong arguments in favor of the reform, or +answering the opposing bitterness and frivolity of its contemporary +the <i>Rocky Mountain News</i>. The interest in the proposed innovation +was indeed quite general throughout the territory, but wherever the +subject was discussed, in the legislative halls, in private +conversation, editorial column, or correspondence of the press, the +grounds argumentatively traversed were the same highways and byways +of reason and absurdity which have been so often since gone over.</p> + +<p>There was perhaps one lion in the way of establishing universal +suffrage in the West, which the eastern advocates did not fear. It +was said that our intelligent women could not be allowed to vote, +whatever the principles upon which the right might be claimed, +because in that case, the poor, degraded Chinese women who might +reach our shores, would also be admitted to the voting list, and +what then would become of our proud, Caucasian civilization? +Whether it was the thought of the poor Mongolian slave at the +polls, or some other equally terrifying vision of a yearly visit of +American women to the centre of some voting precinct, the majority +of the Colorado legislative assembly of 1870, in spite of all the +free discussion of the campaign of that year, decided adversely. In +the latter days of the session, the bill having taken the form of a +proposition to submit the question at issue to the already +qualified voters of the territory, was lost in the council chamber +by a majority of one, and in the House by a two-thirds majority, +leaving to the defeated friends of the reform as their only reward, +a consciousness of strength gained in the contest.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_716" id="Page_716">[Pg 716]</a></span></p> + +<p>A few years more made Denver a city beautiful for habitation, made +Colorado a garden, filled that goodly land with capable men, and +intelligent, spirited women. Statehood had been talked of, but +lost, and then men began to say: "The one hundredth birthday of our +American independence is so near, let us make this a centennial +State; let the entrance into the Union be announced by the same +bells that shall ring in our national anniversary." And so it was +decreed. Mindful of 1776—mindful too, of the second declaration +made by the women at the first equal rights convention in 1848, the +friends of equality in Colorado determined to gird themselves for a +supreme effort in anticipation of the constitution that was to be +framed for the new State to be.</p> + +<p>A notice was published asking all persons favorable to suffrage for +women, to convene in Denver, January 10, to take measures to secure +the recognition of woman's equality under the pending constitution. +In pursuance to this call, a large and eager audience filled Unity +Church long before the hour appointed for the meeting. A number of +the orthodox clergy were present. The Rev. Mrs. Wilkes of Colorado +Springs, opened the exercises with prayer. Mrs. Margaret W. +Campbell of Massachusetts was then introduced, and said: "This +convention was called to present woman's claims to the ballot, from +her own stand-point, and to take such measures to secure the +recognition of her equality in the constitution of Colorado, as the +friends gathered from different parts of the territory may think +proper. We do not ask that women shall take the places of men, or +usurp authority over them; we only ask that the principles upon +which our government is founded shall be applied to women.</p> + +<p>Rev. Mrs. Wilkes made an especial point of the fact that in +Colorado Springs women owned one-third of the taxable property, and +yet were obliged (at the recent spring election) to see the bonds +for furnishing a supply of pure water, voted down because women had +no voice in the matter. This had been a serious mistake, as the +physicians of the place had pronounced the present supply impure +and unwholesome. She referred to the fears of many that the +constitution, freighted with woman suffrage, might sink, when it +would else be buoyant, and begged her hearers not to fear such a +burden would endanger it. The convention continued through two days +with enthusiastic speeches from Mr. D. M. Richards and Rev. Mr. +Wright, who preferred to be introduced as the nephew of Dr. Harriot +K. Hunt of Boston. Letters were read from Lucy Stone and Judge +Kingman, and an extract from the message of Governor Thayer of +Wyoming, in which he declared the results of woman suffrage in that +territory to have been beneficial and its influence favorable to +the best interests of the community. A territorial society was +formed with an efficient board of officers;<a name="FNanchor_487_487" id="FNanchor_487_487"></a><a href="#Footnote_487_487" class="fnanchor">[487]</a> resolutions, duly +discussed, were adopted,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_717" id="Page_717">[Pg 717]</a></span> and the meeting closed with a +carefully-prepared address by Dr. Avery, the newly-elected +president of the territorial association.</p> + +<p>The committee<a name="FNanchor_488_488" id="FNanchor_488_488"></a><a href="#Footnote_488_488" class="fnanchor">[488]</a> appointed to wait upon the constitutional +convention were received courteously by that body, and listened to +with respectful attention. One would have thought the gentlemen to +whom the arguments and appeals of such women were addressed would +have found it in their hearts to make some reply, even while +disclaiming the official character of their act; but they preserved +a decorous and non-committal, if not incurious silence, and the +ladies withdrew. The press said, the morning after their visit: +"The gentlemen were all interested and amused by the errand of the +ladies." The morning following, the constitutional convention was +memorialized by the Suffrage Association of Missouri, and was also +presented with a petition signed by a thousand citizens of +Colorado, asking that in the new constitution no distinction be +made on account of sex. This was only the beginning. Petitions came +in afterwards, numerously signed, and were intended to have the +force of a sort of ante-election vote.</p> + +<p>Denver presented an interesting social aspect at this time. It was +as if the precursive tremor of a moral earthquake had been felt, +and people, only half awake, did not know whether to seek safety in +the house, or outside of it. Women especially were perplexed and +inquiring, and it was observed that those in favor of asking a +recognition of their rights in the new State, were the intelligent +and leading ladies of the city. The wives of ministers, of +congressmen, of judges, the prominent members of Shakespeare clubs, +reading circles, the directors of charitable institutions,—these +were the ones who first ranged themselves on the side of equal +rights, clearly proving that the man was right who pointed out the +danger of allowing women to learn the alphabet.</p> + +<p>When February 15 came, it was a momentous day for Colorado. The +report of the Committee on Suffrage and Elections was to come up +for final action. As a matter of fact there were two reports; that +of the minority was signed by two members of the committee, Judge +Bromwell, whose breadth and scholarship were apparent in his able +report, and a Mexican named Agapita Vigil, a legislator from +Southern Colorado where Spanish is the dominant tongue. Mr. Vigil +spoke no English, and was one of those representatives for whose +sake an interpreter was maintained during the session of the +convention.</p> + +<p>Ladies were present in large numbers. Some of the gentlemen +celebrated the occasion by an unusual spruceness of attire, and +others by being sober enough to attend to business. The report with +three-fifths of the signatures, after setting forth that the +subject had had careful consideration,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_718" id="Page_718">[Pg 718]</a></span> went on to state the +qualifications of voters, namely, that all should be male citizens, +with one exception, and that was, that women might vote for school +district officers.</p> + +<p>Mr. A. K. Yount of Boulder, spoke in favor of the motion to strike +out the word "male" in section 1: "That every male person over the +age of 21 years, possessing the necessary qualifications, shall be +entitled to vote," etc. He called attention to the large number of +petitions which had been sent in, asking for this, and to the fact +that not a single remonstrance had been received. He believed the +essential principles of human freedom were involved in this demand, +and he insisted that justice required that women should help to +make the laws by which they are governed. The amendment was lost by +a vote of 24 to 8.</p> + +<p>Mr. Storm offered an amendment that women be permitted to vote for, +and hold the office of, county superintendent of schools. This also +was lost. The only other section of the report which had any +present interest to women, was the one reading:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Section</span> 2. The General Assembly may at any time extend by law the +right of suffrage to persons not herein enumerated, but no such +law shall take effect or be in force until the same shall have +been submitted to a vote of the people, at a general election, +and approved by a majority of all the votes cast for and against +such law. </p></blockquote> + +<p>After much discussion it was voted that the first General Assembly +should provide a law whereby the subject should be submitted to a +vote of the electors.</p> + +<p>After this the curtain fell, the lights were put out, and all the +atmosphere and <i>mise en scène</i> of the drama vanished. It was well +known, however, that another season would come, the actors would +reäppear, and an "opus" would be given; whether it should turn out +a tragedy, or a Miriam's song of deliverance, no one was able to +predict. Meantime, the women of Colorado—to change the +figure—bivouacked on the battle-field, and sent for reïnforcements +against the fall campaign. They held themselves well together, and +used their best endeavors to educate public sentiment.</p> + +<p>A column in the Denver <i>Rocky Mountain News</i>, a pioneer paper then +edited by W. N. Byers, was offered the woman suffrage association, +through which to urge our claims. The column was put into the hands +of Mrs. Campbell, the wife of E. L. Campbell, of the law firm of +Patterson & Campbell of Denver, for editorship. This lady, from +whose editorials quotations will be given, was too timid (she +herself begs us to say cowardly) to use her name in print, and so +translated it into its German equivalent of <i>Schlachtfeld</i>, thus +nullifying whatever of weight her own name would have carried in +the way of personal and social endorsement of an unpopular cause. +Her sister, Mrs. T. M. Patterson, an early and earnest member of +the Colorado Suffrage Association, "bore testimony" as courageously +and constantly as her environment permitted.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Gov. McCook, as previously stated, had been the first woman in +Colorado to set the example of a spirited claim to simple political +justice for her sex, but she, alas! at the date now reached in our +sketch, was dead—in her beautiful youth, in the first flower of +her sweet, bright womanhood. Her loss to the cause can best be +measured by those who know<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_719" id="Page_719">[Pg 719]</a></span> what an immense uplifting power is +present when an intelligent man in an influential position joins +his personal and political force to his wife's personal and social +force in the endeavor to accomplish an object dear to both.</p> + +<p>It is a pity not to register here, however inadequately, some +outline of many figures that rise to form a part of the picture of +Colorado in 1876-7. When liberty shall have been achieved, and all +citizens shall be comfortably enjoying its direct and indirect +blessings, this book should be found to have preserved in the amber +of its pages the names of those who bravely wrought for freedom in +that earlier time. Would that one might indeed summon them all by a +roll-call! But they will not answer—they say only: "Let our work +stand for us, be its out-come small or great."</p> + +<p>To Dr. Alida C. Avery, however, whatever the outcome, a weighty +obligation is due from all past, present and future laborers in +this cause in Colorado. She it was who set at work and kept at work +the interplay of ideas and efforts which accomplished what was +done. Through her personal acquaintance with the immortals at the +East, Lucy Stone, Susan B. Anthony, Henry B. Blackwell, she drew +them to Colorado during the campaign about to be described, and +with them came others. Mrs. M. W. Campbell and her husband +reäppeared to do faithful service, and then came also Miss Lelia +Patridge of Philadelphia, a young, graceful, and effective +speaker,—so the local papers constantly describe her, and then +came, in the person of Miss Matilda Hindman of Pittsburg Pa., one +of the ablest women of the whole campaign. Gentle, persuasive, +womanly, she was at the same time armed at all points with fact, +argument, and illustration, and her zeal was only equaled by her +power of sustained labor.</p> + +<p>Many of these same qualities belong to Mrs. M. F. Shields, of +Colorado Springs, one of the committee on constitutional work in +the campaign of 1876, and an ardent, unceasing, unselfish laborer +in the church, in suffrage and temperance, for more than ten years. +She did not lecture, but "talked"; talked to five hundred men at a +time as if they were her own sons, and only needed to be shown they +were conniving at injustice, in order to turn about and do the +right thing. This same element of "motherliness" it was, which +gained her the respectful attention of an audience of the roughest +and most ignorant Cornish miners up in Caribou, who would listen to +no other woman speaking upon the subject. When the members of the +famous constitutional committee were considering the suffrage +petition, prior to making their report, Judge Stone of Pueblo, +tried to persuade the Spanish-speaking member that to grant the +franchise to women would be to be false to his party, as those +women were all Democrats. But Senor Vigil replied that he had been +talking through his interpreter to the "nice old lady, who smiled +so much" (meaning Mrs. Shields), and he knew what they asked was +all right, and he should vote for it.</p> + +<p>Of the men who were willing to obey Paul's entreaty to "help those +women," must be named in the front rank David M. Richards of +Denver, a pioneer of '59, and as brave and generous and true a +heart as ever beat<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_720" id="Page_720">[Pg 720]</a></span> in time to the pulse of progress, Rev. B. F. +Crary, a true apostolic helper, Mr. Henry C. Dillon, a young +western Raleigh for knightly chivalry, Hon. J. B. Belford, member +of congress then and now, Judge H. P. H. Bromwell, who needs no +commendation from the historian, as his eloquent minority report +speaks adequately for him; these, and very many more, both men and +women, have, as the French say, "deserved well of the State and of +their generation."</p> + +<p>And it was once more to the aid of these men and women that the +East sent reïnforcements as soon as the winter of 1877 was well +ushered in. An annual convention was announced for January 15, in +Denver. When the bitter cold evening came it seemed doubtful if any +great number of persons would be present, but the large Lawrence +street Methodist Church was, on the contrary, packed to its utmost +capacity. Rev. Mr. Eads, pastor of the church, opened the meeting +with prayer, and Dr. Avery, as president of the association, gave a +brief <i>résumé</i> of the work during its one year of existence. +Colonel Henry Logan of Boulder (formerly of Illinois), made a manly +and telling speech in favor of a measure which he called one of +axiomatic justice. Mrs. Wright of New York, after a piquant +address, announced the meeting of the convention for the next day. +On the following morning a business session was held, and officers +elected for the year.<a name="FNanchor_489_489" id="FNanchor_489_489"></a><a href="#Footnote_489_489" class="fnanchor">[489]</a> In the afternoon speeches were made by +Dr. Crary, Mrs. Shields, and Mr. David Boyd of Greeley, and in the +evening by Mr. Henry C. Dillon and Rev. J. R. Eads, the closing and +crowning speech of the convention being given by Miss Laura Hanna +of Denver, a <i>petite</i>, pretty young girl, whose remarks made a +<i>bonne bouche</i> with which to close the feast. Interest in the +subject rose to fever heat before October. Pulpit, press and +fireside were occupied with its discussion. The most effective, and +at the same time, exasperating opposition, came from the pulpit, +but there was also vigorous help from the same quarter. The +Catholic Bishop preached a series of sermons and lectures, in which +he fulminated all the thunders of apostolic and papal revelation +against women who wanted to vote:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Though strong-minded women who are not satisfied with the +disposition of Providence and who wish to go beyond the condition +of their sex, profess no doubt to be Christians, do they consult +the Bible?—do they follow the Bible? I fear not. Had God +intended to create a companion for man, capable of following the +same pursuits, able to undertake the same labors, he would have +created another man; but he created a woman, and she fell. <span class="spacious">* * *</span> +The class of women wanting suffrage are battalions of old maids +disappointed in love—women separated from their husbands or +divorced by men from their sacred obligations—women who, though +married, wish to hold the reins of the family government, for +there never was a woman happy in her home who wished for female +suffrage. <span class="spacious">* * *</span> Who will take charge of those young children (if +they consent to have any) while mothers as surgeons are operating +indiscriminately upon the victims of a terrible railway disaster? +<span class="spacious">* * *</span> No kind husband<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_721" id="Page_721">[Pg 721]</a></span> will refuse to nurse the baby on Sunday +(when every kind of business is stopped) in order to let his wife +attend church; but even then, as it is not his natural duty, he +will soon be tired of it and perhaps get impatient waiting for +the mother, chiefly when the baby is crying. </p></blockquote> + +<p>These, with the omnipresent quotations from St. Paul to the effect +that women shall keep silence in the church, etc., formed the +argument of the Bishop in two or three lengthy sermons. Indignant +men, disgusted with the caliber of the opposition and yet obliged +to notice it on account of the position of the divine, made ample +rejoinders. Rev. Dr. Crary of Golden, in an exhaustive review of +the Bishop's discourse, deprecated the making permanent and of +universal application the commands which with Paul were evidently +temporary and local, and said half the churches in Christendom +would be closed if these were literally obeyed:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"Women should not usurp authority, therefore men should +usurp all authority." This is the sort of logic we have +always heard from men who are trotting along in the wake of +progress and howling because the centuries do not stop +rolling onward. In barbarous regions Paul is paraded against +educating girls at all. In half-civilized nations Paul is +doing service against educating girls except in the +rudiments. Among people who are just beginning to see the +hill-tops of a higher, nobler world, Paul is still on duty +crowding off women from high-schools and colleges. Proud +universities to-day have Paul standing guard over medical +meanness and pushing down aspiring female souls from the +founts of knowledge. Within our memory Paul has been the +standing demonstration in favor of slavery, intemperance and +the oppression of women. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Another sermon in which the Bishop lays solemn stress on the one +sacred, inevitable duty of women to become wives and mothers, was +answered by Mr. David Boyd of Greeley, who, among other things, +asks the Bishop:</p> + +<blockquote><p>How, in view of the injunction to increase and multiply, he can +justify the large celibate class created by positive command of +the Catholic church, not only by the ordination of priests, but +by the constant urging of the church that women should become the +barren brides of Christ by taking on them the vows of nuns. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The Bishop published his lectures in pamphlet form, that their +influence might be far-reaching, and curiously enough, the very +same lectures were printed and scattered by the friends of suffrage +as the best sort of document for the campaign now fairly +inaugurated. D. M. Richards, the able chairman of the executive +committee, and Dr. Avery, president of the association, showed +themselves capable of both conceiving and executing a plan of +operations which had the merit of at least deserving victory.</p> + +<p>There was no lack of pens to defend women's claim to equal chances +in the struggle for existence. In Denver, the <i>Rocky Mountain News</i> +and the <i>Times</i> planted themselves fairly and squarely in an +affirmative attitude, and gave generous aid to the effort. The +<i>Tribune's</i> columns were in a state of chronic congestion from a +plethora of protests, both feminine and masculine. One young lawyer +said: "If suffrage is to come, let it come by man's call, and not +by woman's clamor"; and, "When all the women of the land can show +the ability to rear a family, and at the same time become eminent +in some profession or art, then men will gladly welcome them." +Whereupon the women naturally rushed into print to protest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_722" id="Page_722">[Pg 722]</a></span> against +the qualifications required of them, compared with those required +of men.</p> + +<p>It is safe to say, that from the middle of January, 1877, until the +following October, the most prominent theme of public discussion +was this question of suffrage for women. Miners discussed it around +their camp-fires, and "freighters" on their long slow journeys over +the mountain trails argued <i>pro</i> and <i>con</i>, whether they should +"let" women have the ballot. Women themselves argued and studied +and worked earnestly. One lawyer's wife, who declared that no +refined woman would contend for such a right, and that no woman +with self-respect would be found electioneering, herself urged +every man of her acquaintance to vote against the measure, and even +triumphantly reported that she had spoken to seventy-five men who +were strangers to her, and secured their promise to vote against +the pending amendment. This, however, must not be mistaken for +electioneering.</p> + +<p>On Wednesday, August 15, an equal rights mass-meeting was held in +Denver, for the purpose of organizing a county central committee, +and for an informal discussion of plans for the campaign. Judge H. +P. H. Bromwell and H. C. Dillon spoke, with earnest repetition of +former pledges of devotion to the cause, and Gov. Evans said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Equal suffrage is necessary to equal rights. It is fortunate that +we have in Colorado an opportunity of bringing to bear the +restraining, purifying and ennobling influence of women upon +politics. It is a reform that will require all the benign +influences of the country to sustain and carry out, and, as I +hope for the perpetuation of our free institutions, I dare not +neglect the most promising and potent means of purifying +politics, and I regard the influence of women as this means. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Major Bright of Wyoming, was introduced as the man who framed and +brought in the first bill for the enfranchisement of women. Judge +W. B. Mills said: "It is an anomalous condition of affairs which +made it necessary for a woman to ask a man whether she should +vote," and referring to all the reforms and changes of the last +half century, predicted that the extension of the franchise to +woman would be the next in order.</p> + +<p>The meeting was a full and fervid one, and great confidence of +success was felt and expressed. A committee of seventeen was +appointed<a name="FNanchor_490_490" id="FNanchor_490_490"></a><a href="#Footnote_490_490" class="fnanchor">[490]</a> and this committee did its full duty in districting +the territory and sending out speakers. Mr. Henry B. Blackwell, +Lucy Stone and Miss Anthony arrived almost immediately after this, +and henceforth the advocates of suffrage swarmed through the rocky +highways and byways of Colorado as eagerly, if not as +multitudinously, as its gold seekers. Mrs. Campbell wrote to the +<i>Woman's Journal</i>:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We have now been at work two weeks. Some of our meetings are very +encouraging, some not so much so. But the meetings are only one +feature of the work. We stop along the way and search out all the +leading men in each voting precinct, and secure the names of +those who will work on election day. We do more talking out of +meeting than in. We rode thirty-five miles yesterday, and arrived +here after six o'clock in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_723" id="Page_723">[Pg 723]</a></span> the evening. While Mr. Campbell was +taking care of the horse, I filled out bills before taking off my +hat and duster; in fifteen minutes they were being distributed, +and at eight o'clock I was speaking to a good-sized audience. </p></blockquote> + +<p>On October 1, a monster meeting was held in the Lawrence street +Methodist Church, and was addressed by Lucy Stone, Miss Matilda +Hindman, Mrs. Campbell, and Dr. Avery. The most intense interest +was manifested, and the excellent speeches heartily applauded.</p> + +<p>The next day (Sunday) the Rev. Dr. Bliss of the Presbyterian +Church, preached a sermon in his own pulpit, on "Woman Suffrage and +the Model Wife and Mother," in which he alluded to "certain +brawling, ranting women, bristling for their rights," and said God +had intended woman to be a wife and mother, and the eternal fitness +of things forbade her to be anything else. If women could vote, +those who were wives now would live in endless bickerings with +their husbands over politics, and those who were not wives would +not marry."</p> + +<p>These utterences brought out many replies. One was in the column +edited by "Mrs. Schlachtfeld," and may perhaps be quoted as a +specimen of her editorial work, such being, as we have intimated, +her one service to suffrage, and that incognito:</p> + +<blockquote><p>One of the daily, dismal forecasts of the male Cassandras of our +time is, that in the event of women becoming emancipated from the +legal thralldom that disables them, they will acquire a sudden +distaste for matrimony, the direful consequences of which will be +a gradual extermination of homes, and the extinction of the human +species. This is an artless and extremely suggestive lament. In +the first place—accepting that prophecy as true—why will women +not marry? Because, they will then be independent of men; because +in a fair field for competition where ability and not sex shall +determine employment and remuneration, women will have an equal +chance with men for distinction and reward, for triumphs +commercial and professional as well as social, and hence, needing +men less, either to make them homes, or to gratify indirectly +their ambitions, their affections will become atrophied, the +springs of domestic life will disappear in the arid sands of an +unfeminine publicity, and marriage, with all the wearying cares +and burdens and anxieties that it inevitably brings to every +earnest woman, will be regarded more and more as a state to be +shunned. The few who enter it will be compassionated much as a +minister is who undertakes a dangerous foreign mission. Men will +stand mateless, and the ruins of the hymeneal altars everywhere +crumble mournfully away, and be known to tradition only by their +vanishing inscriptions: "To the unknown god." But it is ill +jesting over that which tugs at every woman's heartstrings and +which impinges upon the very life-centres of society. If women, +on being made really free to choose, will not marry, then we must +arraign men on the charge of having made the married state so +irksome and distasteful to women that they prefer celibacy when +they dare enjoy it. Observe, however, the inconsistency of +another line of reasoning running parallel with this in the +floating literature of the day: "Motherhood," these writers say, +"is the natural vocation of women; is, indeed, an instinct so +mighty, even if unconscious, that it draws women toward matrimony +with a yearning as irresistible as that which pulls the great sea +upon the land in blind response to the moon." If this be true, +society is safe, and women will still be wives, no matter how +much they may exult in political freedom, no matter how +alluringly individual careers may open before them, nor how +accessible the tempting prizes of human ambition may become. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Well, the day came,—the <i>dies irae</i> for one side or the other, and +it proved to be for the "one." The measure was defeated. Ten +thousand votes were for it, twenty thousand against it. Women +remained at the polls all day,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_724" id="Page_724">[Pg 724]</a></span> distributing ballots, and answering +objections. They had flowers on all the little tables where the +tickets were heaped, on which were printed the three words, "Woman +Suffrage Approved," words for many pregnant with hope for a new +impetus to civilization, for others with a misfortune only to be +compared to that which happened in Greece when Ino boiled the seed +corn of a whole kingdom, and thus not only lost the crop of that +year, but, by the subtle interplay of the laws by which evolution +proceeds, set back humanity for a period not to be reckoned in +years. Mrs. H. S. Mendenhall of Georgetown wrote to Dr. Avery on +the evening of election day:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Before this reaches you the telegraph will have given you the +result of the day's work all over the State, but I thought I +would jot down a line while the experiences of the last ten hours +were fresh in my mind. Last evening our committee appointed +ladies to represent the interests of woman suffrage at the polls. +To my surprise, many evaded the work who were, nevertheless, +strongly in favor of the measure. Mrs. Dr. Collins and I were the +only ones at the lowest and most important precinct until one +o'clock, when we were joined by the wife of the Presbyterian +minister. Our course was somewhat as follows: On the approach of +a voter, we would ask him, "have you voted?" If he had, we +usually troubled him no further; if he had not, we asked, "Can +you vote for woman suffrage?" If he approved, we supplied him +with his ticket; if he disapproved, we asked him for his +objections, and we have listened to some comical ones to-day. One +man asked me, though not rudely, "Who is cooking your husband's +dinner?" I promptly invited him to dine with us. Another spoke of +neglected household duties, and when I mentioned a loaf of bread +I had just baked, and should be glad to have him see, he said, "I +expect you can bake bread," but he voted against us. The +Methodist men were for us; the Presbyterians and Episcopalians +very fairly so, and the Roman Catholics were not all against us, +some of the prominent members of that church working and voting +for woman suffrage. The liquor interest went entirely against us, +as far as I know.</p> + +<p>The observations of the day have led me to several general +conclusions, to which, of course, exceptions exist: (1) Married +men will vote for suffrage if their wives appreciate its +importance. (2) Men without family ties, and especially if they +have associated with a bad class of women, will vote against it. +(3) Boys who have just reached their majority will vote against +it more uniformly than any other class of men. We were treated +with the utmost respect by all except the last class. Destitute +of experience, and big with their own importance, these young +sovereigns will speak to a woman twice their years with a +flippancy which the most ignorant foreigner of mature age would +not use, and I have to-day been tempted to believe that no one is +fitted to exercise the American franchise under twenty-five years +of age.</p> + +<p>The main objection which I heard repeatedly urged was, women do +not want to vote. This seems to be the great stumbling-block to +our brethren. Men were continually saying that their wives told +them not to vote for woman suffrage. If we are defeated this time +I know we can succeed in the next campaign, or just as soon as we +can educate enough prominent women up to the point of coming out +plainly on the subject. Then all men, or all but the vicious men +who always vote against every good thing, will give in right +away. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Lucy Stone, in a letter to the <i>Woman's Journal</i> describes similar +scenes enacted that day in Denver; speaks of the order and quiet +prevailing at the polls, of the flowers on all the tables, and, in +spite of the strangeness of the occasion, of the presence of women +as evidently a new and beneficent element there. Rev. Dr. Ellis of +the Baptist Church, who, on the Sunday before had preached from the +text, "Help those Women," was using his influence to convert those +doubtful or opposed. Rev. Mr.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_725" id="Page_725">[Pg 725]</a></span> Bliss, who had declared in his +pulpit that "the only two women the Bible mentioned as having +meddled in politics were Jezebel and Herodias," was there also, to +warn men not to vote for equal rights for women. At other polls I +saw colored men, once slaves, electioneering and voting against the +rights of women. When remonstrated with, one said: "We want the +women at home cooking our dinners." A shrewd colored woman asked +whether they had provided any dinner to cook, and added that most +of the colored women there had to earn their dinner as well as cook +it.</p> + +<p class="tb">* * * * * * * * * * *</p> + +<p>Hear the conclusion of the whole matter. In the words of the last +editorial of the woman's column in the <i>Rocky Mountain News</i>:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Woman's hour has not yet struck! The chimes that were waiting to +ring out the tidings of her liberty—the candles furtively stored +against an illumination which should typify a new influx of +light, the achievement of a victory whose meaning and promise at +least seemed to those who both prayed and worked for it, neither +trivial nor selfish—all these are relegated to the guardianship +of Patience and Hope. Colorado has refused to enfranchise its +women. <span class="spacious">* * * * * *</span> The Germans, the Catholics, and the negroes +were said to be against us. Naturally, those who themselves most +keenly feel, or most recently have felt, the galling yoke of +arbitrary rule, are most disposed to derive a certain enjoyment +from the daily contemplation of a noble class still in bondage. <span class="spacious">* +* * * * *</span> But <i>all</i> opposition, in whatever guise, comes back at +last to be written under one rubric—the immaturity of woman. We +make this dispassionate statement of a fact. We feel neither +scorn nor anger, and we trust that we shall excite none. It is a +fault which time will cure, but meantime it is the grand factor +in our account. Every other argument has been met—every other +stronghold of opposition taken. Woman's claim to the ballot has +been shown to rest in justice on the very foundation stone of +democratic government—has been, from the Christian standpoint, +as completely exonerated from the charge of impiety as ever +anti-slavery and anti-polygamy were, and the fact which was the +slogan of the anti-suffragists still remains: the mass of the +women do not want it. We do not quarrel with the fact, but state +it to give the real reason for our failures—the real objective +point for our future work.</p> + +<p>The complacency with which we are able to state without fear of +contradiction that the body of intelligent and thoughtful women +<i>do</i> want suffrage must not obscure our perception of the equal +truth of what we have just stated above. To accept this verity +and turn our energies toward the emancipation of our own +sex—toward their emancipation from frivolous aims, petty +prejudices, and that attitude toward the other sex which is +really the sycophancy born of vanity and weakness; to make them +recognize the State as a multiplication of their own families, +and patriotism as the broadening of their love of home; to make +them see that that mother will be most respected whose son does +not, when a downy beard is grown, suddenly tower above her in the +supercilious enjoyment of an artificial superiority—a +superiority which consists simply, as Figaro says, in his having +taken the trouble to be born; to make them see, finally, that in +the highest exercise of all the powers with which God has endowed +her, woman can no more refuse the duties of citizenship, than she +can refuse the duties of wifehood and motherhood, once having +accepted those sacred relations. This is our first duty, and this +the scope of our work, if we would attain suffrage in 1879, or +even in 1900. </p></blockquote> +</blockquote> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<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> <i>President</i>, Alida C. Avery, M. D., Denver. +<i>Vice-Presidents</i>, Rev. Mr. Harford, Denver; Mr. J. E. Washburn, +Big Thompson; Mrs. H. M. Lee, Longmont; Mrs. M. M. Sheetz, Cañon +City; Mrs. L. S. Ruhn, Del Norte; Mr. N. C. Meeker, Greeley; Hon. +Willard Teller, Central; Mr. D. M. Richards, Denver; Mr. J. B. +Harrington, Littleton; Mr. A. E. Lee, Boulder; Rev. Wm. Shephard, +Cañon City. <i>Recording Secretary</i>, Miss Eunice D. Sewall, Denver. +<i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, Mrs. A. L. Washburn, Big Thompson. +<i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. I. T. Hanna, Denver. <i>Executive Committee</i>, Mrs. +M. F. Shields, Colorado Springs; Mr. A. L. Ellis, Boulder; Mrs. M. +E. Hale, Denver; Mr. W. A. Wilkes, Colorado Springs; Mr. J. R. +Hanna, Denver; Mrs. S. C. Wilber, Greeley; Rev. Dr. Crary, Pueblo.</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> Of the membership of this committee a grateful word +is to be said: Mrs. Campbell is a woman of agreeable and stately +presence, and adds to thorough information on all points connected +with the claims made in this campaign, an unusual facility and +persuasiveness of language. Mrs. Shields is one of the most lovable +women to be seen in the suffrage panorama; a tower of strength in +her own family, where she is at once the comrade and commander of +her children—the help-meet and friend of her husband. She inspires +immediate confidence whenever she confronts an audience. Mrs. +Washburn is also an attractive and large-hearted woman—a +"Granger," and thus experienced in united, organized action of men +and women for furthering the interests of both. Mrs. Hanna, a tall, +graceful blonde, more reserved in speech but entirely intelligent +in faith and in labor, represented to many men of the convention +the very qualities they liked in their own wives.</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> <i>President</i>, Dr. Alida C. Avery of Denver; +<i>Vice-Presidents</i>, D. Howe, Mrs. M. B. Hart, J. E. Washburn, Mrs. +Emma Moody, Willard Teller, J. B. Harrington, A. E. Lee, and N. C. +Meeker; <i>Recording Secretary</i>, Birks Carnforth of Denver; +<i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, Mrs. T. M. Patterson of Denver; +<i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. H. C. Lawson of Denver; <i>Executive Committee</i>, D. +M. Richards, Mrs. M. F. Shields, Mrs. M. E. Hale, H. McAllister, +Mrs. Birks Carnforth, J. A. Dresser, A. J. Wilber, B. F. Crary, +Miss Annie Figg, H. Logan, J. R. Eads, F. M. Ellis, C. Roby, Judge +Jones, General Cameron, B. H. Eaton, Agapita Vigil, W. B. Felton, +S. C. Charles and J. B. Campbell.</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> Consisting of Dr. R. G. Buckingham, chairman, Hon. +John Evans, Judge G. W. Miller, Benjamin D. Spencer, A. J. +Williams, Captain Richard Sopris, E. B. Sluth, John Armor, Hon. E. +L. Campbell, John Walker, J. U. Marlow, Col. W. H. Bright, John G. +Lilly, John S. McCool, J. W. Nesmyth, Henry O. Wagoner, and Dr. +Martimore.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_726" id="Page_726">[Pg 726]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LII" id="CHAPTER_LII"></a>CHAPTER LII.</h2> + +<h3>WYOMING.</h3> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>The Dawn of the New Day, December, 1869—The Goal Reached in +England and America—Territory Organized, May, 1869—Legislative +Action—Bill for Woman Suffrage—William H. Bright—Gov. Campbell +Signs the Bill—Appoints Esther Morris, Justice of the Peace, +March, 1870—Women on the Jury, Chief-Justice Howe, Presiding—J. +W. Kingman, Associate-Justice, Addresses the Jury—Women Promptly +take their Places—Sunday Laws Enforced—Comments of the +Press—Judge Howe's Letter—Laramie <i>Sentinel</i>—J. H. +Heyford—Women Voting, 1870—Grandma Swain the First to Cast her +Ballot—Effort to Repeal the Law, 1871—Gov. Campbell's Veto—Mr. +Corlett—Rapid Growth of Public Opinion in Favor of Woman +Suffrage. </p> +</div> + + +<p><span class="sc">After</span> recording such a long succession of disappointments and +humiliations for women in all the States in their worthy endeavors +for higher education, for profitable employment in the trades and +professions and for equal social, civil and political rights, it is +with renewed self-respect and a stronger hope of better days to +come that we turn to the magnificent territory of Wyoming, where +the foundations of the first true republic were laid deep and +strong in equal rights to all, and where for the first time in the +history of the race woman has been recognized as a sovereign in her +own right—an independent, responsible being—endowed with the +capacity for self-government. This great event in the history of +human progress transpired in 1869.</p> + +<p>Neither the point nor the period for this experiment could have +been more fitly chosen. Midway across this vast western continent, +on the highest plane of land, rising from three to eight thousand +feet above the level of the sea, where gigantic mountain-peaks +shooting still higher seem to touch the clouds, while at their feet +flow the great rivers that traverse the State in all directions, +emptying themselves after weary wanderings into the Pacific ocean +at last; such was the grand point where woman was first crowned +with the rights of citizenship. And the period was equally marked. +To reach the goal of self-government the women of England and +America seemed to be vieing with each other in the race, now one +holding the advance position, now the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_727" id="Page_727">[Pg 727]</a></span> other. And in many respects +their struggles and failures were similar. When seeking the +advantages of collegiate education, the women of England were +compelled to go to France, Austria and Switzerland for the +opportunities they could not enjoy in their own country. The women +of our Eastern States followed their example, or went to Western +institutions for such privileges, granted by Oberlin and Antioch in +Ohio, Ann Arbor in Michigan, Washington University in Missouri, and +refused in all the colleges of the East. For long years, alike they +endured ridicule and bitter persecution to secure a foothold in +their universities at home.</p> + +<p>Our battles in Parliament and in the Congress of the United States +were simultaneous. While nine senators,<a name="FNanchor_491_491" id="FNanchor_491_491"></a><a href="#Footnote_491_491" class="fnanchor">[491]</a> staunch and true, +voted in favor of woman suffrage in 1866, and women were rolling up +their petitions for a constitutional amendment in '68 and '69, with +Samuel C. Pomeroy in the Senate and George W. Julian in the House, +the women of England, keeping step and time, found their champions +in the House of Commons in John Stuart Mill and Jacob Bright in +1867-69, and no sooner were their mammoth petitions presented in +parliament than ours were rolled into the halls of congress. At +last we reached the goal, the women of England in 1869 and those of +Wyoming in 1870. But what the former gained in time the latter far +surpassed in privilege. While to the English woman only a limited +suffrage was accorded, in the vast territory of Wyoming, larger +than all Great Britain, all the rights of citizenship were fully +and freely conferred by one act of the legislature—the right to +vote at all elections on all questions and to hold any office in +the gift of the people.</p> + +<p>The successive steps by which this was accomplished are given us by +Hon. J. W. Kingman, associate-justice in the territory for several +years:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It is now sixteen years since the act was passed giving women the +right to vote at all elections in this territory, including all +the rights of an elector, with the right to hold office. The +language of the statute is broad, and beyond the reach of +evasion. It is as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>That every woman of the age of twenty-one years, residing in the +territory, may, at every election to be holden under the laws +thereof, cast her vote; and her rights to the elective franchise, +and to hold office, shall be the same, under the election laws of +the territory, as those of the electors. </p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_728" id="Page_728">[Pg 728]</a></span></p> + +<p>There was no half-way work about it, no quibbling, no grudgingly +parting with political power, no fear of consequences, but a manly +acknowledgment of equal rights and equal privileges, among all the +citizens of the new territory. Nor was this the only act of that +first legislature on the subject of equal rights. They passed the +following:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hang"><span class="smcap">An Act</span> <i>to protect married women in their separate property, +and the enjoyment of their labor.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Section</span> 1. That all the property, both real and personal, +belonging to any married woman as her sole and separate +property, or which any woman hereafter married, owns at the +time of her marriage, or which any married woman during +coverture acquires in good faith from any person other than +her husband, by descent or otherwise, together with all the +rents, issues, increase and profits thereof, shall, +notwithstanding her marriage, be and remain during +coverture, her sole and separate property, under her sole +control, and be held, owned, possessed and enjoyed by her, +the same as though she were sole and unmarried, and shall +not be subject to the disposal, control or interference of +her husband, and shall be exempt from execution or +attachment for the debts of her husband.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec</span>. 2. Any married woman may bargain, sell, and convey, her +personal property, and enter into any contract in reference +to the same, as if she were <i>sole</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec</span>. 3. Any woman may, while married, sue and be sued in all +matters having relation to her property, person or +reputation, in the same manner as if she were <i>sole</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec</span>. 4. Any married woman may, while married, make a will +the same as though she were <i>sole</i>.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec</span>. 5. Any married woman may carry on any trade or +business, and perform any labor or service on her sole and +separate account, and the earnings of any married woman from +her trade, business, labor or services, shall be her sole +and separate property, and may be used and invested by her +in her own name; and she may sue and be sued, as if <i>sole</i>, +in regard to her trade, business, labor, services, and +earnings. <span class="spacious">* * *</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec</span>. 9. The separate deed of the husband shall convey no +interest in the wife's lands. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Under the statute for distributions, the wife is treated exactly as +the husband is; each having the same right in the estate of the +other. The provisions are so unusual and peculiar, that I venture +to copy some of them:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="spacious">* * * *</span> If such intestate leave a husband or wife, <i>and</i> +children, him or her surviving, one-half of such estate shall +descend to such surviving husband or wife, and the residue +thereof <span class="spacious">* * * *</span> to the children; if such intestate leave a +husband or wife and <i>no</i> child, <span class="spacious">* * * *</span> then the property shall +descend as follows, to wit: three-fourths thereof to such +remaining husband or wife, and one-fourth thereof to the father +and mother of the intestate, or the survivor of them; provided +that if the estate of such intestate, real and personal, does not +exceed in volume the sum of ten thousand dollars, then the whole +thereof shall descend to and rest in the surviving husband or +wife as his or her absolute estate. Dower and the tenancy by the +curtesy are abolished. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The school law also provides:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Sec</span>. 9. In the employment of teachers no discrimination shall be +made, in the question of pay, on account of sex, when the persons +are equally qualified. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Such are some of the radical enactments of the first legislature of +Wyoming territory in reference to woman's rights; and to a person +who has grown up under the common law and the usages of +English-speaking people, they undoubtedly appear extravagant if not +revolutionary, and well calculated to disturb or overthrow the very +foundations of social order.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_729" id="Page_729">[Pg 729]</a></span> Experience has not, however, +justified any such apprehensions. The people of Wyoming have +prospered under these laws, and are growing to like them better and +better, and adapt themselves more and more to their provisions. The +object of this sketch is to trace the progress and development of +this new legislation, and gather up some of its consequences as +they have been observed in our social and political relations.</p> + +<p>The territory of Wyoming was first organized in May, 1869. The +Union Pacific railroad was completed on the 9th of the month, and +the transcontinental route opened to the public. There were but few +people in the territory at that time, except such as had been +brought hither in connection with the building of that road, and +while some of them were good people, well-educated, and came to +stay, many were reckless, wicked and wandering. The first election +was held in September, 1869, for the election of a delegate in +congress, and members of the Council and House of Representatives +for the first territorial legislature. There was a good deal of +party feeling developed, and election day witnessed a sharp and +vigorous struggle. The candidates and their friends spent money +freely, and every liquor shop was thrown open to all who would +drink. I was about to say that any one could imagine the +consequences; but in fact I do not believe that any one could +picture to himself the mad follies, and frightful scenes of that +drunken election. Peaceful people did not dare to walk the streets, +in some of the towns, during the latter part of the day and +evening. At South Pass City, some drunken fellows with large knives +and loaded revolvers swaggered around the polls, and swore that no +negro should vote. One man remarked quietly that he thought the +negroes had as good a right to vote as any of them had. He was +immediately knocked down, jumped on, kicked and pounded without +mercy, and would have been killed, had not his friends rushed into +the brutal crowd and dragged him out, bloody and insensible. It was +a long time before the poor fellow recovered from his injuries. +There were quite a number of colored men who wanted to vote, but +did not dare approach the polls until the United States Marshal +placed himself at their head and with revolver in hand escorted +them through the crowd, saying he would shoot the first man that +interfered with them. There was much quarreling and tumult, but the +negroes voted. This was only a sample of the day's doings, and +characteristic of the election all over the territory. The result +was that every Republican was defeated, and every Democratic +candidate elected; and the whisky shops had shown themselves to be +the ruling power in Wyoming. From such an inspiration one could +hardly expect a revelation of much value! Yet there were some fair +men among those elected.</p> + +<p>The legislature met October 12, 1869. Wm. H. Bright was elected +president of the Council. As he was the author of the woman +suffrage bill, and did more than all others to secure its passage, +some account of him may be of interest. He was a man of much energy +and of good natural endowments, but entirely without school +education. He said frankly, "I have never been to school a day in +my life, and where I learned to read and write I do not know." His +character was not above reproach,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_730" id="Page_730">[Pg 730]</a></span> but he had an excellent, +well-informed wife, and he was a kind, indulgent husband. In fact, +he venerated his wife, and submitted to her judgment and influence +more willingly than one could have supposed; and she was in favor +of woman suffrage.<a name="FNanchor_492_492" id="FNanchor_492_492"></a><a href="#Footnote_492_492" class="fnanchor">[492]</a> There were a few other men in that +legislature, whose wives exercised a similar influence; but Mr. +Bright found it up-hill work to get a majority for his bill, and it +dragged along until near the close of the session. The character of +the arguments he used, and the means he employed to win success are +perhaps worthy of notice, as showing the men he had to deal with. I +ought to say distinctly, that Mr. Bright was himself fully and +firmly convinced of the justice and policy of his bill, and gave +his whole energy and influence to secure its passage; he secured +some members by arguing to support their pet schemes in return, and +some he won over by even less creditable means. He got some votes +by admitting that the governor would veto the bill (and it was +generally understood that he would), insisting at the same time, +that it would give the Democrats an advantage in future elections +by showing that they were in favor of liberal measures while the +Republican governor and the Republican party were opposed to them. +The favorite argument, however, and by far the most effective, was +this: it would prove a great advertisement, would make a great deal +of talk, and attract attention to the legislature, and the +territory, more effectually than anything else. The bill was +finally passed and sent to the governor. I must add, however, that +many letters were written from different parts of the territory, +and particularly by the women, to members of the legislature, +urging its passage and approving its object.</p> + +<p>On receipt of the bill, the governor was in great doubt what course +to take. He was inclined to veto it, and had so expressed himself; +but he did not like to take the responsibility of offending the +women in the territory, or of placing the Republican party in open +hostility to a measure<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_731" id="Page_731">[Pg 731]</a></span> which he saw might become of political +force and importance. I remember well an interview that +Chief-Justice Howe and myself had with him at that time, in which +we discussed the policy of the bill, and both of us urged him to +sign it with all the arguments we could command. After a protracted +consultation we left him still doubtful what he would do.<a name="FNanchor_493_493" id="FNanchor_493_493"></a><a href="#Footnote_493_493" class="fnanchor">[493]</a> But +in the end he signed it, and drew upon himself the bitter curses of +those Democrats who had voted for the bill with the expectation +that he would veto it. From this time onward, the measure became +rather a Republican than a Democratic principle, and found more of +its friends in the former party, and more of its enemies in the +latter.</p> + +<p>Soon after the passage of the bill, a vacancy occurred in the +office of justice of the peace, at South Pass City, the county seat +of Sweetwater county, and the home of Mr. Bright and of Mrs. Esther +Morris. At the request of the county attorney—who favored woman +suffrage—the commissioners, two of whom also approved of it, +appointed Mrs. Morris to fill the vacancy. The legislature had +vested the appointment of officers, in case of a vacancy, in the +county commissioners, but the organic act of congress, creating the +territory, provided that the governor "shall commission all +officers who shall be appointed under the laws of said territory." +Governor Campbell being absent from the territory at the time, the +secretary, acting as governor, sent Mrs. Morris her commission. It +is due to Secretary Lee to say that he was an earnest advocate of +woman's enfranchisement, and labored for the passage of the bill, +and gladly embraced the opportunity to confirm a woman in office. +The important fact is, however, that Mrs. Morris' neighbors first +suggested the appointment that secured her the office, and manfully +sustained her during her whole term. She tried between thirty and +forty cases, and decided them so acceptably that not one of them +was appealed to a higher court; and I know of no one who has held +the office of justice of the peace in this territory, who has left +a more acceptable record, in all respects, than has Mrs. Esther +Morris. Some other appointments of women to office were made, but I +do not find that any of them entered upon its duties.</p> + +<p>The first term of the District Court, under the statutes passed by +the first legislature, was to be held at Laramie City, on the first +Monday of March, 1870. When the jurors were drawn, a large number +of women were selected, for both grand and petit jurors. As this +was not done by the friends of woman suffrage, there was evidently +an intention of making the whole subject odious and ridiculous, and +giving it a death-blow at the outset. A great deal of feeling was +excited among the people, and some effort made to prejudice the +women against acting as jurors, and even threats, ridicule and +abuse, in some cases, were indulged in. Their husbands were more +pestered and badgered than the women, and some of them were so much +inflamed that they declared they would never live with their wives +again if they served on the jury. The fact that women<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_732" id="Page_732">[Pg 732]</a></span> were drawn +as jurors was telegraphed all over the country, and the newspapers +came loaded with hostile and uncomplimentary criticisms. At this +stage of the case Col. Downey, the prosecuting attorney for the +county, wrote to Judge Howe for advice and direction as to the +eligibility of the women as jurors, and what course should be taken +in the premises. At first Judge Howe was much inclined to order the +women discharged, and new juries drawn; and it certainly required +no small amount of moral courage to face the storm of ridicule and +abuse that was blowing from all quarters. We had a long +consultation, and came to the conclusion that since the law had +clearly given all the rights of electors to the women of the +territory, they must be protected in the exercise of these rights +if they chose to assume them; that under no circumstances could the +judges permit popular clamor to deprive the women of their legal +rights in the very presence of the courts themselves. The result +was that Judge Howe wrote the county attorney the following letter:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Cheyenne</span>, March 3, 1870.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">S. W. Downey</span>—<i>My Dear Sir</i>: I have your favor of yesterday, and +have carefully considered the question of the eligibility of +women who are "citizens," to serve on juries. Mr. Justice Kingman +has also considered the question, and we concur in the opinion +that such women are eligible. My reason for this opinion will be +given at length, if occasion requires. I will thank you to make +it known to those ladies who have been summoned on the juries, +that they will be received, protected, and treated with all the +respect and courtesy due, and ever paid, by true American +gentlemen to true American ladies, and that the Court, in all the +power of government, will secure to them all that deference, +security from insult, or anything which ought to offend the most +refined woman, which is accorded in any walks of life in which +the good and true women of our country have heretofore been +accustomed to move. Thus, whatever may have been, or may now be +thought of the policy of admitting women to the right of suffrage +and to hold office, they will have a fair opportunity, at least +in my Court, to demonstrate their ability in this new field, and +prove the policy or impolicy of occupying it. Of their right to +try it I have no doubt. I hope they will succeed, and the Court +will certainly aid them in all lawful and proper ways. Very +respectfully,</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"><span class="smcap">J. H. Howe</span>, <i>Chief-Justice</i>.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>When the time came to hold the court, Judge Howe, whose duty it was +to preside, requested me to go with him to Laramie City, and sit +with him during the term. I gladly availed myself of the +opportunity. As soon as we arrived there, Judge Howe was waited on +by a number of gentlemen who endeavored to induce him to order the +discharge of the female jurors without calling them into court. +Some spoke of the impolicy of the proceeding, and said the women +all objected to it and wished to be excused; while some were cross, +and demanded the discharge of their wives, saying that it was an +intentional insult and they would not submit to it. But Judge Howe +told them all firmly, that the women must come into court, and if, +after the whole question was fairly explained to them, they chose +to decline, they should be excused. At the opening of the court +next morning, the house was crowded, and the female jurors were all +there. After the usual preliminaries, an attorney arose and moved +that all the women summoned as jurors be excused, saying he made +the motion at the request of the women themselves; and that he was +assured they did not wish to serve. Judge Howe then requested me to +express my opinion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_733" id="Page_733">[Pg 733]</a></span> and make some remarks to the women on the +duties devolving on them. I said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It was a real pleasure to me to see ladies in the court-room, +with the right to take a responsible part in the proceedings, as +grand and petit jurors; that no one knew so well as they did, the +evils our community suffered from lawless and wicked people; and +no one better understood the difficulties the court labored under +in its efforts to administer justice and punish crime; that the +time had come when the good women of the territory could give us +substantial aid, and we looked to them especially, as the power +which should make the court efficient in the discharge of its +duties; that the new law had conferred on them important rights, +and corresponding duties necessarily devolved upon them; that I +hoped and believed they would not shrink when so many influences +were calling on them for noble and worthy action; that if they +failed us now, the cause of equal rights would suffer at their +hands, not only in our territory, but in every land where its +advocates were struggling for its recognition; that if they would +remain, their presence would secure a degree of decorum in the +court-room and add a dignity to the proceedings, which the judges +had been unable to command; that we required the assistance of +good women all over the territory, and I begged them to help us. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Judge Howe then spoke as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It is an innovation and a great novelty to see, as we do to-day, +ladies summoned to serve as jurors. The extension of political +rights and franchise to women is a subject that is agitating the +whole country. I have never taken an active part in these +discussions, but I have long seen that woman is a victim to the +vices, crimes and immoralities of man, with no power to protect +and defend herself from these evils. I have long felt that such +powers of protection should be conferred upon woman, and it has +fallen to our lot here to act as the pioneers in the movement and +to test the question. The eyes of the whole world are to-day +fixed upon this jury of Albany county. There is not the slightest +impropriety in any lady occupying this position, and I wish to +assure you that the fullest protection of the court shall be +accorded to you. It would be a most shameful scandal that in our +temple of justice and in our courts of law, anything should be +permitted which the most sensitive lady might not hear with +propriety and witness. And here let me add that it will be a +sorry day for any man who shall so far forget the courtesy due +and paid by every American gentleman to every American lady as to +ever by word or act endeavor to deter you from the exercise of +those rights with which the law has invested you. I conclude with +the remark that this is a question for you to decide for +yourselves. No man has any right to interfere. It seems to me to +be eminently proper for women to sit upon grand juries, which +will give them the best possible opportunities to aid in +suppressing the dens of infamy which curse the country. I shall +be glad of your assistance in the accomplishment of this object. +I do not make these remarks from distrust of any of the +gentlemen. On the contrary, I am exceedingly pleased and +gratified with the indication of intelligence, love of law and +good order, and the gentlemanly deportment which I see manifested +here. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The ladies were then told that those who could not conveniently +serve, and those who insisted on being excused, might rise and they +should be discharged. Only one rose and she was excused. But a +victory had been won of no small moment. Seeing the earnestness of +the judges and the dignified character they had given to the +affair, the women were encouraged and pleased, and the enemies of +equal rights, who had planned, as they thought, a stunning blow to +further progress, were silenced and defeated. The current set +rapidly in the other direction and applause, as usual, followed +success. The business of the court proceeded with marked +improvement. The court-room, always crowded, was quiet and decorous +in the extreme. The bar in particular was always on its good<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_734" id="Page_734">[Pg 734]</a></span> +behavior, and wrangling, abuse and buncome speeches were not heard. +When men moved about they walked quietly, on tip-toe, so as to make +no noise, and forbore to whisper or make any demonstrations in or +around the court-room. The women when called took their chairs in +the jury-box with the men, as they do their seats in church,<a name="FNanchor_494_494" id="FNanchor_494_494"></a><a href="#Footnote_494_494" class="fnanchor">[494]</a> +and no annoyance or reluctance was visible from the bench. They +gave close and intelligent attention to the details of every case, +and the men who sat with them evidently acted with more +conscientious care than usual. The verdicts were generally +satisfactory, except to convicted criminals. They did not convict +every one they tried, but "no guilty man escaped," if there was +sufficient evidence to hold him. The lawyers soon found out that +the usual tricks and subterfuges in criminal cases would not +procure acquittal, and they began to challenge off all the women +called. The court checkmated this move by directing the sheriff to +summon other women in their places, instead of men, and then came +motions for continuances. The result was a great success and was so +acknowledged by all disinterested persons. On the grand jury were +six women and nine men, and they became such a terror to evil-doers +that a stampede began among them and very many left the town +forever. Certainly there was never more fearless or efficient work +performed by a grand jury.</p> + +<p>The legislature copied most of the statutes which it enacted from +the laws of Nebraska, and among others the following clauses in the +crimes act, to wit.:</p> + +<blockquote><p>If any person shall keep open any tippling or gaming-house on the +Sabbath day or night, <span class="spacious">* * *</span> he shall be fined not exceeding one +hundred dollars, or imprisoned in the county jail not exceeding +six months.</p> + +<p>Any person who shall hereafter knowingly disturb the peace and +good order of society by labor on the first day of the week, +commonly called Sunday (works of necessity and charity excepted), +shall be fined, on conviction thereof, in any sum not exceeding +fifty dollars. </p></blockquote> + +<p>No attention whatever had been paid to these statutes, and Sunday +was generally the great drinking day of the whole week; the saloons +sold more whiskey and made more money that day than any other. The +women on that grand jury determined to put a stop to it and enforce +these laws. They therefore indicted every liquor saloon in town. +This made a great outcry, not only among the liquor-sellers but +among their customers also. They were all arrested, brought into +court and gave bail; but Judge Howe told them as this was a new law +recently passed, and as it was quite probable that most of them +were ignorant of its provisions, he would continue the cases with +this express understanding, that if they would strictly obey the +law in future these cases should be dismissed; but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_735" id="Page_735">[Pg 735]</a></span> if any of them +violated it, these cases would be tried and the full penalty +inflicted. They all agreed to this, and the "Sunday Law," as it was +called, was carefully observed afterwards in Laramie City; and so +great has been the change in that town in the habits of the people +and the quiet appearance of the streets on Sunday, as compared with +other towns in the territory, that it has been nick-named the +"Puritan town" of Wyoming, and, I may add, rejoices in its +singularity.</p> + +<p>And how was this most successful experiment in equal rights +received and treated by the press and the people out of the +territory? The New York illustrated papers made themselves funny +with caricatures of female juries, and cheap scribblers invented +all sorts of scandals and misrepresentations about them. The +newspapers were overflowing with abuse and adverse criticism, and +only here and there was a manly voice heard in apology or defense. +I copy these extracts as a sample of the rest.</p> + +<p>"<span class="smcap">Lady Jurors.</span>"—Under this head the New Orleans <i>Times</i>, the ablest +and largest paper in the South, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Confusion is becoming worse confounded by the hurried march of +events. Mad theorizings take the form of every-day realities, and +in the confusion of rights and the confusion of dress, all +distinctions of sex are threatened with swift obliteration. When +Anna Dickinson holds forth as the teacher of strange doctrines in +which the masculinity of woman is preposterously asserted as a +true warrant for equality with man in all his political and +industrial relations; when Susan B. Anthony flashes defiance from +lips and eyes which refuse the blandishment and soft dalliance +that in the past have been so potent with "the sex"; when, in +fine, the women of Wyoming are called from their domestic +firesides to serve as jurors in a court of justice, a question of +the day, and one, too, of the strangest kind, is forced on our +attention. From a careful review of all the surroundings, we +think the Wyoming experiment will lead to beneficial results. By +proving that lady jurors are altogether impracticable—that they +cannot sit as the peers of men without setting at defiance all +the laws of delicacy and propriety—the conclusion may be reached +that it will be far better to let nature alone in regulating the +relations of the sexes. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The Philadelphia <i>Press</i> had the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Women as Jurors.</span>—Now one of the adjuncts of female citizenship +is about to be tested in Wyoming. Eleven women have been drawn as +jurors to serve at the March term of the Albany County Court. It +is stated that immense excitement has been created thereby, but +the nature of the aforesaid excitement does not transpire. Will +women revolutionize justice? What is female justice, or what is +it likely to be? Would twelve women return the same verdict as +twelve men, supposing that each twelve had heard the same case? +Is it possible for a jury of women, carrying with them all their +sensitiveness, sympathies, predilections, jealousies, prejudices, +hatreds, to reach an impartial verdict? Would not every criminal +be a monster, provided not a female? Can the sex, ordinarily so +quick to pronounce pre-judgments, divest itself of them +sufficiently to enter the jury-box with unbiased minds? Perhaps +it were best to trust the answer to events. Women may learn to be +jurymen, but in so doing they have a great deal to learn. </p></blockquote> + +<p>So persistent were the attacks and so malignant were the +perversions of truth that Judge Howe, at the request of the editor, +wrote the following letter for publication anonymously in the +Chicago <i>Legal News</i>, every statement in which I can confirm from +my own observation. The Judge, after writing the letter, consented +to its publication over his own signature: <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_736" id="Page_736">[Pg 736]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"> +<span class="smcap">Cheyenne</span>, Wyoming, April 4, 1870.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. Myra Bradwell, Chicago, Ill.:</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Madam</span>: I am in receipt of your favor of March 26, in which +you request me to "give you a truthful statement, over my own +signature, for publication in your paper, of the history of, and +my observations in regard to, women as grand and petit jurors in +Wyoming." I will comply with your request, with this +qualification, that it be not published over my own signature, as +I do not covet newspaper publicity, and have already, without any +agency or fault of my own, been subjected to an amount of it +which I never anticipated nor conceived of, and which has been +far from agreeable to me.</p> + +<p>I had no agency in the enactment of the law in Wyoming conferring +legal equality upon women. I found it upon the statute-book of +that territory, and in accordance with its provisions several +women were legally drawn by the proper officers on the grand and +petit juries of Albany county, and were duly summoned by the +sheriff without any agency of mine. On being apprised of these +facts, I conceived it to be my plain duty to fairly enforce this +law, as I would any other; and more than this, I resolved at once +that, as it had fallen to my lot to have the experiment tried +under my administration, it should have a fair trial, and I +therefore assured these women that they could serve or not, as +they chose; that if they chose to serve, the Court would secure +to them the most respectful consideration and deference, and +protect them from insult in word or gesture, and from everything +which might offend a modest and virtuous woman in any of the +walks of life in which the good and true women of our country +have been accustomed to move.</p> + +<p>While I had never been an advocate for the law, I felt that +thousands of good men and women had been, and that they had a +right to see it fairly administered; and I was resolved that it +should not be sneered down if I had to employ the whole power of +the court to prevent it. I felt that even those who were opposed +to the policy of admitting women to the right of suffrage and to +hold office would condemn me if I did not do this. It was also +sufficient for me that my own judgment approved this course.</p> + +<p>With such assurances these women chose to serve and were duly +impanelled as jurors. They were educated, cultivated eastern +ladies, who are an honor to their sex. They have, with true +womanly devotion, left their homes of comfort in the States to +share the fortunes of their husbands and brothers in the far West +and to aid them in founding a new State beyond the Missouri.</p> + +<p>And now as to the results. With all my prejudices against the +policy, I am under conscientious obligations to say that these +women acquitted themselves with such dignity, decorum, propriety +of conduct and intelligence as to win the admiration of every +fair-minded citizen of Wyoming. They were careful, pains-taking, +intelligent and conscientious. They were firm and resolute for +the right as established by the law and the testimony. Their +verdicts were right, and, after three or four criminal trials, +the lawyers engaged in defending persons accused of crime began +to avail themselves of the right of peremptory challenge to get +rid of the female jurors, who were too much in favor of enforcing +the laws and punishing crime to suit the interests of their +clients. After the grand jury had been in session two days, the +dance-house keepers, gamblers and <i>demi-monde</i> fled out of the +city in dismay, to escape the indictment of women grand jurors! +In short I have never, in twenty-five years of constant +experience in the courts of the country, seen more faithful, +intelligent and resolutely honest grand and petit juries than +these.</p> + +<p>A contemptibly lying and silly dispatch went over the wires to +the effect that during the trial of A. W. Howie for homicide (in +which the jury consisted of six women and six men) the men and +women were kept locked up together all night for four nights. +Only two nights intervened during the trial, and on these nights, +by my order, the jury was taken to the parlor of the large, +commodious and well-furnished hotel of the Union Pacific +Railroad, in charge of the sheriff and a woman bailiff, where +they were supplied with meals and every comfort, and at 10 +o'clock the women were conducted by the bailiff to a large and +suitable apartment where beds were prepared for them,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_737" id="Page_737">[Pg 737]</a></span> and the +men to another adjoining, where beds were prepared for them, and +where they remained in charge of sworn officers until morning, +when they were again all conducted to the parlor and from thence +in a body to breakfast, and thence to the jury-room, which was a +clean and comfortable one, carpeted and heated, and furnished +with all proper conveniences.</p> + +<p>The cause was submitted to the jury for their decision about 11 +o'clock in the forenoon, and they agreed upon their verdict, +which was received by the court between 11 and 12 o'clock at +night of the same day, when they were discharged.</p> + +<p>Everybody commended the conduct of this jury and was satisfied +with the verdict, except the individual who was convicted of +murder in the second degree. The presence of these ladies in +court secured the most perfect decorum and propriety of conduct, +and the gentlemen of the bar and others vied with each other in +their courteous and respectful demeanor toward the ladies and the +court. Nothing occurred to offend the most refined lady (if she +was a sensible lady) and the universal judgment of every +intelligent and fair-minded man present was and is, that the +experiment was a success.</p> + +<p>I dislike the notoriety this matter has given me, but I do not +shrink from it. I never sought it nor expected it, and have only +performed what I regarded as a plain duty, neither seeking nor +desiring any praise, and quite indifferent to any censure or +criticism which my conduct may have invoked.</p> + +<p>Thanking you for your friendly and complimentary expressions, I +am very respectfully yours,</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2">J. H. Howe.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>As showing how the matter was received at home, in Laramie City, I +copy the following from the <i>Laramie Sentinel</i> of April 7, 1870:</p> + +<blockquote><p>If we should neglect to give some idea of the results of our jury +experiment, the world would say we were afraid or ashamed of it. +For our own part we are inclined to admit that it succeeded +beyond all our expectations. We naturally wished it to succeed; +still we scarcely wished it to demonstrate a theory that women +were better qualified for these duties than men. Hence, when +Chief-Justice Howe said, "In eighteen years' experience I have +never had as fair, candid, impartial and able a jury in court, as +in this term in Albany county," and when Associate-Justice +Kingman said, "For twenty-five years it has been an anxious study +with me, both on the bench and at the bar, how we are to prevent +jury trials from degenerating into a perfect burlesque, and it +has remained for Albany county to point out the remedy and +demonstrate the cure for this threatened evil," we confess to +having been <i>more</i> than satisfied with the result. It may be +safely stated as the unanimous verdict of bench, bar and public +opinion, that the jurors of Albany county did well and faithfully +discharge their duties, with honor and credit to themselves and +to the satisfaction of the public. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Among the few exceptions to the general abuse of the press, the +following from the Cincinnati <i>Gazette</i> of April 14, 1870, is well +worth preserving:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Now, in the name of the inalienable right of every person to the +pursuit of happiness, we have to ask: Are not these women +competent to decide for themselves whether their households, +their children or their husbands are of more importance than +their public duties? And having the best means for deciding this +question, have they not the right to decide? Who has the right to +pick out the females of a jury and challenge them with the +question whether they are not neglecting their households or +their husbands? Who challenges a male juror and demands whether +he left his family well provided, and his wife well cherished? or +if, through his detention in court, the cupboard will be bare, +the wife neglected, or the children with holes in their trousers? +This is simply the crack of the familiar whip of man's absolute +domination over women. It means nothing short of their complete +subjection. Not to use rights is to abandon them. There are +inconveniences and cares in all possessions; but who argues that +therefore they should be abandoned? It would much promote the +convenience of man if he would let his political rights and +duties be performed by a few willing persons; but he would soon +find that he had no rights left.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_738" id="Page_738">[Pg 738]</a></span></p> + +<p>And what is this family impediment which is thus set up as a +female disability? The family obligation is just as strong in man +as in woman. It is much stronger, for the manners which compel +woman to be the passive waiter on the male providence leave to +him the real responsibility. Yet many men forego marriage and +homes and children, and nobody imagines that it disqualifies them +for public duties. Nobody challenges them as jurors, and demands +if they have discharged the family obligation. Rather it is held +wise in them to give themselves wholly to their pursuits, without +the distraction of conjugal joys, until they have achieved +success. Why should the family requirement, which man throws off +so easily, be made a yoke for woman? There is something more +fundamental than nursing babies or coddling the appetites of +husbands. The sentiment, "Give me liberty, or give me death," is +the American instinct. Breathes there a woman with soul so dead +that she would bring forth slaves? Babes had better not be born +if they are not to have their rights. It is the duty of women to +first provide the state of freedom for their progeny. Then they +may consent to become wives and mothers. Liberty and the exercise +of all political rights are so bound together, that to neglect +one is to abandon all. Trial by a jury of one's peers is the +essential principle of the administration of justice. To be a +peer on a jury involves the whole principle of equal rights. To +abandon this to man, is to accept subjection to man.</p> + +<p>For women to neglect jury duty is to give men the exclusive +privilege to <i>judge women</i>, and to abandon the right to be tried +by a jury of their peers. How can men justly judge a woman? They +cannot have that knowledge of her peculiar physical and mental +organization which is requisite to the judgment of motives and +temptations. They cannot comprehend the variable moods and +emotions, nor the power of her impulses. It is monstrous +injustice to judge women by the same rules as men. And men lack +that intuitive charity and tender sympathy which women always +feel for an exposed, erring sister. Furthermore, many of the +crimes of men are against women. How can men appreciate their +injury? That which is her ruin, they call, as Anna Dickinson +says, sowing their wild oats. How can justice be expected from +those who instinctively combine to preserve their privilege to +abuse women? For the administration of justice to women who are +accused, and to men who have wronged women, judges and jurors of +their own sex are indispensable. </p></blockquote> + +<p>As long as Judge Howe remained on the bench he had women on his +juries.<a name="FNanchor_495_495" id="FNanchor_495_495"></a><a href="#Footnote_495_495" class="fnanchor">[495]</a> His first term at Cheyenne, after the law was passed, +several women were among the jurors, and they did fully as well, +and exerted quite as good an influence there, as the women had +recently at Laramie City.</p> + +<p>The first election under the woman suffrage law was held in +September 1870, for the election of a delegate in congress, and +county officers. There was an exciting canvass, and both parties +applied to the whisky shops, as before, supposing they would wield +the political power of the territory, and that not enough women +would vote to influence the result. The morning of election came, +but did not bring the usual scenes around the polls. A few women +came out early to vote, and the crowd kept entirely out of sight. +There was plenty of drinking and noise at the saloons, but the men +would not remain, after voting, around the polls. It seemed more +like Sunday than election day. Even the negro men and women voted +without objection or disturbance. Quite a number of women voted +during the day, at least in all the larger towns, but apprehension +of a repetition<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_739" id="Page_739">[Pg 739]</a></span> of the scenes of the former election, and doubt as +to the proper course for them to pursue, kept very many from +voting. The result was a great disappointment all around. The +election had passed off with unexpected quiet, and order had +everywhere prevailed. The whisky shops had been beaten, and their +favorite candidate for congress, although he had spent several +thousand dollars to secure an election, was left out in the cold. I +cannot deny myself the pleasure of quoting at length the following +letter of the Rev. D. J. Pierce, at that time a resident of Laramie +City, and a very wealthy man, to show the powerful influence that +was exerted on the mind of a New England clergyman by that first +exhibition of women at the polls, and as evidence of the singular +and beneficial change in the character of the election, and the +conduct of the men:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Editor Laramie Sentinel:</i> I am pleased to notice your action in +printing testimonials of different classes to the influence of +woman suffrage in Wyoming. With the apathy of conservatism and +prejudice of party spirit arrayed against the idea in America, it +is the duty of the residents in Wyoming to note the simple facts +of their noted experiment, and lay them before the world for its +consideration. I came from the vicinity of Boston, arriving in +Laramie two weeks before the first regular election of 1870. I +had never sympathized with the extreme theories of the woman's +rights platform, to the advocates of which I had often listened +in Boston. But I had never been able to learn just why a woman is +naturally excluded from the privilege of franchise, and I +sometimes argued in favor in lyceum debates. Still the question +of her degradation stared me in the face, and I came to Wyoming +unsettled in the matter, determined to be an impartial judge. I +was early at the polls, but too late to witness the polling of +the first female vote—by "Grandma" Swain, a much-esteemed Quaker +lady of 75 summers, who determined by her words and influence to +rally her sex to defend the cause of morality and justice.</p> + +<p>I saw the rough mountaineers maintaining the most respectful +decorum whenever the women approached the polls, and heard the +timely warning of one of the leading canvassers as he silenced an +incipient quarrel with uplifted finger, saying, "Hist! Be quiet! +A woman is coming!"</p> + +<p>And I was compelled to allow that in this new country, supposed +at that time to be infested by hordes of cut-throats, gamblers +and abandoned characters, I had witnessed a more quiet election +than it had been my fortune to see in the quiet towns of Vermont. +I saw ladies attended by their husbands, brothers, or +sweethearts, ride to the places of voting, and alight in the +midst of a silent crowd, and pass through an open space to the +polls, depositing their votes with no more exposure to insult or +injury than they would expect on visiting a grocery store or +meat-market. Indeed, they were much safer here, every man of +their party was pledged to shield them, while every member of the +other party feared the influence of any signs of disrespect.</p> + +<p>And the next day I sent my impressions to an eastern paper, +declaring myself convinced that woman's presence at the polls +would elevate the tone of public sentiment there as it does in +churches, the social hall, or any other place, while her own +robes are unspotted by the transient association with evil +characters which she is daily obliged to meet in the street or +dry-goods store. My observation at subsequent annual elections +has only confirmed my opinion in this respect.</p> + +<p>Without reference to party issues, I noticed that a majority of +women voted for men of the most temperate habits, thus insuring +success to the party of law and order.</p> + +<p>After three years' absence from my old home, I could not fail to +notice in the elections of 1877 and 1878 that both parties had +been led to nominate men of better standing in moral character, +in order to secure the female vote.</p> + +<p>I confess that I believe in the idea of aristocracy—<i>i. e.</i> "the +rule of the best ones"—not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_740" id="Page_740">[Pg 740]</a></span> by blood or position, but the +aristocracy of character, to which our laws point when they +declare that prison characters shall not vote.</p> + +<p>The ballot of any community cannot rise above its character. A +town full of abandoned women would be cursed by the application +of woman suffrage.</p> + +<p>We need to intrust our State interests to the class most noted +for true character. As a class, women are more moral and upright +in their character than men. Hence America would profit by their +voting.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"> +<span class="smcap">D. J. Pierce</span>, <i>Pastor Baptist Church</i>.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The next general election occurred in September, 1871, for members +of the second territorial legislature. The usual tactics were +employed and considerable sums of money were given to the drinking +saloons to secure their influence and furnish free drinks and +cigars for the voters. But no one thought of trying to buy up the +women, nor was it ever supposed that a woman's vote could be +secured with whiskey and cigars! Election day passed off with +entire quiet and good order around the polling-places; the noise +and bustle were confined to the bar-rooms. The streets presented no +change from an ordinary business day, except that a large number of +wagons and carriages were driven about with the watch-words and +banners of different parties, or different candidates, +conspicuously posted on them. A much larger number of women voted +at this election than at the former one, but quite a number failed +or refused to take part in it. The result was again a surprise, and +to many a disappointment. Some candidates were unexpectedly +elected, and some who had spent large amounts of money and worked +hard around the drinking saloons, and were ready to bet largely on +being elected, were defeated. The Republicans had shown an +unexpected strength and had returned several members to each House, +although it was quite certain that some of the Democrats were +indebted to the women for their success. It was admitted, however, +that their votes had generally gone against the favorites of the +whiskey shops and that the power of the saloons had been largely +neutralized and in some cases entirely overthrown. Some remarkable +instances of woman's independence and moral character occurred at +this election which I cannot help recording, but must not mention +names.</p> + +<p>As above stated in reference to the grand jury in Laramie City, the +"Sunday law" had there been put into vigorous operation. The +evening before the election, and after both the political parties +had nominated their candidates for the legislature, the +saloon-keepers got together very secretly and nominated a ticket of +their own number, pledged to repeal the "Sunday law." This move was +not discovered until they began to vote that ticket at the polls +next day. Then it was found that the saloons were pushing it with +all their influence and giving free drinks to all who would vote +it. This aroused the women and they came out in force; many who had +declined to vote before not only voted, but went round and induced +others to do the same. At noon the rum-sellers' ticket was far +ahead and it looked as though it would be elected by a large +majority; at the close of the polls at night it was overwhelmingly +defeated. In one case the wife of a saloon-keeper who was a +candidate on that ticket, told her husband that she would defeat +him if she could. He was beaten, and he was man enough to say he +was glad of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_741" id="Page_741">[Pg 741]</a></span> it—glad he had a wife so much better than he was, and +who had so much more influence in town than he had.</p> + +<p>Another candidate on that ticket was a saloon-keeper who had grown +rich in the traffic, but whose private character was much above the +morals of his business. He had recently married a very nice young +lady in the East, and she was much excited when she learned how +matters were progressing. She told her husband she was ashamed of +him and would vote against him, and would enlist all the members of +her church against him if she could; and she went to work in +earnest and was a most efficient cause of the defeat of the ticket. +Her husband also was proud of her, and said it served him right and +he was glad of it. I have never heard that the domestic harmony of +either of these families was in anyway disturbed by these events, +but I know that they have prospered and are still successful and +happy.</p> + +<p>Still the legislature was strongly Democratic. There were four +Republicans and five Democrats in the Council, and four Republicans +and nine Democrats in the House. When they met in November, 1871, +many Democrats were found to be bitterly opposed to woman suffrage +and determined to repeal the act; they said it was evident they +were losing ground and the Republicans gaining by reason of the +women voting, and that it must be stopped. The Republicans were all +inclined to sustain the law. Several caucuses were held by the +Democrats to determine on their course of action and overcome the +opposition in their own ranks. These caucuses were held in one of +the largest drinking saloons in Cheyenne and all the power of +whiskey was brought to bear on the members to secure a repeal of +the woman suffrage act. It required considerable time and a large +amount of whiskey, but at last the opposition was stifled and the +Democratic party was brought up solid for repeal. A bill was +introduced in the House for the purpose, but was warmly resisted by +the Republicans and a long discussion followed. It was finally +carried by a strict party vote and sent to the Council, where it +met with the same opposition and the same result followed. It then +went to the governor for his approval. There was no doubt in his +mind as to the course he ought to take. He had seen the effects +produced by the act of enfranchisement, and unhesitatingly approved +all of them. He promptly returned the bill with his veto; and the +accompanying message is such an able paper and so fully sets forth +the reasons in favor of the original act, and the good results of +its operation, that at least a few extracts well deserve a +prominent place in this record:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I return herewith to the House of Representatives, in which it +originated, a bill for "An Act to repeal Chapter XXXI. of the +Laws of the First Legislative Assembly of the Territory of +Wyoming."</p> + +<p>I regret that a sense of duty compels me to dissent from your +honorable body with regard to any contemplated measure of public +policy. It would certainly be more in accordance with the desire +I have to secure and preserve the most harmonious relations among +all the branches of our territorial government, to approve the +bill. A regard, however, for the rights of those whose interests +are to be affected by it, and for what I believe to be the best +interests of the territory, will not allow me to do so. The +consideration, besides, that the passage of this bill would be, +on the part of those instrumental in bringing it about, a +declaration that the principles upon which the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_742" id="Page_742">[Pg 742]</a></span> enfranchisement +of women is urged are false and untenable, and that our +experience demonstrates this, influences me not a little in my +present action.</p> + +<p>While I fully appreciate the great danger of too much attention +to abstract speculation or metaphysical reasoning in political +affairs, I cannot but perceive that there are times and +circumstances when it is not only proper but absolutely necessary +to appeal to principles somewhat general and abstract, when they +alone can point out the way and they alone can guide our conduct. +So it was when, two years ago, the act which this bill is +designed to repeal was presented for my approval. There was at +that time no experience to which I might refer and test by its +results the conclusions to which the application of certain +universally admitted principles led me. In the absence of all +such experience I was driven to the application of principles +which through the whole course of our national history have been +powerfully and beneficially operative in making our institutions +more and more popular, in framing laws more and more just and in +securing amendments to our federal constitution. If the ballot be +an expression of the wish, or a declaration of the will, of the +tax-payer as to the manner in which taxes should be levied and +collected and revenues disbursed, why should those who hold in +their own right a large proportion of the wealth of the country +be excluded from a voice in making the laws which regulate this +whole subject? If, again, the ballot be for the physically weak a +guarantee of protection against the aggression and violence of +the strong, upon what ground can the delicate bodily organism of +woman be forbidden this shelter for her protection? If, once +more, each ballot be the declaration of the individual will of +the person casting it, as to the relative merit of opposed +measures or men, surely the ability to judge and determine—the +power of choice—does not depend upon sex, nor does womanhood +deprive of personality. If these principles are too general to be +free from criticism, and if this reasoning be too abstract to be +always practically applicable, neither the principles nor the +reasoning can fail of approbation when contrasted with the gloomy +misgivings for the future and the dark forebodings of evils, +imaginary, vague and undefined, by dwelling upon which the +opponents of this reform endeavor to stay its progress. +Aggressive reasoning and positive principles like these must be +met with something more than mere doubtful conjectures, must be +resisted by something more than popular prejudices, and +overthrown—if overthrown at all—by something stronger than the +force of inert conservatism; yet what is there but conjecture, +prejudice and conservatism opposing this reform? <span class="spacious">* * * *</span></p> + +<p>The law granting to women the right to vote and to hold office in +this territory was a natural and logical sequence to the other +laws upon our statute-book. Our laws give to the widow the +guardianship of her minor children. Will you take from her all +voice in relation to the public schools established for the +education of those children? Our laws permit women to acquire and +possess property. Will you forbid them having any voice in +relation to the taxation of that property? This bill says too +little or too much. Too little, if you legislate upon the +assumption that woman is an inferior who should be kept in a +subordinate position, for in that case the other laws affecting +her should be repealed or amended; and too much, if she is, as no +one will deny, the equal of man in heart and mind, for in that +case we cannot afford to dispense with her counsel and assistance +in the government of the territory.</p> + +<p>I need only instance section 9 of the school act, which declares +that, "In the employment of teachers no discrimination shall be +made in the question of pay on account of sex when the persons +are equally qualified." What is more natural than that the men +who thought that women were competent to instruct the future +voters and legislators of our land, should take the one step in +advance of the public sentiment of yesterday and give to her +equal wages for equal work? And when this step had been taken, +what more natural than that they should again move forward—this +time perhaps a little in advance of the public sentiment of +to-day—and give to those whom they consider competent to +instruct voters, the right to vote.</p> + +<p>To the statement, so often made, that the law which this bill is +intended to repeal was passed thoughtlessly and without proper +consideration, I oppose the fact to which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_743" id="Page_743">[Pg 743]</a></span> I have adverted, that +the law perfectly conforms to all the other laws in relation to +women upon our statute-book. Studied in connection with the other +laws it would seem to have grown naturally from them. It +harmonizes entirely with them, and forms a fitting apex to the +grand pyramid which is being built up as broadly and as surely +throughout all the States of the Union as it has been built up +and capped in Wyoming.</p> + +<p>The world does not stand still. The dawn of Christianity was the +dawn of light for woman. For eighteen centuries she has been +gradually but slowly rising from the condition of drudge and +servant for man, to become his helpmeet, counselor and companion. +As she has been advanced in the social scale, our laws have kept +pace with that advancement and conferred upon her rights and +privileges with accompanying duties and responsibilities. She has +not abused those privileges, and has been found equal to the +duties and responsibilities. And the day is not far distant when +the refining and elevating influence of women will be as clearly +manifested in the political as it now is in the social world.</p> + +<p>Urged by all these considerations of right, and justice, and +expediency, and the strong conviction of duty, I approved that +act of which this bill contemplates the repeal, and it became a +law. To warrant my reconsidering that action, there ought to be +in the experience of the last two years something to show that +the reasons upon which it was founded were unsound, or that the +law itself was wrong or at least unwise and inexpedient. My view +of the teachings of this experience is the very reverse of this. +Women have voted, and have the officers chosen been less faithful +and zealous and the legislature less able and upright? They have +sat as jurors, and have the laws been less faithfully and justly +administered, and criminals less promptly and adequately +punished? Indeed the lessons of this two years' experience fully +confirm all that has been claimed by the most ardent advocate of +this innovation.</p> + +<p>In this territory women have manifested for its highest interests +a devotion strong, ardent, and intelligent. They have brought to +public affairs a clearness of understanding and a soundness of +judgment, which, considering their exclusion hitherto from +practical participation in political agitations and movements, +are worthy of the greatest admiration and above all praise. The +conscience of women is in all things more discriminating and +sensitive than that of men; their sense of justice, not +compromising or time-serving, but pure and exacting; their love +of order, not spasmodic or sentimental merely, but springing from +the heart; all these,—the better conscience, the exalted sense +of justice, and the abiding love of order, have been made by the +enfranchisement of women to contribute to the good government and +well-being of our territory. To the plain teachings of these two +years' experience I cannot close my eyes. I cannot forget the +benefits that have already resulted to our territory from woman +suffrage, nor can I permit myself even to seem to do so by +approving this bill.</p> + +<p>There is another, and in my judgment, a serious objection to this +bill, which I submit for the consideration and action of your +honorable body. It involves a reference to that most difficult of +questions, the limitations of legislative power. High and +transcendent as that power undoubtedly and wisely is, there are +limits which not even it can pass. Two years ago the legislature +of this territory conferred upon certain of its citizens valuable +rights and franchises. Can a future legislature, by the passage +of a law not liable to the objection, that it violates the +obligation of contracts, take away those rights? It is not +claimed, so far as I have been informed, that the persons upon +whom these franchises were conferred have forfeited or failed to +take advantage of them. But even if such were the case it would +be rather a matter for judicial determination than for +legislative action. What that determination would be is clearly +indicated in the opinion of Associate-justice Story in the +celebrated case of Trustees of Dartmouth College <i>vs.</i> Woodward: +"The right to be a freeman of a corporation is a valuable +temporal right. * * It is founded on the same basis as the right +of voting in public elections; it is as sacred a right; and +whatever might have been the prevalence of former doubts, since +the time of Lord Holt, such a right has always been deemed a +valuable franchise or privilege."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_744" id="Page_744">[Pg 744]</a></span></p> + +<p>But even if we concede that these rights once acquired may be +taken away, the passage of this bill would be, in my judgment, a +most dangerous precedent. Once admit the right of a +representative body to disfranchise its own constituents, and who +can establish the limits to which that right may not be carried? +If this legislature takes from women their franchises or +privileges, what is to prevent a future legislature from +depriving certain men, or classes of men, that, from any +consideration they desire to disfranchise, of the same rights? We +should be careful how we inaugurate precedents which may "return +to plague the inventors," and be used as a pretext for taking +away our liberties.</p> + +<p>It will be remembered that in my message to the legislature at +the commencement of the present session I said: "There is upon +our statue book an act granting to the women of Wyoming territory +the right of suffrage and to hold office which has now been in +force two years. Under its liberal provisions women have voted in +the territory, served on juries, and held office. 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 with as much tact, sound judgment, and good +sense as the men. While it would be claiming more than the facts +justify, to say that this experiment, in a limited field, has +demonstrated beyond a doubt the perfect fitness of woman, at all +times and under all circumstances, for taking a part in the +government, it furnishes at least reasonable presumptive evidence +in her favor, and she has a right to claim that, so long as none +but good results are made manifest, the law should remain +unrepealed."</p> + +<p>These were no hastily formed conclusions, but the result of +deliberation and conviction, and my judgment to-day approves the +language I then used. For the first time in the history of our +country we have a government to which the noble words of our +<i>Magna Charta</i> of freedom may be applied,—not as a mere figure +of speech, but as expressing a simple grand truth,—for it is a +government which "derives all its just powers from the consent of +the governed." We should pause long and weigh carefully the +probable results of our action before consenting to change this +government. A regard for the genius of our institutions, for the +fundamental principles of American autonomy, and for the +immutable principles of right and justice, will not permit me to +sanction this change.</p> + +<p>These reasons for declining to give my consent to the bill, I +submit with all deference for the consideration and judgment of +your honorable body.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">J. A. Campbell.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The Republicans in the House made an ineffectual effort to sustain +the veto, but the party whip and the power of the saloons were too +strong for them, and the bill was passed over the veto by a vote of +9 to 4. It met a different and better fate, however, in the +Council, where it was sustained by a vote of 4 to 5, a strict party +vote in each case. Mr. Corlett, a rising young lawyer, at that time +in the Council and since then a delegate in congress, made an able +defense of the suffrage act and resisted its repeal, sustaining the +veto with much skill and final success. And there was much need, +for the Democrats had made overtures to one of the Republican +members of the Council (they lacked one vote) and had obtained a +promise from him to vote against the veto; but Mr. Corlett, finding +out the fraud in season, reclaimed the fallen Republican and saved +the law. It is due to Mr. Corlett to say that he has always been an +able and consistent supporter of woman's rights and universal +suffrage. He is now the leading lawyer of the territory.</p> + +<p>Since that time the suffrage act has grown rapidly in popular +favor, and has never been made a party question. The leading men of +both parties, seeing its beneficial action, have given it an +unqualified approval; and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_745" id="Page_745">[Pg 745]</a></span> most, if not all, of its former enemies +have become its friends and advocates. Most of the new settlers in +the territory, though coming here with impressions or prejudices +against it, soon learn to respect its operation, and admire its +beneficial results. There is nowhere in the territory a voice +raised against it, and it would be impossible to get up a party for +its repeal.</p> + +<p>The women uniformly vote at all our elections, and are exerting +every year a more potent influence over the character of the +candidates selected by each party for office, by quietly defeating +those most objectionable in point of morals. It is true they are +not now summoned to serve on juries, nor are they elected to +office; and there are some obvious reasons for this. In the first +place, they never push themselves forward for such positions, as +the men invariably do; and in the second place, the judges who have +been sent to the territory, since the first ones, have not insisted +on respecting the women's rights as jurors, and in some cases have +objected to their being summoned as such. But these matters will +find a remedy by and by. It used to be an important question in the +nominating caucuses, "Will this candidate put up money enough to +buy the saloons, and catch the loafers and drinkers that they +control?" Now the question is, "Will the women vote for this man, +if we nominate him?" There have been some very remarkable instances +where men, knowing themselves to be justly obnoxious to the women, +have forced a nomination in caucus, relying on their money and the +drinking shops and party strength to secure an election, who have +been taught most valuable lessons by signal defeat at the polls. It +would be invidious to call names or describe individual cases, and +could answer no necessary purpose. But I would ask particular +attention to the following articles, taken from recent newspapers, +as full and satisfactory evidence of the truth of these statements, +and of the wisdom of granting universal suffrage and equal rights +to the citizens of Wyoming territory.</p> + +<p>The Laramie City <i>Daily Sentinel</i> of December 16, 1878, J. H. +Hayford, editor, has the following leading editorial:</p> + +<blockquote><p>For about eight years now, the women of Wyoming territory have +enjoyed the same political rights and privileges as the men, and +all the novelties of this new departure, all the shock it carried +to the sensibilities of the old conservatives, have long since +passed away. For a long time—even for years past—we have +frequently received letters asking for information as to its +practical results here, and still more frequently have received +copies of eastern papers with marked articles which purported to +be written by persons who resided here, or had visited the +territory and witnessed the awful results or the total failure of +the experiment. We have usually paid no attention to these false +and anonymous scribblers, who took this method to display their +shallow wit at the sacrifice of truth and decency. But recently +we have received more than the usual number of such missives, and +more letters, and from a more respectable source than before, and +we take this occasion and method to answer them all at once, and +once for always, and do it through the columns of the <i>Sentinel</i>, +one of the oldest and most widely circulated papers in the +territory, because it will be readily conceded that we would not +publish here at home, false statements and misrepresentations +upon a matter with which all our readers are familiar, and which, +if false, could be easily refuted.</p> + +<p>We assert here, then, that woman suffrage in Wyoming has been in +every particular a complete success.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_746" id="Page_746">[Pg 746]</a></span></p> + +<p>That the women of Wyoming value as highly the political +franchise, and as generally exercise it, as do the men of the +territory.</p> + +<p>That being more helpless, more dependent and more in need of the +protection of good laws and good government than are men, they +naturally use the power put into their hands to secure these +results.</p> + +<p>That they are controlled more by principle and less by party ties +than men, and generally cast their votes for the best candidates +and the best measures.</p> + +<p>That while women in this territory frequently vote contrary to +their husbands, we have never heard of a case where the family +ties or domestic relations were disturbed thereby, and we believe +that among the pioneers of the West there is more honor and +manhood than to abuse a wife because she does not think with her +husband about politics or religion.</p> + +<p>We have never seen any of the evil results growing out of woman +suffrage which we have heard predicted for it by its opponents. +On the contrary, its results have been only good, and that +continually. Our elections have come to be conducted as quietly, +orderly and civilly as our religious meetings, or any of our +social gatherings, and the best men are generally selected to +make and enforce our laws. We have long ago generally come to the +conclusion that woman's influence is as wholesome and as much +needed in the government of the State as in the government of the +family. We do not know of a respectable woman in the territory +who objects to or neglects to use her political power, and we do +not know of a decent man in the territory who wishes it +abolished, or who is not even glad to have woman's help in our +government.</p> + +<p>Our laws were never respected or enforced, and crime was never +punished, or life or property protected until we had woman's help +in the jury box and at the polls, and we unhesitatingly say here +at home that we do not believe a man can be found who wishes to +see her deprived of voice and power, unless it is the one "who +fears not God nor regards man," who wants to pursue a life of +vice or crime, and consequently fears woman's influence and power +in the government. We assert further that the anonymous +scribblers who write slanders on our women and our territory to +the eastern press, are either fools, who know nothing about what +they write, or else belong to that class of whom the poet says:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">"No rogue e'er felt the halter draw<br /></span> +<span class="i0">With good opinion of the law."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>We took some pains to track up and find out the author of one of +the articles against woman suffrage to which our attention was +called, and found him working on the streets of Cheyenne, with a +ball and chain to his leg. We think he was probably an average +specimen of these writers. And, finally, we challenge residents +in Wyoming who disagree with the foregoing sentiments, and who +endorse the vile slanders to which we refer, to come out over +their own signature and in their own local papers and take issue +with us, and our columns shall be freely opened to them. </p></blockquote> + +<p>There are some obvious inferences to be drawn and some rather +remarkable lessons to be learned, from the foregoing narrative. In +the first place, the responsibilities of self government, with the +necessity of making their own laws, was delegated to a people, +strangers to each other, with very little experience or knowledge +in such matters, and composed of various nationalities, with a very +large percentage of the criminal classes. It is a matter of +surprise that they should have so soon settled themselves into an +orderly community, where all the rights of person and property are +well protected, and as carefully guarded and fully respected as in +any of our old eastern commonwealths. It is a still greater +surprise that a legislature selected by such a constituency, under +such circumstances as characterized our first election, and +composed of such men as were in fact elected, should have been able +to enact a body of laws containing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_747" id="Page_747">[Pg 747]</a></span> so much that was good and +practicable, and so little that was injudicious, unwise or vicious.</p> + +<p>In the next place, it is evident that there was no public sentiment +demanding the passage of the woman suffrage law, and but few +advocates of it at that time in the territory; that its adoption, +under such circumstances, was not calculated to give it a fair +chance to exert a favorable influence in the community, or even +maintain itself among the permanent customs and laws of the +territory. The prospect was, that it would either remain a dead +letter, or be swept away under the ridicule and abuse of the press, +and the open attacks of its enemies. But it has withstood all these +adverse forces, and from small beginnings has grown to be a +permanent power in our politics, a vital institution, satisfactory +to all our people. The far-reaching benefits it will yet accomplish +can be easily foreseen. To make either individuals or classes +respected and induce them to respect themselves, you must give them +power and influence, a fair field and full enjoyment of the results +of their labors. We have made a very creditable beginning in this +direction, so far as woman is concerned, and we have no doubts +about the outcome of it. Wyoming treats all her citizens alike, and +offers full protection, equal rewards, and equal power, to both men +and women.</p> + +<p>Again it is very evident that while our women take no active part +in the primary nomination of candidates for office, they exercise a +most potent influence by the independent manner in which they vote, +and the signal defeat they inflict on many unworthy candidates. +Their successful opposition to the power of the bar-rooms is a +notable and praiseworthy instance of the wise use of newly-acquired +rights. The saloon-keepers used to sell themselves to that party, +or that man, who would pay the most, and while robbing the +candidates, degraded the elections and debauched the electors. So +long as it was understood that in order to secure an election it +was necessary to secure the rum-shops, good men were left out of +the field, and unscrupulous ones were sought after as candidates. +The women have already greatly modified this state of affairs and +are likely to change it entirely in the end.</p> + +<p>Another wonderful consequence which has attended the presence of +women at the polls, is the uniform quiet and good order on election +day. All the police that could be mustered, could not insure half +the decorum that their simple presence has everywhere secured. No +man, not even a drunken one, is willing to act like a rowdy when he +knows the women will see him. Nor is he at all anxious to expose +himself in their presence when he knows he has drank too much. Such +men quit the polls, and slink out of the streets, to hide +themselves from the eyes of the women in the obscurity of the +drinking shops.</p> + +<p>Another fact of great importance is the uniform testimony as to +woman's success as a juror. It is true that there has been but a +limited opportunity, thus far, to establish this as a fact beyond +all doubt. But a good beginning has been made, a favorable +impression produced, and no bad results have accompanied or +followed the experiment. If our jury system of trying cases is to +be preserved, as a tolerable method of settling<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_748" id="Page_748">[Pg 748]</a></span> disputes and +administering justice in our courts, every one will admit that a +great improvement in the character of the jurors must be speedily +found. At present, a jury trial is generally regarded as a farce, +or something worse. The proof of this is seen in the fact that in +most of our courts the judges are required to try all cases without +a jury, where the parties to the action consent, and that in a +great portion of the cases the parties do consent.</p> + +<p>Another notable observation is the rapid growth of opinion in favor +of woman suffrage among our people, after its first adoption; but +more particularly the change effected in the minds of the new +settlers, who come to the territory with old prejudices and fixed +notions against it. Neither early education, nor personal bias, nor +party rancor, has been able to withstand the overwhelming evidence +of its good effects, and of its elevating and purifying influence +in our political and social organization.</p> + +<p>I must add, in conclusion, that the seventh legislature of our +territory has just closed its session of sixty days. It was +composed of more members than the earlier legislatures were, there +being thirteen in the Council and twenty-six in the House. Many +important questions came up for consideration, and a wide field of +discussion was traveled over, but not one word was at any time +spoken by any member against woman suffrage. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Hon. M. C. Brown, district-attorney for the territory, confirms the +testimony given by the judges and Governor Campbell, in a letter to +the National Suffrage Convention held in Washington in 1884, which +will be found in the pamphlet report of that year.</p> + + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<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> Messrs. Wade, Anthony, Gratz Brown, Buckalew, Cowan, +Foster, Nesmith, Patterson, Riddle. See <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_90"> +Vol. II., Chapter XVII.</a></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> Ex-Governor Hoyt in his public speeches frequently +gives this bird's-eye view of Bright's domestic and political +discussions: "Betty, it's a shame that I should be a member of the +legislature and make laws for such a woman as you. You are a great +deal better than I am; you know a great deal more, and you would +make a better member of the Assembly than I, and you know it. I +have been thinking about it and have made up my mind that I will go +to work and do everything in my power to give you the ballot. Then +you may work out the rest in your own way." So he went over and +talked with other members of the legislature. They smiled. But he +got one of the lawyers to help him draw up a short bill, which he +introduced. It was considered and discussed. People smiled +generally. There was not much expectation that anything of that +sort would be done; but this was a shrewd fellow, who managed the +party card in such a way as to get, as he believed, enough votes to +carry the measure before it was brought to the test. I will show +you a little behind the curtain, so far as I can draw it. Thus he +said to the Democrats: "We have a Republican governor and a +Democratic Assembly. Now, then, if we can carry this bill through +the Assembly and the governor vetoes it, we shall have made a +point, you know; we shall have shown our liberality and lost +nothing. But keep still; don't say anything about it." They +promised. He then went to the Republicans and told them that the +Democrats were going to support his measure, and that if <i>they</i> did +not want to lose capital they had better vote for it too. He didn't +think there would be enough of them to carry it, but the vote would +be on record and thus defeat the game of the other party. And they +likewise agreed to vote for it. So when the bill came to a vote it +went right through! The members looked at, each other in +astonishment, for they hadn't intended to do it, <i>quite</i>. Then they +laughed and said it was a good joke, but they had "got the governor +in a fix." So the bill went, in the course of time, to John A. +Campbell, who was then governor—the first governor of the +territory of Wyoming—and he promptly signed it! His heart was +right. He saw that it was long-deferred justice, and so signed it +as gladly as Abraham Lincoln wrote <i>his</i> name to the Proclamation +of Emancipation of the slaves. Of course the women were astounded! +If a whole troop of angels had come down with flaming swords for +their vindication, they would not have been much more astonished +than they were when that bill became a law and the women of Wyoming +were thus clothed with the habiliments of citizenship.</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> No sooner had these gentlemen left than Mrs. Post +and Mrs. Arnold had a long interview with the governor, urging him +to sign the bill on the highest moral grounds; not only to protect +the personal rights of the women of the territory but to compel the +men to observe the decencies of life and to elevate the social and +political status of the people.—[E. C. S.</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 the summer of 1871 Mrs. Stanton and myself, <i>en +route</i> for California, visited Wyoming and met the women who were +most active in the exercise of their rights of citizenship. At +Cheyenne we were the guests of Mrs. M. B. Arnold and Mrs. Amalia B. +Post. Mrs. Arnold had a large cattle-ranch and Mrs. Post an equally +large sheep-ranch a few miles out of the city, which they +superintended, and from which each received an independent income. +They had not only served as jurors, but acted as foremen. At +Laramie we were the guests of Mr. J. H. Hayford, editor of the +<i>Laramie Sentinel</i>, and met Grandma Swain, who was the first woman +to cast her ballot in that city. We also met Judges Howe and +Kingman and Governor Campbell, and heard from them of the wonderful +changes wrought in the court-room and at the polls by the presence +of enfranchised women. We spoke in the very court-room in which +women had sat as jurors and felt an added inspiration from that +fact.—[S. B. A.</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> The following is the list of the first grand jury at +Laramie City, composed of nine men and six women, as impanneled and +sworn: C. H. Bussard, foreman; Mrs. Jane E. Hilton, T. W. DeKay, +Jeremiah Boies, Mrs. H. C. Swain. Joseph DeMars, M. N. Merrill, +Mrs. M. A. Pierce, Mrs. C. Blake, Richard Turpin, G. W. Cardwell, +Mrs. S. L. Larimer, N. C. Worth, Mrs. Jane Mackle, W. H. +Mitchell.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_749" id="Page_749">[Pg 749]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LIII" id="CHAPTER_LIII"></a>CHAPTER LIII.</h2> + +<h3>CALIFORNIA.</h3> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>Liberal Provisions in the Constitution—Elizabeth T. +Schenck—Eliza W. Farnham—Mrs. Mills' Seminary, now a State +Institution—Jeannie Carr, State Superintendent of Schools—First +Awakening—<i>The Revolution</i>—Anna Dickinson—Mrs. Gordon +Addresses the Legislature, 1868—Mrs. Pitts Stevens Edits <i>The +Pioneer</i>—First Suffrage Society on the Pacific Coast, +1869—State Convention, January 26, 1870, Mrs. Wallis, +President—State Association Formed, Mrs. Haskell of Petaluma, +President—Mrs. Gordon Nominated for Senator—In 1871, Mrs. +Stanton and Miss Anthony Visit California—Hon. A. A. Sargent +Speaks in Favor of Suffrage for Woman—Ellen Clarke Sargent +Active in the Movement—Legislation Making Women Eligible to Hold +School Offices, 1873—July 10, 1873, State Society Incorporated, +Sarah Wallis, President—Mrs. Clara Foltz—A Bill Giving Women +the Right to Practice Law—The Bill Passed and Signed by the +Governor—Contest Over Admitting Women into the Law Department of +the University—Supreme Court Decision Favorable—Hon. A. A. +Sargent on the Constitution and Laws—Journalists and +Printers—Silk Culture—Legislative Appropriation—Mrs. Knox +Goodrich Celebrates July 4, 1876—Imposing Demonstration—Ladies +in the Procession. </p> +</div> + +<p><span class="sc">The</span> central figure in the seal of California is the presiding +goddess of that State, her spear in one hand, the other resting on +her shield, the cabalistic word "Eureka" over her head and a bear +crouching quietly at her feet. She seems to be calmly contemplating +the magnificent harbor within the Golden Gate. The shadows on the +distant mountains, the richly-laden vessels and the floating clouds +indicate the peaceful sunset hour, and the goddess, in harmony with +the scene is seated at her ease, as if after many weary wanderings +in search of an earthly Paradise she had found at last the land of +perennial summers, fruits and flowers—a land of wonders, with its +mammoth trees, majestic mountain-ranges and that miracle of +grandeur and beauty, the Yosemite Valley. Verily it seems as if +bounteous Nature in finishing the Pacific Slope did her best to +inspire the citizens of that young civilization with love and +reverence for the beautiful and grand.</p> + +<p>California, admitted to the Union in 1850, owing to the erratic +character of her early population, has passed through more +vicissitudes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_750" id="Page_750">[Pg 750]</a></span> than any other State, but she secured at last social +order, justice in her courts and a somewhat liberal constitution, +as far as the personal and property rights of the "white male +citizen" were concerned. By its provisions—</p> + +<blockquote><p>All legal distinctions between individuals on religious grounds +are prohibited; the utmost freedom of assembling, of speech and +of the press is allowed, subject only to restraint for abuse; +there is no imprisonment for debt, except where fraud can be +proved; slavery and involuntary servitude, except for crime, are +prohibited; wives are secured in their separate rights of +property; the exemption of a part of the homestead and other +property of heads of families from forced sale is recognized. </p></blockquote> + +<p>So far so good; but while the constitution limits the franchise to +every "white male citizen" over twenty-one, who has been a resident +of the State six months, and thus makes outlaws and pariahs of all +the noble women who endured the hardships of the journey by land or +by sea to that country in the early days, who helped to make it all +that it is, that instrument cannot be said to secure justice, +equality and liberty to all its citizens. The position in the +constitution and laws of that vast territory, of the real woman who +shares the every-day trials and hardships of her sires and sons +inspires no corresponding admiration and respect, with the ideal +one who gilds and glorifies the great seal of the State.</p> + +<p>For the main facts of this chapter we are indebted to Elizabeth T. +Schenck.<a name="FNanchor_496_496" id="FNanchor_496_496"></a><a href="#Footnote_496_496" class="fnanchor">[496]</a> She says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Out of the stirring scenes and tragical events characterizing the +early days of California one can well understand that there came +of necessity many brave and adventurous argonauts and many women +of superior mental force, from among whom in after years the +woman suffrage cause might receive most devoted adherents. For +nearly a score of years after the great incursion of gold-seekers +into this newly-acquired State no word was uttered by tongue or +pen demanding political equality for women—none at least which +reached the public ear. There were no preceding causes, as in the +older States, to stimulate the discussion of the question, and +even that mental amazon, Eliza W. Farnham who was one of the +distinguished pioneers of California, gathered her inspiration +from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_751" id="Page_751">[Pg 751]</a></span> afar, and thought and wrote for the whole world of women +without once sounding the tocsin for woman's political +emancipation. Many of the women who braved the perils of the +treacherous deep, or still more terrible dangers of the weary +march over broad deserts, inhospitable mountains, and through the +fastnesses of hostile and merciless Indians, to reach California +in the early times, entertained broad views upon the intellectual +capacity and political rights of women, but their efforts were +confined to fields of literature. While this advanced guard of +progressive women was moulding into form a social system out of +the turbulent and disorganized masses thrown together by the +rapidly-increasing population from all parts of the globe, the +elements were aggregating which in after years produced powerful, +outspoken thought and earnest action in behalf of disfranchised +women.</p> + +<p>Here as elsewhere women took the lead in school matters and were +the most capable and efficient educators from the days of "'49." +One of our permanent State institutions, Mills' Seminary, was +founded by a woman whose name it bears, and who, assisted by her +husband, Rev. Mr. Mills, conducted the school for nearly a +quarter of a century, until by an act of the legislature, she +conveyed it to the State. Several principals of the public +schools in San Francisco have held their positions for over +twenty consecutive years. Mrs. Jeanne Carr, deputy state +superintendent of public instruction from 1871 to 1875, was +succeeded by Mrs. Kate M. Campbell, who served most efficiently +for the full term. During Mrs. Carr's public service she visited +nearly every county in the State, attending teachers' institutes, +and lecturing upon educational topics with great ability. For +many years women have been eligible to school offices in +California and there is not a county in the State where women +have not filled positions as trustees or been elected to the +office of county superintendent.<a name="FNanchor_497_497" id="FNanchor_497_497"></a><a href="#Footnote_497_497" class="fnanchor">[497]</a> Mrs. Coleman has been +reëlected to that office in Shasta county, and Mrs. E. W. +Sullivan in Mono county has served for several terms.</p> + +<p>The first attempt to awaken the public mind to the question of +suffrage for woman was a lecture given by Laura De Force Gordon +in Platt's Hall, San Francisco, February 19, 1868. Although the +attendance was small, a few earnest women were there<a name="FNanchor_498_498" id="FNanchor_498_498"></a><a href="#Footnote_498_498" class="fnanchor">[498]</a> who +formed the nucleus of what followed. Soon after Mrs. Gordon +addressed the legislature in the senate-chamber at Sacramento, +and made an eloquent appeal for the political rights of women. +Among the audience were many members of the legislature who +became very deeply impressed with the justice of her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_752" id="Page_752">[Pg 752]</a></span> demand, +including the subsequent governor of the State, George C. +Perkins, then senator from Butte county. Soon afterwards Mrs. +Gordon removed to Nevada, and no more lectures on woman suffrage +were given until the visit of Anna Dickinson in the summer of +1869.</p> + +<p>The way was being prepared however, for further agitation by the +appearance of <i>The Revolution</i> in 1868 in New York, which was +hailed by the women of California (as elsewhere) as the harbinger +of a brighter and better era. Its well filled pages were eagerly +read and passed from hand to hand, and the effect of its +startling assertions was soon apparent. Mrs. Pitts Stevens had +about that time secured a proprietary interest in the <i>San +Francisco Mercury</i>, and was gradually educating her readers up to +a degree of liberality to endorse suffrage. Early in 1869 she +became sole proprietor, changing the name to <i>Pioneer</i>, and threw +the woman suffrage banner to the breeze in an editorial of marked +ability.</p> + +<p>The organization of the National Woman Suffrage Association in +New York, May, 1869, gave fresh impetus to the movement, and the +appointment of Mrs. Elizabeth T. Schenck as vice-president for +California by that association, met with the approval of all +those interested in the movement. Soon after this Mrs. Schenck +with her gifted ally, Mrs. Stevens, decided to organize a +suffrage society, and at an impromptu meeting of some of the +friends at the residence of Mrs. Nellie Hutchinson, July 27, +1869, the first association for this purpose on the Pacific coast +was formed. There were just a sufficient number of members<a name="FNanchor_499_499" id="FNanchor_499_499"></a><a href="#Footnote_499_499" class="fnanchor">[499]</a> +to fill the offices. This society grew rapidly and within a month +the parlors were found inadequate to the constantly increasing +numbers. Through the courtesy of the Mercantile Library +Association their commodious apartments were secured.</p> + +<p>The advent of Anna Dickinson afforded the ladies an opportunity +to attest their admiration for her as a representative woman, +which they did, giving her a public breakfast, September 14. +Their honored guest appreciated the compliment; and in an earnest +and eloquent speech referred to it, saying that although she had +received many demonstrations of the kind, this was the first ever +given her exclusively by her own sex.<a name="FNanchor_500_500" id="FNanchor_500_500"></a><a href="#Footnote_500_500" class="fnanchor">[500]</a></p> + +<p>Soon after Miss Dickinson's departure, Mrs. Schenck, much to the +regret of the society, resigned the chair, and Mrs. J. W. Stow +was appointed to fill the vacancy. The ladies having for some +time considered the organizing of a State Society of great +importance, it was decided to hold a grand mass convention for +that purpose. There was need of funds to carry forward the work, +and a course of three lectures was suggested as a means to raise +money. This carried, on motion of Mrs. Stow, and her offer to +deliver the first lecture of the course was accepted. All the +members of the society devoted their energies to secure the +success of the undertaking. Many of them engaged in selling +tickets for the two weeks intervening,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_753" id="Page_753">[Pg 753]</a></span> and on November 2, Mrs. +Stow gave her lecture to a large and interested audience, taking +for her theme, "Woman's Work." The Rev. Mr. Hamilton followed, +November 9, with "The Parlor and the Harem," and the Rev. C. G. +Ames concluded the course, November 18, with "What Does it Mean?" +The lectures were well received, and though not particularly +directed to the right of suffrage for women, succeeded in +attracting attention to the society under whose auspices they +were given, and helped it financially. About this time Mrs. +Gordon returned from the East and took an active part in +canvassing the State, lecturing and forming county societies +preparatory to securing as large a representation as possible at +the coming convention. The following report of the proceedings is +taken from the San Francisco dailies: </p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 393px;"> +<a name="v3_753" id="v3_753"> +<img src="images/v3_753.jpg" width="393" height="500" alt="Laura deForce Gordon" title="" /></a> +</div> + +<blockquote><p>The convention to form a State Woman Suffrage Society, held +its first meeting in Dashaway Hall, Wednesday afternoon, +January 26, 1870. The hall was well filled. Mrs. E. T. +Schenck, vice-president of the National Association, was +chosen president, <i>pro. tem.</i>, and Miss Kate Atkinson, +Secretary. A committee on credentials was appointed by the +chair, consisting of one member from each organization.<a name="FNanchor_501_501" id="FNanchor_501_501"></a><a href="#Footnote_501_501" class="fnanchor">[501]</a> +During the absence of the committee quite an animated +discussion arose as to the admission of delegates. Mrs. +Gordon said the greatest possible liberality should be +exercised in admitting persons to the right to speak and +vote; that all who signed the roll, paid the fee, and +expressed themselves in sympathy with the movement, should +be admitted. After some discussion, Mrs. Gordon's views +prevailed, and the names of those who chose to qualify +themselves were enrolled. About 120 delegates were thus +chosen from nine suffrage societies in different parts of +the State. Many counties were represented in which no +organizations had yet been formed. Some rather humorous +discussion was had as to whether the president should be +called Mrs. Chairman or Mrs. Chairwoman. The venerable Mr. +Spear arose and suggested the title be Mrs. President, which +was adopted. Mrs. Gordon said she had noticed that when +questions were put to the meeting not more than a dozen +timid voices could be heard saying "aye," or "no." The +ladies must not sit like mummies, but open their mouths and +vote audibly. This disinclination to do business in a +business-like way, is discreditable. (Cheers). Mrs. Gordon's +hint was taken, and unequivocal demonstration of voices was +made thereafter upon the taking of each vote. Long before +the time arrived for the evening session, the hall in every +part, platform, floor and gallery, was crowded, and large +numbers were unable to gain entrance.</p> + +<p>The Committee on Permanent Organization presented the +following names for officers of the convention: President, +Mrs. Wallis of Mayfield; Vice-Presidents, J. A. Collins, C. +G. Ames, Mrs. Mary W. Coggins; Secretaries, Mrs. McKee, Mrs. +Rider, Mrs. Perry; Treasurer, Mrs. Collins. On motion, Mrs. +Haskell and Mrs. Ames escorted the president to the rostrum, +and introduced her to the convention. Mrs. Wallis is a lady +of imposing presence, and very earnest in the movement. Upon +being introduced she said:</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Ladies and Gentlemen</span>—I thank you for this expression of +your high esteem and confidence in electing me to preside +over your deliberations. I regard this as a severe ordeal, +but, having already been tested in this respect, I do not +fear the trials to come. I shall persevere until the +emancipation of women is effected, and in order to fulfill +my duties successfully upon this occasion, I ask the hearty +coöperation of all. [Applause].</p> + +<p>Mrs. Stow gave the opening address, after which +delegates<a name="FNanchor_502_502" id="FNanchor_502_502"></a><a href="#Footnote_502_502" class="fnanchor">[502]</a> from various localities made interesting +reports. An able series of resolutions was presented and +discussed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_754" id="Page_754">[Pg 754]</a></span> at length by various members of the convention, +and letters of sympathy were read from friends throughout +the country.<a name="FNanchor_503_503" id="FNanchor_503_503"></a><a href="#Footnote_503_503" class="fnanchor">[503]</a> </p></blockquote> + +<p>From the first session, some anxiety was felt regarding the action +of the State Society in affiliating with one of the two rival +associations in the East. The Rev. C. G. Ames of San Francisco, +whose wife had been in attendance upon the Cleveland convention of +the American Association, was appointed vice-president for +California, while Mrs. E. T. Schenck had been appointed +vice-president by the National Association. In addition to the +names of officers of county societies appended to the call for this +convention, both Mrs. Schenck and Mrs. Ames signed in their +official capacity, as vice-president of their respective +Associations. Under these circumstances it was not strange that a +spirit of rivalry should manifest itself, but it was unfortunate +that it was carried so far as to breed disturbance in this infant +organization. The leading women looked upon Mrs. E. Cady Stanton +and Miss Susan B. Anthony as among the first who organized the +suffrage movement in the United States, and therefore felt that it +was due to them that our California Society which owed its +existence mainly to the efforts of Mrs. Schenck whom they had +appointed vice-president for California, should show its loyalty, +devotion and gratitude to them, by becoming auxiliary to the +National Association. On the other hand, Rev. C. G. Ames, being an +enthusiastic admirer of some of the leading spirits in the American +Association, desired it to be auxiliary to that. This conflict +having been foreshadowed, a letter was written to Miss Anthony in +relation to it. Her reply was received by Mrs. Schenck on the first +day of the convention, breathing a noble spirit of unselfishness, +advising us not to allow any personal feelings towards Mrs. Stanton +or herself to influence us in the matter, but rather to keep our +association entirely independent, free to coöperate with all +societies having for their object the enfranchisement of woman. +Accordingly, the following resolution was almost unanimously +adopted:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That the California Woman Suffrage Society remain +independent of all other associations for one year. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The result was satisfactory to Mrs. Schenck and her sympathizers, +but Mr. Ames seemed loth to relinquish his preference for the +American, and the course taken had the effect of lessening his zeal +and that of his followers, until they gradually dropped from the +ranks. But the convention, despite the unfortunate schism, was a +grand success. The sessions were crowded, and so great was the +interest awakened in the public mind that a final adjournment was +not had until Saturday night, after four days of earnest, +profitable work. The press of the city gave full and fair reports +of the proceedings, though very far from endorsing woman's claim to +suffrage, and men and women of all classes and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_755" id="Page_755">[Pg 755]</a></span> professions took an +active part in the deliberations. But of the multitude who met in +that first woman suffrage convention on the Pacific coast but few +were prominent in after years.</p> + +<p>The newly organized society immediately arranged to send a +delegation to Sacramento, to present to the legislature then in +session a petition for woman suffrage. The delegation consisted of +Laura DeForce Gordon, Caroline H. Spear and Laura Cuppy Smith, who +were accorded a hearing before a special committee of the Senate, +of which the venerable Judge Tweed, an able advocate of woman +suffrage, was chairman. The proceeding was without a parallel in +the history of the State. The novelty of women addressing the +legislature attracted universal attention, and the newspapers were +filled with reports of that important meeting.</p> + +<p>During the year 1870 a general agitation was kept up. A number of +speakers<a name="FNanchor_504_504" id="FNanchor_504_504"></a><a href="#Footnote_504_504" class="fnanchor">[504]</a> held meetings in various parts of the State. The +newspapers were constrained to notice this all-absorbing topic, +though most of them were opposed to the innovation, and maintained +a bitter war against its advocates. Prominent among them was the +sensational San Francisco <i>Chronicle</i> followed by the <i>Bulletin</i>, +the <i>Call</i>, and in its usual negative style, the <i>Alta</i>, while the +<i>Examiner</i> mildly ridiculed the subject, and a score of lesser +journalistic lights throughout the State exhibited open hostility +to woman suffrage, or simply mentioned the fact of its agitation as +a matter of news. But the brave pioneers in this unpopular movement +received kindly sympathy and encouragement from some journals of +influence, first among which was the San Francisco <i>Post</i>, then +under the management of that popular journalist, Harry George, +afterwards distinguished as the author of "Progress and Poverty." +The San José <i>Mercury</i> was our friend from the first, and its +fearless and able editor, J. J. Owen, accepted the office of +president of the State woman suffrage society to which he was +elected in 1878. The Sacramento <i>Bee</i> also did valiant service in +defending and advocating woman's political equality, its veteran +editor, James McClatchy, being a man of liberal views and great +breadth of thought, whose powerful pen was wielded in advocacy of +justice to all until his death, which occurred in October, 1883. +There were several county journals that spoke kind words in our +behalf, and occasionally one under the editorial management of a +woman would fearlessly advocate political equality.</p> + +<p>During the year of 1870, Mrs. Gordon traveled extensively over the +State, delivering more than one hundred lectures, beside making an +extended tour, in company with Mrs. Pitts Stevens, through Nevada, +where on the Fourth of July, at a convention held at Battle +Mountain, the first suffrage organization for that State was +effected. In February, 1871, Mrs. Gordon again lectured in Nevada, +remaining several weeks in Carson while the legislature was in +session. She was invited by that body to address them upon the +proposed amendment to the State constitution to allow women to +vote, which amendment was lost by a majority of only<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_756" id="Page_756">[Pg 756]</a></span> two votes, +obtained by a political trick, the question being voted upon +without a call of the House, when several members friendly to the +measure were absent. The author of the proposed amendment was the +Hon. C. J. Hillier, a prominent lawyer of Virginia City, who, in +bringing the bill before the legislature in 1869, delivered one of +the ablest arguments ever given in favor of woman suffrage.</p> + +<p>In 1871 Mrs. Gordon again made an extended tour through California, +Oregon, and Washington Territory, traveling mostly by stage, +enduring hardships, braving dangers and everywhere overcoming +prejudice and antagonism to strong-minded women, by the +persuasiveness of her arguments. In September, while lecturing in +Seättle, a telegram informed her of her nomination by the +Independent party of San Joaquin county for the office of State +senator, requesting her immediate return to California. This +necessitated a journey of nearly a thousand miles, one-half by +stage-coach. Six days of continuous travel brought her to Stockton, +where she entered at once upon the senatorial campaign. Mrs. Gordon +spoke every night until election, and succeeded in awakening a +lively interest in her own candidacy and in the subject of woman +suffrage. Her eligibility to the office was vehemently denied, +particularly by Republicans, who were badly frightened at the +appearance of this unlooked-for rival. The pulpit, press, and stump +speakers alternated in ridiculing the idea of a woman being allowed +to take a seat in the Senate, even if elected. The Democratic +party, being in the minority, offered but little opposition, and +watched with great amusement this unequal contest between the great +dominant party on the one side, and the little Spartan band on the +other. The contest was as exciting as it was brief, and despite the +great odds of money, official power, political superiority, and the +perfect machinery of party organization in favor of her opponents, +Mrs. Gordon received about 200 votes, besides as many more which +were rejected owing to some technical irregularity. Among those who +took part in that novel campaign and deserving special mention, was +the venerable pioneer familiarly called Uncle Jarvis, who had voted +a straight Whig or Republican ticket for fifty years, and who for +the first time in his life scratched his ticket and voted for Mrs. +Gordon.</p> + +<p>In July, 1871, California was favored by a visit from Mrs. Stanton +and Miss Anthony, who awakened new interest wherever their logical +and eloquent appeals were heard. Their advent was hailed with joy, +and they received marked attention from all classes, the clergy not +excepted. Every lecture given by them drew out large assemblies of +the most influential of the citizens. Indeed, they received a +continual ovation during their stay in San Francisco. After Mrs. +Stanton returned to New York, Miss Anthony remained and traveled in +California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington Territory several months, +speaking at conventions held in San Francisco and Sacramento, +besides lecturing in all the principal towns, winning for herself +great praise, and a deeper respect for the cause she so ably +represented. A complimentary banquet was tendered her in San +Francisco on the eve of her departure eastward, at which eighty +guests, distinguished in art, literature and social life, sat down +to a sumptuous collation spread in the Grand Hotel.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_757" id="Page_757">[Pg 757]</a></span></p> + +<p>In the early part of that year, 1871, Hon. A. A. Sargent and wife +returned to California from Washington, his term as representative +having expired, and both took an active part in the work of woman's +political enfranchisement. Mr. Sargent, with commendable bravery, +which under the circumstances was indeed a test of courage, +delivered an address in favor of woman suffrage at a convention +held in San Francisco, just on the eve of an important political +campaign, in which he was a candidate for reëlection to congress, +and also to the United States Senate. Of course, those opposed to +woman suffrage tried to make capital out of it against him, but +without avail, for that able and distinguished statesman was +elected to both offices, his term as representative expiring before +he would be called upon to take his seat in the United States +Senate. His noble wife, Ellen Clark Sargent, took an active +interest in all the woman suffrage meetings, and in November, 1871, +was appointed, as was also Mrs. Gordon, to represent California in +the National convention to be held in Washington in January, 1872.</p> + +<p>During the session of the California legislature in 1871-2 a +delegation from the State Society visited Sacramento and was +accorded a hearing in the Assembly-chamber before the Judiciary +Committee of that body. Addresses were made by Mrs. Pitts Stevens, +Mrs. A. A. Haskell, Mrs. E. A. H. DeWolf and Hon. John A. Collins.</p> + +<p>During the session of 1873-4 a bill was passed by the legislature +making women eligible to school offices, and also one which +provided that all women employed in the public schools should +receive the same compensation as men holding the same grade +certificates.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Laura Morton has filled and ably discharged the office of +assistant State librarian for the past ten years. Mrs. Mandeville +was deputy-controller during the Democratic administration of +Governor Irwin, and proved herself fully capable of discharging the +duties of that responsible office; while for several years women +have been elected to various positions in the legislature and +employed as clerks.</p> + +<p>July 10, 1873, the Woman Suffrage Society was incorporated under +the laws of the State, with Mrs. Sarah Wallis, president. Mrs. +Clara S. Foltz, a brilliant young woman who had begun the study of +law in San José, knew the statutes permitted no woman to be +admitted to the bar, and early in the session of 1877 drafted a +bill amending the code in favor of women, and sent it to Senator +Murphy of Santa Clara to be presented. Five years before this, +however, Mrs. Nettie Tator had applied for admission to the bar at +Santa Cruz. A committee of prominent attorneys appointed by the +court examined her qualifications as a lawyer. She passed +creditably and was unanimously recommended by the committee, when +it was discovered that the law would not admit women to that +learned profession.</p> + +<p>Following the presentation of Mrs. Foltz' bill, Mrs. Knox Goodrich, +Laura Watkins, Mrs. Wallis and Laura De Force Gordon were appointed +by the State Society a committee to visit Sacramento during the +session and use their influence to secure the passage of the +"Woman's Lawyer Bill," as it was termed, and to petition for +suffrage. Mrs. Gordon, who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_758" id="Page_758">[Pg 758]</a></span> was also reading law, was in Sacramento +as editorial correspondent for her paper, the <i>Daily Democrat</i> of +Oakland, and had ample opportunity to render valuable service to +the cause she had so much at heart. The bill passed the Senate by a +vote of 22 to 9, being ably advocated by Senators N. Green Curtis, +Judge Niles Searles of Nevada county, Creed Haymond of Sacramento, +and Joseph Craig of Yolo. In the Assembly, after weeks of tedious +delay and almost endless debate, the bill was indefinitely +postponed by a majority of one. By the persistent efforts of +Assemblymen Grove L. Johnson of Sacramento, R. W. Murphy, Charles +Gildea and Dr. May of San Francisco, the bill was brought up on +reconsideration and passed by two majority. The session was within +three days of its close, and so bitter was the opposition to the +bill that an effort was made to prevent its engrossment in time to +be presented for the governor's signature. The women and their +allies, who were on the watch for tricks, defeated the scheme of +their enemies and had the bill duly presented to Governor Irwin, +but not till the last day of the session. Then the suspense became +painful to those most interested lest it might not receive his +approval. Mrs. Gordon, as editor of a Democratic journal, asserted +her claims to some recognition from that party and strongly urged +that a Democratic governor should sign the bill. Aided by a +personal appeal from Senator Niles Searles to his excellency, her +efforts were crowned with success; the governor's message sent to +the Senate, when the hands of the clock pointed to fifteen minutes +of twelve, midnight (at which hour the president's gavel would +descend with the words adjourning the Senate <i>sine die</i>), announced +that Senate bill number 66, which permitted the admission of women +to all the courts of the State, had received his approval. There +was great rejoicing over this victory among the friends everywhere, +though the battle was not yet ended.</p> + +<p>The same legislature had passed a bill accepting the munificent +donation to the State of $100,000 from Judge Hastings to found the +Hastings College of Law, on condition that it be the law department +of the State University, and the college was duly opened for the +admission of students. At the beginning of the December term Mrs. +Foltz, who had been admitted to the District Court in San José +(being the first woman ever admitted to any court in the State), +came to San Francisco, and with Mrs. Gordon applied for admission +to the law college. The dean, Judge Hastings, himself opposed to +women being received as students, told them it was a matter that +must be laid before the board of directors, but that they could +attend the lectures <i>ad interim</i>. Three days later they were +informed that their application had been denied. Satisfied that the +law was in their favor, they immediately appealed to the courts. To +save time Mrs. Gordon applied to the Supreme Court and Mrs. Foltz +to the District Court, simultaneously, for a writ of mandamus to +compel the directors to act in obedience to the law which, the +petitioners claimed, did not discriminate against women in founding +the State University or its departments. The Supreme Court, wishing +perhaps to shirk the responsibility of acting in the first +instance, sent their petitioner, Mrs. Gordon, to the lower court, +which had in the meantime ordered the writ<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_759" id="Page_759">[Pg 759]</a></span> to issue for Mrs. +Foltz; so it was decided to make hers the test-case, and by the +courtesy of Judge Morrison, now chief-justice of the Supreme Court, +Mrs. Gordon was joined with Mrs. Foltz in the prosecution of the +cause. The board of directors of the college consisted of the +chief-justice of the Supreme Bench and seven other lawyers, among +the most distinguished and able in the State. The case attracted +great attention and deep interest was taken in the proceedings. +Judges Lake and Cope, who were ex-justices of the Supreme Court, +assisted by T. B. Bishop, another learned practitioner at the bar, +were arrayed as counsel for the defense against these comparatively +young students in the law, who appeared unaided in their own +behalf. After one of the most interesting legal contests in the +history of the State these women came off victors, and the +good-natured public, through the press, offered them +congratulations. But the defendants would not yield without a +stubborn resistance and carried their cause on appeal to the +Supreme Court; hence many months elapsed before the final struggle +came, but victory again rewarded the petitioners, the Supreme Court +deciding that women <i>should</i> be admitted to the law department of +the State University. Although excluded from the benefit of the +lectures in the college, Mesdames Gordon and Foltz had improved +their time in study, and in December, 1879, both were admitted to +the Supreme Court of the State, after a thorough examination.</p> + +<p>Prior to this legal contest, in the summer of 1878, when delegates +to the constitutional convention were to be elected, Mrs. Gordon, +urged by her friends in San Joaquin county, became an independent +candidate only a week or two before the election. With Mrs. Foltz +she made a very brief though brilliant canvass, attracting larger +and more enthusiastic audiences than any other speaker. Mrs. Gordon +received several hundred votes for the office, and felt compensated +for the time and money spent by the great interest awakened in the +subject of woman suffrage.</p> + +<p>As soon as the constitutional convention assembled in September, +Mrs. Gordon, although still pursuing her legal studies, was able as +a newspaper correspondent to closely watch the deliberations of +that body and urge the insertion of a woman suffrage clause in the +new organic law. The State Society delegated Mrs. Knox Goodrich, +Mrs. Sarah Wallis and Mrs. Watkins to join Mrs. Gordon in pressing +the claims of woman, but the opposition was too strong and the +suffrage clause remained declaring male citizens entitled to vote, +though a section in the bill of rights, together with other +provisions in the new constitution, renders it quite probable that +the legislature has the right to enfranchise women without having +to amend the organic law. At all events the new instrument is far +more favorable to women than the old, as will now be shown. The +agitation of the question of the admission of women to the Law +College, which began during the session of the convention, led that +body to incorporate the following provision in the constitution:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Article II., Sec. 18.</span> No person shall be debarred admission to +any of the collegiate departments of the State University on +account of sex. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Remembering the hard struggle by which the right to practice law +had been secured to women, and the danger of leaving it to the +caprice of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_760" id="Page_760">[Pg 760]</a></span> future legislatures, Mrs. Gordon drafted a clause which +protects women in all lawful vocations, and by persistent effort +succeeded in getting it inserted in the new constitution, as +follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Article XX., Sec. 18.</span> No person shall, on account of sex, be +disqualified from entering upon or pursuing any lawful business, +vocation or profession. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The adoption of this clause, so valuable to women, was mainly +accomplished by the skillful diplomacy of Hon. Charles S. Ringgold, +delegate from San Francisco, who introduced it in the convention +and worked faithfully for its adoption. Thus California stands +to-day one of the first States in the Union, as regards the +educational, industrial and property rights of women, and the +probability of equal political rights being secured to them at an +early day, is conceded by the most conservative.</p> + +<p>About the time Mrs. Foltz and Mrs. Gordon were admitted to the bar, +they, as chief officers of the State W. S. S. (incorporated), +called a convention in San Francisco. It convened in February, +1880, and was well attended. Mrs. Sargent took an active part in +the meetings, occupied the chair as president <i>pro tem.</i>, and +subsequently spoke of the work done by the National Association in +Washington. Several prominent officials, unable to be present, sent +letters heartily endorsing our claims; among these were Governor +Perkins, State Senator Chace, and A. M. Crane, judge of the +Superior Court. Addresses were delivered by Judge Swift, Marian +Todd and Mrs. Thorndyke of Los Angeles, Judge Palmer of Nevada +city, and others. The newspapers of the city, though still hostile +to the object of the convention, gave very fair reports. In +September following, the annual meeting of the society was held, +and made particularly interesting by the fact that the proposed new +city charter, which contained a clause proscriptive of women, was +denounced, and a plan of action agreed upon whereby its defeat +should be secured, if possible, at the coming election. The women +worked assiduously against the adoption of the city charter, and +rejoiced to see it rejected by a large majority.</p> + +<p>The following facts in regard to the constitution and statute laws +of California were sent us by the Hon. A. A. Sargent:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In 1879, California adopted a new constitution, by means of a +constitutional convention. It was an unfortunate time for such +organic legislation, for the reason that the State was rife at +the time with the agitation of "sand-lotters," as they were +called, a violent faction which assailed property rights and +demanded extreme concessions to labor. The balance of power in +the constitutional convention was held by persons elected by this +element, and resulted in a constitution extraordinary in some of +its features, but which was adopted by the people after a fierce +contest.</p> + +<p>Women fared badly at the hands of these constitution-makers, so +far as suffrage is concerned. Section 1, article 2, confirms the +right of voting to "every native male citizen," and "every male +naturalized citizen," although a heroic effort was made by the +friends of woman suffrage to keep out the word "male." But +section 18, article <span class="smcap">XX</span>., provides that "no person shall, on +account of sex, be disqualified from entering upon or pursuing +any lawful business, vocation or profession."</p> + +<p>Some years before, the State had adopted a "civil code," which +was abreast of the world in liberality to women. This code +discarded the idea of any servility in the relation of the wife +to the husband. This code is still the law, and provides, in +effect, that husband and wife contract toward each other +obligations of mutual respect, fidelity and support. The husband +is the head of the family, and may choose any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_761" id="Page_761">[Pg 761]</a></span> reasonable place +and mode of life, and the wife must conform thereto. Neither has +any interest in the property of the other, and neither can be +excluded from the other's dwelling. Either may enter into any +engagement or transaction with the other, or with any other +person, respecting property, which either might if unmarried. +They may hold property as tenants in common or otherwise, with +each other, and with others. All property of the wife owned by +her before marriage, and acquired afterwards by gift, devise, +bequest or descent, with the rents, issues and profit thereof, is +her separate property, and she may convey the same without his +consent. All property acquired after marriage is community +property. The earnings of the wife are not liable for the debts +of the husband. Her earnings, and those of minor children in her +custody, are her separate property. A married woman may dispose +of her separate property by will, without the consent of her +husband, as if she were single. One-half of the community +property goes absolutely to the wife, on the death of the +husband, and cannot be diverted by his testamentary disposition. +A married woman can carry on business in her own name, on +complying with certain formalities, and her stock, capital and +earnings are not liable to her husband's creditors, or his +intermeddling. The husband and father, as such, has no rights +superior to those of the wife and mother, in regard to the care, +custody, education and control of the children of their marriage, +while such husband and wife live separate and apart from each +other.</p> + +<p>The foregoing exhibits the spirit of the California law. It is +believed by friends of woman suffrage that had the convention +been held under normal conditions, the word "male" might have +been eliminated from that instrument. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Several creditable attempts were early made in journalism. In 1855 +Mrs. S. M. Clark published the weekly <i>Contra Costa</i> in Oakland. In +1858, <i>The Hesperian</i>, a semi-monthly magazine, was issued in San +Francisco, Mrs. Hermione Day and Mrs. A. M. Shultz, editors. It was +quite an able periodical,<a name="FNanchor_505_505" id="FNanchor_505_505"></a><a href="#Footnote_505_505" class="fnanchor">[505]</a> and finally passed into the hands of +Elizabeth T. Schenck.</p> + +<p>As journalists and printers, women have met with encouraging +success. The most prominent among them is Laura DeForce Gordon, who +began the publication of the <i>Daily Leader</i> at Stockton in 1873, +continued afterward at Oakland as the <i>Daily Democrat</i>, until 1878. +In Geo. P. Rowell's <i>Newspaper Reporter</i> for 1874, the <i>Stockton +Leader</i> is announced as "the only daily newspaper in the world +edited and published by a woman." Mrs. Boyer, known as "Dora +Darmoor," published different magazines and journals in San +Francisco during a period of several years, the most successful +being the <i>Golden Dawn</i>. Mrs. Theresa Corlett has been connected +with various leading journals of San Francisco, and is well known +as a brilliant and interesting writer. Miss Madge Morris has not +only made a place for herself in light literature, but has been +acting-clerk in the legislature for several sessions. Mrs. Sarah M. +Clark published a volume entitled "Teachings of the Ages"; Mrs. +Josephine Wolcott, a volume of poems, called "The World of Song."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Amanda Slocum Reed, one of our most efficient advocates of +suffrage, has proved her executive ability, and capacity for +business, by the management of a large printing and publishing +establishment for several years. The liberal magazine called +<i>Common Sense</i>, was published by her and her husband—most of its +original contents the product of her pen;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_762" id="Page_762">[Pg 762]</a></span> and when the radicalism +of her husband caused the suspension of that journal in 1878, Mrs. +Slocum began the publication of <i>Roll Call</i>, a temperance magazine +which was mainly edited by her gifted little daughter Clara, only +fifteen years old, who also set all the type. Among the earliest +printers of California was Lyle Lester. She established a printing +office in San Francisco in 1860, in which she employed a large +number of girls and women as compositors. Miss Delia Murphy—now +Mrs. Dearing—ranks with the best printers in San Francisco, and +several women in various portions of the State have taken like +standing. "Mrs. Richmond & Son," is the novel sign which decorates +the front of a large printing establishment on Montgomery street, +San Francisco, known for many years as the "Woman's Coöperative +Printing Company," but which, in fact, was always an individual +enterprise. Mrs. Augusta DeForce Cluff has entered upon her seventh +year in practical journalism as publisher of a sprightly weekly, +the <i>Valley Review</i>, at Lodi, in which enterprise she has met with +remarkable success, being a superior business manager as well as a +facile and talented writer. Some of her little poems have great +merit. Mrs. Cluff and Mrs. Gordon have both filled official +positions in the Pacific Coast Press Association. Miss Mary +Bogardus, the gifted young daughter of that pioneer journalist, H. +B. Bogardus, editor of <i>Figaro</i>, is her father's main assistant in +all the business of his office. Mrs. Wittingham has been elected +postmaster of the State Senate several terms, and is at present +employed in the U. S. branch mint in San Francisco.</p> + +<p>One of the most meritorious and successful enterprises occupying +the attention of the women of California, is the silk culture, +which promises to develop into one of the dominant industries of +the nation. Mrs. G. H. Hittel first brought the subject into public +notice by able articles on the cultivation of the mulberry tree, +published in various journals. In 1880 she formed the Ladies' Silk +Culture Society of California. This association like its +predecessor, the first Woman Suffrage Society, was organized and +held its meetings in private parlors for a time, but it soon +required more room. Men have been taken into membership since the +object for which the society was formed seemed to be feasible, and, +as a natural result, whatever of financial and honorary reward may +be accorded the self-sacrificing women who performed the arduous +and thankless labor of founding the institution, will be shared +with the men who now come into the work.</p> + +<p>During the session of the legislature of 1883, a committee was +appointed to ask an appropriation from the State for the purpose of +establishing a Filature or free silk-reeling school. After +considerable delay the committee called to their aid Mrs. Gordon, +and asked her to visit the State capital and see what could be +done. The session was rapidly drawing to a close, and even the +warmest friends of the measure feared that it was too late to +accomplish anything. But happily the bill was got through both +branches of the legislature and sent to the governor the last hour +of the session. By its provisions a State Board of Silk Culture was +created consisting of nine members, five of whom were to be women,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_763" id="Page_763">[Pg 763]</a></span> +and the sum of $7,500 was appropriated. Thus women have begun and +are now fostering a great industrial enterprise which in the near +future will give to millions of hitherto unemployed or ill-paid +women and children an occupation peculiarly suited to them, and +which will add millions of dollars annually to the revenue of the +country. Mrs. Florence Kimball of San Diego county was appointed a +member of the State Board of Silk Commissioners by Governor +Stoneman in 1883.</p> + +<p>Since the expiration of their term as superintendents of the public +schools of the State, Dr. and Mrs. James Carr have made their home +in that loveliest spot of southern California—Passadena, where, +overlooking rich orange groves and luxurious vineyards, they enjoy +the blessings of prosperity, and where Mrs. Carr, with her +ambitious, active nature, finds congenial employment in +demonstrating what woman can accomplish in silk-culture, +raisin-making, and the crystalizing of fruit.</p> + +<p>Miss Austen, formerly a teacher in the public schools of San +Francisco, has a vineyard at Fresno, where she employs women and +girls to prepare all her considerable crop of raisins for market, +conceded to be of the best quality produced in the State. Mrs. +Ellen McConnell Wilson of Sacramento county, from the small +beginning, twenty years ago, of 320 acres of land, and less than +1,000 sheep, has now over 5,000 acres of rich farming land and +6,000 sheep. Mrs. H. P. Gregory of Sacramento, left a widow with a +large family of little children, succeeded her husband in the +shipping and commission business in which he was engaged on a small +scale. From such a beginning, Mrs. Gregory has built up one of the +largest trades in that city, and has by judicious investments in +real estate acquired property of a value exceeding $100,000, +besides having reared and educated her numerous family.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Elizabeth Hill was one of the early settlers in Calaveras +county, where her husband located land on the Mokelumne river near +Camanche in 1855. Six years after she was left a widow with four +little children. The support of the family devolved upon the +mother, and she engaged in cultivating the land, adding thereto +several hundred acres. In 1877 Mrs. Hill began the cultivation of +the Persian-insect-powder plant, known to commerce as Buhach. So +successful has this venture proved that she has now over 200 acres +planted to that shrub, and manufactures each year about fifteen +tons of the Buhach powder, for which she finds a ready sale. The +number of women who have supported their families (often including +the husband), and acquired a competency in boarding and +lodging-house keeping, dressmaking, millinery, type-setting, +painting, fancy work, stock-dealing, and even in manufacturing and +mercantile pursuits, is legion.</p> + +<p>In regard to the position of women in medicine, Miss Elizabeth +Sargent, M. D., writes:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Women are admitted on equal terms with men to the medical and +dental departments of the State University, and to the Cooper +Medical College of San Francisco. Women are also eligible to +membership in the State and various county medical associations, +as well as in the dental association. There are in the State 73 +women who have been recognized by the authorities as qualified to +practice. They may be classified as follows: Practitioners of +regular medicine, 30, 16 of whom are established in San +Francisco; eclectics, 22, 9 in San Francisco; homœopathists, +21, 2 in San Francisco.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_764" id="Page_764">[Pg 764]</a></span> Among these physicians two make a +specialty of the eye and ear, one in San Francisco and one in San +José. Two women have been graduated from the State Dental +College, located in San Francisco. In April, 1875, the Pacific +Dispensary Hospital for women and children was founded by women. +In 1881 a training-school for nurses was added. The hospital +department, although admitting women, is intended especially for +children, and is the only children's hospital on the coast. The +dispensary is for out-patients, both women and children. The +board of ten directors, the resident and attending physicians of +the hospital, and five out of the seven connected with the +dispensary are women. From a small beginning the institution has +increased to importance, and bids fair to continue in its present +prosperity and capacity for good work. I have written thus +lengthily that you may see how energetic our women have been in +originating and carrying on such an institution. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The most prominent literary woman of the coast is undoubtedly Miss +M. W. Shinn. She is a graduate of our State University and was the +medal scholar of her class. At present she is the editor of the +<i>Overland Monthly</i>, and the excellent prospects of the magazine are +largely the result of her own courage and the hard work she has +done.</p> + +<p>The higher education in the State is being put upon a secure basis. +Hon. Leland Stanford and his wife, Jane Lathrop Stanford, have +recently given a great part of their vast fortune for the +establishment of a university which bids fair to be the foremost +educational institution on the continent. In a letter specifying +his views in regard to the management of the university, Governor +Stanford says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We deem it of the first importance that the education of both +sexes shall be equally full and complete, varied only as nature +dictates. The rights of one sex, political and other, are the +same as those of the other sex, and this equality of rights ought +to be fully recognized. </p></blockquote> + +<p>There are many men and women throughout the State who have +faithfully advocated political equality for all citizens.<a name="FNanchor_506_506" id="FNanchor_506_506"></a><a href="#Footnote_506_506" class="fnanchor">[506]</a></p> + +<p>Mendocino county has the honor of claiming as a citizen, one of the +earliest and ablest women in this reform, Clarina Howard Nichols, +who may be said to have sown the seeds of liberty in three States +in which she has resided, Vermont, Kansas and California. Since +1870, her home has been with a son in Pomo, where she finished her +heroic life January 11, 1885. Though always in rather straitened +circumstances, Mrs. Nichols was uniformly calm and cheerful, living +in an atmosphere above the petty annoyances of every-day life with +the great souls of our day and generation, keeping time in the +march of progress. She was too much absorbed in the vital questions +of the hour even to take note of her personal discomforts. Many of +her able articles published in magazines and the journals of the +day, and letters from year to year to our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_765" id="Page_765">[Pg 765]</a></span> conventions, were +written in such conditions of weakness and suffering, as only a +hero could have overcome. She was a good writer, an effective +speaker, and a preëminently brave woman, gifted with that rarest of +all virtues, common sense.</p> + +<p>The advocacy of woman's rights began in Santa Cruz county, with the +advent of that grand champion of her sex, the immortal Eliza +Farnham, who braved public scorn and contumely because of her +advanced views, for many years before the suffrage movement assumed +organized form. Mrs. Farnham's work rendered it possible for those +advocating woman suffrage years later, to do so with comparative +immunity from public ridicule. A society was organized there in +1869, and Rev. D. G. Ingraham, E. B. Heacock, H. M. Blackburn, Mrs. +Georgiana Bruce Kirby, Mrs. Van Valkenburgh, W. W. Broughton and +wife, and Mrs. Jewell were active members.</p> + +<p>Prominent in Santa Clara county is Mrs. Sarah Wallis of Mayfield. +From the first agitation of the subject in 1868, when she entered +heartily into the work of getting subscribers to <i>The Revolution</i>, +she has been untiring in her efforts to advance the interests of +women. A lady of fine presence, great energy and perseverance, Mrs. +Wallis has been able to accomplish great good for her sex. With a +large separate estate, when the statutes prevented her as a married +woman from managing it, she determined that the laws should be +changed, and never ceased her efforts until she succeeded in +getting an amendment to the civil code which enables married women +to make contracts. The most successful suffrage meetings ever held +in Santa Clara county have been at Mayfield. There Mrs. Wallis and +her husband, Judge Joseph S. Wallace, make their spacious and +luxurious home the rendezvous of lecturers and writers in the great +work of woman's emancipation.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Sarah Knox Goodrich of San José, was among the first to see +the significance of the movement for woman's rights in 1868. Her +husband, William J. Knox, who shortly before his death had been +State senator, secured the passage of a bill, drafted by himself, +giving to married women the right to dispose of their own separate +property by will. Having been from her youth the cherished +companion of a man who believed in the equality of the sexes, and +being herself a thoughtful, clear-headed person, she naturally took +her place with those whose aim was the social and political +emancipation of woman, and has stood from the first a tower of +strength in this cause, giving largely of her wealth for the +propagation of its doctrines. Mrs. Knox Goodrich has for many years +paid her taxes, sometimes exorbitant, under protest, and at +important elections has also offered her vote, to have it refused. +The county suffrage society has had an untiring leader in Mrs. +Goodrich, and on all occasions she has nerved the weak and +encouraged the timid by her example of unflinching devotion. The +following extracts from a letter written by the lady will show how +effective her work has been:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In 1872, our society was invited to take part in the Fourth of +July celebration, which we did, and had the handsomest carriages +and more of them than any other society in the procession. We +paid our own expenses, although the city had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_766" id="Page_766">[Pg 766]</a></span> made an +appropriation for the celebration. In 1876 we were not invited to +take part in the festivities, but some of us felt that on such a +day, our centennial anniversary, we should not be ignored. +Accordingly I started out to see what could be done, but finding +some of our most active friends ill and others absent from home, +I decided to do what I could alone. I had mottoes from the grand +declarations of the Fathers painted and put on my house, which +the procession would pass on two sides.</p> + +<p>Some of our most prominent ladies seeing that I was determined to +make a manifestation, drove with me in the procession, our +carriage and horses decorated with flags, the ladies wearing +sashes of red, white and blue, and bearing banners with mottoes +and evergreens. A little daughter of Mrs. Clara Foltz, the +lawyer, dressed in red, white and blue, was seated in the center +of the carriage, carrying a white banner with silver fringe, a +small flag at the top with a silver star above that, with +streamers of red, white and blue floating from it, and in the +center, in letters large enough to be seen some distance, the one +word "Hope." On my flag the motto was: "We are Taxed without +being Represented"; Mrs. Maria H. Weldon's, "We are the +disfranchised Class"; Mrs. Marion Hooker's, "The Class entitled +to respectful Consideration"; and Miss Hannah Millard's, "We are +governed without our Consent." On the front of my house in large +letters was the motto: "Taxation without Representation is +Tyranny as much in 1876, as it was in 1776"; on the other side +was, "We are Denied the Ballot, but Compelled to Pay Taxes"; +fronting the other side was, "Governments Derive their Just +Powers from the Consent of the Governed." Mrs. McKee also had the +last motto on her house. On the evening of July 3, after we had +all our preparations completed, we sent to one of the marshals +and asked him to give us a place in the procession <i>next to the +negroes</i>, as we wished to let our legal protectors have a +practical illustration of the position occupied by their mothers, +wives, sisters and daughters in this boasted republic. We <i>did</i> +want to go in, however, <i>ahead of the Chinamen</i>, as we considered +our position at present to be between the two. The marshal +willingly assigned us a place, but not the one we desired. "We +cannot allow you," said he, "to occupy such a position. You must +go in front, next to the Pioneer Association"; and being in part +members of that society we accepted the decision. Our carriage +was the center of attraction. Many, after reading our mottoes, +said: "Well, ladies, we will help you to get your rights"; "It is +a shame for you to be taxed and not have the right to vote." +Hundreds of people stood and read the mottoes on the house, +making their comments, both grave and gay: "Good for Mrs. Knox"; +"She is right"; "If I were in her place I would never pay a tax"; +"I guess one of the strong-minded lives here." </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Knox was married to Mr. Goodrich, the well-known architect, in +1878, in whom she has found a grand, noble-souled companion, fully +in sympathy with all her progressive views, and with whom she is +passing the advancing years of her well-spent life in luxury and +unalloyed happiness.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Van Valkenburg tried to vote under the claim that the +fourteenth amendment to the Constitution of the United States +entitled her to registration, and being refused, brought suit +against the registrars. The case was decided against her after +being carried to the Supreme Court of California. These cases +argued in the Supreme Court have been of inestimable value in the +progress of the movement, lifting the question of woman's rights as +a citizen above the mists of ridicule and prejudice, into the +region of reason and constitutional law. We cannot too highly +appreciate the bravery and persistence of the few women who have +furnished these test cases and compelled the highest courts to +record their decisions. </p></blockquote> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<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> Having spent several days with Mrs. Schenck, in her +cozy, artistic home surrounded with a hedge of brilliant geraniums, +I can readily testify to the many virtues and attractions her large +circle of friends has always accorded her. From all I had heard I +was prepared to find Mrs. Schenck a woman of remarkable cultivation +and research, and I was not disappointed. Refined, honorable in her +feeling, clear in her judgments of men and measures, just and +upright In all her words and actions, she was indeed the fitting +leader for the uprising of women on the Pacific Slope. The +preparation of this chapter occupied the last year of her life, her +one wish to live was to complete the task, but when her failing +powers made that impossible she charged her friend Mrs. Manning, +with whom she resided, to take up the work that had fallen from her +hands and make a fair record of all that had been done and said, by +her noble coädjutors, who had labored so faithfully to inaugurate +the greatest reform of the century.—[E. C. S.</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> Among them are Laura Fowler, Kate Kennedy, Mary N. +Wadleigh, Trinity County; Anna L. Spencer, Alpine; Mrs. D. M. +Coleman, Shasta; Miss A. L. Irish, Mono; Los Angeles City Board of +Education has three women out of its five members, to-wit., Mrs. C. +B. Jones (chairman), Mrs. M. A. Hodgkins (secretary), Mrs. M. +Graham. Oakland Board, Miss A. Aldrich; Sacramento, Charlotte +Slater; San Jose, Mrs. B. L. Hollenbeck. Sister Mary Frances of the +order of "Sisters of Charity" came to California in 1849, and +devoted her great energies, and rare accomplishments, to the cause +of education up to the time of her demise in April, 1881. Annie +Haven, Miss Prince, Miss Austin, and a host of others have been +successful in the same field of labor, including Miss Merweidel, +founder of the kindergarten system in San Francisco.</p></div> + +<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> Among them were Mrs. Sarah Wallis of Mayfield, Mrs. +E. T. Schenck, Mrs. L. M. Clarke, Emily Pitts (afterwards Mrs. +Stevens of San Francisco).</p></div> + +<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> <i>President</i>, Elizabeth T. Schenck; <i>Vice-President</i>, +Emily Pitts Stevens; <i>Recording Secretary</i>, Mrs. Hutchinson; +<i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, Mrs. Celia Curtis; <i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. S. +J. Corbett.</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> The following persons were present: Mrs. E. T. +Schenck, president of Woman Suffrage Associasion of San Francisco; +Mrs. E. Pitts Stevens, Mrs. Celia Curtis, Mrs. Walton, Mrs. Watson, +Mrs. S. J. Corbett, M. D.; Mary Collins, Mrs. E. P. Meade, M. D.; +Mrs. Alpheus Bull, Mrs. James S. Bush, Mrs. S. M. Clarke, Mrs. +Judge Shafter, Mrs. Judge Burke, Mrs. Thomas Varney, Mrs. R. B. +Swain, Mrs. Carlton Curtis, Mrs. T. Richardson, Mrs. I. W. Hobson, +Mrs. Smythe, Mrs. J. W. Stow, Mrs. C. G. Ames, Mrs. Barry and 30 +others.</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> Rev. C. G. Ames, San Francisco; Mrs. S. S. Allyn, +Oakland; Mrs. Sarah Wallis, Mayfield; Mrs. Bowman, Sacramento; Mrs. +Georgiana Bruce Kirby, Santa Cruz; Mrs. Fannie Kingsbury, San +Diego; Mrs. Elmira Eddy, Nevada; Mrs. A. A. Haskell, Petaluma; +Minnie H. McKee, Santa Clara.</p></div> + +<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> See Appendix to California chapter.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_503_503" id="Footnote_503_503"></a><a href="#FNanchor_503_503"><span class="label">[503]</span></a> At the close of the convention a State society was +organized, with the following officers: <i>President</i>, Mrs. A. A. +Haskell of Petaluma; <i>Vice-Presidents</i>, Mrs. J. W. McComb of San +Francisco, Mrs. Denio of Solano, Mrs. Kingsbury of San Diego, Mrs. +E. J. Hall of Los Angeles, Mrs. Eddy of Nevada, Mrs. Lewis of +Sacramento, Mrs. Kirby of Santa Cruz, Mrs. Agnes Eager of Alameda, +Mrs. Watkins of Santa Clara, Mrs. L. D. Latimer of Sonoma; +<i>Secretary</i>, Mrs. Minnie McKee of Santa Clara. <i>Board of Control</i>, +Mrs. C. H. Spear, Mrs. C. G. Ames, Mrs. Minnie Edwards, Mrs. Celia +Curtis, Miss Laura Fowler, Mr. John A. Collins, Miss Kate Atkinson, +Mrs. Pitts Stevens.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_504_504" id="Footnote_504_504"></a><a href="#FNanchor_504_504"><span class="label">[504]</span></a> Mrs. Kingsbury of San Diego, Mrs. H. F. M. Brown, +Addie L. Ballou, Paulina Roberts, Mrs. C. H. Spear, Laura Cuppy +Smith, Mrs. F. A. Logan, M. D., Mrs. C. M. Churchill, John A. +Collins, and a large number of local speakers, who aided in +organizing societies, or in keeping up the interest in those +already formed.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_505_505" id="Footnote_505_505"></a><a href="#FNanchor_505_505"><span class="label">[505]</span></a> Chief among its contributors were Eliza W. Farnham, +Sarah M. Clark, Amanda Simonton Page, Mrs. M. D. Strong, Fanny +Green, Annie K. Fader, Eliza A. Pittsinger, Mrs. James Neal, Mrs. +Elizabeth Williams.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_506_506" id="Footnote_506_506"></a><a href="#FNanchor_506_506"><span class="label">[506]</span></a> Among the many who have been active and faithful in +the movement for the political rights of women, whose names should +be mentioned, are: Mrs. Eliza Taylor, Mrs. O. Fuller, Elizabeth +McComb, Dr. Laura P. Williams, Mrs. Dr. White, Sallie Hart, Dr. R. +H. McDonald, Hon. Frank Pixley, and many others in <i>San Francisco</i>; +Fanny Green McDougal, <i>Oakland</i>; Mrs. Phebe Benedict, <i>Antioch</i>; +Mrs. Isabella Irwin, <i>San Rafael</i>; Mrs. Cynthia Palmer, Mrs. Emily +Rolfe, <i>Nevada City</i>; Mrs. Elizabeth Condy, <i>Stockton</i>; Miss E. S. +Sleeper, <i>Mountain View</i>; Mrs. Laura J. Watkins, Mrs. Damon, <i>Santa +Clara</i>; Mrs. Dr. Kilpatrick, <i>San Mateo</i>; Mrs. S. G. Waterhouse, +Drs. Kellogg and Bearby, Mrs. M. J. Young, Mrs. E. B. Crocker, and +others, <i>Sacramento</i>; Mrs. Mary Jewett, Mr. and Mrs. Howell, +<i>Healdsburgh</i>; Mrs. Lattimer, <i>Windsor</i>; Mr. and Mrs. Denio, Mrs. +E. L. Hale, <i>Vallejo</i>; Mrs. J. Lewellyn, Mrs. Potter, <i>St. Helena</i>; +Mr. and Mrs. J. Egglesson, <i>Napa</i>; Henry and Abigail Bush, +<i>Martinez</i>; Rowena Granice Steele, <i>Merced</i>; Mrs. Jennie Phelps +Purvis, Mrs. Lapham and daughter, <i>Modesto</i>.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_767" id="Page_767">[Pg 767]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LIV" id="CHAPTER_LIV"></a>CHAPTER LIV.</h2> + +<h3>THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST.</h3> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>The Long Marches Westward—Abigail Scott Duniway—Mary Olney +Brown—The First Steps in Oregon—Col. C. A. Reed—Judge G. W. +Lawson—1870—The New Northwest, 1871—Campaign, Mrs. Duniway and +Miss Anthony—They Address the Legislature in Washington +Territory—Hon. Elwood Evans—Suffrage Society Organized at +Olympia and at Portland—Before the Oregon Legislature—Donation +Land Act—Hon. Samuel Corwin's Suffrage Bill—Married Woman's +<i>Sole</i> Traders' Bill—Temperance Alliance—Women Rejected—Major +Williams Fights their Battles and Triumphs—Mrs. H. A. +Loughary—Progressive Legislation, 1874—Mob-Law in Jacksonville, +1879—Dr. Mary A. Thompson—Constitutional Convention, +1878—Woman Suffrage Bill, 1880—Hon. W. C. Fulton—Women +Enfranchised in Washington Territory, Nov. 15, 1883—Great +Rejoicing, Bonfires, Ratification Meetings—Constitutional +Amendment Submitted in Oregon and Lost, June, 1884—Suffrage by +Legislative Enactment Lost—Fourth of July Celebrated at +Vancouvers—Benjamin and Mary Olney Brown—Washington +Territory—Legislation in 1867-68 Favorable to Women—Mrs. Brown +Attempts to Vote and is Refused—Charlotte Olney French—Women +Vote at Grand Mound and Black River Precincts, +1870—Retrogressive Legislation, 1871—Abby H. Stuart in +Land-Office—Hon. William H. White—Idaho and Montana. </p> +</div> + + +<p><span class="sc">In</span> the spring of 1852, when the great <i>furor</i> for going West was at +its height, in the long trails of miners, merchants and farmers +wending their way in ox-carts and canvas-covered wagons over the +vast plains, mountains and rivers, two remarkable women, then in +the flush of youth, might have been seen; one, Abigail Scott +Duniway, destined to leave an indelible mark on the civilization of +Oregon, and the other, Mary Olney Brown, on that of Washington +territory. What ideas were revolving in these young minds in that +long journey of 3,000 miles, six months in duration, it would be +difficult to imagine, but the love of liberty had been infused in +their dreams somewhere, either in their eastern homes from the +tragic scenes of the anti-slavery conflict, or on that perilous +march amidst those eternal solitudes by day and the solemn +stillness of the far-off stars in the gathering darkness. That this +long communion with great nature left its impress on their young +hearts and sanctified their lives to the best interests of humanity +at large, is clearly seen in the deeply interesting accounts they +give of their endeavors to mould the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_768" id="Page_768">[Pg 768]</a></span> governments of their +respective territories on republican principles. Writing of herself +and her labors, Mrs. Duniway says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I was born in Pleasant Grove, Tazewell county, Illinois, October +22, 1834, of the traditional "poor but respectable parentage" +which has honored the advent of many a more illustrious worker +than myself. Brought up on a farm and familiar from my earliest +years with the avocations of rural life, spending the early +spring-times in the maple-sugar camp, the later weeks in +gardening and gathering stove-wood, the summers in picking and +spinning wool, and the autumns in drying apples, I found little +opportunity, and that only in winter, for books or play. My +father was a generous-hearted, impulsive, talented, but +uneducated man; my mother was a conscientious, self-sacrificing, +intelligent, but uneducated woman. Both were devotedly religious, +and both believed implicitly that self-abnegation was the crowing +glory of womanhood. Before I was seventeen I was employed as a +district school teacher, received a first-class certificate and +taught with success, though how I became possessed of the +necessary qualifications I to this day know not. I never did, +could, or would study when at school.</p> + +<p>In the spring of 1852 my father decided to emigrate to Oregon. My +invalid mother expostulated in vain; she and nine of us children +were stowed away in ox-wagons, where for six months we made our +home, cooking food and washing dishes around camp-fires, sleeping +at night in the wagons, and crossing many streams upon +wagon-beds, rigged as ferryboats. When our weary line of march +had reached the Black Hills of Wyoming my mother became a victim +to the dreadful epidemic, cholera, that devastated the emigrant +trains in that never-to-be-forgotten year, and after a few hours' +illness her weary spirit was called to the skies. We made her a +grave in the solitudes of the eternal hills, and again took up +our line of march, "too sad to talk, too dumb to pray." But ten +weeks after, our Willie, the baby, was buried in the sands of the +Burnt River mountains. Reaching Oregon in the fall with our +broken household, consisting of my father and eight motherless +children, I engaged in school-teaching till the following August, +when I allowed the name of "Scott" to become "Duniway." Then for +twenty years I devoted myself, soul and body, to the cares, +toils, loves and hopes of a conscientious wife and mother. Five +sons and one daughter have been born to us, all of whom are +living and at home, engaged with their parents in harmonious +efforts for the enfranchisement of women.</p> + +<p>The first woman suffrage society ever formed in Oregon, was +organized in Salem, the capital of the State, in the autumn of +1870, and consisted of about a dozen members. Col. C. A. Reed was +chosen president and G. W. Lawson, secretary. This little society +which maintained a quiescent existence for a year or more and +then disbanded without ceremony, was, in part, the basis of all +subsequent work of its character in Oregon. In the winter of 1871 +this society honored me with credentials to a seat in the woman +suffrage convention which was to meet in San Francisco the +following May. My business called me to the Golden City before +the time for the convention, and a telegraphic summons compelled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_769" id="Page_769">[Pg 769]</a></span> +me to return to Oregon without meeting with the California +Association in an official way, as I had hoped. But my +credentials introduced me to the San Francisco leaders, among +whom Emily Pitts Stevens occupied a prominent position as editor +and publisher of the <i>The Pioneer</i>, the first woman suffrage +paper that appeared on the Pacific coast. Before returning to +Oregon I resolved to purchase an outfit and begin the publication +of a newspaper myself, as I felt that the time had come for +vigorous work in my own State, and we had no journal in which the +demands of women for added rights were treated with respectful +consideration.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 393px;"> +<a name="v3_769" id="v3_769"> +<img src="images/v3_769.jpg" width="393" height="500" alt=""Yours for Liberty, Abigail Scott Duniway"" title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p>Soon after reaching my home in Albany I sold my millinery store +and removed to Portland, where, on May 5, 1871, the <i>New +Northwest</i> made its appearance, and a siege of the citadels of a +one-sexed government began, which at this writing is going on +with unabated persistency. The first issue of this journal was +greeted by storms of ridicule. Everybody prophesied its early +death, and my personal friends regarded the enterprise with +sincere pity, believing it would speedily end in financial +disaster. But the paper, in spite of opposition and burlesque, +has grown and prospered.</p> + +<p>In August, 1871, Susan B. Anthony favored Oregon and Washington +territory with a visit. The fame of this veteran leader had +preceded her, and she commanded a wide hearing. We traveled +together over the country, visiting inland villages as well as +larger towns, holding woman suffrage meetings and getting many +subscribers for the <i>New Northwest</i>. During these journeyings I +became quite thoroughly initiated into the movement and made my +first efforts at public speaking. After a six weeks' campaign in +Oregon, we went to Olympia, the capital of Washington territory, +where the legislature was in session, and where, through a motion +of Hon. Elwood Evans, we were invited to address the Assembly in +advocacy of equal rights for all the people. From Olympia we +proceeded to Victoria, a border city belonging to a woman's +government, where we found that the idea of the ballot for woman +was even more unpopular than in the United States, though all, by +strange inconsistency, were intensely loyal to their queen. After +an interesting and profitable experience in the British +possessions we returned to Puget Sound, stopping over on our +route at the different milling towns that teem with busy life +upon the evergreen shores of this Mediterranean of the Pacific. +At Seättle we organized an association<a name="FNanchor_507_507" id="FNanchor_507_507"></a><a href="#Footnote_507_507" class="fnanchor">[507]</a> in which many of the +leading ladies and gentlemen took a prominent part; after which +we returned to Olympia, where a territorial organization was +effected.<a name="FNanchor_508_508" id="FNanchor_508_508"></a><a href="#Footnote_508_508" class="fnanchor">[508]</a></p> + +<p>Returning to Portland, we called a convention, and organized the +Oregon State Woman Suffrage Association, with Harriet W. +Williams, a venerated octogenarian, president. This estimable +woman had been one of the earliest leaders of the woman suffrage +movement in the State<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_770" id="Page_770">[Pg 770]</a></span> of New York, and her presence at the head +of our meetings in Oregon was a source of genuine satisfaction to +the friends of the cause in the new State of her adoption. +Subsequently, Mrs. Williams was compelled to resign on account of +increasing infirmities, but her wise counsels are still cherished +by her successors, whom she regards with motherly solicitude as +she serenely awaits the final summons of the unseen messenger. +Many of those who early distinguished themselves in this +connection deserve special mention because of their +long-continued zeal in the work.<a name="FNanchor_509_509" id="FNanchor_509_509"></a><a href="#Footnote_509_509" class="fnanchor">[509]</a> If others failed us, these +were always ready to work the hardest when the fight was hottest. +And whatever might be our differences of opinion personally, we +have always presented an unbroken phalanx to the foe. The +original society at Salem having disbanded, its members joined +the new State Association organized at Portland, which has ever +since been regarded as the nucleus of all our activities.</p> + +<p>In September of 1872, I visited the Oregon legislature, where I +went clothed by our association with discretionary power to do +what I could to secure special legislation for the women of the +State, who, with few exceptions, were at that time entirely under +the dominion of the old common law. The exceptions were those +fortunate women who, having come to Oregon as early as 1850 and +'52, had, by virtue of a United States law, known as the Oregon +Donation Land Act, become possessed of "claims," as they were +called, on equal shares with their husbands, their half, or +halves, of the original ground being set apart as their separate +property in realty and <i>fee simple</i>. This Donation Land Act +deserves especial mention, it being the first law enacted in the +United States which recognized the individual personality of a +married woman. It became a temporary law of congress in 1850, +mainly through the efforts of Hon. Samuel R. Thurston, delegate +from Oregon territory (which at that time included the whole of +Washington territory), aided by the eminent Dr. Linn of Missouri, +from whom one of the principal counties of the State of Oregon +derives its name.</p> + +<p>My first experience in the capitol was particularly trying. I +spent two days among my acquaintances in Salem in a vain attempt +to find a woman who was ready or willing to accompany me to the +state-house. All were anxious that I should go, but each was +afraid to offend her husband, or make herself conspicuous, by +going herself. Finally, when I had despaired of securing company, +and had nerved myself to go alone, Mary P. Sawtelle, who +afterwards became a physician, and now resides in San Francisco +where she has a lucrative practice, volunteered to stand by me, +and together we entered the dominion hitherto considered sacred +to the aristocracy of sex, and took seats in the lobby, our +hearts beating audibly. Hon. Joseph Engle, perceiving the +innovation and knowing me personally, at once arose, and, after a +complimentary speech in which he was pleased to recognize my +position as a journalist, moved that I be invited to a seat +within the bar and provided with table and stationery as were +other members of the profession. The motion carried, with only +two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_771" id="Page_771">[Pg 771]</a></span> or three dissenting votes; and the way was open from that +time forward for women to compete with men on equal terms for all +minor positions in both branches of the legislature—a privilege +they have not been slow to avail themselves of, scores of them +thronging the capitol in these later years, and holding valuable +clerkships, many of them sneering the while at the efforts of +those who opened the way for them to be there at all.</p> + +<p>Hon. Samuel Corwin introduced a woman suffrage bill in the House +of Representatives early in the session; and while it was +pending, I was invited to make an appeal in its behalf, of which +I remember very little, so frightened and astonished was I, +except that once I inadvertently alluded to a gentleman by his +name instead of his county, whereupon, being called to order, I +blushed and begged pardon, but put myself at ease by informing +the gentlemen that in all the bygone years while they had been +studying parliamentary rules, I had been rocking the cradle.</p> + +<p>One member who had made a vehement speech against the bill, in +which he had declared that no respectable woman in his county +desired the elective franchise, became particularly incensed, as +was natural, upon my exhibiting a woman suffrage petition signed +by the women he had misrepresented, and headed, <i>mirabile dictu</i>, +by the name of his own wife! The so-called representative of +women lost his temper, and gave vent to some inelegant +expletives, for which he was promptly reprimanded by the chair. +This offender has since been many times a candidate for office, +but the ladies of his district have always secured his defeat. +The woman suffrage bill received an unexpectedly large vote at +this session, and was favored in 1874 by a still larger one, when +it was ably championed by Hon. C. A. Reed, the before named +ex-president of the first woman suffrage society in the State.</p> + +<p>In 1872 the Senate, the House concurring, passed a Married +Woman's Sole Trader bill, under the able leadership of Hon. J. N. +Dolph, who has since distinguished himself as our champion in the +Senate of the United States. This bill has ever since enabled any +woman engaged in business on her own account to register the fact +in the office of the county clerk, and thereby secure her tools, +furniture, or stock in trade against the liability of seizure by +her husband's creditors.</p> + +<p>Perhaps I cannot better illustrate the general feeling of +opposition to women having a place in public affairs at that +time, than by describing the scenes in the State Temperance +Alliance in February of that year, when somebody placed my name +in nomination as chairman of an important committee. The +presiding officer was seized with a sudden deafness when the +nomination was made, and the Alliance was convulsed with +merriment. Ladies on all sides buzzed about me, and urged me to +resent the insult in the name of womanhood. And, as none of them +were at that time public speakers, I felt obliged to rise and +speak for myself.</p> + +<p>"Mr. President," I exclaimed, "by what right do you refuse to +recognize women when their names are called? Are men the only +lawful members of this Alliance? And if so, is it not better for +the women delegates to go home?"</p> + +<p>"Mr. President: The committees are now full!" shouted an excited<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_772" id="Page_772">[Pg 772]</a></span> +voter. Somebody, doubtless in ridicule, then nominated me as +vice-president-at-large, which was carried amid uproarious +merriment. I took my seat, half frightened and wholly indignant; +and the deliberations of the sovereign voters were undisturbed +for several hours thereafter by word or sign from women. At last +they got to discussing a bill for a prohibitory liquor law, and +the heat of debate ran high. During the excitement somebody +carried a note to the presiding officer, who read it, smiled, +colored, and rising, said: "We are hearing nothing from the +ladies, and yet they constitute a large majority of this +Alliance. Mrs. Duniway, will you not favor us with a speech?"</p> + +<p>I was taken wholly by surprise, but sprang to my feet and said: +"Mr. President: I have always wondered what it was that consumed +so much time in men's conventions. I hope gentlemen will pardon +the criticism, but you talk too much, and too many of you try to +talk at once. My head is aching from the roar and din of your +noisy orators. Gentlemen, what does it all amount to? You are +talking about prohibition, but you overestimate your political +strength. Disastrous failures attend upon all your endeavors to +conquer existing evils by the votes of men alone. Give women the +legal power to combat intemperance, and they will soon be able to +prove that they do not like drunken husbands any better than men +like drunken wives. Make women <i>free</i>. Give them the power the +ballot gives to you, and the control of their own earnings which +rightfully belong to them, and every woman will be able to settle +this prohibition business in her own home and on her own account. +Men will not tolerate drunkenness in their wives; and women will +not tolerate it in husbands unless compelled to."</p> + +<p>A prominent clergyman arose, and said: "Mr. President: I charge +the sins of the world upon the mothers of men. There are twenty +thousand fallen women in New York—two millions of them in +America. We cannot afford to let this element vote." Before I was +aware of what I was doing I was on my feet again. Shaking my +finger at the clergymen, I exclaimed: "How <i>dare</i> you make such +charges against the mothers of men? You tell us of two millions +of fallen women who, you say, would vote for drunkenness; but +what say you, sir, to the twenty millions of fallen men—all +voters—whose patronage alone enables fallen women to live? Would +you disfranchise them, sir? I pronounce your charge a libel upon +womanhood, and I know that if we were voters you would not <i>dare</i> +to utter it."</p> + +<p>A gentleman from Michigan—Mr. Curtis—called me to order, saying +my remarks were personal. "You, sir, sat still and didn't call +this man to order while he stood up and insulted all womanhood!" +I exclaimed, vehemently. "Prohibition is the question before the +house," said the gentleman, "and the lady should confine herself +to the resolution." "That is what I am doing, sir. I am talking +about prohibition, and the only way possible to make it succeed."</p> + +<p>The chair sustained me amid cries of "good!" "good!" but I had +become too thoroughly self-conscious by this time to be able to +say anything further, and, with a bow to the chairman whom I had +before forgotten to address, I tremblingly took my seat.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_773" id="Page_773">[Pg 773]</a></span></p> + +<p>A resolution was passed, after a long and stormy debate, +declaring it the duty of the legislature to empower women to vote +on all questions connected with the liquor traffic; and I, as its +author, was chosen a committee to present the same for +consideration at the coming legislative session. Woman suffrage +gained a new impetus all over the Northwest through this victory. +Everybody congratulated its advocates, and the good minister who +had unwittingly caused the commotion seized the first opportunity +to explain that he had always been an advocate of the cause. I +was by this time so thoroughly advertised by the abuse of the +press that I had no difficulty in securing large audiences in all +parts of the Pacific Northwest.</p> + +<p>I was chosen in April, 1872, as delegate to the annual meeting of +the National Association, held in New York the following month. +Horace Greeley received the nomination for the presidency at the +Cincinnati Liberal Republican Convention while I was on the way; +and when I reached New York I at first threw what influence I had +in the Association in favor of the great editor. But Miss +Anthony, who knew Mr. Greeley better than I did, caused me to be +appointed chairman of a committee to interview the reputed +statesman and officially report the result at the evening +session. Miss Anthony and Mrs. Jane Graham Jones of Chicago were +the other members of this committee. We obtained the desired +interview, of which it only needs to be said that it became my +humiliating duty to ask pardon in the evening for the speech in +advocacy of the illustrious candidate which in my ignorance I had +made in the morning. That Mr. Greeley owed his defeat in part to +the opposition of women in that memorable campaign, I have never +doubted. But he builded better than he knew in earlier years, for +he planted many a tree of liberty that shall live through the +ages to come, overshadowing in a measure his failure to recognize +the divine right of political equality for woman in his later +days.</p> + +<p>The first annual convention of the Oregon State Association met +in Portland, February 9, 1873. Many ladies and several +gentlemen<a name="FNanchor_510_510" id="FNanchor_510_510"></a><a href="#Footnote_510_510" class="fnanchor">[510]</a> of more or less local prominence assisted at this +convention, but we were able to prevail upon but one gentleman, +Col. C. A. Reed of Salem, to occupy the platform with us. This +convention received favorable notice from the respectable press +of the State, and was largely attended by the best elements of +the city and country. Delegates were chosen to attend the +forthcoming State Temperance Alliance which held its second +annual meeting February 20, and to which a dozen of us went +bearing credentials. It was evident from the first that trouble +was brewing. The enemy had had a whole year to prepare an +ambuscade of which our party had no suspicion. A Committee on +Credentials was appointed with instructions to rule the woman +suffrage delegation out of the Alliance as a "disturbing +element." Hon J. Quinn Thornton was chairman of that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_774" id="Page_774">[Pg 774]</a></span> committee. +In his report he declared all delegations to be satisfactory +(including those from the penitentiary) except the women whom he +styled "setting hens," "belligerent females," etc., after which +he subsided with pompous gravity. All eyes were turned upon me, +and I felt as I fancy a general must when the success or failure +of an army in battle depends upon his word. "Mr. President," I +exclaimed, as soon as I could get the floor, "I move to so amend +the report of the committee as to admit the suffrage delegation." +The motion was seconded by a half-dozen voices. Then followed a +scene which beggars description. It was pandemonium broken loose. +When I arose again to address the chair that worthy ordered my +arrest by the sergeant-at-arms, saying: "Take that crazy woman +out of the house and take care of her." The officer came forward +in discharge of his duty, but he quailed before my uplifted +pencil, and several gentlemen stepped into the aisle and began +drawing off their coats to defend me, among them a veteran +minister of the gospel. I smiled and bowed my thanks, and as +nobody could hear a word amid the uproar I complacently took my +seat while the officer skulked away, crestfallen. All that day +and evening, and until one o'clock the next afternoon, a noisy +rabble of self-styled temperance men sought to prevent bringing +the question to a square and honorable vote. Major George +Williams, a brave man who had lost a limb in fighting for his +country, at last succeeded in wearying the chairman into a +semblance of duty. The result was a triumph for the advocates of +suffrage. A recess was then taken, during which my hand was so +often and enthusiastically shaken that my shoulder was severely +lamed. The first thing in order after resuming business was my +report as Legislative Committee. I advanced to the platform amid +deafening cheers and, as soon as I could make myself heard, said, +in substance, that the legislature had decided that it was an +insult to womanhood to grant women the right to vote on +intemperance and debar them from voting on all honorable +questions. I then offered a fair and unequivocal woman suffrage +resolution, which was triumphantly carried. The disappointed +minority seceded from the Alliance and set up a "Union" for +themselves; but their confederacy did not live long, and its few +followers finally returned to their <i>alma mater</i> and gave us no +further trouble.</p> + +<p>Woman suffrage associations were formed in several counties +during the year 1874. Our strength was now much increased by the +able assistance of Mrs. H. A. Loughary, who suddenly took her +place in the front rank as a platform speaker. The editorial work +of the <i>New Northwest</i> received a valuable auxiliary in June of +this year in the person of Catharine A. Coburn, a lady of rare +journalistic ability, who held her position five years, when my +sons, W. S., H. R. and W. C. Duniway, having completed their +school duties and attained their majority, were admitted to +partnership in the business. Mrs. Coburn now holds a situation on +the editorial staff of the <i>Daily Oregonian</i>.</p> + +<p>In the autumn of 1876 I was absent at the Centennial Exposition, +whither I had gone in the summer in response to an invitation +from the National Woman Suffrage Association to "Come over into +Macedonia<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_775" id="Page_775">[Pg 775]</a></span> and help." The work for equal rights made favorable +headway in the legislature of Oregon that year through the +influence of a convention held at Salem under the able leadership +of Mrs. H. A. Loughary and Dr. Mary A. Thompson.</p> + +<p>In June, 1878, a convention met in Walla Walla, Washington +territory, for the purpose of forming a constitution for the +proposed new State of Washington, and in compliance with the +invitation of many prominent women of the territory I visited the +convention and was permitted to present a memorial in person, +praying that the word "male" be omitted from the fundamental law +of the incubating State. But my plea (like that of Abigail Adams +a century before) failed of success, through a close vote +however—it stood 8 to 7—and men went on as before, saying, as +they did in the beginning: "Women do not wish to vote. If they +desire the ballot let them ask for it." In September of that year +I was again at my post in the Oregon legislature circulating the +<i>New Northwest</i> among the law-makers, and doing what else I could +to keep the cause before them in a manner to enlist their +confidence and command their respect. An opportunity was given me +at this session to make an extended argument upon constitutional +liberty before a joint convention of the two Houses, which +occupied an hour in delivery and was accorded profound attention. +I was much opposed to the growing desire of the legislature to +shirk its responsibility upon the voters at large by submitting a +proposed constitutional amendment to them when the constitution +nowhere prohibits women from voting, and I labored to show that +all we need is a declaratory act extending to us the franchise +under the existing fundamental law. Dr. Mary A. Thompson followed +in a brief speech and was courteously received. The Married +Woman's Property bill, passed in 1874, received some necessary +amendments at this session, and an act entitling women to vote +upon school questions and making them eligible to school offices, +was passed by a triumphant majority.</p> + +<p>I went to Southern Oregon in 1879, and while sojourning in +Jacksonville was assailed with a shower of eggs (since known in +that section as "Jacksonville arguments") and was also burned in +effigy on a principal street after the sun went down. +Jacksonville is an old mining town, beautifully situated in the +heart of the Southern Oregon mountains, and has no connection +with the outside world except through the daily stagecoaches. Its +would-be leading men are old miners or refugees from the +bushwhacking district whence they were driven by the civil war. +The taint of slavery is yet upon them and the methods of +border-ruffians are their hearts' delight. It is true that there +are many good people among them, but they are often over-awed by +the lawless crowd whose very instincts lead them to oppose a +republican form of government. But that raid of the outlaws +proved a good thing for the woman suffrage movement. It aroused +the better classes, and finally shamed the border ruffians by its +own reäction. When I returned to Portland a perfect ovation +awaited me. Hundreds of men and women who had not before allied +themselves with the movement made haste to do so. The newspapers +were filled with severe denunciations of the mob, and +"Jackson-villains,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_776" id="Page_776">[Pg 776]</a></span> as the perpetrators of the outrage were +styled, grew heartily disgusted over their questionable glory.</p> + +<p>When the legislature met in the autumn of 1880 it was decided by +the Woman Suffrage Association that we could "raise the blockade" +and encourage agitation in the work by consenting to an attempt +to amend the State constitution. Pursuant to this decision a +resolution was offered in the Senate by Hon. W. C. Fulton of +Clatsop, and in the House by Hon. Lee Laughlin, which, after +considerable discussion <i>pro</i> and <i>con</i> in which I was graciously +invited to participate on the floor of both Houses, was passed by +the requisite two-thirds majority. The result was considered a +triumph for the cause. A grand ratification jubilee was held in +the opera-house in honor of the event, and resolutions of thanks +to the lawmakers were passed, accompanied by many expressions of +faith in the legislation of the future.</p> + +<p>In the meantime the work was going steadily on in Washington +territory, my own labors being distributed about equally between +the two sections of the Pacific Northwest that had formerly been +united under one territorial government. In the autumn of 1881 +the legislature of Washington met one afternoon in joint +convention to listen to arguments from Hon. William H. White and +myself, on which occasion I held the floor for nearly three +hours, in the midst of an auditory that was itself an +inspiration. Mr. White, a Democrat of the old school, and now +(1885) holding the office of United States marshal in the +territory, under commission from President Cleveland, based his +plea for woman suffrage upon the enfranchisement of the colored +men, urging it strongly as a means of Democratic retaliation. The +suffrage bill passed in the House on the following day by a +majority of two, but was defeated in the Council by a majority of +two, showing that the vote would have been a tie if taken under +the joint-ballot rule.</p> + +<p>Returning to Oregon I renewed the contest, and in the autumn of +1882 we were all gratified by the passage of the pending +constitutional amendment by a very nearly unanimous vote of each +House. Then the Oregon campaign began in earnest. The question +had assumed formidable proportions and was no longer an ignored +issue. The work went on with accelerated speed, and as far as +could be ascertained there was little or no opposition to it. The +meetings were largely attended and affirmative speakers were +ready to assist at all times, the help of this kind representing +all grades of the professions, led by the best and most +influential men of the State everywhere.</p> + +<p>Another year went by, and the time for assembling the Washington +territory legislature was again at hand. Immediately upon +arriving at Olympia I learned that a coterie of politicians, +finding open hostility no longer effectual, had combined to crush +the woman suffrage bill, which had passed the House triumphantly, +by lobbying a "substitute" through the Council. In pursuance of +this seemingly plausible idea they talked with the ladies of +Olympia and succeeded in convincing a few of them that all women, +and especially all leaders of the movement, must be kept away +from the capitol or the bill would certainly be defeated. +Several<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_777" id="Page_777">[Pg 777]</a></span> women who ought to have have known better were deceived +by these specious pleaders, and but for some years of experience +in legislative assemblies that had brought me to comprehend the +"ways that are dark and tricks that are vain," for which the +average politician is "peculiar," the ruse would have succeeded. +I remained at headquarters, enduring alike the open attacks of +the venal press and the more covert opposition of the saloons and +brothels, and, as vigilantly as I could, watched all legislative +movements, taking much pains to keep the public mind excited +through the columns of the <i>Daily Oregonian</i> and the weekly +issues of the <i>New Northwest</i>. The bill, which had been prepared +by Professor William H. Roberts, passed the House early in the +session; but it tarried long in the Council, and those most +interested were well-nigh worn out with work and watching before +the measure reached a vote. It came up for final passage November +15, 1883, when only three or four women were present. The Council +had been thoroughly canvassed before-hand and no member offered +to make a speech for or against it. The deathly stillness of the +chamber was broken only by the clerk's call of the names and the +firm responses of the "ayes" and "noes." I kept the tally with a +nervous hand, and my heart fairly stood still as the fateful +moment came that gave us the majority. Then I arose and without +exchanging words with any one left the state-house and rushed +toward the telegraph-office, half a mile distant, my feet seeming +to tread the air. Judge J. W. Range of Cheney, president of a +local woman suffrage society, overtook me on the way, bound on +the same errand. He spoke, and I felt as if called back to earth +with a painful reminder that I was yet mortal. A few minutes more +and my message was on the way to the <i>New Northwest</i>. It was +publication-day and the paper had gone to press, but my jubilant +and faithful sons opened the forms and inserted the news, and in +less than half an hour the newsboys were crying the fact through +the streets of Portland, making the <i>New Northwest</i>, which had +fought the fight and led the work to the point where legislation +could give a victory, the very first paper in the nation to +herald the news to the world. The rejoicing in Oregon, as well as +in Washington territory, was most inspiriting. A bloodless battle +had been fought and won, and the enemy, asleep in carnal +security, had been surrendered unawares. The women of Oregon +thanked God and took courage.</p> + +<p>After passing the Council the bill passed leisurely, and some of +us feared perilously, through the various stages of clerical +progress till November 22, when it received the signature of +Governor William A. Newell, who used a gold pen presented him for +the purpose by women whom his act made free. And when at a given +signal the church bells rang in glad acclaim, and the loud boom +of minute-guns reverberated from the forest-clothed hills that +border Puget Sound and lost itself at last in the faint echoes of +the far-off hights, the scroll of the dead century unrolled +before my inner vision and I beheld in spirit another scene on +the further verge of the continent, when men in designing to ring +the bell at Independence Hall in professed honor of the triumph +of liberty, although not a woman in the land was free, had sought +in vain to force the loyal metal into glad<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_778" id="Page_778">[Pg 778]</a></span> responses; for the +old bell quivered in every nerve and broke its heart rather than +tell a lie!</p> + +<p>An immense ratification jubilee was held in the evening of the +same day at the city hall in Olympia, with many distinguished +speakers.<a name="FNanchor_511_511" id="FNanchor_511_511"></a><a href="#Footnote_511_511" class="fnanchor">[511]</a> Similar meetings were subsequently held in all the +principal towns of the Pacific Northwest. The freed women of +Washington thankfully accepted their new prerogatives. They were +appointed as jurors in many localities, and have ever since +performed their duties with eminent satisfaction to judges, +lawyers and all clients who are seeking to obey the laws. But +their jurisdiction soon became decidedly uncomfortable for the +law-breaking elements, which speedily escaped to Oregon, where, +as the sequel proved, they began a secret and effective war upon +the pending constitutional amendment. We all knew we had a +formidable foe to fight at the ballot-box. Our own hands were +tied and our own guns spiked, while our foe was armed to the +teeth with ballots, backed by money and controlled by vice, +bigotry and tyranny. But the leading men of the State had long +been known to favor the amendment; the respectable press had +become mildly, and in a few cases earnestly acquiescent; no +opposition could be raised at any of our public meetings, and we +felt measurably sure of a victory until near election time, when +we discovered to our dismay that most of the leading politicians +upon whom we had relied for aid had suddenly been seized with an +alarming reticence. They ceased to attend the public meetings and +in every possible way ignored the amendment, lest by openly +allying themselves with it they might lose votes; and as all of +them were posing in some way for office, for themselves or +friends, and women had no votes with which to repay their +allegiance, it was not strange that they should thus desert us.</p> + +<p>Our Republican senator in congress, Hon. J. N. Dolph, favored the +Woman Suffrage Association with an able and comprehensive letter, +which was widely circulated, urging the adoption of the amendment +as a measure of justice and right, and appealing to the voters to +make Oregon the banner State of the great reform. Leading +clergymen, especially of Portland, preached in favor of woman +suffrage, prominent among them being Rev. T. L. Eliot, pastor of +the Unitarian church; Chaplain R. S. Stubbs of the Church of Sea +and Land, and Rev. Frederic R. Marvin of the First Congregational +society. Appeals to voters were widely circulated from the pens +and speeches of many able gentlemen.<a name="FNanchor_512_512" id="FNanchor_512_512"></a><a href="#Footnote_512_512" class="fnanchor">[512]</a> Not one influential man +made audible objection anywhere.</p> + +<p>We had carefully districted and organized the State, sparing +neither labor nor money in providing "Yes" tickets for all +parties and all candidates and putting them everywhere in the +hands of friends for use at the polls. But the polls were no +sooner open than it began to appear that the battle was one of +great odds. Masked batteries were opened in almost<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_779" id="Page_779">[Pg 779]</a></span> every +precinct, and multitudes of legal voters who are rarely seen in +daylight except at a general election, many of whom were refugees +from Washington territory, crowded forth from their hiding-places +to strike the manacled women down. They accused the earnest +ladies who had dared to ask for simple justice of every crime in +the social catalogue. Railroad gangs were driven to the polls +like sheep and voted against us in battalions. But, in spite of +all this, nearly one-third of the vote was thrown in our favor, +requiring a change of only about one-fourth of the opposing vote +to have given us a victory, and proving to the amazement of our +enemies that the strength of our cause was already +formidable.<a name="FNanchor_513_513" id="FNanchor_513_513"></a><a href="#Footnote_513_513" class="fnanchor">[513]</a> We were repulsed but not conquered. Before the +smoke of the battle had cleared away we had called immense +meetings and passed vigorous resolutions, thanking the lovers of +liberty who had favored us with their suffrages, and pledging +ourselves anew to the conflict.</p> + +<p>We at once decided that we would never again permit the +legislature to remand us to the rabble in a vain appeal for +justice. We had demonstrated the impossibility of receiving a +fair, impartial vote at the hands of the ignorant, lawless and +unthinking multitude whose ballots outweigh all reason and +overpower all sense. In pursuance of this purpose I went to the +legislature of 1885 and found no difficulty in securing the aid +of friendly members of both Houses who kindly championed the +following bill:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Be it enacted by the Legislative Assembly of Oregon:</i></p> + +<p>That the elective franchise shall not hereafter be denied to any +person in this State on account of sex.</p> + +<p>This act to be in force from and after its approval by the +governor. </p></blockquote> + +<p>After much parliamentary fillibustering the vote of both Houses was +recorded upon this bill and stood conjointly 34 to 54. This vote, +coming so soon after our defeat at the polls, is regarded as the +greatest victory we have yet won. The ablest lawyers of the State +and of Washington territory are preparing elaborate opinions +showing the constitutionality of our present plan, and these are to +be published in the form of a standard work, with appropriate +references for convenient use. The movement exhibits a healthy, +steady and encouraging growth, and is much accelerated by its +success in Washington territory.</p> + +<p>On the Fourth of July of this year a grand celebration was held at +Vancouver, on Washington soil, the women of Oregon having resolved +in large numbers that they would never again unite in celebrating +men's independence-day in a State where they are denied their +liberty. The celebration was a success from first to last. Boys and +girls in equal numbers rode in the liberty-car and represented the +age of the government. The military post at Vancouver joined +heartily in the festivities, headed by the gallant soldier, General +Nelson A. Miles, commander-in-chief of the department of the +Columbia. The fine Fourteenth Infantry Band furnished the +instrumental music, and a local choir rendered spirited choruses. +The New Declaration of Independence was read by Josie De Vore +Johnson, the oration was delivered by Mattie A. Bridge, and Louise<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_780" id="Page_780">[Pg 780]</a></span> +Lester, the famous <i>prima donna</i>, electrified the delighted crowd +by her triumphant rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner." The +exercises closed with the announcement by the writer, who had +officiated as president of the day, that the Executive Committee of +the Oregon Woman Suffrage Association had, during the noon recess, +adopted the following resolutions:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That our thanks are due to General Nelson A. Miles of +the department of the Columbia for his valuable coöperation in +the exercises and entertainments of this historic day.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That we thank the citizens of Clarke County, and +especially of Vancouver, for their hospitality and kindness, so +graciously bestowed upon their less fortunate Oregon neighbors, +who have not yet achieved their full independence, and we shall +ever cherish their fraternal recognition in grateful remembrance.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That while we deplore the injustice that still +deprives the women of Oregon of the liberty to exercise their +right to the elective franchise, we rejoice in the record the +women of Washington are making as citizens, as voters and as +jurors. We congratulate them upon their newly-acquired liberties, +and especially upon the intelligent and conscientious manner in +which they are discharging the important public duties that in no +wise interfere with their home affairs. And we are further</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That if our own fathers, husbands, sons and brothers +do not at the next session of the Oregon legislature bestow upon +us the same electoral privileges which the women of Washington +already enjoy, we will prepare to cross the Columbia River and +take up our permanent abode in this "land of the free and home of +the brave." </p></blockquote> + +<p>The resolutions evoked cheers that waked the echoes, and the +celebration, reported by the Oregon press, contributed largely to +the growth of the equal-rights sentiment among the people of the +State. Two stanzas of a spirited poem are subjoined, written for +the Woman Suffrage Association just after our defeat at the polls, +by a young man from Southern Oregon who has withheld his own name +but included the names of all the counties in his glorious +prophecy:</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">From Clatsop and from Clackamas, from Linn and Tillamook;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From Grant, Multnomah, Lane and Coos, and Benton, Lake and Crook;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From Josephine, Columbia, and loyal Washington,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And Union, Baker and Yamhill, and proud old Marion;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From where the Cascade mountain-streams their foaming waters pour,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We're coming, mothers, sisters, dear, "ten times ten thousand more."<br /></span> +</div><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">From Klamath's lakes and Wasco's plains, and Jackson's rolling hills;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From Douglas with her mines of gold, and Curry with her mills;<br /></span> +<span class="i0">From Umatilla's burdened fields, and hills and dales of Polk,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We're coming with our votes and songs to break the tyrant's yoke,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">And in the ears of Liberty this song of joy we'll pour,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">We're coming, mothers, sisters, dear, "ten times ten thousand more."<br /></span> +</div></div> + +</blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Mary Olney Brown gives an amusing account of her attempts to +vote in Washington territory. The incidents related occurred +several years before the passage of the act specifically +enfranchising women. She says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I do not think there has ever been a session of our legislature +that has not had before it the subject of woman suffrage. It has +been my habit to write out, and send to all parts of the +territory, before the assembling of each legislature, petitions +to be signed, asking for a law guaranteeing to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_781" id="Page_781">[Pg 781]</a></span> women the +exercise of their right to vote. These petitions were not without +their effect, though no one knew who sent them out, or, when +returned, who selected the member to receive and present them to +the legislature. At the session of 1867, mainly through the +efforts of Edward Eldridge of Whatcom County, an act was passed +giving "all white American citizens above the age of twenty-one +years" the right to vote. This law is still on our statute books; +but, like the fourteenth amendment, is interpreted to mean only +male citizens. During the time between the passage of this law +and the next election, I wrote to some of the prominent women of +the principal towns, telling them of the law, and urging them to +go out and vote at the coming election, and also to induce as +many more to go as they could. But no notice was taken of my +letters. I was looked upon as a fanatic, and the idea of a woman +voting was regarded as an absurdity. The law seemed to be in +advance of the people. It needed lectures and organized societies +among us to educate the women into a just appreciation of their +rights and duties.</p> + +<p>In the autumn of 1868, Dr. Smith wrote several articles on the +right of women to the ballot, as did also Mr. Eldridge. The +latter asserted that it was the intention of the law to give the +women of the territory the right to vote; that being a member of +the legislature he had purposely stated in his remarks, that if +the bill passed in that form, it would give the women the right +to vote; and a member from his seat cried out, "That is what we +want!" Mr. Eldridge urged the women to go out to the polls and +vote. These articles were published in the Olympia <i>Transcript</i>, +the Republican paper, J. N. Gale, one of the editors, being an +advocate of suffrage. Still not a woman made a move. Many wished +to vote; they knew it was the only way to secure their rights, +and yet they had not the courage to go to the polls in defiance +of custom.</p> + +<p>Seeing this to be the case, and knowing that if anything was done +some one must take the initiative, I determined to cast aside my +timidity and set the ball rolling. Accordingly, several weeks +before the election of 1869 I gave out word that I was going to +the polls to vote. I had the previous year removed with my family +from Olympia, and was living on White River in King county. The +announcement that I would attend the election caused a great +commotion in White River precinct. A fearful hue and cry was +raised. The news reached Olympia and Seättle, and some of the +papers deprecated the idea that "a woman should unsex herself by +dabbling in the filthy pool of politics." But I was fully +committed. The law had been on our statute books for nearly three +years. If it was intended for our benefit, it was time we were +availing ourselves of it. So, nothing daunted, I determined to +repair to the polling place, the district school-house, +accompanied by my husband, my daughter (Mrs. Axtell) and her +husband—a little band of four—looked upon with pity and +contempt for what was called our "fanaticism."</p> + +<p>For several days before the election the excitement in the +neighborhood and other settlements along the river was intense. +Many gentlemen called on me and tried to persuade me to stay at +home and save myself from insult. I thanked them for their +kindness, and told them I fully<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_782" id="Page_782">[Pg 782]</a></span> appreciated their good +intentions, but that I had associated with men all my life, and +had always been treated as a lady; that the men I should meet at +the polls were the same that I met in church and social +gatherings, and I knew they would treat me with respect. Then +they begged my husband not to allow me to go; but he told them +his wife had as good a right to vote as he had; and that no +citizen can legally deprive another of the right to vote.</p> + +<p>On the morning of the election, just before we reached the +school-house, a man met us and said, "Mr. Brown, look here now! +If Mrs. Brown goes up to vote she will be insulted! If I was in +your place I wouldn't let her go any farther. She had better go +back." My husband answered, "Mr. Brannan, my wife has as good a +right to vote as I have, and I would not prevent her if I could. +She has a mind of her own and will do as she thinks best, and I +shall stand by her and see that she is well treated! Besides +[speaking with emphasis], she will not be insulted either!" +"Well," said the man, "if she was my wife she shouldn't go! +She'll be sure to be insulted!" I looked him full in the face, +and said with decision, "Mr. Brannan, a gentleman will be a +gentleman under all circumstances, and will always treat a lady +with respect." I said this because I knew the man, and knew that +if anyone offered any annoyance, it would be he, and so it +proved.</p> + +<p>As we drove up to the school-house and alighted, a man in an +angry voice snapped out, "Well! if the women are coming to vote, +I'm going home!" But he did not go; he had too much curiosity; he +wanted to see the fun. He stayed and was converted. After +watching the sovereign "white male citizen" perform the laborious +task of depositing his vote in the ballot-box, I thought if I +braced myself up I might be equal to the task. So, summoning all +my strength, I walked up to the desk behind which sat the august +officers of election, and presented my vote. When behold! I was +pompously met with the assertion, "You are not an American +citizen; hence not entitled to vote." The great unabridged +dictionary of Noah Webster was opened, and the definition of the +word citizen read to me. They all looked to see me vanquished; +they thought I would have to retreat before such an overwhelming +array of sagacity. The countenances of the judges wore a pleased +expression that they had hit on so easy an expedient to put me +<i>hors du combat</i>, while the crowd looked astonished that I did +not sink out of sight. Waiting a moment, I said, "The definition +is correct. A citizen of the United States, is a <i>person</i> owing +allegiance to the government; but then all persons are not <i>men</i>; +and the definition of "citizeness" is a female citizen. I claim +to be an American citizen, and a native-born citizen at that; and +I wish to show you from the fourteenth amendment to the +constitution of the United States, that women are not only +citizens having the constitutional right to vote, but also that +our territorial election law gives women the privilege of +exercising that right."</p> + +<p>When I commenced speaking, all the men, with the exception of +two—the one who had urged my husband not to let me go to the +school-house, and a low, degraded fellow, who had a squaw for a +wife—came and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_783" id="Page_783">[Pg 783]</a></span> ranged themselves around me and the judges before +whom I stood, and listened attentively. It was a new subject to +them. They had heard of woman suffrage, but only in ridicule. Now +it was being presented to them in a very different light. As I +proceeded there was a death-like stillness, so intent were they +to catch every word. Even the man who had declared he would go +home if the women were going to vote, was among the most +interested of the listeners. There was but one interruption; the +two men, of whom I have spoken, to make good their assertion that +I would be insulted, got behind a desk in the far corner of the +room, and began talking and laughing very loudly; but they were +promptly called to order. Silence being restored, I went on to +show them that the original constitution recognized women as +citizens, and that the word citizen includes both sexes, as is +proved by the phrases, "male citizen," and "female citizen"; that +women from the beginning had been unjustly deprived of the +exercise of their constitutional rights; that they had for years +been petitioning those in power to restore them to their +political freedom, when the emancipation of the Southern slaves +threw upon the country a class of people, who, like the women of +the nation, owed allegiance to the government, but whose +citizenship was not recognized. To settle this question, the +fourteenth amendment was adopted. Its first section declares +emphatically who are citizens, and guarantees to them the +exercise of all their natural rights under the equal protection +of the law. (Here I read to them the section.) No distinction is +made in regard to sex; the word "person" being used, which +includes both men and women.</p> + +<p>"And now, honorable gentlemen," I said, in conclusion, "I am a +'person,' declared by the fourteenth amendment to be a citizen, +and still further, I am a native-born citizen of the same race +and color of these gentlemen by whom I am surrounded, and whose +votes you do not hesitate to receive; and, had our territorial +law failed to give me the right to vote, this amendment would +protect me in the exercise of it. I again offer my vote, and hope +you will not refuse it." No hand was extended to receive it; but +one of the judges threw himself back in his seat, and with great +dignity of manner and an immense display of ignorance, exclaimed, +"Women have no right to vote; and the laws of Congress don't +extend over Washington territory." This was too much for even the +strongest opponents. On every side was heard, "Oh, Mr. Alvord! +why, yes, they do!" "Mr. Alvord, you are mistaken, the laws of +congress do extend over our territory"; and some tried to explain +to him that the territory belonged to the United States and was +under the jurisdiction of the national government, and that of +course the laws of congress extended over it. But still more +pompously, he again declared, "It is no such thing, the laws of +congress don't extend over Washington territory." A look of +disgust and shame was depicted on nearly every countenance, and +the cause of woman suffrage had advanced perceptibly in the minds +of the audience.</p> + +<p>Another of the judges arose, and said, he had never thought much +on the subject. He had no doubt but Mrs. Brown was right, woman +were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_784" id="Page_784">[Pg 784]</a></span> citizens and had the right to vote; but as the courts had +not instructed the election officers to take the votes of women, +and as the precinct was a small one, he was afraid their whole +vote would be thrown out if they received the women's ballots. +So, although he should like to see the women have their rights, +he should have to refuse Mrs. Brown's vote. Here an Irishman +called out, "It would be more sensible to let an intelligent +white woman vote than an ignorant nigger." Cries of "Good for +you, Pat! good for you, Pat!" indicated the impression that had +been made. My daughter now went up and offered her vote, which +was, of course, rejected.</p> + +<p>My going to the polls was noised abroad, and set men as well as +women thinking. They examined the law for themselves, and found +that women had a right to vote, so that before the next election +many were prepared to act. In May, 1870, I published an appeal to +the women of the territory, quoting to them the law, and urging +them to avail themselves of its provisions by going to the polls +and voting. My sister, Charlotte Olney French, living in Grand +Mound precinct, some twenty-five miles from Olympia, began +talking the matter up; and, being a woman of energy and +influence, she soon had the whole neighborhood interested. With +the assistance of an old lady, Mrs. Peck, she planned a regular +campaign. By the programme the women were to get up a picnic +dinner at the school-house where the election was to be held, and +directly after, while the officers of election were in good humor +(wives will understand the philosophy of this), they were to +present their votes. My sister, being a good talker and well +informed on all the constitutional, judicial and social phases of +the question as well as a good judge of human nature, was able to +meet and parry every objection, and give information where +needed, so that by the time dinner was over, the judges, as well +as everybody else, were in the best of spirits. When the voting +was resumed, the women (my sister being the first) handed in +their ballots as if they had always been accustomed to voting, +and everything passed off pleasantly. One lady, Mrs. Sargent, +seventy-two years old, said she thanked the Lord that He had let +her live until she could vote. She had often prayed to see the +day, and now she was proud to cast her first ballot.</p> + +<p>It had been talked of for some days before the election in the +adjoining precinct—Black River—that Mrs. French was organizing +a party of women to attend the election in Grand Mound precinct; +but they were not sure the judges would let them vote. "If they +do," said they, "if the Grand Mound women vote, the Black River +women shall!" So they stationed a man on a fleet horse, at the +Grand Mound polls, with instructions to start as soon as the +women began to vote, and ride with all haste back to their +precinct and let them know. The moment the man rode in sight of +the school-house he swung his hat, and screeched at the top of +his voice, "They're voting! They're voting!" The teams were all +ready in anticipation of the news, and were instantly flying in +every direction, and soon the women were ushered into the +school-house, their choice of tickets furnished them, and all +allowed to vote as "American citizens."</p> + +<p>While the women of these two precincts were enjoying the exercise +of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_785" id="Page_785">[Pg 785]</a></span> their political rights, the women of Olympia were suffering +the vexation of disappointment. I had been stopping there for +some weeks previous to the election, trying to induce the women +to go to the polls, and also to convince the men that women had a +legal right to vote, and that their right must be respected. The +day before election the judges were interviewed as to whether +they would take the votes of the women. They replied, "Yes; we +shall be obliged to take them. The law gives them the right to +vote, and we can not refuse." This decision was heralded all over +the city, and women felt as if their millennium had come. +To-morrow, for the first time, their voice would be heard in the +government through the ballot. All day long women met each other, +and asked: "Are you going to the election to-morrow?" Groups +gathered in parlors and discussed the matter, and everything +seemed auspicious.</p> + +<p>But how true the saying: "There's many a slip 'twixt the cup and +the lip!" Before nine o'clock the next morning, the word had been +communicated all over town that "the women need not come out to +the polls as the judges would not take their votes." They would +give no reason why, but said "they had decided not to take the +votes of the women." About a dozen of us gathered together to +consult what was best to be done; finding most of them inclined +to back out, I urged the necessity of our making an effort; that +whether the judges took our votes or not, it was not best to give +it up as the rest had done; if we did, it would be harder to make +an effort next time; that I had been to the polls once and had my +vote refused, and could be refused again; at any rate, I had the +right to vote, and I should go and offer it if I had to go alone. +Three of the number said they would go with me—Mrs. Patterson, +Mrs. Wiley and Mrs. Dofflemyer; these, with Mr. Patterson, my +husband and myself made our party. As we reached the court-house +where the election was held, Mr. Dofflemyer met us and took his +wife home, she meekly submitting.</p> + +<p>Just before us a cart rattled up bearing a male citizen, who was +too drunk to know what he was doing, or even to do anything. He +was lying on his back in the cart, with feet and hands up, +hurrahing at the top of his voice. This disgusting, drunken idiot +was picked up out of the cart by two men, who put a ticket into +his hand, carried him to the window (he was too drunk to stand), +shoved him up and raised his arm into the aperture; his vote +received, he was tumbled back into the cart.</p> + +<p>I then stepped up and offered my vote, and was answered with, "We +have decided not to take the votes of the women!" "On what +grounds do you refuse?" I asked. No answer. "Do you refuse it on +legal grounds?" Still no answer. I then said, "Under the election +law of this territory, setting aside my constitutional right as a +citizen of the United States, I have the right to vote at this +election. Have you the election law by you?" "No, we have not got +it here," they said. I knew they had, but did not dispute their +word. "Very well," I said, "I can quote it for you." I did so, +and then said, "Under this territorial law I claim my right, and +again I offer you my vote as an American citizen. If you doubt my +citizenship, I will insist on taking the oath. Will you receive +it?" The answer was, "No; we have decided not to take women's +votes, and we<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_786" id="Page_786">[Pg 786]</a></span> cannot take yours." "Then," said I, "it amounts to +this: the law gives women the right to vote in this territory, +and you three men who have been appointed to receive our votes, +sit here and arbitrarily refuse to take them, giving no reason +why, only that you have decided not to take the women's votes. +There is no law to sustain you in this usurpation of power. We +can claim legal redress. Are you willing to stand a legal +prosecution?" "Yes," was the response of each one separately. It +was now plain to see why the votes of the women were refused; the +judges had been hired to do the dirty work, and money pledged in +case of prosecution. They were men in moderate circumstances and +could not have stood the cost of a suit individually. The ready +assent they gave showed such a contingency had been thought of +and provided against by the opponents of woman suffrage. The +other two women then offered their votes, which were also +refused.</p> + +<p>In the autumn of 1871 Susan B. Anthony came to Olympia and +attended the first woman suffrage convention ever held here. Our +legislature was in session, and a joint hearing before the two +Houses was extended to her. Her statesman-like argument clearly +proved the right of our women to vote under both the national +constitution and the territorial law. After Miss Anthony left, +there arose a rumor that the election law was to be repealed, and +a committee of women attended every session, determined if +possible to prevent it. They were at the capitol the last day, +prepared to stay until the adjournment; they were urged to go +home, but would not unless a solemn promise was made them that +the law should in no way be tampered with. This the members +refused to do, until a bright idea struck one of them, which was +that they need not disturb the law, but could make it inoperative +by enacting another statute. This being whispered among the +members, the promise was given, and the women retired. +Immediately after, the following act was passed by both Houses, +approved and signed by the governor:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Be it enacted by the Legislative Assembly of the Territory of +Washington:</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Section</span> 1. That hereafter no female shall have the right of +ballot, or vote at any poll or election precinct in this +territory until the Congress of the United States of America +shall, by direct legislation, declare the same to be the supreme +law of the land.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec.</span> 2. This act to take effect from and after its passage.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"><span class="smcap">Edward S. Solomon</span>, <i>Governor.</i></p> +<p class="ltr-to">Approved November 29, 1871.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>When the proclamation to hold a convention to form a constitution +preparatory to our admission into the Union as a State, was issued, +I recommended to the Territorial Woman Suffrage Association that we +make every effort to secure to the convention as many delegates as +possible in favor of woman suffrage, and then that we circulate +petitions asking them to leave out the word "male" from the +constitution. Failing to get the society to take any associated +action, I went to work individually, wrote and sent out petitions +into every town and country place where there was a post-office, +asking that the word "male" be left out of the constitution. With +each petition I sent a letter to the person whose name I had +procured from the postmaster of the place, stating the object, +urging a thorough circulation, and directing its return at a given +date to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_787" id="Page_787">[Pg 787]</a></span> Mary Olney Brown, President of the Washington Territorial +Woman Suffrage Association; thus giving the credit of the work to +the Society.</p> + +<p>I could not get a member of our Association to circulate the +petition in Olympia, so every day that I could get away from home I +took my petition in hand and canvassed for signatures. If I went +shopping or on an errand I took it with me, and in that way I +procured over 300 names. My experience had taught me that the +principal opposition to woman's voting came from ignorance as to +her true position under the government. She had come to be looked +upon almost as a foreign element in our nation, having no lot nor +part with the male citizen, and I felt that it was necessary to +disabuse the minds of the people generally, and the delegates to +the convention particularly, of this notion. I therefore wrote five +articles on the "Equality of Citizenship," which Mrs. Duniway +kindly published in the <i>New Northwest</i>. The Olympia <i>Courier</i> also +printed them, and placed the paper on file in the city +reading-room; and when I met a man who had not made up his mind on +the subject I recommended him to the reading-room, and several +after perusing the articles were converted and signed the petition.</p> + +<p>On the assembling of the legislature Mrs. A. H. H. Stuart and +myself watched a favorable opportunity to present an equal rights +bill. We let them talk up the matter pretty well over a petition +signed by fifty women of one of the upper counties, when one day +Mrs. Stuart came to me and said: "Now, Mrs. Brown, write out your +bill; the speaker of the House sent me word they were ready for +it." I sat down and framed a bill<a name="FNanchor_514_514" id="FNanchor_514_514"></a><a href="#Footnote_514_514" class="fnanchor">[514]</a> to the best of my ability, +which was duly presented and respectfully debated. Mrs. Duniway +came from Portland to urge its passage, and the day before it came +to a vote both Houses adjourned and invited her to speak in the +hall of representatives. She made one of her best speeches. The +members of both Houses were present, besides a large audience from +the city. The next day the House passed the bill by two majority, +and on the day following it was lost in the Council by two +majority. In the House the vote stood, ayes, 13; nays, 11. In the +Council, ayes, 5; nays, 7.</p> + +<p>Saturday evening Mrs. Duniway made another telling speech in the +city hall, at the close of which Mr. White, a lobby member, made a +few remarks, in which he disclosed the cause of the defeat of the +bill in the Council. He said, after the bill passed the House the +saloon-keepers, alarmed lest their occupation would be gone if +women should vote, button-holed the members of the Council, and as +many of them as could be bought by drinks pledged themselves to +vote against the bill. The members of the Council were present, and +though an urgent invitation was given to all to speak, not one of +them denied the charge made by Mr. White. On the following Monday +an effort was made in the Council to reconsider the bill, but +failed. Thus stands our cause at present.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_788" id="Page_788">[Pg 788]</a></span> There will be a greater +effort than ever before put forth during the next two years to +secure an affirmative vote in our legislature. </p></blockquote> + +<p>As Mrs. Brown wrote the above in 1881, the promise in the closing +sentence was really quite prophetic, since the legislature of 1883 +passed a law enfranchising the women of the territory.<a name="FNanchor_515_515" id="FNanchor_515_515"></a><a href="#Footnote_515_515" class="fnanchor">[515]</a> Mrs. +Duniway concludes her account with a brief reference to the work in +neighboring territories:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In addition to all that is being done in Oregon and Washington, +we are actively engaged in pushing the work in Idaho and Montana +territories, where the <i>New Northwest</i> has been thoroughly +circulated in many localities and many spirited public meetings +have been held. The Idaho legislature seriously considered and +came near adopting a woman suffrage bill last winter, and the +women of the territory are confidently awaiting a triumph at the +next biënnial session. Remembering Dakota's set-back through the +governor's veto in 1885, they are carefully planning to avoid a +like calamity in their own territory. In Montana the cause has +made less apparent progress, but there is much quiet and +constantly increasing agitation in its favor. Popular feeling is +steadily ripening for the change, and let the rest of the world +wag as it will, there cannot be much longer hindrance to the +complete triumph of liberty in the Pacific Northwest. </p> +</blockquote> + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_507_507" id="Footnote_507_507"></a><a href="#FNanchor_507_507"><span class="label">[507]</span></a> Hon. H. L. Yesler, the city's founder and mayor; +Mrs. Yesler, Rev. John F. Damon, Mrs. Mary Olney Brown, Rev. Daniel +Bagley and others.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_508_508" id="Footnote_508_508"></a><a href="#FNanchor_508_508"><span class="label">[508]</span></a> Its leaders being Mrs. Abble H. H. Stuart, Mrs. P. +C. Hale, Hon. Marshall Blinn, Hon. Elwood Evans, and Mr. J. M. +Murphy, editor of the <i>Washington Standard</i>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_509_509" id="Footnote_509_509"></a><a href="#FNanchor_509_509"><span class="label">[509]</span></a> Mr. D. W. Williams, Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Shanahan, Mr. +and Mrs. A. B. Gibson, Rev. T. L. Eliot, Mr. B. C. Duniway, Dr. +Mary A. Thompson, Rev. Isaac Dillon and Hon. and Mrs. G. W. Brown.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_510_510" id="Footnote_510_510"></a><a href="#FNanchor_510_510"><span class="label">[510]</span></a> Addresses were made in advocacy of the cause by Col. +Reed, Mrs. J. Devore Johnson, Miss V. M. Olds, Rev. T. L. Eliot, +Mrs. C. A. Coburn, Mrs. Beatty (colored), and the writer. The +celebrated McGibeney family furnished the music, and the Portland +press gave favorable reports of the proceedings. Valuable aid was +also contributed by Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Hendee, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. +Peters, and Mrs. M. J. Foster.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_511_511" id="Footnote_511_511"></a><a href="#FNanchor_511_511"><span class="label">[511]</span></a> Governor Newell, Judge Orange Jacobs, Judge B. F. +Dennison, Mrs. Pamela Hale, Hon. Philip D. Moore, Mr. W. S. +Duniway, Captain William H. Smallwood, the writer, and a large +number of the members of the legislature.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_512_512" id="Footnote_512_512"></a><a href="#FNanchor_512_512"><span class="label">[512]</span></a> S. F. Chadwick, United States Representative M. C. +George, ex-United States Senator J. H. Mitchell, United States +District Judge M. P. Deady, Hon. H. W. Scott, editor of the +<i>Oregonian</i>, ex-Governor A. C. Gibbs, District-Attorneys J. F. +Caples and T. A. McBride, and various ex-members of the +legislature.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_513_513" id="Footnote_513_513"></a><a href="#FNanchor_513_513"><span class="label">[513]</span></a> The official vote of the State was 11,223 for the +amendment, and 28,176 against.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_514_514" id="Footnote_514_514"></a><a href="#FNanchor_514_514"><span class="label">[514]</span></a> <i>Be it enacted by the Legislature of the Territory +of Washington:</i> +</p><p> +<span class="smcap">Section</span> 1. All female citizens of the age of twenty-one years shall +be entitled to vote at all elections in the territory, subject only +to such regulations as male citizens. +</p><p> +<span class="smcap">Sec.</span> 2. Any officer of election who shall refuse to take the vote +of a woman citizen (otherwise qualified to vote), shall be liable +to a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500. +</p><p> +<span class="smcap">Sec.</span> 3. All laws in conflict with this act are hereby repealed. +</p><p> +<span class="smcap">Sec.</span> 4. This act to be in force on and after its passage.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_515_515" id="Footnote_515_515"></a><a href="#FNanchor_515_515"><span class="label">[515]</span></a> The bill was introduced in the Washington House by +Representative Coply, and was supported in speeches by Messrs. +Coply, Besserer, Miles, Clark and Stitzel, while Messrs. Landrum +and Kincaid spoke against it. The vote was: <i>Ayes</i>—Besserer, +Brooks, Clark, Coply, Foster, Goodell, Hungate, Kuhn, Lloyd, +Martin, Miles, Shaw, Stitzel and Speaker Ferguson—14. +<i>Noes</i>—Barlow, Brining, Landrum, Ping, Kincaid, Shoudy and +Young—7. <i>Absent</i>—Blackwell, Turpin and Warner—3. The bill was +favorably reported in the Council, November 15, by Chairman Burk of +the Judiciary Committee. No one offered to speak on it. The vote +stood: <i>Ayes</i>—Burk, Edmiston, Hale, Harper, Kerr, Power and +Smith—7. <i>Noes</i>—Caton, Collins, Houghton, Whitehouse and +President Truax—5. Governor W. A. Newell approved the bill +November 22, 1883.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_789" id="Page_789">[Pg 789]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LV" id="CHAPTER_LV"></a>CHAPTER LV.</h2> + +<h3>LOUISIANA—TEXAS—ARKANSAS—MISSISSIPPI.</h3> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>St. Anna's Asylum, Managed by Women—Constitutional Convention, +1879—Women Petition—Clara Merrick Guthrie—Petition Referred to +Committee on Suffrage—A Hearing Granted—Mrs. Keating—Mrs. +Saxon—Mrs. Merrick—Col. John M. Sandige—Efforts of the Women +all in Vain—Action in 1885—Gov. McEnery—The <i>Daily +Picayune</i>—Women as Members of the School-Board—Physiology in +the Schools—Miss Eliza Rudolph—Mrs. E. J. Nicholson—Judge +Merrick's Digest of Laws—Texas—Arkansas—Mississippi—Sarah A. +Dorsey. </p> +</div> + + +<h4 class="sc">I.—Louisiana.</h4> + +<p>Mrs. Caroline E. Merrick has furnished the following interesting +facts from her native State, for which we feel ourselves deeply +indebted:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Like the children of one family the States have a common +resemblance, but they are various in character as in geographical +outline. In Louisiana the Anglo-American finds himself +side-by-side with inhabitants of French or Spanish descent, and +in many of the country parishes the African freedmen outnumber +all the rest.</p> + +<p>St. Anna's Asylum in New Orleans is controlled and managed by a +board of directors composed entirely of women. Among the inmates +in 1878 was a German woman who had resided in the institution for +many years. Finding herself in ill-health and fearing the +approach of the end, she confided to the ladies of the board that +she had a thousand dollars in bank which she wished to bequeath +to the home where she had been provided for and sheltered so +long. At her earnest request a will was drawn up in accordance +with her wishes, and signed by members of the board who were +present as witnesses. Shortly after, the woman died and her will +was submitted to the proper authority for admission to probate. +When the ladies were duly informed that the will was null and +void, they naturally asked why, and were told that under +Louisiana law women were not lawful witnesses to a will. Had they +only called in the old darkey wood-sawyer, doing a day's work in +the asylum yard, and had him affix his mark to the paper, the +money would have accrued to the asylum; as it was, it went to the +State.</p> + +<p>Early in 1879, when a convention to make a new State +constitution<a name="FNanchor_516_516" id="FNanchor_516_516"></a><a href="#Footnote_516_516" class="fnanchor">[516]<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_790" id="Page_790">[Pg 790]</a></span></a> had been called and was about to assemble in +New Orleans, Mrs. Merrick tried to arouse the ladies of the +board, representing to them that in the controlling power they +exercised over St. Anna's Asylum they were only children +<i>playing</i> they were a part of the people and citizens of the +State, when in reality they were legally powerless to perform any +free and independent act. The ladies were mortified by the +position in which they found themselves but were not willing to +take any step to remedy their pitiful case, not even to sign the +petition which was afterwards drawn up by Mrs. Saxon and Mrs. +Merrick to present to the constitution-makers to have these +disabilities removed. The petition was as follows:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hang"><i>To the Honorable President and Members of the Convention of +Louisiana, convened for the purpose of framing a new +Constitution:</i></p> + +<p>The undersigned, citizens of the State of Louisiana, respectfully +represent:</p> + +<p>That up to the present time all women, of whatever age or +capacity, have been debarred from the right of representation, +notwithstanding the burdensome taxes which they have paid.</p> + +<p>They have been excluded from holding any office save in cases of +special tutorships in limited degree, or of administration only +in specified cases.</p> + +<p>They have been debarred from being witnesses to wills or notarial +acts, even when executed by their own sex.</p> + +<p>They look upon this condition of things as a grievance proper to +be brought before your honorable body for consideration and +relief.</p> + +<p>As a question of civilization, we look upon the enfranchisement +of women as an all-important one. In Wyoming, where it has been +tried for ten years, the law-makers and clergy unite in declaring +that this influx of women voters has done more to promote +morality and order than thousands of armed men could have +accomplished.</p> + +<p>Should the entire franchise seem too extended a privilege, we +most earnestly urge the adoption of a property qualification, and +that women may be allowed a vote on school and educational +matters, involving as they do the interests of women and children +in a great degree.</p> + +<p>So large a proportion of the taxes of Louisiana is paid by women, +many of them without male representatives, that in granting +consideration and relief for grievances herein complained of, the +people will recognize justice and equity. To woman as well as man +"taxation without representation is tyranny," she being "a +person, a citizen, a freeholder, a tax-payer," the same as man, +only government has never held out the same fostering, protecting +hand to all alike, nor ever will, until women are directly +represented.</p> + +<p>Wherefore, we, your petitioners, pray that some suitable +provision remedying these evils be incorporated in the +constitution you are about to frame. </p></blockquote> + +<p>While this petition was being circulated, favorable articles +appeared from time to time in the public prints. The following, +signed "Fatima," the <i>nom de plume</i> of Clara Merrick Guthrie, +appeared in the <i>Democrat</i>:</p> + +<blockquote><p>A well-known notary signed this petition with a flourish, +remarking that "few women and not over half the men were aware of +the disabilities of wives and daughters."</p> + +<p>If the convention should invest women of property with the +elective franchise it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_791" id="Page_791">[Pg 791]</a></span> would give to the respectable side of +politics a large body of sensible voters which would go far +toward neutralizing the evil of unlimited male suffrage. The +policy in the Northern States has been to demand unrestricted +suffrage, but the women of Louisiana may with propriety exhibit +certain variations in the nature of their appeal. This subject in +all its phases inspires my enthusiasm, but I dare not be as +eloquent as I might, lest a messenger should be sent to me with +an urgent request to address the convention next Monday evening. +* * * *</p> + +<p><i>On dit.</i>—Other ladies beside our brave Mrs. Saxon are desired +to give their views. Now surely the convention would not ask +these quiet house-mothers, who are not even remotely akin to +professional agitators, to do such violence to their old-time +precedents if the prospect of some reward were not encouraging +and immediate. Nothing could induce me to make personal +application save the solemn obligation of the whole august body +to accede to my timid proposal simultaneously and by acclamation. +Fortunately for us there are women in Louisiana more sacrificing +of their naturally shrinking disposition, who perhaps take the +cause more seriously than your correspondent, who would make a +most persuasive enrolling-officer but not so gallant a general +for active service. </p></blockquote> + +<p>After securing over 400 influential names<a name="FNanchor_517_517" id="FNanchor_517_517"></a><a href="#Footnote_517_517" class="fnanchor">[517]</a> the petition was +sent in to the convention and was referred to the Committee on +Suffrage, Mr. Felix P. Poché, chairman, now judge of the Supreme +Court. On May 7, the committee invited the ladies to a conference +at Parlor P, St. Charles Hotel. Mr. and Mrs. Saxon, Colonel and +Mrs. John M. Sandige and Mrs. Mollie Moore Davis were present. Mrs. +Saxon spoke for an hour and replied to questions from the +committee. She made a very favorable impression and was highly +commended for her argument. On June 16 the friends of the petition +were notified that a hearing would be granted them at the evening +session of the convention. Mrs. Harriette C. Keating and Mrs. +Elizabeth L. Saxon had consented to speak if such a hearing were +granted.</p> + +<p>Col. John M. Sandige, who had occupied prominent positions in the +political affairs of the State, gave much encouragement and +assistance. He did not hesitate to urge the importance of this +movement, and the necessity that the women who were most interested +should cheerfully assume their responsibility in relation to it. +While Mrs. Saxon was known already as a fearless and able reformer, +and Dr. Harriette C. Keating as a noble representative of woman in +professional life, he thought it was desirable to have a voice from +the home and from society, and Mrs. Caroline E. Merrick was +solicited to come forward and endorse what her colleagues<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_792" id="Page_792">[Pg 792]</a></span> would +say, in a few words at the close of the proceedings. Mrs. Merrick +finally agreed that she should see her duty in the light in which +it was presented if Judge Merrick, who constituted her court of +last resort, should leave her entirely free to act in the case. +After a consultation, to her great surprise and consternation the +judge said, "You have always desired to help women—here is an +opportunity; go forward and do your share in this work."</p> + +<p>The surprise could hardly have been greater if a procession of +slaves twenty-five years ago had come up in force to the lordly +mansion of their master with several spokesmen chosen from their +ranks, for the avowed purpose of asking for their freedom. The +ladies were treated with a delicate courtesy and kindness on this +unusual occasion, which they can never forget. Judge Poché, with +the tact of a true gentleman, endeavored to smooth a difficult way, +reassuring the failing courage of the ladies while assisting them +to mount the platform. The <i>Daily Picayune</i> of June 17, 1879, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The usually prosaic and unimpressive appearance of the convention +hall assumed for the occasion an entire change last evening. When +the convention closed its forenoon's labors, it took a recess +until half-past 7 o'clock for the purpose of affording the female +suffragists an opportunity to plead their cause before a full +meeting. The scene before the convention was called to order was +interesting and amusing. As the minutes rolled on the crowd of +ladies commenced to pour in, and by 8 o'clock the hall contained +some fifty representatives of the gentler sex of the Crescent +City. Every age of womanhood and every class of beauty found a +representative upon the floor. About half a dozen "society girls" +occupied a retired corner of the room, while a number of the +notables, including Mrs. Myra Clark Gaines, took possession of +the middle of the hall.</p> + +<p>Promptly at 8 o'clock President Wiltz climbed to his seat and +called the convention to order in a tone slightly husky from +nervous excitement. Secretary Harris, having summoned up his +spare courage, called the roll in a determined voice. Of the 134 +members 106 responded to their names. After the usual +preliminaries Mr. Poché announced that a committee of ladies were +in attendance, prepared to address the convention upon the +question of woman suffrage. He then introduced Mrs. Dr. Keating. +The fair speaker had scarcely begun before it was seen that she +possessed a clear, slow enunciation and perfect confidence in her +ability to enforce the doctrines of the cause she was to +advocate. She read from manuscript and showed no little knowledge +of the rules of oratory.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Saxon was greeted with a burst of applause, which was +gracefully acknowledged by the recipient; her address was earnest +and made a deep impression.</p> + +<p>Mr. Robertson of St. Landry then offered the following +resolution, which lies over under the rules:</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That the committee on elective franchises be directed +to embody in the article upon suffrage reported in this +convention, a provision giving the right of suffrage to women +upon the same terms as to men.</p> + +<p>After some talk the resolution was laid aside to allow another +speech to be made. Mrs. E. T. Merrick was introduced by Mr. +Poché, as the wife of ex-Chief-Justice Merrick, and a shower of +applause followed the appearance of the lady. She said:</p> + +<p><i>Mr. President and Delegates of the Convention:</i>—We have met +with such unexpected kindness in the reception which you have +accorded us to-night, that we find it hard to give expression to +anything but thanks. When we remember the persistent and +aggressive efforts which our energetic sisters of the North put +forth before they could obtain a hearing before any legislative +assembly, we find ourselves lost in a pleasing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_793" id="Page_793">[Pg 793]</a></span> astonishment at +the graciousness which beams upon us here from all quarters. +Should we even now be remanded to our places and have our +petitions met with an utter refusal, we should be grieved to the +heart, we should be sorely disappointed, but we never could +cherish the least feeling of rebellious spite toward this +convention of men, who have shown themselves so respectful and +considerate toward the women of Louisiana.</p> + +<p>Perhaps some of the gentlemen thought we did not possess the +moral courage to venture even thus far from the retirement in +which we prefer to dwell; perhaps they thought we would not dare +to appear in person before this formidable body and speak for our +own cause. Be assured that a resolute and conscientious woman can +put aside her individual preferences at the call of duty, and act +unselfishly for the good of others. You are our witnesses that we +have not wearied you by our importunities, nor have we sought in +any disingenuous manner to influence you in our favor. We are +simply here in response to your own courteous invitation to +explain our ideas and opinions on the great question of woman's +enfranchisement. The ladies who have already addressed you have +given you our arguments, and in eloquent language have made their +appeal, to which you could not have been insensible. It only +remains for me to give you some of my own individual views in the +few words which are to conclude this interview.</p> + +<p>We assure you we are not cherishing any ambitious ideas of +political honors and emoluments for women. We do not wish to +become governors or legislators, nor have we any inordinate +desire to obtain seats in congress. I have seen but one woman who +ever expressed even a wish to be president of these United +States. But we do ask with most serious earnestness that you +should give us the ballot, which has been truly called the +expression of allegiance and responsibility to the government. +All over the world this same movement is advancing. In many +countries earnest, thoughtful, large-hearted women are working +day and night to elevate their sex; to secure higher education; +to open new avenues for their industrious hands; trying to make +women helpers to man, instead of being millstones round his neck +to sink him in his life struggle. Ah, if we could only infuse +into your souls the courage which we, constitutionally timid as +we are, now feel on this subject, you would hasten to perform +this act of justice, and inaugurate the beginning of the end +which all but the blind can see is surely and steadily +approaching. We are willing to accept anything. We have always +been in the position of beggars, as now, and cannot be choosers +if we wished. We will gladly accept the franchise on any terms, +provided they be wholly and entirely honorable. If you should see +proper to subject us to an educational test, even of a high +order, we should try to attain it; if you require a considerable +property qualification, we would not complain. We would be only +too grateful for any amelioration of our legal disabilities. +Allow me to ask, are we less prepared for the intelligent +exercise of the right of suffrage than were the freedmen when it +was suddenly conferred upon them? Has not this right been to them +a beneficial stimulant, inducing them to use exertions to promote +their improvement, and has it not raised them to a superior +place, above the disfranchised classes, such as the Chinese, +Indians and women?</p> + +<p>Perhaps you think only a few of us desire the ballot. If that +were so, we think it would not be any sufficient reason for +withholding it. In old times most of our slaves were happy and +contented. Under the rule of good and humane masters, they gave +themselves no trouble to grasp after a freedom which was beyond +their reach. So it is with us to-day. We are happy and kindly +treated (as witness our reception here to-night), and in the +enjoyment of the numerous privileges which our chivalrous +gentlemen are so ready to accord; many of us who feel a wish for +freedom, do not venture even to whisper a single word about our +rights. For the last twenty-five years I have occasionally +expressed a desire to vote, and it was always received as a +matter of surprise, but the sort of effect produced was as +different as the characters of the individuals with whom I +conversed. <span class="spacious">* * * *</span></p> + +<p>Gentlemen of the convention, we now leave our cause in your +hands, and commend it to your favorable consideration. We have +pointed out to you the signs of the dawning<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_794" id="Page_794">[Pg 794]</a></span> of a better day for +woman, which are so plain before our eyes, and implore you to +reach out your hand and help us up, that we may catch the first +glimpse of its glory before it floods the world with noon-day +light.<a name="FNanchor_518_518" id="FNanchor_518_518"></a><a href="#Footnote_518_518" class="fnanchor">[518]</a></p> + +<p>Col. John M. Sandidge read a letter from Mrs. Sarah A. Dorsey:</p> + +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">June</span> 11, 1879.</p> + +<p><i>Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Convention:</i>—Too weak from +recent illness and suffering to appear personally before you by +the side of the women of Louisiana who are asking for the +privilege and responsibility of political suffrage, I am forced +to use this mode of indorsing their movement.</p> + +<p>Being left by the fiat of God entirely alone in the world, with +no man to represent me, having large interests in the State and +no voice either in representation or taxation while hundreds of +my negro lessees vote and control my life and property, I feel +that I ought to say one word that may perhaps aid many other +women whom fate has left equally destitute. It is doubtful +whether I shall rise from my couch of pain to profit by the gift +should the men of Louisiana decide to give the women of the State +the right which is the heritage of the Anglo-Saxon +race—representation for taxation. But still I ask it for my +sisters and for the future of the race. We women of Louisiana +have always been treated before the law as civil partners of our +husbands. In every respect our rights have been protected.</p> + +<p>It needs but one more step to make us civilly free, and this we +ask you to embody in your new constitution. Many men are not +opposed to the fact of female suffrage, but to its mode at +present; that could be corrected, and women need not be exposed +to the coarseness and strife of the polls as they are now +conducted. There is no man among you who does not believe his +wife or his daughter intelligently capable of taking a voice in +the government. If my lessees are capable of being citizens of +Louisiana, it is because for thirty years of my life and for five +generations of my ancestors we have interested ourselves in their +civilization and in their instruction. Gentlemen, we ask nothing +that would unsex ourselves. We do not expect to do man's work; we +can never pass the limits which nature herself has set. But we +ask for justice; we ask for removal of unnatural restrictions +that are contrary to the elemental spirit of the civil law; we do +not ask for rights, but for permission to assume our natural +responsibilities.</p> + +<p>Praying that the hearts and minds of the men of Louisiana may be +moved toward this act of justice, I am, with profound respect, +your obedient servant,</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">Sarah A. Dorsey.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The Webster <i>Tribune</i>, Mr. Scanland, editor, of June 25, 1879, +shows the sensation created in the remotest parishes of Louisiana +by this hearing before the convention:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The ladies, it seems, are about walking up and demanding enlarged +liberties. We were under the impression that women generally had +about as much latitude as they wanted, but if they desire more, +the <i>Tribune</i> says, in the name of gallantry if not justice, let +them have all they wish. There is an element throughout the Union +agitating the proposition that they are entitled to vote because +they are taxed. The Constitution of the United States provides +that no one shall be taxed without representation. Representation +is based on population, and, of course, the ladies are +enumerated; and the "horrid men" claim that the ladies are +represented through them. This a great many repudiate, and their +heads are about level. When a man assumes to represent a woman, +he undertakes a larger contract than he imagines—something we +would not dream of attempting in a political or any other sense.</p> + +<p>The ladies who advocate female suffrage claim that as they are +governed by the laws<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_795" id="Page_795">[Pg 795]</a></span> they have a right to a voice in making +them. Many of the ablest women of this country hold that belief, +and of all our noble statesmen, not one has advanced an answer to +this demand—reasonable, if it does come from women. A French +essayist held that as women are a part of society, they have a +right to be judges of its members, assist in making its laws, and +condemn and punish transgressors. They have their influence, but +that is not so effective as power. <span class="spacious">* * * *</span> Some of the brightest +intellects that adorn the social circles throughout this country +and State hold these views and ably advance them. Among them in +this State are Mrs. E. L. Saxon, Mrs. Merrick, wife of +ex-Chief-Justice Merrick, and Mrs. Dr. Harriette Keating. When +our convention was discussing the suffrage question, these ladies +petitioned to be heard. Of course the request was allowed. Last +Tuesday evening the above-mentioned ladies addressed the congress +at length. Their speeches were able, and the ideas they advanced +were sound logic; but if carried into effect may prove +beneficial, and may not. Woman suffrage is an experiment. Like +everything else, we will never know its effects until after it is +tried. We only wish that there were a few more men in that +convention who could make as able speeches as did these +ladies—notwithstanding the Utopian ideas advanced. </p></blockquote> + +<p>When the new constitution finally went forth, it contained, as the +result of all our arguments and appeals, but one little concession:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Article</span> 232. Women twenty-one years of age and upwards, shall be +eligible to any office of control or management under the school +laws of the State. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Judge I. F. Marshall of Catahoula parish, an accomplished gentleman +and able lawyer, suggested this article, and it was presented and +championed by Hon. F. L. Claiborne<a name="FNanchor_519_519" id="FNanchor_519_519"></a><a href="#Footnote_519_519" class="fnanchor">[519]</a> of Pointe Coupée. The women +of Louisiana have never realized any advantage from this law. All +school offices are filled by appointment of the governor, and there +was no serious agitation for the enforcement of this clause in the +new constitution until the autumn of 1885, when, in response to the +demand that women should be appointed on the school-board of New +Orleans, Gov. McEnery, through a correspondent of the +<i>Times-Democrat</i>, gave his opinion as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>If a married woman occupied an office under the school laws, in +which it was necessary to bring a suit to enforce some right +connected with it, she would have to get the consent of her +husband to bring the suit and join him with her. There are only a +few exceptional cases where the married woman can legally act +independently of her husband. Our code so recognizes the +paramount control of the husband that when a widow, who is the +tutor of her minor children, wishes to marry, and gets the +consent of a family meeting to be retained in the tutorship, the +code, article 255, says: Her second husband becomes of necessity +the co-tutor, and, for the administration of the property +subsequently to his marriage, becomes bound <i>in solido</i> with his +wife. And so it would be in the appointment of a married woman to +a public office. Her husband, of necessity, would share it with +her; would, in fact, be the officer. And as to unmarried women, +Article 232 does not repeal any of their disabilities. It does +not repeal the laws creating the essential differences between +men and women. It, as I stated, simply asserts a right, and is +inoperative until there is legislation to enforce it. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The <i>Daily Picayune</i> of November 16, under the head lines of "Women +as Members of School Boards," "The Law and the Facts in the Case +Presented by Mrs. Merrick," gives the following: <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_796" id="Page_796">[Pg 796]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>Last Thursday evening, November 12, a special meeting or +reception was held by the women's club at their rooms on Baronne +street. On this occasion the club was addressed by Mrs. Caroline +E. Merrick, a good and practical-minded friend of the cause of +woman. The 12th was the seventieth birthday of Mrs. Elizabeth +Cady Stanton, and a decorated picture of the famous woman hung in +the rooms. Mrs. Merrick read a sketch of the life of Mrs. +Stanton, but devoted the first part of the evening to reading the +following paper, the matter of which is, of the keenest interest +to all thinking men and women in the State:</p> + +<p>More than eighty thousand children attend the public schools in +Louisiana, and of this number one-half are girls, and of the 389 +teachers employed in the public schools of New Orleans, 368 are +women. It cannot be denied that these are of equal concern and +importance to the State with any like number of boys and men, nor +does it require any argument to prove that mothers are best +qualified to superintend and look after the welfare of their own +children. In view of this fact the convention of 1879 embodied +the following article in the constitution of the State:</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Article</span> 232. Women 21 years of age and upward shall be eligible +to any office of control or management under the school laws of +this State.</p> + +<p>Notwithstanding the absolute right conferred by this article on +women over twenty-one years of age, the chief executive of the +State, with his present views, is apparently unwilling to make +any appointment of women to such management without further +legislation. The views of the Governor on all questions are +always entitled to great respect. The question is one of +interpretation, and many of the best lawyers in Louisiana do not +hesitate to hold and declare a different view.</p> + +<p>I am told that there are in the various constitutions of the +States and general government two classes of provisions, the one +self-executing and absolute, and the other requiring legislative +action before they can be exercised. For example of the first +class, article 59 of the constitution declares that "the supreme +executive power of the State shall be vested in a chief +magistrate, who shall be styled the Governor of Louisiana." +Nobody would ever undertake to say that the governor was +dependent on any more legislation to carry this into effect so as +to enable him to fill his office. If he were, it would then +become necessary to legislate about every other article, and so +the constitution would be worthless, everything being required to +be done over by the legislature before the constitution could +have any effect.</p> + +<p>Article 232 of the constitution is imperative. It declares that +women over twenty-one years of age shall be eligible to any +office of control or management under the school laws of the +State. Can the legislature repeal or modify this mandate? Of +course not. Could the absoluteness of this right be expressed in +plainer or more energetic terms? No, indeed. We are told and have +been made to understand that it is a right conferred by the +constitution of the State, which cannot be defeated or enlarged, +or even abridged in any way by the legislature; neither by +modification, repeal, or inaction. That this article being +paramount law, itself repeals all legislation inconsistent with +it. The constitution, I am told, prescribes the legal and other +qualifications for our judges of the courts. Nobody ever thought +legislative action was needed when their qualifications are +according to that instrument, to enable them to take their places +on the bench.</p> + +<p>Article 185 of the constitution prescribes the qualifications of +voters or electors, and we are instructed that all conflicting +laws on that point are annulled by the sovereign will of the +people in convention assembled. In fact, good lawyers have given +us innumerable examples, illustrations and decisions to this +effect; and even women, who are for the most part ignorant of the +laws of their State, begin to understand that they have a right +to a place on the school-board for some one of their own sex here +in Louisiana. True, it has been said that there are other +articles which are in conflict with article 232, but we are told +the other provisions of the constitution relate to other and more +general subjects, and on this very subject the framers of the +constitution have in very positive and unmistakable terms +declared its precise will, and it is wasting time to try to +explain it away. These wise jurists do not fear to tell us +further, that special<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_797" id="Page_797">[Pg 797]</a></span> laws or provisions in a constitution or +statute abrogate or limit the general provisions in the same +instrument.</p> + +<p>We are sorry that our governor apprehends any difficulty would +arise in regard to married women being school directors. He says +the husband might change his domicile and the wife would be +obliged to follow him, and if bond were required she could not +sign it without his consent, and finally the fact was she could +not do <i>anything</i> without the husband's consent. Then "the +husband would share the office with her." I have heard that it +was difficult to prevent outside influences from operating upon +the minds of men in office. We have certainly heard some +complaints of this sort, but it seems that there would be no +great danger encountered from this source. The duties which this +article of the constitution permits women to perform are not +generally remunerative, and would be probably more a labor of +love than of reward. As to the other objections, perhaps the +husband <i>would</i> sign his wife's bond, and perhaps he would <i>not</i> +move away while she held the office. I have heard that sheriffs +sometimes run away after giving bond, and people are sometimes +elected to office and unable to qualify, and others disappoint +the public by resigning. Moreover we have ascertained the fact +that a tutrix may subsequently marry, and that act does not +prevent her from filling the office of tutrix, neither does the +fact of being already married prevent her from discharging the +duties of tutrix. But I see no harm done if the husband should +become the assistant of his wife in this office. Is it not +manifest that the two together would have a superior official +knowledge of the needs and exigencies of the girls sent to the +public schools and the women who teach them daily, than the +husband could possibly attain by himself? But the whole +difficulty, it seems to us, might be obviated. Let the governor +appoint unmarried women. A woman who has been so unfortunate as +to be a widow would not be objectionable.</p> + +<p>The article says: "Women over twenty-one years shall be eligible" +to these offices. It does not say the legislature may make them +"eligible." By its own inherent force it declares them eligible. +If they are really eligible, then why not have them selected and +appointed? They have every requisite for the office, and as the +dictionary says, are "proper to be chosen." They are "qualified +to be elected." They are "legally qualified." They are eligible. +It is not at all likely that the legislature will ever do the +vain thing of affirming a constitutional right so explicitly +given.</p> + +<p>The opposition of the executive, therefore, seems to be a bar not +only to this provision being carried out, but also to the raising +of any question under it for the consideration of the judiciary. +It is confidently hoped and expected that he will consent to +reconsider the whole question. We feel sure the governor will not +intentionally be guilty of any injustice to the women of +Louisiana, and will not desire to withhold any benefit from them +which has already been conferred by the State constitution. Women +all over the Union rejoiced when this generous concession was +granted here in Louisiana. In many other States they enjoy the +same, and greater privileges, and letters and inquiries have come +from distant States, asking why this law has not gone into +effect. We are aware that any reform changing existing conditions +must move slowly, and is apt to be unpopular with men in +authority; then it also antagonizes the inertia of women, who are +too modest to thrust themselves forward, saying, "I am ready to +serve the State"; yet they know all the time they can do good +service in relation to the schools. Only give them a kindly +helping hand, and we feel sure that a valuable coöperating +influence will be felt, of which no one has ever dreamed in the +past. We leave this matter to the governor, to the citizens of +Louisiana, and to the fathers who take a deep interest in the +welfare of their daughters as well as of their sons. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Our legislature passed a law requiring physiology to be taught in +the public schools, while the vast majority of the teachers of the +State are women, and no college in which that science is taught is +open to them. In 1885, Dr. Chaillé gave a course of free lectures +on physiology and anatomy for the benefit of the New Orleans +teachers, who, while they are doing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_798" id="Page_798">[Pg 798]</a></span> the most important-public work +in training the rising generation in the rudiments of learning, are +denied the advantages of the higher education that would fit them +for the duties of their profession. A fitting precedent for the +action of our rulers may be found in Shakespeare's, "Titus +Andronicus," in which rude men seize the king's daughter, cut out +her tongue and cut off her hands, and then bid her go call for +water and wash her hands.</p> + +<p>The State Pharmaceutical Association, formed in 1882 with 110 +members, unanimously elected Miss Eliza Rudolph a member. Miss +Rudolph was then the only woman in the drug business. Having been +refused admission to the medical college of the State University, +she perfected herself in pharmacy by a course of private lectures. +In 1884 she was elected corresponding secretary of the association.</p> + +<p>The <i>Daily Picayune</i>, in closing its half-century, gives the +following of Mrs. E. J. Nicholson, its chief owner and manager +since January, 1876:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"Pearl Rivers," the lady's <i>nom de plume</i>, was already well known +in the republic of letters before she became, as she now is, the +most eminent female journalist in the world, largely owning and +successfully directing for years a great daily political journal. +The fact is unique. The fame of Mrs. Nicholson belongs to the +world of letters and her biography may be found in any dictionary +of Southern authors, nevertheless a history of the <i>Picayune</i> +would not be complete without some notice of one who has had so +much to do with its destiny. Miss Eliza J. Poltevent is a native +of Hancock county, Mississippi. She was born on the banks of one +of the most beautiful streams in the South, Pearl river. She +wrote over the name of "Pearl Rivers," and her poems made her a +conspicuous niche in the temple of Southern letters. She wrote +much for the <i>Picayune</i> and wrote herself into love as well as +fame. She was married to Col. Holbrook, the proprietor of the +paper, and after his death in 1876, she succeeded to the +ownership. This was a trying position for a woman. The South had +not recovered from the devastation of the war, and the <i>Picayune</i> +was involved in embarrassments. Friends even advised her to +dispose of the property and not to undertake so formidable a task +as the conduct of a daily paper under existing complications. +Brave and true-hearted, with a profound and abiding conviction of +her duty in the matter, she assumed the control of the paper. She +wisely surrounded herself with able and devoted assistants, and +with their help has gallantly and successfully surmounted many +formidable obstacles, until she has seen the <i>Picayune</i> +reëstablished on a sound and prosperous basis. Mr. George +Nicholson had acquired a proprietorship in it, and when Mrs. +Holbrook assumed control the firm name was E. J. Holbrook & Co. +On June 28, 1878, the interests of the two copartners were +further consolidated by marriage. Since then the <i>Picayune</i> has +been published under the firm name of Nicholson & Co., and the +columns daily attest the energy, enterprise and ability with +which it is conducted, while its advertising patronage speaks for +itself. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Martha R. Field is a member of the editorial staff of the +<i>Picayune</i>. She has charge of the Sunday woman's column, besides +her regular column over the <i>nom de plume</i> of Catherine Cole.</p> + +<p>The <i>Times-Democrat</i> is owned by Mrs. Burke, who however leaves its +management to her husband, Col. Burke. Miss Bessie Bisland, under +the name of B. L. R. Dane, contributes to the Sunday paper, and +edits the "<i>Bric-a-Brac</i> column" which consists of criticisms and +reviews of the leading magazines. This paper boasts the most clever +"Society column" in the country; it is edited by Mrs. Jennie +Coldwell Nixon who is now, 1886, superintendent of the Woman's +Department of the Exposition.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_799" id="Page_799">[Pg 799]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mrs. J. Pinkney Smith edits the "Social Melange" of the <i>States</i>. +Among the regular Sunday contributors are Miss Corrinne +Castillanos, who buzzes as the Society Bee, and Mrs. Mollie Moore +Davis, known as the "Texas Song Bird." Mrs. Ada Hilderbrand, editor +of the <i>Courier</i> at Gretna, did the printing for the Woman's +Exposition.</p> + +<p>New Orleans has a Woman's National Press Association of which Mrs. +E. J. Nicholson is president; a Christian Woman's Exchange, Mrs. R. +M. Wamsley, president, doing a business of $45,000 a year,<a name="FNanchor_520_520" id="FNanchor_520_520"></a><a href="#Footnote_520_520" class="fnanchor">[520]</a> a +Southern Art Union and Woman's Industrial Association, with Mrs. J. +H. Stauffer and others on the auxiliary executive committee, and a +Woman's Club,<a name="FNanchor_521_521" id="FNanchor_521_521"></a><a href="#Footnote_521_521" class="fnanchor">[521]</a> originated by Miss Bessie Bisland who was the +president of the club for the first year, 1885.</p> + +<p>The laws of Louisiana relating to women have been given by Judge E. +T. Merrick, a well-known legal authority and for ten years the +chief-justice of the Supreme Court of the State:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The rights of married women to their estates are probably better +secured in Louisiana than in any other of these United States. +The laws on this subject are derived from Spain. Certain +provinces of that kingdom were conquered and for centuries held +by the Visigoths, among whom, as among the Franks at Paris, the +institution called the community of aquets and gains between +husband and wife, prevailed. In Spain, as in France, there were +certain provinces in which the ancient Roman law continued in +force, and they were called the provinces of the written law. In +these (called also the countries of the <i>dotal regime</i>) there was +no community between the spouses of their acquisitions. Both of +these systems are recognized by the Louisiana civil code, but if +the parties marry without any marriage settlement the law implies +that they have married under the <i>regime</i> of the community. To +prevent error it is proper to observe that there have been three +civil codes adopted in Louisiana, viz., in 1808, 1825 and 1870. +The marriage laws are substantially the same in all, but bear +different numbers in each code. The following references are to +the code of 1870. Except in a very limited number of cases the +husband and wife are incapable of making binding contracts with +each other during the marriage. Hence all settlements of +property, to be binding, must be executed before marriage and in +solemn form, that is, before a notary and two male witnesses +having the proper qualifications. The betrothed are granted +considerable liberty over the provisions of their marriage +contract, as the following quotations show:</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Art.</span> 2,325. In relation to property, the law only regulates the +conjugal association in default of particular agreements, which +the parties are at liberty to stipulate as they please, provided +they be not contrary to good morals and under the modifications +hereafter prescribed.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Art.</span> 2,326. Husband and wife can in no case enter into any +agreement or make any renunciation the object of which would be +to alter the legal order of descents, either with respect to +themselves, in what concerns the inheritance of their children,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_800" id="Page_800">[Pg 800]</a></span> +posterity, or with respect to their children between themselves, +without prejudice to the donations <i>inter vivas</i> or <i>mortis +causa</i>, which may take place according to the formalities and in +the cases determined by this code.</p> + +<p>The parties are also "prohibited from derogating from the power +of the husband over the person of his wife and children which +belongs to the husband as the head of the family, or from the +rights guaranteed to the surviving husband or wife" (C. C., Art. +2,327).</p> + +<p>If the parties adopt the <i>dotal regime</i> in their marriage +contract the dotal effects are (except under some circumstances) +inalienable during marriage; and at the dissolution of the +marriage, they are to be replaced or returned to the wife, or her +heirs, and to secure this, the wife has a mortgage on her +husband's lands, and a privilege on his movables, including those +of the community (C. C., Art. 2376; Art. 2347). "The dower is +given to the husband, for him to enjoy the same as long as the +marriage shall last." Strong as is this language, the dowry is +given by the wife or her father or mother or other relations or +friends, simply to support the marriage.</p> + +<p>Under the <i>regime</i> of the community, the individual property of +the husband or wife, and all property either may acquire +afterwards by inheritance or donations re-remain separate +property. The conjugal partnership is defined by C. C., Art. +2402. "This partnership, or community, consists of the profits of +all the effects of which the husband has the administration and +enjoyment, either of right or in fact, of the produce of the +reciprocal industry and labor of both husband and wife, and the +estates which they may acquire during marriage, either by +donations made jointly to them both, or by purchase, or in any +other similar way, even should the purchase be in the name of one +of the two, and not of both, because in that case the period of +time when the purchase is made is alone attended to, and not the +person who made the purchase."</p> + +<p>During the marriage the husband has the management of the +community, and he can sell or exchange the same, but he cannot +give away the real estate without binding his estate to +recompense the wife or her heirs, for the one-half so given away. +All the income of his estate must enter into the community. On +the other hand the wife may at her pleasure take her own estate +from the management of the husband into her own control and +discretion (C. C. 2384). But in this contingency she must +contribute to the family expenses (C. C. 2389 and 2435).</p> + +<p>If the affairs of the husband become embarrassed, the wife can +sue the husband for a separation of property, and get a judgment +against him for all indebtedness, on account of money or property +used or disposed of by him, and sell him out under execution, and +buy in the property herself if she sees fit. Thus she stands in a +more favorable position toward the community than the husband, +who is bound for all its debts, for she can stand by and choose. +If the community becomes prosperous, she has the absolute right, +as owner, to one-half of it after payment of debts, and a right +to the income of the other half until she dies, or marries a +second time.</p> + +<p>By causing her claims on account of her separate or paraphernal +estate to be recorded, she secures a mortgage against her +husband's lands and the lands of the community. If a husband or +wife dies affluent, leaving the survivor in necessitous +circumstances, the latter can claim one-fourth of the estate of +the deceased. This is called "the marital fourth." The wife, +also, if she or the children do not possess one thousand dollars +in their own right, can claim as a privilege and against the +creditors, one thousand dollars, or a sum which, with her own +estate, shall equal that amount.</p> + +<p>The wife cannot appear in court, or dispose of, or mortgage, or +acquire real estate, without the consent of the husband, but the +judge of the court of the domicil may authorize the wife to sue, +or be sued. If the husband refuses to empower the wife to +contract, she may cite him into court and have the property of +the proposed contract settled by an order of the judge. The wife +has full power to make a will without any authorization from her +husband or the court.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Art.</span> 2,398. The wife, whether separated in property, by contract, +or by judgment, or not separated, cannot bind herself for her +husband, nor conjointly with him, for debts contracted by him +before or during the marriage.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_801" id="Page_801">[Pg 801]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Art.</span> 119. The husband and wife owe to each other mutual fidelity, +support and assistance.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Art.</span> 120. The wife is bound to live with her husband, and follow +him wherever he chooses to reside; the husband is obliged to +receive her, and furnish her with whatever is required for the +convenience of life in proportion to his means and condition.</p> + +<p>It is provided that the domicil for granting divorces of such +marriages as have been solemnized in Louisiana, shall be in that +State so that the courts of Louisiana may grant divorces for +causes and faults committed in foreign countries. For abandonment +and other causes, a final divorce cannot be granted until one +year after a decree of separation from bed and board has elapsed +without a reconciliation. In other particulars the law is similar +to that of the other States. </p></blockquote> +</blockquote> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 360px;"> +<a name="v3_801" id="v3_801"> +<img src="images/v3_801.jpg" width="360" height="500" alt="Caroline E. Merrick" title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p>One day in 1842, the New Orleans <i>Delta</i> had this item: "Myra Clark +Gaines argued her own case in court in this city; the only instance +of a lady appearing as counsel in the courts." Mrs. Gaines was a +remarkable woman. She carried on a suit for many years against the +city of New Orleans to recover property that belonged to her, and, +through untold difficulties and delays, triumphed at last. She +preserved her youth, beauty and vivacity until late in life. All +who knew her can readily recall her bright, sparkling face, and +wonderful powers of conversation. In her long experience in +litigation, she became well versed in the laws regarding real +estate and the right of descent. Mrs. Gaines was a generous woman +and did not desire to rob the poor; to many such she gave a +quit-claim title to the property which she had secured under her +suits.</p> + +<p>In 1869, the New Orleans <i>Republican</i> had an excellent editorial +fully endorsing the demand for woman's enfranchisement. In 1870 the +<i>Livingston Herald</i>, published in Ponchatoula parish, by J. O. and +J. E. Spencer, advocated suffrage for women.</p> + +<p>In 1874, the secretary of the treasury rendered a decision that +when a woman owns a steamboat she may be named in the papers as the +master of the same. This decision, despite the opposition of +Solicitor Raynor, received confirmation in case of Mrs. Miller, in +1883, from Secretary Charles J. Folger.</p> + + +<h4 class="sc">II.—Texas.</h4> + +<p>In the adoption of the first constitution of Texas, woman had some +representatives in the convention to remind the legislators of that +State of her existence, and to demand that the constitution be so +framed as to secure the right of suffrage alike to both sexes. On +the resolution of Mr. Mundine, to extend suffrage to women, in the +constitutional convention of Texas, January, 1869, Hon. L. D. Evans +said:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_802" id="Page_802">[Pg 802]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>I do not favor the adoption of this measure at the present time, +because the country is not yet prepared, yet it is entitled to +our respectful consideration—therefore I thank the convention +for allowing me the opportunity to state the ground on which the +friends of woman suffrage place their advocacy, so far as I may +be able under the five-minute rule. It does not comport with the +dignity of a representative body engaged in forming a +constitution of government to thrust aside the claim of woman to +the right of suffrage,—a claim that is advocated by some of the +ablest statesmen and political philosophers of Europe and +America, and is destined to a sure and speedy triumph.</p> + +<p>Aristotle, the profoundest thinker of antiquity, in his treatise +on politics, defines a citizen to be "one who enjoys a due share +in the government of that country of which he is a member." If he +does not enjoy this right, then he is no citizen, but a subject. +Every citizen, therefore, is entitled to a voice—a vote—a due +share in the government of his country. I am aware that the +courts and politicians in democratic America have not so defined +citizenship. The reason is that politics is not yet a positive +science, and they have failed to analyze this question. Had they +a clear conception of the constituent elements—the anatomy, so +to speak, of the body politic, they would perceive that +suffrage—a voice in the government—is an essential condition of +citizenship. Aristotle, in his treatise, which is perhaps the +ablest yet given to the world, pointed out that families, not +individuals, are the constituent units of a State.</p> + +<p>A family—a household—exists and is held together by natural +laws, independent of the State, and an aggregation of these +constitute the State. The head of the family, whoever that may +be, according to its structure, is the representative in the +State. All the constituent members of the family, consisting, in +its most perfect form, of husband, wife, children and domestics, +are subject to the authority of the head, and have no voice, no +vote, no share in the government, except through their head or +representative. In societies where the common law obtains, which +in this respect is a transcript of the Bible, the wife, like the +child, is subordinated to the authority of the husband, and on +principle, has no voice, no vote. On the decease of the husband, +the widow becomes the head of the family, and on principle is +entitled to a voice, a vote. But in countries where the civil law +governs, the wife is the partner, and not the subject of her +husband, and on principle ought to have her due share in the +government.</p> + +<p>When the children in a family, whether male or female, attain the +age fixed by law for the control of their own affairs, and do +control them, they are free, independent, and on every principle +are entitled to a due share in the government—to a vote. Every +member of society who is free and independent—capable of +managing his own affairs, or making his own living, and does make +it, should have the same right of choice in the selection of his +political agents that he has to select his legal or business +agents. But all persons, no matter from what cause, who are +unable to maintain themselves, and are dependent for their +support upon others, are incapable of any share in the +government, and should have no voice—no vote. As soon as the +principle of citizenship comes to be thoroughly understood, woman +suffrage must be adopted throughout the United States, in +England, and in every country where representative government +exists. </p></blockquote> + +<p><i>The Revolution</i> of August 20, 1868, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We have received from Loring P. Haskins, esq., a delegate to the +convention, the following excellent report and declaration made +and signed by a majority of the committee to whom the subject of +woman suffrage was referred. We need scarcely bespeak attentive +reading:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hang"><i>Report of the Committee on State Affairs upon Female Suffrage, +with accompanying Declaration:</i></p> + +<p>July 30, 1868—Introduced and ordered to be printed.</p> + +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Committee Room, Austin</span>, Texas, July 10, 1868. +</p> + +<p><i>To the Hon. E. J. Davis, President of the Convention:</i></p> + +<p>A majority of your Committee on State Affairs, to whom was +referred the declaration<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_803" id="Page_803">[Pg 803]</a></span> introduced by the Hon. T. H. Mundine of +the county of Burleson, to extend the right of suffrage to all +citizens of the State over the age of twenty-one years, +possessing the requisite qualifications for electors, have +examined with much care said declaration and considered the +object sought to be accomplished, and have arrived at the +conclusion that said declaration ought to be a part of the +organic law.</p> + +<p>It was said by George Washington that the safety of republican +government depends upon the virtue and intelligence of the +people. This declaration is not a new theory of government for +the first time proposed to be made a part of our republican +institutions. The idea of extending the elective franchise to +females has been discussed both in Great Britain and in the +United States. Your committee are of the opinion that the true +base of republican government must ever be the wisdom and virtue +of the people.</p> + +<p>In this State our system of jurisprudence is a combination of +civil and Spanish law, intermixed with the common law of England; +and this peculiar system, just in all its parts for the +preservation of the rights of married and unmarried women, is +likely to be continued. The time was when woman was regarded as +the mere slave of man. It was believed, in order to perpetuate +the pretended divine right of kings to rule, that the mass of the +people should be kept in profound ignorance and that woman was +not entitled to the benefits of learning at all. It is not +remarkable that as the benign principles of Christianity have +been promulgated, free government has steadily progressed and the +divine rights of woman have been recognized.</p> + +<p>The old constitution of the republic of Texas, the constitution +of the State of Texas of 1845, the laws enacted for the +protection of married women, the many learned decisions of the +Supreme Courts of Texas and Louisiana, and other courts, clearly +indicate that the march of intelligence is onward and that our +advanced civilization has approximated to the period when other +and more sacred rights are to be conceded. Is it just that woman, +who bears her reasonable portion of the burdens of government, +should be denied the right of aiding in the enactment of its +laws?</p> + +<p>The question of extending the freedom of the ballot to woman may +well claim the attention of the law-maker, and in view of the +importance of the subject a majority of your committee earnestly +recommend the passage of the declaration.</p> + + + +<div class="center"> +<table width="80%" summary="Authors"> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2"><span class="smcap">H. C. Hunt</span>, <i>Chairman</i>,</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">T. H. Mundine</span>,</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Benj. Watrous</span>,</td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"><span class="smcap">Wm. H. Fleming</span>,</td><td align="left"><span class="smcap">L. P. Harris</span>.</td></tr> +</table></div> + + + +<h4><span class="smcap">A Declaration.</span></h4> + +<p>Be it declared by the people of Texas in convention assembled, +that the following shall be a section of the constitution of the +State of Texas, known as section —— of article ——: Every +person, without distinction of sex, who shall have arrived at the +age of twenty-one years, and who shall be a citizen of the United +States, or is at the time of the adoption of this constitution by +the congress of the United States a citizen of the State of +Texas, and shall have resided in this State one year next +preceding an election, and the last six months within the +district, county, city or town in which he or she offers to vote, +shall be an elector. </p></blockquote> +</blockquote> + +<p>The <i>Woman's Journal</i> of December 4, 1875, contains a letter from +Mrs. Sarah W. Hiatt, who presented a memorial to the constitutional +convention. The memorial was referred to the Committee on Suffrage. +In regard to the effect, she says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Since the presentation of the memorial I have had some very +interesting letters on the subject from a few of our leading men; +some for, others against woman suffrage, but all treating the +subject respectfully. I copy below a portion of one just +received. I should like to give it entire with the writer's name, +but have not his permission to do so: <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_804" id="Page_804">[Pg 804]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>As you apprehended, the question of suffrage had been definitely +settled in the convention before the reception of your letter. It +remains as heretofore, unrestricted manhood suffrage. That all +the rabble, the very <i>débris</i> of society, should be allowed a +voice in government, and yet intelligent, highly-cultivated women +who are amenable to the laws of the State and who own and pay +taxes on property, should be debarred from a voice in making the +laws which are to affect their persons and property equally with +that of the men, is to my mind simply an outrage on reason and +justice. * * * The fear of ignoring the right of petition, and +gallantry towards your sex on the part of a few, prevented the +memorial from being summarily rejected. Outside of —— and —— +I know of no member of the convention who openly favors woman +suffrage in any form. It is true there are a number of gentlemen +who, in private conversation, will admit the justice of your +plea, but avoid it by saying that ladies generally neither demand +nor desire the right to vote. The truth is, these men (and +society is full of them) have not the moral courage to do simple +justice. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Thus you see that, so far as the action of this convention is +concerned, our cause is defeated. Yet I do not feel discouraged. I +think there is hardly a State in the Union that has such just and +excellent laws concerning the property rights of women as Texas. +There is also great liberality of sentiment here concerning the +avocations of women. But the right of women to the ballot seems to +be almost a new idea to our people. I have never lived in a +community where the women are more nearly abreast of the men in all +the activities of life than here in this frontier settlement. In +our State a woman's property, real or personal, is her own, to +keep, to convey, or to bequeath. The unusual number of widows here, +due to the incursions of the Indians during and since the war, has +made the management as well as the ownership of property by women +so common a thing as to attract no notice. I might give interesting +instances, but that would take time, and my point is this, that the +laws which have enabled, and the circumstances which have driven +women to rely upon and to exert themselves, have been educational, +not only to them, but also to the community. The importance of this +education to the future—who can measure it? It is true that many +of them can neither read nor write, but in this the men are not in +advance of them. It as often happens that the woman can read while +the man cannot, as the reverse. And they are almost universally +resolved that their children shall not grow up in the ignorance +that has been their portion. If the women could vote, our +convention would not think of submitting a constitution that did +not secure to the State a liberal free school system. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The legislature of 1885, after a hard struggle, enacted a law +making it compulsory on the heads of all departments to give at +least one-half of the clerical positions in their respective +offices to women. The action has extraordinary interest, and is +regarded as a victory for the woman's rights party. Mrs. Jenny +Bland Beauchamp of Dennison writes:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Texas claims to be a woman's State, in that her laws are +unusually just and lenient to women. A woman who has property at +marriage can keep it. She can even claim any property that she +can prove was bought with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_805" id="Page_805">[Pg 805]</a></span> that money. The wife is entitled to +half the community whether she owned any of the original stock or +not. She has a life interest in the homestead; no deed of trust +can be put upon it, nor can it be mortgaged. It can only be +conveyed from her by actual sale with her written consent. Under +our latest revised statutes women have the right of suffrage, but +have never exercised it; nor is the subject agitated to any great +extent.</p> + +<p>Three years ago, when the State University was built, it was +decided that it should be coëducational, and young women are now +being educated there side by side with young men. Texas has many +liberal men and women. It is generally remarked that the women of +the State are better educated than the men.</p> + +<blockquote><p>Miss Julia Pease, a Vassar graduate and daughter of the late +ex-Governor Pease, has charge of 6,000 acres of land. She lives +in the family mansion at Austin with her mother, and in addition +to her other duties superintends the education of the three +children of her deceased sisters.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Rogers, the "cattle queen" of Texas, inherited from her +first husband a herd of 40,000 cattle. The widow managed the +business, and in due time married a preacher twenty years younger +than herself, who had seven children. She attends to her estate +herself, rides among her cowboys on horseback, and can tell just +what a steer or cow is worth at any size or age.</p> + +<p>The largest individual sheep-owner is a woman, known all over the +State as the "Widow Cullahan." Her sheep, more than 50,000 in +number, wander over the ranges of Uvalda and Bandern counties, in +the southwestern part of the State. Their grade is a cross +between the hardy Mexican sheep and the Vermont merino. They are +divided into flocks of 2,000 head each, with a "bossero" and two +"pastoras" in charge of each flock. At the spring and fall +shearings long trains of wagons transport the "widow's" wool to +the market at San Antonio.</p> + +<p>Texas has two female dentists. Mrs. Stocking is one of the most +successful dental surgeons in the State. The other, Miss Emma +Tibler, went from Kentucky to Texas for the purpose of teaching. +Finding this profession full, she studied dentistry and is now a +successful practitioner of Cleburne.</p> + +<p>The youngest telegrapher in the world is probably Hattie +Hutchinson, in charge of an office in Texas. She is only ten +years old. </p></blockquote> +</blockquote> + +<h4 class="sc">III.—Arkansas.</h4> + +<p>Under date of March, 1868, Miles L. Langley writes from +Arkadelphia, Arkansas, in regard to the efforts for equality in the +constitutional convention:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Arkadelphia</span>, Ark., March 5, 1868.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Susan B. Anthony</span>—<i>Dear Friend</i>: With a sad heart but an +approving conscience, I will give you some information relative +to the action of our constitutional convention on the franchise +question.</p> + +<p>The new constitution—a copy of which I send you—makes no +difference between men, on account of race or color and contains +other excellences; but alas! it fails to guarantee to woman her +God-given and well-earned rights of civil and political equality.</p> + +<p>I made a motion to insert in the constitution a section to read +thus: "All citizens twenty-one years of age, who can read and +write the English language, shall be eligible to the elective +franchise, and be entitled to equal political and legal rights +and privileges." The motion was seconded<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_806" id="Page_806">[Pg 806]</a></span> and I had the floor, +but the House became so clamorous that the president could not +restore order, and the meeting adjourned with the understanding +that I was to occupy the floor next morning. But next morning, +just as I was about to commence my speech, some of the members +tried to "bully" me out of the right to speak on that question. I +replied that I had been robbed, shot, and imprisoned for +advocating the rights of the slaves, and that I would then and +there speak in favor of the rights of women if I had to fight for +the right! I then proceeded to present arguments of which I am +not ashamed. I was met with ridicule, sarcasm and insult. My +ablest opponent, a lawyer, acknowledged in his reply that he +could not meet my argument. The motion was laid on the table.</p> + +<p>The Democrats are my enemies because I assisted in emancipating +the slaves. The Republicans have now become my opponents, because +I have made an effort to confer on the women their rights. And +even the women themselves fail to sympathize with me.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF sc">Miles L. Langley.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Very respectfully,</p> + + +<p class="ltr-clear">The Arkansas <i>Ladies' Journal</i> says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>They tell us that women are not fit for politics. This may be +true; and as it is next to impossible to change the nature of a +woman, why wouldn't it be a good idea to so change politics that +it shall be fit for women? </p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1885, Arkansas formed its first woman suffrage society at Eureka +Springs through the efforts of Miss Phœbe Couzins, Mrs. Lizzie +D. Fyler, president. The association numbers some fine speakers. +The press is not in opposition, one or two papers favor the cause.</p> + +<p>Misses Pettigrew and Sims have been elected clerks of the +legislature. Several other ladies were candidates for the +positions, and the contest was quite exciting. Mrs. Simonson and +Miss Emily Thomas are members of the board of directors of a lumber +company at Batesville, and Miss Thomas is also bookkeeper of the +firm. </p></blockquote> + +<p>A very able report<a name="FNanchor_522_522" id="FNanchor_522_522"></a><a href="#Footnote_522_522" class="fnanchor">[522]</a> of what has been done in Arkansas for the +elevation of woman was presented by Mrs. Lizzie D. Fyler at the +annual Washington convention in March, 1884.</p> + + +<h4 class="sc">IV.—Mississippi.</h4> + +<p>Mississippi secures to a married woman her own separate estate, and +enables her to contract with her husband, or others, and carry on +business in her own name. She may sue her husband, or others, and +be sued, and has practically most of her civil rights; but her +political rights are denied as in all other States.</p> + +<blockquote><p>In 1877 a law was passed by which henceforth no one can legally +sell liquor in Mississippi unless he can obtain the written +consent of a majority of the adult citizens of both sexes +resident in the township.</p> + +<p>The Mississippi Industrial College for Women held its formal +opening October 22, 1885, at Columbus. Students had come from all +parts of the State. More than 300 had already entered. The +occasion was a brilliant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_807" id="Page_807">[Pg 807]</a></span> one. Speeches were made by Senator E. +T. Sykes, Senator J. McMcartin of Claiborne county, Col. J. L. +Power of Jackson, Hon. James T. Harrison, Governor Lowry, and Dr. +Jones. Mrs. E. G. Peyton of Hazelhurst, to whose efforts the +founding of the Industrial College is largely due, was called +upon, and in a few well-chosen remarks expressed the pride she +felt in the State and in the college, feeling sure, she said, +that Mississippi's daughters were now in safe hands.</p> + +<p>Miss Lilian Light, the eight-year-old daughter of Mr. Jere Light +of Hayneville, when only five or six years old began to make +figures in clay, and now (1885) has a large collection of mud +cats, hogs, dogs, cows, horses, and men. The figures are declared +to be not childish imitations, but remarkably acute likenesses. +Her best piece represents a negro praying, and is said to be very +clever.</p> + +<p>Miss C. F. Boardman of Elmore's Point, two miles from Biloxi, on +the Bock Bay, has received the chief premiums awarded for oranges +grown on the Gulf coast outside of Florida. This lady has 1,000 +bearing orange trees of the choicest varieties, and has devoted +her attention to the production of these and other tropical +fruits, with great success. She came to the South for health a +few years ago, and has not only found that, but has established +for herself a pleasing and profitable industry in fruit culture. +Her oranges were exhibited among numerous fine competing +specimens, and were chosen for high excellence.</p> + +<p>Miss Eliza A. Dupuy for many years contributed copiously to Mr. +Bonner's <i>Ledger</i>. Miss Dupuy, who was descended from prominent +Virginia families, was in her youth a teacher. The first story +written by her was produced when she was only fourteen years old. +More fortunate than the majority of authors, she leaves behind +her a considerable sum earned by her ever-busy pen. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Sarah A. Dorsey was perhaps the most remarkable woman that +Mississippi can boast. She was the niece of Mrs. Warfield, the +author of the "Household of Bouverie," who had great influence in +forming her literary tastes. The New Orleans Monthly <i>Review</i> +contains many able articles on abstruse questions from her pen. +One, in the February number for 1876, on the "Origin of the +Species," is exceptionally able and interesting. It was read in +October, 1875, before the New Orleans Academy of Sciences by Mrs. +Dorsey herself. This article shows extensive reading in scientific +questions. She was made corresponding member of the Academy, an +honor she appreciated more highly for her sex than for herself. She +was a large-souled, noble woman, devoted to what she considered +Southern interests. She bequeathed to Jefferson Davis the estate, +called Beauvoir, on which he now resides.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_516_516" id="Footnote_516_516"></a><a href="#FNanchor_516_516"><span class="label">[516]</span></a> Emily P. Collins of Ponchatoula, Louisiana, wrote +Miss Anthony: "Our State is to form a new constitution this spring. +I feel that now if ever is the time to strike for woman's +emancipation. 'We, the people' includes women as well as men, and +regardless of former legislative enactments we should be allowed to +vote and be voted for as delegates to the constitutional +convention. If I only had some one to aid me, or had your moral +courage, I would proclaim myself a candidate for the constitutional +convention. The colored people ought to sustain me for I have ever +been their steadfast friend, and they themselves owe their +emancipation chiefly to women. They cannot elect a colored man +here, but could I have their support I have personal friends enough +to secure my election. The parish ought to be stumped in support of +some candidate whose efforts should be pledged to the insertion of +a clause in the new constitution to prohibit future legislatures +making sex a qualification for voting."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_517_517" id="Footnote_517_517"></a><a href="#FNanchor_517_517"><span class="label">[517]</span></a> The following letter from Mrs. Saxon to Mrs. Minor +gives the reason why she could not be present at the National +Convention held in St. Louis: +</p><p> +"Almost entirely unaided I have gained 300 names in five weeks. +Among them two Presbyterian ministers, wives of three others, seven +of the most prominent physicians, all of the city administrators, +two distinguished judges, several lawyers and many leading business +men. I have begged Mrs. Emily P. Collins to urge upon the +Association to meet here next year. I feel that now and before this +convention is our most important work, so I must stay and try and +influence the members all in my power. I was unaware of the action +I was to take here, and if I get before the convention it will not +be before the morning of the 7th, or I would come anyway as I have +been offered a free passage by both rail and river. Mrs. Collins +was with me for a few days and will assure you of my untiring +efforts in the cause here. God knows I would be willing to buy +fifteen minutes before the whole convention, the day they vote on +that bill, by the sacrifice of my life; for remembering the grand +women I have seen sacrificed along life's path, I think from their +memory a power and eloquence would spring that might win hearts of +steel and force justice to women from them. I will write again in a +few days and report progress. +</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF sc">E. L. Saxon."</p> +<p class="ltr-left">"Very sincerely your friend,</p> +<p class="ltr-to">"<i>May 5, 1879.</i>"</p> +</div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_518_518" id="Footnote_518_518"></a><a href="#FNanchor_518_518"><span class="label">[518]</span></a> Of her speech Mrs. Merrick writes: "Fearing that I +could not be heard, I proposed to my son-in law, Mr. Guthrie, that +he should read it for me, but Mrs. Saxon objected, saying, 'No +matter if they do not hear a word you say! You do not wish a man to +represent you at the polls; represent yourself now, if you only +stand up and move your lips.' 'I will,' said I, 'you are +right.'—[<span class="smcap">Editors.</span></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_519_519" id="Footnote_519_519"></a><a href="#FNanchor_519_519"><span class="label">[519]</span></a> The Claibornes are a distinguished Virginia family, +but belong to the history of Mississippi and Louisiana since +territorial times. Mr. Claiborne now regrets that he did not go +farther, for he is satisfied that women may be trusted with powers +that have long been withheld. He says he was led to reflect +seriously on the subject by the able addresses of Mrs. Keating, +Mrs. Saxon and Mrs. Merrick, who made a profound impression on the +convention.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_520_520" id="Footnote_520_520"></a><a href="#FNanchor_520_520"><span class="label">[520]</span></a> The officers of the Christian Woman's Exchange for +1885, were: <i>President</i>, Mrs. R. M. Walmsley; <i>Vice-Presidents</i>, +Mesdames T. G. Richardson, M. W. Bartlett, Albert Baldwin, John R. +Juden, J. H. Allen; <i>Recording Secretary</i>, Mrs. Theo. Auze; +<i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, Mrs. E. J. Wharton; <i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. S. +H. Davis; <i>Acting Treasurer</i>, Mrs. F. N. Griswold; <i>Board of +Managers</i>, Mesdames S. Landrum, M. C. Jennings, B. D. Wood, A. +Brittin, Percy Roberts, S. Delgado, F. N. Griswold, E. L. Wood, Wm. +Muller, E. Ranlett, G. W. Pritchard, L. P. Wayne, T. H. Holmes, J. +B. Wallace, Albert Baldwin, P. N. Strong, K. Fuhri, S. H. Kennedy, +H. J. Leovy, John Parker, R. M. Walmsley, T. G. Richardson, Theo. +Auze, E. J. Wharton, S. H. Davis. M. W. Bartlett, D. A. Given, John +R. Juden, J. H. Allen, Fred. Wing.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_521_521" id="Footnote_521_521"></a><a href="#FNanchor_521_521"><span class="label">[521]</span></a> The original members of the Woman's Club were: Miss +Bessie Bisland, Mrs. Elizabeth W. Baker, Miss C. Farrar, Mrs. J. M. +Ferguson, Miss M. E. Hagan, Miss J. E. Linsler, Miss H. D. Pickens, +Miss M. Siebold, Mrs. M. J. C. Swayze, Miss E. Schrieves, Miss M. +Manning, Miss P. Teiltebaum.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_522_522" id="Footnote_522_522"></a><a href="#FNanchor_522_522"><span class="label">[522]</span></a> See Report Washington Convention, 1884.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_808" id="Page_808">[Pg 808]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LV_Continued" id="CHAPTER_LV_Continued"></a>CHAPTER LV. (<span class="smcap">Continued</span>).</h2> + +<h3>DISTRICT OF +COLUMBIA—MARYLAND—DELAWARE—KENTUCKY—TENNESSEE—VIRGINIA—WEST +VIRGINIA—NORTH CAROLINA—SOUTH +CAROLINA—FLORIDA—ALABAMA—GEORGIA.</h3> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>Secretary Chase—Women in the Government Departments—Myrtilla +Miner—Mrs. O'Connor's Tribute—District of Columbia Suffrage +Bill—The Universal Franchise Association, 1867—Bill for a +Prohibitory Law Presented by Hon. S. C. Pomeroy, 1869—A Bill for +Equal Wages for the Women in the Departments, Introduced by Hon. +S. M. Arnell, 1870—In 1871 Congress Passed the Organic Act for +the District Confining the Right of Suffrage to Males—In 1875 it +Withdrew all Legislative Power from the People—Women in Law, +Medicine, Journalism and the Charities—Dental College Opened to +Women—Mary A. Stuart—The Clay Sisters—The School of +Pharmacy—Elizabeth Avery Meriwether—Judge Underwood—Mary +Bayard Clarke—Dr. Susan Dimock—Governor +Chamberlain—Coffee-Growing—Priscilla Holmes Drake—Alexander H. +Stephens. </p> +</div> + + +<h4 class="sc">I.—District of Columbia.</h4> + +<p><span class="sc">The</span> District covers an area of 64 square miles, and contains a +population of 200,000. It was originally a portion of Maryland, and +was ceded to congress by that State for the exclusive use of the +Federal government. Hon. Salmon P. Chase, secretary of the treasury +under Abraham Lincoln, seeing that most of the gifted young men had +been drafted or had enlisted in the army, introduced young women as +clerks in the government departments. The experiment proved +successful, and now there are about six thousand women in the +various departments. Mr. Chase often alluded to this afterwards as +one of the most important acts of his life. The war brought many +bright, earnest women to Washington, led thither by patriotism, +ambition, or the necessity of finding some new employment. This new +vital force, this purer element, infused into the society at the +capitol, has been slowly introducing more liberal ideas into that +community.</p> + +<p>The first specific work for woman in the District of Columbia of +which we find any record was that of Myrtilla Miner of New York, +who opened a Normal School for colored girls, December 3, 1851. She +began with six pupils in a small room in a private<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_809" id="Page_809">[Pg 809]</a></span> house, but soon +had more offered than could be accommodated. Through much ridicule +and untold difficulties she struggled alone, but successfully, for +ten years, when Miss Emily Howland came to her aid. The heroism of +this noble woman has been told by Mrs. Ellen O. Connor in a little +volume<a name="FNanchor_523_523" id="FNanchor_523_523"></a><a href="#Footnote_523_523" class="fnanchor">[523]</a> which is a beautiful tribute to the memory of Miss +Miner. The Miner Normal School of Washington is now a thorough and +popular school for colored girls.</p> + +<p>For a brief report of what has been accomplished in the District of +Columbia, we are indebted to Belva A. Lockwood:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In 1866, the women of Washington were first aroused to the +consideration of the suffrage question, by the discussion of "The +District of Columbia suffrage bill" proposing to strike out the +word "white" in order to extend the franchise to colored men. Mr. +Cowan, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, offered an amendment to +strike out the word "male" also, and thus enfranchise the women +of the District. It was said his proposition was not made in good +faith, but simply to embarrass Republican legislation. However it +served a good purpose for all disfranchised classes, as the +amendment called out a notable debate,<a name="FNanchor_524_524" id="FNanchor_524_524"></a><a href="#Footnote_524_524" class="fnanchor">[524]</a> lasting three days, +and received the votes of nine influential senators in its favor. +The voting of the newly enfranchised negroes at the May election, +1867, brought out in strong color the beauties of masculine +legislation, and immediately after there was a movement among the +friends of woman's enfranchisement. A meeting was called by James +and Julia Holmes at their residence, where the "Universal +Franchise Association" was organized.<a name="FNanchor_525_525" id="FNanchor_525_525"></a><a href="#Footnote_525_525" class="fnanchor">[525]</a> As soon as their +meetings, regularly held, took on a serious air, the combined +power of the press was brought to bear upon them with the +determination to break them up. But the meetings were continued, +notwithstanding the opposition; and although most of the speeches +were good, they were often interrupted with hisses and yells, and +the police, when appealed to, failed to keep order, seeming +rather to join hands with the mob. In order to put a check on the +rabble, contrary to the spirit of the society, a fee was charged +at the door. Strangely enough, so great had the interest become, +the crowd increased instead of lessening, and night after night +Union League Hall was crowded, until the coffers of the +association contained nearly $1,000. The press of the city in the +meantime had kept up a fusilade of ludicrous reports, in which +the women were caricatured and misrepresented, all of which they +bore with fortitude, and without any attempt at reply. The +meetings continued through the year notwithstanding the cry of +the timid that the cause was being injured and fair reputations +blighted.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_810" id="Page_810">[Pg 810]</a></span></p> + +<p>June 25, 1868, a deputation from the District Franchise +Association appeared, by appointment, before the House Committee +of the District, to urge the passage of the bill presented in the +House of Representatives by Hon. Henry D. Washburn, accompanied +by a petition signed by eighty women of the District:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"Be it enacted, etc., That from and after the passage of this +act, no person shall be debarred from voting or holding office in +the District of Columbia by reason of sex."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Josephine S. Griffing began by saying that the friends of +equal freedom for women in the District had thought the revision +of the local government a fit time to present their claims and +submit a memorial, setting forth the justice of passing the bill +before the committee to remove the restrictions that forbid women +to vote in the District. The movement was not wholly new, and was +known by those active in the work to be approved by a large mass +of women who were not prepared to express themselves openly. The +enfranchisement of woman is needful to a real reconstruction.</p> + +<p>Mr. Wilcox read a memorial, signed by a committee of residents of +the district, consisting of eleven ladies and eleven gentlemen, +including Mrs. Griffing, Mrs. E. D. E. N. Southworth, Miss Lydia +S. Hall (formerly of Kansas), Mrs. Annie Denton Cridge, Judge A. +B. Olin and Mrs. Olin, recalling the fact that congress had freed +3,000 slaves, and enfranchised the 8,000 colored men of the +district, both of which experiments had worked well, +notwithstanding conservative predictions to the contrary; and +showing that, while the former experiments, on a small scale +comparatively, had yielded rich results, so the enfranchisement +of half the adult population would produce vast good. He +incidentally answered the usual arguments against suffrage, and +affirmed that those who possess neither the power of wealth nor +of knowledge wherewith to protect themselves, most need political +power for that purpose. He remarked that the competition for +votes among politicians was a tremendous educating force, and +that laws would not be certain of enforcement unless those for +whose benefit they were made were clothed with power to compel +such enforcement.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Mary T. Corner presented a number of points as to the laws +of the district relating to women, of some of which Judge Welker +took notes with a view to their speedy investigation by the +committee. As to suffrage, she pointed out that women do not come +under the head of paupers, minors, felons, rebels, idiots or +aliens, and that the reasons existing for the disfranchisement of +such persons do not apply to native-born, loyal women. She showed +that women are not represented in the government of the district, +though taxed by it, and by law cannot properly protect +themselves, their children, or their property, nor hold municipal +office, however fit. A wife cannot hold property in the district +except by proxy. Women understand their needs and condition +better than men, and should be free to regulate them. The swarms +of foreigners who are freely admitted to the polls know less of +our institutions than the masses of our women. Women have voted +and held the highest offices in other countries with great +success. Are our women less capable than these? At the conclusion +Mrs. Corner returned thanks to the committee for their attention; +and the latter, without expressing an opinion on the matter, +complimented the speakers on the ability and eloquence with which +their views had been presented. It was also stated that a large +number of petitions would be presented in support of the bill. +The committee expressed themselves as unable, by reason of the +lateness of the session and the pressure of other business, to +promise an early report. The interview lasted about an hour, and +was very cordial and pleasant on both sides. </p></blockquote> + +<p>September 25, 1868, the Universal Franchise Association held its +first annual meeting<a name="FNanchor_526_526" id="FNanchor_526_526"></a><a href="#Footnote_526_526" class="fnanchor">[526]</a> at Union League Hall, Mrs. Josephine S. +Griffing presiding.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_811" id="Page_811">[Pg 811]</a></span> A letter was read from Senator Pomeroy, +stating that he was willing to act as president of the society. In +closing he said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I trust the friends will unite in one association. We have but +one object in view, and should all labor together to accomplish +this end, viz.: the enfranchisement of every citizen, with no +partiality for race or sex. The American citizen is the only safe +depository for the ballot, and the only safeguard for individual +and national liberty. Let us labor to realize, even in our day +and time, this true type of republican government. The rights and +safety of individuals and of the nation demand it. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1869, the executive committee passed a resolution to expend the +money that had been accumulated at the meetings of the association +in a series of lectures for the purpose of enlightening the public +mind upon the question of equal political rights for women. Among +the speakers engaged were Anna Dickinson, Mrs. Stanton, Miss +Anthony, D. R. Locke (Nasby), Theodore Tilton. From that time the +women of the district were permitted to speak their minds freely.</p> + +<p>In the House of Representatives, March 21, 1870, Mr. Arnell, on +leave, introduced the following bill:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>A bill to do justice to the female employees of the Government, +and for other purposes.</i></p> + +<p>Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the +United States of America in Congress assembled, That hereafter +all clerks and other employes in the civil service of the United +States shall be paid, irrespective of sex, with reference to the +character and amount of services performed by them.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec.</span> 2. And be it further enacted, That, in the employment of +labor, clerical or other, in any branch of the civil service of +the United States, no discrimination shall be made in favor of +either sex.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec.</span> 3. And be it further enacted, That where examinations of +candidates for positions in the civil service of the United +States are prescribed by law, or by the heads of departments, +bureaus, or offices, said examinations shall be of the same +character for persons of both sexes.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec.</span> 4. And be it further enacted, That the designations, chief +clerk, chief or head of division, chief or head of section, clerk +of the fourth class, clerk of the third class, clerk of the +second class, clerk of the first class, copyist, messenger, +laborer, and all other designations of employes, in existing acts +of Congress, or in use in any branch of the civil service of the +United States, shall be held, hereafter to apply to women as well +as to men; and that women shall be regarded equally eligible with +men to perform the duties of the afore-designated clerks and +employes, and shall receive the compensation therefor prescribed +by law.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec.</span> 5. And be it further enacted, That this act shall not be so +construed as to require the displacement of any person now +employed, but shall apply to all vacancies hereafter occurring, +for any cause.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sec.</span> 6. And be it further enacted, That all acts and parts of +acts, in conflict with any of the provisions of this act be, and +the same are hereby, expressly repealed. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Thousands of petitions for this bill were circulated. Mrs. Lockwood +went to New York, and secured seven hundred signatures, visiting +both of the suffrage conventions then in session in that city, the +National and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_812" id="Page_812">[Pg 812]</a></span> the American. The bill was shortly afterward passed +in a modified form, and has ever since been in force in all of the +government departments.</p> + +<p>In February, 1871, congress passed the organic act for the +district, making of it a territory and granting suffrage to the +male members of the commonwealth. There was also granted under this +bill a right to a delegate in congress. In the meetings which +followed for the nomination of delegates a number of women took +part. Mrs. Lockwood often broke the monotony with a short speech, +and on one occasion only lacked one vote of an election to the +general convention for the nomination of a delegate to congress.</p> + +<p>The women of the district were not permitted to vote under the +organic act, but soon after the organization of its legislature, +bills to provide for this were introduced into both Houses. Mrs. +Lockwood prepared an exhaustive address upon these pending bills, +and was granted a hearing before both Houses of the legislature, +but they were finally lost. In 1875 congress withdrew the +legislative power from the people of the District of Columbia.</p> + +<p>It was also in 1871 that the National University Law School, then +principally under the control of Prof. Wm. B. Wedgewood, organized +a law class for women, in which fifteen matriculated. Mrs. Lockwood +had been denied admission the previous year to the law class of +Columbia College for the reason, as given by the trustees, "that it +would distract the attention of the young men." About this time a +young colored woman, Charlotte Ray of New York, was graduated from +the law class of Howard University and admitted to the bar with the +class. Of the fifteen women who entered the National University +only two completed the course, viz., Lydia S. Hall, and Belva A. +Lockwood. The former never received her diploma. The latter, after +an appeal to President Grant, received her diploma, and was +admitted to the district bar, September 23, 1873. Since that period +Emma M. Gillett, Marilla M. Ricker, and Laura DeForce Gordon have +been admitted to the district bar, and there seems to be no longer +any hindrance to such admissions. The above-named have all appeared +in court, and a number of other ladies have been graduated in the +district. Women have also been appointed notaries public, and +examiners in chancery.</p> + +<p>In the profession of medicine there has been more liberality. Dr. +Susan A. Edson and Dr. Caroline B. Winslow have been in full +practice here since the close of the war. Dr. Mary Parsons and Dr. +Cora M. Bland and others, are practicing with marked success. Last +year there were fourteen women duly registered with the health +department, and they all seem to be in good standing. Howard +University has admitted women to its medical classes for some +years, and both white and colored women have availed themselves of +the privilege. Last year Columbia College opened its doors in the +medical department, with a suggestion that the classes in law and +theology may soon be opened also.</p> + +<p>Many women in the district within the last few years have entered +into business for themselves, as they are now permitted to do under +the law of 1869, and are milliners, merchants, market-women, +hucksters. In the art of nursing, which has been reduced to a +science, they have free course.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_813" id="Page_813">[Pg 813]</a></span></p> + +<p>In 1871, a large number of ladies tried to register in the city of +Washington. They marched in solid phalanx some seventy<a name="FNanchor_527_527" id="FNanchor_527_527"></a><a href="#Footnote_527_527" class="fnanchor">[527]</a> strong +to the registrar's office, but were repulsed. They tried afterwards +to vote, but were refused, whereupon Mrs. Spencer sued the +inspectors, and Mrs. Webster sued the registrars, so testing their +rights in two suits in the Supreme Court of the District.<a name="FNanchor_528_528" id="FNanchor_528_528"></a><a href="#Footnote_528_528" class="fnanchor">[528]</a></p> + +<p>In 1866 Jane G. Swisshelm commenced the publication of a liberal +sheet in the District of Columbia, known as <i>The Wasp</i>. This was +the continuation of a paper formerly published by her in Pittsburg, +Pa., and in St. Cloud, Minn., called <i>The Visitor</i>. Many other +papers by women have been since published in the District. Perhaps +the most voluminous author in this country is Mrs. E. D. E. N. +Southworth, who has written a volume for each year of her life, and +is now sixty-five years of age. Her authorship has been confined to +romances, which have been very popular. A large proportion of the +teachers of the public schools in the District are women, some of +them of very marked culture. Many of the most noted and successful +private schools, some with collegiate courses, are conducted by +women. Among these, Mrs. Margaret Harover who taught in the +District during the war, is worthy of mention, also Mrs. Ellen M. +O'Connor, president of the Miner school. Mrs. Sarah J. Spencer, as +associate principal of the Spencerian business college whence large +classes of young women have been graduated for many years past, is +deservedly popular. She was at one time prominent in the woman +suffrage movement, acting as corresponding secretary of the +National Association. She is now engaged in one of the large +charity organizations of the city. Many colored women who have been +graduated from Howard University, have become quite successful as +teachers, and some have studied medicine. All of the copyists in +the office of registrar of deeds are women. A goodly number are +short-hand reporters for the courts, among whom Miss Camp, daughter +of the assistant clerk, is notably skillful.</p> + +<p>The number of women who hold property in the District is large and +rapidly increasing. A woman may now enter into almost any honorable +profession that she chooses, and maintain her respectability. All +of the professions are open to her, and the sphere of trades is +rapidly widening. The progress made in this regard in the last +quarter of a century amounts almost to a revolution. The first +women ever admitted to the reporter's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_814" id="Page_814">[Pg 814]</a></span> gallery of the Senate and +House were Abigail Dodge (Gail Hamilton), and Helen M. Barnard, +both political writers of great power; the former as a reporter for +the New York <i>Times</i>, and the latter for the New York <i>Herald</i>. +Mrs. Barnard, during Grant's administration, was sent as +commissioner of immigration to Liverpool, visiting England, Ireland +and Scotland. Returning in the steerage of an ocean steamer, she +gave one of the finest reports ever made upon this question. This +resulted in the passage by the legislature of New York of a bill +for the better protection of emigrants on shipboard, and the +appointment by the United States government of an inspector of +immigration for every out-going steamer.</p> + +<p>Women were first appointed as clerks in the government departments +in 1861 by Secretary Chase, at the earnest solicitation of +Treasurer Spinner. They were employed at temporary work at $50 a +month—one-half the lowest price paid to any male clerk—until they +were recognized by an act of congress in which their salary was +fixed at $900 a year, in the general appropriation bill of July 23, +1866. The men doing the same work were of four classes, receiving, +respectively, $1,000, $1,400, $1,600, $1,800. Treasurer Spinner, in +his report of October, 1866, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The experiment of employing females as clerks has been, so far as +this office is concerned, a success. For many kinds of +office-work, like the manipulation and counting of fractional +currency, they excel, and in my opinion are to be preferred to +males. There is, however, quite as much difference in point of +ability between female clerks as there is between the several +classes of male clerks, whose equals some of them are. Some are +able to accomplish twice as much as others, and with greater +accuracy. So, too, some of them incur great risks, being +responsible for making mistakes in count, and for counterfeits +overlooked. Such should, by every consideration of justice and +fair dealing, be paid according to their merits, and the risks +and liabilities they incur. </p></blockquote> + +<p>And in 1868, Mr. Spinner urged the committee of which Mr. Fessenden +of Maine was the chairman, to so amend the bill providing for the +reorganization of the treasury department as to increase the salary +of the female clerks who have the handling of money, stating that +cases had occurred in which women had lost more than half their +monthly pay by reason of being short in count, or of allowing +counterfeit notes to pass their hands.</p> + +<p>Secretary M'Cullough asserted that women performed their clerical +duties as creditably as men, and stated that he had three ladies +who performed as much labor, and did it as well as any three male +clerks receiving $1,800 a year. It is now a quarter of a century +that women have served the government in these responsible +positions, and still, with but few exceptions, they receive only +the allotted $900. Mrs. Fitzgerald, the expert in the redemption +bureau of the treasury, who has for fifteen years deciphered +defaced currency, in which no man has ever yet proved her equal, +receives $1,400. In 1886 she subjected herself to an examination +for an increase to $1,600, but, failing to answer some questions +foreign to her art, she was compelled to content herself with the +former salary. </p></blockquote> + + +<h4 class="sc">II.—Maryland.</h4> + + +<p><i>The Revolution</i> of February 26, 1868, shows an effort in the +direction of progress on this question in Maryland. A correspondent +says:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_815" id="Page_815">[Pg 815]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>Notwithstanding the present ascendancy of conservatism in +Maryland, the progressive element is not wholly annihilated; in +proof of which, we send information of the working of this +leaven, as developed in an association lately organized in the +city of Baltimore, under the name of the "Maryland Equal Rights +Society." For nearly a year past it has been in contemplation to +form a society based upon the principle of equal chance to all +human kind, irrespective of sex or color, through the mediumship +of the elective franchise. The first public meeting of the +friends of the movement was held on the afternoon of November 12, +1867, at the Douglass Institute, at which twelve persons, white +and colored, were present. Some steps were taken towards +organization in the framing and adopting of a constitution based +upon the principle afore-mentioned; but further business was +deferred in hope of securing a larger attendance at a subsequent +meeting. Two weeks later a second meeting was called, when the +constitution was signed by fourteen persons, ten of whom were +white and four colored. Officers were chosen, consisting of a +president, a vice-president, a secretary and a treasurer, +together with eight other members to act as an executive +committee. The last meeting, held January 29, was attended by +Alfred H. Love and Rachel Love of Philadelphia. To Mr. Love the +society is indebted for many valuable suggestions as to the best +means of becoming an effective co-worker in the cause of human +progress.</p> + +<p>Our colored friends, who have control of the Douglass Institute, +have testified their good will toward the movement in giving the +society the use of an apartment in the building, free of charge. +This is the one instance in which we have met with encouragement +in our own community. We have sought it in high places, among +those we supposed to be friends, and found it not. It appears to +be the nature of fine linen to dread the mud splashes of the +pioneer's spade and pick-ax, and for silk and broadcloth to +shrink from contact with the briers of an uncleared thicket; +hence our sole recourse is to appeal to those only who are +dressed for the service. We are conscious that we have entered +upon no easy task; but, ashamed of having so long left our +Northern sisters to toil and endure alone in a cause which is not +one of section but of humanity, we come forward at last to assume +our share of the hardship, trusting that what we have lost in our +tardiness may be made up in earnestness and activity. </p></blockquote> + +<p>From various papers we clip the following items:</p> + +<blockquote><p>At the election in Baltimore, January 20, 1870, there were three +women who applied to be registered as voters at the third-ward +registry office. Their names were Mrs. L. C. Dundore, Mrs. A. M. +Gardner and Miss E. M. Harris. Their cases were held under +advisement by the register.——In 1871, a Maryland young lady, +Miss Middlebrook, raised over 5,000 heads of cabbage. On +Christmas, she sold in the Baltimore market 500 pounds of turkey +at 20 cents per pound.——Mrs. H. B. Conway of Frederick county, +has established a reputation as a contractor for "fills" and +"cuts." She has filled several contracts in Pennsylvania, been +awarded a $100,000 job on the Western Maryland railroad, and now, +1885, is engaged in the work of excavating a tract in Baltimore +for building-sites. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss R. Muller has for several years been engaged as subscription +and general correspondence clerk for the Baltimore <i>Daily +American</i>. She was the first woman to be employed in that city on +newspaper work during the present century. In the chapter on +newspapers it will be seen that Anna R. Green established the first +newspaper in the Maryland colony one hundred and nineteen years +ago, doing the colony printing; and that Mary R. Goddard not only +published a paper, writing able editorials, but was also the first +postmaster after the revolution. And from the following item it +would seem that the first woman to claim her right to vote must be +credited to Maryland:</p> + +<blockquote><p>At the regular meeting of the Maryland Historical Society in +Baltimore, December, 1885, Hon. J. L. Thomas read a paper on +"Margaret Brent, the first woman in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_816" id="Page_816">[Pg 816]</a></span> America to claim the right +to vote." She lived at St. Mary's city on the river of the same +name two hundred and forty years ago, and was related to Lord +Baltimore. She was the heir of Leonard Calvert, Lord Baltimore's +brother and agent, and as such she claimed not only control of +all rents, etc., of Lord Baltimore, but also the right to two +votes in the assembly as the representative of both Calvert and +Baltimore. The first claim the courts upheld, but the second was +rejected. </p></blockquote> + +<p>On March 20, 1872, Hon. Stevenson Archer made an exhaustive speech +on the floor of the House of Representatives, entitled, "Woman +Suffrage not to be tolerated, although advocated by the Republican +candidate for vice-presidency." The speech was against Senator +Wilson's bill to enfranchise the women of the territories. The +honorable representative from Maryland may have been moved to enter +his protest against woman's enfranchisement by the fact that the +women of his State had in convention assembled early in the same +month made a public demand for their political rights:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The Havre de Grace <i>Republican</i> says that the convention of the +Maryland Equal Rights Association, held in Raine's Hall, +Baltimore, last week, was a grand success. Mrs. Lavina C. +Dundore, president of the association, presided over the +convention with dignity and grace. Many prominent and able +champions of the cause were present and delivered eloquent and +telling addresses in favor of woman's enfranchisement, which were +listened to with marked attention by the large audiences in +attendance. The friends of the cause in Maryland feel much +gratified at this exhibition of the rapidly increasing interest +in the movement. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Meetings had been held in Baltimore during the years of 1870-71, +and lectures given by Lucy Stone, Julia Ward Howe, Susan B. +Anthony, and others.</p> + +<p>Charlotte Richmond of Baltimore writes the <i>Woman's Journal</i>, April +22, 1873:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The American <i>Journal of Dental Science</i> makes the following +statement: "The Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, having had +the honor of conferring the first degree of Doctor of Dental +Surgery in the world, has also graduated the first woman who ever +received a diploma in medicine or dentistry in Baltimore, in the +person of Miss Emilie Foeking of Prussia, who, after attending +two full courses of lectures and demonstrations, passed a very +creditable final examination. Miss Foeking conformed to all the +rules and regulations of the college during the two sessions that +she was a student; no favor whatever as to requirement being +asked for on her part, or extended to her by the faculty, on +account of sex. She has fairly earned her degree by proficiency +and earnest application. After a short time Miss Foeking will +return to Berlin, where she intends to locate. That she will +succeed in establishing a large and lucrative practice, there is +no doubt, as she is well qualified professionally, and is in +manner so perfect a lady as to command the respect of all who +know her."</p> + +<p>You will see by this extract from one of our medical journals, +that a lady has been graduated from our dental college. I hope +she has left the doors open, so that some of our own countrywomen +may enter and acquit themselves as honorably, but without the +difficulties which she has been compelled to encounter. You are +aware of the proceedings of the Philadelphia college in regard to +female students. Our Baltimore dentist, for we feel proud to +claim her as ours, although admitted in the college, still had +all the prejudices to meet in the minds of the people, but they +were too courteous and hospitable to act upon those feelings so +far as to turn her from their doors. She was brave and did not +surrender; not even when her sensitive woman's heart was wounded +and humiliated by the little acts done heedlessly under the +impression that a woman had stepped out of her sphere and was +taking upon herself a vocation belonging exclusively to men. She +is naturally sincere, modest and dignified. With these<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_817" id="Page_817">[Pg 817]</a></span> lady-like +qualifications, together with ability and perseverance, she has +won the honor and esteem of the faculty and the students.</p> + +<p>I wish that Prussia could have witnessed the success of her +daughter on the night of commencement—the wreaths of laurel, and +the incessant applause while she was on the stage. I, for one, +felt quite proud to see my city acknowledge the foreign +lady-student so gracefully. She is already practicing to some +extent, and in every case gives the most entire satisfaction. I +trust there will be no more college doors closed against our sex, +for the reason that the male students do not want us. Let the +professors and trustees be just. We have proved that a true lady +is no disadvantage in a college with male students. I think the +way is now clear for women to enter upon the dental profession. +Miss Foeking has proved that a woman can be successful when she +undertakes an honorable profession. </p></blockquote> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 330px;"> +<a name="v3_817" id="v3_817"> +<img src="images/v3_817.jpg" width="330" height="500" alt="Mary B. Clay" title="" /></a> +</div> + +<p>For the facts in regard to the Baltimore Dental College we are +indebted to the dean of the faculty:</p> + + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"> +<span class="smcap">Baltimore College of Dental Surgery</span>, Jan. 2, 1886.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Miss Susan B. Anthony</span>—<i>Dear Miss</i>: Your letter of 27th of last +month came safely to hand. In reply I will say that only two +members of the fair sex have been graduated with us. Miss Emilie +Foeking of Prussia, whose present address I do not know, and Miss +Pauline Boeck of Germany, who has since died. Miss Foeking was +graduated in 1873, and Miss Boeck in 1877. I have learned that +both of these young ladies were attentive and energetic in the +pursuit of their studies, and were graduated with credit to +themselves. We have the "Woman's Medical College," from which +quite a number of young women have been graduated. For +information in regard to this institution I would refer you to +its dean, Prof. Wm. D. Booker, 157 Park avenue.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF sc">R. B. Winder.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Very truly yours,</p> +</blockquote> + + + +<h4 class="sc">III.—Delaware.</h4> + +<p>Mary A. Stuart is the active representative of the movement for +woman suffrage in Delaware. From year to year she has written and +contributed to our National conventions in Washington, and has been +among the delegates on several occasions to address congressional +committees. In her report she says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>My father was the first man in the State Senate to propose the +repeal of some of our oppressive laws, and succeeded in having +the law giving all real estate to the eldest male heir repealed. +The law of 1871 gave a married woman the right to make a will, +provided her husband gave his written consent, with the names of +two respectable witnesses thereunto attached. In 1873 the law was +repealed, and another act passed giving married women the right +to make a will, buy property and hold it exempt from the +husband's debts, but this law does not affect his tenancy by +courtesy.</p> + +<p>Prior to 1868, bonds, mortgages, stocks, etc., were counted +personal property, all of which went into the possession of the +husband the moment the woman answered "I will," in the marriage +ceremony. I worked hard to get the law passed giving the wife the +right to her own separate earnings, and at last was greatly +helped by the fact that a woman petitioned for a divorce, stating +in her application that she was driven from her home, that she +and her two children had worked hard and saved $100 for a rainy +day, and now her husband claimed the money. It was a case in +point, and helped the members of our legislature to pass the +wages bill.</p> + +<p>Delaware College, the only institution of the kind in the State, +was open to girls for thirteen years, but owing to a tragedy +committed by the boys in hazing one another, resulting in death, +the doors were thereafter closed to girls, although they were in +no way directly or indirectly implicated in the outrages. When +Governor Stockley was appealed to, he simply gave some of the old +arguments against coëducation, and did<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_818" id="Page_818">[Pg 818]</a></span> not recommend, as he +should have done, an appropriation at once by the State to build +a similar college, with all the necessary appointments for the +education of girls. We have women who are practicing physicians, +and are also in the State Medical Boards. We have none who +practice law or preach in our pulpits, and all the political +offices of the State are closed to women. No notaries, bank +cashiers, telegraph operators. Women are still in the belief that +work outside the home is a disgrace to the men of their families.</p> + +<p>In February, 1881, Mrs. Stanton, Miss Anthony, Miss Couzins and +Mrs. Lockwood, held various hearings before the legislature. Mrs. +Lockwood read to the gentlemen article 4 of the constitution as +amended in 1834: "Any white male citizen over 22 years of age who +shall be a tax-payer, shall be eligible to vote for electors." +She then showed them how readily, without any marked revolution, +the word "white" had been stricken out, while the word tax-payer +had virtually become a dead letter. Then turning to the first +paragraph of the United States revised code she cited the passage +which states that in determining the meaning of statutes after +February 25, 1877, "words importing the masculine gender may be +applied to females." <span class="spacious">* * * *</span> At this point the chairman of the +committee placed before Mrs. Lockwood the Delaware code from +which she read a similar application of the law made many years +before. Having laid this foundation she asserted that the women +of Delaware were legally entitled to vote under the laws as they +are, but that to prevent all question on the subject, she would +recommend a special enactment like that prepared in the bill +before them. An amendment to the State constitution giving +suffrage to women was presented in the House of Representatives +in February, 1881, and referred to the committee on privileges +and elections. It was reported adversely. The vote showed that +all the members, with two<a name="FNanchor_529_529" id="FNanchor_529_529"></a><a href="#Footnote_529_529" class="fnanchor">[529]</a> exceptions, were opposed to the +measure. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Among the friends in Delaware were several liberal families, active +in all the progressive movements of the day. Preëminent among these +was that of the noble Thomas Garrett, whose good words of +encouragement for woman's enfranchisement may be found in the bound +copies of <i>The Revolution</i> as far back as 1868. His private letters +to those of us interested in his labors of love are among our most +cherished mementoes. He was a man of good judgment, broad +sympathies, and unswerving integrity.</p> + + +<h4 class="sc">IV.—Kentucky.</h4> + +<p>Mary B. Clay, daughter of Cassius M. Clay, sends us the following +report of what has been done to change the status of women in +Kentucky:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The earliest agitation of the suffrage question in our State +arose from the advent of Miss Lucy Stone in Louisville, in 1853, +at which time she delivered three lectures in Masonic Hall to +crowded audiences. George D. Prentice gave full and friendly +reports in the <i>Courier-Journal</i>. In later years, Anna Dickinson +and others have lectured in our chief cities. But the first note +of associated effort is that given in <i>The Revolution</i> from +Glendale, which says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We organized here an association with twenty members the first of +October, 1867, and now have fifty. We hope soon to have the whole +of Hardin county, and by the close of another year the whole of +the State of Kentucky, enlisted on the side of woman's rights. </p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_819" id="Page_819">[Pg 819]</a></span></p> + +<p>In the winter of 1872 Hannah Tracy Cutler and Margaret V. Longley +were granted a respectful hearing before our legislature at +Frankfort. In May, 1879, self-appointed, I represented Kentucky at +the May anniversary of the National Association at St. Louis. In +the autumn following, Miss Anthony, during an extended lecture tour +through the State, stopped in Richmond several days, and aided us +in organizing a local suffrage society.<a name="FNanchor_530_530" id="FNanchor_530_530"></a><a href="#Footnote_530_530" class="fnanchor">[530]</a> Letters were at once +written to the leading editors asking them to publish articles on +the subject. Many favorable answers were received, and we have +largely availed ourselves of the columns of the papers to keep up +the agitation. My sister, Sally Clay Bennett, edits a column in the +Richmond <i>Register</i>, sister Anne a column in the Lexington +<i>Gazette</i>, and Kate Dunning Clarke, a column in the <i>Turf, Field +and Farm</i>. Mrs. Clarke is also associate editor of the Kentucky +<i>State Journal</i>. The Misses Moore are making a success of a daily +paper at Milledgeville.</p> + +<p>In May, 1880, Mrs. Bennett and myself were delegates at the great +National Mass Convention in Farwell Hall, Chicago. In October, +1881, the American Association held its annual meeting in +Louisville. It was largely attended and fully and fairly reported +by the press of the city. At its close, a Kentucky State +association was organized, with Laura Clay as president.</p> + +<p>In January, 1882, the Richmond and Louisville clubs secured a +hearing before the judiciary committee of the Senate, Mrs. Bennett +and myself representing the former, and John A. Ward the latter. +With the valuable aid of Mrs. Mary Haggart of Indianapolis we made +a most favorable impression upon our legislators. The points in +which our laws are defective and upon which our appeals and +arguments were based are well indicated by the pleas of our several +petitions:</p> + +<blockquote><p>That women might have municipal and presidential suffrage by +statute; that in marriage women might own their property as men +own theirs; that women who were married might be the legal +guardians of their children's property and persons as well as the +father; that women should be appointed with equal responsibility +and authority as assistant physicians in insane asylums, and that +the appointment of all the officers in such asylums should be +made by the legislature, and not by the governor, as now; that +women be appointed on boards of visitors and commissioners to all +asylums where women are inmates or prisoners. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1884, all of the Clay sisters—Mrs. Bennet, Mary, Laura and +Anne—with Mrs. Haggart, again went to Frankfort, and held meetings +in the legislative hall, which were largely attended by the best +classes of the citizens of that city, as well as by members of the +legislature.</p> + +<p>For several years we have had a woman for State Librarian. In +Fayette, one of our most aristocratic counties, Lexington being its +county seat, a woman was elected to the office of county clerk by a +majority of 200 over her male competitor. In two other counties +women are also county clerks. Each of them had served so +efficiently in her husband's office, that at his death she had been +elected in his place.</p> + +<p>That woman has to fight every step of her way to the recognition of +her rights as a citizen equal before the law, is shown by the +following despatch from Frankfort, dated December 18, 1885: <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_820" id="Page_820">[Pg 820]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>Mrs. M. C. Lucas was elected by the vote of Daviess county to the +office of jailer, to succeed her husband, who was killed by a mob +while in discharge of his duty. When she appeared before the +county court to give bond for the office, the Judge refused to +allow her to qualify. A writ of mandamus from the Circuit Court +was applied for to compel the court to allow her to qualify, but +the motion was denied. An appeal was then taken to the Court of +Appeals. Yesterday that court affirmed the decision of the +Circuit Court, that a woman cannot legally hold the office of +county jailer. </p></blockquote> + +<p>A woman in Madison county acted as census-taker, and performed her +duty well. She was the niece of Mr. Justice Miller of the Supreme +Court of the United States. Gen. W. J. Sanderson, internal revenue +collector for the eighth district, employed two young ladies as +clerks, Miss Brown and Miss Price, the former of whom is said to be +his best clerk. She is the sister of Mrs. Smith, the circuit clerk +of Laurel county. The successor of General Sanderson, employs his +two daughters as clerks, and they receive the same pay as men who +do the same work.</p> + +<p>Many women in our State manage their own farms. My mother, during +my father's absence as minister to Russia, took his farm of 2,500 +acres (he making her his attorney), paid off a large debt on the +property, built an elegant house costing $30,000, stocked the farm, +and largely supported the family of six children, with money which +she made during the war. She fed government mules, and did it so +well that she would return them to camp before the time expired, in +better condition than most feeders got theirs. She is now, 1885, +conducting her own farm of 350 acres, selling several thousand +dollars' worth of wheat, cattle, and sheep annually, giving her +personal attention to everything, at the age of seventy. During the +adventurous and perilous period of my father's life she shared his +dangers, and was ever his mainstay in upholding his hands against +slavery; and in that crowning point of his life, when he was mobbed +in Lexington, my mother sat at his bed-side, and wrote at his +dictation, "Go tell your secret conclave of dastardly assassins, +Cassius M. Clay knows his rights and how to defend them."</p> + +<p>Two of my sisters, Laura and Anne, and myself are practical +farmers, each having under her immediate superintendence the +workmen, both white and black, on 300 acres. We raise corn, wheat, +oats, cattle and sheep, buying and selling our own stock and +produce. We took possession of the land without stock or utensils, +and by our observation and experience, prudence and industry, have +greatly improved the lands and stock, and annually realize a +handsome income therefrom.</p> + +<p>Miss Laura R. White of Manchester, sister of Hon. John D. White, +who ably advocated our cause in congress as well as in his own +State, was graduated with marked honor from the Michigan State +University in 1874. Since that time she has studied architecture in +the Boston Institute of Technology one year, worked as draughtsman +in the office of the supervisory architect of the treasury +department at Washington, two years, studied in the special school +of architecture in Paris one year, and is now, 1886, prosecuting +her studies with a liberal selection of French and English +architectural works at her mountain home in Kentucky. Mrs. Bessie +White Heagen, the youngest daughter of Mrs. Sarah A. White, was +graduated with honor from the Roxbury High School of Boston, and +from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_821" id="Page_821">[Pg 821]</a></span> school of Pharmacy of Michigan University. Being denied +examination and the privileges of college graduates of the college +of pharmacy at Louisville, where she was employed by a prominent +pharmacist, she brought suit and obtained a verdict in her favor.</p> + +<p>Early in 1882, Dr. J. P. Barnum employed young women in his store +with the expectation of being able to educate them in the college +of pharmacy. But the hostility of the students to the proposed +innovation, and the lack of a systematic laboratory course, caused +the relinquishment of that plan and the formation of the new +school. Prominent gentlemen in the community assisted Dr. Barnum, +and the Louisville School of Pharmacy was duly incorporated under +the general laws of Kentucky.<a name="FNanchor_531_531" id="FNanchor_531_531"></a><a href="#Footnote_531_531" class="fnanchor">[531]</a> Though sustained by men of +wealth and influence, the school met with great opposition, the +State Board of Pharmacy refusing to register the women who were +graduated from it until compelled to do so by a mandamus from the +Law and Equity Court, Judge Simral presiding. March 7, 1884, the +legislature incorporated the Louisville School of Pharmacy for +Women, and by special enactment empowered its graduates to practice +their profession without registration or interference from the +State board.</p> + +<p>The school confers two degrees; its full course taking three years +and requiring more work than is done in other schools. So far its +graduates have been representative women, and all have found +responsible situations awaiting them. Its faculty remains, with a +few exceptions, as in the first session. Dr. J. P. Barnum, to whose +indefatigable efforts the foundation of the school is due, is dean +and professor of pharmacy and analytical chemistry; Dr. T. Hunt +Stuckey, a graduate of Heidelberg University, who joined his +efforts with Dr. Barnum at an early day, is professor of <i>materia +medica</i>, toxicology and microscopy. Mrs. D. N. Marble, professor of +general and pharmaceutical chemistry, and Mrs. Fountaine Miller, +professor of botany, were graduates of the first class.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Kate Trimble de Roode, in a recent letter says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Kentucky has had school suffrage for thirty years, but as the +right is not generally known or understood, few women have ever +availed themselves of the privilege. The State librarian has for +many years been a woman, and there are several post-mistresses +also in this State. The State University has recently admitted +women on equal terms to all its departments. As a general thing +the young women of Kentucky are better educated than the men, the +latter being early put to business, while most parents desire +above all things to secure to their daughters a liberal +education. We have a number of women practicing medicine in the +larger cities, one architect, but as yet no lawyers, although +several women have taken a full course of study for that +profession. The question of woman suffrage has been but little +agitated in this State, although the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_822" id="Page_822">[Pg 822]</a></span> last legislature gave a +respectful hearing to several ladies on the question. The +property rights of married women are in a crude state; the wife's +personal property vests in the husband; the profits and rents +that accrue from her real estate belong to him also. She can make +no will without the assent of her husband, and if given, he can +revoke it at any time before the will is probated. The wife's +wages belong to her husband. She cannot sue or be sued without he +joins her in the suit. The wife's dower is a life interest in a +third of the husband's real estate, whereas the husband's +curtesy, where there is issue of the marriage, born alive, is a +life interest in all the real estate belonging to the wife at the +time of her death. This is the statutory law, but the wife by +obtaining a decree in chancery may possess all the rights of a +<i>femme sole</i>. A bill securing more equal rights to women passed +the House of the last legislature, but failed in the Senate. The +courtesy of Kentucky men to women in general, has kept them from +realizing their civil and political degradation, until, by some +sudden turn in the wheel of fortune, the individual woman has +felt the iron teeth of the law in her own flesh, and warned her +slumbering sisterhood. We are now awaking to the fact that an +aristocracy of sex in a republic is as inconsistent and odious as +an aristocracy of color, and indeed far more so. </p></blockquote> +</blockquote> + +<h4 class="sc">V.—Tennessee.</h4> + +<p>We are indebted to Mrs. Elizabeth Lisle Saxon for the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Elizabeth Avery Meriwether is the chief representative of liberal +thought in Tennessee. Her pen is ever ready to champion the +wronged. I first came to know her when engaged in a newspaper +discussion to reestablish in the public schools of Memphis three +young women who had been dismissed because of "holding too many +of Mrs. Meriwether's views"—the reason actually given by the +superintendent and endorsed by the board of directors. A seven +month's war was carried on, ending in a triumphant reinstallment +of the teachers, a new superintendent, and a new board of +directors. Public opinion was educated into more liberal ideas, +and the <i>Memphis Appeal</i>, through its chivalrous editor, Mr. +Keating, declared squarely for woman suffrage.</p> + +<p>When Col. Kerr introduced into the Tennessee legislature a bill +making divorce impossible for any cause save adultery, Mrs. +Meriwether wrote the ablest article I ever read, in opposition, +which Mr. Keating published in his paper, and distributed among +the members of the legislature. The result was a clear vote +against the bill.</p> + +<p>With Mrs. Lide Meriwether and Mrs. M. J. Holmes, she publicly +assailed the cross examination of women in criminal trials, +either as culprits or witnesses, until the practice was broken +up, and private hearings accorded. In 1876 she sent a memorial to +the National Democratic convention at St. Louis, asking that +party to declare for woman suffrage in its platform. Though her +appeal was not read, hundreds of copies were circulated among the +members in the hope of stirring thought on the subject in the +South. It provoked much sarcasm because it was signed only by +Mrs. Meriwether and Mrs. Saxon. In 1880-81 Mrs. Meriwether was +one of the speakers in the series of conventions held by the +National association in the Western and New England States. </p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_823" id="Page_823">[Pg 823]</a></span></p> + + +<h4 class="sc">VI.—Virginia.</h4> + +<p>In the winter of 1870, immediately after the National Washington +convention, Mrs. Paulina Wright Davis, while spending a few days in +Richmond, formed the acquaintance of Mrs. Anna Whitehead Bodeker, a +most earnest advocate of the ballot for women. Mrs. Davis held a +parlor meeting in the home of Mrs. Bodeker, enlisting the interest +of several prominent citizens of Richmond, who very soon invited +Mrs. Joslyn Gage to their city to give a series of lectures. Of the +result of this visit we give Mrs. Bodeker's report as published in +<i>The Revolution</i> of May, 1870:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Dear Revolution:</span>—I glory in announcing a grand achievement in +the great reform of the day in Virginia. Our energetic and heroic +leader, Mrs. M. Joslyn Gage, after giant efforts on her part, and +with the aid of some strong advocates of the reform, on Friday +evening, May 6, 1870, organized in the city of Richmond a +Virginia State Woman Suffrage Association. The whole proceedings +I here append, for immediate publication in your columns.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Gage, advisory counsel for New York, in the National Woman +Suffrage Association of America, delivered a lecture upon +"Opportunity for Woman," at Bosher's Hall, corner of Ninth and +Main streets, on Thursday evening. The lecture was able, earnest +and eloquent, and was listened to with rapt attention by the +friends of the cause present. At its conclusion, Judge John C. +Underwood gave notice that on the following evening a meeting +would be held at the United States Court room (which he freely +proffered for the purpose) to organize a State Association, adopt +a constitution, elect officers, and appoint delegates to the +anniversary of the National Association soon to be held in New +York city. The judge remarked that, upon conversing with Governor +Wise upon the subject, he expressed his warm sympathy with the +objects of the movement save upon the question of giving women +the ballot. With all the other rights claimed, he was heartily in +accord; especially, he thought, should the professions be opened +to women, more particularly the medical, they being the natural +physicians of their sex and of children.</p> + +<p>Pursuant to the above notice, a meeting was held in the United +States court-room. Judge John C. Underwood was called to preside. +Previous to action on the regular business of the meeting, +several articles favorable to the movement were read. Miss Sue L. +F. Smith, daughter of the late Rev. Dr. Wm. A. Smith, read very +charmingly a well-written essay prepared by herself in advocacy +of granting to women the full meed of powers and responsibilities +now enjoyed by men. Mr. William E. Colman read an article +entitled "Clerical Denunciation of Woman Suffrage—A Defense," +being a reply to a violent attack made by the Rev. Dr. Edwards of +this city, upon the adherents of the movement, in a sermon +delivered by him recently. A proposed constitution for the +government of the Virginia State Woman Suffrage Association was +adopted; after which came the election of officers<a name="FNanchor_532_532" id="FNanchor_532_532"></a><a href="#Footnote_532_532" class="fnanchor">[532]</a> of the +society. On motion of Judge Underwood, Miss Sue L. F. Smith was +appointed delegate to represent Virginia in the National +Association to be held in New York city May 12, 13, the society +having by resolution connected itself as an auxiliary to said +National Association. Mrs. Gage offered resolutions, which were +unanimously adopted, after which she delivered a forcible +address, enumerating many of the wrongs to which women are +subjected in this State, dwelling particularly upon the laws +depriving mothers of the right to their own children, placing the +property of married women at the mercy of their husbands, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_824" id="Page_824">[Pg 824]</a></span> +depriving the wives of all voice in the disposition of the +property possessed by them before marriage. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In the winter of 1871, Miss Anthony was honored by an invitation +from the society, and held several meetings in Judge Underwood's +court-room. About this time appeared the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Judge Underwood, having stated in a letter that after mature +consideration he had come to the conclusion that the fourteenth +and fifteenth amendments to the Constitution of the United +States, together with the enforcement act of May 31, 1870, have +secured the right to vote to female citizens as fully as it is +now exercised and enjoyed by male citizens, a test case is to be +made at once in the Virginia courts. As there are very few +advocates of woman suffrage in Virginia, some of the leaders of +the movement in Washington are about to move to Alexandria to +perfect an organization and be ready with a case when Judge +Underwood opens court there. </p></blockquote> + +<p>But Mrs. Bodeker, who also memorialized the general assembly, was +first to make the attempt to vote. The Richmond <i>Dispatch</i> +describes the occasion:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Yesterday morning the judges of the second precinct of Marshall +ward, J. F. Shinberger, esq., presiding, were surprised at the +appearance of a lady at the polls. She wished to deposit a +ballot, but as the judges declined to allow this, in view of her +not having registered, she then asked to be permitted to have a +paper with the following inscription placed in the ballot-box: +"By the Constitution of the United States, I, Anne Whitehead +Bodeker, have a right to give my vote at this election, and in +vindication of it drop this note in the ballot-box, November 7, +1871." This paper was taken by the judges, and will be deposited +with the ballots in the archives of the Hustings court. </p></blockquote> + +<p>One remarkable incident in Gen. Grant's administration was Miss +Elizabeth VanLew's appointment as postmaster at Richmond. She held +the office eight years, notwithstanding the persistent opposition +of politicians. The <i>Ballot-Box</i> said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Miss VanLew was postmaster in Richmond under Grant, introducing +many reforms in the office, but through the envy of men, who were +voters, she, a non-voter, lost her office, as she had lost wealth +and friends from her devotion to the Union during the war. Now, +since its close, she finds not only her former slave men +permitted to make laws for her, but also those whom she opposed +when they were seeking their country's life. But women of all +ranks, white and colored, are awaking to their need of the ballot +for self-protection. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The Philadelphia <i>Press</i>, edited by J. W. Forney, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Some covert enemies of the president and the new civil-service +reform have been spreading a report, through sensational +specials, that the Richmond post-office is to be given to some +prominent Virginian of local standing as soon as Miss VanLew's +commission expires. If there is any post-office in the United +States in which the whole nation at this time has a special +interest, it is this one of Richmond which the present incumbent +holds, as it were, by a national right, and certainly by popular +acclaim. We have not time in a brief paragraph to tell the +striking story of what Miss VanLew has done and what she has +suffered for the country. Her story will pass into standard +history, however, as sadly illustrative of our times. She herself +is known and loved wherever the horrors of Libby and Belle Isle +are mourned and denounced. </p></blockquote> + + +<h4 class="sc">VII.—West Virginia.</h4> + +<p>Hon. Samuel Young, in a letter to <i>The Revolution</i>, dated Senate +Chamber, Wheeling, West Virginia, February 22, 1869, writes:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_825" id="Page_825">[Pg 825]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>In 1867, I introduced a bill in the State Senate, looking to the +enfranchisement of all women in West Virginia, who can read the +Declaration of Independence intelligently, and write a legible +hand, and have actually paid tax the year previous to their +proposing to vote. But even this guarded bill had no friends but +myself. * * * I introduced a resolution during the present +session of our legislature, asking congress to extend the right +of suffrage to women. Eight out of the twenty-two members of the +Senate voted for it. This is quite encouraging—advancing from +one to eight in two years. At this rate of progress, we may +succeed by next winter. I give the names of those who are in +favor of and voted for female suffrage in the Senate: Drummond, +Doolittle, Humphreys, Hoke, Wilson, Workman, Young, and +Farnsworth, president. The same senators voted to invite Miss +Anna E. Dickinson to lecture in the state-house during her late +visit to Wheeling. </p></blockquote> + + +<h4 class="sc">VIII.—North Carolina.</h4> + +<p>We are indebted to Mrs. Mary Bayard Clarke of New Berne for the +following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Since 1868, when the constitution was changed, a married woman +has absolute control of all the real estate she possessed before +marriage or acquired by gift or devise after it, except the power +to sell without the consent of her husband, who in his turn is +not at liberty to sell any real estate possessed by him before +marriage, or acquired after it, without the consent of his wife. +Should he sell any real estate without the wife's consent, in +writing, she can, after his death, claim her dower of one-third +in such real estate. If she owns a farm and her husband manages +it, she can claim full settlements from him, he having no more +rights than any other agent whom she may employ. So her property, +real and personal, is her individual right, with the income +therefrom. But she cannot contract a debt that is binding on her +property without the consent of her husband. With his written +consent, which must be registered in the office of the clerk of +the county in which she resides, she may become a free-trader +with all the rights of a man, her husband having no claim to her +gains and not being responsible for any debt which she may +contract. By giving this written consent her husband virtually +places her in the position of an unmarried woman, as far as her +property is concerned.</p> + +<p>In 1881, finding that a widow had no right to appoint a guardian +for her children by "letters testamentary," I, through my son, +William E. Clarke, who was then senator for this county in our +State legislature, succeeded in getting this law so changed that +she now has the same rights as a man. In cases of divorce or +separation while the children are under age, it is discretionary +with the judge to give the children to either parent; but public +sentiment always gives them to the mother while young.</p> + +<p>As a rule the women of the South are better educated than the +men, the boys being put to work while the girls are at school. +The girls are not trained to work in any way, and very few, as +yet, see the necessity of being regularly trained to do anything +by which they may make a living except as teachers. Our +public-school system requires a course through the normal school +for all teachers. Mixed schools are not popular with us, but we +have been forced into them by the public-graded-school tax, which +has crushed out our private schools. I am now, and have been for +the past two years, making an effort to have women on our +school-boards, and a female as well as a male principal for every +mixed public school, on the ground that mothers have as much +right to a voice in the education of their daughters as fathers +have in that of their sons. We have female teachers in our public +schools but not as principals, and the pay of the women is, +regardless of the quality of their work, always considerably less +than that of men.</p> + +<p>Our Supreme Court granted a license to Miss Tabitha A. Holton to +practice law, and there is no legal impediment in the way of one +doing so. The same is true of the medical profession. Dr. Susan +Dimock was a North Carolinian by birth and on her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_826" id="Page_826">[Pg 826]</a></span> application +for admission to the State Medical Society was unanimously +elected a member of that body. The African Methodist-Episcopal +Conference, Bishop Turner presiding, ordained Miss Sarah A. +Hughes of Raleigh, a bright mulatto girl, as deacon in the +church. Shortly after the close of the late war, my husband being +then incapacitated for work by wounds received in the Mexican and +the civil war, and my sons under age, I applied to Governor +Jonathan Worth for the position of State librarian. Though +cordially acknowledging my fitness, intellectually, for the +office, and admitting that my sex did not legally disqualify me +to hold it, he positively refused to appoint me or any other +woman to any office in his gift. Public sentiment then sustained +him, but it would not now do so; so many ladies of culture, +refinement and social position have been, since the war, forced +to work or starve, that it is now nothing remarkable to see them +and their daughters doing work which twenty years ago they would +have been ostracised for undertaking.</p> + +<p>In a letter to the Boston <i>Index</i>, published August, 1885, the +venerable Mrs. Elizabeth Oakes Smith, who is now a resident of +this State, truthfully says,</p> + +<blockquote><p>The women of the North can have little conception of the +hindrances which their sisters of the South encounter in their +efforts to accept new and progressive ideas. The other sex, in a +blind sort of way, hold fast to an absolute kind of chivalry akin +to that of the renowned Don Quixote, by which they try to hold +women in the background as a kind of porcelain liable to crack +and breakage unless daintily handled. Women here see the spirit +of the age and the need of change far more clearly than the men, +and act up to this light, but with a flexible grace that disarms +opposition. They see the necessity of work and are turning their +attention to methods for remunerative labor, far more difficult +to obtain at the South than at the North. </p></blockquote> + +<p>I cordially endorse this extract. The Southern man does not wish +his "women folks" to be self-supporting, not because he is jealous +of their rivaling him, but because he feels it is his duty to be +the bread-winner. But the much sneered at "chivalry" of the South, +while rendering it harder for a woman to break through old customs, +most cordially and heartily sustains her when she has successfully +done so. There are fewer large centers in the South than in the +North, and much less attrition of mind against mind; the people are +homogeneous and slower to change, and public opinion is much less +fluctuating. But once let the tide of woman suffrage fairly turn, +and I believe it will be irresistable and advance far more steadily +and rapidly in the South than it has done in the North. Let the +Southern women be won over and the cause will have nothing to fear +from the opposition of the men. But, after twenty years' experience +as a journalist, my honest opinion is that until the Southern women +can be made to feel the pecuniary advantages to them of suffrage, +they will not lift a finger or speak a word to obtain it.</p> + +<p>In 1881, at the March meeting of the Raleigh Typographical Union, +No. 194, my son, being then a member of that Union, introduced and, +after some hard fighting, succeeded in carrying a resolution +placing women compositors on a par in every respect with men. There +was not at that time a single woman compositor in the State, to my +son's knowledge; there is one now in Raleigh and two apprentices, +who claimed and receive all the advantages that men applying for +admission to the Union receive.</p> + +<p>Mrs. C. Harris started the <i>South Atlantic</i> at Wilmington. The +Misses Bernheim and their father started a magazine in the same +city called <i>At Home and Abroad</i>, which was afterwards moved to +Charlotte; both were short-lived. We have now the <i>Southern Woman</i>. +This is the only journal ever edited and managed by a woman alone, +with no man associated with or responsible for it. I have been for +twenty years connected with the press of this State in one way and +another, and am called the "Grandmother of the North Carolina Press +Association." In 1880 I delivered an original poem before the +association, and another Masonic one before the board of the orphan +asylum; making me, I believe, the first native North Carolina woman +that ever came before the public as a speaker. I was both denounced +and applauded for my "brass" and "bravery." Public sentiment has +changed since then.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_827" id="Page_827">[Pg 827]</a></span></p> + +<p>Mrs. Marion A. Williams, president of the State National Bank at +Raleigh for several years, is probably the first woman ever elected +to that responsible position in any State of this Union. In 1885 +Louisa B. Stephens was made president of the First National Bank of +Marion, Iowa; and a national bank in Newbery, South Carolina, +honored itself by placing a woman at the head of its official +board.</p> + +<p>The <i>North Carolinian</i> of January, 1870, contained an able +editorial endorsing woman suffrage, closing with:</p> + +<blockquote><p>For one we say, tear down the barriers, give woman an opportunity +to show her wisdom and virtue; place the ballot in her hands that +she may protect herself and reform men, and ere a quarter of a +century has elapsed many of the foulest blots upon the +civilization of this age will have passed away. </p></blockquote> +</blockquote> + +<p>From an interesting article in the <i>Boston Advertiser</i>, May 22, +1875, by Rev. James Freeman Clark, concerning Dr. Susan Dimock, one +of North Carolina's promising daughters, whose career was ended in +the wreck of the Schiller near the Scilly islands, we make a few +extracts:</p> + +<blockquote><p>One of our eminent surgeons, Dr. Samuel Cabot, said to me +yesterday:</p> + +<blockquote><p>"This community will never know what a loss it has had in Dr. +Dimock. It was not merely her skill, though that was remarkable, +considering her youth and limited experience, but also her nerve, +that qualified her to become a great surgeon. I have seldom known +one at once so determined and so self-possessed. Skill is a +quality much more easily found than this self-control that +nothing can flurry. She had that in an eminent degree; and, had +she lived, she would have been sure to stand, in time, among +those at the head of her profession. The usual weapons of +ridicule would have been impotent against a woman who had reached +that supreme position which Susan Dimock would certainly have +attained." </p></blockquote> + +<p>During the war of the rebellion, Miss Dimock sought admission into +the medical school of Harvard University, preferring, if possible, +to take a degree in an American college. Twice she applied, and was +twice refused. Hearing that the University of Zurich was open to +women, she went there, and was received with a hospitality which +the institutions of her own country did not offer. She pursued her +medical studies there, and graduated with honor. A number of the +"Revue des Deux Mondes" for August, 1872, contains an article +called "Les Femmes à l'Universitie de Zurich," which speaks very +favorably of the success of the women in that place. The first to +take a degree as doctor of medicine was a young Russian lady, in +1867. Between 1867 and 1872 five others had taken this degree, and +among them Miss Dimock is mentioned. From the medical school at +Zurich, she went to that at Vienna; and of her appearance there we +have this record: A distinguished German physician remarked to a +friend of mine residing in Germany that he had always been opposed +to women as physicians—but that he had met a young American lady +studying at Vienna, whose intelligence, modesty and devotion to her +work was such as almost to convince him that he was wrong. A +comparison of dates shows that this American student must have been +Dr. Dimock.</p> + +<p>On her return to the United States Dr. Dimock became resident +physician at "The Hospital for Women and Children," on Codman +Avenue, in Boston. Both the students of medicine and the patients +became devotedly attached to her; they were fascinated by this +remarkable union of tenderness, firmness and skill. The secret was +in part told by what she said in one of her lectures in the +training-school for nurses connected with the woman's hospital: "I +wish you, of all my instructions, especially to remember this. +Where you go to nurse a patient, imagine that it is your own sister +before you in that bed; and treat her as you would wish your own +sister to be treated." While at this hospital, she was also able to +carry out a principle in which she firmly believed, namely—that in +a hospital the rights of every patient, poor and rich, should be +sacredly regarded, and never be postponed even to the supposed +interests of medical students. No student was allowed to be present +at any operation, except so far as the comfort and safety of her +patients rendered the student's presence desirable. Her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_828" id="Page_828">[Pg 828]</a></span> interest +in the woman's hospital was very great. She was in the habit, at +the beginning of each year, of writing and sealing up her wishes +for the coming year. Since her death, her mother has opened the +envelope of January 1, 1875, and found it to contain a prayer for a +blessing on "my dear hospital."</p> + +<p>And now this young, strong soul so ardent in the pursuit of +knowledge, so filled with a desire to help her suffering sisters, +has been taken by that remorseless deep. </p></blockquote> + + +<h4 class="sc">IX.—South Carolina.</h4> + +<p>The first action we hear of in South Carolina was a Woman's Right's +Convention in Columbia, Dec. 20, 1870, of which the Charleston +<i>Republican</i> said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The chairman, Miss Rollin, said: "It had been so universally the +custom to treat the idea of woman suffrage with ridicule and +merriment that it becomes necessary in submitting the subject for +earnest deliberation that we assure the gentlemen present that +our claim is made honestly and seriously. We ask suffrage not as +a favor, not as a privilege, but as a right based on the ground +that we are human beings, and as such, entitled to all human +rights. While we concede that woman's ennobling influence should +be confined chiefly to home and society, we claim that public +opinion has had a tendency to limit woman's sphere to too small a +circle, and until woman has the right of representation this will +last, and other rights will be held by an insecure tenure."</p> + +<p>Mr. T. J. Mackey made a forcible argument in favor of the +movement. He was followed by Miss Hosley, who made a few brief +remarks upon the subject. General Moses thought woman's +introduction upon the political platform would benefit us much in +a moral point of view, and that they had a right to assist in +making the laws that govern them as well as the sterner sex. +Messrs. Cardozo, Pioneer and Rev. Mr. Harris followed in short +speeches, endorsing the movement and wishing it success. +Resolutions were adopted, and officers chosen.<a name="FNanchor_533_533" id="FNanchor_533_533"></a><a href="#Footnote_533_533" class="fnanchor">[533]</a> The following +letters were read:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"> +<span class="smcap">Executive Department</span>, Columbia, Jan. 19, 1871.</p> + +<p><i>Miss L. M. Rollin</i>:—I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt +of your invitation to be present at the preliminary organization +of the association for the assertion of woman's rights in this +State, and regret that the pressure of public duties precludes my +indulging myself in that pleasure. Be assured, however, that the +cause has my warmest sympathy, and I indulge the hope that the +time is not far distant when woman shall be the peer of man in +political rights, as she is peerless in all others, and when she +will be able to reclaim some of those privileges that are now +monopolized by the sterner sex.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">R. K. Scott</span>, <i>Governor</i>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">I have the honor to be, very respectfully, etc.,</p> + + +<p class="ltr-date ltr-break"> +<span class="smcap">Office of the Attorney-General</span>, Columbia, Feb. 1, 1871.</p> + +<p>I hoped when I received your invitation to the meeting to-night +of the friends of woman suffrage, that I should be able to attend +in person, but at a late hour I find other duties standing in the +way, and I can only say a word of approval and encouragement with +my pen. The woman suffrage cause is to my mind so just and so +expedient as to need little argument. To say that my mother, my +sisters or my wife have less interest in good government than I +have, or are less fitted by nature to understand and use the +ballot than I am, is to contradict reason and fact.</p> + +<p>Upon the same grounds that I defend my own right to share in the +government which controls and protects me, do I now assert the +right of woman to a voice in public affairs. For the same reasons +that I would regard an attempt to rob me of my civil rights as +tyranny, do I now protest against the continued civil inequality +and thralldom of woman. I take no merit or pride to myself for +such a position. I have felt and said these things during my +whole life. They are to me self-evident truths; needing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_829" id="Page_829">[Pg 829]</a></span> no more +demonstration by argument than the first lines of the Declaration +of American Independence. My claim for woman is simply this: Give +her a full and fair chance to act in any sphere for which she can +fit herself. Her sphere is as wide as man's. It has no limits +except her capacity. If woman cannot perform a soldier's duty, +then the army is not her sphere; if she can, it is her sphere, as +much as it is man's.</p> + +<p>I value the ballot for woman chiefly because it opens to her a +wide, free avenue to a complete development of all her powers. +The Chinese lady's shoe is nothing compared to the clamps and +fetters which we Americans have put upon woman's mind and soul. +An impartial observer would scarcely condemn the one and approve +the other. What we need now is to accustom the public to these +radical truths. Demand the ballot; demand woman's freedom. It is +not a conflict of argument or reason, so much as a crusade +against habit and prejudice. To tell the truth, I don't think +there is a respectable argument in the world against woman +suffrage. People think they are arguing or reasoning against it +when they are in fact only repeating the prejudices in which they +have been trained. With the sincerest wishes for the success of +your meeting and of all your efforts for woman suffrage, I +remain, yours very truly,</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">D. H. Chamberlain.</p> +</blockquote> +</blockquote> + +<p>The American association memorialized the legislature March 13, +1872. The joint committee recommended an amendment to the +constitution of the State, providing that every person, male or +female, possessed of the necessary qualifications, should be +entitled to vote. B. F. Whittemore, H. J. Maxwell, W. B. Nash, G. +F. McIntyre, were the committee on the part of the Senate; C. D. +Hayne, W. J. Whipper, Benj. Byas, B. G. Yocom, F. H. Frost, +committee on the part of the House.</p> + +<p>In the debate in congress in 1874, Hon. Alonzo J. Ransier of South +Carolina, the civil-rights bill being under discussion, claimed +that equal human rights should be extended to women as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>And may the day be not far distant when American citizenship in +civil and political rights and public privileges shall cover not +only those of our sex, but those of the opposite one also; until +which time the government of the United States cannot be said to +rest upon the "consent of the governed," or to adequately protect +them in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Miss Sallie R. Banks, for some years a teacher of colored schools +in South Carolina, has been appointed collector of internal revenue +for the Sumter district.</p> + + +<h4 class="sc">X.—Florida.</h4> + +<p>In 1880, the agricultural department at Washington, paid a premium +of $12 to Madame Atzeroth of Manatee, for the first pound of coffee +ever grown out of doors in the United States.</p> + +<p>The following is from a letter to the Savannah <i>News</i>, reporting a +judgment rendered by a Florida county judge, in a case between an +old black man and his wife:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"><span class="smcap">Ocala</span>, Fla., May 12, 1874.</p> + +<p>Be it known throughout all christendom that the husband is the +head of the wife, and whatever is his is his'n, and whatever is +hers is his'n, and come weal or woe, peace or war, the right of +all property is vested in the husband, and the wife must not take +anything away. The ox belongs to Uncle Ben, and he must keep it, +and the other things, and if the old woman quits she must go +empty-handed. Know all that this is so by order of the Judge of +Probate.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF">Wm. R. Hillyer.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">[Signed]</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Though quaintly expressed, yet this decision is in line with the +old common law and the statutes of many of the States in this Union +to-day.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_830" id="Page_830">[Pg 830]</a></span></p> + + +<h4 class="sc">XI.—Alabama.</h4> + +<p>The women of Alabama are evidently awake on the temperance +question, though still apparently unprepared for suffrage. In a +report of a meeting in Birmingham in 1885, the following, from a +prominent editor, was read by the president:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Tell the admirable lady, Mrs. Bryce, that I would devote +everything to the cause she espouses, but there's no use. Let +women demand the ballot, and with it they can destroy whisky, and +by no other agency. There is no perfect family or state in which +woman is not an active governing force. They should have the +courage to assert themselves and then they can serve the country +and the race. </p></blockquote> + +<p>If a thunderbolt had fallen it would not have created a greater +sensation. The ladies at first grew indignant and uttered +protestations. When they grew calmer, the corresponding secretary +was ordered to furnish the editor with the following:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The ladies of the W. C. T. U. return thanks to the editor for his +kindly and progressive suggestions, but, in their opinion, they +are not ready to ask any political favors. Whenever suffrage is +granted to the women of the United States, those of Alabama will +be found on the right side. </p></blockquote> + +<p>At Huntsville lives Mrs. Priscilla Holmes Drake, whose name has +stood as representative of our National Association in Alabama +since 1868.</p> + + +<h4 class="sc">XII.—Georgia.</h4> + +<p>We give a letter from Georgia's great statesman, defining his views +of woman's sphere:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="ltr-date"> +<span class="smcap">House of Representatives, Washington</span>, D. C., May 29, 1878.</p> + +<p><i>Mrs. E. L. Saxon, New Orleans, La.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">My Dear Madam</span>:—Your letter to Hon. Alexander H. Stephens, of the +22d inst., came duly to hand. He requests me to thank you for it, +and to say in reply that he has ever sympathized with woman in +her efforts for a higher and broader sphere of intellectual and +moral culture, as well as physical usefulness in life. He does +not go so far as to endow woman with the ballot, or to fit her +for the more masculine duties of the State. Her sphere, by +nature, is circumscribed within certain physical boundaries, but +in all those things to which she is fitted by nature, and can +enter without interference with the laws of God, he would open +the doors wide to her.</p> + +<p class="ltr-rightF"><span class="smcap">C. P. Culver</span>, <i>Secretary</i>.</p> +<p class="ltr-left">Very respectfully yours,</p> +</blockquote> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_523_523" id="Footnote_523_523"></a><a href="#FNanchor_523_523"><span class="label">[523]</span></a> Myrtilla Miner; published by Houghton, Mifflin & +Co., Boston and New York.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_524_524" id="Footnote_524_524"></a><a href="#FNanchor_524_524"><span class="label">[524]</span></a> See <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_90">Vol. II., page 90</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_525_525" id="Footnote_525_525"></a><a href="#FNanchor_525_525"><span class="label">[525]</span></a> <i>President</i>, Hon. Samuel C. Pomeroy; +<i>Vice-Presidents</i>, Josophine S. Griffing, Belva A. Lockwood, Jas. +H. Holmes, John H. Craney; <i>Advisory Council</i>, Mary E. O'Connor, +Josephine S. Griffing, Caroline B. Winslow, Dr. Susan A. Edson, +Lydia S. Hall, Mr. and Mrs. Boyle, Caroline B. Colby, and others.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_526_526" id="Footnote_526_526"></a><a href="#FNanchor_526_526"><span class="label">[526]</span></a> The officers elected were: <i>President</i>, United +States Senator S. C. Pomeroy; <i>Vice-Presidents</i>, Mrs. Josephine S. +Griffing, Mrs. Belva McNall Lockwood, Miss Stickney, Thaddeus +Hyatt, Caroline B. Winslow, M. D., S. Yorke At Lee, Mrs. Josephine +L. Slade, Prof. William J. Wilson, Mrs. Mary Olin, Judge A. B. +Olin, Mrs. C. M. E. Y. Christian, Prof. George B. Vashon, J. H. +Crossman, Mrs. Angeline S. Hall, Dr. C. B. Purvis, Mrs. Dr. +Hathaway, Bishop Moore, Mrs. C. A. F. Stebbins, Giles B. Stebbins, +Miss Emily Stanton, Dr. John Mayhew, John R. Elvana, J. C. O. +Whaley, Charles Roeser, George T. Downing; <i>Recording Secretary</i>, +George F. Needham; <i>Treasurer</i>, Daniel Breed; <i>Board of Managers</i>, +Josephine S. Griffing, Hamilton Wilcox, Dr. Daniel Breed, Mrs. +Corner, Geo. F. Needham, Mrs. Lydia S. Hall, J. H. Crane; +<i>Corresponding Secretary</i>, Mrs. Mary T. Corner. Letters were +reported from Frederick Douglass, George William Curtis, Mrs. E. +Oakes Smith. Addresses were delivered by J. H. Crossman, G. F. +Needham, Mrs. Lockwood, R. J. Hinton, and Mr. Tibbits of Virginia. +Dr. Breed recited an original poem, entitled, "Woman's Pledge to +Freedom."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_527_527" id="Footnote_527_527"></a><a href="#FNanchor_527_527"><span class="label">[527]</span></a> The names of the women who attempted to register and +vote were: Jane A. Archibald, Clara M. Archibald, Mary Anderson, S. +W. Aiken, Sallie S. Barrett, Mary B. Baumgras, Florence Riddle +Bartlett, Ann M. Boyle, M. W. Browne, Deborah B. Clarke (Grace +Greenwood's mother, eighty years of age), C. W. Campbell, Elizabeth +T. Cowperthwaite, Mary T. Corner, Mary M. Courtenay, Mary A. +Donaldson, Mary A. Dennison, Ruth Carr Dennison, L. S. Doolittle, +Dr. Susan A. Edson, Sarah P. Edson, B. F. Evans, E. W. Foster, +Olive Freeman, Maggie Finney, Julia H. Grey, Josephine S. Griffing, +A. A. Henning, Susie J. Hickey, Calista Hickey, E. M. Hickey, Mary +Hooper, Ruth G. D. Havens, E. E. Hill, Lydia S. Hall, Julia +Archibald Holmes, N. M. Johnson, Jennie V. Jewell, Carrie Ketchum, +Joanna Kelly, Sara J. Lippincott (Grace Greenwood), Belva A. +Lockwood, Susie S. McClure, A. Jennie Miles, Augusta E. Morris, M. +T. Middleton, Savangie E. Mark, A. E. Newton, M. C. Page, Eliza Ann +Peck, Mary A. Riddle, A. R. Riddle, Caroline Risley, Sarah Andrews +Spencer, E. D. E. N. Southworth, Caroline A. Sherman, Mary S. +Scribner, Belle Smith, Maria T. Stoddard, Ada E. Spurgeon, Rubina +Taylor, Harriet P. Trickham, Eliza M. Tibbetts, Dr. Caroline B. +Winslow, Sarah E. Webster (mother of Dr. Susan A. Edson), Julia A. +Wilbur, Mrs. Westfall, Mary Willard, Amanda Wall, Lucy A. Wheeler.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_528_528" id="Footnote_528_528"></a><a href="#FNanchor_528_528"><span class="label">[528]</span></a> For full account see <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_587">Vol. II., page 587</a>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_529_529" id="Footnote_529_529"></a><a href="#FNanchor_529_529"><span class="label">[529]</span></a> David Eastburn and Henry Swaine of New Castle +county.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_530_530" id="Footnote_530_530"></a><a href="#FNanchor_530_530"><span class="label">[530]</span></a> The officers were: Sally Clay Bennett, Maggie S. +Burnham, Mrs. Somers, Mary B. Clay.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_531_531" id="Footnote_531_531"></a><a href="#FNanchor_531_531"><span class="label">[531]</span></a> The incorporators who formed the Board of Regents +were, the Right Rev. Thomas U. Dudley, D. D., Bishop of Kentucky; +Rev. James P. Boyce, D. D., President of the Baptist Theological +Seminary; Rev. E. F. Perkins, Rector of St. Paul's Church; Hon. I. +H. Edwards, Chancellor of Louisville Chancery Court; Theodore +Harris, President Louisville Banking and Insurance Co.; W. N. +Haldeman, President <i>Courier Journal</i> Co.; Nicholas Finzer, +President of Finzer tobacco works; Samuel L. Avery, President B. F. +Avery Co.; G. H. Cochran, President Louisville School Board; Robert +Cochran, Commissioner of Chancery Court; Hon. Charles Godshaw, +Trustee of Jury Fund; Dr. E. A. Grant and Mr. James K. Lemon. The +board was organized by the election of Mr. Theodore Harris, +<i>President</i>, Dr. E. A. Grant, <i>Secretary</i>, and James K. Lemon, +<i>Treasurer</i>. The school opened with fifteen students, and continued +until June, 1883. A lecture and practical course combined, occupy +ten months of the year—lectures being given five afternoons of +each week during the term.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_532_532" id="Footnote_532_532"></a><a href="#FNanchor_532_532"><span class="label">[532]</span></a> <i>President</i>, Mrs. Anne W. Bodeker, Richmond; +<i>Vice-Presidents</i>, Mrs. Maria G. and Judge John C. Underwood, Mr. +and Mrs. Judge Westal Willoughby, Mr. and Mrs. Judge Lysander Hill, +all of Alexandria; Mr. R. M. Manly, Richmond; Mrs. Martha Haines +Bennett, Norfolk; Mr. Andrew Washburne and Mr. William E. Coleman, +Richmond; <i>Secretary</i>, Miss Sue L. F. Smith, Richmond; <i>Executive +Committee</i>, Rev. W. F. Hemenway, Mrs. Andrew Washburne, Mrs. Dr. E. +H. Smith, Dr. and Mrs. Langstedt, Richmond, and Mrs. Allen +(Florence Percy) of Manchester.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_533_533" id="Footnote_533_533"></a><a href="#FNanchor_533_533"><span class="label">[533]</span></a> <i>President</i>, Gov. R. K. Scott; <i>Vice-Presidents</i>, +Hon. B. F. Whittemore, Hon. G. F. McIntyre, Gen. W. J. Whipper, +Mrs. R. C. DeLarge, Hon. D. H. Chamberlain, Mrs. A. J. Ransier, and +Mrs. R. K. Scott; <i>Secretary</i>, Miss K. Rollin; <i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. K. +Harris.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_831" id="Page_831">[Pg 831]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LV_Concluded" id="CHAPTER_LV_Concluded"></a>CHAPTER LV. (<span class="smcap">Concluded</span>).</h2> + +<h3>CANADA.</h3> + + +<p><span class="sc">We</span> are indebted to Miss Phelps of St. Catharines and Mrs. Curzon of +Toronto for the facts we give in regard to women's position in the +Dominion. Miss Phelps says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>History tells us that when the thirteen American colonies +revolted and their independence was declared there were 25,000 +who adhered to the policy of King George, under the name of the +United Empire Loyalists, some of whom came to Canada, others to +Acadia and others wandered elsewhere. The 10,000 who sought a +home in Canada at once formed a government in harmony with +English laws and usages. Parliament was established in 1803 at +York, now Toronto, and during that session the first law for the +protection of married women was passed. At first, if a married +woman desired to dispose of her property, she was obliged to go +before the courts to testify as to her willingness to do so. In +1821 a bill was passed enabling her to go before justices of the +peace. This was a great convenience, for the courts were not +always in session when it was imperative for her to sell. In 1849 +a bill was passed to naturalize women who married native-born or +naturalized subjects. In 1859, under the old parliament of +Canada, the Married Woman's Property act was passed, which in +brief provides that every woman who may marry without any +marriage-contract or settlement shall, after May 4, 1859, +notwithstanding her coverture, have, hold and enjoy all her real +estate, whether belonging to her before marriage or in any way +acquired afterward, free from her husband's debts and obligations +contracted after May 4, 1859. A married woman may also hold her +personal property free from the debts and contracts of her +husband, and obtain an order of protection for her own earnings +and those of her minor children. She may become a stockholder of +any bank, insurance company or any incorporated association, as +if she were a <i>feme sole</i>, and may vote by proxy or otherwise. A +married woman is liable on contracts respecting her own real +estate. No married woman is liable to arrest either on mesne or +final process. Any superior court of law or equity or any judge +of said court, or a judge of a surrogate court, or deputy, may, +on hearing the petition of a mother, or minor whose father is +dead, appoint her as guardian—notwithstanding the appointment of +another person by the father—of the estate to which the minor is +entitled, and of such sums of money as are necessary from time to +time for the maintenance of the minor. In 1881 a law was passed +enabling a woman to discharge a mortgage on her lands without her +husband being a party to it, while a husband cannot dispose of +his property without her consent.</p> + +<p>More than thirty years ago school suffrage was granted to women +on the same grounds as to male electors, and they are eligible to +all school offices. Women have, however, been slow to avail +themselves of this privilege, owing to their ignorance of the +laws and their lack of interest in regard to all public measures. +When they awake to their political rights they will feel a deeper +responsibility in the discharge of their public duties. But the +steady increase in the number of those who avail themselves of +this privilege is the one encouraging indication of the growth of +the suffrage movement in Canada.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_832" id="Page_832">[Pg 832]</a></span></p> + +<p>In 1882 the municipal act was so amended as to give married +women, widows and spinsters, if possessed of the necessary +qualifications, the right to vote on by-laws and some other minor +municipal matters. Again, in 1884, the act was still further +amended, extending the right to vote at municipal elections to +widows and unmarried women on all matters. In Toronto, January 4, +1886, the women polled a large vote, resulting in the election of +the candidate pledged to reform. But it must be remembered that +this progressive legislation belongs only to the Province of +Ontario. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mrs. Curzon writes:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In the year 1876 Dr. Emily H. Stowe—graduated in New +York—settled in Toronto for the practice of her profession. +Thoroughly imbued with the principles roughly summed up in the +term "woman's rights," and finding that her native Canada was not +awake to the importance of the subject, she lectured in the +principal towns of Ontario on "Woman's Sphere and Woman in +Medicine." By reason of the agitation caused by these lectures a +Woman's Literary Club<a name="FNanchor_534_534" id="FNanchor_534_534"></a><a href="#Footnote_534_534" class="fnanchor">[534]</a> was organized in Toronto with Dr. +Stowe, president, and Miss Helen Archibald, secretary. The +triumphs scored through the efforts of this club were the +admission of women to the University College and School of +Medicine of Toronto, Queen's University and the Royal Medical +School of Kingston, and the founding of a medical school for +women in each city. When the municipal franchise was granted to +women the club decided to come out boldly as a suffrage +organization. Accordingly by resolution the Toronto Woman's +Literary Club was dissolved and the Canadian Woman Suffrage +Association<a name="FNanchor_535_535" id="FNanchor_535_535"></a><a href="#Footnote_535_535" class="fnanchor">[535]</a> formed, March 9, 1883.</p> + +<p>McGill University at Montreal has an annex for women founded +through the munificence of one of the merchants of that +city.——Dalhousie College, Halifax, admits women on the same +footing as men. The Toronto <i>Mail</i> says it is only a question of +time when all Canadian colleges will do the same thing.——In +1883 the provincial legislature of Nova Scotia gave duly +qualified women the right to vote, and they exercised it very +generally the following year.——In New Brunswick the old laws +and prejudices remain, but woman suffrage has its friends and +advocates in Mrs. E. W. Fisher and Mr. and Mrs. W. Frank Hathaway +of St. Johns.——In 1885 the Mount Allison Methodist College at +Sackville, N. B., conferred the degree of M. A. on Miss Harriet +Stewart. This is the first instance of an educational institution +in the Dominion conferring such an honor upon a lady. </p></blockquote> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_534_534" id="Footnote_534_534"></a><a href="#FNanchor_534_534"><span class="label">[534]</span></a> <i>The Ballot-Box</i> in 1880 said: "<i>The Citizen</i> of +Toronto, Ont., has established a 'Ladies' Column' under the +auspices of the Toronto Woman's Literary Club, the first ladies' +club ever formed in Canada. This club has been in existence four +years. <i>The Citizen</i> is said to be the first Canadian paper +devoted, even in part, to woman's interest. Heading this change +'Important Notice,' it says: 'We have great pleasure in announcing +that we have made an arrangement with the Toronto Woman's Literary +Club to occupy an important space in our columns, for the advance +of moral, social, educational and family matters affecting woman +generally. Mrs. S. A. Curzon has charge of this column as associate +editor.' The club in a stirring salutatory defines its work and +objects. It is the intention to give, each week, a <i>résumé</i> of the +current topics concerning women, education, the franchises, the +legal abilities and disabilities of women, etc., hoping to arouse a +national sentiment among Canadian women and intelligence upon these +important subjects. This appeal is signed by Mrs. McEwen, the +president, and Emily H. Stowe, Mrs. W. J. MacKenzie, Mrs. W. B. +Hamilton and Mrs. S. A. Curzon, the executive committee."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_535_535" id="Footnote_535_535"></a><a href="#FNanchor_535_535"><span class="label">[535]</span></a> The officers were: <i>President</i>, Mrs. Donald McEwen; +<i>Vice-Presidents</i>, Mrs. Curzon, Mrs. E. H. Stowe, M. D., Captain W. +F. McMaster, John Hallam, esq.; <i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. W. B. Hamilton; +<i>Secretary</i>, Miss J. Foulds; <i>Executive Committee</i>, Mrs. McKenzie, +Mrs. S. McMaster, Mrs. Riches, Mrs. Miller, Miss Hamilton, Miss +McMaster, Miss Alexander, William Houston, J. L. Foulds, P. +McIntyre, Phillips Thompson, Thomas Bengough.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 317px;"> +<a name="v3_833" id="v3_833"> +<img src="images/v3_833.jpg" width="317" height="500" alt="Mentia Taylor" title="" /></a> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_833" id="Page_833">[Pg 833]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LVI" id="CHAPTER_LVI"></a>CHAPTER LVI.</h2> + +<h3>GREAT BRITAIN.</h3> + +<h4>BY CAROLINE ASHURST BIGGS.</h4> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>Women Send Members to Parliament—Sidney Smith, Sir Robert Peel, +Richard Cobden—The Ladies of Oldham—Jeremy Bentham—Anne +Knight—Northern Reform Society, 1858—Mrs. Matilda +Biggs—Unmarried Women and Widows Petition +Parliament—Associations formed in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, +1867—John Stuart Mill in Parliament—Seventy-three Votes for his +Bill—John Bright's Vote—Women Register and +Vote—Lord-Chief-Justice of England Declares their Constitutional +Right—The Courts give Adverse Decisions—Jacob Bright secures +the Municipal Franchise—First Public Meeting—Division on Jacob +Bright's Bill to Remove Political Disabilities—Mr. Gladstone's +Speech—Work of 1871-2—Fourth Vote on the Suffrage Bill—Jacob +Bright fails of Reëlection—Efforts of Mr. Forsyth—Memorial of +the National Society—Some Account of the Workers—Vote of the +New Parliament, 1875—Organized Opposition—Diminished Adverse +Vote of 1878—Mr. Courtney's Resolution—Letters—Great +Demonstrations at +Manchester—London—Bristol—Nottingham—Birmingham—Sheffield—Glasgow—Victory +in the Isle of Man—Passage of Municipal Franchise Bill for +Scotland—Mr. Mason's Resolution—Reduction of Adverse Majority +to 16—Conference at Leeds—Mr. Woodall's Amendment to Reform +Bill of 1884—Meeting at Edinburgh—Other Meetings—Estimated +Number of Women Householders—Circulars to Members of +Parliament—Debate on the Amendment—Resolutions of the +Society—Further Debate—Defeat of the Amendment—Meeting at St. +James Hall—Conclusion. </p> +</div> + + +<p><span class="sc">In</span> writing a history of the woman suffrage movement, it is +difficult to say where one should begin, for although the organized +agitation which arose when John Stuart Mill first brought forward +his proposal in parliament dates back only eighteen years, the +foundations for this demand were laid with the very earliest +parliamentary institutions in England. As a nation we are fond of +working by precedents, and it is a favorite saying among lawyers +that modern English law began with Henry III. In earlier Saxon +times women who were freeholders of lands or burgesses in towns had +the same electoral rights as men. We have records of the reigns of +Mary and Elizabeth, showing that ladies of the manse, in their own +right, sent members to parliament. Down to the time of the civil +wars women were accustomed to share in the election of "parliament +men." In 1640, some women voted in an election<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_834" id="Page_834">[Pg 834]</a></span> for the county of +Suffolk, Sir Simonds d'Ewes being high-sheriff:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Who, as soon as he had notice thereof, sent to forbid the same, +conceiving it a matter verie unworthy of anie gentleman, and most +dishonourable in such an election to make use of their voices, +although in law they might have been allowed. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The spirit of the Puritans was not favorable to woman's equality; +but, though disused, the right was never absolutely taken away by +law. In a celebrated trial, Olive <i>vs.</i> Ingram (reign of George +II.) the chief-justice gave it as his opinion that "a person paying +scot and lot," and therefore qualified to vote, was a description +which included women; and all the writs of election down to the +time of William IV. were made to "persons" who were freeholders. +However, for all purposes of political life this right was as good +as dead, being absolutely forgotten. But still the local franchises +remained. We have no data to determine whether these were as +completely neglected as the parliamentary franchise. Parishioners +voted for overseers of the poor and for other local boards; and +women were never legally disqualified from voting in these +elections. The lowest period in the condition of women appears to +have been reached at the end of the last century, though they were +not then indifferent to politics. "You cannot," says Miss +Edgeworth's Lady Davenant, "satisfy yourself with the common +namby-pamby phrase, 'Ladies have nothing to do with politics.' +<span class="spacious">* * *</span> Female influence must exist on political subjects as well as on +all others; but this influence should always be domestic not +public; the customs of society have so ruled it." This sentence +exactly represented ordinary English feeling. It was never +considered derogatory to an English lady to take an active part in +elections, provided she did so for some member of her family; but +of direct responsibility she had none.</p> + +<p>In the ferment of opinion which preceded the great Reform bill, +woman's claim to participate in it was never heard. The new +franchises which were then for the first time created applied +exclusively to <i>male</i> persons, but in the old franchises continuing +in force, the word "person" alone is strictly used. Mr. Sidney +Smith said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In reserving and keeping alive the qualifications in existence +before those itself created, this statute falls back exactly to +the accustomed phraseology of the earlier acts. Whenever it +confers a new right it restricts it to every male person. +Whenever it perpetuates existing franchises,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_835" id="Page_835">[Pg 835]</a></span> it continues them +to every person, leaving the word "male" out on system. </p></blockquote> + +<p>This may have been little more than an oversight, or it may have +been that respect for precedent which used to be an inherent +quality in English statesmen. But it is curious that the first +petition ever, to our knowledge, presented for women's suffrage to +the House of Commons should date from this same year. It was +presented on August 3, 1832, and is the worthy predecessor of many +thousands in later times. Hansard thus describes it:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Mr. Hunt said he had a petition to present which might be a +subject of mirth to some honorable gentlemen, but which was one +deserving of consideration. It came from a lady of rank and +fortune, Mary Smith of Stanmore, in the county of York. The +petition stated that she paid taxes, and therefore did not see +why she should not have a share in the election of a +representative; she also stated that women were liable to all the +penalties of the law, even death, and ought to have a voice in +the fixing of them; but so far from this, on their trials both +judges and jurors were of the opposite sex. She could see no good +reason for the exclusion of women from political rights while the +highest office of the State, that of the crown, was open to the +inheritance of females; and, so we understood, the petitioner +expressed her indignation against those vile wretches who would +not marry, and yet would exclude females from a share in the +legislation. The prayer of the petition was that every unmarried +female, possessing the necessary pecuniary qualifications, should +be entitled to vote for members of parliament. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The following year Sir Robert Peel in opposing vote by ballot said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The theoretical arguments in favor of woman suffrage were at +least as strong as those in favor of vote by ballot. There were +arguments in favor of extending the franchise to women to which +it was no easy matter to find a logical answer. Other and more +important duties were entrusted to women. Women were allowed to +hold property, to vote on many occasions in right of that +property; nay, a woman might inherit the throne and perform all +the functions of the first office of the State. Why should they +not vote for a member of parliament? </p></blockquote> + +<p>But Sir Robert Peel evidently had no idea that a time would come +when women would ask this question in downright seriousness. +Meanwhile the preference for the words "male person" in the new +enactments still continued. It was employed in the Municipal +Corporation Reform act, 1835; and in the Irish poor-law act of +1838, women, as well as clergymen, were expressly excluded from +election as poor-law guardians. The repeal of the corn-laws brought +the political work of women to the front; they formed local +committees, collected funds and attended meetings.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_836" id="Page_836">[Pg 836]</a></span> In a speech on +free-trade, delivered in Covent Garden Theater January 15, 1845, +Richard Cobden said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>There are many ladies present, I am happy to say; now, it is a +very anomalous fact that they cannot vote themselves, and yet +that they have a power of conferring votes upon other people. I +wish they had the franchise, for they would often make much +better use of it than their husbands. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Again in 1848, in supporting a motion of Mr. Joseph Hume in the +House of Commons to the effect that the elective franchise should +be extended to all householders, Mr. Cobden said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>A gentleman asked me to support universal suffrage on the ground +of principle, and I said to him, if it is a principle that a man +should have a vote because he pays taxes, why should not a widow +who pays taxes and is liable to serve as church-warden and +overseer, have a vote for members of parliament? The gentleman +replied that he agreed with me. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1853, Mr. W. J. Fox, member for Oldham, in acknowledging the +presentation to him by the ladies of Oldham of a signet-ring +bearing the inscription, "Education, the birthright of all," spoke +strongly in favor of women having a definite share in political +life:</p> + +<blockquote><p>If women have nothing to do with politics, honest men ought to +have nothing to do with politics. They keep us pure, simple, +just, earnest, in our exertions in politics and public life. They +have to do with it, because while the portion of man may be by +the rougher labors of the head and hands to work out many of the +great results of life, the peculiar function of woman is to +spread grace and softness, truth, beauty, benignity over all. Nor +is woman confined to this. In fact I wish that her direct as well +as indirect influence were still larger than it is in the sphere +of politics. Why, we trust a woman with the sceptre of the realm, +consider her adequate to make peers in the State and bishops in +the Church; surely she must be adequate to send her +representatives to the lower House. I know the time may not have +come for mooting a question of this sort; but I know the time +will come, and that woman will be something more than a mere +adjective to man in political matters. She will become a +substantive also. And why not? </p></blockquote> + +<p>Other speakers and writers brought forward the same point. Jeremy +Bentham declared he could find no reasons for the exclusion of +women, though he laid no stress on the matter; Herbert Spencer in +"Social Statics" (1851), Mr. Thomas Hare in his book on +"Representation," and Mr. Mill in "Representative Government," all +discussed it. In 1843 Mrs. Hugo Reid published an excellent volume, +"A Plea for Woman," in which she maintained that "There is no good +ground for the assumption that the possession and exercise of +political privileges are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_837" id="Page_837">[Pg 837]</a></span> incompatible with home duties." In 1841 a +strong article appeared in the <i>Westminster Review</i>, written by +Mrs. Margaret Mylne, a Scotch lady still living. Mrs. Stuart Mill's +admirably comprehensive article appeared in the same review in +1851.<a name="FNanchor_536_536" id="FNanchor_536_536"></a><a href="#Footnote_536_536" class="fnanchor">[536]</a> In 1846, also, Col. T. Perronet Thompson, the well-known +anti-corn-law advocate, wrote:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Whenever the popular party can agree upon and bring forward any +plan which shall include the equal voting of women, they will not +only obtain an alliance of which most men know the importance, +but they will relieve the theory of universal suffrage from the +stigma its enemies never fail to draw upon it, of making its +first step a wholesale disqualification of half the universe +concerned. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Among other writers and speakers on the subject, we must also +enumerate Anne Knight, an earnest warm-hearted Quaker lady. She +sometimes lectured upon it, and many of her letters written to Mrs. +Elizabeth Pease Nichol of Edinburgh, Lord Brougham, and others, are +still preserved, in which she eagerly advocates the admission of +women to the suffrage. She assisted in founding the Sheffield +Female Political Association. On February 26, 1851, this +association held a meeting at the Democratic Temperance Hotel, +Sheffield, and unanimously adopted an address, which was the first +manifesto dealing with the suffrage ever formulated by a meeting of +women in England:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Address of the Sheffield Political Association to the Women of +England</span>—<i>Beloved Sisters</i>: We, the women of the democracy of +Sheffield, beg the indulgence of addressing you at this important +juncture. We have been observers for a number of years of the +various plans and systems of organization which have been laid +down for the better government and guidance of democracy, and we +are brought to the conclusion that women might with the strictest +propriety be included in the proclamation of the people's +charter; for we are the majority of the nation, and it is our +birth-right, equally with our brother, to vote for the man who is +to sway our political destiny, to impose the taxes which we are +compelled to pay, to make the laws which we with others must +observe; and heartily should we rejoice to see the women of +England uniting for the purpose of demanding this great right of +humanity, feeling assured that were women thus comprehended, they +would be the greatest auxiliaries of right against might. For +what would not the patient, energetic mind of woman accomplish, +when once resolved? The brave and heroic deeds which history +records are our testimony that no danger is too great, no +struggle too arduous for her to encounter; thus confirming<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_838" id="Page_838">[Pg 838]</a></span> our +convictions that woman's coöperation is greatly needed for the +accomplishment of our political well-being. But there are some +who would say: "Would you have woman enjoy all the political +rights of men?" To this we emphatically answer: Yes! for does she +not toil early and late in the factory, and in every department +of life subject to the despotism of men? and we ask in the name +of justice, must we continue ever the silent and servile victims +of this injustice? perform all the drudgery of his political +societies and never possess a single political right? Is the +oppression to last forever? We, the women of the democracy of +Sheffield, answer, No! We put forth this earnest appeal to our +sisters of England to join hand and heart with us in this noble +and just cause, to the exposing and eradicating of such a state +of things. Let us shake off our apathy and raise our voices for +right and liberty, till justice in all its fulness is conceded to +us. This we say to all who are contending for liberty, for what +is liberty if the claims of women be disregarded? Our special +object will be the entire political enfranchisement of our own +sex; and we conjure you, our sisters of England, to aid us in +accomplishing this holy work. We remain with heartfelt respect, +your friends.<a name="FNanchor_537_537" id="FNanchor_537_537"></a><a href="#Footnote_537_537" class="fnanchor">[537]</a> </p></blockquote> + +<p>At the end of 1858 there was established in Newcastle-on-Tyne an +association called the Northern Reform Society, which had universal +suffrage for its object, and it expressly invited the contributions +of women. Letters were written by Matilda Ashurst Biggs, and +afterwards by two or three women in different parts of the country, +offering to become members. In acknowledging these letters, the +secretary stated that the Northern Reform Union only contemplated +the extension of the franchise to men, although he admitted that +many of its leading members were individually in favor of "woman +suffrage" but they believed that by asking for manhood suffrage, +they were advancing a step towards universal franchise. He added. +"The society will be very glad of women's subscriptions, and trusts +that they will use their best efforts to promote its extension." +Undoubtedly, there has never been any reluctance to accept the +subscriptions of women towards promoting the objects of men. In +commenting upon this letter, Mrs. Biggs<a name="FNanchor_538_538" id="FNanchor_538_538"></a><a href="#Footnote_538_538" class="fnanchor">[538]</a> said in the <i>Newcastle +Guardian</i>, February 19, 1859:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_839" id="Page_839">[Pg 839]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>I have never given my rights to be merged in those of any other +person, and I feel it an injustice that I, who am equally taxed +with men, should be denied a voice in making the laws which +affect and dispose of my property, and made to support a State +wherein I am not recognized as a citizen. I consider that a +tyranny which renders me responsible to laws in the making of +which I am not consulted. The Northern Reform Society, which +"takes its stand upon justice," should claim for us at least that +we be exempted from the duties, it we are to be denied the rights +belonging to citizens. </p></blockquote> + +<p>These books, speeches and letters though scattered and unconnected, +slowly prepared the ground for the organized agitation. Another +Reform bill grew into preparation. Men's thoughts were turned again +towards the question of representation, and every word spoken on +behalf of the enfranchisement of women assumed double force as it +drew near to a political issue. The enfranchisement of women +advanced from a question of philosophical speculation to actual +politics in the election of John Stuart Mill member of parliament +for Westminster in 1865. In his election address, Mr. Mill, as +previously in his work on representative government, openly avowed +this article of political faith. Nevertheless, the first speech of +which we have record in the House of Commons plainly vindicating +the right of women to the vote, was that of a man who differed from +Mr. Mill in every other feature of his political life and +creed—Mr. Disraeli. He used almost the same form of argument as +Sir Robert Peel had done thirty years before, but unlike the former +statesman he backed it up with his vote and personal influence for +many succeeding years. It was in 1866 that he spoke these words, +long and gratefully remembered by the women of the country:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In a country governed by a woman—where you allow woman to form +part of the estate of the realm—peeresses in their own right for +example—where you allow a woman not only to hold land, but to be +a lady of the manor and hold legal courts—where a woman by law +may be a church-warden and overseer of the poor,—I do not see, +where she has so much to do with the State and Church, on what +reasons, if you come to right, she has not a right to vote. </p></blockquote> + +<p>These words from Disraeli were the spark that fired the train. In +answer to a request from Miss Jessie Boucherett, Mrs. Bodichon and +Miss Bessie R. Parkes, Mr. Mill replied that if they could find a +hundred women who would sign a petition for the franchise, he would +present it to the House of Commons. A committee was immediately +formed in London, and the petition was circulated. In two or three +weeks it had received 1,499<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_840" id="Page_840">[Pg 840]</a></span> signatures. Among these were many who +in after years took a prominent part, not only in suffrage, but in +other movements for the elevation of women. The petition was +presented by Mr. Mill in May, 1866, and was received with laughter. +He then gave notice of a motion to introduce into the Reform bill a +provision to the same effect. The committee<a name="FNanchor_539_539" id="FNanchor_539_539"></a><a href="#Footnote_539_539" class="fnanchor">[539]</a> immediately began +to circulate petitions and pamphlets. Two of these were by Mrs. +Bodichon, "Reasons for, and Objections against the Enfranchisement +of Women," being the substance of a paper she had read at the +Social Science Congress, in October, 1866. We give the text of the +petition, as it differed somewhat from those circulated in after +years:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hang"><i>To the Honorable, the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great +Britain and Ireland, in Parliament assembled:</i></p> + +<p>The humble petition of the undersigned,—showeth, That your +petitioners fulfill the conditions of property or rental +prescribed by law as the qualification of the electoral +franchise, and exercise in their own names the rights pertaining +to such conditions; that the principles in which the government +of the United Kingdom is based, imply the representation of all +classes and interests in the State; that the reasons alleged for +withholding the franchise from certain classes of her majesty's +subjects do not apply to your petitioners. Your petitioners +therefore humbly pray your honorable House to grant to such +persons as fulfill all the conditions which entitle to a vote in +the election of members of parliament, excepting only that of +sex, the privilege of taking part in the choice of fit persons to +represent the people in your honorable House. </p></blockquote> + +<p>This form of petition was only signed by unmarried women and widows +of full age, holding the legal qualification for voting in either +county or borough, but there were other forms for other classes of +persons. On March 28, the Right Hon. H. A. Bruce presented a +petition from 3,559 persons, mostly women. Mr. Mill, in April, +presented one with 3,161 names collected by the Manchester +committee, and the Right Hon. Russell Gurney one signed by 1,605 +qualified women, <i>i. e.</i>, free-holders and householders<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_841" id="Page_841">[Pg 841]</a></span> who would +have had the vote had they been men. In all 13,497 were counted in +the parliamentary report this session; among these were many +clergymen, barristers, physicians and fellows of colleges.</p> + +<p>While we are on the subject of petitions we may as well briefly +glance at what was done in this branch of work during succeeding +years.<a name="FNanchor_540_540" id="FNanchor_540_540"></a><a href="#Footnote_540_540" class="fnanchor">[540]</a> No better method could be found of testing public +opinion, or of affording scope for quiet, intelligent agitation. +Many friends could help by circulating petitions, distributing +literature at the same time and arguing away objections. In 1868 +there were presented 78 petitions with nearly 50,000 signatures. +One of them, headed by Mrs. Somerville and Florence Nightingale, +contained 21,000 names, and was a heavy but delightful burden which +Mr. Mill could hardly carry to the table. This petition excited +great attention. During all these years no petitions were presented +against granting the suffrage to women. These numbers were +undoubtedly a surprise to many members of parliament who were +inclined to look upon woman suffrage as an "impracticable fad," +"the fantastic crochet of a few shrieking sisters." But the +collection and arrangement of the signatures took up incalculable +time, and after a few years this method of agitation was discarded +to a great extent in the large political centres. Friends became +wearied out with the toilsome process of year by year collecting +signatures, which when presented were silently and indifferently +dropped into the bag under the table of the House of Commons. But +during the early days of the movement these petitions, signed by +all classes of men and women, were invaluable in arousing interest +in our movement.</p> + +<p>In 1867, for the better prosecution of the work, instead of one +committee embracing the whole of England, separate associations +were formed in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. The London +committee consisted of ladies only, Miss Frances Power Cobbe, Mrs. +Fawcett, Miss Hampson, Miss Hare, Mrs. Lucas, Mrs. Stansfeld, with +Mrs. Taylor as secretary. In the Manchester committee Mr. Jacob +Bright, M. P., at once took up the position of leader and advocate +which he afterwards so long and nobly maintained in the House of +Commons. Miss Becker<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_842" id="Page_842">[Pg 842]</a></span> was appointed secretary. The Edinburgh +committee elected Mrs. McLaren<a name="FNanchor_541_541" id="FNanchor_541_541"></a><a href="#Footnote_541_541" class="fnanchor">[541]</a> for their president. At a +special general meeting, November 6, 1867, it was resolved that +these three societies should form one national society, thus +securing the advantages of coöperation while maintaining freedom of +action. The same rule applied to societies in Birmingham, Bristol +and other towns.</p> + +<p>To return to the debate in the House of Commons on May 20, 1867 on +clause 4 of the Representation of the People bill. Mr. Mill moved +to leave out the word "man" and insert the word "person." His +speech has been too long before the public to need quotation; it is +a model of inductive reasoning and masterly eloquence. The debate +which followed was very unequal in character, but the division was +gratifying, for he received 73 votes (including pairs, 81); 194 +voted against him. Mr. Mill wrote afterwards to a friend:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We are all delighted at the number of our minority, which is far +greater than anybody expected the first time, and would have been +greater still had not many members quitted the House, with or +without pairing, in the expectation that the subject would not +come on. But the greatest triumph of all was John Bright's vote. </p></blockquote> + +<p>At the election for Manchester, held near the end of 1867 (when Mr. +Jacob Bright was elected), Lily Maxwell, whose name had been +accidentally left on the parliamentary register, recorded her vote. +No objection was taken to it by the returning officer, or by the +agents of either candidate. The <i>Times</i> devoted a leading article +to it. The circumstance was of no legal value, but it was useful to +show that a woman could go through the process of recording a vote +in a parliamentary election even before the Ballot act was passed. +The idea gained ground that by the new Reform act the right to vote +had been secured to women. The Reform act of 1867, sec. 3, declares +that:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Every man shall in and after the year 1868 be entitled to be +registered as a voter, and when registered, to vote for a member +to serve in parliament. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In the substitution of the word "man" for that of "male person" in +the Reform act of 1832, a great difference was already<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_843" id="Page_843">[Pg 843]</a></span> +discernable, but this difference was more important when taken into +conjunction with what was popularly known as "Lord Romilly's act," +an act for shortening the language used in acts of parliament (13 +and 14 Vict.). This act provides, "that all words importing the +masculine gender shall be deemed and taken to include females, +unless the contrary is expressly provided"; and in the +Representation of the People act there was no express provision to +the contrary. This had been pointed out by one or two members at +the time.</p> + +<p>Accordingly the several societies united in a systematic endeavor +to procure the insertion of women's names on the registers of +electors under the new Reform act. A circular respectfully +requesting the boards of overseers to insert on the list of voters +the names of all persons who had paid their rates, was sent to +several hundred boards in different parts of the country. Very few +replies were received, but women were placed on the lists in many +counties, in Aberdeen, Salford and many small districts in +Lancaster, Middlesex, Kent, etc. The overseers of Manchester +declined compliance. In that city there were 5,100 women +householders who claimed their votes, and when the revision courts +were opened in September, this claim came on for consideration. The +case was ably argued, but the revising barrister decided against +admitting it, granting, however, a case for trial at the Court of +Common Pleas. Another case was also granted, being that of Mrs. +Kyllman, a free-holder, her claim being under the old free-holding +franchise 8 Henry VI., to wit.:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Elections of knights of the shire shall be made in each county by +people dwelling and resident therein of whom each has free-hold +to the value of £40 by the year. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In the majority of districts the revising barristers disallowed the +claims; but in four district-revision courts the women's names were +admitted. In Finsbury, one of the metropolitan boroughs, Mr. +Chisholm Anstey was revising barrister, and he admitted them on +account of ancient English law; in Cockermouth, Winterton and two +townships of Lancashire, the revising barrister admitted them upon +his interpretation of the Reform act taken in conjunction with Lord +Romilly's act. In the suffrage report for this year the number of +women placed on the electoral roll by these decisions is estimated +at about 230, but undoubtedly there were others concerning whom no +information was received. In many cases the women voted: 15 did so +in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_844" id="Page_844">[Pg 844]</a></span> Finsbury (not only was there no disturbance, but hardly any +remark was made, and they expressed their surprise that it was so +easy a thing to do); 12 in Gordon and 10 in Levenshulme, both +little districts in Lancashire, and smaller numbers in other +places. In Chester the parliament candidate issued his election +placards to "Ladies and Gentlemen."</p> + +<p>On November 7, the case of the 5,000 Manchester women householders +was argued before the Court of Common Pleas. Mr. J. D. Coleridge +(now Lord Coleridge, Lord-chief-justice of England) and Dr. +Pankhurst were the counsel for the appellants. Mr. John Coleridge +in an able argument spoke of the ancient constitutional right of +women to take part in elections. He produced copies from the record +office of several indentures returning members to parliament, the +signatures of which were in the hand-writing of women, or to which +women were parties. He argued that the term "man" in the Reform act +included woman, not only generally but specifically, under the +provisions of Lord Romilly's act. The case was argued before +Lord-chief-justice Boville; the decision was given on November 9, +and decisively pronounced that the new Reform act had never +intended to include women, and that they were incapacitated from +voting. This decision did not affect the women who were already on +the register, and many voted in the general election which took +place afterwards. Thus women have been shut out from electoral +rights, not by any decree of parliament, but by this decision of +the Court of Common Pleas. However there was no appeal from this +Court, except to parliament, and from this time forward the +character of the agitation changed. The year 1868 ended with a +legal decision which seemed crushing in its finality, while the +same year had given the most conclusive proof that women wished to +vote, and would do so whenever the opportunity offered.</p> + +<p>The next year, 1869, gave another convincing proof that women were +eager to vote, and brought us the most substantial triumph yet +obtained, due to the wisdom and skilful tactics of Mr. Jacob +Bright, member of parliament for Manchester. This victory was the +municipal franchise for women. Early in 1869 Mr. Hibbert introduced +a bill to regulate the conditions of the municipal franchise. By +the Municipal Corporation Amendment act, passed in 1835, male +persons only were authorized to vote. The present bill was to amend +that. Mr. Jacob Bright, seconded by Sir<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_845" id="Page_845">[Pg 845]</a></span> Charles Dilke and Mr. +Peter Rylands, proposed the omission of the word "male" from the +bill, and the insertion of a clause securing to women the right of +voting in municipal elections. Mr. Hibbert concurred in the +introduction of these amendments, though he did not anticipate they +would lead to any result beyond a discussion. A circular containing +full information upon the ancient and existing rights of women to +vote in local affairs was sent to each member of parliament by the +Manchester committee. It showed that before the passing of the +Municipal Corporation act of 1835, women rate-payers had rights +similar to those of men in all matters pertaining to local +government and expenditure; and that in non-corporate districts +they still exercised such rights, under the provisions of the +Public Health act, and other statutes guarding the electoral +privileges of the whole body of rate-payers. But when any district +was incorporated into a municipal borough, the women rate-payers +were disfranchised, although those not included within its +boundaries remained possessed of votes. It showed also that women +can vote in parochial matters, and take part in vestry meetings, +called for various purposes, such as the election of church-wardens +and way-wardens, the appointment of overseers, the sale of parish +property, and, formerly, the levying of church-rates; also that +they can vote in the election of poor-law guardians—that in fact, +in none of those ancient voting customs, was the sex of the +ratepayers taken into consideration as either a qualification or +disqualification. We quote from the Manchester society:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In the House of Commons on June 7, 1869, on consideration of the +Municipal Franchise bill as amended, Mr. Jacob Bright rose to +move that in this act and the said recited act (Municipal +Corporation Reform act, 1835) wherever words occur which import +the masculine gender, the same shall be held to include females +for all purposes connected with and having reference to the +election of or power to elect representatives of any municipal +corporation. He stated that his object was to give the municipal +vote to every rate-payer within the municipal limits; to give to +municipal property the representation which all property enjoyed +elsewhere; that had the proposition been an innovation, a +departure from the customary legislation of the country, he would +not have brought it in as an amendment to a bill; but that his +object was to remove an innovation—to resist one of the most +remarkable invasions of long-established rights which the +legislation of this or any other country could show. The bill +before the house was an amendment of the Municipal Corporation +act of 1835. That act was the only act in regard to local +expenditure and local government which established this +disability. Before and since, all acts<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_846" id="Page_846">[Pg 846]</a></span> of parliament gave every +local vote to every rate-payer. The Health of Towns act of 1848 +had a clause almost identical with the one he was moving. He was +therefore asking the House not only to make the bill in harmony +with the general legislation of the country, but to allow it to +be in harmony with its latest expressed convictions as shown in +the act of 1848. There were in England 78 non-corporate towns +which were not parliamentary boroughs, with populations varying +from 20,000 to 6,000. In these every rate-payer voted. There was +little if any difference between their government and that of +municipal towns. Who could assign a reason why women should vote +in one and not in the other? Every parochial vote was in the +hands of the whole body of rate-payers. Women held the most +important parochial offices. The sister of the member for +Stockport had acted as overseer. Miss Burdett Coutts had been +urged to take the office of guardian. Had she been a large +rate-payer in a municipal town, what an absurdity to shut her out +from the vote! He then showed how the process of disfranchisement +was going on, and quoted Darlington and Southport. The latter +town was incorporated in 1867. In 1866, 2,085 persons were +qualified to vote for commissioners; 588 of these were women. +From the moment of incorporation these votes were extinguished +without a reason being assigned, though they had exercised them +from time immemorial. Such would be the case with any town +incorporated in the future. He appealed to the metropolitan +members, and showed them that unless his clauses were carried, +when they came to establish corporations throughout the +metropolis, as some of them desired, all the female rate-payers +would be struck off the roll; that over a population of 3,000,000 +this exclusion would prevail. He stated that where women had the +vote they exercised it to an equal degree with the men. Mr. +Lings, the comptroller for the city of Manchester, affirms that +according to his experience the number of men and women who vote +in local affairs bears a just proportion to the number of each on +the register. He showed that as the bill was a largely +enfranchising measure, his clause was in strict harmony with it, +but that while the bill sought to increase the representation of +those who were already considerably represented, the clause which +he wished to add would give representation to those who within +municipal towns were totally deprived of it. He concluded by +saying that questions had come to him, since these amendments had +been on the paper, from women in different parts of the country, +and from those who by their social and intellectual positions +might be regarded as representatives of their sex, asking why +there should always be this tender regard for the representation +and therefore the protection of men, and this apparent disregard +for the interest of women; and he appealed to the House, by its +decision, to show that as regards these local franchises it had a +common regard for the whole body of rate-payers. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mr. Jacob Bright's motion, which he supported with all the tact, +earnestness and judgment of which he afterwards gave such repeated +proofs in bringing forward his Women's Disabilities bill, was +seconded by Mr. Rylands. Mr. Bruce (the home secretary)<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_847" id="Page_847">[Pg 847]</a></span> said he +had shown conclusively that this proposition was no novelty, and +that women were allowed to vote in every form of local government, +except under the Municipal Corporations act. The clause introduced +no anomaly, and he should give it his cordial support. Mr. Hibbert +also supported the clause, which was agreed to amid cheers, and it +was passed without a dissentient word or the faintest shadow of +opposition, as was also the proposal of Sir Charles Dilke, to leave +out the word "male" in the first clause.</p> + +<p>In the House of Lords an attempt was made by Lord Redesdale to +reverse the decision of the House of Commons, but the proposal +found no seconder, and therefore fell to the ground. The Earl of +Kimberley, on behalf of the government, supported the proposition, +as did also Lord Cairns, from the opposition benches. The Municipal +Franchise bill became law in August, 1869. One well-known statesman +said at the time, "This is a revolution; this vote means still +another, and there never was so great a revolution so speedily +accomplished." In 1869 the Ballot act had not been passed; this was +in the days of open voting. It was therefore possible to ascertain +with accuracy in how large a proportion the women householders +availed themselves of their restored right to vote whenever a +contested election took place. On the following November a letter +of inquiry was sent to the town clerk of every municipal borough in +England and Wales, and by their courtesy in replying it was +ascertained that the women voted in very large numbers. In our +municipal towns the average ratio of women householders to men +householders is about one to seven. This varies greatly in +different localities. In Tewkesbury, for instance, there was only +one woman householder to twenty-three men householders, while in +Bath the proportion had risen as high as one to three. The women +voters were in about the same proportion. In the larger boroughs +the proportion was especially good, while there were cases in which +the polling of the women exceeded that of the men. In Bodmin, +Cornwall, two women voted, one of whom was 92 and the other 94 +years of age.</p> + +<p>The first public meeting in connection with women's suffrage was +held in Manchester, April 14, 1868, in the assembly room of the +Free Trade Hall. The occasion was one of great interest. Mr. Henry +D. Pochin, the mayor of Salford (which adjoins Manchester), took +the chair, and the first resolution was moved by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_848" id="Page_848">[Pg 848]</a></span> Miss Becker, +seconded by the venerable Arch-deacon Sandford, and supported by +Mr. T. B. Potter, M. P.:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That the exclusion of women from the exercise of the +franchise in the election of members, being unjust in principle +and inexpedient in practice, this meeting is of opinion that the +right of voting should be granted to them on the same conditions +as it is or may be granted to men. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The other resolutions were spoken to by Dr. Pankhurst, Mrs. Pochin +(who had also written a very exhaustive pamphlet on "The Claim of +Woman to the Elective Franchise," signed, <i>Justitia</i>), Mr. Chisholm +Anstey, Mr. Jacob Bright, M. P., Miss Annie Robertson of Dublin, +Mr. F. W. Myers, fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, and Mr. J. +W. Edwards. This meeting, and the one which followed in Birmingham, +May 6, are fair types of those which have followed by thousands. +With few exceptions they have been addressed by men and women +jointly; the resolutions passed have generally been of a directly +practical and political character. They have been presided over, +whenever possible, by the chief magistrate, or some other +well-known man in the locality; in comparatively few cases have +women presided, and very seldom, indeed, strangers. Thus they have +been modeled closely on the ordinary English political meeting; and +this form, quite apart from the principles discussed at the +meetings, has done much to identify women's suffrage with the +practical politics of the day. The first meeting ever held in +London (July, 1869,) excited much attention. Admittance here was by +ticket. Mrs. Peter A. Taylor took the chair; Miss Biggs read the +report, and a noble array of speakers followed.<a name="FNanchor_542_542" id="FNanchor_542_542"></a><a href="#Footnote_542_542" class="fnanchor">[542]</a></p> + +<p>The principle of women's suffrage was unhesitatingly conceded by +the passing of the Municipal Amendment act of 1869. The time was +come to demand its application in parliamentary elections. +Moreover, the decision of the Court of Common Pleas had left no +mode of action possible except for parliament to reverse that +decision. Mr. Jacob Bright, therefore, on the first day of the +session gave notice of his intention to introduce a bill to remove +the electoral disabilities of women. Sir Charles Dilke, a Liberal, +and Mr. E. B. Eastwick, a Conservative, also gave their names on +the back of the bill.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_849" id="Page_849">[Pg 849]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">A Bill</span> <i>to remove the Electoral Disabilities of Women</i>:</p> + +<p>Be it enacted by the Queen's most excellent Majesty, by and with +the advice and consent of the Lords, spiritual and temporal, and +Commons in this present parliament assembled, and by the +authority of the same, as follows:</p> + +<p><i>First</i>—That in all acts relating to the qualification and +registration of voters or persons entitled or claiming to be +registered and to vote in the election of members of parliament, +wherever words occur which import the masculine gender, the same +shall be held to include females for all purposes connected with, +and having reference to the right to be registered as voters, and +to vote in such elections, any law or usage to the contrary +notwithstanding. </p></blockquote> + +<p>On February 16, the bill was read for the first time, and on May 4, +it came on for its second reading. Mr. Jacob Bright earnestly +appealed to the House to grant this measure of justice:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The women who are interested in this subject, he concluded, are +only acting in the spirit of one of the noblest proverbs of our +language, "God helps those who help themselves." Is it a matter +of regret to us that they should have these aspirations? Ought it +not rather to be a subject of satisfaction and of pride? That +this bill will become law, no one who has observed the character +of this agitation and who knows the love of justice in the +British people can doubt. I hope it will become law soon, for I +have a desire which will receive the sympathy of many in this +House. I have a strong desire that when our children come to read +the story of their country's fame, it may be written there that +the British parliament was the first great legislative assembly +in the world, which, in conferring its franchises, knew nothing +of the distinctions of strong and weak, of male and female, of +rich and poor. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The result of the division surprised and cheered all the supporters +of the measure. The government was neutral, and members of the +cabinet voted on either side according to their own opinions. The +second reading was carried by a vote of 124 to 91, being a majority +in its favor of 33. Those who witnessed that division will never +forget the grateful enthusiasm with which Mr. Jacob Bright was +received when he came up to the ladies' gallery, with his wife +leaning upon his arm. But our triumph was short-lived. Before the +bill went into committee, a week later, it became known that the +government intended to depart from its attitude of neutrality. A +strong pressure was exercised to crush the bill, and the contest of +course became hopeless. On the division for going into committee +220 votes were counted against 94 in its favor.</p> + +<p>It became evident that we were in for a long contest, which would +require not only patience, courage and determination, but a high +degree of political sagacity. Organizations had to be perfected, +and additional societies established; meetings had to be called, +and lectures given to explain the question. In March<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_850" id="Page_850">[Pg 850]</a></span> of this year +the <i>Women's Suffrage Journal</i> was established in Manchester. Miss +Becker has conducted this monthly from the beginning with great +talent and spirit; it is frequently quoted by the ordinary press, +and its pages contain the best record extant of the movement. This +same year of 1870, which witnessed our first parliamentary defeat, +brought compensation also of such magnitude as to outweigh the +temporary overthrow of the franchise bill. This was the Elementary +Education act, by which women were not only admitted to vote for +school-board candidates, but expressly enabled to sit on these +boards, and thus exercise not only elective, but legislative +functions of the most important character. The election clause +reads thus:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The school-board shall be elected in the manner provided by this +act, in a borough by the persons whose names are on the burgess +roll of such borough for the time being in force, and in a parish +not situated in the metropolis, by the rate-payers. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In London, with the sole exception of the city, the persons who +elect the vestries, <i>i. e.</i> the rate-payers, are the electors—this +includes women as a matter of course. In the city only, the +electors were to be the same persons who elected +common-council-men, and as these included men only, women are thus +excluded from voting in the school-board election, though even here +it may be observed they are eligible to sit on the board. Thus, +within the space of two years, two important measures were extended +unexpectedly.</p> + +<p>In 1871 Mr. Jacob Bright again introduced the Women's Disabilities +Removal bill, and it was also supported by Mr. Eastwick and Dr. +Lyon Playfair. It was thrown out in the division upon the second +reading on May 3, by a majority of 69; 151 (including tellers and +pairs 159) voting for it, and 220 (including tellers and pairs 228) +voting against it. The most remarkable feature of the debate was a +speech made by Mr. Gladstone, which certainly justified the +confidence that women have subsequently entertained that the great +minister was willing to see justice done to them:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The ancient law recognized the rights of women in the parish; I +apprehend they could both vote and act in the parish. The modern +rule has extended the right to the municipality, so far as the +right of voting is concerned.... With respect to school-boards, I +own I believe that we have done wisely, on the whole, in giving +both the franchise and the right of sitting on the school-board +to women. Then comes a question with regard to parliament, and we +have to ask ourselves whether we shall or shall not go +further.... I admit, at any rate, that as far as I am able to +judge, there is more presumptive ground for change in the law +than some<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_851" id="Page_851">[Pg 851]</a></span> of the opponents of the measure are disposed to +own.... I cannot help thinking that, for some reason or other, +there are various important particulars in which women obtain +much less than justice under social arrangements.... I may be +told that there is no direct connection between this and the +parliamentary franchise, and I admit it, but at the same time I +am by no means sure that these inequalities may not have an +indirect connection with a state of law in which the balance is +generally cast too much against women, and too much in favor of +men. There is one instance which has been quoted, and I am not +sure there is not something in it—I mean the case of farms.... I +believe to some extent in the competition for that particular +employment women suffer in a very definite manner in consequence +of their want of qualification to vote. I go somewhat further +than this, and say that so far as I am able to form an opinion of +the general tone and color of our law in these matters, where the +peculiar relation of men and women is concerned, that law does +less than justice to women [hear, hear], and great mischief, +misery and scandal result from that state of things in many of +the occurrences and events of life. [Cheers.] ... If it should be +found possible to arrange a safe and well-adjusted alteration of +the law as to political power, the man who shall attain that +object, and who shall see his purpose carried onward to its +consequences in a more just arrangement of the provisions of +other laws bearing upon the condition and welfare of women, will, +in my opinion, be a real benefactor to his country. [Cheers.] </p></blockquote> + +<p>In another portion of his speech Mr. Gladstone said that the +personal attendance of women in election proceedings, until the +principle of secret voting should be adopted, was in his eyes an +objection of the greatest force—thus giving reason to believe that +as soon as vote by ballot was secured, this objection would be +removed. Mr. Gladstone did not on this occasion vote against the +bill, but left the House without voting.</p> + +<p>In 1872, our indefatigable leader again moved the second reading of +the bill on the 4th of May. His speech was calm and masterly, and +he was ably supported, but the division remained much the same; 143 +for the bill and 222 against it. This year the Scotch Education +bill was passed, which extended the voting of women and their +election on school-boards to Scotland; thus the principle of direct +representation on a matter so important as national education was +recognized. The Ballot act also, which at once rendered elections +orderly and safe, henceforth gave increased security and comfort to +women who were voting in municipal elections.</p> + +<p>In this year a new committee was established in London called the +Central committee, to which all other branches of the society<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_852" id="Page_852">[Pg 852]</a></span> had +the right of appointing delegates, and the movement received +thereby a considerable increase of strength and solidity.<a name="FNanchor_543_543" id="FNanchor_543_543"></a><a href="#Footnote_543_543" class="fnanchor">[543]</a></p> + +<p>Meantime each branch of the society was working away indefatigably. +During 1871, the <i>Suffrage Journal</i> recorded 135 public meetings, +and during 1872, 104 in England and 63 in Scotland. The work in +Scotland was chiefly carried on in the way of lectures by Miss Jane +Taylour, who during these early years of the movement was an +untiring and spirited pioneer, Miss Agnes McLaren often +accompanying her and helping her to organize the meetings.</p> + +<p>We must not omit to mention Mary Burton (sister of John Hill Burton +the historiographer of Scotland), who was also one of the most +energetic workers of the Edinburgh committee, especially in the +north of Scotland; and Mrs. Dick Lauder who had the courage to free +herself from the opinions in which she had been educated, and with +much sacrifice devoted herself to the work. Space fails us fitly to +record the indomitable efforts of Eliza Wigham, one of the +honorable secretaries of the Edinburgh committee. In England, Mrs. +Ronniger organized and spoke at many meetings, as did Mrs. Fawcett, +Miss Rhoda Garrett, Miss Becker, Miss Craigen and, less frequently, +Mrs. Josephine Butler, Lady Amberley, Miss Annie Young and others. +Mrs. Grote, wife of the historian and herself a well-known author, +took part in one meeting held in Hanover Square rooms, London, on +March 26, 1870. Mrs. Grote was then upwards of seventy years of +age. Rising with great majesty, she spoke with all the weight that +age, ability and experience could give, greatly impressing her +audience. Miss Helen Taylor, step-daughter of John Stuart Mill, +also made her maiden speech at this meeting; it was delivered with +much grace, excellent in thought as in manner.</p> + +<p>Many additional local committees were established, and good work +was done by familiarizing the public mind with the principles of +the association. Ward meetings were held in which the women +burgesses and municipal voters were assembled, and while the +responsibilities of the vote they already possessed were pointed +out to them, attention was called to the prior importance of the +vote which was withheld from them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_853" id="Page_853">[Pg 853]</a></span></p> + +<p>In 1873, for the fourth time, our unwearied champion, Mr. Jacob +Bright, brought forward his bill. This time the second reading was +fixed for April 30. He was supported in the debate by Mr. Eastwick, +Sergeant Sherlock, Lord John Manners, Mr. Fawcett, Mr. Heron, Mr. +Henley, and Sir J. Trelawny. While all these gentlemen deserved our +thanks for the able assistance they rendered the cause, the speech +of Mr. Henley, Conservative member for Oxfordshire, so old a member +that he was styled the "Father of the House," excited special +attention. He said he had once felt considerable doubt and dislike +of the measure, but after careful watching of the way in which +women gave the local votes, he had come to the conclusion that an +extension of the principle would be useful. The votes in favor of +the bill increased at this debate to 155 (with tellers and pairs +172), a larger number than had ever before been obtained, while the +opposition remained stationary.</p> + +<p>Along with the petitions of this year were two memorials signed by +upwards of 11,000 women, and presented to Mr. Gladstone and Mr. +Disraeli. Every English county, with the exception of the smallest, +Rutland, and most large towns sent representative signatures. An +effort was made this session by Mr. William Johnston, the member +for Belfast, to introduce amendments into the Irish Municipal bill, +which would have had the effect of extending the municipal +franchise to Irish women householders. But the bill was withdrawn, +and similar efforts made in subsequent years have met with the like +fate.</p> + +<p>This year the death of Mr. John Stuart Mill saddened the hearts of +all. He will never be forgotten as the first man who carried this +question into the arena of practical politics and gave it the +weight of an honored name. The strength and vitality of the +movement were further tested by a disaster which threatened to do +it a lasting injury. The general election took place early in the +spring of 1874, and to the regret and consternation of the friends +of equal suffrage, their able and devoted leader, Mr. Jacob Bright, +lost his seat for Manchester—a loss in a great degree attributable +to his unshrinking advocacy of an unpopular question. Never did his +clients, for whom he had sacrificed so much, feel so deeply the +need of the power which the franchise would have given them to keep +so good a friend in the House of Commons. Not only was Mr. Bright +defeated, but Mr. Eastwick, the friend who had always seconded the +bill, also lost his seat with about<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_854" id="Page_854">[Pg 854]</a></span> seventy others of our +supporters. We were thus compelled to look around for fresh +leaders. The task of bringing in a bill was accepted by Mr. +Forsyth, the Conservative member for Marylebone, one of the London +boroughs; with him were associated Mr. Stansfeld, Mr. Russell +Gurney and Sir R. Anstruther, men differing widely on matters of +party politics. The bill was introduced early in the session, but +no day was found for it, and in the middle of July it was +withdrawn. Considerable discussion was excited by the unexpected +action of Mr. Forsyth, who on his own responsibility inserted in +the bill an additional clause by which married women were +especially excluded from its operation. Although the insertion of +this clause would probably have made no difference, the bulk of +legal opinion being that under the law of coverture, married women +even when possessed of property are not "qualified persons," yet +the society joined in requesting that this additional clause should +be dropped and the original form of the bill adhered to.</p> + +<p>Memorials, signed by upwards of 18,000 women headed by Florence +Nightingale, Harriet Martineau, Lady Anna Gore Langton (sister of +the Duke of Buckingham), Frances Power Cobbe, Anna Swanwick, were +again this year forwarded to Mr. Disraeli and Mr. Gladstone. An +important memorial was also forwarded from a large conference held +in Birmingham in January, which represents very accurately the +special aspects of the question in England. The president of the +conference was Mrs. William Taylor, sister-in-law of Mr. Peter A. +Taylor, M. P.:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p class="hang"><i>To the Right Honorable William Ewart Gladstone, M. P., First +Lord of Her Majesty's Treasury:</i></p> + +<p>The memorial of members and friends of the National Society for +Women's Suffrage, in conference assembled at Birmingham, January +22, 1874, showeth, that your memorialists earnestly desire to +urge on the attention of her majesty's government the justice and +expediency of abolishing the disability which precludes women, +otherwise legally qualified, from voting in the election of +members of parliament.</p> + +<p>They submit that the disability is anomalous, inasmuch as it +exists only in respect to the parliamentary franchise. The +electoral rights of women have been from time immemorial equal +and similar to those of men in parochial and other ancient +franchises, and in the year 1869 a measure was passed, with the +sanction of the administration of which you are the head, +restoring and confirming the rights of women ratepayers to the +exercise of the municipal franchise.</p> + +<p>The electoral disability is further anomalous, because by the law +and constitution of this realm, women are not disabled from the +exercise of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_855" id="Page_855">[Pg 855]</a></span> political power. Writs, returning members to serve +in the House of Commons, signed by women as electors or returning +officers, are now in existence, and the validity of such returns +has never been disputed. Women who were heirs to peerages and +other dignities exercised judicial jurisdiction and enjoyed other +privileges appertaining to such offices and lordships without +disability of sex. The highest political function known to the +constitution may be exercised by a woman. The principle that +women may have political power is coëval with the British +constitution. On the other hand the practice of women taking part +in voting at popular elections is equally ancient in date, and +has been restored and extended by the action of the present +parliament. Your memorialists therefore submit that to bring the +existing principle and practice into harmony by removing the +disability which prevents women who vote in local elections from +voting in the election of members of parliament, would be a step +in the natural process of development by which institutions, +while retaining the strength and authority derived from the +traditions of the past, and preserving the continuity of the +national life, continually undergo such modifications as are +needed in order to adapt them to the exigencies of the age and +the changed conditions of modern life.</p> + +<p>They also submit that the old laws regulating the qualifications +of electors do not limit the franchise to male persons; that the +laws under which women exercised the parochial franchise were +couched in the same general terms as those regulating the +parliamentary suffrage, and that while the latter were not +expressly limited to men, the former were not expressly extended +to women. There is, therefore, a strong presumption that the +exclusion of women from the parliamentary suffrage was an +infringement on their ancient constitutional rights, rendered +possible in a barbarous age by the comparative weakness and +smallness of the number of persons affected by it, and continued +until the exclusion had become customary. The franchise of women +in local elections has been from time to time under judicial +consideration, and their right to take part in such elections has +been repeatedly confirmed by the judges. During the arguments in +these cases, the question of their right to vote in the election +of members of parliament was frequently mooted and conflicting +opinions thereon incidently expressed by various judges, but the +matter was never judicially decided, and no authoritative +judgment was ever given against the right until the year 1868, +after the passing of two modern acts of parliament in 1832 and +1867, the former of which for the first time in English history, +in terms, limited the franchise created by it to every "male +person," and the latter to every "man" qualified under its +provisions. Your memorialists submit that had the question of the +right of women to vote in the election of members of parliament +been raised in the law courts under the old statutes which +contain no reference to sex, and before the passing of the +limiting acts of 1832 and 1867, that the precedents which had +determined the right in their favor in the construction of the +law as to local government must have been held to apply to the +case of qualified freeholders or others who claimed the right as +regards parliamentary government.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_856" id="Page_856">[Pg 856]</a></span></p> + +<p>They submit also, that even after these limiting acts, women had +reasonable grounds for claiming the suffrage under the existing +law. There is an act of parliament which declares that "in all +acts, words importing the masculine gender shall be deemed and +taken to include females, ... unless the contrary is <i>expressly +provided</i>." The act of 1867 contained clauses imposing personal +liabilities and pecuniary burdens on certain classes of +ratepayers. In these clauses, as in the enfranchising clauses, +and throughout the act, words importing the masculine gender were +alone used. No provision was made that these words should not +include females. Accordingly in enforcing the act the extra +liabilities and burdens were imposed on women ratepayers, to many +of whom they caused grievous hardship. There was, therefore, +reason to expect that the enfranchising clauses would bear the +same interpretation, inasmuch as they were confessedly offered as +an equivalent for the increased liabilities. But when the women +who had been subjected to the liabilities claimed their votes, +they found that words importing the masculine gender were held to +include women in the clauses imposing burdens, and to exclude +them in the clauses conferring privileges, in one and the same +act of parliament.</p> + +<p>This kind of injustice was shown in a marked manner in the case +of certain women ratepayers of Bridgewater, who, in a memorial +addressed to you in 1871, set forth the grievance of most heavy +and unjust taxation which was levied on them, in common with the +other householders of that disfranchised borough, for the payment +of a prolonged commission respecting political bribery. The +memorialists felt it to be unjust and oppressive, inasmuch as, +not exercising the franchise nor being in any way directly or +indirectly concerned in the malpractices which led to the +commission, they were nevertheless required to pay not less than +three shillings in the pound according to their rental. To that +memorial you caused a reply to be sent through Mr. Secretary +Bruce, stating that "it was not in the power of the secretary of +State to exempt women owning or occupying property from the local +and imperial taxation to which that property is liable." While +fully admitting this, your memorialists beg to represent that it +is in the power of the legislature to secure to women the vote +which their property would confer, along with its liability to +local and imperial taxation, were it owned or occupied by men.</p> + +<p>They submit that this concession has recently been granted in +respect to local taxation, and that if justice demands that Women +should have a voice in controlling the municipal expenditure to +which their property contributes, justice yet more urgently +demands that they should have a voice in controlling the imperial +expenditure to which the same property is liable. The local +expenditure of the country amounts to about £30,000,000, the +imperial expenditure to about £70,000,000 annually; if, +therefore, the matter be regarded as one of taxation only, the +latter vote is of more importance than the former. Local +government deals with men and women alike, and knows no +distinction between male and female ratepayers. But imperial +government deals with men and women on different principles, and +in such a manner that whenever there is any distinction made in +the rights, privileges and protection accorded to them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_857" id="Page_857">[Pg 857]</a></span> +respectively, the difference is always against women and in favor +of men. They believe this state of things is a natural result of +the exclusion of women from representation, and it will be found +impracticable to amend it until women are admitted to a share in +controlling the legislature.</p> + +<p>By the deprivation of the parliamentary vote, women, in the +purchase or renting of property, obtain less for their money than +men. In a bill which passed the House of Commons last session, +provision was made for the amalgamation in one list of the +municipal and parliamentary registers of electors. In that list +it appeared that the same house, the same rent and the same taxes +conferred on a man the double vote in municipal and parliamentary +government, and on a woman the single vote only, and that the +less honorable and important one. When the occupation of a house +is transferred from a man to a woman, say to the widow of the +former owner, that home loses the privilege of representation in +the imperial government, though its relations with the +taxgatherer continue unaltered. There have been various societies +formed with a view to enable persons to acquire portions of +landed or real property, partly for the sake of the vote attached +to such property. Should a woman purchase or inherit such an +estate, the vote, which has been one important consideration in +determining the value, would be lost through her legal disability +to exercise it.</p> + +<p>The deprivation of the vote is a serious disadvantage to women in +the competition for farms. A case is recorded of one estate in +Suffolk from which seven widows have been ejected, who, if they +had possessed votes, would have been continued as tenants. A +sudden ejection often means ruin to a family that has sunk +capital in the land, and it is only too probable that no day +passes without the occurrence of some such calamity to some +unhappy widow, who, but for the electoral disability, might have +retained the home and the occupation by which she could have +brought up her family in comfort and independence.</p> + +<p>Besides this definite manner in which the electoral disability +injures women farmers, it has a more or less directly injurious +influence on all self-dependent women who maintain themselves and +their families by other than domestic labor. A disability, the +basis of which is the presumed mental or moral incapacity of the +subject of it to form a rational judgment on matters within the +ordinary ken of human intelligence, carries with it a stigma of +inferiority calculated to cause impediment to the entrance on or +successful prosecution of any pursuit demanding recognized +ability and energy. This presumed incapacity is probably the +origin of the general neglect of the education of women, which is +only now beginning to be acknowledged, and the absence of +political power in the neglected class renders it difficult if +not impossible to obtain an adequate share for girls in the +application of educational funds and endowments. So long as women +are specifically excluded from control over their parliamentary +representatives, so long will their interests be postponed to +claims of those who have votes to give; and while parliament +shall continue to declare that the voices of women are unfit to +be taken into account in choosing members of the legislature, the +masses of men<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_858" id="Page_858">[Pg 858]</a></span> will continue to act as if their wishes, opinions +and interests were undeserving of serious consideration.</p> + +<p>It is now nearly two years since you, in your place in the House +of Commons, said that the number of absolutely self-dependent +women is increasing from year to year, and that the progressive +increase in the number of such women is a very serious fact, +because those women are assuming the burdens that belong to men; +and you stated your belief that when they are called upon to +assume those burdens, and to undertake the responsibility of +providing for their own subsistence, they approach the task under +greater difficulties than attach to their more powerful +competitors. Your memorialists therefore ask you to aid women in +overcoming these difficulties, by assisting to place them, +politically at least, on a level with those whom you designate as +"their more powerful competitors."</p> + +<p>One of the greatest hindrances in the path of self-dependent +women is the opposition shown by members of many trades and +professions to women who attempt to engage in them. The medical +and academical authorities of the University of Edinburgh have +successfully crushed the attempt of a small band of female +students to qualify themselves for the medical profession, and +the same spirit of "trades unionism" is rife in the industrial +community. A few months ago the printers of Manchester, learning +that a few girls were practicing type-setting, and endeavoring to +earn a little money thereby, instantly passed a rule ordaining a +strike in the shop of any master printer who should allow type +set up by women to be sent to his machines to be worked. At the +present time, in a manufacturing district in Yorkshire where +there are "broad" and "narrow" looms, at the former of which much +more money can be earned, the men refuse to allow women to work +at the broad looms, though they are quite able to manage them, +because the work is considered too remunerative for women. At +Nottingham there is a particular machine at which very high wages +can be earned, at which women now work, and the men, in order to +drive them out of such profitable employment, have insisted on +the masters taking no more women on, but as those at present +employed leave, supplying their places by men. A master +manufacturer reports: "We have machines which women can manage +quite as well or better than men, yet are they not permitted by a +selfish combination of the strong against the weak." These are +only samples of the cases that are constantly occurring of +successful attempts to drive women out of remunerative +occupations. Your memorialists submit that women would be more +able to resist such attempts if they had the protection of the +suffrage; and that men would be less likely to be thus aggressive +and oppressive if they had learned to regard women as their +political equals.</p> + +<p>Besides the restrictions on the industrial liberties of women +effected by combinations of men, there are existing and proposed +legislative restrictions from which men are exempt, and which +exercise a powerful influence on the market for their labor. For +the coming session we have the proposal further to limit their +hours of paid labor in factories, and to place other restrictions +on their labor in shops; also a proposition to place<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_859" id="Page_859">[Pg 859]</a></span> married +women on the footing of half-timers. Without here expressing any +opinion as to the wisdom of these proposals, we urge that members +of the House of Commons would be more capable of dealing with +them in a just and appreciative spirit if they were responsible +for their votes to the persons whose interests are directly +concerned and whose liberties they are asked to curtail; and, +further, that it is a grave question how far it is safe to trust +the industrial interests of women, as a class, to the +irresponsible control of the men who have manifested to +individuals and to sections of working women the spirit indicated +by the examples we have cited.</p> + +<p>In the same speech you spoke of a state of the law in which the +balance is generally cast too much against women and too much in +favor of men. Since you directed your attention to this matter, +you have not been able either to introduce or to assist others +who have introduced measures to ameliorate the state of the law +respecting women, and such proposals have been unable to win +consideration from parliament. Your memorialists cannot believe +that this neglect has arisen from want of a desire on your part +to deal with the grievances under which you have admitted that +your countrywomen suffer; they are therefore led to the +conclusion that you have been unable to take into consideration +the affairs of an unrepresented class, owing to the preoccupation +of parliament with the concerns of those to whom it is directly +responsible.</p> + +<p>You stated that "the question was, to devise a method of enabling +women to exercise a sensible influence, without undertaking +personal functions and exposing themselves to personal +obligations inconsistent with the fundamental particulars of +their condition as women," and that the objection to the personal +attendance of women at elections was in your mind an objection of +the greatest force. They respectfully submit that the exercise of +the municipal franchise involves the personal attendance of women +at the polls, and that since your words were uttered changes have +been effected which render the process of voting absolutely +identical for municipal and parliamentary elections, and the +whole proceeding perfectly decorous and orderly. Experience has +proved that women can vote at municipal elections without +prejudice to the fundamental particulars of their condition as +women, whatever these may be; and this experience shows that they +may vote in parliamentary elections without the smallest personal +prejudice or inconvenience. The school-board elections have also +shown that women can appeal to large constituencies and go +through the ordeal of public meetings, addresses and questions +from electors, to which men must submit who seek the suffrages of +a great community, without any sacrifice of womanly dignity, or +of the respect and consideration accorded to their position and +their sex. They therefore submit that events have obviated the +objections you entertained in 1871 to the proposal to give +representation to women, and that the course taken by the +administration over which you preside in assenting to the +extension of the municipal and school-board franchise to them; in +calling them to the public functions of candidates and members of +school-boards; and lastly, of securing the passing of a law which +renders the process of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_860" id="Page_860">[Pg 860]</a></span> voting silent and secret, have taken away +all reasonable grounds for objecting on the score of practical +inconvenience to the admission of women to the exercise of a +vote, which they would have to give in precisely the same manner, +but not nearly so often, as those votes which they already +deliver.</p> + +<p>It has been said that there is neither desire nor demand for the +measure, and further, that women do not care for and would not +use the suffrage if they possessed it. But the demand for the +parliamentary franchise is enormously greater than was the demand +for the municipal franchise, and for the school-board franchise +there was no apparent call. Yet these two measures were passed +purely on their own merits, and it was not held to be necessary +to impose on their promoters, over and above the obligation to +make out their case, the condition that a majority of the women +of England or of a particular district should petition for the +proposed boon. Experience proved the wisdom and justice of this +course, for although women throughout the country had taken no +active part in agitating for the municipal franchise, no sooner +was the privilege accorded than they freely availed themselves of +it, and statistics obtained from some of the largest boroughs in +the kingdom show that from the first year that women possessed +the suffrage, they have voted in about equal proportion with men +to the number of each on the register. The parliamentary vote is +more honorable and important than the municipal vote; it is, +therefore, safe to conclude that women who value and use the +latter will appreciate and exercise the former as soon as it +shall be bestowed upon them. Your memorialists submit that great +injustice and injury are done by debarring these women from a +voting power which there is such strong presumptive ground for +believing that they would freely exercise but for the legal +restraint.</p> + +<p>Your memorialists are especially moved to call your attention to +the urgency of the claim at the present time, when a bill +extending the application of the principle of household suffrage +is about to be proposed to parliament, which bill received last +year such expressions of approval from members of her majesty's +government as to lead to the belief that they are willing to take +the proposal into serious consideration. They submit that the +claim and the need for representation of women householders are +even more pressing than that of agricultural laborers. The +grievances under which women suffer are equally great, and the +demand for the franchise has been pressed by a much greater +number of women and for a much longer period of time than in the +case of county householders now excluded. The number of persons +who petitioned last session for the County Franchise bill and for +the Women's Disabilities bill respectively were, for the former, +1,889, and for the latter, 329,206. The latter bill has received +most influential support from both sides of the House, and more +votes have been recorded in its favor than have been given for +any bill not directly supported as a party measure by one or +other of the great parties in the State. Under these +circumstances your memorialists earnestly request that you will +use your influence as leader of the House of Commons and of the +government to secure the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_861" id="Page_861">[Pg 861]</a></span> passing of the bill introduced by Mr. +Jacob Bright, either as a substantive enactment, or as an +integral portion of the next measure that shall be passed dealing +with the question of the representation of the people.</p> + +<p>Signed on behalf of the conference,</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"> +<span class="smcap">Caroline M. Taylor</span>, <i>President</i>.</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The first vote that was given by the new parliament was on April 7, +1875, Mr. Forsyth having moved the second reading in an able +speech. It at once became manifest that the question had made great +progress in the country. In spite of the loss of the seventy +friends at the preceding general election, our strength in the new +parliament had greatly increased. Including tellers and pairs, 170 +voted for the bill, and only 250 against. This result appears to +have alarmed our opponents, who proceeded to form an association of +peers, members of parliament and other influential persons, to +resist the claims of women to the suffrage. They issued a circular +which will be read by future generations with a smile of +amazement.<a name="FNanchor_544_544" id="FNanchor_544_544"></a><a href="#Footnote_544_544" class="fnanchor">[544]</a></p> + +<p>It may have been partly owing to the influence of this association +that the next year, when Mr. Forsyth again brought forward his +bill, April 26, 1876, although the numbers of our friends and +supporters remained undiminished, the opponents had considerably +increased. This was due, also, no doubt, in great degree to the +unexpected attitude taken on this question by the Right Hon. John +Bright, the most powerful living advocate for freedom and +representative government. In Mr. Mill's division of 1867, Mr. +Bright had voted in favor of the measure, and while his brother had +charge of the bill, he had never opposed it. His opposition speech +in this debate, therefore, caused extreme disappointment and +discouragement. It had little of the force which had always +characterized his pleas for political justice. The most eloquent +voice in the House of Commons lost its magic power when no longer +inspired by truth. The women in the gallery listened with sorrowful +hearts. Though they knew<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_862" id="Page_862">[Pg 862]</a></span> Mr. Bright's opinion could not block the +wheels of progress, yet they felt intense regret that so honored a +friend to freedom should abandon his most cherished principles when +applied to women.</p> + +<p>The parliamentary history of the next few years may be very briefly +recorded. In 1877 the bill had again passed into the hands of our +beloved leader, Mr. Jacob Bright, who had resumed his place in the +House of Commons, as member of parliament for Manchester. After a +debate of great interest, and while our advocate, Mr. Leonard +Courtney, was speaking, the opponents of the measure burst into a +tumultuous uproar, which effectually drowned his voice. This new +method of setting up shouts and howls in place of arguments, has +since been brought to bear on more than one public question, but it +was then comparatively novel. Mr. Courtney, nothing daunted, would +not give way, and when six o'clock, which is the hour for closing +the debates on Wednesday, struck, it was no longer possible to take +a division.</p> + +<p>The following year, 1878, Mr. Jacob Bright was unable from failing +health to continue in charge of the bill in the House of Commons, +and a deputation of members from each society waited on Mr. +Courtney and placed it in his hands. June 19, was set for the +second reading. In his speech Mr. Courtney dwelt on the benefits +that may accrue to women from representation. He added:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The political reasons for granting the prayer of the bill appear +to me to be undeniable, but I confess they are not the reasons +why I most strongly support it. I believe it will develop a +fuller, freer and nobler character in women by admitting them +into the sphere of political thought and duty. Some may say, "But +what is to be the end?" I do not know that we are always bound to +see the goal towards which we are moving. If we are moving on +right principles; if we are actuated by a feeling of justice; if +the hand that moves above us and leads us on is a hand in which +we can place implicit confidence,—then I say, trust to that +light, follow that hand, without fear of the future. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The bill was again lost by 219 votes against 140, thus showing a +smaller adverse majority than on the last division. This year Mr. +Russell Gurney died. His name will always be associated with the +women's suffrage movement, which he had supported ever since Mr. +Mill's division in 1867. The death of Lady Anna Gore Langton about +this time was also a severe loss.</p> + +<p>The last time that the question was brought before that parliament +was the following summer, 1870. Mr. Courtney, after<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_863" id="Page_863">[Pg 863]</a></span> taking counsel +with his parliamentary friends, made an important change in the +conduct of his measure. It had hitherto been brought forward as a +bill, which, if passed, would have made the actual change desired +in the law; as the parliament was now verging towards its close, it +was thought wiser to test the opinion of the House by bringing the +question forward in the form of a resolution. Two purposes were +served by this change: one was that many men who were in favor of +the principle of women's suffrage had objected to it when brought +forward as an isolated measure of reform involving a large addition +to the constituency, and possibly therefore a new election; the +other was, that the time for discussion of a private member's bill +is very limited. On Wednesdays, when such bills come on, the House +only sits in the morning, and the debate must be concluded at a +quarter before six, while the forms of the House afford greater +facilities for discussing and voting upon motions. Mr. Courtney in +a clear and exhaustive speech moved his resolution as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>That in the opinion of this House it is injurious to the best +interests of the country that women who are entitled to vote in +municipal, parochial and school-board elections when possessed of +the statutory qualifications, should be disabled from voting in +parliamentary elections, although possessed of the statutory +qualifications, and that it is expedient that this disability +should be forthwith repealed. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The debate was animated, but the result on division was much the +same as before: 113 (including tellers and pairs, 144) voting for +it, and 217 (with tellers and pairs, 248) against it. Thus closed +the ninth parliament of Victoria, as far as women's suffrage was +concerned.</p> + +<p>The steady perseverance and unflagging courage of the devoted band +of men and women had achieved victories at many points along the +line of attack.<a name="FNanchor_545_545" id="FNanchor_545_545"></a><a href="#Footnote_545_545" class="fnanchor">[545]</a> Every suffrage meeting<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_864" id="Page_864">[Pg 864]</a></span> was the means of +gaining converts. The agitation for the suffrage kept the memory of +women's wrongs and grievances fresh before the public mind. These +years saw the medical profession legally thrown open to women, and +facilities given them in school and hospital for obtaining that +education which had been hitherto sought abroad. Pharmacy no longer +excluded them. London University opened its gates. The Irish +Intermediate Education bill, in 1878, which was originally +introduced for boys only, was, after several energetic discussions, +widened, so as to include girls. Women began to be elected as +poor-law guardians. A Scotch Married Women's Property bill was +passed, which was a great improvement on the former law. A +Matrimonial Causes Amendment act was also carried, which enables +magistrates to grant a judicial separation to wives who are +brutally treated, along with a maintenance for their children. Some +of our friends regretted that these side issues should absorb the +time of those who might otherwise have been working exclusively for +suffrage; but this was a short-sighted fear. By broadening the +basis of work, by asking simultaneously for better laws, better +education, better employments and wider fields of usefulness, the +sympathies of more women were engaged; while underlying and +supporting all was the steady agitation for the suffrage with its +compact organization of committees, meetings, publications and +petitions which kept parliament awake to the fact that though still +disfranchised, women had claims which it could not afford to +ignore.</p> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 315px;"> +<a name="v3_864" id="v3_864"> +<img src="images/v3_864.jpg" width="315" height="500" alt="Priscilla Bright McLaren" title="" /></a> +</div> + + +<p>This was a time when the agitation for the suffrage had apparently +reached a stationary condition, neither advancing nor receding, in +which it was destined to remain for some years longer. Other +causes, as the abolition of West Indian slavery and the corn laws, +have had a similar period of apparent torpor succeeding the first +activity. Justin McCarthy in his "History of our own Times," says:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_865" id="Page_865">[Pg 865]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>This is, from whatever cause, a very common phenomenon in our +political history. A movement which began with the promise of +sweeping all before it, seems to lose all its force, and is +supposed by many observers to be now only the care of a few +earnest and fanatical men. Suddenly it is taken up by a minister +of commanding influence, and the bore or the crotchet of one +parliament is the great party controversy of a second, and the +accomplished triumph of a third. </p></blockquote> + +<p>During the year of 1879, it was thought desirable to ascertain by +some practical test what were the various reasons which caused +thinking women to wish for the suffrage; and letters were addressed +to ladies who were eminent either in literature or art, or who were +following scientific or professional careers, or were engaged in +any form of philanthropic work. The answers that were returned were +collected into a pamphlet of exceeding interest, which was sent to +each member before the debate, and it was amazing to watch from the +gallery how the little green pamphlet was consulted and quoted +from, in the most opposite quarters of the House, by friends who +sought fresh arguments from it or by enemies who were looking for +some sentence on which to base a sarcasm.<a name="FNanchor_546_546" id="FNanchor_546_546"></a><a href="#Footnote_546_546" class="fnanchor">[546]</a></p> + +<p>As a specimen of these letters Miss Frances Power Cobbe said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>So far from the truth is the reiterated statement of certain +honorable members of parliament that women do not desire the +franchise, that in my large experience I have scarcely ever known +a woman possessed of ordinary common sense, and who had lived +some years alone in the world, who did not earnestly wish for it. +The women who gratify these gentlemen by smilingly deprecating +any such responsibilities, are those who have dwelt since they +were born in well-feathered nests, and have never needed to do +anything but open their soft beaks for the choicest little grubs +to be dropped into them. It is utterly absurd (and I am afraid +the members of parliament in question are quite aware they are +talking nonsense) to argue from the contented squawks of a brood +of these callow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_866" id="Page_866">[Pg 866]</a></span> creatures, that full grown swallows and larks +have no need of wings, and are always happiest when their pinions +are broken. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The production of this pamphlet marked an era in women's suffrage +literature. It was impossible after this to doubt that a large body +of thinking women, not the queens of society, but the women who +wrote, read, thought, or worked, were in favor of having full +admission to political rights and responsibilities.</p> + +<p>The chief work of the society had now crystallized into five or six +great centres. Edinburgh, under the presidency of Mrs. McLaren, +assisted by Miss Wigham and Miss Kirkland, treasurer and secretary, +was the recognized centre of activity for Scotland. In Ireland +there was a committee in Dublin, of which Mrs. Haslam is the most +active member; and the North of Ireland Committee, led by Miss +Isabella Tod.<a name="FNanchor_547_547" id="FNanchor_547_547"></a><a href="#Footnote_547_547" class="fnanchor">[547]</a> The three principal associations in England were +those of London,<a name="FNanchor_548_548" id="FNanchor_548_548"></a><a href="#Footnote_548_548" class="fnanchor">[548]</a> including the east and north-east counties; +Manchester,<a name="FNanchor_549_549" id="FNanchor_549_549"></a><a href="#Footnote_549_549" class="fnanchor">[549]</a> taking charge of the north of England and Wales, +and Bristol<a name="FNanchor_550_550" id="FNanchor_550_550"></a><a href="#Footnote_550_550" class="fnanchor">[550]</a> looking after the West. The officers of the +several committees of the three kingdoms form a National Central +Committee which has its headquarters in London and superintends all +of the work bearing specially upon the action of parliament.</p> + +<p>Petitions were still sent in, but no longer in such enormous +numbers. It had become evident that parliament cared little for a +long roll of names from the unrepresented classes; they were now +chiefly collected as a means of discovering how public opinion +stood in any particular district. For instance, in 1879, a petition +was sent from 1,447 women householders of Leicester. The total +number of women householders in this town was 2,610, of whom only +1,991 could be applied to, and there is no reason to suppose that +public opinion was more advanced in Leicester than in the majority +of large manufacturing towns.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_867" id="Page_867">[Pg 867]</a></span></p> + +<p>The municipal elections occur in England every November, and our +custom in some towns was to call meetings of the women householders +in every ward in which there was a contest, to explain to them the +responsibilities resting upon the voters, and after an earnest +address from some one of the ladies, to invite the respective +candidates to speak. By these means not only was the interest of +the women awakened in local politics, but the candidates themselves +were reminded of the interests of an important section of their +constituencies.</p> + +<p>With the beginning of 1880, came again the promise of a reform +bill. The majority of the Liberal members of the House of Commons +had pledged themselves to their constituents in its favor. But as +our enemies were still reiterating that women themselves did not +care for the franchise, some further proof of their sympathy was in +order. The first great demonstration in favor of women was held in +Free Trade Hall, Manchester, which seats about 5,000 people, +February 3, where women were admitted free, and seats reserved for +men in the gallery at 2s. 6d. each. This arrangement was adopted to +make it a meeting of women. One hundred gentlemen were present +besides the reporters.</p> + +<p>The purpose of the demonstration had been explained at preliminary +ward meetings to which men and women came in crowds. On the night +in question the scene exceeded the most sanguine expectations. +Those who had witnessed the great free trade gatherings which +assembled to hear Charles Villiers, Richard Cobden and John Bright, +never saw a more enthusiastic audience. Mrs. Duncan McLaren of +Edinburgh, who had been invited to preside, took her seat followed +by an array of distinguished women, such as had never before graced +any platform in the history of the three kingdoms, while the vast +area and galleries were crowded with women of wealth and culture; +factory women, shop-keepers and hard toilers of every station were +also there. Some had walked twenty miles to attend that great +meeting. They sat on the steps of the platform, climbed on every +coigne of vantage, stood in dense masses in every aisle and corner. +A large over-flow meeting was also held in the neighboring Memorial +Hall over which Mrs. Lucas presided, but even this could not +accommodate all who came, and thousands went away disappointed. It +was truly a marvelous meeting, grand in its numbers, grand in the +enthusiasm which had brought so many thousands together unattracted +by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_868" id="Page_868">[Pg 868]</a></span> the names of any distinguished speakers, to sympathize with +each other in a great national movement, and to proclaim unity of +action until it was gained; and it was grand also in the +impressiveness of the words that were uttered. The president in her +clear grave tones which were heard in the breathless stillness over +that large assembly, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It seems like a dream. But only a grave reality could have +brought so many women together. Need we wonder that the +beneficent designs of Providence have been so imperfectly carried +out when only one-half the intellect and heart of the nation have +hitherto been called into action, and the powers of the other +half have been almost wholly suppressed? Women are learning along +with good men that politics in the true sense has to do with +human interests at large. </p></blockquote> + +<p>When Mrs. McLaren had concluded, one speaker after another, gave +her special testimony in favor of the necessity of obtaining +representation. The number was so great that no one was allowed +more than ten minutes.<a name="FNanchor_551_551" id="FNanchor_551_551"></a><a href="#Footnote_551_551" class="fnanchor">[551]</a></p> + +<p>This demonstration was quickly followed by others that were every +way as successful. In connection with one at St. James' Hall, +London, over which Viscountess Harberton presided, a procession of +working women marched through the streets with a banner on which +was inscribed "We're far too low to vote the tax; we're not too low +to pay." Here also an overflow meeting was held to accommodate the +numbers that could not be admitted into the hall. On November 4, +the same scene was repeated at the Colston Hall, Bristol, and Mrs. +Beddoe, the wife of a popular physician in that city presided, and +on November 11, the last demonstration of that year was convened in +the Albert Hall, Nottingham, where Mrs. Lucas took the chair. The +following year saw no relaxation in these efforts. The Birmingham +demonstration took place on February 22, 1881. It was a most +inclement night and great fears had been entertained that it would +prove a failure, but nothing had power to keep the crowds of women +away or to lessen their enthusiasm. Mrs. Crosskey, the wife of Dr. +Crosskey, one of the most respected of the Birmingham Liberal +leaders, presided. The next was in St.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_869" id="Page_869">[Pg 869]</a></span> George's Hall, Bradford, on +November 22, and here again Mrs. McLaren took the chair, and said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We are here to-night in the spirit of self-sacrifice. We have had +our sorrows in working on this question. We are here because we +know there are on our statute books unjust laws which subject +many women to sorrow and suffering, and the fact that we have +worked our way to such a platform proves that women are capable +of holding a political position, and ought to have a voice in our +national affairs. We cannot rest contented under the +consciousness of injustice because there are women who accept it +as their natural condition. We feel it our duty to arouse our sex +everywhere to a sense of their high destiny. The inspiration for +this work has come from a higher source than ourselves, and we +have had often to feel that God does not leave his children to +fight their battles alone. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1882 there were two more demonstrations. The first was in Albert +Hall, Sheffield, on February 27, Lady Harberton presiding, and it +was crowded to overflowing with women of all ranks and conditions +of society. The demonstration at Glasgow was on November 3, and no +way inferior to the other in brilliancy and interest.<a name="FNanchor_552_552" id="FNanchor_552_552"></a><a href="#Footnote_552_552" class="fnanchor">[552]</a></p> + +<p>These demonstrations conclusively proved that the suffrage is +desired, not only by a few educated women, the leaders of the +movement, but by the great masses of the hard-working women. They +proved also woman's political capacity and organizing power. No +body of persons could possibly do more to manifest their desire for +political liberty than the women who have organized and attended +these demonstrations. So far as I am aware no such meetings have +been attempted by the agricultural laborers over whose +enfranchisement the House of Commons has been so deeply exercised, +and though the absence of interest which these classes of men have +as a whole shown in the question of the franchise is no argument +for depriving them of it, the political knowledge and aspirations +that women have shown for more than fifteen years ought to count +for something in establishing their claim.</p> + +<p>The session of 1880 was broken, and the dissolution of parliament +in March, the general election which followed, the change in the +government and the consequent press of public affairs,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_870" id="Page_870">[Pg 870]</a></span> made it +impossible to bring forward any measure for the suffrage, but the +principle was most splendidly and triumphantly vindicated in the +ancient kingdom of the Isle of Man which has an independent +government dating from the time of its first colonization under the +vikings. It has in modern times its elective house which is called +the House of Keys and is equivalent to the Commons. Its Upper House +consists of the attorney-general, the clerk of the rolls, the +bishop, two judges (or deemsters) and other officials. It enacts +its own laws and imposes its own taxes, but is subject to imperial +control by requiring the sanction of the queen before any law can +come into effect. Some few years ago the franchise was felt to be +too restricted, and a movement was set on foot which culminated in +1880 in a bill to extend the franchise to every male person who was +a householder. Mr. Richard Sherwood, who five years previously had +brought forward a similar motion, moved an amendment to omit the +word "male" for the purpose of extending the franchise to women who +possessed the requisite qualification, which was carried by 16 to +3, a vote of two-thirds of the whole body of the House of Keys. It +then went before the Council which refused the franchise to female +occupiers and lodgers, though agreeing to give it to all female +owners of real estate of £4 annual value. Thus modified the bill +was sent back to the House of Keys which gave up the lodger +franchise but adhered to that for occupiers. The bill thus altered +was again sent back to the Council and again returned with a +message that the Council refused to come to an agreement. The Keys +then proposed a compromise, limiting the qualification to woman +occupiers of £20 a year. This again was refused, and the Council +were prepared to reject the bill altogether. Sooner than lose the +whole, the Keys assented, signing, however, a protest in which they +stated that they had complied simply to secure a part of a just +principle rather than lose the whole. The act was signed by the +governor, the Keys and the Council on December 21, received the +royal assent on January 5, 1881, and was immediately afterwards, +according to ancient custom, proclaimed as law on the Tynwald Hill.</p> + +<p>Fully to estimate this victory, it must be remembered that the vote +thus gained is the complete parliamentary franchise. Though the +total area of the island is so small and though only those women +who were absolutely owners of property were enfranchised, they +numbered about 700. The law came into operation<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_871" id="Page_871">[Pg 871]</a></span> immediately, and +the election began March 21. The women voted in considerable +numbers, and were, as an eye-witness states, without exception +quite intelligent and business like in this procedure. At the +polling stations, the first persons who recorded their votes were +women. We may mention in proof of their political gratitude that in +the district where Mr. Sherwood was one of the candidates, every +woman, whatever her party, voted for his reëlection.</p> + +<p>Just before the opening of parliament in 1881, Mr. Courtney +accepted a position in the administration, which rendered it +impossible for him to continue in charge of any independent +measure. By his advice, application was made to Mr. Hugh Mason, +member for Ashton under Lyme. But the state of public business +during the session never permitted the resolution to be discussed. +The same disappointment occurred in the session of 1882—the +difficulties in Ireland and Egypt occupying the attention of the +government and the country to an extent which almost precluded any +measure of domestic reform. Nevertheless, by constant and arduous +efforts, these two years witnessed the passing of the Municipal +Franchise bill for Scotland.</p> + +<p>The Municipal Franchise act of 1869 applied to English women only. +Early in the session of 1881, Dr. Cameron, member for Glasgow, +introduced a bill to assimilate the position of Scottish women to +that which their English sisters had enjoyed for twelve years. The +bill passed the House of Commons before Easter, and was then +brought forward in the House of Lords by the Earl of Camperdown, +passed May 13, and received the royal assent June 3. This law +applied only to women rate-payers of the royal and parliamentary +burghs, and did not extend to the police burghs, the populous +places endowed with powers of local self-government under the +general Police and Improvement act of 1862. A request was sent to +Mr. Cameron to exert himself for a similar extension of the +franchise to the women of the police burghs, and he answered by +introducing in the following year, 1882, another act which gave to +all women rate-payers the right, not merely of voting at elections +of burgh commissioners, but also of voting with the other +inhabitants as to whether a populous place should be constituted a +police burgh.</p> + +<p>The election under these new measures was in November, 1882, and +then Scottish women voted for the first time, excepting of course +in school-board elections. The result was entirely satisfactory,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_872" id="Page_872">[Pg 872]</a></span> +though the number of women who voted varied greatly—in some places +where no special interest attached to the election none came to +vote, while in others they voted in equal proportion with the men, +and in a few towns nearly every woman whose name was on the +register voted. The passing of these two franchise bills was an +undoubted triumph of the women's suffrage party. As one of the +opponents in the debate of July, 1883, scornfully observed, "Had it +not been for the question of women's suffrage being agitated +throughout the country at the time, we should not have heard a +syllable of the Scottish women's franchise bill," a sneering +admission which we willingly construe into compliment.</p> + +<p>The year 1882 also witnessed the passing of the Married Women's +Property act, whose immense benefits can hardly be estimated, and +we may confidently assert that but for the unceasing agitation of +the friends of women's suffrage, another quarter of a century would +have been suffered to pass without bringing in this tardy measure +of justice.<a name="FNanchor_553_553" id="FNanchor_553_553"></a><a href="#Footnote_553_553" class="fnanchor">[553]</a></p> + +<p>We now come to the session of 1883, inoperative as far as actual +legislation was concerned, but rich in its augury for the future. +Already in April the improved temper of the House on questions in +which women were concerned, had been shown by the brilliant +majority that voted with the Rt. Hon. Mr. Stansfeld for the +suppression of the Contagious Diseases acts which have so long +stained the English statute book. Early in May a memorial to Mr. +Gladstone was signed by 110 Liberal members of parliament, +unconnected with the government, in which they stated:</p> + +<blockquote><p>That in the opinion of your memorialists no measure for the +assimilation of the county and borough franchise will be +satisfactory unless it contain provisions for extending the +suffrage without distinction of sex to all persons who possess +the statutory qualifications for the parliamentary franchise. </p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_873" id="Page_873">[Pg 873]</a></span></p> + +<p>This memorial was a most remarkable manifestation of the support +which members on the Liberal side of the House are pledged to give +to the principle of justice to women. Nor are we wanting in +Conservative support. Sir Stafford Northcote, has always given his +friendly approval to the movement, and has very recently repeated +his assurances of coöperation in answer to a deputation of ladies +who waited on him. After repeated balloting, Mr. Mason obtained a +day, July 6, on which to bring forward his resolution. It was thus +worded:</p> + +<blockquote><p>That in the opinion of this House the parliamentary franchise +should be extended to women who possess the qualifications which +entitle men to vote, and who, in all matters of local government +have the right of voting. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mr. Edward Leatham, also a Liberal, gave notice to oppose the +resolution affirming with a curious liberalism, that "it is +undesirable to change the immemorial basis of the franchise, which +is that men only shall be qualified to elect members to serve in +this House." Thus after a silence of four years, years of apparent +inertia, but really fraught with progress, the debate once again +revived in parliament. Mr. Jacob Bright said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>They have told us women can get what they want without the +franchise. That used to be said of working men—but since they +have had a vote, members in every part of the House have had a +generosity and sympathy and courage in all matters affecting +working men which they never had before. Precisely the same +effect would follow if you gave women the franchise. I admit that +women have gained much without the franchise, and I will tell the +House when that gain began: It began with the introduction of the +question of women's suffrage to the House, and the gain has been +mainly due to the awakening intelligence of women on political +questions owing to the wide-spread agitation and the demand for +women's suffrage. They have gained without the franchise, +municipal votes, school-board votes, the right to sit on +school-boards, the magnificent act of last year—an act which +ought to confer lasting fame on the present lord chancellor—the +Married Women's Property act. And owing to the untiring energy of +the right honorable member for Halifax (Mr. Stansfeld), they have +succeeded in inflicting a blow on an act of parliament<a name="FNanchor_554_554" id="FNanchor_554_554"></a><a href="#Footnote_554_554" class="fnanchor">[554]</a> more +unjust to women than anything which has ever been passed, a blow +from which that act will never recover. These things have been +gained without the franchise. But who will tell me they would not +have gained them sooner, with less heart-breaking labor, if they +had had the political franchise? </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mr. Courtney also addressed the House in stirring words. The result +was most encouraging. Four years had passed since a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_874" id="Page_874">[Pg 874]</a></span> division had +been taken, and the enormous majority against us which in so many +divisions had maintained its strength had dwindled to only 16. A +total of 164, including tellers and pairs supported the resolution +against an opposition of only 180. If the Liberal side of the House +had only been canvassed on this occasion it would have been a +victory, as 119 Liberals voted for it and paired, and only 75 +against it.</p> + +<p>With the close of the session the question was transferred to the +country, and the events of the autumn made it amply evident that +the majority of Liberals were in favor of extending the +parliamentary suffrage to women. A great conference was held in +October at Leeds, where delegates from between 500 and 600 Liberal +organizations were present. Fully 2,000 delegates were present at +the first meeting. After a long discussion upon the coming Reform +bill, the Rev. T. Crosskey, of Birmingham, proposed a rider to the +resolution which would include women's suffrage, as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That, in order to meet the just expectations of the +country, and to fulfill the pledges given at the last general +election, this conference is of opinion that a measure for the +extension of the franchise should confer on householders in the +counties the same electoral rights as those enjoyed by +householders in parliamentary boroughs; <i>and that, in the opinion +of this meeting, any measure for the extension of the suffrage +should confer the franchise upon women, who, possessing the +qualifications which entitle men to vote, have now the right of +voting in all matters of local government</i>. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mr. Walter McLaren seconded Dr. Crosskey in an able speech, and +Miss Jane Cobden (daughter of the late Richard Cobden) who was +sitting on the platform, and who had been appointed delegate from +the Liberal association of Midhurst, supported the resolution. She +begged them, representing as they did the Liberal principles of all +England, to give it their hearty support. This was a continuation +of the struggle in which Liberals had taken part during the last +fifty years, and she trusted they would be true to their +principles.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Helen Bright Clark, the daughter of Mr. John Bright, M. P., +who had been appointed delegate from one of the few Liberal +associations which comprise women among their members, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>There was in this country a considerable and increasing number of +earnest women of strong liberal convictions, who felt keenly the +total exclusion of their sex from the parliamentary suffrage. +Their hope was, of course, in the Liberal party, though all of +its members were not yet converted to true liberalism. The +Liberal women would not rest satisfied until there was throughout +the United Kingdom a real and honest household<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_875" id="Page_875">[Pg 875]</a></span> suffrage. They +knew that they were weak in the cabinet, and they regretted to +know that some of the most eminent leaders of the Liberal party +were not in this matter wholly their friends. These leaders had +fears which she thought the future would show to have been +unfounded. But she could venture to say on behalf of the Liberal +women of England that they were not unmindful of the past, and +were not ungrateful for the services which these men rendered and +were prepared to render to their country. Women were grateful. +They sympathized with the efforts of Liberal statesmen in the +past, and they knew how faithfully and loyally to follow. But +they felt that they must sometimes originate for themselves, and +they dared not blindly and with absolute faith follow any man, +however great or however justly and deeply beloved. Further, she +could say that, with the result of the high political teaching +they had had in the past, they would endeavor faithfully, +intelligently and with what ability was given to them, to uphold +those great principles of justice, and trust in the people which +she believed had made the Liberal party what it was, and which +alone were capable of lifting it to the highest triumphs in the +future. </p></blockquote> + +<p>There were enthusiastic cheers when Mrs. Clark had finished +speaking. The historical interest, the self-evident justice of the +plea brought forward by the daughters of the great reform leaders +on behalf of the continuance of the grand cause of freedom for +which their fathers had so bravely battled, went to the hearts of +the crowded assembly. Delegates who had come determined to vote +against the resolution—the "monstrous political fad," as one of +our opponents in parliament had called it—said, almost with tears +in their eyes, "We can't vote against the daughters of Bright and +Cobden," and when the resolution with the rider was put, a forest +of hands went up in its support, and in that vast crowd there were +only about thirty dissentients. The following evening Miss Jane +Cobden and Mrs. Scatcherd addressed an open-air meeting of 30,000 +men who could not gain access to Victoria Hall, where John Bright +was speaking on the franchise for men, and a unanimous cheer was +given in favor of women's suffrage.</p> + +<p>This was only the beginning of the autumn campaign among the +Liberal associations. The general committee of the Edinburgh United +Liberal Association met on November 16, 1883, in the Oddfellows' +Hall (No. 2), Forrest road, Edinburgh, to consider the questions of +the Local Government Board (Scotland) bill, the equalization of the +burgh and county franchise, and the extension of the parliamentary +vote to women householders. After the two first subjects had been +considered, the following resolution, moved by ex-Bailie Lewis, was +adopted:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That this meeting regards the extension of the +parliamentary franchise to female householders as just and +reasonable, and would hail with satisfaction the introduction<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_876" id="Page_876">[Pg 876]</a></span> of +a government measure which would confer the parliamentary +franchise upon all female householders, whether resident in +counties or burghs. </p></blockquote> + +<p>November 21, a meeting of the general council of the Manchester +Liberal Association was held in the Memorial Hall to consider the +resolutions passed at the Leeds conference. Mr. J. A. Beith +presided. Mr. J. W. Southern moved the following resolution:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That in order to meet the just expectation of the +country and to fulfill the pledges given at the last general +election, this council is of opinion that a measure for the +extension of the franchise should confer on householders and +lodgers in the counties the same electoral rights as those +enjoyed by householders and lodgers in parliamentary boroughs, +and should extend to Ireland the franchise enjoyed by Great +Britain; and that, in the opinion of this meeting, any measure +for the extension of the suffrage should confer the franchise +upon women who, possessing the qualifications which should +entitle men to vote, have now the right of voting in all matters +of local government. </p></blockquote> + +<p>An amendment to strike out the portion relating to women having +been rejected, the resolution was carried unanimously. November 26, +the sixth annual meeting of the National Liberal Association was +held at Bristol. Here also one or two ladies were present as +delegates. After a resolution affirming the urgency of the question +of parliamentary reform had been passed, Mr. Lewis Fry, M. P., +moved:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That in the opinion of this meeting any measure for +the extension of the suffrage should confer the franchise upon +women who, possessing the qualifications which entitle men to +vote, have now the right of voting in all matters of local +government. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The resolution was seconded by Dr. Caldicott, supported in +excellent speeches by Mrs. Walter McLaren and Mrs. Ashworth +Hallett, and carried by a majority of five. Many other Liberal +associations of less importance, during the autumn, affirmed the +principle of women's suffrage. All the political associations in +Ulster, both Conservative and Liberal, either formally or +informally signified their acceptance of the principle. In the +progress of the movement it was very encouraging to see so many +brave women<a name="FNanchor_555_555" id="FNanchor_555_555"></a><a href="#Footnote_555_555" class="fnanchor">[555]</a> of ability crowding our platform, conscientiously +devoting their time, talents and money to this sacred cause, ready +and able to fill the vacant places that time must make in our +ranks.</p> + +<p>The year 1884 opened with good hopes. There was the immediate +prospect of a reform bill, intended so to widen the representation +of the people as to fix it on a satisfactory basis for another<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_877" id="Page_877">[Pg 877]</a></span> +generation at least. The time seemed opportune for the attainment +of women's suffrage. There had been repeated proof that the +majority of the Liberal party in the country admit the justice of +their claims; there were renewed promises of support on the part of +members of parliament of all shades of political opinion. Many +times the claims of women for the franchise have been set aside by +the assertion that so important a privilege could not be granted +till the time came for the general re-settlement of the question. +That time appeared to have come. A considerable extension of the +suffrage was to be granted, so as to include another 2,000,000 of +unenfranchised men; what better time to recognize the claims of +women who already possessed the qualifications of property or +residence which alone in England give the vote? A few persons +expected that the government Reform bill would contain a clause +relating to women, but this expectation was not generally shared. +It was well known that strong differences of opinion existed in the +cabinet which would render it well-nigh impossible for the +government to introduce the question as one of their own; and +though there may have been disappointment, there was no great +surprise when the Franchise bill, on its introduction, was found to +contain no reference to women.</p> + +<p>Meanwhile there had been a change in the leadership of the +movement. Mr. Hugh Mason having intimated his intention to resign +the conduct of the measure, Mr. William Woodall, member of +parliament for Stoke-on-Trent, consented to take charge of it. A +conference of friendly members of parliament was held in the House +of Commons on February 7, and it was then agreed that should the +government Franchise bill not extend to women, an amendment with +the object of including them should be moved at some stage of the +discussion in the House of Commons. Mr. Woodall agreed to take +charge of this amendment.</p> + +<p>On February 28, Mr. Gladstone moved in the House of Commons for +leave to bring in a bill to amend the representation of the people. +The forms of the House did not admit of Mr. Woodall's amendment +being placed on the notice-paper until after the second reading of +the bill, but during the adjourned debate on the second reading he +found an opportunity to announce that he would move his proposed +clause while the House was in committee on the bill. He remarked +that the fundamental principle of the bill as it was described by +the prime minister was to give a vote to every household, but as +there was no provision for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_878" id="Page_878">[Pg 878]</a></span> giving the franchise to such +householders if they happened to be women, he intended to propose +the insertion of a clause to remedy this omission. The clause was:</p> + +<blockquote><p>For all purposes connected with and having reference to the right +of voting in the election of members of parliament, words in the +Representation of the People acts importing the masculine gender +include women. </p></blockquote> + +<p>A careful analysis of the opinions of members of the House of +Commons gave every promise that such an amendment might be +successful. The views of 485 out of the entire number were known, +while 155 had never expressed an opinion, about one-third of these +being new members. Of those whose opinions were known, 249, or a +majority, had expressed themselves in favor of women's suffrage, +236 had expressed themselves against it. The preponderance of +support had hitherto always been among the Liberal ranks, for +though the leaders of the Conservative party had given the +principle their hearty approval, their example had not been +followed by their partisans. It appeared probable therefore that, +if the government held itself neutral on the occasion and permitted +fair play, the amendment would be carried mainly by means of their +own friends.</p> + +<p>During the spring, meetings of considerable importance were held in +the country. The first was at Edinburgh on March 22. It was a +demonstration of women inferior in no respect to those we have had +occasion to chronicle of former years. No more imposing assemblage +for a political object had ever been seen in Edinburgh. The largest +hall in the city—that of the United Presbyterian Synod—was +crowded to the doors, and an overflow meeting was held in the +Presbytery Hall. Banners were hung above the platform and a roll +inscribed with the names of the principal supporters of the +movement was conspicuously displayed.<a name="FNanchor_556_556" id="FNanchor_556_556"></a><a href="#Footnote_556_556" class="fnanchor">[556]</a> Lady Harberton occupied +the chair and was accompanied by the delegates.<a name="FNanchor_557_557" id="FNanchor_557_557"></a><a href="#Footnote_557_557" class="fnanchor">[557]</a> Letters<a name="FNanchor_558_558" id="FNanchor_558_558"></a><a href="#Footnote_558_558" class="fnanchor">[558]</a> +of sympathy were read by Miss Wigham, the secretary.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_879" id="Page_879">[Pg 879]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Lady Harberton</span> said: If our legislators say taxation and +representation should go together, it is right that they should +give expression to this opinion fairly and openly, and at all +times and seasons insist upon it that those women who are +ratepayers and who are in fact heads of households, ought not to +be excluded from the privilege of voting for a member to +represent them in the House of Commons. This is no question of +women usurping the place of men or any trivialities of that kind; +it is a much more serious matter. The exclusion of women from the +right to representation has already led to laws being passed +about them and their interests, that I do not hesitate to call a +disgrace to humanity. [Cheers.] That they are not more commonly +recognized as such is due, I think, to two causes. One thing is +that women of the upper classes, who are usually wealthy, are +able by the aid of money so to hedge themselves around with +barriers to oppose the inconveniences placed upon women by the +laws, that they very often do not feel them so much; while women +of the classes who are not wealthy are so crushed and oppressed +by the working of these laws that they are unable to take the +first step, which is agitation, towards getting them altered or +repealed. [Cheers.] It often seems to me that another reason why +women themselves are not more enthusiastic upon this question of +the franchise is, that from their earliest childhood they are +taught that the first duty of women is unselfishness, the putting +of their own interests and wishes behind those of others. Any +discussion of this great question only brings forth hysterical +clamor that "women should stay at Home"—with a very big "H." +[Laughter and cheers.] Well, I have been examining a little into +the conduct of those ladies who do stay at home so much, and what +do I find? Why, that they rush about and seem like the changing +colors of the kaleidoscope, now collecting at a bazaar, anon +singing at a concert, with no end of publicity [cheers], but as +long as no rational object is promoted by their action, it is all +counted as staying quietly home in the nursery, whether they have +children or not. That is their notion of being "thoroughly +domesticated." [Laughter.] Now, much as I could wish myself that +men had done their duty and agitated for us, in this case it is +an undeniable fact that they have not shown that readiness, I may +say eagerness, to begin that one could have wished; it therefore +changes at once into one of those duties men have not seen their +way to do, and so becomes of necessity women's work. </p></blockquote> + +<p>A series of meetings<a name="FNanchor_559_559" id="FNanchor_559_559"></a><a href="#Footnote_559_559" class="fnanchor">[559]</a> after this was held in Bath, Newcastle +and London.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_880" id="Page_880">[Pg 880]</a></span></p> + +<p>The audiences heartily concurred with the speakers that the time +when a reform bill was before parliament was the fittest and most +opportune moment in which to press forward the claim of women to +representation.</p> + +<p>We may observe once again with pride, how hearty and cheering have +always been the sympathy and assistance that men have rendered to +women in this movement in England. At no time has there been a +possibility of a feeling of bitterness between the sexes or a +conviction that their interests were antagonistic, for the plain +reason that there have always been men working side by side with +women. Our suffrage meetings have been attended and supported by +political leaders, members of parliament, town councils or +prominent movers among the working-class associations. Except in +the great demonstrations, which for special reasons were confined +exclusively to women, our movement has formed part of the ordinary +political life of the country.</p> + +<p>The <i>Suffrage Journal</i> for May contains a very carefully drawn +calculation of the number of women in the United Kingdom who will +probably receive the franchise if the wider qualifications +contained in the present Franchise bill become law. It must be +remembered that there are now 3,330,720 more houses than electors +in the British Isles. In boroughs where household suffrage already +prevails for men, the unrepresented houses should guide us to a +tolerably correct estimate of the number of women householders. We +may say that practically there are 446,000 houses in the boroughs +of England and Wales, whose inhabitant in each case being a woman, +is unrepresented. The proportion varies<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_881" id="Page_881">[Pg 881]</a></span> much in different +localities; in the city of Bath one-fourth the householders are +women. If we calculate that one house in every six in the boroughs +is occupied by a woman, we find that 349,746 is the probable number +to be enfranchised there.</p> + +<p>For the counties there are no means of arriving at so close a +result, but by estimating the proportion of women householders to +be the same as that of women land-owners, or one in seven, we reach +the fairly approximate calculation of 390,434, in the counties. The +same method of calculation applies to Scotland and to Ireland, +where, however, the proportion of woman land-owners is one in +eight.<a name="FNanchor_560_560" id="FNanchor_560_560"></a><a href="#Footnote_560_560" class="fnanchor">[560]</a></p> + +<p>In order to show that the desire for the suffrage was not confined +to any one rank, class or profession of women, a circular was +signed by a large number of ladies and sent to every member of both +houses of parliament. It was as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>: We desire to call your attention to the claim of women who +are heads of households to be included in the operation of the +government Franchise bill.</p> + +<p>Women have continuously presented this claim before parliament +and the country since the Reform bill of 1867. The introduction +of a measure declared by the government to be intended to deal +with the franchise in an exhaustive manner, renders it especially +necessary now to urge it upon the attention of parliament.</p> + +<p>We respectfully represent that the claim of duly qualified women +for admission within the pale of the constitution is fully as +pressing as that of the agricultural laborer, and that the body +of electors who would thereby be added to the constituencies, +would be at least equal in general and political intelligence to +the great body of agricultural and other laborers who are to be +enfranchised by the government bill.</p> + +<p>Among this body would be found women land-owners, who form +one-seventh of the land proprietors of the country; women of +means and position living on their own property; schoolmistresses +and other teachers; women engaged in professional, literary and +artistic pursuits; women farmers, merchants, manufacturers and +shopkeepers; besides large numbers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_882" id="Page_882">[Pg 882]</a></span> of self-supporting women +engaged in industrial occupations. The continued exclusion of so +large a proportion of the property, industry and intelligence of +the country from all representation in the legislature is +injurious to those excluded, and to the community at large.</p> + +<p>Several bills having special reference to the interests and +<i>status</i> of women have been introduced in parliament during the +present session. This affords a powerful reason for the immediate +enfranchisement of women, in order that members of parliament may +have the same sense of responsibility towards the class affected +by them whether dealing with questions relating to women or to +men.</p> + +<p>For these and other reasons we earnestly beg that you will give +your support to the amendment to be introduced by Mr. Woodall in +committee on the Representation of the People bill for including +women householders in its operation. We are, sir, yours +faithfully,<a name="FNanchor_561_561" id="FNanchor_561_561"></a><a href="#Footnote_561_561" class="fnanchor">[561]</a> </p></blockquote> + +<p>In this circular women of all opinions were represented, but a +special circular, signed only by ladies of Conservative views, was +sent to the conservative associations. These ladies pointed out +that justice to women themselves, and the welfare of the whole +community are involved in the admission of the women householders +who at this moment are possessed of the existing statutory +qualifications:</p> + +<blockquote><p>To bring in a new class, under new conditions, whilst continuing +to exclude those who fulfill the present conditions, would be +very injurious to those excluded and set a wrong example before +the community. Every enlargement of the electoral franchise for +men which can now take place necessarily includes many whose +interests in the country cannot equal those of the women who now +claim it. Their position is already recognized by their +possession of every local franchise whatsoever. Justice requires +that the principle should be fully carried out by extending to +women the right to vote for members of parliament, whose +legislation so strongly affects their welfare. Prudence also +requires that an important class of educated and philanthropic +persons should not be left out, or their claims postponed, when a +large addition is likely to be made to the less educated portion +of the electorate. We most seriously believe that few things +could happen more dangerous for the real happiness of the nation +than to permit the opportunity to pass without the admission of +legally qualified women within the circle of the constitution. </p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_883" id="Page_883">[Pg 883]</a></span></p> + +<p>A correspondence also was conducted with Mr. Gladstone by the +Bristol Ladies' Liberal Association and others whom they invited to +join them, of known Liberal views, urging him to receive a +delegation and praying that</p> + +<blockquote><p>It may not in the future be said that women alone were unworthy +of any measure of confidence which you so rightly extended even +to the humblest and most ignorant men. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Mr. Gladstone declined to receive the deputation, partly on the +ground of illness, partly lest the admission of their views might +interfere with his plans for the bill. So the day of battle drew +on, when a rumor began to be circulated that the government +intended to oppose Mr. Woodall's clause, on the ground that its +admission might endanger the bill. Strenuous efforts were at the +same time made to induce him to withdraw the amendment, and the +government whips plainly intimated that the question would not be +considered an open one, on which members were to be free to vote +according to their convictions, but as one which the government had +made up their minds to oppose. With the hope of changing this +determination a memorial was signed by seventy-seven members of +parliament, and presented to Mr. Gladstone, asking him to leave the +introduction of the clause an open question. It represented—</p> + +<blockquote><p>That the Franchise bill being now in committee a favorable +opportunity is afforded for the discussion of the amendment for +extending its provisions to women, of which notice has been given +by Mr. Woodall.</p> + +<p>That your memorialists have heard a rumor that her majesty's +government have declared against allowing the question to be +discussed and decided on its merits, on the ground that the +adoption of the proposal might endanger the bill.</p> + +<p>That your memorialists are of the opinion that the claim of women +who are householders and ratepayers is just and reasonable, and +that the time when the House is engaged in amending the law +relating to the representation of the people is the proper time +for the consideration of this claim.</p> + +<p>That during the discussion in committee on the Reform bill of +1867, an amendment for extending its provisions to women was +introduced by Mr. John Stuart Mill, and that on that occasion the +government of the day offered no opposition to the full and free +discussion of the question, and placed no restriction on the free +exercise of the judgment of members of their party as to the +manner in which they should vote. The tellers appointed against +Mr. Mill's motion were not even the government tellers.</p> + +<p>That your memorialists earnestly pray that the precedent so +instituted may be followed on the present occasion, and that the +clause proposed by Mr. Woodall may be submitted to the free and +unbiased decision of the House on its own merits.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_884" id="Page_884">[Pg 884]</a></span></p> + +<p>They desire earnestly to express their conviction that the course +of allowing the question to be an open one, on which the +government is prepared to accept the decision of the House, +cannot possibly endanger or prejudice the Franchise bill. In +connection with this your memorialists would press on your +attention the fact that Mr. Woodall's amendment is in the form of +a new clause, and would not therefore come under discussion until +the bill as it stands has passed through committee. </p></blockquote> + +<p>This request was refused. On June 9, such unexpected progress was +made by the committee of the House of Commons with the Franchise +bill that all the government clauses were carried. There were many +amendments on the paper which took precedence of Mr. Woodall's, but +these were hastily gone through or withdrawn, and in the middle of +the morning sitting of June 9, he rose and moved the introduction +of his clause. Mr. Woodall's speech was a masterpiece of earnest +but temperate reasoning. He was fortunate enough to present an old +and well-worn subject in new lights. He said that Mr. Gladstone had +affirmed the principle of the measure to be to give every +householder a vote, and it would now be his endeavor to pursuade +parliament that women were capable citizens, who would meet all the +conditions so clearly laid down by the prime minister. Against the +charge of inopportunity in bringing the subject forward at this +crisis, he reminded the House of Mr. Chamberlain's words on a +recent occasion, that it was always opportune to do right.</p> + +<blockquote><p>Mr. Gladstone said there were two questions to be considered. One +of these was the question whether women were to be enfranchised, +the other whether the enfranchisement should be effected by a +clause introduced in committee on the present bill. The second +question was that on which he was about to dwell. He deprecated +the introduction of new matter into the bill. The cargo which the +vessel carried was, in the opinion of the government, as large as +she could carry safely. The proposal was a very large one. It did +not seem unreasonable to believe that the number of persons in +the three kingdoms to be enfranchised by the amendment would be +little short of half a million. What was the position in which +Mr. Woodall placed the government when he requested them to +introduce a completely new subject on which men profoundly +differed, and which, it was clear, should receive a full and +dispassioned investigation? It was not now practicable to give +that investigation. This was one of those questions which it +would be intolerable to mix up with purely political and party +debates. If there was a subject in the whole compass of human +life and experience that was sacred beyond all other subjects it +was the character and position of woman. Did his honorable friend +ask him to admit that the question deserved the fullest +consideration? He gave him that admission freely. Did he ask +whether he (Mr. Gladstone) wished to bind the members of the +Government or his colleagues in the cabinet with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_885" id="Page_885">[Pg 885]</a></span> respect to the +votes they would give on this question? Certainly not, provided +only that they took the subject from the vortex of political +contention. He was bound to say, whilst thus free and open on the +subject itself, that with regard to the proposal to introduce it +into this bill he offered it the strongest opposition in his +power, and must disclaim and renounce all responsibility for the +measure should Mr. Woodall succeed in inducing the committee to +adopt his amendment. </p></blockquote> + +<p>On motion of Lord John Manners the debate was adjourned till June +12.</p> + +<p>On the intervening day a meeting was summoned of the general +committee of the society. Miss Cobbe first, and Mr. Woodall +subsequently, presided, and the following resolutions were passed:</p> + +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That the claim of duly qualified women to the +exercise of the suffrage having been continuously presented +before parliament and the country since the Reform bill of 1867, +this meeting is of opinion that the time when the legislature is +again engaged in amending the law relating to the representation +of the people is the proper time for the consideration of this +claim.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That this meeting heartily approves of the amendment +which Mr. Woodall has moved in committee on the Franchise bill +for extending its provisions to duly qualified women, and pledge +themselves to support his action by every means in their power.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That they have heard with astonishment that her +majesty's government refuse to allow this amendment to be +discussed on its merits and to be decided by the free exercise of +the judgment of members of the House of Commons, but that the +government require their supporters to refrain from such free +exercise of their judgment on the alleged ground that the +adoption of the proposal would endanger the Franchise bill.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That in the opinion of this meeting the exercise of +such pressure appears to be an infringement of the privileges of +a free parliament and an aggression on the rights of the people. +They hold that all sections of the community, whether electors or +non-electors, have an indefeasible right to have matters +affecting their interests submitted to the unbiased judgment, and +decided by the unfettered discretion of the members sent to +represent them in parliament.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That a declaration signed by 110 Liberal members of +the House of Commons was presented last session to Mr. Gladstone +which set forth that, in the opinion of the memorialists, no +measure for the assimilation of the borough and county franchise +could be satisfactory unless it contained provisions for +extending the suffrage, without distinction of sex, to all +persons who possess the statutory qualifications for the +parliamentary franchise.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That this meeting calls upon those who signed this +declaration, and all other members who believe that the claim of +duly qualified women to the parliamentary franchise is reasonable +and just, to support the clause moved by Mr. Woodall, in +committee on the Franchise bill, for extending its provisions to +such women.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to Mr. +Gladstone and to every member of parliament.</p> + +<p><i>Resolved</i>, That petitions to both houses of parliament in +support of Mr. Woodall's clause be adopted and signed by the +chairman on behalf of this meeting. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Some members of parliament who attended this meeting explained that +though they were as firmly convinced as ever of the justice of the +claim, they could not vote for it after Mr. Gladstone's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_886" id="Page_886">[Pg 886]</a></span> distinct +declaration that he would abandon the bill if the amendment were +passed. On June 12 Lord John Manners resumed the debate. He said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>That although this proposal had never been of a party character, +it had always been a political question. There was no question +connected with the franchise which had been more thoroughly +discussed, threshed and sifted. Guided by every consideration of +justice and fairness, of equity, of analogy and experience, he +should give it his cordial and unhesitating support. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The next speech of importance was Mr. Stansfeld's. He maintained +that the acceptance of the clause by the government would have +strengthened rather than weakened the bill, and that its insertion +certainly would not have rendered the bill less palatable to the +House of Lords:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The principle of this bill is household suffrage. Household +suffrage is one of two things—it is either put as a rough test +of capable citizenship, or else it means what I will call the +family vote. The women to be enfranchised under this clause would +be first of all women of property, intelligence and education, +having a status in the country; secondly a large class of women +of exceptional competency, because having lost the services and +support of men who should be the bread-winners and the heads of +families, they are obliged to step into their shoes and to take +upon themselves the burdens and responsibilities which had +previously devolved upon men, and because they have done this +with success. I decline either by word or deed to make the +admission that these women are less capable citizens than the +2,000,000 whom the right honorable gentleman proposes to +enfranchise by this bill. Well, then, let it be the family +vote—that is to say, exceptions apart, let the basis of our +constitution be that the family, represented by its head, should +be the unit of the State. Now that is the idea which recommends +and has always recommended itself to my mind. But on what +principle, or with what regard to the permanence and stability of +that principle, can you exclude the head of the family and give +that family no voice, because the head happens to be a woman? If +this clause be excluded from the measure, as it will be, this +will not be a bill of one principle, but of two principles. It +will not be a bill containing only the principle of household +suffrage interpreted as the family vote, but one founded on these +two principles—first, a male householding vote; and, secondly, +the exclusion of the head of the household when the head is a +woman. That is a permanent principle of exclusion, and therefore +the bill with this clause left out is a declaration for ever +against the political emancipation of women. </p></blockquote> + +<p>After some speeches against the motion Colonel King-Harman said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In the old state of the franchise it was not so much a matter of +importance to women whether they possessed votes or not, but now +that this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_887" id="Page_887">[Pg 887]</a></span> bill proposed to create two million new voters of a +much lower order than those now exercising the franchise, it +became of importance to secure some countervailing advantage. +They were told this was a matter which could wait. What were the +women to gain by waiting? They had waited for seventeen years +during which the subject had been discussed, and now they were +told to wait till two million of the common orders had been +admitted to a share in the parliamentary management of the +country. The honorable member for Huddersfield (Mr. Leatham) had +used an argument which he (Colonel King-Harman) thought a most +unworthy one, namely, that the franchise was not to be extended +to women, because, unhappily, there are women of a degraded and +debased class. Because there were 40,000 of them in this +metropolis alone, the remaining women who were pure and virtuous +were to be deprived of the power of voting. But would Mr. Leatham +guarantee that the 2,000,000 men he proposes to enfranchise shall +be perfectly pure and moral men? Would he propose a clause to +exclude from the franchise those men who lead and retain in vice +and degradation these unfortunate women? No—men may sin and be a +power in the State, but when a woman sins not only is she to have +no power, but her whole sisterhood are to be excluded from it. He +believed that every idea of common sense pointed to the +desirability of supporting the amendment, and he therefore had +great pleasure in doing so. </p></blockquote> + +<p>There were also excellent speeches from Mr. Cowen (Newcastle), +General Alexander, Sir Wilfred Lawson and Mr. Story, and finally +from Sir Stafford Northcote the leader of the Conservative +opposition. He observed:</p> + +<blockquote><p>That the prime minister had told them that they did not consider +this clause to be properly introduced now, because this was not +the time for the question. It seemed to him, on the contrary, +that it was the very best opportunity for dealing with it, +because they were going enormously to increase the electorate, +and would, therefore, make the inequality between men and women +much greater than it was before. It would be said they were going +to extend the property franchise if this amendment were carried. +On that issue they were prepared to join and to maintain that it +was a right thing, and it was the duty of that House to make +proper provision for those classes of property holders now +without a vote. Members who had canvassed boroughs would remember +that after going into two or three shops and asking for the votes +of those who were owners, they have come to one perhaps of the +most important shops and have been told, "Oh, it is of no use +going in, there is no vote there." Such women are probably of +education and gentle character, and perhaps live as widows and +take care of their families; they have every right to be +consulted as to who should be the man to represent the +constituency in which they lived and to take care of their +interests and the interests of those dependent on them. That was +the ground on which Lord Beaconsfield stood. They had adhered to +that ground for several years, and there they stood now. </p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_888" id="Page_888">[Pg 888]</a></span></p> + +<p>The division took place at a late hour with the result that the +clause was defeated by 271 votes to 135, being a majority against +it of 136, or two to one. But though such a vote would have been a +sore discouragement if it had represented the real opinion of the +House, on the present occasion it meant little if anything. The +government had sent out a "five-line" whip for its supporters, and +so effective had this whip been, combined with Mr. Gladstone's +assertion that he would give up the responsibility of the bill if +the clause were carried, that 98 Liberals and 6 Home Rulers, known +to be supporters of our cause, voted with the government, even Mr. +Hugh Mason being among this number, while 34 Liberals and 7 Home +Rulers, also friends of ours, were absent from the division. We may +safely assume that had the government more wisely left it an open +question, upon which members were free to vote according to their +consciences, our defeat would have been turned into a victory. On +the other hand while our Liberal friends thus voted against the +amendment or abstained from voting, the bulk of our supporters in +this division were Conservatives, a circumstance unknown in the +previous history of the movement.</p> + +<p>An important conference of friends and supporters was held the next +morning in the Westminster Palace Hotel at which Mr. Stansfeld +presided. To use Miss Tod's words:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Never had a defeated army met in a more victorious mood. There +was much indeed to encourage in the degree of importance to which +the question had attained. It had risen from a purely speculative +into a pressing political question; it had been debated during +two days, and it was heartily supported by the Conservative +leader. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The speeches at the conference were animated and full of hope for +the future. Mr. Stansfeld congratulated the meeting on having made +a new departure; their question had become one of practical +politics, and they had now to address themselves in all the +constituencies to the political organizations.</p> + +<p>A magnificent meeting was held in St. James Hall the following +week. The hall was densely crowded in every part, and an overflow +meeting was arranged for those unable to gain admission. Some of +the speakers<a name="FNanchor_562_562" id="FNanchor_562_562"></a><a href="#Footnote_562_562" class="fnanchor">[562]</a> proposed as the best measure for agitation, a +determined resistance against taxation.<a name="FNanchor_563_563" id="FNanchor_563_563"></a><a href="#Footnote_563_563" class="fnanchor">[563]<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_889" id="Page_889">[Pg 889]</a></span></a></p> + +<p>Repeated attempts to obtain a day for the debate and division were +followed by repeated disappointments. The session commenced in +November, 1884. Mr. Woodall at once gave notice of a bill. In +presenting it to the House, he concluded after consultation with +parliamentary friends, to add a clause defining the action of his +bill to be limited to unmarried women and widows.<a name="FNanchor_564_564" id="FNanchor_564_564"></a><a href="#Footnote_564_564" class="fnanchor">[564]</a> The enacting +clause of the bill was as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>For all purposes of and incidental to the voting for members to +serve in parliament, women shall have the same rights as men, and +all enactments relating to or concerned in such elections shall +be construed accordingly, provided that nothing in this act shall +enable women under coverture to be registered or to vote at such +elections. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The addition of this clause excited much discussion. Those in favor +of it argued that this limitation would certainly be imposed in +committee of the House, which though it was in all probability +prepared to give the vote to women possessed of independence, +dreaded the extension of faggot votes which would have been the +almost inevitable consequence of admitting married women; while the +result would be the same whether the limitation clause was +introduced by the promoters of the bill or by a parliamentary +committee, and it would be more likely to obtain support at the +second reading if its intentions were made clear in the beginning. +On the other hand it was argued that the principle of giving the +vote to women in the same degree that it was given to men, was the +basis upon which the whole agitation rested; that marriage was no +disqualification to men, and therefore should not prove so to +women; and that, though it might be necessary to accept a +limitation by parliament, it was not right for the society to lower +its standard by proposing a compromise. This divergence in the +views of the supporters of the movement was the cause of much +discussion in the public press and elsewhere, and unfortunately +resulted in the abstention of some of the oldest friends of the +cause from working in support of this particular bill, although it +was admitted on all sides that if a day could be obtained its +chances in a division were very good.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_890" id="Page_890">[Pg 890]</a></span></p> + +<p>The bill was introduced on November 19, 1884, and its opponents +took the unprecedented course of challenging a division at this +stage. Leave was however given to bring it in, and the second +reading was set down for November 25, and then for December 9; on +each occasion it was postponed owing to the adjournment of the +House. It was next set down for Wednesday, March 4, but its chance +was again destroyed by the appropriation by the government of all +Wednesdays for the Seats bill. Mr. Woodall then fixed on June 24, +but before that time the ministerial crisis occurred, and when that +day arrived the House had been adjourned for the reëlections +consequent upon a change of government. He then obtained the first +place on Wednesday, July 22, but again ministers appropriated +Wednesdays, and all chances for the session being over, Mr. Woodall +gave order to discharge the bill.</p> + +<p>This delay stands in sharp and painful contrast with the promptness +with which parliament passed the Medical Relief bill. A clause had +been inserted in the Franchise bill disfranchising any man who had +been in receipt of parish medical aid for himself or family. This +clause caused great dissatisfaction as it was stated it would +disqualify from voting a large number of laborers in the +agricultural counties; parliament therefore found time amidst all +the press of business and party divisions to pass the Medical +Relief bill removing this disfranchisement from <i>men</i>, though we +are repeatedly assured that nothing but the want of time prevents +their fair consideration of the enfranchisement of <i>women</i>. It is +another proof that there is always time for a representative +government to attend to the wants of its constituents.</p> + +<p>Another effort was made in the House of Lords by Lord Denman who +introduced a bill for extending the parliamentary vote to women. +The committees<a name="FNanchor_565_565" id="FNanchor_565_565"></a><a href="#Footnote_565_565" class="fnanchor">[565]</a> were unaware of his intention until<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_891" id="Page_891">[Pg 891]</a></span> they read +a notice of the bill in the newspapers. The enacting clause was as +follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>All women, not legally disqualified, who have the same +qualifications as the present and future electors for counties +and divisions of counties and boroughs, shall be entitled to vote +for knights of the shire for counties and divisions of counties +and for boroughs, at every election. </p></blockquote> + +<p>A division was taken upon it on June 23, just after the Seats bill +had been passed and the peers were about to adjourn in consequence +of the change of government. Many protests were made that the time +was ill chosen, and some peers left the House to avoid recording +their votes while others voted against it without reference to its +merits as a question. The division showed 8 in favor and 36 +against. There appears to be a strong impression that if a bill to +enfranchise women were passed by the Commons it would be accepted +by the Lords, while there is at the same time a feeling that any +measure dealing with the representation of the people should +originate with the Commons, and not in the upper House.</p> + +<p>During the year 1885 we sustained the loss of many of the earliest +friends of the movement; chief among these Professor Fawcett, who +from the commencement of its history had given it his firm and +unflinching support. His conviction that justice and freedom must +gain the upper hand often caused him to take a more sanguine view +of the prospect than the event has justified. He was the firm +friend of women in all their recent efforts, and helped them to +obtain employment in the civil service, to enter the medical +profession, to open the universities, and in many other ways. Next +to be mentioned is the death of Mrs. Stansfeld. She was the +daughter of Mr. William H. Ashurst, who was a staunch advocate of +freedom and may be remembered as the first English friend of +William L. Garrison. She had been a member of the suffrage +committee in London for more than sixteen years, and gave unfailing +sympathy to all the efforts made by her noble husband, James +Stansfeld, in behalf of the rights of humanity. This year has also +been saddened by the death of Mrs. Ronald Shearer, formerly Helena +Downing, an able and true-hearted woman, who had devoted her +strength and talents to the furtherance of our cause at a time when +its advocates were still the objects of ridicule and attack.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_892" id="Page_892">[Pg 892]</a></span></p> + +<p>The electorate of three millions of men is now increased to five +millions, and by this extension of the suffrage the difficulty of +waging an up-hill fight in the interests of the still excluded +class has also been increased. The interests of the newly +represented classes will imperatively claim precedence in the new +parliament. Like the emancipated blacks who received the vote after +the American civil war, while the women who had supported the cause +of the Union by their enthusiasm and their sacrifices were passed +over, the miners and laborers of English counties have received the +franchise for which they have never asked, in preference to the +women who have worked, petitioned and organized themselves for +years to secure it. Women have now to appeal to this new electorate +to grant that justice which the old electorate has denied them; +they have to begin again the weary round of educating their new +masters by appeals and arguments; they will once more see their +interests "unavoidably" deferred to the interests of the +represented classes; they will once again be bidden to stand aside +till it is time for another Reform bill to be considered!</p> + +<p>In recounting the history of woman suffrage frequent allusion has +been made to the parallel movements which have been carried on +through the same course of years; the most important of these have +been: (1) The admission of women to fields of public usefulness; +(2) removal of legal disabilities and hardships; (3) admission to a +better education and greater freedom of employment. Much of the +progress that has been made has been the work of the active friends +of woman suffrage, and under the fostering care of the suffrage +societies.</p> + +<p>Under the first division comes the work of women on the +school-boards. The education act of 1870 expressly guaranteed their +right of being elected, and even in the first year several were +elected. One, Miss Becker, in Manchester, has retained her seat +ever since. In London the number of lady members has greatly +varied. Beginning with two, Miss Jarrett and Miss Davis, in 1879 it +rose to nine, but now, 1885, has sunk again to three, Miss +Davenport Hill, Mrs. Westlake, and Mrs. Webster. Taken as a whole, +their influence has been very usefully exerted for the benefit of +the children and the young teachers. Under this head also comes +women's work as poor-law guardians. The first was elected in +Kensington in 1875. Six years afterwards a small society to promote +the election of women was founded by Miss Müller,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_893" id="Page_893">[Pg 893]</a></span> and the number +elected is steadily increasing. There are now in England and +Scotland in all forty-six. In Ireland women are still debarred from +this useful work. The election occurs every year, and it is one of +the local franchises that women as well as men exercise. Last year +three ladies were appointed members of the Metropolitan Board which +looks after London hospitals and asylums. In 1873 Mr. Stansford, +then president of the local government board, appointed Mrs. Hassan +Session assistant inspector of work-houses, and after an interval +of twelve years Miss Mason was appointed to the same position. +Women are also sometimes appointed as church wardens, overseers of +the roads, and registrars of births and deaths. These are the only +public offices they fill.</p> + +<p>Under the second heading, the removal of legal disabilities, is +included the Married Woman's Property act, which was finally passed +in 1882, twenty-five years after it had been first brought forward +in parliament by Sir Erskine Perry. The ancient law of England +transferred all property held by a woman, except land, absolutely +to her husband. A step was gained in 1870 by which the money she +had actually earned became her own. This was followed by frequent +amendments, sometimes in Scotland, sometimes in England, and a +comprehensive bill met with frequent vicissitudes, now in the House +of Lords, now in the Commons. The honor of this long contest is +chiefly due to Mrs. Jacob Bright and Mrs. Wolstenholme Elmy, whose +unwearied efforts were finally crowned with success by the act of +1882, under which the property of a married woman is absolutely +secured to her as if she were single, and the power to contract and +of sueing and being sued, also secured to her. The right to the +custody of their own children is another point for which women are +struggling. In 1884, Mr. Bryce, M. P., brought in a bill to render +a mother the legal guardian of her children after the father's +death. This was read a second time by a vote of 207 for, and only +73 against. In 1885, however, though passing the House of Lords, it +was postponed till too late in the Commons. Another important +alteration in the legal condition of married women was made in +1878. In that year Mr. Herschell introduced the Matrimonial Causes +act to remedy a gross injustice in the divorce law, and Lord +Pensance inserted a clause which provided that if a woman were +brutally ill-treated by her husband, a magistrate might order a +separate maintenance for her and assign her the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_894" id="Page_894">[Pg 894]</a></span> care of her +children. It is no secret that the original drafting of this clause +was due to Miss Frances Power Cobbe. The long struggle which is not +yet terminated against the infamous Contagious Diseases acts +belongs to this division of work. The acts were passed in 1866, +'69, and for many years were supported by an overpowering majority +of the House of Commons. Mr. Stansfeld, who has always been the +supporter of every movement advancing the influence of women, has +been the leader of this agitation. Mrs. Josephine Butler, Mrs. +Stewart of Ougar, and latterly Mrs. Ormiston Chant, have been the +most untiring speakers on this question. On April 26, 1883, Mr. +Stansfeld carried a resolution by a vote of 184 against 112 for the +abolition of the acts, since which time the acts have been +suspended, but we must look to the new parliament for their total +repeal. The Criminal-law Amendment act was the great triumph of +1885. It had been postponed session after session, but the bold +denunciation of Mr. Stead, editor of the <i>Pall Mall Gazette</i>, +finally roused the national conscience, and now a larger measure of +protection is afforded to young girls than has ever been known +before.</p> + +<p>Of the successive steps by which colleges have been founded for +women, and the universities opened to them, it is impossible to +give any record. The London University and the Royal University of +Ireland, recognize fully the equality of women; nine ladies secured +the B. A. diploma from the latter university in 1884, and nine more +in 1885. Oxford and Cambridge extend their examinations to women. +The Victoria University acknowledges their claim to examination. +The London school of medicine gives a first rate education to women +(there are 48 this session), and the Royal College of Surgeons, +Dublin, admits them to its classes. There are now about 45 ladies +who are registered as medical practitioners. One of them, Miss +Edith Stone, was appointed by Mr. Fawcett medical superintendent of +the female staff at the general post-office, London. The success of +the movement for supplying women as physicians for the vast Indian +empire has attained remarkable success during the last two years.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_536_536" id="Footnote_536_536"></a><a href="#FNanchor_536_536"><span class="label">[536]</span></a> This was called out by the movement in America. A +report of a convention held in Worcester, Mass., published in the +New York <i>Tribune</i>, fell into the hands of Mrs. Taylor and aroused +her to active thought on the question. She comments on a very able +series of resolutions passed at this convention, in which such men +as Emerson, Parker, Channing, Garrison and Phillips took +part.—[<span class="smcap">Editors</span>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_537_537" id="Footnote_537_537"></a><a href="#FNanchor_537_537"><span class="label">[537]</span></a> <i>Council of the Association</i>—Mrs. S. Turner, Mrs. +S. Bartholomew, Mrs. E. Stephenson, Mrs. M. Whalley, Mrs. E. Rooke, +Mrs. E. Wade, Mrs. C. Ash, president <i>pro tem.</i>, Mrs. E. Cavill, +treasurer, Mrs. M. Brook, financial-secretary, Mrs. A. +Higginbottom, corresponding secretary.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_538_538" id="Footnote_538_538"></a><a href="#FNanchor_538_538"><span class="label">[538]</span></a> Mrs. Biggs, Anna Knight, Mrs. Hugo Reid and many +other English women were roused to white heat on this question, by +the exclusion of women as delegates from the World's Anti-slavery +Convention held in London in 1840. That was the first pronounced +public discussion, lasting one entire day, on the whole question of +woman's rights that ever took place in England, and as the +arguments were reproduced in the leading journals and discussed at +every fireside, a grand educational work was inaugurated at that +time. The American delegates spent several months in +England—Lucretia Mott speaking at many points. She occupied the +Unitarian pulpit in London and elsewhere. As Mrs. Hugo Reid sat in +this convention throughout the proceedings and met Lucretia Mott +socially on several occasions, we may credit her outspoken +opinions, in 1843, in a measure to these influences.—[<span class="smcap">Editors</span>.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_539_539" id="Footnote_539_539"></a><a href="#FNanchor_539_539"><span class="label">[539]</span></a> The committee as at first formed, consisted of the +following persons: The very Rev. the Dean of Canterbury, Dr. +Alford, Miss Jessie Boucherett, Professor Cairnes, Rev. W. L. Clay, +Miss Davies, the originator of Girton College, Lady Goldsmid, Mr. +G. W. Hastings, Mr. James Heywood, Mrs. Knox, Miss Manning, and +Mrs. Hensleigh Wedgwood. Mrs. Peter A. Taylor was treasurer, and +Mrs. J. W. Smith, <i>nee</i> Miss Garrett, honorary secretary. A few +months later Mrs. Smith's death left this post vacant, and Mrs. P. +A. Taylor then assumed the office of secretary which she retained +with the aid of Miss Caroline Ashurst Biggs till 1871. No one else +could have rendered such services to our movement while it was in +its infancy as Mrs. Taylor gave. Her gentle and dignified presence, +her untiring energy, the experience of organization and public life +which she already possessed, her influence with an extended circle +of friends chosen from among the most liberal thinkers of the +nation, secured at once attention and respect for any cause she +took up. Many years before she had worked hard for the association +of the Friends of Italy, and on the breaking out of the American +civil war her sympathies and practical knowledge led her to found a +society for assisting the freedmen. In acknowledgment of the +invaluable assistance she rendered, her friends in America sent a +book containing a complete set of photographs of all the chief +anti-slavery workers. When she began her efforts for women's +suffrage, the English Abolitionists were among the first +correspondents to whom she applied, and they nearly all responded +cordially. For years her house, Aubrey House, Kensington, was the +centre of the London organization to which she gave her time, +strength, and money, well earning the title of "Mother of the +Movement," which loving friends have since bestowed.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_540_540" id="Footnote_540_540"></a><a href="#FNanchor_540_540"><span class="label">[540]</span></a> In 1869, 255 petitions, signed by 61,475 persons; in +1870, 663 petitions, signed by 134,561 persons; in 1871, 622 +petitions, signed by 186,976 persons (75 of these petitions were +from public meetings and signed only by the chairman, or from town +councils and sealed with the official seal); in 1872, 829 petitions +with 350,093 signatures; in 1873, 919 petitions, with 329,206 +signatures; in 1874, 1,494 petitions with 430,343 signatures; and +in 1875, 1,273 petitions were sent in containing 415,622 +signatures.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_541_541" id="Footnote_541_541"></a><a href="#FNanchor_541_541"><span class="label">[541]</span></a> This lady, sister of John and Jacob Bright, and wife +of the senior member for Edinburgh, Mr. Duncan McLaren, so much +esteemed that he was sometimes spoken of as the "Member for +Scotland," unites in her own person all the requisites for a leader +of the movement. She has the charm and dignified grace so generally +found among Quaker ladies, and the pathetic eloquence which belong +to her family. She is clear-sighted in planning action, and +enthusiastic and warm-hearted in carrying it out, and for the past +sixteen years the movement in Scotland has centered around her.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_542_542" id="Footnote_542_542"></a><a href="#FNanchor_542_542"><span class="label">[542]</span></a> Mr. Thomas Hare, Mr. Boyd Kinnear, Mr. Mill, who was +no longer in parliament, the Rev. Charles Kingsley (this was the +first and only meeting at which he was present), Prof. Fawcett, M. +P. and Mrs. Fawcett, Lord Houghton, Mr. John Morley, Sir Charles W. +Dilke, Bt. M. P., Mr. P. A. Taylor, M. P., Professor Masson of +Edinburgh, and Mr. Stamfeld, M. P.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_543_543" id="Footnote_543_543"></a><a href="#FNanchor_543_543"><span class="label">[543]</span></a> Mrs. Penington, Mr. Hopwood, Q. C. and Professor +Amos were honorary secretaries the first year, and succeeding them +Miss C. A. Biggs and Miss Agnes Garrett. The principal committees +united with the central, including Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, +Edinburgh, Dublin and the North of Ireland.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_544_544" id="Footnote_544_544"></a><a href="#FNanchor_544_544"><span class="label">[544]</span></a> Minutes of a meeting at the House of Commons, June +23, 1875. Present: The Right Honorable E. P. Bouverie, in the +chair; and the following members of parliament: Right Hon. H. C. +Childers, Marquis of Hamilton, Lord Randolph Churchill, Hon. E. +Stanhope, Mr. Bentinck, Mr. Beresford Hope, Mr. Chaplin, Mr. +Hayter, Sir Henry Holland, Sir Henry James, Mr. Kay Shuttleworth, +Mr. Edward Leatham, Mr. Merewether, Mr. Newdegate, Mr. Raikes, Mr. +de Rothschild, Mr. Scousfield, Mr. Whitbread. +</p><p> +<i>Resolved</i>, That a committee of peers, members of parliament and +other influential men be organized for the purpose of maintaining +the integrity of the franchise, in opposition to the claims for the +extension of the parliamentary suffrage to women. +</p><p> +<i>Resolved</i>, That Mr. E. P. Bouverie be requested to act as +chairman, and Lord Claud John Hamilton and Mr. Kay Shuttleworth as +honorary secretaries. +</p><p> +The following members have since joined those named above: Lord +Elcho, Right Hon. E. Knatchbull-Hugessen, Right Hon. J. R. Mowbray, +Sir Thomas Bazley, Mr. Butt, Mr. Gibson and Colonel Kingscote.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_545_545" id="Footnote_545_545"></a><a href="#FNanchor_545_545"><span class="label">[545]</span></a> We must mention the names of the ladies who during +the previous two or three years had been most active in speaking +and organizing societies. So many meetings had been held that there +was hardly a town of any importance in England, Ireland or Scotland +where the principles of woman suffrage had not been explained and +canvassed. One of the foremost for her activity in this department +of work was Miss Mary Beedy, an American lady, resident for some +years in England. She had thoroughly mastered the legal and +political condition of the question in this country, and her +untiring energy, her clear common sense, and her ready logic made +her advocacy invaluable. The regret was general when she was +compelled to return to America. Miss Helena Downing, niece of Mr. +McCarthy Downing, member of parliament for Cork, arranged and gave +many lectures during 1873 and 1874. Miss. Lillias Ashworth, +honorary secretary of the Bristol committee, frequently spoke at +meetings about this time. In Scotland Miss Jane Taylour and others +still continued their indefatigable labors, in which they were +frequently assisted by Miss Isabella Stuart of Balgonie in +Fifeshire. In Ireland, in addition to the usual meetings in the +north, a series of meetings in the south was undertaken by Miss +Tod, Miss Beedy and Miss Downing. Other meetings were addressed by +Miss Fawcett, Miss Becker, Miss Caroline Biggs, Miss Eliza Sturge, +Miss Rhoda Garrett, Mrs. Fenwick-Miller and many others. During +1873 Mrs. Henry Kingsley, sister-in-law of one novelist and wife of +another, also spoke frequently. Space fails me to do justice to the +varied powers of the speakers who have carried our movement on +during these years of patient perseverance; to the clear logic and +convincing power of Mrs. Fawcett's speeches; to the thrilling +eloquence of her cousin, Rhoda Garrett, now, alas! no longer with +us; to Miss Becker's accurate legal knowledge and masterly +presentation of facts and arguments; to Miss Helena Downing's +eloquence marked by the humor, pathos and power which were hers by +national inheritance. During these years of trial, too, the cause +owed much to the strenuous advocacy of the Misses Ashworth, Anne +Frances and Lillias Sophia, nieces of Jacob Bright. Miss Ashworth +did not herself speak at meetings, but she comforted and helped +those who did, while Lillias possessed the family gift of eloquence +and charmed her audience by her witty, forcible and telling +speeches. So numerous and so well attended have been these meetings +during these and subsequent years, that it is impossible to +exonerate men and women from the charge of willful blindness if +they still misconstrue the plain facts of the question.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_546_546" id="Footnote_546_546"></a><a href="#FNanchor_546_546"><span class="label">[546]</span></a> First in the list came six ladies, members of +school-boards: Mrs. Buckton of Leeds, Miss Helena Richardson of +Bristol, Mrs. Surr, Mrs. Westlake, Mrs. Fenwick Miller and Miss +Helen Taylor, London; then followed the opinions of ladies who were +guardians of the poor. Forty ladies known as authoresses or +painters came next on the list; among these were Mrs. Allingham, +Mrs. Cowden Clarke, Mrs. Eiloart, Mary Howitt, Emily Pfeiffer, +Augusta Webster. Women doctors came next: Dr. Garrett Anderson, Dr. +Annie Barker, Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, Dr. Sophia Jex-Blake, Dr. +Eliza Dunbar, Dr. Frances Hoggan, Dr. Edith Pechey; and next to the +doctors came Miss Eliza Orme, the only woman who was successfully +practicing law. The section of education included the names of Mrs. +Wm. Gray, and her sister. Miss Shirreff, Mrs. Nichol (Edinburgh), +Miss Emily Davies, founder of Girton College, Miss Byers, founder +of the Ladies' Collegiate School, Belfast, Mrs. Crawshay and Miss +Mary Gurney. Nineteen ladies, the heads of women's colleges and +high-schools, next gave their reasons why they desired the +suffrage. After these came ladies engaged in philanthropic work, +which included the sisters Rosamund and Florence Davenport Hill, +Florence Nightingale, Miss Ellice Hopkins, eminent for rescue work; +Miss Irby, well-known for her efforts among the starving Bosnian +fugitives; Miss Manning, secretary of the National Indian +Association; Mrs. Southey, secretary of the Women's Peace +Association; Mrs. Lucas, and Mrs. Edward Parker, president and +secretary of the British Women's Temperance Society. The opinions +were various, both in kind and in length, some being only a +confession of faith in a couple of lines, others a page of able +reasoning.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_547_547" id="Footnote_547_547"></a><a href="#FNanchor_547_547"><span class="label">[547]</span></a> Miss Tod gives the spirit to each movement in +Ulster, which is the intellectual headquarters of Ireland. She is +the pioneer in all matters of reform; she is asked to speak in +churches; she instigated the efforts which led to girls +participating in the benefits of the Irish Intermediate Education +act, which was being restricted to boys; she has organized and has +won friends and votes not only over her own district of Ulster, but +in many other quarters of Ireland; and often when in England some +indefinable torpor has crept over a meeting—as will happen at +times—a few eloquent and heart-stirring words from her have been +sufficient to raise the courage and revive the interest.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_548_548" id="Footnote_548_548"></a><a href="#FNanchor_548_548"><span class="label">[548]</span></a> Mrs. Peter A. Taylor, Mrs. Fawcett, Mrs. Lucas, Miss +Biggs, Miss Rhoda Garrett, Miss Jessie Boucherett, Mrs. Arthur +Arnold, Miss Frances Power Cobbe, Lady Harberton, Mrs. Pennington, +Miss Helen Taylor, step-daughter of John Stuart Mill, Miss +Henrietta Müller, member of the London school-board, and others.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_549_549" id="Footnote_549_549"></a><a href="#FNanchor_549_549"><span class="label">[549]</span></a> Mrs. Jacob Bright, Miss Becker, Mrs. Scatcherd, Miss +Corbutt, Mr. Steinthal, Mrs. Thomasson, and others.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_550_550" id="Footnote_550_550"></a><a href="#FNanchor_550_550"><span class="label">[550]</span></a> Led by Mrs. Lillias Ashworth Hallett, Mrs. Helen +Bright Clark, niece and daughter of John Bright, Mrs. Beddoe, Miss +Snyder, Miss Estlin, the Priestman sisters, Miss Blackburn and Miss +Colby, Eliza Sturge, Mrs. Ashford, Mrs. Matthews. Mrs. Ann Comen +and Mrs. Alfred Osler, niece of Mrs. Peter Taylor, are the chief +Birmingham and Nottingham workers.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_551_551" id="Footnote_551_551"></a><a href="#FNanchor_551_551"><span class="label">[551]</span></a> Lady Harberton, Mrs. Scatcherd, Mrs. Ashworth +Hallet, Mrs. Josephine Butler, Mrs. Ellis, Miss Eliza Sturge, Mrs. +Wellstood (Edinburgh), Mrs. Haslam (Dublin), Miss Becker, Mrs. +Pearson, Miss Jessie Craigen, Miss Helena Downing, Miss Lucy +Wilson, Mrs. Nichols (Edinburgh), Mrs. O'Brien, and in the overflow +meeting Mrs. Lucas and Miss Biggs. At the close of the meeting the +enthusiastic and prolonged cheering which rose from the crowd, the +cordial hand-shakes of utter strangers with words of encouragement +and sympathy brought tears to the eyes of many who had the +privilege of being present on that occasion.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_552_552" id="Footnote_552_552"></a><a href="#FNanchor_552_552"><span class="label">[552]</span></a> Mrs. McLaren occupied the chair and was accompanied +by Mrs. Nichol, Miss Wigham, Miss Tod, Mrs. Charles McLaren, Miss +Craigen, Miss Becker, Miss Beddoe, Mrs. Shearer (formerly Miss +Helena Downing), Miss Flora Stevenson, Mrs. Wellstood, Miss Annie +Stoddart, Mrs. Burton and a distinguished visitor from New York, +Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who was able on this visit to England +to estimate the wide difference in the position of women since the +time—more than forty years before—she had been refused a seat as +a delegate in the World's Anti-Slavery Convention in London.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_553_553" id="Footnote_553_553"></a><a href="#FNanchor_553_553"><span class="label">[553]</span></a> <span class="smcap">Married Women's Property Committee</span>.—The committee, +at the time of the final meeting, November 18, 1882, consisted of +the following ladies and gentlemen: Mrs. Addey; Mr. Arthur Arnold, +M. P.; Mrs. Arthur Arnold; Mr. Jacob Bright, M. P.; Mrs. Josephine +E. Butler; Mr. Thomas Chorlton; Mr. L. H. Courtney, M. P.; Sir C. +W. Dilke, Bart., M. P.; Rev. Alfred Dewes, D.D., LL.D.; Mrs. Gell; +Lady Goldsmid; Rev. Septimus Hansard; Mr. Thomas Hare; Miss Ida +Hardcastle; Mrs. Hodgson; Mr. William Malleson; Mrs. Moore; Mr. H. +N. Mozley; Dr. Pankhurst; Mrs. Pankhurst; Mrs. Shearer; Mrs. +Sutcliffe; Mr. P. A. Taylor, M. P.; Mrs. P. A. Taylor; Mrs. +Venturi; Miss Alice Wilson; Miss Lucy Wilson; <i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. +Jacob Bright. <i>Secretary</i>, Mrs. Wolstenholme Elmy. +</p><p> +The immediate passage of this bill was in a large measure due to +Mrs. Jacob Bright, who was unwearied in her efforts, in rolling up +petitions, scattering tracts, holding meetings, and in company with +her husband having private interviews with members of parliament. +For ten consecutive years she gave her special attention to this +bill. I had the pleasure of attending the meeting of congratulation +November 18, and heard a very charming address from Mrs. Bright on +the success of the measure. Mr. Jacob Bright and other members of +the committee spoke with equal effect.—[E. C. S.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_554_554" id="Footnote_554_554"></a><a href="#FNanchor_554_554"><span class="label">[554]</span></a> The Contagious Diseases acts.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_555_555" id="Footnote_555_555"></a><a href="#FNanchor_555_555"><span class="label">[555]</span></a> Miss Henrietta Müller and her sister Mrs. Eva +McLaren, Mrs. Ormiston Chant, Mrs. Ashton Dilke, Mrs. Oliver +Scatcherd, Mrs. Charles McLaren, Miss Florence Balgarnie, Miss +Laura Whittle, Florence and Lillie Stacpoole, Miss Frances Lord, +Mrs. Stanton Blatch and Mrs. Helena Downing Shearer.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_556_556" id="Footnote_556_556"></a><a href="#FNanchor_556_556"><span class="label">[556]</span></a> The inscription was: "Women Claim Equal Justice with +Men. <i>The Friends of Women</i>: Henry Fawcett, John Stuart Mill, Chas. +Cameron, Jacob Bright, Leonard Courtney, Duncan McLaren, George +Anderson, James Stansfeld, Sir Wilfred Lawson, J.P. Thomasson."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_557_557" id="Footnote_557_557"></a><a href="#FNanchor_557_557"><span class="label">[557]</span></a> Mrs. Buchanan, Curriehill; Mrs. O. Scatcherd, Leeds; +Mrs. Nichol, Mrs. M'Laren, Miss Wigham, Dr. A. M'Laren, Miss +Hunter, Mrs. Paterson, Miss L. Stevenson, Miss F. Stevenson, Mrs. +M'Queen, Mrs. Hope, Mrs. M. Miller, Miss S.S. Mair, Miss R. Smith, +Miss E. Kirkland, Mrs. Raeburn and Miss A.G. Wyld, Edinburgh; Mrs. +O. Chant, Mrs. Hodgson, Bonaly; Miss Tod, Belfast; Mrs. Somerville, +Dalkeith; Mrs. Forbes, Loanhead; Mrs. D. Greig, Mrs. Erskine +Murray, Miss Greig, Mrs. Lindsay, Miss Barton and Mrs. A. Campbell, +Glasgow; Miss Simpson, Miss Caldwell, Portobello; Mrs. M'Kinnel, +Dumfries; Mrs. M'Cormick, Manchester; Miss Burton, Liberton; Miss +Balgarnie, Scarborough; Miss A.S. Smith, Gorebridge; Miss Drew, +Helensburgh; Miss Blair, Girvan; Mrs. Smith, Mrs. F. Smith, +Bothwell.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_558_558" id="Footnote_558_558"></a><a href="#FNanchor_558_558"><span class="label">[558]</span></a> Miss Helen Taylor, Mrs. Lucas, Mrs. Fawcett, London; +Mrs. Thomasson, Bolton; Miss Orme, Miss Jane Cobden, Miss C. A. +Biggs, Mrs. Fenwick-Miller, Mrs. Ashton Dilke, London; Mrs. Hallet, +Bath; Miss Becker, Manchester; Miss Priestman, Bristol; Mrs. Helen +Bright Clark, Street, Somersetshire; Miss Müller, London; Mrs. Eva +M'Laren, Bradford; Mrs. Charles M'Laren, London; Mrs. Pochin, +Bodnant, Conway; Mrs. Campbell, Tilliechewan Castle; Mrs. +Charteris, Edinburgh; Mrs. Edward Caird, Mrs. Young, Mrs. Kinnear, +Mrs. A. B. M'Grigor, Glasgow; Mrs. Arthur, Barshaw, Paisley; Mrs. +Readdie, Perth; Miss Birrel, Cupar; Mrs. Dunn, Aberdeen; Miss +Duncan, Foxhall; Miss Chalmers, Slateford; Miss Smith, Linlithgow; +Miss Macrobie, Bridge of Allan; Mrs. Ritchie, Mrs. Greenlees, +Glasgow; Mrs. Ord, Nesbit, Kelso; Mrs. Gordon, Nairn; Mrs. Gerrard, +Aberdeen; Miss Stoddart, Kelso; Mrs. Robertson, Paisley; Miss +Maitland, Corstorphine.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_559_559" id="Footnote_559_559"></a><a href="#FNanchor_559_559"><span class="label">[559]</span></a> <span class="smcap">Edinburgh</span>.—The first resolution was moved by Miss +Tod and seconded by Mrs. Scatcherd: +</p> +<blockquote><p><i>Resolved</i>, That this meeting, whilst thanking the 110 Liberal +members who signed the memorial to Mr. Gladstone to the effect +that no measure of reform would be satisfactory which did not +recognize the claims of women householders, trusts that since the +bill unjustly excludes them, these members will be faithful to +the convictions expressed in that memorial, and will support any +amendment to the bill which has for its object the +enfranchisement of duly qualified women. </p></blockquote> +<p> +The second resolution, a memorial to Mr. Gladstone, was moved by +Miss Flora Stevenson, member of the Edinburgh school-board, +seconded by Mrs. McLaren and supported by Miss Florence Balgarnie +and Mrs. Ormiston Chant. The third resolution, the adoption of +petitions, was moved by Miss S. S. Mair, a grand-niece of Mrs. +Siddons, and Mrs. Lindsay of Glasgow. +</p><p> +<span class="smcap">Bath, Guild Hall</span>.—Presided over by the mayor. Among other speakers +were Mrs. Beddoe, Miss Becker, Mrs. Jeffrey and Mrs. Ashworth +Hallet. +</p><p> +<span class="smcap">Newcastle, Town Hall</span>.—Followed on April 21, under the presidency +of the mayor. The crowd was so great that an overflow meeting had +to be arranged. The speakers were Mrs. Ashton Dilke, Miss Tod, Mrs. +Eva McLaren and Mrs. Scatcherd. The audience was largely composed +of miners and working people, and the enthusiasm manifested was +striking. A Newcastle paper reports that this was the first +occasion on which Mrs. Ashton Dilke had appeared in public since +her husband's death, and tears glistened in many eyes as the men +who were his constituents welcomed her among them once more. Some +miners walked twelve miles to hear her and twelve miles back after +the meeting, who had to go down the pit at 3 o'clock next morning. +Some could not get in, and pleaded piteously for an overflow +meeting. "We have come a long way to hear Mistress Dilke; do bring +her." Some women after hearing Miss Tod said: "She's worth hearing +twice, is that," and insisted on following her to the overflow +meeting. +</p><p> +<span class="smcap">London, St. James Hall</span>.—Three days later there was a great meeting +presided over by Sir Richard Temple G. C. S. I., and addressed by +Mr. W. Summers, M. P., Mrs. Fawcett, the Rt. Hon. Jas. Stansfeld, +M. P., Mrs. Charles McLaren, Mr. Woodall, M. P., Mr. J. Rankin, M. +P., Miss Tod, Mr. J. R. Hollond, M. P., Viscountess Harberton and +Miss Jane Cobden.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_560_560" id="Footnote_560_560"></a><a href="#FNanchor_560_560"><span class="label">[560]</span></a> The result is as follows:</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table class="dense" summary="Results"> +<tr><td class="left"> </td><td class="center" colspan="2">No. of Inhabited Houses.</td><td class="center" colspan="2">Estimated No. of<br />Women Householders.</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="sc">England and Wales.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td class="indent left">Boroughs,</td><td class="right">2,098,476</td><td class="right"> </td><td class="right">340,746</td></tr> +<tr><td class="indent left">Counties,</td><td class="right bb">2,733,043</td><td class="right"> </td><td class="right bb">390,434</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> </td><td class="right"> </td><td class="right">4,831,519</td><td class="right"> </td><td class="right">740,180</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="sc">Scotland.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td class="indent left">Boroughs,</td><td class="right">329,328</td><td class="right"> </td><td class="right">54,888</td></tr> +<tr><td class="indent left">Counties,</td><td class="right bb" >409,677</td><td class="right"> </td><td class="right bb">58,525</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> </td><td class="right"> </td><td class="right">739,005</td><td class="left"> </td><td class="right">113,413</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"><span class="sc">Ireland.</span></td></tr> +<tr><td class="indent left">Boroughs,</td><td class="right">129,837</td><td class="right"> </td><td class="right">21,339</td></tr> +<tr><td class="indent left">Counties,</td><td class="right bb">784,571</td><td class="right"> </td><td class="right bb">98,034</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> </td><td class="right"> </td><td class="right">914,108</td><td class="left"> </td><td class="right bb">119,373</td></tr> +<tr><td class="left"> </td><td class="right"> </td><td class="right"> </td><td class="left"> </td><td class="right">972,966</td></tr> +</table></div> + +</div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_561_561" id="Footnote_561_561"></a><a href="#FNanchor_561_561"><span class="label">[561]</span></a> Signed by Eveline Portsmouth (Countess of +Portsmouth), E. P. Verney (Lady Verney), Florence Nightingale, Anne +J. Clough (Newham College), Clara E. L. Rayleigh (Lady Rayleigh), +Selina Hogg (Lady Hogg), Anna Swanwick, Julia Camperdown (Countess +of Camperdown), Mina E. Holland, (Mrs. John Holland), (Lady) +Dorothy Nevill, Millicent Garrett Fawcett, Helen P. Bright Clark, +Jane E. Cobden, Elizabeth Adelaide Manning, M. Power (Lady Power), +Louisa Colthurst (Dowager Lady Colthurst), Frances E. Hoggan, M. +D., Florence Davenport Hill (Poor-law Guardian), Louisa Twining +(Poor-law Guardian), Maryanne Donkin (Poor-law Guardian), Rosamond +Davenport Hill (M. L. S. B.), Mary Howitt, Maria G. Grey, Emily A. +E. Shireff, Deborah Bowring (Lady Bowring), Emily Pfeiffer, Barbara +L. S. Bodichon, Augusta Webster, Catherine M. Buckton, Frances M. +Buss (North London Collegiate School), Sophia Bryant, B. Sc., +Malvira Borchardt (Head Mistress of Devonport High School), Louisa +Boucherett, Jessie Boucherett, Margaret Byers (Ladies' Collegiate +School, Belfast), Ellice Hopkins.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_562_562" id="Footnote_562_562"></a><a href="#FNanchor_562_562"><span class="label">[562]</span></a> Mrs. Lucas presiding, Dr. Garrett Anderson, Miss +Becker, Miss Orme, Mrs. Beddoe, Mrs. Scatcherd, Mrs. Eva M'Laren, +Mrs. Simcok, Mrs. Stanton Blatch, Mrs. Louisa Stevenson, Miss +Balgarnie, Miss Müller, Miss Wilkinson, Mrs. Ashworth Hallett, Miss +Tod.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_563_563" id="Footnote_563_563"></a><a href="#FNanchor_563_563"><span class="label">[563]</span></a> Miss Müller's spirited protest against taxation +without representation, owing to her official reputation as a +member of the London school-board, attracted unusual attention. For +some time she kept her doors barred against the coarse minions of +the law, but ultimately they entered the house, seized her goods +and carried them off to be sold at public auction, but they were +bought in by friends next day. Miss Charlotte E. Hall and Miss Babb +have protested and resisted taxation for many years. +</p><p> +It is probable that Miss Müller's example will be followed by many +others next year. This quiet form of protest used to be very +generally followed by members of the society of Friends, and must +command the sympathy of our co-workers in the United States, who +date their national existence from their refusal to submit to +taxation without representation.—[E. C. S.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_564_564" id="Footnote_564_564"></a><a href="#FNanchor_564_564"><span class="label">[564]</span></a> The bill was prepared and brought in by Mr. Woodall, +Mr. Illingworth, Mr. Coleridge Kennard, Mr. Stansfeld, Mr. Yorke +and Baron Henry de Worms.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_565_565" id="Footnote_565_565"></a><a href="#FNanchor_565_565"><span class="label">[565]</span></a> <i>Central Committee of the National Society for +Women's Suffrage</i>—Mrs. Ashford (Birmingham), Miss Lydia E. Becker +(Manchester), Alfred W. Bennett, esq., M. A., Miss Caroline Ashurst +Biggs, Miss Helen Blackburn, Miss Jessie Boucherett, Hon. Emmeline +Canning, Miss Frances Power Cobbe, Miss Jane Cobden, Miss +Courtenay, Leonard Courteny, esq., M. P., Mrs. Cowen (Nottingham), +Miss Mabel Sharman Crawford, Mrs. Ashton Dilke, Hon. Mrs. Maurice +Drummond (Hampstead), Mrs. Millicent G. Fawcett, Miss Agnes +Garrett, Rev. C. Green (Bromley), Mrs. Ashworth Hallett (Bristol), +Viscountess Harberton, Thomas Hare, esq., Mrs. Ann Maria Haslam +(Dublin), Frederick Hill, esq., Mrs. John Hollond, Mrs. Frank +Morrison, C. H. Hopwood, esq., Q. C., M. P., Mrs. John Hullah, +Coleridge Kennard, esq., M. P., Mrs. Margaret Bright Lucas, Mrs. E. +M. Lynch, Robert Main, esq., Mrs. Laura Pochin McLaren, Mrs. Eva +Müller McLaren (Bradford), Mrs. Priscilla Bright McLaren +(Edinburgh), Miss Henrietta Müller, Frederick Pennington, esq., M. +P., Mrs. F. Pennington, Miss Reeves, Mrs. Saville, Miss Lillie +Stacpole, Rev. S. A. Steinthal (Manchester), J. S. Symon, esq., +Miss Helen Taylor, Sir Richard Temple, G. C. S. I.; J. P. +Thomasson, esq., M. P., Mrs. Katherine Lucas Thomasson (Bolton), +Miss Isabella M. Tod (Belfast), Miss Williams, William Woodall, +esq. M. P. <i>Secretary</i>, Miss Florence Balgarnie. <i>Assistant +Secretary</i>, Miss Torrance. <i>Organizing Agent</i>, Miss Moore. +<i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. Laura Pochin McLaren. <i>Office</i>, 29 Parliament +street, London S. W.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_895" id="Page_895">[Pg 895]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LVII" id="CHAPTER_LVII"></a>CHAPTER LVII.</h2> + +<h3>CONTINENTAL EUROPE.<a name="FNanchor_566_566" id="FNanchor_566_566"></a><a href="#Footnote_566_566" class="fnanchor">[566]</a></h3> + +<h4>BY THEODORE STANTON.</h4> + +<blockquote><blockquote><p>If you would know the political and moral status of a +people, demand what place its women occupy.—[<span class="smcap">L. Aimé +Martin.</span></p> + +<p>There is nothing, I think, which marks more decidedly the +character of men or of nations, than the manner in which +they treat women.—[<span class="smcap">Herder.</span> </p></blockquote></blockquote> + +<div class="chapter-summary"><p>The Woman Question in the Back-ground—In France the Agitation +Dates from the Upheaval of 1789—International Women's Rights +Convention in Paris, 1878—Mlle. Hubertine Auclert Leads the Demand +for Suffrage—Agitation began in Italy with the Kingdom—Concepcion +Arenal in Spain—Coëducation in Portugal—Germany: Leipsic and +Berlin—Austria in Advance of Germany—Caroline Svetlá of +Bohemia—Austria Unsurpassed in contradictions—Marriage +Emancipates from Tutelage in Hungary—Dr. Henrietta Jacobs of +Holland—Dr. Isala van Diest of Belgium—In Switzerland the +Catholic Cantons Lag Behind—Marie Gœgg, the Leader—Sweden +Stands First—Universities Open to Women in Norway—Associations in +Denmark—Liberality of Russia toward Women—Poland—The +Orient—Turkey—Jewish Wives—The Greek Woman in Turkey—The Greek +Woman in Greece—An Unique Episode—Woman's Rights in the American +Sense not known. </p> +</div> + + +<p><span class="sc">The</span> reader of the preceding pages will be sorely disappointed if he +expects to find in this brief chapter a similar record of progress +and reform. If, however, he looks simply for an earnest of the +future, for a humble beginning of that wonderful revolution in +favor of women which has occurred in the United States, and to a +less degree in England, during the past quarter of a century, his +expectations will be fully realized. More than this; he will close +this long account of woman's emancipation in the new world +convinced that in due season a similar blessing is to be enjoyed by +the women of the old world.</p> + +<p>For the moment, the woman question in Europe is pushed into the +background by the all-absorbing struggle still going on in various +forms between the republican and monarchical principle, between the +vital present and the moribund past; but the most<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_896" id="Page_896">[Pg 896]</a></span> superficial +observer must perceive, that the amelioration of the lamentable +situation of European womanhood is sure to be one of the first +problems to come to the front for resolution, as soon as liberty +gains undisputed control on this continent,—a victory assured in +the not-distant future. When men shall have secured their rights, +the battle will be half won; women's rights will follow as a +natural sequence.</p> + +<p>The most logical beginning for a sketch of the woman movement on +the continent, and indeed of any step in advance, is of course +France, where ideas, not facts, stand out the more prominently; +for, in questions of reform, the abstract must always precede the +concrete,—public opinion must be convinced before it will accept +an innovation. This has been the <i>rôle</i> of France in Europe ever +since the great revolution; it is her <i>rôle</i> to-day. She is the +agitator of the old world, and agitation is the lever of reform.</p> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 313px;"> +<a name="v3_896" id="v3_896"> +<img src="images/v3_896.jpg" width="313" height="500" alt="George Sand" title="" /></a> +</div> + + +<p>The woman movement in France dates from the upheaval of 1789. +Though the demands for the rights of man threw all other claims +into the shade, a few women did not fail to perceive that they also +had interests at stake. Marie Olympe de Gouges, for example, in her +"Declaration of the Rights of Woman," vindicated for her sex all +the liberties proclaimed in the famous "Declaration of the Rights +of Man." During the empire and the restoration the reform slept; +under the July monarchy there was an occasional murmur, which burst +forth into a vigorous protest when the revolution of 1848 awakened +the aspirations of 1789, and George Sand consecrated her talent to +the cause of progress. During the second empire, in spite of the +oppressive nature of the government, the movement took on a more +definite form; its advocates became more numerous; and men and +women who held high places in literature, politics and journalism, +spoke out plainly in favor of ameliorating the condition of French +women. Then came the third republic, with more freedom than France +had enjoyed since the beginning of the century. The woman movement +felt the change, and, during the past ten years, its friends have +been more active than ever before.</p> + +<p>The most tangible event in the history of the question in France is +the International Woman's Rights Congress, the first international +gathering of the kind, which assembled in Paris in the months of +July and August during the exposition season of 1878. The committee +which called the congress contained representatives from six +different countries, viz.: France, Switzerland,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_897" id="Page_897">[Pg 897]</a></span> Italy, Holland, +Russia and America. Among the eighteen members from France were two +senators, five deputies and three Paris municipal councilors. Italy +was represented by a deputy and the Countess of Travers, an +indefatigable friend of the undertaking, who died just before the +opening of the congress. The American members of the committee were +Julia Ward Howe, Mary A. Livermore and Theodore Stanton. Among the +members<a name="FNanchor_567_567" id="FNanchor_567_567"></a><a href="#Footnote_567_567" class="fnanchor">[567]</a> of the congress, besides those just mentioned, were +deputies, senators, publicists, journalists, and men and women of +letters from all parts of Europe. Sixteen different organizations +in Europe and America sent delegates. The National Woman Suffrage +Association was represented by Jane Graham Jones and Theodore +Stanton, and the American Woman Suffrage Association by Julia Ward +Howe.</p> + +<p>The work of the congress was divided into five sections, as +follows: the historical, the educational, the economic, the moral, +and the legislative. The congress was opened on July 25, by Léon +Richer, its promoter and originator, and one of the most +indefatigable friends of women's rights in France. He invited Maria +Deraismes, an able speaker well known among Paris reformers, to act +as temporary chairman. The next thing in order was the election of +two permanent presidents, a man and a woman. The late M. Antide +Martin, then an influential member of the Paris municipal council, +and Julia Ward Howe were chosen. Mrs. Howe, on taking the chair, +made a short speech which was very well received; Anna Maria +Mozzoni, of Milan, a most eloquent orator, followed; and then +Genevieve Graham Jones advanced to the platform, and in the name of +her mother, Jane Graham Jones, delegate of the National Woman +Suffrage Association, she conveyed to the congress messages of +good-will from the United States. This address, delivered with much +feeling, and appealing to French patriotism, was enthusiastically +received. When Miss Jones had taken her seat, M. Martin arose, +thanked the foreign ladies for their admirable words, and concluded +in these terms: "In the name of my compatriots, I particularly +return gratitude to Miss Graham Jones for the eloquent and cordial +manner in which she has just<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_898" id="Page_898">[Pg 898]</a></span> referred to France, and in turn, I +salute republican America, which so often offers Europe examples of +good sense, wisdom and liberty."</p> + +<p>At the second session was read a long and eloquent letter from +Salvatore Morelli,<a name="FNanchor_568_568" id="FNanchor_568_568"></a><a href="#Footnote_568_568" class="fnanchor">[568]</a> the Italian deputy. Theodore Stanton read a +paper entitled, "The Woman Movement in the United States." The +third session was devoted to the educational phase of the woman +question. Tony Révillon, who has since become one of the radical +deputies of Paris, spoke, and Miss Hotchkiss presented an able +report on "The Education of Women in America." After Miss Hotchkiss +had finished, Auguste Desmoulins, now a member of the Paris +municipal council, offered, as president of the section, a +resolution advocating the principal reforms—the same studies for +boys and girls, and coëducation—demanded by Miss Hotchkiss. The +resolution was carried without debate. Aurelia Cimino Folliero de +Luna, of Florence, followed in a few remarks on the "Mission of +Woman." Eugénie Pierre, of Paris, spoke on the "Vices of Education +in Different Classes of Society," and in closing complimented +America in the highest terms for its progressive position on the +woman question. In fact, the example of the United States was +frequently cited throughout the proceedings of this congress, and +the reformers of America may find some joy in feeling that their +labors are producing fruit even in the old world.</p> + +<p>At the last session of the congress, August 9, 1878, a permanent +international committee was announced. France, England, Italy, +Alsace-Lorraine, Switzerland, Germany, Holland, Sweden, Poland, +Russia, Roumania and the United States are all represented on this +committee.<a name="FNanchor_569_569" id="FNanchor_569_569"></a><a href="#Footnote_569_569" class="fnanchor">[569]</a> The chief duties of this committee were to be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_899" id="Page_899">[Pg 899]</a></span> the +advancement of the reforms demanded by the congress and to issue +the call for the next international gathering. The congress ended +with a grand banquet on the evening of the last day's session, in +which about two hundred guests participated.</p> + +<p>The present situation in France is full of interest and +encouragement. There are societies, journals, and different groups +of reformers all striving independently but earnestly to better the +situation of French women politically, civilly, morally and +intellectually. At the head of the agitation in favor of women's +political rights stand Hubertine Auclert and her vigorous monthly, +<i>La Citoyenne</i><a name="FNanchor_570_570" id="FNanchor_570_570"></a><a href="#Footnote_570_570" class="fnanchor">[570]</a>; the reformers of the code are lead by Léon +Richer and his outspoken monthly, <i>Le Droit des Femmes</i><a name="FNanchor_571_571" id="FNanchor_571_571"></a><a href="#Footnote_571_571" class="fnanchor">[571]</a>; the +movement in favor of divorce, which was crowned with success in the +summer of 1884, is headed by Alfred Naquet in the senate, and finds +one of its earliest and ablest supporters in Olympe Audouard; the +emancipation of women from priestly domination—and herein lies the +greatest and most dangerous obstacle that the reformers +encounter—counts among its many advocates Maria Deraismes; woman's +moral improvement, to be mainly accomplished by the abolition of +legalized prostitution, is demanded by Dr. and Mrs. Chapman and +Emilie de Morsier; while the great uprising in favor of woman's +education has such a host of friends and has already produced such +grand results, that the brief limits of this sketch will permit +neither an enumeration of the one nor the other.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p>The transition from France to Italy is easy and natural, for it is +on the Cisalpine peninsula that Gallic ideas have always taken +deeper root than elsewhere on the Continent, and, as might be +expected, the Italian woman movement resembles in many respects +that of which we have just spoken.</p> + +<p>With the formation of the kingdom of Italy in 1870 began a +well-defined agitation in favor of Italian women. The educational +question was first taken up. Prominent among the women who +participated in this movement were Laura Mantegazza, the +Marchioness Brigida Tanari, and Alessandrina Ravizza. Aurelia +Cimino Folliero de Luna, who has devoted her whole life to +improving the condition of her countrywomen, writes me from +Florence on this subject. "Here it was," she says, "that the +example of American and English women, who in this respect<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_900" id="Page_900">[Pg 900]</a></span> were +our superiors, was useful to us. While we were still under foreign +domination and ignorant of solidarity of sex, they were free and +united." The new political life produced a number of able women +orators and writers, such as Anna Mozzoni, Malvina Frank, Gualberta +Beccari, and many others. The last named founded at Venice <i>La +Donna</i>, and in 1872 Aurelia Cimino Folliero de Luna established in +Florence <i>La Cornelia</i>, which has since ceased to exist, while in +1882 Ernesta Napollon began at Naples the publication of the +short-lived <i>L'Umanitario</i>, the youngest of a goodly list of +journals which have done much to excite an interest in the woman +question. The Italian government has generously seconded the +efforts of the reformers. The code has been modified, schools have +been established, the universities thrown open and courses in +agriculture proposed.</p> + +<p>But the most significant sign of progress in Italy was afforded by +the great universal suffrage convention, held at Rome on February +11, 12, 1881. Anna Mozzoni, delegate to the convention from the +Milan Society for the Promotion of Woman's Interests, of which she +is the able president, made an eloquent appeal for woman suffrage +and introduced a resolution to this effect which was carried by a +good majority.<a name="FNanchor_572_572" id="FNanchor_572_572"></a><a href="#Footnote_572_572" class="fnanchor">[572]</a> In 1876 a committee of the Chamber, of which +the deputy Peruzzi was chairman, reported a bill in favor of +conferring on women the right to vote on municipal and provincial +questions (<i>voto amministrativo</i>), a privilege which they had +formerly enjoyed in Lombardy and Venice under Austrian rule. This +bill was reïntroduced in 1882 by the Depretis ministry and was +reported upon favorably by the proper committee in June, 1884. It +is believed that the proposition will soon become a law. If such is +the case, Italian women will enjoy the same rights as Italian men +in municipal and provincial affairs, with this exception, that they +will not be eligible to office in the bodies of which they are +electors.<a name="FNanchor_573_573" id="FNanchor_573_573"></a><a href="#Footnote_573_573" class="fnanchor">[573]</a> Aurelia Cimino Folliero de Luna, says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I make no doubt that in a few years the question of the +emancipation of women in Italy will be better understood; will be +regarded from a more elevated standpoint and will receive a more +general and greater support; for if we turn to the past, we shall +be astonished at what has already been accomplished in this +direction. </p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_901" id="Page_901">[Pg 901]</a></span></p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p>Concepcion Arenal, the distinguished Spanish authoress, signals +several signs of progress in her country. This lady writes:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In the schools founded by the Madrid Association for the +Education of Women, nearly five hundred girls pursue courses in +pedagogics, commercial studies, modern languages, painting, etc. +This instruction, for the most part gratis, is given by +professors who devote their time and strength to this noble +object without receiving any remuneration,—worthy continuators +of the grand work of the founder of the Madrid high-school for +women, Fernando de Castro, of blessed memory, one of the most +philanthropic men I ever met, who so loved mankind that his name +should be known in every land. Nine hundred and eighteen girls +attended the session of 1880-1881 of the school of music and +declamation at Madrid, and the number has since increased.</p> + +<p>A few years ago a school of arts and trades was founded at the +capital, and women were admitted to the classes in drawing. In +1881, one hundred and thirty availed themselves of this +privilege. In 1882, one hundred and fifty-four female students +were present at the institutions (<i>institutos</i>) for intermediate +education in Spain. The coëducation of the sexes, therefore, is +not unknown to us. In that year Valencia, Barcelona, Gerona and +Seville each counted sixteen, while the single girl at Mahon +discontinued her studies on the ground that she preferred not to +mingle with boys. At Malaga, the only female aspirant for the +bachelor's degree took seven prizes, and was "excellent" in all +her studies. During the academic year, 1881-1882, twelve women +attended lectures in the Spanish universities. The three at +Madrid were all working for the doctorate, and one had passed the +necessary examinations; the two at Valladolid were occupied with +medicine, while at Barcelona five were studying medicine, one +law, and one pharmacy. Three of the medical students have passed +their examinations, but instead of the degrees, which are refused +them, they are granted certificates which do not allow them to +practice.</p> + +<p>Our public opinion is progressing, as is evidenced by the laws, +and especially by the educational reforms, which are the +exclusive work of men. The council of public instruction, a +consulting body holding by no means advanced ideas, was called +upon a short time ago, to decide whether the university +certificates conferred upon women could be converted into regular +degrees, which would entitle the recipients to the enjoyment of +the privileges attached to these titles. The learned council +discussed, hesitated, tried to decide the question, but finally +left it in a situation which was neither clear nor conclusive. +This hesitancy and vagueness are very significant; a few years +ago a negative decision would have been given promptly and in the +plainest terms. </p></blockquote> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p>Portugal is following closely upon the steps of Spain, and, in the +former as in the latter country, it is in the department of +education that the most marked signs of an awakening are to be +found. Rodrigues de Freitas, the well-known publicist and +republican statesman of Porto, says:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_902" id="Page_902">[Pg 902]</a></span></p> + +<blockquote><p>There is not a single intermediate school for girls in all +Portugal. In 1883, the Portugese parliament took up the subject +of intermediate instruction, and discussed the question in its +relation to women, and the progress in this direction realized in +France during the last few years. A deputy who opposed the +reform, recalled the words of Jules Simon, pronounced in a recent +sitting of the council of public instruction at Paris. The +philosopher remarked:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We are here a few old men, very fortunate gentlemen, in being +excused from having to marry the girls you propose to bring up. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Our minister of the interior, who has charge of public instruction, +followed, and declared that he was in favor of the establishment of +girls' colleges. He said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It is true that M. Jules Simon considers himself fortunate in not +having to marry a girl educated in a French college; but I think +I have discovered the reason for this aversion. He is getting in +his dotage, otherwise he would experience no repugnance in +proposing to such a girl, provided, of course, that, along with +an education, she was at the same time pretty and virtuous. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The chamber laughed. And such is the situation to-day: the minister +favorable to the better instruction of women, while neither +minister nor deputies make an earnest effort to bring it about.</p> + +<p>This dark picture is relieved, however, by one or two bright +touches. There are many private boarding schools where families in +easy circumstances send their daughters, who learn to speak several +languages, are taught a little elementary mathematics and +geography, and acquire a few accomplishments. Some of the pupils of +these institutions pass with credit the examinations of the boys' +lyceums or colleges. Article 72, of the law of June 14, 1880, on +intermediate instruction, reads as follows: "Students of the female +sex, who wish to enter the State schools, or pass the examinations +of said schools, come within the provisions of this law, except as +regards the regulations concerning boarding scholars." That is to +say, girls enjoy in the State intermediate schools the same +privileges as male day scholars. Many girls have availed themselves +of this opportunity and have passed the lyceum examinations. </p></blockquote> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p>Crossing the Rhine into the Teutonic countries, we find less +progress on the whole, than among the Latin races. Germany, +however, if behind France and Italy, is far ahead of Spain and +Portugal. The agitation is divided into two currents: the Leipsic +and the Berlin movements. The former is the older, the General +Association of German Women having been founded in Leipsic in +October, 1865. Louise Otto-Peters, the prime mover in the +organization of this association, may be considered the originator +of the German movement. A novelist of much power, whose stories all +teach a lesson in socialism, she established in 1848, the year of +the great revolutionary fermentation throughout Europe, the first +paper which advocated the interests of women in Germany. The aims +of the Leipsic and Berlin reformers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_903" id="Page_903">[Pg 903]</a></span> were of an economic and +educational nature. It was felt that the time had come when woman +must have wider and better paid fields of work, and when she must +be more thoroughly educated in order to be able the easier to gain +her livelihood. A paper, <i>New Paths</i> (<i>Neue Bahnen</i>), was +established as the organ of the association. It still exists. The +plan of holding annual conventions—much like those which have been +in progress in America for so many years—in the chief cities of +Germany was settled upon, and numerous meetings of this kind have +already occurred. At these gatherings all questions pertaining to +woman's advancement are discussed, and auxiliary associations +organized. The General Association of German Women has sent several +petitions to the Reichstag, or imperial parliament, demanding +various reforms and innovations. The principal members of the +association are Louise Otto-Peters, the president and editor of the +<i>Neue Bahnen</i>; Henriette Goldschmidt, the most effective speaker of +the group; and Mrs. Winter, the treasurer, all of whom live in +Leipsic; Miss Menzzer of Dresden; Lina Morgenstern, the well-known +Berlin philanthropist; and Marie Calm of Cassel, perhaps the most +radical of the body, whose ideas on woman suffrage are much the +same as those entertained in England and the United States. In +fact, an American is frequently struck by the similarity between +many of the features of the General Association of German Women, +and the Woman's Rights Association in the United States.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p>The Berlin movement, which resembles that of Leipsic in everything +except that it is rather more conservative, owes its origin to that +distinguished philanthropist, Dr. Adolf Lette. The Lette Verein, or +Lette Society, so called in honor of its founder, was organized in +December, 1865, but a few months after the establishment of the +Leipsic association. The object of the society is, as has already +been said, to improve the material condition of women, especially +poor women, by giving them a better education, by teaching them +manual employments, by helping to establish them in business—in a +word, by affording them the means to support themselves. The Lette +Society has become the nucleus of similar organizations scattered +all over the German empire. Its organ, the <i>German Woman's +Advocate</i> (<i>Deutcher Frauenanwalt</i>), is a well-conducted little +monthly, edited by the secretary of the society, Jenny Hirsch. Anna +Schepeler-Lette, daughter of the founder, has been for many<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_904" id="Page_904">[Pg 904]</a></span> years +and is still at the head of this admirable society. She writes me:</p> + +<blockquote><p>If we are asked whether we would have women enter public life, +whether we would wish them to become professors in the +university, clergymen in the church, and lawyers at the bar, as +is the case in America, we should make no response, for they are +but idle questions. These demands have not yet been made in +Germany, nor will they be made for a long time to come, if ever. +But why peer into the future? We have to-day many institutions, +many customs, which past centuries would have looked upon as +contrary to Divine and human law. In this connection we would say +with Sancho Panza: "What is, is able to be." </p></blockquote> + +<p>The German philosopher, Herr von Kirchmann, is more decided in his +views concerning the future of his countrywomen. In one of his last +works, entitled "Questions and Dangers of the Hour" (<i>Zeitfragen +und Abenteuer</i>) is a chapter on "Women in the Past and Future," +where it is shown that the female sex has been gradually gaining +its freedom, and the prediction is made that the day is near at +hand when women will obtain their complete independence and will +compete with men in every department of life, not excepting +politics.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p>Turning to the other great Germanic nation, Austria, we find still +less progress than in the north. In fact, the movement in the south +is little more than a question of woman's self-support. The +important problem of woman's education is not yet resolved in +Germany, and in Austria still less has been done. "In two +particulars," writes a Berlin correspondent, "Austria may be said +to be in advance of Germany. The admission of women to the +university does not present such insurmountable difficulties, and +her employment in railroad, post, and telegraph offices does not +encounter such strong opposition." But it must not be supposed from +this statement that the Austrian universities are open to women. +"Our universities are shut against women," Professor Wendt, of +Troppau, informs me; "but they may pass the same examinations as +boys who have finished their preparatory studies, though it is +distinctly stated in the women's diplomas that they may not +continue their studies in the university." The professors, however, +sometimes allow foreign girls to attend lectures. Professor Bruhl, +of Vienna, for example, has lectured to men and women on anatomy. +The Academy of Fine Arts at Vienna is not open to women, though the +Conservatory of Music is much frequented by them. In 1880, in fact, +three women received<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_905" id="Page_905">[Pg 905]</a></span> prizes for musical compositions. Johanna +Leitenberger, of Salzburg, writes:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Several newspapers are devoted to the different phases of the +woman's movement in Austria. Some years ago an ex-officer, +Captain A. D. Korn, who, if I am not mistaken, had passed some +time in England and America, founded the <i>Women's Universal +Journal</i> (<i>Allgemeine Frauen Zeitung</i>). This newspaper was wholly +devoted to women's interest, but it soon died. The same thing is +true of the <i>Women's Journal</i> (<i>Frauenblätter</i>) of Gratz, which +appeared for a short time under my editorship. <span class="spacious">* * * *</span> On October +9, 10, 11, 1872, the third German women's convention (<i>Deutsche +Frauenkonferenz</i>) was held at Vienna, under the auspices of the +general society for popular education and the amelioration of +women's condition. The other two sittings of this society had +been held at Leipsic and Stuttgart. The soul of this new movement +was Captain Korn, whom I have already mentioned. His study of the +woman question in the United States may have prompted him to +awaken a similar agitation among the women of the Austrian +empire. Addresses were delivered at this convention by ladies +from Vienna, Hungary, Bohemia and Styria and all the various +interests of women were discussed. <span class="spacious">* * * *</span> The proceedings of the +convention attracted considerable attention, and produced +favorable impressions on the audience, which was recruited from +the better classes of the population. But the newspapers of +Vienna ridiculed the young movement, its friends grew lukewarm, +and every trace was soon lost of this first and last Austrian +women's rights convention. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In one important particular the Austro-Hungarian empire treats +women more fairly than is the case in other European countries. +Elise Krásnohorská, the Bohemian author, writes me:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Women have a voice in the municipal, provincial and national +elections, though male citizens duly authorized by them cast +their vote. With this single reserve—a very important one, it +must be confessed—our women are politically the equals of men. +At Prague, however, this is not the case. The Bohemian capital +preserves an ancient privilege which is in contradiction to the +Austrian electoral law, and which excludes us from the elective +franchise. Universal suffrage does not exist in the empire, but +the payment of a certain amount of taxes confers the right to +vote. I do not enter into the details of the electoral law, which +is somewhat complicated, which has its exceptions and +contradictions, and is in fact an apple of discord in Austria in +more than one respect; but, speaking generally, it may be said +that a woman who owns property, who is in business, or who pays +taxes, may designate a citizen possessing her confidence to +represent her at the polls. Our women are satisfied with this +system, and prefer it to casting their ballot in person.</p> + +<p>It may be said, also, that women are eligible to office, or at +least that there is no law against their accepting it, while +there are instances of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_906" id="Page_906">[Pg 906]</a></span> their having done so. In southern +Bohemia, a short time ago, a countess was chosen member of a +provincial assembly (<i>okresni zastupitestvo</i>) with the approval +of the body, on the condition that she should not participate +personally in its deliberations, but should be represented by a +man having full power to act for her. At Agram in Croatia, a +woman was elected, a few years ago, member of the municipal +council, and no objection was made. Of course such cases are very +rare, but they have their significance. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Carolina Svetlá, the distinguished poet and author, has done, +perhaps, the most to awaken thought on the woman question in +Bohemia. She stands at the head of a talented group of literary +women, which plays a brilliant part in the fatherland of Huss. The +means for woman's instruction, however, are most lamentable in +Bohemia. The universities are shut against women, and though two +women have been graduated in Switzerland, their degrees are not +recognized in their native land. Beyond primary instruction the +State does almost nothing for its women, though they outnumber the +other sex by two hundred thousand. In several of the large cities +of Bohemia something has been accomplished for girls' high-school +and normal-school instruction; but, in general, we may say that the +intellectual development of Bohemian girls is left to private +instruction. Associations of women have done much to fill this +void, one of which, founded by Carolina Svetlá, is devoted to the +industrial and commercial instruction of girls. Two thousand women +belong to this association, and five hundred girls attend its +school annually, while many young women frequent its school for the +training of nurses. This vigorous organization has disarmed +prejudices by the success of its schools and by the arguments of +its monthly organ, the <i>Zenské Listy</i>, ably edited by Elise +Krásnohorská, one of the best known Bohemian poets, and a leader in +the work of improving the condition of her countrywomen. Vojtá +Náprstek, a man who has justly been named "the woman's advocate," +has founded at Prague the Women's American Club, whose object is +charity and the intellectual elevation of women, and has presented +the club a valuable collection of books and objects of art. A lady, +writing me from Prague, says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The club has always been in a most flourishing condition, +although it has never had a constitution or by-laws to hold it +together,—nothing but the single bond of philanthropy. At first +it had not even a name. But outsiders began to call its members +'the Americans,' because they adopted American improvements in +their homes. The appellation was accepted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_907" id="Page_907">[Pg 907]</a></span> by the club as an +honorable title, and from that time it formally called itself the +"American Club." </p></blockquote> + +<p>The Austrian code, in its treatment of women, is unsurpassed in +contradictions. Women, for example, may testify in criminal +actions, but they may not be witnesses to the simplest legal +document. There are many absurdities of this sort in the existing +law which were unknown in the ancient code of independent Bohemia, +which was more liberal in its treatment of women. Divorce exists, +but divorced persons cannot marry again. Bohemia being a part of +Austria, women vote in the same way as has already been mentioned +in what was said of the latter country. But at Prague, however, +women do not vote, the capital still retaining its old laws on this +subject.</p> + +<p>Concerning the other grand division of the empire of the Hapsburgs, +Hungary, much the same may be said as of Bohemia. It is only within +the last forty years that Hungary has striven to attain to the +level of occidental civilization and culture, so that the question +of the amelioration of women's condition is of very recent origin +in that country. Rose Revai, of Budapest, writes:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Hungarian legislators have always treated us favorably in all +matters pertaining to the family, marriage and inheritance. By +the mere act of marriage we attain our majority and are +emancipated from tutelage. As heirs, our interests are not +forgotten, and as widows, we have the control over our own +children. In business and trade we enjoy equal rights with men. +And Hungarian women have not been slow to take advantage of these +privileges, as is shown by those of our sex who occupy worthy +positions in literature, art, commerce, industry, the theater and +the school-room. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Although the Hungarian universities are still closed against women, +there are many girls' industrial and normal schools and colleges. +The impetus given to female education in Hungary is chiefly due to +the late Baron Joseph Eœtvœs, the savant, poet and +philanthropist, who was minister of public instruction in 1867. +Women are employed in the postal and telegraphic service.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p>Returning north, to Holland, we find much the same situation as in +the other Teutonic nations. "The women of Holland are +unquestionably better educated, and entertain as a body more +liberal ideas than French women," said a Dutch lady to me, who had +lived many years at Paris; "but, on the other hand, there is not +the little group of women in the Netherlands who grasp the real +meaning of the woman question as is the case here in France." +Woman's social position is a little better in Holland<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_908" id="Page_908">[Pg 908]</a></span> than in the +Catholic countries. In 1870 an essay on the woman question "by a +lady" demanded political rights for women, and there are a few +instances of women having lectured on that subject. The Dutch +universities are open to female students, and Aletta Henriette +Jacobs, the first and only female physician in Holland, has a +successful practice at Amsterdam. Dr. Jacobs recently attempted to +vote, and carried the question before the courts. Elise A. +Haighton, of Amsterdam, writes:</p> + +<blockquote><p>A few of our women do not hesitate to participate in political +and social discussions. The Union (<i>Unic</i>), a society which aims +to promote popular interest in politics by meetings, debates, +tracts, etc.; the Daybreak (<i>Dageraad</i>), a radical association +which holds very ultra opinions on politics, religion and +science, and supports a magazine to which many scientific men +contribute; and the New Malthusian Band, an organization +sufficiently explained by its name, all count several women among +their members. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Elise van Calcar, the veteran Dutch authoress, sums up the +situation in Holland, as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I am sorry to have to confess that, as regards the general +emancipation of women, we have accomplished but very little. Our +work is indirect; we can only proclaim the injustice of our +position. </p></blockquote> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p>Two countries, the product of Latin and Teutonic civilization, +Belgium and Switzerland, must be touched upon before we turn to the +Scandinavian people. Of the first, Belgium, about the same may be +said as of Holland with which she was so long united politically. A +correspondent in Belgium writes me as follows:</p> + +<blockquote><p>There cannot be said to be any movement in this country in favor +of the emancipation of women. No journal, no association, no +organization of any kind exists. </p></blockquote> + +<p>But public opinion is said to be quite favorable. Women are making +their way slowly into certain callings. The professors of the +universities of Liege and Ghent, when asked their opinion not long +ago by the minister of public instruction, expressed a desire to +see women admitted to the privileges of these institutions on the +same terms as men, and to-day female students are found at all the +institutions for higher education. Another correspondent writes:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Within the past few years an effort has been made among the women +of the middle classes in the large cities, and secondary and +professional schools have been established for girls, which are +already producing good fruit. This movement is beginning to make +itself felt among the upper classes, and it is to be hoped that +the next generation will make<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_909" id="Page_909">[Pg 909]</a></span> longer strides in the direction of +instruction than is the case with the present generation. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In one respect at least Belgium is far behind her neighbor, +Holland. Dr. Isala van Diest, the first and so far the only female +physician in Belgium, although she has passed successfully all the +necessary examinations and taken all the necessary degrees, may not +practice medicine in her own country. She wrote me recently:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I fear I shall soon be obliged to give up the fight and go to +France, England or Holland, unless I wish to lose the fruit of +all my studies. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Concerning the higher education of women Dr. van Diest writes:</p> + +<blockquote><p>There existed in Belgium some years ago a law which required +students who would enter the university, to pass the examination +of graduate in letters (<i>gradué-en-lettres</i>). Candidates for this +degree were expected to know how to translate Greek and write +Latin. But as there were no schools where girls could study the +dead languages with the thoroughness of boys who were trained six +years in the classics, the former were almost entirely shut out +from enjoying the advantages of an university course. This +<i>graduat</i>, however, no longer exists, and the entrance of women +into our universities is now possible. Female students are found +to-day at Brussels, Liege and Ghent, but their number is still +very small. It was in 1880 that the first woman entered the +university of Brussels, but it was not until 1883 that their +admission became general. They pursue, for the most part, +scientific studies, thereby securing more lucrative positions as +teachers, and pass their examinations for graduation with +success. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Switzerland being made up of more than a score of separate cantons +closely resembling our States in their political organization, it +is difficult to arrive at the exact situation throughout the whole +country—small though it be. However, generally speaking, it may be +said that the Helvetic republic has remained almost a passive +spectator of the woman movement, though a few signs of progress are +worthy of note. The Catholic cantons lag behind those that have +adopted Protestantism, and the latter are led by Geneva. Though +subject to the Napoleonic code, Geneva has never known that +debasing law of the tutelage of women which existed for so long a +time in the other cantons, even in the intelligent canton of Vaud, +where it was abolished only in 1873. It was not until 1881 that a +federal statute put an end to the law throughout all Switzerland. +Geneva has always been very liberal in its treatment of married +women—divorce exists, excellent intermediate girls' schools were +created more than thirty years ago, and women are admitted to all +the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_910" id="Page_910">[Pg 910]</a></span> university lectures. Marie Gœgg, the untiring leader of the +movement in that country, writes me:</p> + +<blockquote><p>However, notwithstanding these examples of liberality, which +denote that the law-makers had a breadth of view in accord with +their time, Switzerland, as a whole, has been one of the least +disposed of European States to accept the idea of the civil +emancipation of woman, much less her political emancipation, so +that from 1848 to 1868 the demands of American women were +considered here to be the height of extravagance.... The seed +planted in America in 1848, though its growth was difficult, +finally began to take root in Europe. The hour had come. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In March, 1868, Marie Gœgg published a letter, in which she +invited the women of all nations to join with her in the formation +of a society. In July of that same year the Woman's International +Association was founded at Geneva with Marie Gœgg as president. +The organization began immediately an active work, and through its +efforts, several of the reforms already mentioned were brought +about, and public opinion in Switzerland considerably enlightened +on the question. Mrs. Gœgg says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>With the object of advancing the young movement, I established at +my own risk a bi-monthly, the <i>Woman's Journal</i> (<i>Journal des +femmes</i>). But this was a violation of that good Latin motto, +<i>festina lenté</i>, and, at the end of a few months the paper +suspended publication. Swiss public opinion was not yet ready to +support such a venture.</p> + +<p>It may be pointed out here that, except in England, all the +women's societies created in Europe had, up to the time of the +organization of the International Association refrained from +touching the question of the political rights of women. The Swiss +association, on the contrary, always included this subject in its +programme. But, unfortunately, at the moment when our efforts +were meeting with success, and the future was full of promise for +the cause which we advocated, the terrible Franco-German war +broke out, and, for various reasons unnecessary to go into here, +I felt constrained to resign the presidency, and the association +came to an end. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Two years later the International Association was revived in the +form of the Solidarity (<i>Solidarité</i>), whose name signified the +spirit which ought to unite all women. In 1875 Mrs. Gœgg became +president of the new organization as well as founder and editor of +its organ, the <i>Solidarity Bulletin</i> (<i>Bulletin de la Solidarité</i>). +But on September 20, 1880, both society and journal ceased to +exist. The president in her farewell address said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The dissolution of the Solidarity ought not to discourage us, but +ought rather to cause us to rejoice, for the recent creation of +so many women's national societies in different countries proves +that the Solidarity has accomplished its aim, so that we have +only to retire. </p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_911" id="Page_911">[Pg 911]</a></span></p> + +<p>The striking success of university coëducation in Switzerland calls +for a few words of notice. Mrs. Gœgg writes:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In October, 1872, I sent a petition to the grand-council of +Geneva, asking that women be admitted to the university of Geneva +on the same footing as men. The state of public opinion on this +subject in Switzerland, and especially in Geneva, may be judged +from the fact that, fearing to compromise the demand if I acted +in my own name or that of the Solidarity, the petition was +presented as coming from "the mothers of Geneva." Our prayer was +granted. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The number of women who have pursued studies at Geneva has steadily +increased every year. In 1878 the university of Neufchatel was +thrown open to women, while the university of Zurich has long had a +large number of female students. Professor Pflüger, of the +university of Bern, writing to me in April, 1883, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>From February 2, 1876, to the present time, thirty-five women +have taken degrees at our medical school. The lectures are +attended each semester on an average by from twenty-five to +thirty women, while from three to six follow the lectures on +philosophy and letters. The presence of women at our university +has occasioned no serious inconvenience and many colleagues favor +it. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The rector of the university of Geneva wrote, February, 1883:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Up to the present time the attendance of women at our university +has occasioned us no inconvenience except in some lectures of the +medical school, where the subjects are not always of a nature to +admit of their treatment before mixed classes. </p></blockquote> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p>We shall now glance at the situation of woman in the three +Scandinavian countries, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Sweden stands +first, just as Germany does among the Teutonic nations, and France +among the Latin nations; in fact we may perhaps go farther and say +that of all Continental States, Sweden leads in many respects at +least, in the revolution in favor of women.</p> + +<p>The State, the royal family, private individuals, and, above all, +women themselves have all striven to outstrip each other in the +emancipation of Swedish women. Normal schools, high schools, +primary schools, the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal Academy +of Fine Arts, both at Stockholm, dairy schools and a host of other +educational institutions, both private and public, are thrown wide +open to women. The State has founded scholarships for women at +Upsala University and at the medical school of the university of +Lund. Numerous benevolent, charitable and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_912" id="Page_912">[Pg 912]</a></span> industrial societies +have been established and in many instances are managed by women. +But the best idea may be gained of the liberal spirit which +prevails in Sweden by showing what the State has done for the +emancipation of women. For instance, in 1845, equality of +inheritance for son and daughter was established, and the wife was +given equal rights with the husband as regards the common property; +in 1846, woman was permitted to practice industrial professions and +to carry on business in her own name; in 1861, the professions of +surgery and dentistry were opened to her; in 1864, her rights in +trade and industrial pursuits were enlarged; in 1870, she was +admitted to the universities and medical profession; in 1872, a +woman of twenty-five was given the full right of disposing of +herself in marriage, the consent of parents and relations having +been necessary before that time; and in 1874, a married woman +became entitled to control that part of her private property set +aside for her personal use in the marriage contract, as well as to +possess her own earnings. The reforms in favor of married women are +in no small measure due to the society founded in 1871 by Mrs. E. +Anckarsvärd and Anna Hierta Retzius, whose aim was the +accomplishment of these very reforms.</p> + +<p>A good beginning has been made toward securing full political +rights for Swedish women. In many matters relative to the +municipality, women vote on the same terms with men, as for +example, in the choice of the parish clergy, in the election of +municipal councilors, and members of the county council. This +latter body elects the House of Lords, so that woman's influence, +through an intermediate electoral body, is felt in the upper +chamber. May this not be one reason why the Swedish legislature has +been so liberal toward women? Demands have been made, but in vain, +for the complete franchise which would confer upon women the +privilege of voting for members of the diet. Woman's interests have +found a warm and energetic advocate in the <i>Home Review</i> +(<i>Tidskrift för Hemmet</i>), which was founded in 1859 by the Hon. +Rosalie d'Olivecrona and the Baroness Leyonhufoud, to-day the Hon. +Mrs. Adlersparre. The paper is still edited by the latter; Rosalie +d'Olivecrona, who has always been a most active friend of the woman +movement, having retired in 1868.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p>If we cross the boundaries of Sweden into the sister kingdom of +Norway, we find the condition of woman absolutely changed.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_913" id="Page_913">[Pg 913]</a></span> +"Concerning Norway, I have said almost nothing," writes Camilla +Collett, the distinguished Norwegian author, in some notes which +she sent me recently on the situation of women in Scandinavia, "for +the very simple reason that there is little to say." The long and +oppressive domination of Denmark prostrated Norway, but her close +union with Sweden since the fall of Napoleon, has begun to have a +good effect, and the liberal influence of the latter country in +favor of woman is already beginning to be felt in the other half of +the Scandinavian peninsula. One step in advance has been the +opening of the university to women—"The best thing that can be +said of Norway," says Camilla Collett. Miss Cecilie Thoresen, the +first female student to matriculate at Christiania University, +writing to me from Eidsvold, Norway, in December, 1882, says it was +in 1880 that she decided to try and take an academic degree. Her +father, therefore, applied to the minister of public instruction +for the necessary authorization; the latter referred the +application to the university authorities, who, in their turn, +submitted the portentous question to the faculty of the law-school. +In due season Miss Thoresen received this rather unsatisfactory +response:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The admission of women to the university is denied, but we +recognize the necessity for changing the law on the subject. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Thereupon Mr. H. E. Berner, the prominent liberal member of the +Storthing, or Norwegian parliament, introduced a bill permitting +women to pursue university studies leading to the degrees in arts +and philosophy (<i>examen artium</i> and <i>examen philosophicum</i>). The +committee reported unanimously in favor of the bill; on March 30, +1882, it passed without debate the Odelsthing, one of the two +chambers of the Storthing, with but one dissenting voice—that of a +clergyman; on April 21, 1882, it received the unanimous vote of the +other house, the Lagthing; and it finally became a law on June 15, +1882. But Mr. Berner did not stop here. He once wrote me:</p> + +<blockquote><p>In my opinion there hardly exists nowadays another social problem +which has a better claim on public attention than that of the +emancipation of women. Until they are placed on an equal footing +with men, we shall not have departed from the days of barbarism. </p></blockquote> + +<p>In 1884, Mr. Berner succeeded in making it possible for women to +take all university degrees, the law of 1882 having opened to them +only the degrees in arts and philosophy. He is now pressing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_914" id="Page_914">[Pg 914]</a></span> on the +attention of parliament other reforms in favor of women; and he has +recently written me that he believes that his efforts will be +crowned with success.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p>In Denmark nothing has been done in the direction of political +rights, nothing for school suffrage, though the liberal movement of +1848 improved woman's legal position slightly. But the situation of +married women is still very unsatisfactory, for it may be summed up +by saying that her property and her children are controlled by the +husband. In 1879 many thousand women petitioned the legislature for +the right to their own earnings, and a law was passed to this +effect. During the last twenty years, thanks to the example set by +Sweden, much has been done to open to women the field of work. In +1875 the university consented to receive women, but as the State +furnishes them only primary instruction, and does nothing for their +intermediate instruction, leaving this broad gap to be filled by +private efforts, the educational situation of Danish women leaves +much to be desired. But the women themselves have turned their +attention to this matter, and high schools and professional schools +for women, and generally managed by women, are springing up.</p> + +<p>Denmark has produced several journals devoted to the interests of +women and edited by women. The <i>Friday</i> (<i>Fredagen</i>), issued from +July, 1875, to 1879, was edited by Vilhelmine Zahle. It was a bold, +radical little sheet. The name was probably taken from the <i>Woman's +Journal and Friday Society</i>, which appeared at Copenhagen in 1767, +under the anonymous editorship of a woman. The <i>Woman's Review</i> +(<i>Tidsskrift for Kvinder</i>) began to appear in January, 1882. Its +editor, Elfride Fibiger, has associated with her Mr. Friïs, a very +earnest friend of the women's movement, who has given a more +progressive turn to the paper, which has come out for women's +suffrage—the first journal in Denmark to take this radical step.</p> + +<p>Perhaps the most encouraging sign of progress is the foundation, +during the past few years, of numerous associations of women with +different objects in view. John Stuart Mill's "Subjection of +Women," which was translated into Danish and widely read; the +"Letters from Clara Raphael," of Mathilde Fibiger, which appeared +still earlier, in 1850; the writings of Camilla Collett, of Norway; +the liberal utterances of the great poets of the North, Björnsen, +Hostrup and Ibsen, whose "Nora" has<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_915" id="Page_915">[Pg 915]</a></span> rightfully procured for him +the title of "Woman's Poet"; the great progress in America, England +and Sweden; all these influences stimulated thought, weakened +prejudices and prepared the way for reforms in the Danish +peninsula. Kirstine Frederiksen, of Copenhagen, says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It is plainly evident that Danish women are weary of the part +allotted to them in the old society, a part characterized by the +sentiment that the best that can be said of a woman is that there +is nothing to say about her.... When, in due time, the claim for +political rights is made here in Denmark, then will women from +all classes unite in their efforts to secure the palladium which +alone can protect them from arbitrariness and subjection. </p></blockquote> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p>We shall now take up the Slavonic countries, beginning with Russia, +which stands first, not only because of its vastness, but also +because of its liberality toward women. The position of the Russian +women before the law is very peculiar. Children, whatever their age +and whether male or female, are never emancipated from the control +of their parents. The daughter can only escape from this authority, +and then only in a limited degree, by marriage, and the son by +entering the service of the State. In the provinces alone girls of +twenty-one may marry without the parents' consent. The married +woman is in the full power of her husband, though she is the +mistress of her own fortune. Divorce exists. Russian women vote on +an equality with men for members of the municipal councils and +county assemblies, and these two bodies choose the boards which +transact the public business, such as superintending the collection +of taxes, keeping the roads in order, directing the schools, etc. +The Russian woman does, not however, appear at the polls, but is +represented by some male relative or friend (as we have already +seen in Austria) who casts the vote for her. Thus the Russian +woman, except that she is ineligible to office, possesses all the +political rights of the Russian man—a privilege, however, that is +of little value in a country where liberty is crushed under the +iron heel of autocracy. The position of the Russian peasant women +is not as good as that of the women of the upper classes. They find +some comfort, however, in the doctrines of the rapidly spreading +religious sects, which resemble somewhat the American Revivalists +or Anabaptists. In fact, the subject condition of Russian women is +one of the chief causes of the growth of these sects; down-trodden +by society and the State, they seek liberty in religion. In some of +these sects women preach. Miss Maria<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_916" id="Page_916">[Pg 916]</a></span> Zebrikoff, an able Russian +writer, sends me this curious information:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We have lately heard of a new sect which preaches a doctrine +exalting woman. She is placed above man, because she can give +birth to another being. Her pain and travail are so great, that +alleviating the other sufferings and annoyances of woman would be +but a poor reward; she is entitled to the deepest gratitude of +mankind. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Thought concerning the emancipation of woman was first awakened +among the upper classes about 1840, inspired by George Sand, but +was confined to a narrow circle of men of science and authors. The +new ideas continued to exist in a latent form until the freedom of +the serfs in 1860, when they burst forth into life. The reforms of +the last reign, the abolishment of bureaucratic government and the +emancipation of the slaves, advanced the cause of woman, for the +daughters of the office-holders and land-owners, reduced to poverty +by these changes, were forced to go forth into the world and earn +their own living. Woman's success in the walks of higher +education—especially in medicine—has been a great victory for the +friends of the rights of woman. The government, the professors of +the university and women themselves have all united, more or less +heartily, in a common effort to give Russian women facilities for a +complete education. The first woman's medical school in Russia owes +its origin to a donation of 50,000 rubles from a woman. The war +department—for Russia thinks of medicine only in its relation to +the army—came to the aid of the new movement, and the medical +profession, though in a restricted manner, was thrown open to +women.<a name="FNanchor_574_574" id="FNanchor_574_574"></a><a href="#Footnote_574_574" class="fnanchor">[574]</a> As yet women physicians may treat only diseases of +women and children, but, notwithstanding this drawback, there are +fifty-two women physicians in St. Petersburg and two hundred and +fifty in Russia. During the last war with Turkey twenty women +physicians did noble work in the army. Women flock to the +universities in great numbers. An attempt has been made to render +the profession of law accessible to them, but the government has +prohibited it. It is expected that ere long women will be +professors in the university. The chemical, medical and legal +associations have already received women into membership.</p> + +<p>In literature Russian women take an active part; reviews, +magazines, and political journals counting many women among their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_917" id="Page_917">[Pg 917]</a></span> +contributors and in some cases their directors. Writes Maria +Zebrikoff:</p> + +<blockquote><p>It is especially in the domain of fiction that Russian women +excel. After the two renowned names of Tourguéneff and Tolstoi, +the greatest genius of which our contemporary literature can +boast is Krestowsky, the pseudonym of woman. </p></blockquote> + +<p>"The reäctionary party," exclaims the same lady with enthusiasm, +"counts in its ranks no woman distinguished for thought or talent." +Even this brief glance at woman's position in Russia conclusively +proves that when the day of liberty comes to the great Cossack +empire, the women will be as thoroughly fitted to enter upon all +the duties of citizenship as the men. The women of no other +continental nation are perhaps better prepared for complete +emancipation than those of Russia. Here, as in several other +respects, autocratic Russia resembles free America. The good-will +of every transatlantic friend of woman's elevation should ever go +forth to this brave, struggling people of the North.</p> + +<p>The civil law of the kingdom of Poland, a part of Russia, has been, +since 1809, the Napoleonic code; the other Polish provinces of +Russia are subject to Russian law. Under the former, the woman has +an equal share in the patrimony; but the married woman is a +perpetual minor. According to the Russian code, on the contrary, a +girl receives only a fourteenth part of the patrimony; and when a +distant relative dies, brothers alone inherit. But a woman has +absolute control of her own property: and when she becomes of age, +at twenty-one, she may buy, own, sell, without being subjected to +any tutelage, without requiring the consent of the husband—the +very contrary of the Napoleonic code. This same thing is true in +several other particulars, a striking illustration of the fact that +much-abused Russian civilization is in some respects superior to +the much-vaunted Latin civilization. In regard to education, the +Polish woman is not so well off. In the primary schools alone does +she enjoy equal rights; in secondary education she has far fewer +advantages than the boy; while as for university instruction, she +is forced to seek it in Russia or in foreign lands, the Polish +universities being absolutely closed against her. In the Polish +provinces under direct Russian authority, the State does nothing +whatever for woman's instruction; and in the kingdom of Poland, the +same thing is true except in the matter of primary instruction. +Polish<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_918" id="Page_918">[Pg 918]</a></span> women may practice medicine, if, besides this foreign +diploma, they also pass an examination before the medical school of +St. Petersburg. Tomaszewicz Dobrska is one of the few Polish women +who has succeeded in this difficult field.</p> + +<p>The Academy of Fine Arts at Cracow is open to men alone, but +Madeline Andrzejkowicz has endeavored to fill the gap by +establishing at Warsaw a school of painting for women. The first +woman's industrial school was founded in 1874 at Warsaw, and during +the first six years, to 1880, it had 743 scholars. Establishments +of this kind are now quite numerous in the kingdom, but, for +political reasons, they have not been founded in the Polish +provinces of Russia. The unfortunate political situation of Poland, +which robs even men of their rights, is an insurmountable obstacle +in the way of the emancipation of women. There are, however, many +encouraging signs of progress. At Warsaw there is more than one +newspaper edited by a woman. Marie Ilnicka has owned and edited for +more than sixteen years, at the capital, a paper which is widely +read and which has great influence. It is no uncommon thing for +women to deliver public lectures, which are very popular and draw +large houses. Elise Orzeszko, the distinguished Polish novelist, +tells me:</p> + +<blockquote><p>We have confidence in the efforts of the men who are leading +society and who are sacrificing their talents and earnestly +toiling to advance liberal ideas. In the meanwhile our duty is to +awaken thought on the question of woman's rights, so that when a +better day does come to Poland, women may be ready to participate +in the common welfare. </p></blockquote> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p>But we cannot close this brief sketch without mentioning the +Orient, that region of transition between the darkness of Asia and +the light of occidental Europe; for, though the position of woman +is in general so lamentable that at first glance it seems best to +pass over this portion of the continent in silence, one catches +here and there a glimmer of progress that portends a better day in +the still distant future. And, too, regenerate Greece commands our +attention, for she indeed is a rich oasis in this desert of +Mohammedan conquest.</p> + +<p>There are many Ottoman women, especially among the rich families, +who desire to change their dress and enter into relations with the +women of other religions, but the ecclesiastical and civil +authorities are always ready to check this tendency and to +rigorously enforce the ancient customs. In certain harems earnest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_919" id="Page_919">[Pg 919]</a></span> +efforts have been made to establish true family life and to bring +up the children under the eye and care of the parents, with the aid +of foreign governesses, who, along with the languages, inculcate +the habits and manners of occidental nations. Vain attempts have +been made to found girls' schools. There are noble natures who long +for amelioration of their state, and for progress, but fanaticism +condemns everything to mortal stagnation.</p> + +<p>The Jewish woman leads a contracted, monotonous existence under the +authority of the priest. The wives of many rich bankers have tried +to do something to improve the condition of Hebrew women by +founding aid societies, primary schools, and normal schools. The +Bulgarian women of the country enjoy an agricultural and pastoral +life, and those of the city are simple and primitive in their +habits and customs. But little has been done for woman's +instruction, though some worthy attempts have been made to +establish schools. The hope of the regeneration of the Oriental +woman lies in the influence of Greek civilization. The emancipation +of the Greek woman means the emancipation of the Turkish woman.</p> + +<p>The Greek woman in the Orient must be studied under two heads: the +Greek woman in Turkey and the Greek woman in Greece. In both cases +we find them filled with the spirit of western +civilization—perhaps it would be better to say, with the spirit of +their classic ancestors. Primary, secondary and normal schools, +asylums, hospitals, societies—all for women and generally managed +by women—are found in all the Greek centers of Turkey. Calliope A. +Kechayia, the cultured principal of the Zappion, the famous girls' +college at Constantinople, says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The intellectual condition of the Greek woman in the Orient is, +generally speaking, not inferior to that of women in many parts +of Europe; and as regards the instruction of the girls of the +lower classes, it is much superior to that of several Latin +countries. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The Greek woman in Greece differs essentially from the Oriental +woman. With the independence of Greece came a great patriotic +movement for the building up of the new nationality, a movement in +which women took a most active and prominent part. Several American +women, especially Mrs. Hill, lent their aid and founded the first +girls' school at Athens. "A whole generation of women," says a +Greek lady, "distinguished for their social and family virtues, +received their education in this<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_920" id="Page_920">[Pg 920]</a></span> college." An association of +Greeks soon afterward established a normal school for women. The +Greek government also early took up the question of popular +education without excluding women from its plans. The way in which +young Greek schoolmistresses hastened all over the peninsula, +spreading knowledge, the Greek language and their own enthusiasm +throughout the newly liberated nation, is one of the most unique +episodes in modern history. "It is true and beyond dispute," I am +told by Miss Kechayia, "that the Greece of to-day owes its rapid +progress and its Greek instruction to its women." But the Greek +woman is more than a school-mistress. The wife of a public man has +other than social duties to occupy her. She often represents her +husband before his constituents. She participates actively and +usefully in many of his political affairs. It frequently happens +that the wife goes into the provinces to solicit votes for her +husband, and sometimes in drawing-room lectures she defends his +political conduct. "In truth these facts would not be believed by a +foreigner if he had not seen them with his own eyes," I was once +told by a Greek. Associations of various kinds have been formed by +women during the past few years, and there is at least one instance +of a woman lecturing in public on literary topics. However, woman's +rights in the American sense has not yet penetrated into Greece, +but from what has just been said it will be seen that when that day +comes, the reform will find a soil well prepared for its reception.</p> + +<hr class="short" /> + +<p>Such is a brief and general view of the present status of the Woman +Question on the European Continent. It will have been constantly +noticed in the preceding pages that in every country there are +evidences of progress. Public opinion in the Old World is slowly +but surely accepting Voltaire's statement when the broad-minded +philosopher says, with a dash of French gallantry: "Women are +capable of doing everything we do, with this single difference +between them and us, that they are more amiable than we are." In +matters of instruction, the ideas of Montesquieu and Aimé Martin +are gaining ground. "The powers of the sexes," wrote the +penetrating author of the "Spirit of the Laws," "would be equal if +their education were, too. Test women in the talents that have not +been enfeebled by the way they have been educated, and we will then +see if we are so strong." "It is in spite of our stupid system of +education," declared Aimé Martin,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_921" id="Page_921">[Pg 921]</a></span> more than fifty years ago, "that +women have an idea, a mind and a soul." And even the more radical +utterances of the late Eugène Pelletan find an echo. "By keeping +women outside of politics," once said the distinguished senator, +"the soul of our country is diminished by one-half." No wonder then +that Frances Power Cobbe likens this revolution to the irresistible +waves of the ocean. "Of all the movements, political, social and +religious, of past ages, there is, I think," writes Miss Cobbe, +"not one so unmistakably tide-like in its extension and the +uniformity of its impulse, as that which has taken place within +living memory among the women of almost every race on the globe. +Other agitations, reforms and revolutions have pervaded and lifted +up classes, tribes, nations, churches. But this movement has +stirred an entire sex, even half the human race. * * * When the +time comes to look back on the slow, universal awakening of women +all over the globe, on their gradual entrance into one privileged +profession after another, on the attainment by them of rights of +person and property, and, at last, on their admission to the full +privileges of citizenship, it will be acknowledged that of all the +'Decisive Battles of History,' this has been, to the moralist and +philosopher, the most interesting; even as it will be (I cannot +doubt) the one followed by the happiest Peace which the world has +ever seen."</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_566_566" id="Footnote_566_566"></a><a href="#FNanchor_566_566"><span class="label">[566]</span></a> This chapter is, in large part, a résumé of Mr. +Stanton's valuable work "The Woman Question in Europe," published +in 1884 by the Putnams of New York, to which we refer the reader +who desires to study more in detail the European movement for +women.—[<span class="smcap">The Editors.</span></p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_567_567" id="Footnote_567_567"></a><a href="#FNanchor_567_567"><span class="label">[567]</span></a> The United States was represented by Albert Brisbane +and Mrs. Brisbane, of New York; Elizabeth Chalmers and Mrs. +Gibbons, of Philadelphia; Colonel T. W. Higginson, of +Massachusetts; Miss Hotchkiss, Fernando Jones and his wife and +daughter, Jane Graham Jones and Genevieve Graham Jones (now Mrs. +Geo. R. Grant), Mrs. Klumpke and her two daughters, of Chicago; +Mrs. Party and Louisa Southworth, of Ohio.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_568_568" id="Footnote_568_568"></a><a href="#FNanchor_568_568"><span class="label">[568]</span></a> Before closing this brief sketch, I desire to +mention with deep gratitude the name of the man who first lifted up +his voice in the Italian parliament to defend and protect women. +Salvatore Morelli deserves the veneration of every Italian woman. +His first book, "Woman and Science" (<i>La Donna e la Scienza</i>), +dedicated to Antona Traversi, was animated by a just and noble +spirit, too radical, however, to meet with universal approbation. +When he entered parliament, Morelli, with the same courage, +constancy, and radicalism, demanded the complete emancipation of +women. Conservatives laughed, and many friends of our movement +trembled for the cause. Ably seconded by Mancini, he succeeded in +securing for women the right to testify in civil actions, a dignity +which they had not previously enjoyed, although, by an absurd +contradiction they could be witnesses in criminal cases, convict of +murder by a single word and send the criminal to the scaffold. One +of Morelli's last acts was a divorce bill which was examined by the +Chamber. Guardasigilli Tomman Villa, the then Minister of Justice, +was inclined to accept it, but death, which occurred in 1880, saved +poor Morelli the pain of seeing his proposition rejected. An appeal +to women has been made to raise a modest monument to Salvatore +Morelli in memory of his good deeds, by Aurelia Cimino Folliero de +Luna. The author of this essay has been requested to receive +subscriptions to this fund. Such subscriptions will be acknowledged +and forwarded to the Italian Committee. They should be addressed to +Theodore Stanton, 9 rue de Bassano, Paris, France.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_569_569" id="Footnote_569_569"></a><a href="#FNanchor_569_569"><span class="label">[569]</span></a> The American members are as follows: Massachusetts, +Julia Ward Howe, Lucy Stone; Illinois, Jane Graham Jones, Miss +Hotchkiss; New York, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, +Theodore Stanton; Pennsylvania, Mrs. Gibbons, of Philadelphia.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_570_570" id="Footnote_570_570"></a><a href="#FNanchor_570_570"><span class="label">[570]</span></a> The office of this journal is 12, rue de Cail, +Paris.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_571_571" id="Footnote_571_571"></a><a href="#FNanchor_571_571"><span class="label">[571]</span></a> The office of this journal is 4, rue des Deux-Gares, +Paris.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_572_572" id="Footnote_572_572"></a><a href="#FNanchor_572_572"><span class="label">[572]</span></a> See the <i>Index</i>, of Boston, May 19, 1881, where I +give in full this remarkable speech.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_573_573" id="Footnote_573_573"></a><a href="#FNanchor_573_573"><span class="label">[573]</span></a> What is said of Austria in this respect further on +in this chapter will apply to Italy if the proposed reform is +finally accepted by parliament.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_574_574" id="Footnote_574_574"></a><a href="#FNanchor_574_574"><span class="label">[574]</span></a> Recent reforms in the war department call for +economy, and the minister has been forced to refuse the usual +subsidy for the support of the woman's medical courses and they are +unfortunately in a very critical situation. The result will +probably be the foundation of medical colleges for women +independent of government aid.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_922" id="Page_922">[Pg 922]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_LVIII" id="CHAPTER_LVIII"></a>CHAPTER LVIII.</h2> + +<h3>REMINISCENCES.</h3> + +<h4>BY E. C. S.</h4> + + +<p><span class="sc">Reaching</span> London amidst the fogs and mists of November, 1882, the +first person I met, after a separation of many years, was our +revered and beloved friend, William Henry Channing. The tall, +graceful form was somewhat bent; the sweet, thoughtful face +somewhat sadder; the crimes and miseries of the world seemed more +heavy on his heart than ever. With his refined, nervous +organization, the gloomy moral and physical atmosphere of London +was the last place on earth where that beautiful life should have +ended. I found him in earnest conversation with my daughter and a +young Englishman soon to be married, advising them not only as to +the importance of the step they were about to take, but as to the +minor points to be observed in the ceremony. At the appointed time +a few friends gathered in Portland-street chapel, and as we +approached the altar, our friend appeared in surplice and gown, his +pale, spiritual face more tender and beautiful than ever. This was +the last marriage service he ever performed, and it was as pathetic +as original, his whole appearance so in harmony with the exquisite +sentiments he uttered that we who listened felt as if for the time +being we had entered with him into the Holy of Holies.</p> + +<p>Some time after, Miss Anthony and I called on him, to return our +thanks for the very complimentary review he had written of the +History of Woman Suffrage. He thanked us in turn for the many +pleasant memories we had revived in those pages, which he said had +been as entertaining as a novel; "but," said he, "they have filled +me with indignation, too, over the repeated insults offered to +women so earnestly engaged in honest endeavors for the uplifting of +mankind. I blushed for my sex more than once in reading these +volumes." We lingered long in talking over the events connected +with this great struggle for freedom. He dwelt with tenderness on +our divisions and disappointments, and entered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_923" id="Page_923">[Pg 923]</a></span> more fully into the +humiliations suffered by women than any man we ever met. His +conversation that day was fully as appreciative of the nice points +in the degradation of sex as is John Stuart Mill in his wonderful +work on "The Subjection of Woman." He was intensely interested in +Frances Power Cobbe's efforts to suppress the vivisectionists, and +the last time I saw him he was presiding at a parlor meeting at +Mrs. Wolcott Brown's, when Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell gave an +admirable address on the causes and cure of the social evil. Mr. +Channing spoke beautifully in closing, paying a warm and merited +compliment to Miss Blackwell's clear and concise review of all the +difficulties involved in the question.</p> + +<p>Reading so much of English reformers in our journals, of the +Brights, the McLarens, the Taylors, of Lydia Becker, Caroline +Biggs, Josephine Butler and Octavia Hill, and of their great +demonstrations with lords and members of parliament in the chair, +we had longed to compare the actors in those scenes with our +speakers and conventions on this side the water. At last we met +them, one and all, in London, York, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, +Edinburgh, in great public meetings and parlor reunions, at dinners +and receptions, listened to their public men in parliament, the +courts and the pulpit, to the women in their various assemblies, +and came to the conclusion that Americans surpass them in oratory +and the spirited manner in which they conduct meetings. They have +no system of elocution in England such as we have—a thorough +training of the voice, in what is called vocal gymnastics. A +hesitating, apologetic way seems to be the national idea for an +exordium on all questions. Even their ablest men who have visited +this country, such as Kingsley, Stanley, Arnold, Spencer, Tyndal, +Huxley, and Canon Farrar, have all been criticised by the American +public for their stammering enunciation. They have no speakers to +compare with Wendell Phillips and George William Curtis, or Anna +Dickinson and Phœbe W. Couzins. John Bright is without a peer +among his countrymen, as are Mrs. Bessant and Miss Helen Taylor +among the women. Miss Tod, from Belfast, is a good speaker. The +women, as a general thing, are more fluent than the men; those of +the Bright family in all its branches have deep, rich voices.</p> + +<p>Among the young women, Mrs. Fawcett, Mrs. Charles McLaren, Mrs. +Scatcherd, Miss Henrietta Müller, Mrs. Fenwick<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_924" id="Page_924">[Pg 924]</a></span> Miller, and Lady +Harberton, all speak with comparative ease and self-possession. The +latter is striving to introduce for her countrywomen a new style of +dress, in which all the garments are bifurcated, but so skillfully +adjusted in generous plaits and folds, that while the wearer enjoys +the utmost freedom, the casual observer is quite ignorant of the +innovation. We attended one of their public meetings for the +discussion of that question, at which Miss King, Mrs. Charles +McLaren, and Lady Harberton appeared in the new costume. All spoke +in its defense, and were very witty and amusing in criticising the +present feminine forms and fashions. Lady Harberton gave us a +delightful entertainment one evening at her fine residence on +Cromwell Road, where we laughed enough to dissipate the depressing +effect of the fogs for a week to come over the recitations of +Corney Green on the piano. There, among many other celebrities, we +met Moncure D. Conway<a name="FNanchor_575_575" id="FNanchor_575_575"></a><a href="#Footnote_575_575" class="fnanchor">[575]</a> and his charming wife.</p> + +<p>I reached England in time to attend the great demonstration in +Glasgow to celebrate the extension of the municipal franchise to +the women of Scotland. It was a remarkable occasion. St. Andrew's +immense hall was packed with women; a few men were admitted to the +gallery at half a crown apiece. It was said there were 5,000 people +present. When a Scotch audience is thoroughly roused, nothing can +equal the enthusiasm. The arriving of the speakers on the platform +was announced with the wildest applause, the entire audience +rising, waving their handkerchiefs, and clapping their hands, and +every compliment paid the people was received with similar +outbursts of pleasure. Mrs. McLaren, a sister of John Bright,<a name="FNanchor_576_576" id="FNanchor_576_576"></a><a href="#Footnote_576_576" class="fnanchor">[576]</a> +presided, and made the opening speech. I had the honor, on this +occasion, of addressing an audience for the first time in the old +world. Many others spoke briefly. There were too many speakers; no +one had time to warm up to the point of eloquence. Our system of +conventions of two or three days, with long speeches discussing +pointed and radical resolutions, is quite unknown in England. Their +meetings consist of one session of a few hours into which they +crowd all the speakers they can summon together. They have a few<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_925" id="Page_925">[Pg 925]</a></span> +tame resolutions on which there can be no possible difference of +opinion printed, with the names of those who are to speak appended. +Each of these is read, a few short speeches made, that may or may +not have the slightest reference to the resolution, which is then +passed. The last is usually one of thanks to some lord or member of +parliament who may have condescended to preside at the meeting, or +to do something for the measure in parliament; it is spoken to like +all that have gone before. The Queen is referred to tenderly in +most of the speeches, although she has never done anything to merit +the approbation of the advocates of suffrage for woman. As on this +occasion a woman conducted the meeting, much of the usual red tape +was omitted.</p> + +<p>From Glasgow quite a large party of the Brights and McLarens went +to Edinburgh, where the Hon. Duncan McLaren gave us a warm welcome +to Newington House, under the very shadow of the Salisbury crags. +These and the Pentland Hills are the remarkable feature in the +landscape as you approach this beautiful city, with its monuments +and castles on which are written the history of the centuries. We +passed a few charming days driving about, visiting old friends, and +discussing the status of woman on both sides of the Atlantic. Here +we met Elizabeth Pease Nichol, Jane and Eliza Wigham, whom I had +not seen since we sat together in the World's Anti-slavery +Convention in London in 1840, Yet I knew Mrs. Nichol at once; her +strongly-marked face is one not readily forgotten.</p> + +<p>I went with the family on Sunday to Friends' meeting, where a most +unusual manifestation for that decorous sect occurred. I had been +told that if I felt inclined, it would be considered quite proper +for me to make some remarks, and just as I was revolving an opening +sentence to a few thoughts I desired to present, a man arose in a +remote part of the house, and began in a low voice to give his +testimony as to the truth that was in him. All eyes were turned +toward him, when suddenly a friend leaned over the back of the +seat, seized his coat-tails and jerked him down in a most emphatic +manner. The poor man buried his face in his hands, and maintained a +profound silence. I learned afterwards that he was a bore, and the +friend in the rear thought it wise to nip him in the bud. This +scene put to flight all intentions of speaking on my part, lest I, +too, might get outside the prescribed limits, and be suppressed by +force. I dined with Mrs. Nichol at Huntly Lodge, where she has +entertained in turn many of our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_926" id="Page_926">[Pg 926]</a></span> American reformers. Her walls have +echoed to the voices of Garrison, Rogers, Samuel J. May, Parker +Pillsbury, Henry C. Wright, Douglass and Remond, and hosts of +English philanthropists. Though over eighty, she is still awake on +all questions of the hour, and generous in her hospitalities as of +yore.</p> + +<p>Later, Miss Anthony, in company with Mrs. Rebecca Moore, spent +several weeks in Edinburgh looking over Mrs. Nichol's voluminous +correspondence with the anti-slavery apostles, to see if anything +of interest could be gleaned for these volumes. She found Mrs. +Moore as a traveling companion better than the most approved +encyclopedia, as she possessed all possible information on every +subject and locality, so that all Miss Anthony had to do was to +keep her ears open whenever she was sufficiently rested to listen. +There, too, Miss Anthony visited Dr. Agnes McLaren, in her +<i>recherché</i> home, and found her as charming in the social circle as +she was said to be skillful in her profession. She spent several +days also with Dr. Jex Blake, and from her lips heard the full +account of her prolonged struggle to open the medical college to +women, and to secure for them as students equal recognition. After +listening to all the humiliations to which they had been subjected, +and their final expulsion from the university, and of the riots in +Edinburgh, Miss Anthony felt that Dr. Jex Blake had fought the +battle with great wisdom and heroism. The failure of the experiment +in that university was not due to a want of tact in the women who +led the movement, but to the natural bigotry and obstinacy of the +Scotch people, the universal hostility of the medical professors to +all innovations, and the antagonism men feel towards women as +competitors in the sciences and professions. Before leaving +Edinburgh a public reception was tendered to Miss Anthony, Mrs. +Nichol presiding. Professor Blackie, Mrs. Jessie Wellstood, and the +honored guest herself, did the speaking. With refreshments and +conversation it was altogether a pleasant occasion.</p> + +<p>In the meantime I was making new friends in the other parts of the +kingdom. Mrs. Margaret Lucas, whose whole soul is in the temperance +movement, escorted me from Edinburgh to Manchester, to be present +at another great demonstration in the Town Hall, the finest +building in that district. It had just been completed, and, with +its ante-rooms, dining hall, and various apartments for social +entertainments, was altogether the most perfect hall I had seen in +England. There I was entertained by Mrs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_927" id="Page_927">[Pg 927]</a></span> Matilda Roby, who, with +her husband, gave me a most hospitable reception. She invited +several friends to luncheon one day, among others, Miss Lydia +Becker, editor of the <i>Suffrage Journal</i> in that city, and the Rev. +Mr. Steinthal, who had visited this country and spoken on our +platform. The chief topic at the table was John Stuart Mill, his +life, character, writings, and his position with reference to the +political rights of woman. In the evening we went to see Ristori in +Queen Elizabeth. Having seen her many years before in America, I +was surprised to find her still so vigorous. And thus, from week to +week, were suffrage meetings, receptions, dinners, luncheons and +theatres pleasantly alternated.</p> + +<p>The following Sunday we heard a grand sermon from Moncure D. +Conway, and had a pleasant interview with him and Mrs. Conway at +the close of the sessions. Later we spent a few pleasant days at +their artistic home, filled with books, pictures, and mementoes +from loving friends. A billiard-room with well-worn cues and balls +may in a measure account for his vigorous sermons—quite a novel +adjunct to a parsonage. A garden reception there to Mr. and Mrs. +Howells, gave us an opportunity to see the American novelist +surrounded by his admiring friends. Howells and Hawthorne seemed to +be great favorites in the literary circles of England at that time, +but I never read one of their novels without regretting for the +honor of American women that they had not painted more vigorous and +piquant characters for their heroines.</p> + +<p>One was always sure of meeting some Americans worth knowing at the +Conway's in Bedford Park. We dined there with Mary Clemmer and Mr. +Hudson, just after their marriage, and a bright, pretty daughter of +Murat Halstead, who chatted as gaily among the staid English as on +her native heath. There, too, we first saw Mrs. William Mellen with +her daughters, from Colorado Springs, now residing in London for +the purpose of educating a family of seven children,<a name="FNanchor_577_577" id="FNanchor_577_577"></a><a href="#Footnote_577_577" class="fnanchor">[577]</a> although +there is no so fitting place to educate children to the duties of +citizens of a republic, as under our own free institutions. If +possessed of wealth, they readily adopt aristocratic ideas, and +enjoy the distinctions of class they find in all monarchical +countries, which totally unfit them for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_928" id="Page_928">[Pg 928]</a></span> properly appreciating the +democratic principles it is our interest to cherish at home.</p> + +<p>The Sunday after Mr. Conway left for Australia, I was invited to +fill his pulpit. Spending a few days with Mrs. Conway, we attended +the Ladies' Club one afternoon. The leading spirits seemed to be +Miss Orme and Miss Richardson, both attorneys in practice, with an +office in London, though not yet regularly admitted to the Queen's +Bench. The topic of discussion was the well-worn theme—the +education of girls; but no one seemed quite prepared to take off +all the ligatures from their bodies and the fears of everything +known or unknown from their minds, and leave them for a season to +grow as nature intended, that we might find out by seeing them in +their normal condition what their real wants and needs might be. I +suggested for their next topic, the proper education of boys, which +was accepted. I retired that night very nervous over my sermon for +the next day, and the feeling steadily increased until I reached +the platform; but once there, my fears were all dissipated, and I +never enjoyed speaking more than on that occasion, for I had been +so long oppressed with the degradation of woman under canon law and +church discipline that I had a sense of relief in pouring out my +indignation.</p> + +<p>My theme was, "What has Christianity done for Woman?" and by the +facts of history, I showed clearly that to no form of religion was +woman indebted for one impulse of freedom, as all alike have taught +her inferiority and subjection to man. No lofty virtues can emanate +from such a condition. Whatever heights of dignity and purity women +have individually attained, can in no way be attributed to the +dogmas of their religion.</p> + +<p>With my son Theodore, always deeply interested in my friends and +public work, we called on Mrs. Gray, Miss Jessie Boucherett and Dr. +Hoggan, who had written essays for "The Woman Question in Europe"; +on our American minister, Mr. Lowell, Mr. and Mrs. George W. +Smalley, and many other notable men and women. By appointment we +had an hour with the Hon. John Bright at his residence on +Piccadilly. As his photograph, with his fame, had reached America, +his fine face and head, as well as his political opinions, were +quite familiar to us. He received us with great cordiality, and +manifested a clear knowledge, and deep interest in regard to all +American affairs. Free trade and woman suffrage formed the basis of +our conversation; the literature of our respective countries, our +great men and women, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_929" id="Page_929">[Pg 929]</a></span> lighter topics of the occasion. He is not +sound in regard to the political rights of women, but it is not +given to any one man to be equally clear on all questions. He voted +for John Stuart Mill's amendment to the "Household Suffrage Bill," +in 1867, but, as he said, as a personal favor to a friend, without +any strong convictions as to the merits of what he considered "a +purely sentimental measure."</p> + +<p>We attended the meeting called to rejoice over the passage of the +Married Woman's Property bill, which gave to the women of England +in 1882 what we had enjoyed in many States in this country since +1848. Mrs. Jacob Bright, Mrs. Scatcherd, Mrs. Almy, and several +members of parliament made short speeches of congratulation to +those who had been instrumental in carrying the measure. It was +generally conceded that to the tact and persistence of Mrs. Bright, +more than to any other one person, belonged the credit of that +achievement. Hon. Jacob Bright was at that time a member of +parliament, and fully in sympathy with the bill; and while Mrs. +Bright exerted all her social influence to make it popular with the +members, her husband, thoroughly versed in parliamentary tactics, +availed himself of every technicality to push the bill through the +House of Commons. Mrs. Bright's chief object in securing this bill, +aside from establishing the right every human being has to his own +property, was, to lift married women on an even plane with widows +and spinsters, thereby making them qualified voters.</p> + +<p>The next day we went out to Barn Elms to visit Mr. and Mrs. Chas. +McLaren. Mr. McLaren, a Quaker by birth and education, has +sustained to his uttermost the suffrage movement, and his charming +little wife, the daughter of Mrs. Pochin, is worthy the noble +mother who was among the earliest leaders on this question, +speaking and writing with equal ability on all phases of the +subject. Barn Elms is a grand old estate, a few miles out of +London. It was the dairy farm of Queen Elizabeth, and presented by +her to Sir Francis Walsingham. Since then it has been inhabited by +many persons of note. It has existed as an estate since the time of +the early Saxon Kings, and the record of the sale of Barn Elms in +the time of King Athelston is still extant. What with its well-kept +lawns, fine old trees, and glimpses here and there of the Thames +winding round its borders, and its wealth of old associations, it +is indeed a charming spot. Our memory of those days will not go +back to Saxon Kings, but remain<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_930" id="Page_930">[Pg 930]</a></span> with the liberal host and hostess, +the beautiful children and the many charming acquaintances we met +at that fireside. I doubt whether any of the ancient lords and +ladies who dispensed their hospitalities under that roof, did in +any way surpass the present occupants. Mrs. McLaren, interested in +all the reforms of the day, is radical in her ideas, a brilliant +talker, and, for one so young, remarkably well informed on all +political questions. One thing is certain, those old walls never +echoed to more rebellious talk among women against existing +conditions,<a name="FNanchor_578_578" id="FNanchor_578_578"></a><a href="#Footnote_578_578" class="fnanchor">[578]</a> than on that evening.</p> + +<p>It was at Barn Elms I met for the first time Mrs. Fannie Hertz, to +whom I was indebted for many pleasant acquaintances afterwards. She +is said to know more distinguished literary people than any other +woman in London. I saw her, too, several times in her own cozy +home, meeting at her Sunday-afternoon receptions many persons I was +desirous to know. On one occasion I found George Jacob Holyoake +there, surrounded by a bevy of young ladies, all stoutly defending +the Nihilists in Russia, and their right to plot their way to +freedom; they counted a dynasty of Czars as nothing in the balance +with the liberties of a whole people. As I joined the circle Mr. +Holyoake called my attention to the fact that he was the only one +in favor of peaceful measures among all those ladies. "Now," said +he, "I have often heard it said on your platform, that the feminine +element in politics would bring about perpetual peace in +government, and here all these ladies are advocating the worst +forms of violence in the name of liberty." "Ah," said I, "lay on +their shoulders the responsibility of governing, and they would +soon become as mild and conservative as you seem to be." He then +gave us his views on coöperation, the only remedy for many existing +evils, which he thought would be the next step toward a higher +civilization.</p> + +<p>There, too, I met some Positivists, who, though quite reasonable on +religious questions, were very narrow on the sphere of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_931" id="Page_931">[Pg 931]</a></span> woman. The +difference in sex, which is the very reason why men and women +should be associated in all spheres of activity, they make the +strongest reason why they should be separated. Mrs. Hertz belongs +to the Harrison school of Positivists. I went with her to one of +Mrs. Orr's receptions, where we met Robert Browning, a fine looking +gentleman of seventy years, with white hair and mustache. He is +frank, easy, playful, and a good talker. Mrs. Orr seemed to be +taking a very pessimistic view of our present sphere of action, +which Mr. Browning, with poetic coloring, was trying to paint more +hopeful.</p> + +<p>The next day I dined with Mrs. Margaret Bright Lucas, in company +with Mr. John P. Thomasson, member of parliament, and his wife, and +afterwards we went to the House of Commons and had the good fortune +to hear Gladstone, Parnell, and Sir Charles Dilke. Seeing Bradlaugh +seated outside the charmed circle, I sent my card to him, and in +the corridor we had a few moments' conversation. I asked him if he +thought he would eventually get his seat; he replied, "Most +assuredly I will. I shall open the next campaign with such an +agitation as will rouse our politicians to some consideration of +the changes gradually coming over the face of things in this +country."</p> + +<p>The place assigned ladies in the House of Commons is really a +disgrace to a country ruled by an Empress. This dark perch is the +highest gallery immediately over the speaker's desk and government +seats, behind a fine wire-work, so that it is quite impossible to +see or hear anything. The sixteen persons who can crowd in the +front seat, by standing with their noses partly through some open +work, can have the satisfaction of seeing the cranial arch of their +rulers, and hearing an occasional pean to liberty, or an Irish +growl at the lack of it. I was told this net work was to prevent +the members on the floor from being disturbed by the beauty of the +women. On hearing this I remarked that I was devoutly thankful that +our American men were not so easily disturbed, and that the beauty +of our women was not of so dangerous a character.</p> + +<p>I could but contrast our spacious galleries in that magnificent +capitol at Washington, as well as in our grand State capitols, +where hundreds of women can sit to see and hear their rulers at +their ease, with these dark, dingy buildings, and such inadequate +accommodations for the people. My son, who had a seat on the floor +just opposite the ladies' gallery, said he could compare our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_932" id="Page_932">[Pg 932]</a></span> +appearance to nothing better than birds in a cage. He could not +distinguish an outline of anybody. All he could see was the moving +of feathers and furs, or some bright ribbon or flower.</p> + +<p>In the libraries, the courts, and the House of Lords, I found many +suggestive subjects of thought. Our American inventions seem to +furnish them cases for litigation. A suit in regard to Singer's +sewing machine was just then occupying the attention of the Lord +Chancellor. Not feeling much interest in the matter, I withdrew and +joined my friends, to examine some frescoes in the ante-room. It +was interesting to find so many historical scenes in which women +had taken a prominent part. Among others, there is Jane Lane +assisting Charles II. to escape, and Alice Lisle concealing the +fugitives after the battle of Sedgemoor. Six wives of Henry VIII. +stand forth a solemn pageant when one recalls their sad fate. Alas! +whether for good or ill, woman must ever fill a large space in the +tragedies of the world.</p> + +<p>I passed a few pleasant hours in the house where Macaulay spent his +last years. The once spacious library and the large bay window +looking out on a beautiful lawn, where he sat from day to day +writing his flowing periods, possessed a peculiar charm for me, as +the surroundings of genius always do. I thought as I stood there +how often he had unconsciously gazed on each object in sight in +searching for words rich enough to gild his ideas. The house is now +owned and occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Winckworth. It was at +one of their sociable Sunday teas that many pleasant memories of +the great historian were revived.</p> + +<p>We went with Mrs. Lucas to a meeting of the Salvation army, in +Exeter Hall, which holds 5,000 people. It was literally packed—not +an inch of standing-room even, seemed to be unoccupied. This +remarkable movement was then at its height of enthusiasm in +England, and its leaders proposed to carry it round the world, but +it has never been so successful in any other latitude. They not +only hold meetings, but they march through the streets, men and +women, singing and playing on tambourines. The exercises on this +occasion consisted of prayers, hymns, and exhortations by Mr. and +Mrs. Booth. When this immense audience all joined in the chorus of +their stirring songs, it was indeed very impressive. The whole +effect was like that of an old-fashioned Methodist revival meeting. +I purchased their paper, <i>The War Cry</i>, and pasted it in my journal +to show the wild vagaries to which the human mind is subject. There +is nothing too ridiculous or monstrous<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_933" id="Page_933">[Pg 933]</a></span> to be done under the +influence of religious enthusiasm. In spite, however, of the +ridicule attached to this movement, it is at least an aspiration +for that ignorant, impoverished multitude. The first thing they +were urged to do was to give up intoxicating drinks, and their +vicious affiliations. If some other organization could take hold of +them at that point, to educate them in the rudiments of learning +and right living, and supplement their emotions with a modicum of +reason and common sense in the practical affairs of life, much +greater good might result from this initiative step in the right +direction.</p> + +<p>One of the most remarkable and genial women we met was Miss Frances +Power Cobbe. She called one evening at 10 Duchess street, and +sipped with us the five o'clock cup of tea, a uniform practice in +England. She is of medium height, stout, rosy, and vigorous +looking, with a large, well-shaped head, a strong, happy face, and +gifted with rare powers of conversation. I felt very strongly +attracted to her. She is frank and cordial and pronounced in all +her opinions. She gave us an account of her efforts to rescue +unhappy cats and dogs from the hands of the vivisectionists. We saw +her, too, in her own cozy home and in her office in Victoria Row. +The perfect order in which her books and papers were all arranged, +and the exquisite neatness of the apartments were refreshing to +behold.</p> + +<p>My daughter, having decided opinions of her own, was soon at +loggerheads with Miss Cobbe on the question of vivisection. After +showing us several German and French books with illustrations of +the horrible cruelty inflicted on cats and dogs, enlarging on the +hypocrisy and wickedness of these scientists, she turned to my +daughter and said, "Would you shake hands with one of these +vivisectionists?" "Yes," said Harriot, "I should be proud to shake +hands with Virchow, the great German scientist, for his kindness to +a young American girl. She applied to several professors to be +admitted to their classes, but all refused except Virchow; he +readily assented, and requested his students to treat her with +becoming courtesy. 'If any of you behave otherwise,' said he, 'I +shall feel myself personally insulted.' She entered his classes and +pursued her studies unmolested and with great success. "Now," said +she, "would you refuse to shake hands with any of your statesmen, +scientists, clergymen, lawyers or physicians, who treat women with +constant indignities and insults?" "Oh, no"; said Miss Cobbe. +"Then," said Mrs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_934" id="Page_934">[Pg 934]</a></span> Blatch, "you estimate the physical suffering of +cats and dogs as of more consequence than the humiliation of human +beings. The man who tortures a cat for a scientific purpose is not +as low in the scale of being, in my judgment, as one who sacrifices +his own daughter to some cruel custom." Though Miss Cobbe weighs +over two hundred pounds, she is as light on foot as a deer and is +said to be a great walker. After seeing her I read again some of +her books. Her theology now and then evidently cramps her, yet her +style is vigorous, earnest, sarcastic, though at times playful and +pathetic. In regard to her theology, she says she is too liberal to +please her orthodox friends and too orthodox to please the +liberals, hence in religion she stands quite solitary.</p> + +<p>Suffering from the effects of the prolonged fogs, we took our +letters of introduction from Dr. Bayard of New York to the two +leading high-dilution homeopathic physicians in London, Drs. Wilson +and Berridge. We found the former a good talker and very original. +We were greatly amused with his invectives against the quacks in +the profession; the "mongrels," as he called the low dilutionists. +The first question he asked my daughter was if she wore high heels; +he said he would not attempt to cure any woman of any disease so +long as she was perched on her toes with her spine out of plumb. +His advice to me was to get out of the London fogs as quickly as +possible. No one who has not suffered a London fog can imagine the +terrible gloom that pervades everywhere. One can see nothing out of +the windows but a dense black smoke. Drivers carry flambeaux in the +streets to avoid running into each other. The houses are full; the +gas burns all day, but you can scarcely see across the room; +theaters and places of amusement are sometimes closed, as nothing +can be seen distinctly. We called on Dr. Berridge, also, thinking +it best to make the acquaintance of both that we might decide from +their general appearance, surroundings, conversation and +comparative intelligence, which one we would prefer to trust in an +emergency. We found both alike so promising that we felt we could +trust either to give us our quietus, if die we must, on the high +dilutions. It is a consolation to know that one's closing hours at +least are passed in harmony with the principles of pure science. On +further acquaintance we found these gentlemen true disciples of the +great Hahneman.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_935" id="Page_935">[Pg 935]</a></span></p> + +<p>As we were just then reading Froude's "Life of Carlyle," we drove +by the house where he lived and paused a moment at the door, where +poor Jennie went in and out so often with a heavy heart. It is a +painful record of a great soul struggling with poverty and +disappointment; the hope of success as an author so long deferred +and never wholly realized. His foolish pride of independence and +headship, and his utter obliviousness as to his domestic duties and +the comfort of his wife, made the picture still darker. Poor +Jennie, fitted to shine in any circle, yet doomed all her married +life to domestic drudgery, with no associations with the great man +for whose literary companionship she had sacrificed herself. It +adds greatly to one's interest in Scott, Dickens, Thackeray, +Charlotte Bronté, Bulwer, James and George Eliot, to read them +amidst the scenes where they lived and died. Thus in my leisure +hours, after the fatigues of sight-seeing and visiting, I re-read +many of these authors near the places where they spent their last +days on earth.</p> + +<p>As I had visited Ambleside forty years before and seen Harriet +Martineau in her prime, I did not go with Miss Anthony to Lake +Windermere. She found the well-known house occupied by Mr. William +Henry Hills, a liberal Quaker named after William Henry Channing. +Mrs. Hills received the party with great hospitality, showed them +through all the apartments and pointed out the charming views from +the windows. They paused a few moments reverently in the chamber +where that grand woman had passed her last triumphant days on +earth. On the kitchen hearth was still sitting her favorite cat, +sixteen years old, the spots in her yellow and black fur as marked +as ever. Puss is the observed of all observers who visit that +sacred shrine, and it is said she seems specially to enjoy the +attention of strangers. From here Miss Anthony drove round +Grasmere, the romantic home of Wordsworth, wandered through the old +church, sat in the pew he so often occupied and lingered near the +last resting-place of the great poet. As the former residence of +the anti-slavery agitator, Thomas Clarkson, was on Ulswater, +another of the beautiful lakes in that region, Miss Anthony +extended her excursion still further and learned from the people +many pleasing characteristics of these celebrated personages. On +her way to Ireland she stopped at Ulverston and visited Miss Hannah +Goad, who was a descendant of the founder of Quakerism, George Fox. +She was in the old house in which he was married<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_936" id="Page_936">[Pg 936]</a></span> to Margaret Fell +and where they lived many years; attended the quaint little church +where he often spoke from the high seats, looked through his +well-worn Bible, and the minutes of their monthly meetings, kept by +Margaret Fell two centuries ago.</p> + +<p>Returning to London we attended one of Miss Biggs' receptions and +among others met Mr. Stansfeld, M. P., who had labored faithfully +for the repeal of the Contagious Diseases acts, and in a measure +been successful. We had the honor of an interview with Lord +Shaftsbury at one of his crowded receptions, and found him a little +uncertain as to the wisdom of allowing married women to vote, for +fear of disturbing the peace of the family. I have often wondered +if men see in this objection what fatal admissions they make as to +their own selfishness and love of domination.</p> + +<p>Miss Anthony was present at the great Liberal conference at Leeds +on October 17, to which Mrs. Helen Bright Clark, Miss Jane Cobden, +Mrs. Tanner, Mrs. Scatcherd and several other ladies were duly +elected delegates from their respective Liberal leagues, and +occupied seats on the floor. Mrs. Clark and Miss Cobden, daughters +of the great Corn-law reformers, spoke eloquently in favor of the +resolution to extend parliamentary suffrage to women, which was +presented by Walter McLaren of Bradford. As these young women made +their impassioned appeals for the recognition of woman's political +equality in the next bill for the extension of suffrage, that +immense gathering of 1,600 delegates was hushed into profound +silence. For a daughter to speak thus in that great representative +convention in direct opposition to her loved and honored father, +the acknowledged leader of that party, was an act of heroism and +fidelity to her own highest convictions almost without a parallel +in English history, and the effect on the audience was as thrilling +as it was surprising. The resolution was passed by a large +majority. At the reception given to Mr. John Bright that evening, +as Mrs. Clark approached the daïs on which her noble father stood +shaking the hands of passing friends, she remarked to her husband, +"I wonder if father has heard of my speech this morning, and if he +will forgive me for thus publicly differing with him?" The query +was soon answered. As he caught the first glimpse of his daughter +he stepped down and, pressing her hand affectionately, kissed her +with a fond father's warmth on either cheek in turn. The next +evening the great<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_937" id="Page_937">[Pg 937]</a></span> Quaker statesman was heard by the admiring +thousands who could crowd into Victoria Hall, while thousands, +equally desirous to hear, failed to get tickets of admission. It +was a magnificent sight, and altogether a most impressive gathering +of the people. Miss Anthony with her friends sat in the gallery +opposite the great platform, where they had a fine view of the +whole audience. When John Bright, escorted by Sir Wilfred Lawson, +took his seat, the immense audience rose, waving hats and +handkerchiefs and with the wildest enthusiasm giving cheer after +cheer in honor of the great leader. Sir Wilfred Lawson in his +introductory remarks facetiously alluded to the resolution adopted +by the conference as somewhat in advance of the ideas of the +speaker of the evening. The house broke into roars of laughter, +while the father of Liberalism, perfectly convulsed, joined in the +general merriment.</p> + +<p>But when at length his time to speak had come, and Mr. Bright went +over the many steps of progress that had been taken by the Liberal +party, he cunningly dodged all in the direction of the emancipation +of the women of England. He skipped round the agitation in 1867 and +John Stuart Mill's amendment presented at that time in the House of +Commons; the extension of the municipal suffrage in 1869; the +participation of women in the establishment of national schools +under the law of 1870, both as voters and members of school-boards; +the Married Woman's Property bill of 1882; the large and increasing +vote for the extension of parliamentary suffrage in the House of +Commons, and the adoption of the resolution by that great +conference the day before. All these successive steps towards +woman's emancipation he carefully remembered to forget.</p> + +<p>During Miss Anthony's stay in Leeds she and her cousin, Dr. Fannie +Dickinson, were guests of Mrs. Hannah Ford at Adel Grange, an old +and lovely suburban home, where she met many interesting women, +members of the school-board, poor-law guardians and others. The +three daughters of Mrs. Ford, though possessed of ample incomes, +have each a purpose in life; one had gathered hundreds of factory +girls into evening schools, where she taught them to cut and make +their garments, as well as to read and write; one was an artist and +the third a musician, having studied in London and Florence. It was +during this ever-to-be-remembered week that Miss Anthony, escorted +by Mrs. Ford, visited Haworth, the bleak and lonely home of the +Brontés. It was a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_938" id="Page_938">[Pg 938]</a></span> dark, drizzly October day, intensifying all the +gloomy memories of the place. She sat in the old church pew where +those shivering girls endured such discomforts through the fearful +services, with their benumbed feet on the very stone slab that from +time to time was taken up to deposit in the earth beneath their +loved dead! She was shown through the house, paused at the place +under the stairs where the imperial Shirley had her fierce +encounter with that almost human dog, Keeper; she stood in the +drawing-room where the sainted three sisters, arm-in-arm, paced up +and down plotting their weird stories. She walked through the same +old gate, on the same single stone pavement and over the same stile +out into the same heather fields, gazing on the same dreary sky +above and the same desolate earth on every side. She dined in the +same old "Black Bull"; sat in poor Branwell's chair and was served +by the same person who dealt out the drinks to that poor +unfortunate—then a young bar-maid, now the aged proprietor.</p> + +<p>Miss Anthony crossed from Barrow to Belfast, where she was given a +most cordial reception at the house of one of Ireland's +distinguished orators, Miss Isabella M. Tod, who took her to one of +her Ulster temperance meetings at Garvah, where they were the +guests of Rev. Thomas Medill, a cousin of the distinguished Chicago +editor. There, as Miss Anthony listened to the prayers and +exhortations of the Presbyterian ministers and to the arguments of +Miss Tod, and heard no appeals to the audience to join in the work +of suppressing the traffic, a realizing sense of the utter +powerlessness of the queen's subjects in Ireland dawned upon her +for the first time. In all that crowd there was not one who had any +voice in the decision of that question. The entire control of the +matter rested with three magistrates appointed by the queen, who +are in nowise responsible to the tax-paying people to whom they +administer the laws. Had Miss Tod been addressing an American +audience, she would have appealed to every man to vote only for +candidates pledged to no-license. From Garvah they made a +pilgrimage to the Giant's Causeway. Miss Anthony had, when at Oban, +visited Fingal's Cave, and the two wonders that always fix +themselves upon the imagination of the youthful student of the +world's geography fully matched her expectations.</p> + +<p>At Dublin she visited the Castle, the old parliament building, now +a bank; Kings and Queens College, that gives diplomas to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_939" id="Page_939">[Pg 939]</a></span> women; +the parks, the cemeteries, the tomb of Daniel O'Connell. She +attended a meeting of the common council, of which Alfred Webb, the +only surviving son of the old abolitionist, Richard D. Webb, was a +member, and there she listened to a discussion on a petition to the +queen that the people of Dublin might be allowed to elect their own +tax-collector instead of having one placed over them by "the powers +that be" at London, as the official thus appointed had just proved +a defaulter. In listening to the outrages perpetrated upon a +helpless people by foreign officials, the one wonder to her was, +not that so many of Ireland's sons are discontented, but that they +are not in open rebellion.</p> + +<p>There Miss Anthony made the acquaintance of numbers of excellent +Friends,<a name="FNanchor_579_579" id="FNanchor_579_579"></a><a href="#Footnote_579_579" class="fnanchor">[579]</a> and with Mrs. Haslam visited their large free library +and attended their First-day meeting. In Dublin, too, she met +Michael Davitt, who seemed to her a most sincere champion of +liberty for himself and his people. Miss Anthony spent a week with +Mr. and Mrs. Haslam in Cork, visiting Blarney Castle, the old +walled city of Youghal with its crumbling Quaker meeting-house and +fine old mansion in which Sir Walter Raleigh lived, and thence to +the beautiful Lakes of Killarney, and in a jaunting-car through the +evicted tenants' district, entering the hovels and talking with the +inmates. The sad stories poured into her ears, and the poverty and +wretchedness she saw, proved to her that none of Mr. Redpath's +revelations, so shocking to the humanity of our people, were in the +least over-drawn. The circuit through Limerick, Galway, Clifton and +Belfast was made in third-class cars, that she might talk with the +people of the working class. This was the season for their county +fairs, which gave her an opportunity to see the farmers driving +their cattle and taking their meagre products to the fair. The +women and girls were uniformly barefooted, while some of the men +and boys wore shoes. In reply to her query why this was so, one man +said, "It is all we can do to get shoes for them as airnes the +money." The same old story; woman's work, however arduous, brings +no price in the market.</p> + +<p>While in London we attended several large and enthusiastic reform +meetings. We heard Bradlaugh address his constituency on that +memorable day at Trafalgar Square, at the opening of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_940" id="Page_940">[Pg 940]</a></span> parliament, +when violence was anticipated and the parliament houses were +surrounded by immense crowds, with the military and police in large +numbers to maintain order. We heard Michael Davitt and Miss Helen +Taylor at a great meeting in Exeter Hall, the former on home-rule +for Ireland, and the latter on the nationalization of land, showing +that in ancient times the people had many privileges long since +denied. They even had forests and commons and the road-side, where +their cows, sheep and geese could glean something. The facts and +figures given in these two lectures as to the abject poverty of the +people and the cruel system by which every inch of land had been +grabbed by their oppressors, were indeed appalling. A few days +before sailing we made our last visit to Ernestine L. Rose and +found our noble coadjutor, though in delicate health, pleasantly +situated in the heart of London, as deeply interested as ever in +the struggles of the hour.</p> + +<p>Dining one day with Mrs. Lucas, we were forcibly impressed with the +growing liberality of people of all shades of belief and of all +professions. The guests on that occasion were Mrs. Hallock, +sister-in-law of Robert Dale Owen, thoroughly imbued with his +religious and social ideas; Dr. Mary J. Hall, the only woman +practicing homeopathy in England; Miss Henrietta Müller, member of +the London school-board; Miss Clara Spence, a young actress from +America, who gave us some fine recitations; and such liberals in +politics and religion as Mrs. Stanton Blatch and myself, while our +hostess was an orthodox Friend. However we were all agreed on one +point, the right of women to full equality everywhere. In the +evening we went to see Mrs. Hallock's daughter, Ella Deitz, in the +play of "Impulse." We urged Mrs. Lucas to accompany us, but she +said she had never been to a theater in her life.</p> + +<p>A great discomfort in all English homes is the cold draughts +through their halls and unoccupied rooms. A moderate fire in the +grates in the family apartments is their only mode of heating, and +they seem quite oblivious as to the danger of throwing a door open +into a cold hall on one's back while the servants pass in and out +with the various courses' at dinner. As we Americans were sorely +tried under such circumstances, it was decided in the Basingstoke +mansion to have a hall stove, which, after a prolonged search, was +found in London and duly installed as a presiding deity to defy the +dampness that pervades all those<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_941" id="Page_941">[Pg 941]</a></span> ivy-covered habitations, as well +as the neuralgia that wrings their possessors. What a blessing it +proved, more than any one thing making the old English house seem +like an American home! The delightful summer heat we in America +enjoy in the coldest weather is quite unknown to our Saxon cousins. +Although many came to see our stove in full working order, yet we +could not persuade them to adopt the American system of heating the +whole house at an even temperature. They cling to the customs of +their fathers with an obstinacy that is incomprehensible to us, who +are always ready to try experiments. Americans complain bitterly of +the same freezing experiences in France and Germany, and in turn +foreigners all criticise our over-heated houses and places of +amusement.</p> + +<p>An evening reception at Mrs. Richardson's, in the city of York, +gave us an opportunity of a personal greeting with a large circle +of ladies identified with the suffrage movement, and a large public +meeting the next day in the Town Hall enabled us to judge still +further of the merits of English women as speakers. Here I was +entertained by Mrs. Lucretia Kendall Clarke, an American, who had +spent five years as a student in Dresden, where she made the +acquaintance of Mr. Clarke. It is said in England that the American +girls capture all the choice young men; that our rich +cattle-dealers get all their best horses, cows, sheep, dogs, and +that in time we shall rob them of all that is best in the country. +One thing is certain, we shall always regret our hospitable +invitation to the sparrows, as they are making war on our native +birds instead of fulfilling their mission to the "Diet of Worms." +In company with Mrs. Scatcherd we spent an hour in that magnificent +York cathedral, said to be one of the finest in England. Being +there at the time for service we had the benefit of the music. To +us, lost in admiration of the wonderful architecture and the +beautiful carving in wood and stone, the solemn strains of the +organ reverberating through those vast arches made the whole scene +very impressive. As women in many of the churches are not permitted +to take part in the sacred ceremonies, the choir is composed of +men, and boys from ten to fifteen who sing the soprano and alto. +But these old ideas, like the old Roman wall that still surrounds +that city, time only can remove.</p> + +<p>We had a merry trip from York to London. Miss Müller, Mrs. Chant, +Mrs. Shearer, Miss Stackpole, in our compartment, discussed freely +the silly objections to woman's enfranchisement<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_942" id="Page_942">[Pg 942]</a></span> usually made by +our legislators. We found on comparing notes that the arguments +usually made were the same in the House of Commons as in the halls +of Congress. If the honorable gentlemen could only have heard their +stale platitudes with good imitations in voice and manner, I doubt +whether they would ever again air their absurdities. I regretted +that our Caroline Gilkey Rogers had not been there to have given +her admirable impersonation of a Massachusetts legislator.</p> + +<p>A few days later I attended another meeting in Birmingham and +stayed with a relative of Joseph Sturge, at whose home I had +visited forty years before. This was called to discuss the +degradation of women under the Contagious Diseases acts. Led by +Josephine Butler, the women of England have been deeply stirred on +the question of repeal, and are very active in their opposition to +the law. We heard Mrs. Butler speak in many of her society +meetings, as well as on several public occasions. Her style is not +unlike that we hear in Methodist class-meetings from the best +cultivated of that sect; her power grows out of her deeply +religious enthusiasm.</p> + +<p>In London we met Emily Faithful, who had just returned from a +lecturing-tour in the United States, and were much amused with her +experiences. Having taken prolonged trips over the whole country +from Maine to Texas for many successive years, Miss Anthony and I +could easily add the superlative to all her narrations. She dined +with us one day at Mrs. Mellen's, where we also had the pleasure of +meeting Miss Jane Cobden, a daughter of the great Corn-law +reformer, who was much interested in forming Liberal leagues, to +encourage the Liberal party and interest women in the political +questions under consideration. She passed a day with us at +Basingstoke, and together we visited Mrs. Caird, the author of +"Whom Nature Leadeth," an interesting story of English life. I +found the author a charming woman, but in spite of the title I +really could not find one character in the three volumes that +seemed to follow the teachings of nature.</p> + +<p>Two weeks again in London, visiting picture-galleries, museums, +libraries, going to teas, dinners, receptions, concerts, theaters +and reform-meetings; it is enough to turn one's head to think of +all the different clubs and associations managed by women. It was a +source of constant pleasure to me to drive about in hansoms and try +to take in the vastness of that wonderful city; to see the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_943" id="Page_943">[Pg 943]</a></span> +beautiful equipages, fine saddle-horses and riders and the skill +with which the bicycles were so rapidly engineered through the +crowded streets. The general use of bicycles and tricycles all over +England, even for long journeys, is fast becoming the favorite mode +of locomotion both for ladies and gentlemen.</p> + +<p>It was a pleasant surprise to meet the large number of Americans +usually at the receptions of Mrs. Peter Taylor.<a name="FNanchor_580_580" id="FNanchor_580_580"></a><a href="#Footnote_580_580" class="fnanchor">[580]</a> Graceful and +beautiful in full dress, standing beside her husband, who evidently +idolizes her, Mrs. Taylor appeared quite as refined in her +drawing-room as if she had never been "exposed to the public gaze," +while presiding over a suffrage convention. Mr. Peter Taylor, M. +P., has been untiring in his endeavors to get a bill through +parliament against "compulsory vaccination." Mrs. Taylor is called +the mother of the suffrage movement. The engraving of her sweet +face which adorns the English chapter will give the reader a good +idea of her character. The reform has not been carried on in all +respects to her taste, nor on what she considers the basis of high +principle. Neither she nor Mrs. Jacob Bright has ever been +satisfied with the bill asking the right of suffrage for "widows +and spinsters" only. To have asked this right "for all women duly +qualified," as but few married women are qualified by possessing +property in their own right, the result would have been +substantially the same without making any invidious distinctions. +Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Bright felt that as married women were the +greatest sufferers under the law, they should be the first rather +than the last to be enfranchised. The others, led by Miss Becker, +claimed that it was good policy to make the demand for "spinsters +and widows," and thus exclude the "family unit" and "man's +headship" from the discussion; and yet these were the very points +on which the objections were invariably based. They claimed that if +"spinsters and widows" were enfranchised they would be an added +power to secure to married women their rights. But the history of +the past gives no such assurance. It is not certain that women +would be more just than men, and a small privileged class of +aristocrats have long governed their fellow-countrymen. The fact +that the spinsters in the movement advocated such a bill shows that +they are not to be trusted in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_944" id="Page_944">[Pg 944]</a></span> extending it. John Stuart Mill, too, +was always opposed to the exclusion of married women in the demand +for suffrage.</p> + +<p>If our English friends had our system of conventions and +discussions in which every resolution is subject to criticism, +changes could be more readily effected. But as their meetings are +now conducted, a motion to amend a resolution would throw the +platform into the wildest confusion and hopelessly bewilder the +chairman. We saw this experiment made at the great demonstration in +St. James' Hall the night before Mr. Mason's bill was to be acted +on in the House of Commons. For its effect on their champions some +were desirous that a resolution should be endorsed by that great +audience proposing higher ground; that instead of "spinsters and +widows," the demand should be for "all duly qualified women." After +the reading of one of the resolutions Miss Jessie Craigen arose and +proposed such an amendment. Mr. Woodhall, M. P., in the chair, +seemed quite at a loss what to do. She was finally, after much +debate and prolonged confusion, suppressed, whether in a +parliamentary manner or not I am unable to say. Here we should have +discussed the matter at length if it had taken us until midnight, +or adjourned over until next day, "the spinsters and widows" having +been the target for all our barbed arrows until completely +annihilated.</p> + +<p>Spending two months in traveling on the continent, Miss Anthony had +many amusing experiences. While visiting our minister and his wife, +Mr. and Mrs. Sargent, at Berlin, she occupied some rainy days, when +sight-seeing was out of the question, in doing up papers and +writing a large number of letters on our official paper, bearing +the revolutionary mottoes, "No just government can be formed +without the consent of the governed," "Taxation without +representation is tyranny." For a brief period she was in the full +enjoyment of that freedom one has when a pressing duty to family +and friends has been thoroughly discharged. But alas! her +satisfaction was soon turned to disappointment. After a few days a +dignified official appeared at the American Legation with a large +package bearing the proscribed mottoes, saying, "such sentiments +cannot pass through the post-office in Germany." So all that form +of propagandism was nipped in the bud, and in modest, uncomplaining +wraps the letters and papers started again for the land of the free +and reached their destination.</p> + +<p>But this experience did not satisfy the "Napoleon of our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_945" id="Page_945">[Pg 945]</a></span> movement" +that the rulers in the old world could securely guard their +subjects from those inflammable mottoes to which from long use we +are so indifferent. She continued to sow the seeds of rebellion as +she had opportunity, in Germany, France, Switzerland and Italy. It +is well for us that she did not experiment in Russia, or we should +now be mourning her loss as an exile in Siberia. At all points of +interest books are kept for visitors to register their names; Miss +Anthony uniformly added some of our Pilgrim Fathers' heroic +ejaculations in their struggle for liberty, which friends visiting +the same places afterwards informed us were carefully crossed out +so as to be quite illegible. But we may hope for their restoration +in the near future and that they may yet do an effective work. Thus +circumscribed with her pen and not being able to speak a foreign +language, happily no rebellions were fomented by her rapid transit +through their borders.</p> + +<p>My sense of justice was severely tried with all I heard of the +persecutions of Mrs. Besant and Mr. Bradlaugh for their +publications on the right and duty of parents to limit population. +Who can contemplate the sad condition of multitudes of young +children in the old world whose fate is to be brought up in +ignorance and vice—a swarming, seething mass whom nobody +owns—without seeing the need of free discussion of the +philosophical principles that underlie these tangled social +problems. The trials of Foote and Ramsey, too, for blasphemy, +seemed unworthy a great nation in the nineteenth century. Think of +well-educated men of good moral standing, thrown into prison in +solitary confinement for speaking lightly of the Hebrew idea of +Jehovah and the New Testament account of the birth of Jesus! Our +Protestant clergy never hesitate to make the dogmas and +superstitions of the Catholic church seem as absurd as possible, +and why should not those who imagine they have outgrown Protestant +superstitions make them equally ridiculous? Whatever is true can +stand investigation and ridicule.</p> + +<p>The last of April, when the wild-flowers were in their glory, Mrs. +Mellen and her lovely daughter, Daisy, came down to Basingstoke to +enjoy its beauty. As Mrs. Mellen had known Charles Kingsley and +entertained him at her residence in Colorado, she felt a desire to +see his former home. Accordingly, one bright morning Mr. Blatch +drove us through Stralfieldsage over the grounds of the Duke of +Wellington, well stocked with fine<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_946" id="Page_946">[Pg 946]</a></span> cattle, sheep and deer. This +magnificent place was given him by the English government after the +battle of Waterloo. A lofty statue of the duke that can be seen for +miles around stands at the entrance. A drive of a few miles further +brought us to Eversley, the home of Canon Kingsley, where he +preached many years and where all that is mortal of him now lies +buried. We wandered through the old church, among the moss-covered +tombstones and into the once happy home, now silent and deserted, +his loved ones scattered in different quarters of the globe. +Standing near the last resting-place of the author of "Hypatia," +his warning words for woman, in a letter to John Stuart Mill, +seemed like a voice from the clouds, saying with new inspiration +and power, "This will never be a good world for woman until the +last remnant of the canon law is civilized off the face of the +earth."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Mellen's spacious home in Pembroke Gardens, Kensington, was +thrown open for her American friends in London to celebrate the +Fourth of July. A large number of our English acquaintances were +also present, who very kindly congratulated us on the stirring +events of that day in 1776. Of the Americans assembled, many +contributed to the general entertainment. Grace Greenwood, Miss +Rachel Foster, Miss Kate Hillard and Miss Mildred Conway gave +recitations. Miss Lippincott, daughter of Grace Greenwood, sang +some fine operatic music; Mrs. Carpenter of Chicago sang sweetly, +playing her own accompaniment; Mr. Frank Lincoln gave some of his +amusing impersonations; Miss Maud Powell of Chicago, only fourteen +years of age, who had been taking lessons in France and Germany for +some years, played exquisite airs on the violin; Mrs. Flora Stark, +Miss Alice Blatch and Miss Conway gave us some fine classical music +on the piano, and Nathaniel Mellen sang some pathetic negro +melodies.<a name="FNanchor_581_581" id="FNanchor_581_581"></a><a href="#Footnote_581_581" class="fnanchor">[581]</a> Altogether it was a pleasant occasion and I felt +quite proud of the varied talents manifested by our young people. +Some English friends remarked on their cleverness and readiness, +all spontaneously called out without any time for preparation.</p> + +<p>We heard Mr. Fawcett speak to his Hackney constituents at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_947" id="Page_947">[Pg 947]</a></span> one of +his campaign meetings. In the course of his remarks he mentioned +with evident favor as one of the coming measures the +disestablishment of the church, and was greeted with loud applause. +Soon after he spoke of woman suffrage as another question demanding +consideration, but this was received with laughter and jeers, +although the platform was crowded with advocates of the measure, +among whom were the wife of the speaker and her sister, Dr. Garrett +Anderson, who sat just behind him. The audience were evidently in +favor of releasing themselves from being taxed to support the +church, forgetting that women were taxed also not only to support +the church, in which they had no voice, but the State, too, with +its army and navy. Mr. Fawcett was not an orator, but a simple, +straightforward speaker. He made but one gesture, striking his +right clenched fist into the palm of the left hand at the close of +all his strongest assertions; but being sound and liberal, he was a +great favorite with his constituents.</p> + +<p>A pleasant trip southward through Bath to Bristol brought us to the +home of the Misses Priestman and Mrs. Tanner, sisters-in-law of +John Bright. I had stayed at their father's house forty years +before, so we felt like old friends. I found them all charming, +liberal women, and we enjoyed a few days together, talking over our +mutual struggles, and admiring the beautiful scenery for which that +part of the country is quite celebrated. The women of England were +just then organizing political clubs, and I was invited to speak +before the one in Bristol. They are composed of men and women +alike, for the discussion of all political questions. The next day +I spoke to women alone in the church on the Bible view of woman's +creation and destiny. It is strange that those who pretend to be +well-versed in Scripture do not see that the simultaneous creation +of man and woman and the complete equality of the sexes are as +clearly taught in the first chapter of Genesis as the reverse is in +the allegorical garden-scene in the second. The drive over the +suspension-bridge by moonlight to dine with Mrs. Garnet, a sister +of John Thomasson, M. P., was a pleasant episode to public speaking +and more serious conversation. There, too, we had an evening +reception. There is an earnestness of purpose among English women +that is very encouraging under the prolonged disappointments +reformers inevitably suffer. There is something so determined and +heroic in what Mary Priestman does and says that one would readily +follow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_948" id="Page_948">[Pg 948]</a></span> her through all dangers. It added much to my comfort in +this visit to have an escort in Mrs. Lucas.</p> + +<p>Later Miss Anthony visited Bristol and had a complimentary +reception at the Misses Priestman's. She was the guest of Miss Mary +Estlin, who had spent some time in America, a dear friend of Sarah +Pugh and Parker Pillsbury. Miss Estlin was from home during my +visit, so that I did not see her while in England. The order of +English homes among the wealthy classes is very enjoyable. All goes +on from year to year with the same servants, the same surroundings, +no changes, no moving, no building even; in delightful contrast +with our periodical upheavings, always uncertain where we shall go +next, or how long our main dependents will stand by us.</p> + +<p>From Bristol we went to Greenbank to visit Mrs. Helen Bright Clark, +a daughter of the great orator. In the evening the parlors were +crowded, and I was asked to give an account of the suffrage +movement in America. Some clergymen questioned me in regard to the +Bible position of woman, whereupon I gave quite an exposition of +its general principles in favor of liberty and equality. As two +quite distinct lines of argument can be woven out of those pages on +any subject, on this occasion I selected all the most favorable +texts for justice to woman, and closed by stating the limits of its +authority. Mrs. Clarke, though thoroughly in sympathy with the +views I had expressed, feared lest my very liberal utterances might +have shocked some of the strictest of the laymen and clergy. +"Well," I said, "if we who do see the absurdities of the old +superstitions never unveil them to others, how is the world to make +any progress in the theologies? I am now in the sunset of life, and +I feel it to be my special mission to tell people what they are not +prepared to hear, instead of echoing worn-out opinions." The result +showed the wisdom of my speaking out of my own soul. To the +surprise of Mrs. Clark, the primitive Methodist clergyman called on +Sunday morning to invite me to occupy his pulpit in the afternoon +and present the same line of thought I had the previous evening. I +accepted his invitation. He led the services and I took my text +from Genesis i., 27, 28, showing that man and woman were a +simultaneous creation, endowed with equal power in starting.</p> + +<p>Mr. and Mrs. Clark I found very agreeable, progressive people, with +a nice family of boys and girls. Like all English children, they +suffered too much repression, while our American children<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_949" id="Page_949">[Pg 949]</a></span> have too +much latitude. If we could strike the happy medium between the two +systems, it would be a great benefit to the children of both +countries. The next day we drove down to see Glastonbury cathedral. +England is full of these beautiful ruins, covered with flowers and +ivy, but the saddest spectacles, with all this fading glory, are +the men, women and children whose nakedness neither man nor nature +seeks to drape.</p> + +<p>Returning to London we accepted an invitation to take tea with Mrs. +Jacob Bright. A choice circle of three it was, and a large server +of tempting viands was placed on a small table before us. Mrs. +Bright, in earnest conversation, had helped us each to a cup of +tea, and was turning to help us to something more, when over went +table and all, tea, bread and butter, cake, strawberries and cream, +silver, china, in one conglomerate mass. Silence reigned. No one +started; no one said "Oh!" Mrs. Bright went on with what she was +saying as if nothing unusual had occurred, rang the bell, and when +the servant appeared, pointing to the <i>débris</i>, she said, "Charles, +remove this." I was filled with admiration at her coolness, and +devoutly thankful that we Americans maintained an equally dignified +silence.</p> + +<p>At a grand reception given in our honor by the National Central +Committee, in Princess' Hall, Mr. Jacob Bright, M. P., presided and +made an admirable opening speech, followed by his sister, Mrs. +McLaren, with a highly complimentary address of welcome. By +particular request Miss Anthony gave a presentation of the +industrial, legal and political status of American women; while I +set forth their educational, social and religious limitations. Mr. +John P. Thomasson, M. P., made the closing address, expressing his +satisfaction with the addresses of the ladies and the progress made +in both countries.<a name="FNanchor_582_582" id="FNanchor_582_582"></a><a href="#Footnote_582_582" class="fnanchor">[582]</a></p> + +<p>Mrs. Thomasson, daughter of Mrs. Lucas, gave several delightful +evening parties,<a name="FNanchor_583_583" id="FNanchor_583_583"></a><a href="#Footnote_583_583" class="fnanchor">[583]</a> receptions and dinners, some for ladies +alone, where an abundant opportunity was offered for a critical +analysis of the idiosyncracies of the superior sex, especially in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_950" id="Page_950">[Pg 950]</a></span> +their political dealings with women. The patience of even such +heroic souls as Lydia Becker and Caroline Biggs was almost +exhausted with the tergiversations of members of the House of +Commons. Alas for the many fair promises broken, the hopes +deferred, the votes fully relied on and counted, all missing in the +hour of action. One crack of Mr. Gladstone's whip put a hundred +Liberals to flight in a twinkling, members whom these noble women +had spent years in educating. I never visited the House of Commons +that I did not see Miss Becker and Miss Biggs trying to elucidate +the fundamental principles of just government to some of them. +Verily their divine faith and patience merited more worthy action +on the part of their representatives.</p> + +<p>We formed very pleasant friendships with Miss Frances Lord and Miss +Henrietta Müller, spending several days with the latter at 58 +Cadogan square, and both alike visited us at different times in +Basingstoke. Miss Lord has translated some of Ibsen's plays very +creditably to herself, and, we understand, to the satisfaction of +the Swedish poet. Miss Lord is a cultured, charming woman, +attractive in society, and has a rare gift in conversation; she is +rather shrinking in her feelings. Miss Müller, her devoted friend, +is just the opposite; fearless, aggressive and self-centered. Miss +Lord discharged her duties as poor-law guardian faithfully, and +Miss Müller, as member of the London school-board, claimed her +rights when infringed upon, and maintained the dignity of her +position with a good degree of tact and heroism. We met Miss +Whitehead, another poor-law guardian, at Miss Müller's, and had a +long talk on the sad condition of the London poor and the grand +work Octavia Hill had done among them. Miss Müller read us a paper +on the dignity and office of single women. Her idea seems to be +very much like that expressed by St. Paul in his epistles, that it +is better for those who have a genius for public work in the church +or State not to marry; and Miss Müller carries her theory into +practice thus far. She has a luxurious establishment of her own, is +fully occupied in politics and reform, and though she lives by +herself she entertains her friends generously, and does whatever it +seems good to her to do. As she is bright and entertaining and has +many worshipers, she may fall a victim to the usual fate in spite +of her admirable essay, which has been printed in tract form and +circulated extensively in England and America. Miss Müller gave +Miss Anthony and myself a farewell reception on the eve of our +departure for America, when we had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_951" id="Page_951">[Pg 951]</a></span> the opportunity of meeting once +more most of the pleasant acquaintances we had made in London. +Although it was announced for the afternoon, we did in fact receive +all day as many as could not come at the hour appointed. Dr. +Elizabeth Blackwell took breakfast with us; Mrs. Fawcett, Mrs. +Seville<a name="FNanchor_584_584" id="FNanchor_584_584"></a><a href="#Footnote_584_584" class="fnanchor">[584]</a> and Miss Lord were with us at luncheon; Harriet Hosmer +and Olive Logan soon after; Mrs. Peter Taylor later, and from three +to six o'clock the parlors were crowded.</p> + +<p>Returning from London I passed my birthday, November 12, in +Basingstoke. It was a sad day to us all, knowing that it was the +last before my departure for America. When I imprinted the farewell +kiss on the soft cheek of little Nora in the cradle, she in the +dawn and I in the sunset of life, I realized how widely the long +years and the broad ocean would separate us forever. Miss Anthony, +who had been visiting Mrs. Parker, near Warrington, met me at +Alderly Edge, where we spent a few days in the charming home of Mr. +and Mrs. Jacob Bright. There we found their noble sisters, Mrs. +McLaren and Mrs. Lucas, young Walter McLaren and his lovely bride, +Eva Müller, whom we had heard several times on the suffrage +platform. We rallied her on the step she had lately taken, +notwithstanding her sister's able paper on the blessedness of a +single life. While here we visited Dean Stanley's birthplace; but +on his death the light and joy went out, and the atmosphere of the +old church whose walls had once echoed to his voice, and the house +where he had spent so many useful years, seemed sad and deserted. +But the day was bright and warm, the scenery all around was +beautiful, cows and sheep were still grazing in the meadows, the +grass as green as in June. This is England's chief charm, forever +green, some compensation for the many cloudy days. An evening +reception in Mrs. Bright's spacious parlors, with friends from +Manchester and other adjoining towns, with speeches of welcome and +farewell, finished our visit at Alderly Edge.</p> + +<p>As our good friends Mrs. McLaren and Mrs. Lucas had determined to +see us safely on board the Servia, they escorted us to Liverpool, +where we met Mrs. Margaret Parker, Mrs. Scatcherd and Dr. Fanny +Dickinson of Chicago. Another reception was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_952" id="Page_952">[Pg 952]</a></span> given us at the +residence of Dr. Ewing Whittle. Several short speeches were made, +all cheering the parting guests with words of hope and +encouragement for the good cause.</p> + +<p>Here the wisdom of forming an international association was +considered. The proposition met with such favor from those present +that a committee was appointed to correspond with the friends in +different nations. As Miss Anthony and myself are members of that +committee,<a name="FNanchor_585_585" id="FNanchor_585_585"></a><a href="#Footnote_585_585" class="fnanchor">[585]</a> now that these volumes are finished and we are at +liberty once more, we shall ascertain as soon as possible the +feasibility of a grand international conference in New York in +1888, to celebrate the fourth decade of our movement for woman's +enfranchisement. Such conventions have been held by the friends of +anti-slavery, peace, temperance, social purity and evangelical +christianity, and why may not the suffrage cause, too, receive a +new impetus from the united efforts of its friends in all +countries.</p> + +<p>On the broad Atlantic for ten days we had many opportunities to +review all we had seen and heard. There we met our noble friends, +Mr. and Mrs. Hussey of New Jersey; also Mrs. Margaret Buchanan +Sullivan of Chicago, just returning from an extended tour in +Ireland, who gave us many of her rich experiences. Sitting on deck +hour after hour, how often I queried with myself as to the +significance of the boon for which women were so earnestly +struggling. In asking for a voice in the government under which we +live, have we been pursuing a shadow for forty years? In seeking +political power, are we abdicating that social throne where they +tell us our influence is unbounded? No! no! the right of suffrage +is no shadow, but a substantial entity that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_953" id="Page_953">[Pg 953]</a></span> the citizen can seize +and hold for his own protection and his country's welfare. A direct +power over one's own person and property, an individual opinion to +be counted on all questions of public interest, is better than +indirect influence, be it ever so far-reaching.</p> + +<p>Though influence, like the pure white light, is all-pervading, yet +it is oft-times obscured with passing clouds and nights of +darkness; like the sun's rays, it may be healthy, genial, +inspiring, though sometimes too direct for comfort, too oblique for +warmth, too scattered for any given purpose. But as the prism by +dividing the rays of light reveals to us the brilliant coloring of +the atmosphere, and as the burning-glass by concentrating them in a +focus intensifies their heat, so does the right of suffrage reveal +the beauty and power of individual sovereignty in the great drama +of national life, while on a vital measure of public interest it +combines the many voices of the people in a grand chorus of protest +or applause.</p> + +<p>After an unusually calm, pleasant voyage, for November, we sailed +up our beautiful New York harbor just as the sun was rising in all +his glory, gilding every hill-top and distant spire in the +landscape, and with grateful hearts we celebrated the national +Thanksgiving-day once more with loving friends in the great +Republic.</p> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_575_575" id="Footnote_575_575"></a><a href="#FNanchor_575_575"><span class="label">[575]</span></a> He asked me confidentially if I knew what the "D" in +his name stood for. "Why," said I, "in line with your profession, +it must be for 'Divinity,' or 'Doxology.'" "No," said he, "for +'Dynamite.'" As we were being blown up just then in all parts of +London, I begged him not to explode until Sunday morning in old +South Church, as I would rather see a wreck of the old theologies +than of our charming hostess and Corney Green, who were giving us +this pleasant entertainment.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_576_576" id="Footnote_576_576"></a><a href="#FNanchor_576_576"><span class="label">[576]</span></a> She says she prefers to be known as the wife of +Duncan McLaren, a member of parliament from Edinburgh for sixteen +years, who always voted right on the woman question, while John +Bright is opposed to the movement.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_577_577" id="Footnote_577_577"></a><a href="#FNanchor_577_577"><span class="label">[577]</span></a> She occupies the home of an English woman who has +taken her seven children to Germany for their education. How +strange it is that so many parents imagine that they can educate +their children better in a foreign land.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_578_578" id="Footnote_578_578"></a><a href="#FNanchor_578_578"><span class="label">[578]</span></a> After dinner, while the gentlemen still lingered at +the table, the ladies being alone, an unusual amount of heresy as +to the rights of "the divinely appointed head of the house" found +expression. A young English-woman, who had been brought up in great +retirement, turned to me and said, "I never heard such declarations +before; do you ladies all really believe that God intended men and +women to be equal, and do you really feel that girls have a right +to enjoy as many privileges as boys?" In chorus we all promptly +said, "We do," and I added, "If you will recall all the events of +your life thus far, and your own feelings at times, you will find +that again and again your own heart has protested against the +injustice to which you have been subjected. Now," said I, "think a +little, and see if you can recall no sense of dissatisfaction at +the broad difference made between your sisters and brothers." +"Well," said she, "I did often wonder why father gave the boys half +a crown a week for spending money, and us girls a few pence; why so +much thought and money were expended on their education, and so +little on ours; but as I saw that that was the custom everywhere, I +came to the conclusion that they were a superior order of beings, +and so thought no more about it, and I never heard that theory +contradicted until this evening."</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_579_579" id="Footnote_579_579"></a><a href="#FNanchor_579_579"><span class="label">[579]</span></a> Among these were Mr. and Mrs. Haslam, Mr. Wigham, +brother of Eliza Wigham, and his cultured wife; Hannah Webb, the +daughter of Richard, and Thomas Webb and daughters, in whose old +family-record book of visitors she was shown the autographs of +William Lloyd Garrison and Nathaniel P. Rogers over the date of +1840.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_580_580" id="Footnote_580_580"></a><a href="#FNanchor_580_580"><span class="label">[580]</span></a> On one occasion I counted fourteen: Miss Risley +Seward, Mrs. Louise Chandler Moulton, Mrs. Laura Curtis Bullard, +Miss Rachel Foster, Mrs. William Mellen and two sons and daughters, +Mr. Theodore Tilton. Miss Anthony, Mrs. Stanton Blatch and myself.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_581_581" id="Footnote_581_581"></a><a href="#FNanchor_581_581"><span class="label">[581]</span></a> Aside from those already mentioned were William +Henry Channing, L. N. Fowler, the phrenologist, and his daughter; +Mrs. Louise Chandler Moulton, Mrs. Stanton, Mrs. Stanton Blatch, +Miss Anthony, Mrs. Powell, Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Phillips, several +members from the Bright, the McLaren and the Cobden families, Mrs. +Conway, Miss Emily Faithful, Mr. William Henry Blatch, Mr. Stark, +the artist; Philip Marston, the blind poet; Miss Orme and Miss +Richardson, attorneys-at-law; Judge Kelley, wife and daughter +Florence, Miss Lydia Becker, Miss Caroline Biggs and sisters, Miss +Julia Osgood.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_582_582" id="Footnote_582_582"></a><a href="#FNanchor_582_582"><span class="label">[582]</span></a> Among the distinguished persons on the platform were +Frances Power Cobbe, Dr. Garrett Anderson, Mrs. Fawcett, Mrs. Jacob +Bright, Mrs. Lucas, Mrs. Thomasson, Mrs. Margaret Parker, Mrs. +Alice Scatcherd, Miss Becker, Miss Biggs, Mrs. Moore, Mr. and Mrs. +Conway, Oscar Wilde and his queenly mother, Charles McLaren, M. P., +Mrs. Peter A. Taylor, Miss Helen Taylor, Miss Orme, Miss Müller, +Miss Lord, Miss Foster, Mrs. and Miss Blatch, Mrs. Mellen, Miss Tod +of Belfast, Mrs. Chesson, daughter of George Thompson, the great +anti-slavery orator, and very many others whose names we cannot +recall.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_583_583" id="Footnote_583_583"></a><a href="#FNanchor_583_583"><span class="label">[583]</span></a> Where we met Mrs. Fawcett, Dr. Garrett Anderson, Sir +Hugh Staples, Mr. Mitchell, the Misses Stackpole and brothers, +Madame Venturi, Miss Biggs and sisters, Miss Frances Lord and her +sister, who is doing a noble work in her kindergarten.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_584_584" id="Footnote_584_584"></a><a href="#FNanchor_584_584"><span class="label">[584]</span></a> Mrs. Seville, whose husband was a professor at +Sandhurst College, having recently awoke to the indignities the +church heaps upon women, made her protest in discarding her bonnet +and appearing on Sundays with her head uncovered, contrary to +Paul's injunctions. Having thus attended church for two years, +involving much criticism and disturbance, both the vicar and the +bishop labored with her to resume the bonnet, but she remained +incorrigible. She read us a letter of remonstrance from the bishop, +over which we all had a hearty laugh.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_585_585" id="Footnote_585_585"></a><a href="#FNanchor_585_585"><span class="label">[585]</span></a> The following is the report of the action prepared +that evening 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. +Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Miss Susan B. Anthony prior to their +return to America, it was proposed by Mrs. Margaret E. Parker of +Penketh (near Warrington), seconded by Mrs. McLaren of Edinburgh, +and unanimously passed: +</p><p> +"That this meeting, 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> +"<i>For the American Center</i>—Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Miss Susan +B. Anthony, Miss Rachel Foster. <i>London Center</i>—Mrs. Peter A. +Taylor, Mrs. Margaret B. Lucas, Miss Helen Taylor, Miss Henrietta +Müller, Miss Caroline A. Biggs, Mr. and Mrs. Charles McLaren, Miss +Eliza Orme, Miss Rebecca Moore, London; Mrs. Harriot Stanton +Blatch, Basingstoke. <i>Manchester Center</i>—Mr. and Mrs. Jacob +Bright, Manchester; Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Thomasson, Bolton; Mrs. +Margaret E. Parker, Penketh; Dr. and Mrs. Whittle, Liverpool; Mrs. +Oliver Scatcherd, Leeds; Mr. and Mrs. Walter McLaren, Bradford; +Mrs. Philips, Liverpool; Mr. and Mrs. Crook, Bolton; Mr. Berners, +Mr. Russell, Liverpool; Miss Becker, Manchester. <i>Bristol +Center</i>—Miss Helen Bright Clarke, Street; Mrs. Alfred Ostler, +Birmingham; Miss Priestman, Bristol. <i>Center for Scotland</i>—Mrs. +Duncan McLaren, Mrs. Elizabeth Pease Nichol, Miss Eliza Wigham, +Edinburgh. <i>Center for Ireland</i>—Miss Tod, Belfast; Mrs. Haslam, +Dublin. <i>Center for France</i>—M'lle Hubertine Auclert, Mr. and Mrs. +Theodore Stanton, Charlotte B. Wilbour, Paris.</p></div> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_955" id="Page_955">[Pg 955]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="APPENDIX" id="APPENDIX"></a>APPENDIX.</h2> + +<div class="appendix"> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<h3>CHAPTER XXVII.</h3> + +<h4>THE CENTENNIAL YEAR.</h4> + +<p>Among those who sent most cordial letters of greeting, with +requests that their names should be enrolled in the centennial +autograph-book as signers of the woman's declaration of sentiments, +were: <i>Maine</i>, Lavinia M. Snow, Lucy A. Snow; <i>New Hampshire</i>, +Marilla M. Ricker, Abby P. Ela; <i>Massachusetts</i>, E. T. Strickland, +Sarah E. Wall; <i>Rhode Island</i>, Paulina Wright Davis; <i>Connecticut</i>, +Isabella Beecher Hooker, Frances Ellen Burr, Julia and Abby Smith; +<i>New York</i>, Clemence S. Lozier, Henrietta Paine Westbrook, Nettie +A. Ford, Elizabeth B. Phelps, Charlotte A. Cleveland, Elizabeth M. +Atwell; <i>Pennsylvania</i>, E. A. Stetson Lozier, Anna Thomson; <i>New +Jersey</i>, Ellen Dickinson, S. Mary Clute, Mary M. Van Clief, S. H. +Cornell, Emma L. Wilde, Jennie Dixon, Casa Tonti, Marie Howland, +Lucinda B. Chandler; <i>District of Columbia</i>, Addie T. Holton, +Margaret E. Johnson, Sabra P. Abell, Ruth Carr Dennison, Ellen H. +Sheldon, Mary Shadd Cary and ninety-four others, Mary F. Foster, +Susan A. Edson; <i>Virginia</i>, Sally Holly, Carrie Putnam; <i>Kentucky</i>, +Annie Laurie Quinby; <i>Tennessee</i>, Elizabeth Avery Meriwether; +<i>Louisiana</i>, Elizabeth Lisle Saxon; <i>Michigan</i>, Sarah C. Owen, +Margaret J. E. Millar; <i>Illinois</i>, A. J. Grover, Edward P. Powell, +Cynthia A. Leonard, Susan H. Richardson; <i>Missouri</i>, Francis Minor, +Annie R. Irvine; <i>California</i>, Sarah L. Knox, Sarah J. Wallis, +Carrie M. Robinson, Mary E. Kellogg, Georgiana Bruce Kirby; +<i>Oregon</i>, Mrs. A. J. Johns, Eveline Merrick Roork, Charles A. Reed; +<i>Washington Territory</i>, Mary Olney Brown, Abby H. H. Stuart; <i>Utah +Territory</i>, Annie Godbe; <i>Iowa</i>, Amelia Bloomer, Submit C. Loomis, +Philo A. Lyon and seventy-five others of Humboldt, Jane A. Telker, +Nancy R. Allen, Margaret Euart Colby, Mrs. Ellen M. Robinson, Mrs. +G. R. Woodworth, Mrs. W. W. Johnson, Mrs. Caroline A. Ingham, Mrs. +Mabel A. Stough, Mrs. R. H. Spencer, Mrs. J. W. Kenyon, Mrs. A. M. +Horton, Miss L. T. Dood, Mary L. Watson, Mrs. Sarah A. McCoy, Mrs. +J. J. Wilson, Mrs. F. L. Calkins, Mrs. L. H. Smith, Mrs. Emma C. +Spear, Mrs. M. L. Burlingame, Mrs. G. W. Blanchard, Mrs. D. L. +Ford, Mrs. E. C. Buffam, Mrs. Cora A. Jones, Mrs. Clara M. Wilson; +<i>Wisconsin</i>, Laura Ross Wolcott, M. Josephine Pearce, Eliza T. +Wilson, H. S. Brown; <i>Minnesota</i>, Sarah Burger Stearns; <i>Kansas</i>, +Susan E. Wattles, Elsie Stewart, Henrietta L. Miller, Lottie +Griffin, Jane M. Burke, Malura Hickson, Elsie J. Miller; +<i>Colorado</i>, Alida C. Avery; <i>Ohio</i>, Sarah R. L. Williams, Margaret +V. Longley; <i>England</i>, Lydia E. Becker, Caroline A. Biggs, Jessie +M. Wellstood.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<h3>CHAPTER XXX.</h3> + +<h4 class="sc">Constitution of the National Woman Suffrage Association.</h4> + +<p><span class="smcap">Article</span> 1. This organization shall be called the <span class="smcap">National Woman +Suffrage Association</span>.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_956" id="Page_956">[Pg 956]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Article</span> 2. The object of this Association shall be to secure +<span class="smcap">National</span> Protection for women in the exercise of their right to +vote.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Article</span> 3. All citizens of the United States subscribing to this +Constitution, and contributing not less than one dollar annually, +shall be considered members of the Association, with the right to +participate in its deliberations.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Article</span> 4. The officers of this Association shall be a President, a +Vice-President from each of the States and Territories, +Corresponding and Recording Secretaries, a Treasurer and an +Executive Committee of not less than five.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Article</span> 5. A quorum of the Executive Committee shall consist of +nine, and all officers of this Association shall be <i>ex-officio</i> +members of the committee, with power to vote.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Article</span> 6. All woman suffrage societies throughout the country +shall be welcomed as auxiliaries, and their accredited officers or +duly appointed representatives shall be recognized as members of +the National Association.</p> + + +<h4 class="sc">Officers of the National Woman Suffrage Association, 1886.</h4> + +<p><i>President</i>—Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Tenafly, N. J.</p> + +<p><i>Vice-Presidents-at-Large</i>—Susan B. Anthony, Rochester, N. Y.; +Matilda Joslyn Gage, Fayetteville, N. Y.; Rev. Olympia Brown, +Racine, Wis.; Phœbe W. Couzins, St. Louis, Mo.; Abigail Scott +Duniway, Portland, Ore.</p> + +<p><i>Honorary Vice-Presidents</i>—Ernestine L. Rose, London, England; +Priscilla Holmes Drake, Huntsville, Ala.; Mrs. Perry Spear, Eureka +Springs, Ark.; Sarah. J. Wallis, Mayfield; Sarah Knox Goodrich, San +José, Cal.; Mary F. Shields, Colorado Springs, Col.; Rev. Phebe A. +Hanaford, New Haven, Conn.; Rev. Eliza Tupper Wilkes, Sioux Falls, +Dak. Ter.; Rosina M. Parnell, Susan A. Edson, M. D., Ellen M. +O'Connor, Washington, D. C.; Catherine V. Waite, Myra Bradwell, +Chicago, Ill.; Zerelda G. Wallace, Indianapolis; Eliza Hamilton, +Fort Wayne, Ind.; Amelia Bloomer, Council Bluffs; Mary V. Cowgill, +West Liberty, Ia.; Prudence Crandall Philleo, Elk Falls; Mary T. +Gray, Wyandotte; Mary A. Humphrey, Junction City, Kan.; Elizabeth +H. Duval, Rinaldo, Ky.; Ann T. Greeley, Ellsworth; Lucy A. Snow, +Rockland, Me.; Anna Ella Carroll, Baltimore, Md.; Sarah E. Wall, +Worcester; Paulina Gerry, Stoneham, Mass.; Catherine A. F. +Stebbins, Detroit, Mich.; Charlotte O. Van Cleve, Minneapolis, +Minn.; Caroline Johnson Todd, St. Louis, Mo.; Harriet S. Brooks, +Omaha, Neb.; Eliza E. Morrill, Sarah H. Pillsbury, Concord; Mary +Powers Filley, North Haverhill, N. H.; Sarah G. Hurn, Vineland; +Delia Stewart Parnell, Bordentown, N. J.; Clemence S. Lozier, M. +D., New York; Amy Post, Rochester; Sarah H. Hallock, Milton; Mary +R. Pell, Flushing, N. Y.; Elizabeth Oakes Smith, Hollywood, N. C.; +Sophia O. Allen, South Newbury; Sarah R. L. Williams, Toledo; +Louise Southworth, Cleveland, O.; Harriet W. Williams, Portland, +Ore.; M. Adeline Thomson, Philadelphia, Penn.; Catherine C. +Knowles, East Greenwich; Elizabeth B. Chace, Valley Falls, R. I.; +Elizabeth Van Lew, Richmond, Va.; Mary Olney Brown, Abbie H. H. +Stuart, Olympia, Wash. Ter.; Laura Ross Wolcott, Milwaukee; Emma C. +Bascom, Madison, Wis.</p> + +<p><i>Vice-Presidents</i>—Caroline M. Patterson, Harrison, Ark.; Ellen +Clarke Sargent, San Francisco, Cal.; Mrs. L. J. Terry, Pueblo, +Col.; Isabella Beecher Hooker, Hartford, Conn.; Marietta M. Bones, +Webster City, Dak.; Mary A. Stewart, Greenwood, Del.; Ruth C. +Dennison, Washington, D. C.; Mrs. C. B. S. Wilcox, Interlachen, +Fla.; Althea L. Lord, Savannah, Ga.; Dr. Jennie Bearby, Mountain +Home, Idaho; Elizabeth Boynton Harbert, Evanston, Ill.; Helen M. +Gougar, Lafayette, Ind.; Jane Amy McKinney, Decorah, Ia.; Laura M. +Johns, Salina Kan.; Mary B. Clay, Richmond, Ky.; Caroline E. +Merrick, New Orleans, La.; Sophronia C. Snow, Hampden Corners, Me.; +Caroline Hallowell Miller, Sandy Spring, Md.; Harriette R. +Shattuck, Malden, Mass.; Fannie Holden Fowler, Manistee, Mich.; +Sarah Burger Stearns, Duluth, Minn.; Olivia Fitzhugh, Vicksburg, +Miss.; Virginia L. Minor, St. Louis, Mo.; Clara Bewick Colby, +Beatrice, Neb.; Maria H. Boardman, Reno, Nev.; Ada M. Jarrett, +Magdalena, N. Mex.; Marilla M. Ricker, Dover, N. H.; Cornelia<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_957" id="Page_957">[Pg 957]</a></span> C. +Hussey, East Orange, N. J.; Lillie Devereux Blake, New York, N. Y.; +Mary Bayard Clarke, New Berne, N. C.; Frances D. Casement, +Painesville, O.; Harriette A. Loughary, McMinneville, Ore.; Matilda +Hindman, Pittsburgh, Penn.; Anna S. Aldrich, Providence, R. I.; +Elizabeth Lisle Saxon, Memphis, Tenn.; Jennie Bland Beauchamp, +Denton, Tex.; Jennie A. Froiseth, Salt Lake City, Utah; Lydia +Putnam, Brattleboro', Vt.; Mrs. Roger S. Greene, Seättle, Wash. +Ter.: Alura C. Collins, Milwaukee, Wis.; Amalia B. Post, Cheyenne, +Wyoming.</p> + +<p><i>Executive Committee</i>—May Wright Sewall, <i>Chairman</i>, 429 North New +Jersey street, Indianapolis, Ind.; Laura DeForce Gordon, San +Francisco; Mary J. Channing, Pasadena, Cal.; Dr. Alida C. Avery, +Denver, Col.; Frances Ellen Burr, Emily P. Collins, Hartford, +Conn.; Mrs. J. S. Pickler, Falktown; Linda W. Slaughter, Bismark, +Dak. Ter.; Belva A. Lockwood, Dr. Caroline B. Winslow, Washington, +D. C.; Flora M. Wright, Drayton Island, Fla.; Julia Mills Dunn, +Moline; Rev. Florence Kollock, Englewood; Dr. Alice B. Stockham, +Ada C. Sweet, Chicago, Ill.; Mary E. Haggart, Mary E. N. Cary, +Indianapolis, Ind.; Narcisa T. Bemis, Independence; Mary J. +Coggeshall, Des Moines, Ia; Annie C. Wait, Lincoln Center; +Henrietta B. Wall, Mrs. S. A. Hauk, Hutchinson, Kan.; Sally Clay +Bennett, Mary A. Somers, Richmond; Laura White, Manchester, Ky.; +Maria I. Johnson, Mound, La.; Charlotte A. Thomas, Portland, Me.; +Amanda M. Best, Bright Seat, Md.; Harriet H. Robinson, Malden; Sara +A. Underwood, Dorchester Mass.; Julia Upton, Big Rapids; Cordelia +Fitch Briggs, Grand Rapids, Mich.; Julia Bullard Nelson, Red Wing: +Mrs. L. H. Hawkins, Shakopee; Mary P. Wheeler, Kasson, Minn.; Anne +R. Irvine, Oregon; Elizabeth A. Meriwether, St. Louis, Mo.; Jennie +F. Holmes, Tecumseh; Orpha C. Dinsmoore, Omaha, Neb.; Hannah R. +Clapp, Carson City, Nev.; Mrs. A. B. I. Roberts, Candia, N. H.; +Augusta Cooper Bristol, Vineland; Theresa A. Seabrook, Keyport, N. +J.; Mathilde F. Wendt, New York; Caroline G. Rogers, Lansingburgh; +Ellen S. Fray, Lewia C. Smith, Rochester, N. Y.; Sarah M. Perkins, +Elvira J. Bushnell, Cleveland; Sarah S. Bissell, Toledo, O.; Mrs. +J. M. Kelty, Lafayette, Ore.; Deborah L. Pennock, Kennett Square; +Harriet Purvis, Philadelphia, Penn.; Lillie Chace Wyman, Valley +Falls, R. I.; Lide Meriwether, Memphis, Tenn.; Mrs. D. Clinton +Smith, Middleboro', Vt.; Mrs. F. D. Gordon, Richmond, Va.; Eliza T. +Wilson, Menomonie; Laura James, Richland Center, Wis.; Barbara J, +Thompson, Tacoma, Wash. Ter.; Mrs. J. H. Hayford, Laramie City, +Wyoming Ter.</p> + +<p><i>Recording Secretaries</i>—Julia A. Wilbur, Caroline A. Sherman, +Washington, D. C.</p> + +<p><i>Corresponding Secretaries</i>—Rachel G. Foster, Philadelphia, Penn.; +Ellen H. Sheldon, Washington, D. C.</p> + +<p><i>Foreign Corresponding Secretaries</i>—Caroline A. Biggs, London; +Lydia E. Becker, Manchester, England; Marguerite Berry Stanton, +Hubertine Auclert, Charlotte B. Wilbour, Paris, France; Clara +Neymann, Berlin, Germany.</p> + +<p><i>Treasurer</i>—Jane H. Spofford, Riggs House, Washington, D. C.</p> + +<p><i>Auditors</i>—Eliza T. Ward, Ellen M. O'Connor, Washington, D. C.</p> + + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<h3>CHAPTER XXXII.</h3> + +<h4>CONNECTICUT.</h4> + +<p class="center"><i>Is the Family the Basis of the State?</i></p> + +<h5>BY JOHN HOOKER.</h5> + +<p>The proposition that the family is the basis of the State has come +down through many generations, so far as I know, unchallenged; but +in the sense in which it is ordinarily understood, and for the +purpose for which it is ordinarily used, it is entirely a fallacy. +The State depends upon the family for the continuance of its +population, just as it depends upon the school for the intelligence +of its people and on religious<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_958" id="Page_958">[Pg 958]</a></span> institutions for their morality. +But the State stands in no political relation to the family any +more than to the school and the church. What is meant by the +proposition as generally used is, that the State is politically an +aggregate of families and not of individuals. This is entirely +untrue, and if true the fact would be calamitous. Civil government +is supposed to have had its origin in family government, the +patriarch becoming chief of a tribe which was substantially the +outgrowth and expansion of a single family; but if a nation was to +be formed of such tribes it would be essential to its peace and +prosperity that they should as soon as possible mingle into one +homogeneous mass, and that no citizen should consider himself of +one tribe rather than another. It is the family idea in a +government like ours that makes the feuds which are handed down +from generation to generation in some parts of the country. It made +the frequent bloody contests of the clans in Scotland, and the +dissensions of the Hebrew tribes. In a republic nothing can be more +disastrous than that great political leaders should have large +family followings. The first duty of the citizen is to forget that +he belongs to any family in particular. He is an individual citizen +of the State, and when he becomes a magistrate he must practically +ignore the fact that he has family relatives who feel entitled to +his special favor. He must, like justice, be blind to every fact +except that the applicant for office or for justice is an +individual citizen and must stand wholly on his personal merits or +the justice of his cause.</p> + +<p>The proposition that the family is the basis of the State thus +taken by itself is entirely false; but even if true, the use made +of it as an argument against giving suffrage to women is equally +fallacious. This can be shown by a single illustration. We will +suppose there are two families, in both of which the father dies, +leaving in one case a widow and one son, and in the other a widow +and six daughters. Where is now the family representation? The son +whom we will suppose to be of age, goes to the polls and we will +suppose sufficiently represents the family to which he belongs; but +where is the family representation for the other widow and her six +daughters? She may be the largest tax-payer in the State, and yet +she can have no voice in determining what taxes shall be laid, nor +to what purposes the money shall be appropriated.</p> + +<p>The question whether the family is the basis of the State cannot be +made an abstract question of political philosophy. Indeed the +question is unmeaning when put as an abstract one. We might just as +well ask, "Is the climate cold in a State?" or, "Is the English +language spoken in a State?" It is only as we ask these questions +about a <i>particular</i> State that they have any meaning. "Is it cold +in Russia?" "Is English spoken in Connecticut?"</p> + +<p>Take the case of a State ruled by a despot. Here the people are not +the political basis of the State, either as families or as +individuals. They have no political power whatever. The political +basis of the State is the will of the despot. He is himself and +alone the State politically. He makes the laws himself, and shoots +and hangs those who disobey them. The people are indispensable to +the State, and so in one sense its basis, just as the square miles +that compose its territory are its physical basis, but the people +stand in no political relation whatever to the State, any more than +the rocks and gravel of its territory. It is only where the people +of the State have the whole or a part of its political power, that +the question can possibly arise as to whether individuals or +families are its political basis. And when it thus arises, it comes +up wholly with reference to a particular State, and not as an +abstract question. And then it is wholly a question of fact, not +one of political philosophy; a matter for simple ascertainment, not +for speculation and reasoning. Thus, suppose the question to be, +"Is the family or the individual the political basis of the State +of Connecticut?" We are to answer the question solely by looking at +the constitution and laws of the State. We look there and find that +it is as clear as language can make it that the political basis of +the State is the individual and not the family. The individual is +made the voter—not the family—and that is the whole question. It +was perfectly easy for the people, if they had so desired, when +they were adopting a constitution, to make families and not +individuals the depositaries of political power, but they chose to +give the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_959" id="Page_959">[Pg 959]</a></span> power to individuals, and thus the question is absolutely +settled for the State. It is true, the State does not carry out +completely its own theory, but this was its theory, and what it did +was wholly in this direction and away from the family theory. We go +to the constitution of the State to settle this question, just as +we would to settle the question whether the governor's term is one +year or two, or whether the judges hold office for a term of years +or for life. While considering whether either of these provisions +ought to be adopted, we are dealing with a matter proper for +opinions and argument, but when the provisions have been adopted, +the whole question becomes one of fact, and we look only to the +constitution to determine it, and treat it as a matter not for +discussion but for absolute ascertainment.</p> + +<p>When one is advocating the theory that the family should be the +political basis of the State, he is simply saying that the +constitution ought to be amended and the right of voting taken away +from individuals and given to families. But it is idle to urge +this. Such a measure would not get even a respectable minority of +votes. It is decisive on this point that not a single +representative government, so far as the writer knows, has adopted +the theory that the family and not the individual should vote. A +law peculiar to Russia gives its villages, in the management of +their local matters, the right of voting by families—a perfect +illustration, on a very small scale, of the family as the political +basis of a State. But here woman suffrage is admitted as a +necessary result; and where there is no man to represent the +family, or he is unable to attend, the woman of the house casts the +vote.</p> + +<p>The advocates of woman suffrage have no interest whatever in this +question, as it is idle to suppose that it can become a practical +one. The writer has taken what trouble he has in the matter solely +in the interest of correct thinking.</p> + +<p><i>Hartford, May, 1879.</i></p> + + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<h3>CHAPTER XXXVII.</h3> + +<h4>NEW YORK.</h4> + +<p class="hang"><i>Brief on the Legislature's Power to Extend the Suffrage, +Submitted February 19, 1880, to the Judiciary Committee of the +Assembly of the State of New York.</i> </p> + +<h5>BY HAMILTON WILCOX.</h5> + +<p>I. <span class="smcap">Legislature Omnipotent</span>.—Unlike the Federal constitution, the +State constitution does not reserve all powers not expressly +delegated. It is held by the authorities that in the absence of +positive restriction the legislature is omnipotent.</p> + +<p>"In a judicial sense, their authority is absolute and unlimited, +except by the express restrictions of the fundamental law" (Court +of Appeals, 1863, Bank of Chenango vs. Brown, 26 N. Y., 467; S. P., +Cathcart vs. Fire Department of New York, Id., 529; Supreme Court, +1864, Clark vs. Miller, 42 Barb., 255; Luke vs. City of Brooklyn, +43 Id., 54).</p> + +<p>"Only on the ground of express constitutional provisions limiting +legislative power, can courts declare void any legislative +enactment" (Court of Error. 1838, Cochran vs. Van Surlay, 29 Wend., +365; Newell vs. People, 7 N. Y. [3 Seld.], 9, 109).</p> + +<p>"Before proceeding to amend, by judicial sentence, what has been +enacted by the law-making power, it should clearly appear that the +act cannot be supported by any reasonable intendment or allowable +presumption" (Court of Appeals, 1858, People vs. Supervisors of +Orange, 17 N. Y., 235; affi'g, 27 Barb., 575).</p> + +<p>II. <span class="smcap">Powers Undefined</span>.—The constitution forbids the legislature to +do certain things. Otherwise it does not define or limit the +legislature's powers (Art. 3, §§ 3, 18, 19, 24).</p> + +<p>III. <span class="smcap">No Prohibition</span>.—No constitution of New York has ever +forbidden the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_960" id="Page_960">[Pg 960]</a></span> legislature to extend the suffrage beyond the +classes specified by such constitution; nor has any ever forbidden +unspecified persons to vote. The constitution simply secures the +suffrage to certain classes, and there leaves the matter.</p> + +<p>IV. <span class="smcap">Rule of Construction</span>.—The constitution declares that the +object of its establishment is to secure the blessings of freedom +to the people (Preamble, Revised Statutes, vol. 1., p. 82). Hence +it, and all enactments under it, must be understood and construed, +where a contrary intent is not clearly expressed, to be aimed at +securing freedom to all.</p> + +<p>V. <span class="smcap">Disfranchisement</span>.—The constitution follows this declaration by +laying down at its outset, as its fundamental principle, that "No +member of this State shall be disfranchised or deprived of any of +the rights or privileges secured to any citizens thereof, except by +the law of the land" (Art. 1, § 1, do., do.). Disfranchisement, +then, must be express by the law. It cannot constitutionally be +inflicted through mere implication or silence.</p> + +<p>Rules for the securing of freedom have often been found to cover +unforeseen cases. Such was the fact in the famous decision of Lord +Mansfield in 1774, that slavery was against the common law, under +which slavery was afterward abolished throughout the British +empire; and the decision of the highest court of Massachusetts, +that the terms of the constitution of 1780 conferred freedom on the +slaves of that State.</p> + +<p>Women, it is now fully recognized, are citizens, and hence "members +of the State," entitled to the security guaranteed. The <i>practice</i> +under the constitution has been to treat as <i>disfranchised</i> all +persons <i>not specified</i> as entitled to vote. Though this practice +is plainly against the declared object and principle of the +constitution, it has been general and mostly continuous, and has +thus acquired the force of law. This, however, does not impair the +legislature's power to correct the practice by express enactment.</p> + +<p>VI. <span class="smcap">Precedents</span>.—The legislature <i>has</i> repeatedly corrected this +practice by express enactments securing freedom to various portions +of the people.</p> + +<p>(<i>a</i>). <span class="smcap">Constitutional Convention</span>, 1801.—The act calling this +convention extended the suffrage for members of that body—<i>the +highest officers of the State</i>—to "all free male citizens over +twenty-one years of age," while the constitution secured suffrage +only to male holders of and actual taxpayers on a fixed amount of +real estate (Session Law 1801, ch. 69, p. 151; constitution of +1777, do., 1, 39).</p> + +<p>(<i>b</i>). <span class="smcap">Constitutional Convention</span>, 1821.—The act providing for the +convention that framed the constitution of 1822, while the existing +constitution (as above) only specified as entitled to vote, holders +of and taxpayers on a fixed amount of real estate—this act allowed +<i>all</i> freeholders, however small the value of their holdings, all +actual taxpayers, all officers and privates, ex-officers and +ex-privates, in militia or in volunteer or uniform corps, all +persons exempt by law from taxation or militia duty, all workers on +public roads and highways, or payers of commutation for such work; +to vote on the question whether the convention should be held, to +vote in the choice of delegates thereto—<i>again for the highest +officers of the State</i>—and to vote on the question of adoption of +the new constitution—<i>to exercise a voice in framing the State's +fundamental law</i>. The council of revision, including the governor, +which opposed and defeated part of this act, made no objection to +this feature (Session Laws 1821, ch. 90, p. 83).</p> + +<p>The vote for governor, 1820, was 93,437—the largest ever cast in +the State. That on the question of calling the convention in 1821 +was 144,247. One act of the legislature thus enfranchised <i>fifty +thousand persons</i>. The vote on the new constitution stood: For, +74,732; against, 41,402; majority for, 33,330. Thus the votes of +fifty thousand persons—enfranchised, not by the constitution but +by the legislature—carried the adoption of a new constitution, +which further secured to them the freedom which the legislature had +opened to them. The vote for governor in 1824—the next +hotly-contested election—was 190,545; so that the immediate effect +of the legislature's act was to add 97,108 persons to the +constituency—to make a mass of new voters who outnumbered those +specified by the constitution.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_961" id="Page_961">[Pg 961]</a></span></p> + +<p>(<i>c</i>). <span class="smcap">Aliens Voting</span>.—The constitution specifies none but +"citizens" as entitled to vote; yet the legislature, by a school +law of many years' standing, allowed <i>aliens</i> to vote for school +functionaries, on filing with the secretary of state notice of +intention to become naturalized (1 R. S., art. 2, § 1, p. 65; 2 R. +S., 63, § 12; 2 R. S., 1,096, § 31).</p> + +<p>(<i>d</i>). <span class="smcap">Northfield</span>.—The proprietors of swamp-lands in the town of +Northfield, Richmond county, were authorized to elect directors of +drainage, without any restriction or qualification but ownership +(Session Laws 1862, ch. 80, § 2, p. 233).</p> + +<p>(<i>e</i>). The taxpayers of Newport, Herkimer county, were authorized +to vote on the question of issuing bonds to raise money for a +town-house. Under this law women who were taxpayers voted (Act +April 9, 1873, Session Laws, ch. 187, § 3, p. 304).</p> + +<p>(<i>f</i>). The taxpayers of Dansville, Livingston county, were +authorized to vote on the issue of water-bonds. Under this act +women voted (Act April 24, 1873, Session Laws, ch. 285, § 4, p. +409).</p> + +<p>(<i>g</i>). The taxpayers of Saratoga Springs were authorized to vote on +the question of issuing bonds for the construction of an additional +water-main. Under this ninety-nine women voted (Act May 13, 1876, +Session Laws, ch. 254, § 4, p. 250).</p> + +<p>VII. <span class="smcap">School Suffrage</span>.—If the legislature can admit aliens to vote +at school-meetings, it can admit female citizens to do so.</p> + +<p>VIII. <span class="smcap">Presidential Suffrage</span>.—1. The federal constitution provides +that electors of president and vice-president shall be appointed +"in such manner as the legislature thereof may direct" (Art. 2, § +2).</p> + +<p>2. It also provides that "this constitution shall be the supreme +law of the land, and the judges in every State shall be bound +thereby, anything in the constitution or laws of any State to the +contrary notwithstanding" (Art. 6, § 2).</p> + +<p>3. The legislature has the power under the federal constitution to +provide whatever method it may choose for the appointment of the +electors. The courts have no power to interfere, and even an +executive veto would have no force. The legislature has sole and +full power to say who may vote for electors and how the election +shall be held.</p> + + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<h3>CHAPTER XXXVIII.</h3> + +<h4>PENNSYLVANIA.</h4> + +<h5>BY CARRIE S. BURNHAM.</h5> + +<p>The common law of England as modified by English statutes prior to +the Revolution has been formally adopted either by constitutions +and statutes or assumed by courts of justice as the law of the land +in every State save Louisiana, and in the absence of positive +statutes is the common law of the United States. To understand the +legal status of woman in Pennsylvania it is therefore necessary, +<i>First</i>—To ascertain her condition under the common law; +<i>Second</i>—How this law has been modified in this State by statutes.</p> + + +<h4 class="sc">Common Law.</h4> + +<p>By the common law, which Lord Coke calls "the perfection of +reason," women arrive at the age of discretion at twelve, men at +fourteen; both sexes are of full age at twenty-one, entitled to +civil rights, and if unmarried and possessed of freehold, they are +equally entitled to the exercise of political rights (Blackstone, +I., 463; IV., 212; Bouvier's Institutes, 156, 157; Decisions of +English courts in 1612, quoted in 7 Mod. Rep., 264).</p> + +<p>"By marriage, the husband and wife are one person in law"; that is, +the legal existence of the woman is "merged in that of her +husband." He is her "baron," or "lord," bound to supply her with +shelter, food, clothing and medicine, and is entitled<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_962" id="Page_962">[Pg 962]</a></span> to her +earnings—the use and custody of her person, which he may seize +wherever he may find it (Blackstone, I., 442, 443; Coke Litt., 112 +a, 187 b; 8 Dowl., P. C., 632.)</p> + +<p>The husband being bound to provide for his wife the necessaries of +life, and being responsible for "her morals" and the good order of +the household, may choose and govern the domicil, choose her +associates, separate her from her relatives, restrain her religious +and personal freedom, compel her to cohabit with him, correct her +faults by mild means and, if necessary, chastise her with +moderation, as though she was his apprentice or child. This is in +"respect to the terms of the marriage contract and the infirmity of +the sex" (Bl., I., 444; 1 Bishop on Mar. and Div., 758; 8 Dowl. P. +C., 632; Bouv. Insts., 277, 278, 2,283; 1 Wend. Bl., 442, note; 4 +Petersdorf's A. B., 21, note).</p> + +<p>Woman's character, exposed to the vilest slanders of "malignity and +falsehood," and her chastity are protected on account of the injury +sustained by the father, husband or master from loss of her +services, or wrongful entry of his house, rather than the injury +done to her as an individual (Bl. I., 445, note; III., 141, 143, +note; 3 Serg. and Rawle, Penn., 36; 3 Penn., 49; 2 Watts' Penn., +474).</p> + +<p>The husband is entitled to recover damages for "criminal +conversation with his wife," or for injury to her person whereby he +is deprived of his "marital rights," or of her "company and +assistance"; also an action of <i>trespass vi et armis</i> against the +individual enticing her away or encouraging her to live separately +from him; the offense implies force and constraint, "the wife +having no power to consent," and is punishable with fine and +imprisonment (Bl., III., 139; 2 Inst., 434; Bouvier's Institutes, +3,495).</p> + +<p>The wife has no action for injuries to her husband as she is not +entitled to his services, neither has she any separate interest in +anything during her coverture. The law takes notice only of the +injuries done to the "superior of the parties related"; because +"the inferior has no kind of property in the company, care or +assistance of the superior, as the superior is held to have in +those of the inferior" (Blackstone, III., 143; Bouv. Insts., +3,495).</p> + +<p>The husband, by marriage, becomes entitled absolutely to the +personal property of his wife, which at his death goes to his +representatives; also to the rents and profits of her lands, to the +interest in her chattels real and <i>choses</i> in action, of which he +can dispose at pleasure, except by will. He acquires the same right +in any property whether real or personal of which she may become +possessed after marriage, and is liable during coverture for her +debts contracted before marriage (Bl., II., 434, 435; Bouv. Insts., +4,005; Coke Litt., 46, 351).</p> + +<p>At his death she becomes possessed of her wardrobe and jewels, such +of her chattels as remain undisposed of, and her own real estate; +also quarantine (<i>i. e.</i>, forty days' residence in "his mansion"), +one-third of his personality absolutely and the use of one-third of +any real estate of which he is possessed during coverture for the +term of her natural life. <i>His</i> mansion, realty and personalty +includes what they have jointly earned as well as that of which he +was possessed at marriage. The widow's right to one-third of the +personal estate was abolished by English statutes prior to the +Revolution, but has since been revived by Pennsylvania statutes +(Blackstone, II., 129, 134, 139, 436, 492, 493; Coke Litt., 31, 34; +Bouvier's Institutes, 1,750; Brightley's Purdon, 806, 2 and 3).</p> + +<p>At the death of the wife their joint earnings, also her chattels +real, vest absolutely in the husband, and if they have had a living +child the husband, as "tenant by the curtesy," becomes possessed of +her entire real estate for life. The wife loses her dower by +adultery, but the husband does not lose his curtesy on that +account. Her dower is also barred by his treason and by a divorce +grounded on his adultery (Blackstone, II., 127, 434; Roper, Husband +and Wife, 1,210; 2 Kent, 131; 7 Watts, 563; Bouvier's Institutes, +1,732).</p> + +<p>A husband cannot convey real estate directly to his wife, but may +through a trustee; neither can he give "anything to her nor +covenant with her, for the grant would be to suppose her separate +existence, and to covenant with her would be to covenant with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_963" id="Page_963">[Pg 963]</a></span> +himself." Their covenants or indebtedness to each other before +marriage are by the marriage extinguished (Blackstone, I., 442; +Coke Litt., 3, 30; 112 a; 187 b; Connyn. Dig. Baron and Feme, D).</p> + +<p>The husband may devise any property to his wife, but the wife +cannot make a will, the law supposing her to be under his coercion; +neither can she bind her person or property, nor make nor enforce a +contract, nor can she be a witness in any matter in which her +husband is interested (Blackstone, II., 293, 498, 444; 2 Kent, 179; +Bouv. Insts., 1,441; Connyn. Dig. Pleader, 2 A, 1; Baron and Feme, +W; 2 Roper, Husband and Wife, 171).</p> + +<p>A wife, with the consent of her husband, may act as his or other's +attorney, may be a guardian, trustee, administratrix or executrix, +but cannot sue in <i>auter droit</i> unless her husband join in the +suit. This incapacitates her to act independently in either +capacity (Blackstone, II., 503; 1 Anders., 117; 2 Story, Eq. +Juris., 1,367, note; 57 Penn. St. Rep., 356).</p> + +<p>A wife cannot enforce her rights nor defend any action brought +against her, but must plead coverture in person, being incapable of +appointing an attorney (Bouv. Insts., 2,787, 2,907; 41 N. H., 106; +2 Saund., 209; c. n. 1).</p> + +<p>When a woman marries after having commenced a suit, the suit +abates; but the husband may <i>in equity</i> sue her for his marital +rights in her property; marriage of a female partner dissolves the +partnership (Bouv. Insts., 4,037, 1,494; 4 Russ. Ch., 247; 3 Atk. +Ch., 478; 2 P. Will Ch., 243).</p> + +<p>The father of legitimate children is bound for their maintenance +and education, is entitled to their labor and custody and has power +to dispose of them until twenty-one years of age, by deed or +legacy, even though they are unborn at his death. The testamentary +guardian's right to their custody supersedes that of their mother +(Bl., I., 447, 451, 453; 2 Kent, 191 and 193; Bouv. Insts., 344; 5 +Rawle, 323; 2 Watts, 406; 5 East, 221; Purd. Dig., New Ed., 411, +29; 5 Pitts, L. J., 406; 1 Pitts, 412).</p> + +<p>"A mother is entitled to no power, but to reverence and respect, +from her children"; she has no legal authority over them nor right +to their services, but her property is liable for their maintenance +if the father has not an estate. The mother's appointment of a +testamentary guardian is absolutely void (Bl., I., 453 and 461, +note by Chitty; Vaughan, 180; 1 Leg. Gaz. R., 56).</p> + +<p>The mother of a "natural or illegitimate" child is its natural +guardian, entitled to its control and custody and her settlement is +its domicil (Bl., I., 459; 2 Kent, 216; 5 Term Rep., 278; Newton +vs. Braintree, 14 Mass., 382).</p> + +<p>"Intestate personal property is divided equally between males and +females, but a son, though younger than all his sisters, is the +heir to the whole of real property" (Bl., I., 444, note by +Christian).</p> + + +<h4 class="sc">Pennsylvania Statutes and Court Decisions.</h4> + +<p>This "perfection of reason" (the common law) has been changed in +Pennsylvania in the following particulars:</p> + +<p>All women, married and single, are deprived of political rights by +the use of the generic word "freeman" in the constitution (29 Legal +Intelligencer, 5).</p> + +<p>Heir at common law is abolished by statute; however, the right to +administer vests in the male in preference to the female of the +same degree of consanguinity. Half-brothers are entitled to the +preference over own sisters (Purdon, 410, 27; Single's Appeal, 59 +Penn. St. R., 55).</p> + +<p>Any property belonging to a woman before marriage, or which accrues +to her during coverture by gift, bequest or purchase, continues, by +the act of April 11, 1848, to be her separate property after +marriage, and is not liable for the debts of her husband nor +subject to his disposal without her written consent, duly +acknowledged before one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas +as voluntarily given; <i>provided</i>, that he is not liable for the +debts contracted before or after marriage, or for her torts +(Purdon's Dig., 1,005, 13).<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_964" id="Page_964">[Pg 964]</a></span></p> + +<p>"This act protects the wife's interest in her separate property +both as to title and possession," but "does not empower her to +convey her real estate by a deed in which her husband has not +joined," nor "create a lease without his concurrence," nor "execute +an obligation for the payment of money or the performance of any +other act," nor in any way dispose of her property save by gift or +loan to him; she may bind her separate estate for his debts, and in +security for the loan she may take a judgment or mortgage against +the estate of the husband in the name of a third person, who shall +act as her trustee (18 Penn. St. R., 506, 582; 21, 402; 1 Gr., 402; +6 Phila., 531; Pur. Dig., 1,007, 21).</p> + +<p>The husband is the natural guardian or trustee of the property of +the wife; but by application "to the Court of Common Pleas of the +county where she was domiciled at the time of her marriage," the +court will appoint a trustee (not her husband) to take charge of +the property secured to her by the act of 1848. This act, however, +does not authorize the appointment of a trustee, to the exclusion +of her husband, of property owned by her prior to the passage of +the act, nor was it intended to affect vested rights of husbands +and does not protect them for the wife's benefit against the claims +of creditors (10 Penn. St. Rep., 398 and 505; 18, 392 and 509; 21, +260; 1 Jones, 272).</p> + +<p>In a clear case the wife's real estate cannot be levied upon and +sold by a creditor of the husband, <i>but the burden of proof</i> is +upon her to show by evidence "which does not admit of a reasonable +doubt," that she owned the property before marriage or acquired it +subsequently by gift, bequest, or paid for it with funds not +furnished by her husband nor the result of their joint earnings. +The wife's possession of money is no evidence of her title to it +(18 Penn. St. Rep., 366; 7 Phila., 118).</p> + +<p>If no property, or not sufficient property, of the husband can be +found, the separate property and goods of the wife may be levied +upon and sold for rent or for debts incurred for the support of the +family (Purd. Dig., 1,006, 15; 38 Penn. St. Rep., 344).</p> + +<p>A married woman's bond and warrant of attorney are absolutely void, +nor can she make a valid contract except for a sewing-machine or +for the improvement of her separate property, and her bond given or +a judgment confessed by her for such debt is void (24 Penn. St. +Rep., 80; Act of 1872, Pur. Dig., 1,010).</p> + +<p>She may sell and transfer shares of the capital stock of any +railroad company, but cannot herself or by attorney transfer +certificates of city loan (28 Leg. Int., 116; Act June 2, 1871).</p> + +<p>A married woman cannot enforce her rights against third persons, +either for the performance of a contract or the recovery of her +property, without her husband join in the suit, although the party +contracting with her is liable to an action (1 Gr., 21; Act of 1850 +and 1839; 6 Phila., 223).</p> + +<p>If divorced or separated from her husband by his neglect or +desertion, she may protect her reputation by an action for slander +and libel; but if her husband is the defendant, this suit, as also +for alimony and divorce, must be in the name of a "next friend." +She is entitled to a writ of <i>habeas corpus</i> if unlawfully +restrained of her liberty (Purd. Dig., 510, 12; 513, 24; 754, 1).</p> + +<p>The wife of a drunkard or profligate man by petitioning the Court +of Common Pleas, setting forth these facts and his desertion of her +and neglect to provide for her and their children, may be entitled +to the custody of her children, and, as a "<i>feme sole trader</i>," +empowered to transact business and acquire a separate property, +which shall be subject to her own disposal during life, and liable +for the maintenance and education of her children. Her testimony +must be sustained "by two respectable witnesses" (Pur. Dig., 692, +5; Act of 1855, 2; 2 Roper, Husband and Wife, 171, 173).</p> + +<p>By act of April, 1872, any married woman having first petitioned +the court, stating under oath or affirmation her intention of +claiming her separate earnings, is entitled to acquire by her labor +a separate property which shall not be subject to any legal claim +of her husband or of his creditors, she, however, being compelled +"to show title and ownership in the same." The husband's possession +of property is evidence of his title to it; not so with the wife +(Purd. Dig., 1,010, 38, 39; 4 Lansing, 164; 61 Barb., 145).<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_965" id="Page_965">[Pg 965]</a></span></p> + +<p>A married woman may devise her separate property by will, subject, +however, to the husband's curtesy, which in Pennsylvania attaches, +though there be no issue born alive, and which she cannot bar +(Purd. Dig., 806, 804; I Pars., 489; 26 Penn. St. R., 202, 203; 2 +Brewster, 302).</p> + +<p>The husband may bar the wife's dower by a <i>bona fide</i> mortgage +given by himself alone or by a judicial sale for the payment of his +debts. It is also barred by a divorce obtained by her on the ground +of his adultery, and in case of such divorce she is entitled to the +value of one-half of the money and property which the husband +received through her at marriage (Purd. Dig., 514; 2 Dall. 127; 12 +Serg. and R., 21; I Yeates Pa., 300).</p> + +<p>A single woman's will is revoked by her subsequent marriage, and is +not again revived by the death of her husband; a single man's will +is revoked by marriage absolutely only when he leaves a widow but +no known heirs or kindred (Purd. Dig., 1,477, 18 and 19; 47 Penn. +S. Rep., 144, 34, 483).</p> + +<p>If the husband die intestate leaving a widow and issue, the widow +shall have one-third of his and their joint personalty absolutely, +and one-third of the real estate for life; if there are no +children, but collateral heirs, she is entitled to the use of +one-half the realty, including the mansion-house, for her life, and +one-half the personalty absolutely (Purd. Dig., 806, 2 and 3; Act +of 1833, 1).</p> + +<p>If the wife die intestate leaving a husband and no issue, he is +entitled to her entire personalty and realty during his life; if +there are children her personal estate is divided between the +husband and children share and share alike; in either case he is +entitled to their entire joint estate (Purd. Dig., 806, 5; Act of +1848, 9).</p> + +<p>Married women may be corporate members of any institution composed +of and managed by women, having as its object the care and +education of children or the support of sick and indigent women +(Purd. Dig., 283; Act of 1859, 1).</p> + +<p>It is a crime, punishable by fine and imprisonment, to employ any +woman to attend or wait upon an audience in a theater, opera or +licensed entertainment, to procure or furnish commodities or +refreshments (Purd. Dig., 337, 112).</p> + +<p>A man, by marriage, is subjected to no political, civil, legal or +commercial disabilities, but acquires all the rights and powers +previously vested in his wife. He is capable of all the offices of +the government from that of postmaster to the presidency, and of +transacting all kinds of business from the measuring of tape to the +practice of the most learned professions. Woman, deprived of +political power, is limited in opportunities for education, and, if +married, is incapable of making a contract; hence crippled in the +transaction of any kind of business.</p> + + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<h3>CHAPTER XLII.</h3> + +<h4>INDIANA.</h4> + +<h4><a name="Indiana_A" id="Indiana_A">[A.]</a></h4> + +<p>Governor Porter made the following novel appointment: On August 30, +1882, Mrs. Georgia A. Ruggles, from Bartholomew county, presented +to Governor Porter an application for a requisition from the +governor of Indiana upon the governor of Kansas, for William J. +Beck, charged with the crime of bigamy. Beck had been living a few +months in Bartholomew county and had passed as an unmarried man; +had gained the affections of a young lady much younger than himself +and much superior to him by birth and education. After their +marriage the fact that Beck had already one wife became known and +he fled to Kansas. Mrs. Ruggles was a friend to the young lady who +had been thus duped, and upon learning the facts she called the +attention of the proper authorities to the matter, and begged them +to effect Beck's arrest. They were not disposed to do so, and upon +various excuses postponed action.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_966" id="Page_966">[Pg 966]</a></span> She therefore determined to take +the matter into her own hands. Governor Porter granted her the +desired requisition; she went to Kansas, and on September 10, 1882, +she received Beck from Samuel Hamilton, sheriff of Ellsworth +county; she herself brought the prisoner, in cuffs, to Indiana, +and, September 13, she delivered him into the hands of Thomas E. +Burgess, sheriff of Bartholomew county. Beck was tried, convicted +and sent to the penitentiary. This bit of justice was the fruit of +a woman's pluck and a governor's good sense.</p> + + +<h4 class="sc">Extract from Gen. Coburn's Address.</h4> + +<p>The people expect that they will in their own way and time +inaugurate such measures as will bring these questions in their +entire magnitude into the arena. I hope to see 10,000 women in +convention here. They can, if they will, create a public sentiment +in favor of their enfranchisement that will be irresistible. They +have the ears of the voters; they have access to the columns of the +newspapers; they control all the avenues of social life. What can +they not accomplish, if, with their whole hearts they set about it? +The sphere of public life has many vacant places to be filled by +women. Why shall they not serve upon the boards of trustees of our +great reformatory and benevolent institutions, as superintendents +in our hospitals, and as directors and inspectors in our prisons? +The last legislature conferred upon them the right to hold any +office in our great school system except one, that of State +superintendent of public instruction. From them may now be +selected, president of the State university, or of the Normal +School, or of Purdue University, school commissioners and county +superintendents. But the legislature should give them the power to +rescue our prisons, hospitals and asylums from the indescribable +horror of filth, neglect and cruelty which hangs like a murky cloud +over many of them. Men have tried it and failed. Stupidity or +partisanship or brutality or avarice, has transformed many a noble +foundation of benevolence into a hell of abomination. Some one must +step in to inspect; to enforce order, cleanliness and virtue; to +bring comfort and hope to the downcast and to the outcast of +society. This purpose must be backed up by the strong arm of power, +by the sanction of the law, and that law must have upon it the +stamp of woman's intellect. This year the women of Indiana can +place themselves in the van of human progress and dictate the +policy which mankind must recognize as just and true for ages to +come. The public mind is not unprepared for this measure. The +spread and the acceptance of great ideas is almost miraculous in +intelligent communities.</p> + + +<h4><a name="Indiana_B" id="Indiana_B">[B.]</a></h4> + +<h5>LEGAL OPINION BY W. D. WALLACE, ESQ., UPON THE POWER OF THE +LEGISLATURE TO AUTHORIZE WOMEN TO VOTE FOR PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS.</h5> + +<p><i>Capt. W. DeWitt Wallace, Attorney-at-law, Lafayette, Ind.:</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Sir</span>: You will confer a favor upon the friends of woman +suffrage in Indiana, if you will send me, in writing, your opinion, +as a lawyer, in answer to the following question, giving your +reasons therefor: Can the legislature of this State empower women +to vote for presidential electors?</p> + +<p class="ltr-from2"><span class="smcap">Mary F. Thomas</span>, <i>President I. W. S. A.</i></p> +<p class="ltr-to"><i>Richmond, Ind.</i>, December 30, 1880.</p> + + +<p class="ltr-date ltr-break"> +<span class="smcap">Lafayette</span>, Ind., January 5, 1881.</p> + +<p><i>Dr. Mary F. Thomas, President of Indiana Woman Suffrage +Association, Richmond, Indiana:</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dear Madam</span>: In your favor of the 30th ult., you ask my opinion +upon, to me, a novel and most interesting question, viz.: "Can the +legislature empower women to vote for presidential electors?" After +the most careful consideration which I have been able to give to +the subject, consistent with other duties, and with the aid of such +books as I have at command, I answer your question in the +affirmative. The grounds of my opinion I will proceed to state: +Section 1, article 2, of the Constitution of the United States, +which provides that the president and vice-president shall be +chosen by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_967" id="Page_967">[Pg 967]</a></span> electors appointed by the several States, declares in +the following words how said electors shall be appointed:</p> + +<blockquote><p>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 said State may be +entitled in the congress, etc., etc. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Now, in the absence of any provision in the State constitution, +limiting or attempting to limit the discretion of the legislature +as to the manner in which the presidential electors shall be +chosen, there can be no doubt but that the legislature could +empower female, as well as male, citizens to participate in the +choice of presidential electors.</p> + +<p>Section 2, article 2 of our State constitution is as follows: In +all elections, not otherwise provided for by this constitution, +every white male citizen of the United States, of the age of +twenty-one years, and upwards, who shall have resided in the State +during the six months immediately preceding such election <span class="spacious">* * * *</span> +shall be entitled to vote in the township or precinct where he may +reside.</p> + +<p>Two questions at once suggest themselves upon the reading of this +section: <i>First</i>—Does the section apply to elections of +presidential electors, and thus become a limitation upon the +discretion of the legislature in case it shall direct the +appointment of the electors by a popular vote? <i>Second</i>—If so, can +a State constitution thus limit the discretion which the +Constitution of the United States directs shall be exercised by the +legislature? I shall consider the last question first.</p> + +<p>While the legislature is created by the State, all its powers are +not derived from, nor are all its duties enjoined by the State. The +moment the State brings the legislature into being, that moment +certain duties enjoined, and certain powers conferred, by the +nation, attach to it. Among the powers and duties of the +legislature, which spring from the national constitution, is the +power and duty of determining how the State shall appoint +presidential electors. The Constitution of the United States +declares in the most explicit terms that the State shall do this +"in such manner as the legislature may direct." In the case of +<i>Ex-Parte</i> Henry E. Hayne, <i>et al.</i>, reported in volume 9, at page +106, of the Chicago Legal News, the Circuit Court of the United +States for the district of South Carolina, in speaking of the +authority upon which a State legislature acts in providing for the +appointment of presidential electors, says:</p> + +<p>Section 1, article 2 of the constitution provides that electors +shall be appointed in such manner as the legislature of each State +may direct. When the legislature of a State, in obedience to that +provision, has, by law, directed the manner of appointment of the +electors, that law has its authorities solely from the Constitution +of the United States. It is a law passed in pursuance of the +constitution.</p> + +<p>Hon. James A. Garfield, who was a member of the Electoral +Commission, in discussing before that body the source of the power +to appoint electors, said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The constitution prescribes that States only shall choose +electors. <span class="spacious">* * *</span> To speak more accurately, I should say that the +power is placed in the legislatures of the States; for if the +constitution of any State were silent upon the subject, its +legislature is none the less armed with plenary authority +conferred upon it directly by the national +constitution.—[Electoral Commission, p. 242. </p></blockquote> + +<p>That this section of the national constitution has always been +understood to lodge an absolute discretion in the legislature, is +proved by the practice in the different States. Chief Justice +Story, in his "Commentaries on the Constitution of the United +States," in speaking of this section of the constitution and the +practice under it, says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Under this authority, the appointment of electors has been +variously provided for by the State legislatures. In some States +the legislatures have directly chosen the electors by themselves; +in others they have been chosen by the people by a general ticket +throughout the whole State, and in others by the people in +electoral districts fixed by the legislature, a certain number of +electors being apportioned to each district. No question has ever +arisen as to the constitutionality of either mode, except that of +a direct choice by the legislature. But this, though often +doubted by able and ingenious minds, has been firmly established +in practice ever since the adoption of the constitution, and does +not now seem to admit of controversy, even if a suitable tribunal +existed to adjudicate upon it.—[2 Story on Constitution, section +1,472. </p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_968" id="Page_968">[Pg 968]</a></span></p> + +<p>Judge Strong, one of the justices of the Supreme Court of the +United States, and a member of the electoral commission, in +discussing the subject of this section, says:</p> + +<blockquote><p>I doubt whether they [the framers of the national constitution] +had in mind at all [in adopting this section] the idea of a +popular election as a mode of appointing State electors. They +used the word <i>appoint</i>, doubtless thinking that the legislatures +of the States would themselves select the electors, or empower +the governor or some other State officer to select them. The word +appoint is not the most appropriate word for describing the +result of a popular election. Such a mode of appointment, I +submit is allowable, but there is little reason to think it was +contemplated. <span class="spacious">* * *</span> It was not until years afterward that the +electors were chosen by vote.—[Electoral Commission, p. 252. </p></blockquote> + +<p>Senator Frelinghuysen, also a member of the Electoral Commission, +thus speaks of the practice in the several States:</p> + +<blockquote><p>Under this power [the power given by the section of the national +constitution, which we are now considering] the legislature might +direct that the electors should be appointed by the legislature, +by the executive, by the judiciary, or by the people. In the +earliest days of the republic, electors were appointed by the +legislatures. In Pennsylvania they were appointed by the +judiciary. Now, in all the States except Colorado, they are +appointed by the people.—[Electoral Commission, p. 204. </p></blockquote> + +<p>If then it be true that the power to determine how the presidential +electors shall be appointed is derived from the national +constitution, and that power is a discretionary one, to be +exercised in such manner as the legislature may direct, how can it +be said that a State constitution can limit or control the +legislative discretion? If the State can limit that discretion in +one respect it can limit it in another, and in another, and in +another, until it may shut up the legislature to but a single mode +of appointment, which is to take away, and absolutely destroy all +its discretion, and this is nullification, pure and simple. One of +the questions before the electoral commission in the case of South +Carolina, was whether the electoral vote of that State should not +be rejected because the legislature, in providing for the +appointment of the electors, had failed to obey a requirement of +the State constitution in regard to a registry law. This raised, in +principle, the very question we are now considering, and on that +question Senator O. P. Morton, who was a member of the commission, +and who was an able lawyer as well as a great statesman, thus +expressed himself:</p> + +<blockquote><p>They [the presidential electors] are to be appointed in the +manner prescribed by the legislature of the State, and not by the +constitution of the State. The manner of the appointment of +electors has been placed by the Constitution of the United States +in the legislature of each State, and cannot be taken from that +body by the provisions of a State constitution. <span class="spacious">* * *</span> The power +to appoint electors by a State, is conferred by the Constitution +of the United States, and does not spring from a State +constitution, and cannot be impaired or controlled by a State +constitution.—[Electoral Commission, p. 200. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The distinguished lawyer and statesman [Hon. William Lawrence] who +made the principle argument before the commission in favor of +admitting the vote of the State, took the same ground (Electoral +Commission, p. 186).</p> + +<p>The opinion of Justice Story, expressed in the Massachusetts +constitutional convention of 1820, on a very similar question, and +one involving the same principle, quoted by Mr. Lawrence in his +argument, is very high authority, and I reproduce it here. He +(Justice Story) said:</p> + +<blockquote><p>The question then was whether we have a right to insert in our +constitution a provision which controls or destroys a discretion +which may be, nay <i>must</i> be, exercised by the legislature in +<i>virtue</i> of <i>powers confided</i> to it by the Constitution of the +United States. The fourth section of the first article of the +Constitution of the United States declares that the times, places +and manner of holding elections for senators and representatives +shall be prescribed by the legislature thereof. Here an express +provision was made for the manner of choosing representatives by +the State legislatures. They have an <i>unlimited</i> discretion on +the subject. They may provide for an election in districts +sending more than one, or by general ticket for the whole State. +Here is a general discretion, a power of choice. What is the +proposition on the table? It is to limit the discretion, to leave +no choice to the legislature, to compel representatives to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_969" id="Page_969">[Pg 969]</a></span> be +chosen in districts; in other words to compel them to be chosen +in a specific manner, excluding all others. Were not this plainly +a violation of the constitution? Does it not affect to control +the legislature in the exercise of its powers? <span class="spacious">* * *</span> It assumes a +control over the legislature, which the Constitution of the +United States does not justify. It is bound to exercise its +authority according to its <i>own view</i> of <i>public policy</i> and +<i>principle</i>; and yet this proposition compels it to surrender all +discretion. In my humble judgment <span class="spacious">* * *</span> it is a direct and +palpable infringement of the constitutional provisions to which I +have referred.—[Electoral Commission, p. 186. </p></blockquote> + +<p>The conclusion seems irresistible that a State constitution cannot +determine for the legislature who shall, or shall not, participate +in the choice of presidential electors, and that in so far as our +State constitution may attempt to do so, it is an infringement of +the national constitution. The discretion of the legislature, by +virtue of the supreme law of the land, being (except in so far as +it is controlled by the national constitution itself) thus +absolutely unlimited, it may, without doubt, as I think, authorize +all citizens without regard to sex, to participate in the choice of +presidential electors. But it has been suggested to me that +possibly by the State legislature, as used in the section of the +national constitution which we have been considering, was meant the +whole people of the State in whom the legislative power originally +resides and not the organized legislative body which they may +create. We answer first that the language of the section will not +admit of this construction. It clearly recognizes a distinction +between the State or the people of the State, and its legislature. +The language is not "each State shall appoint in such manner as +<i>it</i> may direct," etc., but it is, "each State shall appoint in +such manner as the <i>legislature</i> thereof may direct," etc.</p> + +<p>Again, it is a familiar canon of construction that in determining +the meaning of a statute, recourse may be had to the history of the +times in which it was enacted. When the Constitution of the United +States was framed, all of the States had organized legislatures, or +representative bodies who wielded the legislative power, and +without doing violence to language, we must suppose that it was to +<i>them</i> the constitution referred. Again, the State legislatures are +referred to not less than ten times in the national constitution, +and in each instance the reference is such as to make it clear that +the organized representative bodies are intended, and in article 5 +they are, in express terms, distinguished from conventions of the +States. Indeed, the fundamental idea of the American government is +that of a representative republic as opposed to a pure democracy, +and it may well be doubted whether a State government, without a +representative legislative body of some kind, would, in the +American sense, be republican in form.</p> + +<p>Finally, it is apparent from the debates in the constitutional +convention which framed the constitution, and from the whole plan +devised for the election of president and vice-president, that it +was not intended by the framers of the constitution to commit +directly to the whole people of a State the authority to determine +how the presidential electors should be chosen. Nothing seems to +have given the convention more trouble than the mode of selecting a +president. Many plans were proposed. Chief among these were: +election by congress; election by the executives of the States; +election by the people; election by the State legislatures; and +election by electors. These were presented in many forms. The +convention decided not less than three times, and once by a +unanimous vote, in favor of election by the national congress, and +as often reconsidered it (2 Madison Papers, pp. 770, 1,124, 1,190). +The proposition that the president should be elected directly by +the people, instead of by the national congress, received but one +vote, while the proposition that he should be appointed by the +State legislatures received two votes (2 Madison Papers, p. 1,124). +The most cursory examination of the debates will, I think, convince +any mind that it was to the <i>organized</i> legislature of the State, +and not to the people of a State, that the framers of the +constitution intended to commit the power of determining how the +presidential electors should be chosen. It seems, both from the +debates and the plan adopted, to have been their studied effort to +prevent the people from acting in the choice of their chief +magistrate otherwise than through their representatives, and in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_970" id="Page_970">[Pg 970]</a></span> no +single step of the process are the people directly required or +authorized by the national constitution to act, but in every +instance the duty and the authority are devolved upon their +representatives. For these reasons I think it clear that it was +intended to invest the organized State legislatures with the power +of determining how the presidential electors should be chosen, and +that the discretion thus lodged in the legislature cannot be +limited or controlled by a State constitution.</p> + +<p class="ltr-from">W. De Witt Wallace.</p> + + +<h4><a name="Indiana_C" id="Indiana_C">[C.]</a></h4> + +<p>In 1868, the Indiana (Friends) Yearly Meeting appointed Mrs. Sarah +J. Smith of Indianapolis, and Mrs. Rhoda M. Coffin of Richmond, to +visit the prisons of the State, with a view to ascertain the spirit +of the management of these institutions, and the moral condition of +their inmates. In obedience to this appointment the two ladies +visited both of the State prisons of Indiana, and made a +particularly thorough examination of the condition of the Southern +prison (at Jeffersonville) where all our women convicts were kept. +Here they found the vilest immoralities being practiced; they +discovered that the rumors which had induced their appointment were +far surpassed by the revolting facts.</p> + +<p>They visited Gov. Conrad Baker and urged him to recommend the +General Assembly to make an appropriation for a separate prison for +women. With the full sympathy of Governor Baker, who was not only a +most honorable gentleman, but a sincere believer in the equal +political rights of women, Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Coffin appeared +before the legislature of 1869, and by an unvarnished account of +what they had witnessed and learned in the Southern prison, they +aroused the legislators to immediate action, and an act to +establish a "Reformatory Institution for Women and Girls" was +passed at that session (viz., that of 1869). By statute the new +institution was located at Indianapolis. It was opened in 1873, the +first separate prison for women in this country. Mrs. Sarah J. +Smith was made its first superintendent, and she retained that +office, discharging all its duties with great ability, until 1883, +when upon her resignation she was succeeded by Mrs. Elmina S. +Johnson, who had up to that time been associated with Mrs. Smith as +assistant superintendent.</p> + +<p>The first managing board of women consisted of Mrs. Eliza C. +Hendricks (wife of Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks who was governor of +Indiana on the opening of the prison), Mrs. Rhoda M. Coffin and +Mrs. Emily A. Roach. The changes upon the board have been so +infrequent that in addition to those on the first board and to +those on the board at present, only three ladies can be mentioned +in this connection, viz.: Mrs. Eliza S. Dodd of Indianapolis, Mrs. +Mary E. Burson (a banker of Muncie) and Mrs. Sarah J. Smith, who, +after resigning the superintendency, served on the board for a +brief time.</p> + +<p>The board at present consists of Mrs. Eliza C. Hendricks, +president, Mrs. Claire A. Walker and Mrs. M. M. James. From the +opening of this institution Mrs. Hendricks has been connected with +it; first as a member of the advisory board, for eight years a +member of the managing board and during a large part of the time +its president, she has served its interest with singular fidelity. +The position is no sinecure. The purchasing of all the supplies is +only a part of the board's work; the business meetings are held +monthly and often occupy half a day, sometimes an entire day. These +Mrs. Hendricks always attends whether she is in Indianapolis or in +Washington; from the latter point she has many times journeyed in +weather most inclement by heat and by cold, simply to look after +the prison and to transact the business for it imposed by her +position on its board. During the last eight years, since women +have had control of its affairs, Miss Anna Dunlop of Indianapolis +has served the institution as its secretary and treasurer. Perhaps +the highest tribute that can be paid to the ability with which Miss +Dunlop has discharged the responsible and complicated duties of her +double office, lies in the fact that with the General Assembly of +the State it has passed into a proverb that "The Woman's +Reformatory is the best and most economically managed of the State +institutions." The committees appointed to visit<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_971" id="Page_971">[Pg 971]</a></span> the penal +institutions always report that "The accounts of the reformatory +are kept so accurately that its financial status can always be +understood at a glance."</p> + +<p>This institution has two distinct departments, the penal and the +reformatory, occupying two sides of one main building and joined +under one management. Convicts above sixteen years of age are +ranked as women and confined in the penal department; those under +sixteen years are accounted girls (children) and lodged in the +reformatory department.</p> + +<p>The average number of girls in the institution from its opening has +been 150; the number of women 45. There are now (July, 1885,) over +200 inmates.</p> + +<p>All of the work of the institution is done by its inmates. A school +is maintained in the building for the children; a few trades are +taught the girls; all are taught housework, laundry work, plain +sewing and mending; the greatest pains is taken to form in the +inmates habits of industry and personal tidiness, and to prepare +them to be good servants; and when their period of incarceration +has expired, the ladies interest themselves in finding homes and +employment for the discharged convicts whom they seek to restore to +normal relations to society. The secretary estimates that of those +who have been discharged from the institution during the last +twelve years, fully seventy-five per cent. have been really +restored and are leading honest and industrious lives.</p> + + +<h4>[D.]</h4> + +<p><span class="smcap">Gov. Porter's Biennial Message</span>, 1883: "I recommend that in the +department for women in this hospital it shall be required by law +that at least one of the physicians shall be a woman. There are now +in this State not a few women who bear diplomas from respectable +medical colleges, and who are qualified by professional attainments +and experience to fill places as physicians in public institutions +with credit and usefulness. It would be peculiarly fit that their +services should be sought in cases of insanity among members of +their own sex."</p> + + +<h4><a name="Indiana_E" id="Indiana_E">[E.]</a></h4> + +<p>About the year 1867, Miss Lucinda B. Jenkins, formerly of Wayne +county, Indiana, left her work among the "Freedmen" in the South, +to accept the position of matron in "The Soldiers' Orphans' Home" +at Knightstown, Indiana. She afterwards became the wife of Dr. +Wishard, the superintendent; and when the office was vacated by his +death, she was authorized to assume his responsibilities, and +perform his duties, with the exception of receipting bills and +drawing appropriations, which latter duties, not being then +considered as within the province of a woman, were delegated to the +steward until the doctor's successor could be legally appointed.</p> + +<p>She was a lady of intelligence and true moral worth, possessing a +dignified, pleasing manner, and other good qualities, which, with +her long experience as co-manager of the institution, admirably +fitted her for the position of superintendent; but she was a woman, +without a vote or political influence, and it was necessary that +"party debts" should be paid. She therefore continued her influence +for the good of the institution without public recognition until +1882, when she left to take charge of a private orphan asylum under +the management of ladies of Indianapolis.</p> + + +<h4><a name="Indiana_F" id="Indiana_F">[F.]</a></h4> + +<p>Miss Susan Fussell is the daughter of the late Dr. B. Fussell of +Philadelphia, to whom, with his estimable wife, women are indebted +as the founder of the first medical college for women in the United +States. At that period of our civil war, when women were admitted +to the hospitals as nurses, Miss Fussell was at her brother's home +at Pendleton, Indiana. She immediately volunteered her services, +and was assigned to duty by the Indiana sanitary commission in the +military hospitals in Louisville, Kentucky, where she served +faithfully until the close of the war, giving the bloom of her +youth to her country without hope of reward other than that which +comes to all as the result of self-sacrificing devotion to the +cause of humanity.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_972" id="Page_972">[Pg 972]</a></span></p> + +<p>At the close of the war she returned to Philadelphia, but learning +soon that an effort was being made to induce the State of Indiana +to provide a home for the soldiers' orphans, she again offered her +services in any useful capacity in that work. A benevolent +gentleman of Indianapolis who had been most urgent in calling the +attention of the officers of the State to their duty in that +matter, finding that there was no hope, offered to furnish Miss +Fussell with the money necessary to clothe, rear, educate and care +for a family of ten orphans of soldiers, and bring them up to +maturity, if she would furnish the motherly love, the years of hard +labor and self-sacrifice, the sleepless nights and endless patience +needed for the work. After a few days of prayerful consideration +she accepted, and in the fall of 1865 ten orphans were gathered +together in Indianapolis from various parts of the State from among +those who had no friends able or willing to care for them. In the +spring of 1866 they were removed to the Soldiers' Home near +Knightstown, where a small cottage and garden were assigned to +their use. In 1875, she placed the older boys in houses where their +growing strength could be better utilized, and moved with the girls +and younger boys to Spiceland to secure the benefit of better +schools. In 1877, all of the ten but one were self-supporting, and +have since taken useful and respectable positions in society. The +one exception was a little feeble-minded boy, who, with his +brother, had been found in the county poor-house; his condition and +wants very soon impressed her with the necessity for a State home +for feeble-minded children in Indiana, it having been found +necessary to send this boy to another State to be educated. He is +now in a neighboring State institution, and is almost +self-supporting. With her usual energy and directness, she went to +work to gather statistics on the subject of "Feeble-minded +Children" in this and other States, and to interest others in their +welfare. She at last found an active co-worker in Charles Hubbard, +the representative from Henry county in the legislature, and their +united efforts, aided by other friends of the cause, secured in +1876 the enactment of the law establishing the Home for +Feeble-minded Children, now in operation near Knightstown, Indiana.</p> + +<p>Having seen all her children well provided for, she began to look +for further work, and soon conceived the idea of taking the +children from the county poor-houses of the State and forming them +into families. She offered to take the children in the Henry county +poor-house and provide for them home, food, clothing and education, +for the small sum of twenty-five cents per day for each child, +which her experience had proven to be the smallest sum that would +accomplish the good she desired; but the county commissioners would +only allow her twenty cents per day. She accepted their terms, +furnishing the deficit from her own means, and so earnest was she +and so completely did she demonstrate the superiority of her plan +for the care of these children, that she interested many others in +the work, and the result was the passage of a law by the +legislature of 1880-1881, giving to county commissioners the right +to place their destitute children under the care of a matron, +giving her sole charge of them and full credit for her work, and +providing for her salary and their support. Under that law Miss +Fussell now has all the destitute children of Henry county under +her care, and has created a model orphans' home. Thus has this one +woman been a power for good, and by following in the direct line of +her duty, has been obliged to "meddle in the affairs of State" and +to influence legislation.</p> + +<p>If in giving this sketch we have exceeded the limits allotted us, +let us remember that our subject represents thousands of noble +women who care rather that their light shall carry with it comfort +and warmth, than be noted for its brilliancy, and who, having no +voice in the government, are obliged to work out their beneficent +ideas with much unnecessary labor.</p> + + +<h4><a name="Indiana_G" id="Indiana_G">[G.]</a></h4> + +<p>The friends of woman's equality addressed the following petition to +each member of the State legislature:</p> + +<p>Being personally acquainted with Mrs. <span class="smcap">Sarah A. Oren</span>, and knowing +her to be a woman of refinement and culture, we can consistently +urge upon you a favorable consideration<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_973" id="Page_973">[Pg 973]</a></span> of her claims as a +candidate for election to the office of State librarian. She has +had the benefit of a collegiate education, and has been for several +years a successful teacher in Antioch College and in the public +high-school of Indianapolis. She is mainly dependent on her own +labor for the means to support and educate her children, who were +<i>made fatherless by a rebel bullet</i> at the siege of Petersburg. Her +education and experience have admirably fitted her for the +discharge of all the duties of the office of State librarian; and +by electing her to that office, the Republican party will secure a +faithful and efficient officer, and have the pleasure of making +another payment on the debt we owe to the widows and orphans of +those who died that our country might live.<a name="FNanchor_586_586" id="FNanchor_586_586"></a><a href="#Footnote_586_586" class="fnanchor">[586]</a></p> + +<p>Mrs. Oren was elected to the office of State librarian and +performed the duties belonging to it with great efficiency and +fidelity. She has been succeeded by Mrs. Margaret Peele, Mrs. Emma +A. Winsor and Miss Lizzie H. Callis.</p> + + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<h3>CHAPTER XLVII.</h3> + +<h4>MINNESOTA.</h4> + +<h4><a name="XLVII_A" id="XLVII_A">[A.]</a></h4> + +<p>In the early days, long before the organization of either State or +local societies, there were, besides those mentioned in the main +chapter, a few earnest women who were ever ready to subscribe for +suffrage papers and circulate tracts and petitions to congress and +the State legislature, whose names should be honored with at least +a mention on the page of history. Among them were: Mrs. Addie +Ballou, Mrs. Ellis White, Mrs. Eliza Dutcher, Mrs. Sarah Clark, +Miss Amelia Heebner, Miss Emily A. Emerson, Mrs. Mary F. Mead, Mrs. +E. M. O'Brien, Miss Ellen C. Thompson, Miss R. J. Haner, Mrs. Mary +Hulett, Mrs. Gorham Powers, Mrs. C. A. Hotchkiss, Mrs. Emma Wilson, +Mrs. Mary Wilkins, Mrs. Anna D. Weeks, Mrs. Mary Leland, Mrs. Susan +C. Burger, Mrs. A. R. Lovejoy, and others.</p> + + +<h4><a name="XLVII_B" id="XLVII_B">[B.]</a></h4> + +<p>Of the seventy-six organized counties in Minnesota we give the +following partial list of those that have elected women to the +office of superintendent of public schools: <i>Mille Lacs County</i>, +Olive R. Barker; <i>Pine</i>, Ella Gorton; <i>Lac Qui Parle</i>, Malena P. +Kirley; <i>Anoka</i>, Mrs. Catharine J. Pierce, Mrs. Ellen Conforth, +Miss Dailey; <i>Benton</i>, Mrs. Belle Graham, Mrs. E. K. Whitney; +<i>Cottonwood</i>, Mrs. E. C. Huntington, Mrs. B. J. Banks, Mrs. L. +Huntington; <i>Dodge</i>, Mrs. Mary Powell Wheeler, Mrs. P. L. Dart, +Mrs. J. W. Willard, Barbara Van Allen; <i>Dakota</i>, Mrs. Martha +Wallace, Harriet E. Jones, Mrs. C. H. Day, Mrs. C. Teachout, Nellie +Duff, Mary Mather, Anna Manners, Jennie Horton; <i>Freeborn</i>, Mrs. J. +B. Foote, Mrs. D. R. Hibbs, Mrs. A.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_974" id="Page_974">[Pg 974]</a></span> W. Johnson, Mrs. J. H. +Pickard; <i>Fillmore</i>, Charlotte Taeor, Margaret Hood, Mrs. M. E. +Molstad, Mrs. A. E. Harsh; <i>Fairbault</i>, Jane Harris, Georgia Adams, +Mrs. A. B. Thorp, Mrs. Levi Crump, Mrs. R. C. Smith, Mary Rumage, +Mrs. L. A. Scott; <i>Goodhue</i>, Mrs. H. A. Hobart; <i>Brown</i>, Mrs. O. B. +Ingraham; <i>Douglass</i>, Mrs. M. C. Lewis, Mrs. J. B. Van Hoesen, Mrs. +Trask; <i>Houston</i>, Mrs. Annie M. Carpenter; <i>Hennepin</i>, Angelina +Dupont, Mrs. M. F. Taylor; <i>Lyon</i>, Louise M. Ferro, M. D., Mrs. W. +C. Robinson, Mertie Caley; <i>Mower</i>, Mrs. W. H. Parker, Mrs. V. J. +Duffy, Mrs. J. F. Rockwell, Mrs. E. Hoppin, Sarah M. Dean; +<i>Marshall</i>, Mrs. L. H. Stone; <i>Meeker</i>, Mrs. A. R. Jackman, Mrs. +Orin Whitney, Mary E. Ferguson; <i>Martin</i>, Mrs. J. W. Fuller, Mrs. +M. E. St. John, Mary E. Harvey, Mary A. McLean; <i>Olmstead</i>, Adelle +Moore, Jane Haggerty, Mrs. R. S. Carver; <i>Polk</i>, Mrs. M. C. Perrin, +Mrs. J. A. Barnum; <i>Ramsey</i>, Mrs. B. McGuire, Annie E. Dunn; <i>St. +Louis</i>, Sarah Burger Stearns; <i>Winona</i>, Dr. Adaline Williams; +<i>Stevens</i> county reports one lady serving as school-district +treasurer; <i>Otter Tail</i> county reports six ladies serving in +different places; <i>Wright</i> county, four serving as clerks of +school-districts; and in <i>Beeker</i> county it is said ladies +sometimes serve as deputies during their husbands' absence.</p> + + +<h4><a name="XLVII_C" id="XLVII_C">[C.]</a></h4> + +<p>In a volume edited by Harriet N. R. Arnold, entitled, "The Poets +and Poetry of Minnesota," published in 1864, are the following +names: Mrs. Laura E. Bacon Hunt, Mrs. Emily F. Bugbee Moore, Miss +Eleanor C. Donnelly, Miss Jane Gray Fuller, Mrs. E. M. Harris, Miss +Ninetta Maine, Mrs. J. R. McMasters, Harriet E. Bishop, Irene +Galloway, Mary R. Lyon, Miss M. E. Pierson Smith, Mrs. Helen L. +Pandergast, Julia A. A. Wood. Among the later writers possessing +true poetic genius are Mrs. Julia Cooley Carruth, Miss Eva J. +Stickney, Miss Jennie E. M. Caine, Mrs. Emily Huntington Miller.</p> + +<p>Among the authors who sent their books to the New Orleans +Exposition in 1885, are Frances A. Shaw, Marion Shaw, Minnie May +Lee, Eleanor G. Donnelly, Mrs. M. M. Sanford, Mrs. Julia Wood, Edna +A. Barnard, Mrs. Arnold, Miss Franc E. Babbett, Mrs. Henderson, +Miss Campbell, Mrs. C. H. Plummer, Mrs. Will E. Haskell, Mrs. Delia +Whitney Norton, Maria A. Drew, Mrs. Jennie Lynch, Miss Mary A. +Cruikshank.</p> + + +<h4><a name="XLVII_D" id="XLVII_D">[D.]</a></h4> + +<p>Mrs. Winchell, wife of the president of the Minnesota State +University, kindly sent us the names of the fifty-six young women +who were graduated from that institution between 1875 and 1885: +Class of '75, Helen Mar Ely; '76, Martha Butler; '77, Matilda J. +Campbell, Viola Fuller, Charlotte A. Rollet, Mary A. Maes; '78, +Mary Robinson, Nettie Getchel; '79, Marian H. Roe, Caroline Rollet, +Martha J. West, Evelyn May Champlin, Etta Medora Eliot; '80, Lizzie +A. House, Bessie S. Lawrence, Minnie Reynolds, Lillian Todd, Cora +Inez Brown; '81, Emily Hough, Diana Burns, Sarah E. Palmer, Lilla +Ruth Williams; '82, Carrie Holt, Lydia Holt, Mary Eliza Holt, Alice +E. Demmon, Louise Lillian Hilbourn, Emily D. McMillan, Ada Eva +Pillsbury, Agnes V. Bonniwell, Grace W. Curtis, Marie Louise Henry, +Mary Nancy Hughes, Carrie D. Fletcher; '83, Annie Harriet +Jefferson, Kate Louise Kennedy, Sarah Pierrepont McNair, Anna +Calista Marston, Janet Nunn, Emma Frances Trussell, Helen Louise +Pierce, Martha Sheldon, Louise E. Hollister, Emma J. Ware; '84, +Hannah Sewall, Susie Sewall, Anna Bonfoy, Bessie Latho, Addie +Kingsbury, Belle Bradford, Emma Twinggi; '85, Mary Benton, Bertha +Brown, Ida Mann, Mary Irving, Mabel Smith.</p> + +<p>Among the women who have been successful as preceptresses in the +State University are: Helen Sutherland, M. A., Mrs. Augusta Norwood +Smith, Matilda J. Campbell, B. L., Maria L. Sanford.</p> + +<p>Among the teachers in the normal schools of the State are the +following:</p> + +<p><i>Winona</i>—Martha Brechbill, Sophia L. Haight, Jennie Ellis, Sarah +E. Whittaker,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_975" id="Page_975">[Pg 975]</a></span> Kate L. Sprague, Vienna Dodge, Ada L. Mitchell, Anna +C. Foekens, Rena M. Mead, Mary E. Couse, B. S.</p> + +<p><i>Mankato Normal School</i>—Helen M. Philips, Defransa A. Swan, Anna +McCutcheon, Genevieve S. Hawley, Mary E. Hutcheson, Eliza A. +Cheney, Charity A. Green, M. Adda Holton.</p> + +<p><i>St. Cloud Normal School</i>—Isabel Lawrence, Ada A. Warner, Minnie +F. Wheelock, Rose A. Joclin, Mary L. Wright, Kittie W. Allen. +Nearly all of the above-named teachers were graduated from Eastern +colleges and universities.</p> + +<p>Women occupy the same positions as men and receive corresponding +salaries. A recent report of Minneapolis schools names fifteen +women in the High School receiving from $650 to $900 per year; +twelve principals of ward schools, receiving from $750 to $1,000; +and eleven primary principals receiving from $650 to $800. At St. +Paul there were reported two principals getting $1,200 each, two +getting $900, and twelve others getting $600 each; of the five lady +assistants in the High School, one received $900, one $800, and +three received $700 each. The principal of the High School at +Duluth receives $750 per annum, and some of the assistants and +principals of ward schools, $600.</p> + +<p>Miss Sarah E. Sprague, a graduate of St. Lawrence University, and +of the Normal and Training School at Oswego, N. Y., has been +employed since August, 1884, by the State Department of Public +Instruction, for institute work, at a salary of $1,260 per year and +expenses. Miss Sprague is a lady of rare ability and an honor to +her profession.</p> + +<p>Prominent among private schools for young ladies is the Bennett +Seminary at Minneapolis, Mrs. B. B. Bennett, principal; also the +Wasioja Seminary, Mrs. C. B. P. Lang, preceptress, and Miss M. V. +Paine, instructor in music. The services of Miss Mary E. Hutcheson +have been highly valued as instructor in vocal music and elocution +in the Mankato Normal School. Miss Florence Barton at Minneapolis, +Mrs. Emily Moore of Duluth, are excellent teachers of music, and +Miss Zella D'Unger, of elocution.</p> + +<p>Prominent among the kindergarten schools is that of Mrs. D. V. S. +Brown at St. Paul; Mrs. Mary Dowse, Duluth; Miss Endora Hailman, +Winona. The latter is director of the kindergarten connected with +the Winona State Normal School. Miss Fannie Wood, Miss Kate E. +Barry, Miss Ella P. McWhorter and Miss Abby E. Axtell, are reported +as having rendered very efficient service as teachers in the State +Deaf and Dumb Asylum; Miss Mary Kirk, Miss Alice Mott and Miss Emma +L. Rohow are spoken of as having been earnest and devoted teachers +in the State Institution for the Blind.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Viola Fuller Miner of Minneapolis, graduated from the State +University, has long been known as a teacher and writer of much +ability. Her pen never touches the suffrage question except to its +advantage. Miss Eloise Butler, teaching in the High School of the +same city, would gladly have lent her personal aid to suffrage work +had time and strength permitted. We have at least the blessing of +her membership and influence. Mrs. Sadie Martin, likewise a teacher +of advanced classes and an easy writer, will be remembered as the +first president of the local suffrage society of Minneapolis, and +one much devoted to its interests. Mrs. Maggie McDonald, formerly a +teacher at Rochester and long a resident of St. Paul, has ever been +a devoted friend of the suffrage cause—commenced work as long ago +as '69, and is to-day unflagging in hope and zeal. Mrs. Caroline +Nolte of the same city, though much occupied as a teacher in the +High School, still found time to aid in forming the St. Paul +Suffrage Society. Miss Helen M. McGowan, a teacher at Owatonna, is +spoken of as "a grand woman who believes in the ballot as a means +to higher ends." Miss S. A. Mayo, a lady of fine culture and a +successful teacher of elocution, was also an active member of this +society while in the city. Miss Clara M. Coleman, a classical +scholar from Michigan University, for one year principal of the +Duluth High School, was a believer in equal rights for all and did +not hesitate to say so. Miss Louise Hollister, a graduate of the +Minnesota University, is Miss Coleman's successor and a friend of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_976" id="Page_976">[Pg 976]</a></span> +suffrage for women, with an educational qualification; she is +vice-president of the Equal Rights League of Duluth. Miss Jenny +Lind Gowdy, graduated from the Winona Normal School, is an +excellent primary principal who teaches her pupils that girls +should have the same rights and privileges as boys—no more, no +less.</p> + + +<h4><a name="XLVII_E" id="XLVII_E">[E.]</a></h4> + +<p>The names of the women who have been admitted to the Minnesota +State Medical Society are: Clara E. Atkinson, Ida Clark, Mary G. +Hood, A. M. Hunt, Harriet E. Preston, Belle M. Walrath, Annes F. +Wass, Lizzie R. Wass, Mary Twoddy Whetsone.</p> + +<p>Among the women who have practiced medicine in Minnesota are: +Catharine Underwood Jewell, Lake City; E. M. Roys, Rochester; +Harriet E. Preston, M. Mason, Mary E. Emery, Jennie Fuller, Clara +E. Atkinson, St. Paul; Mary G. Hood, Mary J. Twoddy Whetsone, R. C. +Henderson, A. M. Hunt, Adele S. Hutchinson, Mary L. Swain, D. A. +Coombe, Minneapolis; E. M. Roys, Mary Whitney, Ida S. Clark, +Rochester; Augusta L. Rosenthal, Winona; Fannie E. Holden, Anna +Brockway Gray, Duluth.</p> + +<p>The board of officers of the Sisters of Bethany has for many years +consisted of: <i>President</i>, Mrs. Charlotte O. Van Cleve; +<i>Vice-President</i>, Mrs. Euphemia N. Overlock; <i>Secretary</i>, Mrs. +Harriet G. Walker; <i>Treasurer</i>, Mrs. Abbie G. Mendenhall.</p> + +<p>The city of Minneapolis takes the lead of all others in the State +in the number of its benevolent institutions. It has its Woman's +Industrial Exchange, as an aid to business women; its Woman's Home, +or pleasant boarding-house; for the care of sick women, its +Northwestern Woman's Hospital and training-school for nurses; also +a homeopathic hospital for women; for the care of homeless infants, +its Foundlings' Home; for unfortunate girls, its Bethany Home. All +of these institutions are in the hands of the best of women. Among +the most active are: Mrs. M. B. Lewis, Miss Abby Adair, Mrs. O. A. +Pray, Mrs. J. M. Robinson, Mrs. John Edwards, Mrs. L. Christian, +Mrs. S. W. Farnham, Mrs. Wm. Harrison, Mrs. H. M. Carpenter, Mrs. +D. Morrison, Mrs. John Crosby, Mrs. George B. Wright, Mrs. Moses +Marston, Mrs. Charlotte O. Van Cleve, Mrs. T. B. Walker, Dr. Mary +S. Whetsone, Mrs. C. S. Winchell, Dr. Mary G. Hood, Mrs. R. W. +Jordan, Miss A. M. Henderson.</p> + +<p>In the city of Duluth there is a woman's home unlike any other in +the State. It is managed by a corporate body of ladies known as +home missionaries. The charter members are: Sarah B. Stearns, Laura +Coppernell, Jennie C. Swanstrom, Fanny H. Anthony, Olive Murphy, +Flora Davey, Jennie S. Lloyd, Fannie E. Holden, M. D. The work of +this corporation is to seek out all poor women needing temporary +shelter and employment. The classes chiefly cared for are poor +widows and deserted wives, and such small children as may belong to +them; also over-worked young women who may need a temporary +resting-place; also young girls thrown suddenly upon their own +resources without knowledge of how to care for themselves. These +ladies care also for the unfortunate of another class, but in a +retired place, unmarked by any sign. They prefer that to the usual +plan of caring for the victims of men.</p> + + +<h4><a name="XLVII_F" id="XLVII_F">[F.]</a></h4> + +<p>Portrait and landscape-painters in oil and water-colors, who give +promise of success: <i>Minneapolis</i>, Miss Clara V. Shaw, Miss Mary E. +Neagle, Mrs. Frank Painter, Miss Mary Dunn, Mrs. Irene W. Clark, +Miss C. M. Lenora, Mrs. Arthur Clark, Mrs. A. M. West, Miss Myra H. +Twitchell, Mrs. A. L. Loring, Miss Luella Gurney, Mrs. Charles +Fairfield, Mrs. A. T. Rand, Miss E. Robeson, Miss Helen Goodwin, +Mrs. Sarah E. Corbett, Mrs. Lucille Hunkle, Miss Mary Kennedy, Mrs. +Frances A. Pray. Mrs. W. B. Mead, Miss Flora Edwards, Mrs. Knight, +Mrs. I. W. Mauley, Mrs. M. P. Hawkins; <i>St. Paul</i>, Miss Florence M. +Cole, Miss Mary Hollingshead, Miss A. M. Shavre, Miss Alice +Chandler, Mrs. Martha Griggs, Miss L. B. West, Mrs. Knox, Mrs. +Theodosia Rose Cleveland, Mrs. Genevieve Jefferson, Mrs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_977" id="Page_977">[Pg 977]</a></span> C. B. +Grant, Jennie Lynch, Miss Wilson, Miss Lilla Inness, Mrs. George +Eastman, Mrs. Paine, Mrs. Fannie Smith, Miss Alice Page, Mrs. +Hunter; <i>Winona</i>, Mrs. W. Ely, Mrs. Ella Newell, Miss D. E. Barr; +<i>Lake City</i>, Mrs. H. B. Sargent, Mrs. J. G. Richardson, Bessie +Milliken; <i>Stillwater</i>, Sadie S. Clark, Miss Field, Sarah Murdock; +<i>Albert Lea</i>, Birdie Slocum; <i>Fairbault</i>, Grace McKinster, Miss S. +E. Cook; <i>Litchfield</i>, Mrs. Carter; <i>Alexandria</i>, Mamie Lewis; <i>St. +Cloud</i>, Mary Clarke; <i>Fergus Falls</i>, Mrs. Wurtle; <i>Owatonna</i>, Mrs. +D. O. Searles; <i>Duluth</i>, Emma F. Shaw Newcome, Anna E. Gilbert, +Mrs. A. D. Frost, De Etta Evans, Mrs. Persis Norton, Addie W. L. +Barrow, Gertrude Olmstead, Addie Hunter, Fanny Woodbridge. +Doubtless there are many others of worth in other localities +improving their talents and finding real enjoyment and pecuniary +recompense in the pursuit of their loved art.</p> + +<p>It is one of the imperfections of this chapter that the names +cannot be given of the many gifted young ladies who have gone from +Minnesota for a musical education to the New York and Boston +Conservatories of Music. Of those who have gone from Duluth, and +returned as proficients, may be named Mary Willis, Mary Ensign +Hunter, Mary Munger, Florence Moore and Jessie Hopkins. With this +beautiful thought in mind, "<i>noblesse oblige</i>," the christian +workers of Duluth call upon these talented young ladies for aid in +furnishing many entertainments for charity's sake, and are seldom +disappointed.</p> + + +<h4><a name="XLVII_G" id="XLVII_G">[G.]</a></h4> + +<p>Among the occasional speakers and writers not mentioned in the main +chapter are: Abbie J. Spaulding, Mrs. M. M. Elliot, Miss A. M. +Henderson, Mrs. M. J. Warner, Lizzie Manson, Rebecca S. Smith, +Viola Fuller Miner, Harriet G. Walker, Eliza Burt Gamble, Emma +Harriman, Eva McIntyre, Mary Hall Dubois, Minnie Reed, Mrs. G. H. +Miller, Dr. Mary Whetsone, Mrs. M. C. Ladd, Mrs. M. A. Seely, Mrs. +E. S. Wright, Mrs. M. H. Drew, Mrs. E. J. Holly, Mrs. David +Sanford, Mrs. F. E. Russell, Lily Long. Zoe McClary, daughter of +Rev. and Mrs. Thomas McClary, gives promise of distinction.</p> + +<p>Since the formation of the State and local societies there are many +women in their quiet homes who are ever ready to encourage any +effort toward making all women more free, helpful and happy. Let +this paragraph record the names of a few of these: Mary E. Chute, +Isabelle L. Blaisdell, Mary Partridge, Mrs. C. C. Curtis, Frances +A. Shaw, Lucy E. Prescott, Mrs. S. J. Squires, Minnie Reed, Mrs. E. +S. Wright, Nellie H. Hazeltine, Adelle J. Grow, Mrs. A. B. Cole, +Mrs. A. F. Bliss, Mrs. E. J. Holley, Frances P. Sawyer, Frances L. +James, Mrs. M. C. Clark, Lucy Gibbs, Prudence Lusk, Lizzie P. +Hawkins, M. Hammond, Mrs. E. Southworth, Josephine Strait, Kittie +Manson, Mrs. R. C. Watson, Alice B. Cash, Emma Drew, Helen M. Olds, +Mrs. W. W. Bilson, Adaline Smith, Mrs. L. A. Watts, Emily Moore, +Olive Murphy, Mrs. L. A. Wentworth, Gertrude L. Gow, Della W. +Norton, Mrs. V. A. Wright, Mrs. M. H. Wells, Aurelia Bassett, Kate +C. Stevens, Mary Vrouman, Belle Hazen, Mrs. D. C. Hunt, Mrs. L. H. +Young, Louisa Stevens, Esther Hayes, Sarah J. Crawford, Lucinda +Roberts, Carrie Rawson, Sarah Herrick, Kate Tabor, Charlotte +Herbert, Belle McClelland, Jane E. Knott, Margaret Bryson, Mary +McKnight, Emma Coleman, Sarah Ricker, Mary M. Pomeroy, Sarah +Pribble, Mary A. Grinnell, Eliza Van Ambden.</p> + + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<h3>CHAPTER LIII.</h3> + +<h4>CALIFORNIA.</h4> + +<p>We give not only the names of the delegates present at the +convention of 1870, but also of a few of the most earnest friends +of the cause in the several counties of the State, not heretofore +mentioned in connection with the early conventions.</p> + +<p>In San Francisco we must not omit the venerable Eliza Taylor, a +sweet-faced Quaker, eighty years of age, nor Fanny Green +McDougall—"Aunt" Fanny, as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_978" id="Page_978">[Pg 978]</a></span> we loved to call her—nor Mrs. C. C. +Calhoun, Mary F. Snow, Minnie Edwards, Mrs. O. Fuller, Mrs. C. M. +Parker, Wm. R. Ryder, Mrs. M. J. Hendee, Kate Collins, Mary +Kellogg, Louise Fowler, M. J. Hemsley and Mrs. H. T. Perry. In +October, 1883, Elizabeth McComb, Mary Coggins, Mrs. J. V. +Drinkhouse, Dr. and Mrs. E. D. Smith, Mrs. E. Sloan, Mrs. C. J. +Furman, Elizabeth D. Layres, Miss Prince, Kate Kennedy, Carrie +Parker, Marion Hill,<a name="FNanchor_587_587" id="FNanchor_587_587"></a><a href="#Footnote_587_587" class="fnanchor">[587]</a> Mrs. Olmstead, Mrs. Dr. White, Dr. Laura +P. Williams and Mrs. Olive Washburn were all members of the city +and State associations. There was the brilliant Sallie Hart, who +took such an active part in the "local option" contest in 1871, and +who as a newspaper reporter and correspondent in the State +legislature for two or three sessions was very active in urging the +claims of woman upon the consideration of our law-makers.</p> + +<p>Hon. Philip A. Roach, often a prominent official of the State, and +for many years editor of the <i>Daily Examiner</i>, is an advocate of +woman's rights and was instrumental in getting an act, known as +"Senator Roach's bill to Punish Wife-whippers," passed. It provided +that such offenders should be punished by flogging upon the bare +back at the whipping-post. A wise and just law, but it was +afterward declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Hon. +James G. Maguire, a brilliant and rising young lawyer, a member of +the legislature in 1875, now a judge of the Superior Court of San +Francisco, is a most reliable and talented advocate of equality for +women. Among the members of the bar and other prominent men of the +State are to be found a number who are either pronounced in their +views of woman's right to vote, or are inclined to favor all +measures tending to ameliorate woman's condition in life; of whom +are Judge G. M. Clough, Judge Darwin, D. J. Murphy, Judge L. Quint, +Col. J. P. Jackson of the <i>Daily Post</i>, Hon. Charles Gildea of the +Board of Equalization, Judge Toohey, the late Judge Charles Wolff, +Rev. Dr. F. F. Jewell, Dr. R. H. McDonald, the prominent temperance +advocate; Hon. J. T. Wharton, P. S. Dorney, esq., Judge J. B. +Lamar, Rev. Dr. Robert McKenzie, Capt. Walker of the <i>City Argus</i>, +Hon. Frank Pixley of the <i>Argonaut</i>, ex-Gov. James A. Johnson of +the <i>Daily Alta</i>, Alfred Cridge, esq., Dr. R. B. Murphy, N. Hawks, +W. H. Barnes of <i>The Call</i>, O. Dearing, Hon. W. W. Marrow, Hon. +Charles A. Sumner, representative in congress; Hon. J. B. Webster +of the <i>California Patron</i>, in San Francisco. In other parts of the +State are; Senator Cross of Nevada county, Assemblyman Cominette of +Amador, Judge G. G. Clough, and Senator Kellogg of Plumas county, +Hon. H. M. Larue, Speaker of the House, and Assemblyman Doty of +Sacramento county, Senator Del Valle of Los Angeles, Hon. O. B. +Hitchcock of Tulare county, Judge McCannaughy and Judge E. Steele +of Siskyon county, Hon. T. B. Wigginton, Judge Charles Marks, R. J. +Steele, esq., of Merced county; John Mitchell, John T. Davis and +Capt. Gray of Stanislaus; Hon. J. McM. Shafter of Marin county; +Senator Brooks and Judge J. D. Hinds of Ventura county.</p> + +<p>Sacramento county contains a large number of progressive men and +women, though the good work has consisted mainly in the efforts +made by committees appointed by the State society to attend the +biënnial sessions of the legislature, most of whom were not +residents of the county. But among those who have done good service +in Sacramento, the first and most active for many years has been +Mrs. L. G. Waterhouse, now of Monterey. She espoused the cause in +early life, and when many added years compelled her to retire from +active service, her efforts in behalf of women were still +continued. Miss Dr. Kellogg is not only a successful practitioner +of medicine, but is gifted with eloquent speech, and has on several +occasions addressed the legislature of the State; Dr. Jennie +Bearby, for some years a resident of Sacramento, now of Idaho, is +worthy of mention; Mrs. M. J. Young, attorney-at-law since June, +1879; Annie G. Cummings and daughter, have been among the earliest +and most faithful adherents to our cause. Mrs. E. B. Crocker has, +through her social position, exerted great influence in a quiet +way, and has contributed liberally from her vast wealth to aid the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_979" id="Page_979">[Pg 979]</a></span> +cause; she founded the Marguerite Home for aged women. Dr. and Mrs. +Bowman, now of Oakland, were pioneers in this work; while Mesdames +Jackson, Hontoon, Perley Watson, and Miss Hattie Moore are among +the recent converts. Hon. Grove L. Johnson has been one of the most +eloquent of all the fearless champions of women who have occupied a +seat in the legislature; Hon. Creed Haymond deserves to rank with +the foremost, as an able advocate of woman's political rights; Hon. +S. J. Finney of Santa Cruz, Talbot Wallis, State Librarian, Judge +Taylor, a prominent lawyer, and his brilliant wife, are also among +our friends. Sarah A. Montgomery, Mattie A. Shaw, Mrs. A. Wilcox, +Mary B. Lewis, Judge and Mrs. McFarland, Judge J. W. Armstrong, +encouraged by his devoted and talented wife, and a large number of +others, favor in a quiet way the ballot for women.</p> + +<p>San Joaquin county has been the home of Laura De Force Gordon since +1870, and much of her practice as a lawyer has been in the courts +at Stockton. Among the earliest advocates of suffrage were Mr. and +Mrs. William Condy, Mr. and Mrs. Harry, Judge Brush, Hattie Brush, +Judge Roysdon, William Hickman and wife, Mrs. E. Emery, William +Israel, Hannah Israel, Miss E. Clifford, Dr. Holden, Richard Condy +and his noble wife Elizabeth, who was the first president of the +San Joaquin county society. Among a host of others are Mr. and Mrs. +W. F. Freeman and their bright young daughter Sophronia, who gives +promise of future usefulness in the lecture-field; Mr. and Mrs. J. +C. Gage, whose daughter Hattie possesses marked artistic ability, +and though still in her teens has produced oil paintings of rare +beauty; Dr. Brown, physician in charge of the State Insane Asylum; +Dr. Phœbe Tabor, for many years a successful medical +practitioner; Mrs. N. G. Cary, Mrs. M. S. Webb, Mrs. Zignago, a +successful business woman; Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Loomis, R. B. Lane, +Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Bond, and Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Overhiser, both of +whom are active members of that liberal woman's rights order, the +Patrons of Husbandry. Hon. R. C. Sargent, a member of the +legislature for several terms, has always aided the woman's cause +by his vote and influence. Dr. J. L. Sargent and his intelligent +wife are also friends to every measure tending to benefit woman. +Hon. S. L. Terry, Senator F. T. Baldwin, James A. Lontitt, esq., +Judge J. H. Budd, Judge A. Van R. Patterson, George B. McStay, +Judge Buckley and a number of other prominent officials and members +of the legal profession, are all in favor of equal rights.</p> + +<p>Sonoma county has a few fearless friends of woman suffrage. Mary +Jewett, Mrs. Prince, Fannie M. Wertz and Miss E. Merrill were +officers in the first organization formed at Healdsburg in that +county in 1870, and together with J. G. Howell and wife, who were +proprietors of the <i>Russian River Flag</i>, kept up the society for +years. At Petaluma, Mrs. A. A. Haskell, Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Hatch, +Kate Lovejoy and Mrs. Judge Latimer organized a society in 1869. In +Solano county are Mr. and Mrs. Denio and Mrs. E. L. Hale of +Vallejo; Mrs. Elizabeth Ober and Mrs. Celia Geddes of Fairfield. +Napa county soon became an objective point for lecturers; a society +was organized at St. Helena in 1871, with Mr. and Mrs. John +Lewellyn, Charles King, Mrs. Potter and Dr. and Mrs. Allyn as +officers; at Napa were Joseph Eggleton and wife and Mrs. Ellis. In +San Mateo county was Mrs. Dr. Kilpatrick. Contra Costa county was +organized in 1870, and Mrs. Phebe Benedict, Mrs. Abbott, Mary +O'Brien, Sarah Sellers, Dr. and Mrs. Howard, Hannah Israel, an able +writer and lecturer, and Capt. Kimball of Antioch, took an active +part therein. Mrs. J. H. Chase of Martinez, E. H. Cox and wife of +Danville, were pioneers in the cause, and Henry and Abigail Bush of +Martinez, were most prominent in the first meetings held there. +Mrs. Bush had the honor to preside over the second woman suffrage +convention ever held in the United States, that at Rochester, N. +Y., in 1848. O. Alley and wife, also of Martinez, extended their +hospitality to lecturers who visited that place, and fully +sympathized in the cause.</p> + +<p>In Marin county a society was formed in 1870, with Isabella Irwin, +Mrs. Barney, Flora Whitney, Mrs. M. Dubois and Mary Battey Smith, +as officers; Mrs. McM. Shafter, a gifted and influential lady, was +also an active worker in the good cause. Alameda county—Rev. John +Benton and wife, Professor E. Carr and wife, Mrs. C. C.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_980" id="Page_980">[Pg 980]</a></span> Calhoun, +Mrs. M. L. S. Duncan, Mrs. S. S. Allen, Dr. and Mrs. Powers, Mr. +and Mrs. Ingersoll, Angie Eager, Mary Kenny, George and Martha +Parry and Mr. and Mrs. William Stevens, were interested in the +earlier agitation of the question; Mrs. Sanford, Mrs. A. M. +Stoddard and Mrs. M. Johnson are among the later converts. Merced +county the home of Rowena Granice Steele, the author, and publisher +of the <i>San Joaquin Valley Argus</i>, has furnished the State with a +worthy and capable advocate of woman suffrage, both as a speaker +and writer. In her cozy, rose-embowered cottage at Merced, she +generously entertains her numerous guests, who always seek out this +distinguished and warm-hearted friend of woman. Stanislaus county +is the present home of Jennie Phelps Purvis, a talented and +brilliant woman, well known in literary circles in an early day and +for some years a prominent officer and member of the State society. +At Modesto are Mrs. Lapham and daughter Amel, and Mr. and Mrs. +Brown, good friends to suffrage. In San Diego are Mrs. F. P. +Kingsbury, Mrs. Tallant. In Santa Cruz county, Georgiana Bruce +Kirby, Mrs. H. M. Blackburn, Mrs. M. E. Heacock, Rev. D. G. +Ingraham, Ellen Van Valkenburg. In Los Angeles county, Mrs. Eliza +J. Hall, M. D. Ingo county, J. A. Jennings. Santa Clara county, J. +J. Owen, the able editor of the <i>San José Mercury</i>; Laura J. +Watkins, Hon. O. H. Smith and wife, Mrs. G. B. McKee, Mrs. +McFarland, Mrs. Herman, Mrs. Montgomery, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. J. J. +Crawford, Mrs. R. B. Hall, Mrs. Knox, Mrs. Wallis, Mrs. C. M. +Putney, Mrs. Damon, Miss Walsh, and many others, have all helped +the good cause in San José; while Louisa Smith of Santa Clara, a +lady of advancing years, was ever a faithful friend of the cause, +as was also Miss Emma S. Sleeper of Mountain View, formerly of Mt. +Morris, N. Y. In Nevada county, originally the home of Senator A. +A. Sargent, the question of woman suffrage was agitated at an early +day. The most active friends were: Ellen Clark Sargent, Emily +Rolfe, Mrs. Leavett, Mrs. E. P. Keeney, Mrs. E. Loyed, Elmira Eddy, +Mr. and Mrs. William Stevens, Mrs. Hanson, Judge Palmer and Mrs. +Cynthia Palmer.</p> + + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<h3>CHAPTER LVI.</h3> + +<h4>GREAT BRITAIN.</h4> + +<h5>A CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE OF THE SUCCESSIVE STEPS OF PROGRESS TOWARDS +FREEDOM FOR WOMEN.</h5> + +<blockquote><p>1848. Queen's College, Harley street, London, founded for girls.</p> + +<p>1849. Bedford College, London, founded; incorporated, 1869.</p> + +<p>1850. North London Collegiate School for girls opened by Miss +Buss, April 4.</p> + +<p>1854. Cheltenham Ladies' College commenced.... Miss Nightingale +goes to Sentari; from hence may be dated the beginning of +training schools for nurses, metropolitan associations for +nursing the poor, etc., etc.</p> + +<p>1856. Female Artists' Society founded.</p> + +<p>1857. Divorce and Matrimonial Causes act passed, by which divorce +and judicial separation became attainable in course of law.... +Ladies' Sanitary Association, founded October 1.</p> + +<p>1858. <i>Englishwoman's Journal</i> started (now <i>Englishwoman's +Review</i>) by Bessie R. Parkes and Mdme. Bodichon, March 2.... +First swimming bath for ladies, opened in Marylebone, July 14.</p> + +<p>1859. Society for the Employment of Women established in London, +June 22.</p> + +<p>1860. Law-copying Office for women opened February 15.... +Victoria Printing Press, established March 26.... Institution for +the Employment of Needle-women commenced.... First admission of +women students to the Royal Academy (Miss Herford).</p> + +<p>1861. Lectures on Physiology to ladies at University College, +April.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_981" id="Page_981">[Pg 981]</a></span></p> + +<p>1862. Social Science Congress in London; though not the first +time ladies had read papers at the congress—this was remarkable +for the increased share they took in its proceedings.... Ladies' +Negro Emancipation Society commenced.... New church order of +deaconesses founded on the model of Kaiserwerth.... First voyage +of Miss Rye to Australia, and commencement of her system of +emigration.</p> + +<p>1863. Establishment of Queen's Institute, Dublin, for industrial +training of women.</p> + +<p>1864. Female Medical and Obstetrical Society begun.... Working +Women's College, Queen's Square, opened October 26.</p> + +<p>1865. Miss Garrett receives her medical diploma from +Apothecaries' Hall.</p> + +<p>1866. A petition of 1,500 women for the franchise presented, and +the first women's suffrage society formed.</p> + +<p>1867. Mr. Mill's motion in the House of Commons to give the +suffrage to women.... Lily Maxwell voted in Manchester for Mr. +Jacob Bright.</p> + +<p>1868. In the general election many women who were left on the +register voted. Women's suffrage was declared illegal by the +Court of Common Pleas, November 9.... London University +establishes a women's examination.</p> + +<p>1869. Ladies' Educational Association begun in London, which was +dissolved July 18, 1878, upon London University College admitting +women as regular students.... Women's College established at +Hitchin, October ... The telegraph service was transferred to +government, and women clerks were retained, thus entering the +civil service.... Municipal Franchise act passed; women first +voted under it November 1.</p> + +<p>1870. Publication of <i>Women's Suffrage Journal</i> commenced March +1.... Women's Disabilities Removal bill introduced by Mr. Jacob +Bright, M.P., read a second time, but rejected in committee, +May.... Lectures for women begun in Cambridge.... First +examinations of women in Queen's University, Ireland.... Married +Women's Property act (England) passed, August 9.... National +Indian Association established by Mary Carpenter (principal +object: the improvement of women's education in India), +September.... Vigilance Association established, October; mainly +occupied in women's questions.... Elementary Education act +passed.... First school-board election in London, November 25 +(Miss Garrett and Miss Emily Davies elected in London; Miss +Becker, Manchester, etc.).</p> + +<p>1871. Ladies' National Health Association commenced by Dr. +Elizabeth Blackwell.... Law of Ireland amended slightly with +regard to married women's property.... National Union for +improving the education of women established by Mrs. Grey, +November.</p> + +<p>1872. New Hospital for Women, opened February, in Marylebone +(women doctors).... Girls' Public Day School Company formed. +First school opened January 1, at Chelsea; there are now +fifteen.... Girton College, Cambridge, incorporated. Hitchin +College subsequently removed to it.... New Bastardy act, passed +August 10, affording a greater measure of relief to unmarried +mothers.</p> + +<p>1873. Mrs. Nassau Senior, appointed assistant inspector of +workhouses, January; the first government appointment of a lady; +made permanent, February, 1874.... First school-board election in +Scotland, February (twenty ladies elected).... Second English +school-board.... Custody of Infants act passed, which enables a +man, having a deed of separation from his wife, to give up the +custody of the children to her if he chooses.</p> + +<p>1874. Women's Peace and Arbitration Auxiliary of the London Peace +Society formed, April.... Women's Protection and Provident League +formed, July 8 (benefit societies and trades unions for working +women).... Protection Orders given to wives in Scotland, July +19.... College for Working Women, Fitzroy street, London, opened +October.... London School of Medicine for Women, opened October +12.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_982" id="Page_982">[Pg 982]</a></span></p> + +<p>1875. A lady first elected as poor-law guardian (Miss Merington, +in Kensington), April.... Albemarle Club opened for ladies and +gentlemen, May 29.... Newnham College, Cambridge, opened.... +Employment of Women Office, opened in Brighton.... Female +clerkships in Post-Office Savings Bank.... Pharmaceutical Society +of Ireland admitted women to examinations.... Madras Medical +School opened to women.... First woman lawyer's office opened in +London (Miss Orme).... Metropolitan and National Nursing +Association formed.... Women delegates from women's unions first +admitted to Trades' Congress in Glasgow, October.</p> + +<p>1876. Admission of women to Manchester New College, February +9.... First qualified woman pharmacist established in London +(Miss Isabella Clarke).... Plan-tracing office for women opened +(Miss Crosbie).... Employment of Women Office, opened in +Glasgow.... Scholarship for women established in Bristol +University College.... British Women's Temperance Association +commenced.... Passing of the act, known as Russell-Gurney's act, +enabling universities to admit women to degrees, August.... +Resolutions of King and Queen's College of Physicians in Ireland +to confer medical degrees on women; five ladies passed their +examinations and received degrees in the following spring.... A +memorial, signed by 45,000 women, presented to the queen on +behalf of the Bulgarians.</p> + +<p>1877. Teachers, Training and Registration Society inaugurated, +February 2.... Trinity College, London, decided to throw open its +musical examinations to women.... St. Andrew's University offered +"Literate in Arts" degrees to women.... A bill to amend the +Married Women's Property Law (Scotland) passed; came into force +January 1, 1878.... International Congress on Public Morality met +at Geneva, September.... Admission of women medical students to +the Royal Free Hospital, October 1.... Manchester and Salford +College for women (now affiliated to the Victoria University) +opened, October.</p> + +<p>1878. Society to extend the knowledge of law among women +started.... Matrimonial Causes Amendment act passed; a clause +being inserted by Lord Penzance enabling magistrates to grant a +judicial separation to women if brutally treated by their +husbands, a maintenance to be given them, and the children to +remain under their mother's care.... Admission of women to London +University degrees and examinations, July 1.... Intermediate +Education act, Ireland; participation of girls in its benefits.</p> + +<p>1879. Victoria University charter grants degrees to women.... +Oxford, Somerville and Lady Margaret Halls opened, October.... +Nine ladies elected on London school-board, November.... +Pharmaceutical Society admits women as members, October.... Order +of St. Katherine for nurses established.... School for +wood-engraving and one for wood-carving established.</p> + +<p>1880. Charter of Irish University gives degrees to women.... +Demonstration of women in Manchester in favor of the suffrage, +February 3; followed by London, Bristol and Nottingham in the +same year.... Bill to give further protection to little girls +under 13 passed.... Mason College in Birmingham founded; equal +facilities to girls and boys.... First lady B. A. in London +University, October.... Melbourne University matriculates women, +March 22.... The Burial bill gives women the right to conduct +funeral services.... The House of Keys in the Isle of Man passed +women's suffrage for women who are owners of property, November +5.</p> + +<p>1881. Suffrage bill in the Isle of Man received royal assent +January 5; seven hundred women are electors; general election +began March 21.... Cambridge University admits women students to +formal examinations by a vote of 398 against 32, February 24.... +Durham University votes that women may become members.</p> + +<p>1881. Sydney University (New South Wales) admits women to +matriculation and degrees.... New Zealand University confers +title of M. A. on a woman, August....<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_983" id="Page_983">[Pg 983]</a></span> Poor-law Guardian +Association for promoting the election of ladies established, +March; seven ladies elected in London.... Somerville Club for +women opened.... Women clerks admitted to the civil service by +open competition.... Municipal Franchise act for Scotland, passed +June 3; came into operation January 1, 1882.... Married Women's +Property act for Scotland, passed July 18.</p> + +<p>1882. London University Convocation resolves to admit women as +graduates, January 17.... Twelve women elected in London as +poor-law guardians, April; fifteen in the country.... Married +Women's Property act passed by the Lords and brought down to the +Commons May 22; passed and returned to the Lords August 16; +received royal assent August 18.... Addition to Municipal +Franchise act (Scotland) by inclusion of police burghs.... Women +first voted in Scotland under the new act, November 8.... +Appointment of women as registrars of births and deaths in four +parishes.</p> + +<p>1883. Married Women's Property act comes into operation January +1.... Appointment of Miss E. Shove as physician to female staff +in post-office; first appointment by government of a woman.... +Poor-law guardian elections, April; thirteen ladies in London, +two in Scotland for the first time; thirteen in other towns in +England.... Mr. Stansfeld's resolution against the Contagious +Diseases acts carried in the House of Commons by a majority of +72, April 26; the acts consequently are suspended.... +May.—Memorial to the Prime Minister signed by 110 independent +Liberal members, asking that women's suffrage shall be included +in the coming Reform bill.... Mr. Mason's resolution for women's +suffrage thrown out by a majority of only 16.... Great conference +of Liberal associations at Leeds on parliamentary reform votes +for woman suffrage, October 17, followed by similar votes at +Edinburgh, November 16; Manchester, November 21; Bristol, +November 26, and in many smaller places.... Guarantee-fund raised +in Bombay for lady physicians and hospitals for women commenced; +Calcutta University opened to women.</p> + +<p>1884. Second reading of the bill for the Custody and Guardianship +of children carried, March 26, by a majority of 134.... First +lady, Mrs. Bryant, obtained degree of Doctor of Science in London +University.... Nine ladies obtain B. A. degree in Royal Irish +University.</p> + +<p>1885. College of Surgeons, Ireland, opens its degrees to +women.... Criminal-law Amendment Bill passed in August, raising +the age of protection for girls, and giving increased facilities +for rescuing them from ruin.... Municipal suffrage granted to +women in Madras.... Miss Mason appointed inspector of workhouses +by local government board, November. </p></blockquote> + + +<div class="footnotes"><h3>FOOTNOTES:</h3> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_586_586" id="Footnote_586_586"></a><a href="#FNanchor_586_586"><span class="label">[586]</span></a> Signed by Superintendents Public Schools, A. C. +Shortridge, Indianapolis, Alexander M. Gow, Evansville, Wm. H. +Wiley, Terre Haute, Jas. McNeil, Richmond, J. H. Smart, Fort Wayne, +Wm. Phelan, Laporte, Barnabas C. Hobbs, Bloomingdale; Thomas +Holmes, president Union Christian College, Mrs. Thos. Holmes, +Merom; Geo. P. Brown, principal high-school, Mrs. Geo. P. Brown, +Jessie H. Brown, assistant-superintendent public schools, Prof. W. +A. Bell, Prof. T. Charles, Hon. Byron K. Elliott, Geo. Merritt, +Mrs. George Merritt, Wm. Coughlen, Jno. S. Newman, president +Merchants National Bank, Col. James B. Black, Jos. E. Perry, Dr. E. +S. Newcomer, Mrs. S. E. Newcomer, Col. Samuel Merrill, Franklin +Taylor, Phebe M. Taylor, H. H. Lee, Mrs. Elizabeth Lee, Dr. O. S. +Runnels, Mrs. Dora C. Runnels, Horace McKay, Thomas E. Chandler, +David Gibson, Miss Mary Bradshaw, Dr. J. C. Walker, Indianapolis; +Elias Hicks Swayne, Mahala M. Swayne, Richmond; Dr. Geo. M. Dakin, +Mrs. Geo. M. Dakin, Laporte.</p></div> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_587_587" id="Footnote_587_587"></a><a href="#FNanchor_587_587"><span class="label">[587]</span></a> Mrs. Hill was President of the San Francisco Woman +Suffrage Society for three years prior to her death in 1884.</p></div> +</div> + +</div> + +<hr /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_985" id="Page_985">[Pg 985]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="INDEX" id="INDEX"></a>INDEX<br /> +<small><span class="smcap">to</span></small><br /> +<span class="smcap">The History of Woman Suffrage</span>.</h2> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<p class="center">Compiled by <span class="smcap">John Weinheimer</span> of <i>The New York Tribune</i>.</p> + +<hr class="tiny" /> + +<div class="center"> +<table width="75%" border="1" summary="Index"> + <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> Z</td> + </tr> +</table> +</div> + +<h3><a id="IX_A" name="IX_A">A.</a></h3> + +<div class="index"> +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Abelard, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_759">759</a>.</li> +<li>Abbott, Francis, iii, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>.</li> +<li>Adam and Eve, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_561">561</a>.</li> +<li>Adams, Abigail Smith, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_201">201</a>.</li> +<li>Adams, Hannah, author, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_205">205</a>.</li> +<li>Adams, John, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_31">31</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>.</li> +<li>Adams, John Q., iii, <a href="#Page_479">479</a>.</li> +<li>Adams, Mary N., lecturer, iii, <a href="#Page_614">614</a>.</li> +<li>Addresses and appeals, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_595">595</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_676">676</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_742">742</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_856">856</a>; ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_167">167</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_168">168</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_364">364</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_485">485</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_517">517</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_580">580</a>.</li> +<li>Adelbert College, iii, <a href="#Page_498">498</a>.</li> +<li><i>Agitator</i>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_373">373</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_274">274</a>.</li> +<li>Agrippa, Cornelius, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_29">29</a>.</li> +<li>Alabama, iii, <a href="#Page_830">830</a>.</li> +<li><i>Albany Evening Journal</i>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_282">282</a>.</li> +<li><i>Albany Knickerbocker</i> on woman's rights, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_611">611</a>.</li> +<li><i>Albany Register</i> on woman's rights, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_608">608</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_609">609</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_610">610</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_611">611</a>.</li> +<li><i>Albany Law Journal</i>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_691">691</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_947">947</a>. + <ul><li>—on "our laws," iii, <a href="#Page_94">94</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Alcibiades and the dog, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_103">103</a>.</li> +<li>Alcott, A. Bronson, iii, <a href="#Page_193">193</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—on woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_519">519</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Alcott, Abby May, appeal, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_247">247</a>.</li> +<li>Alcott, Louisa May, letter to Mrs. Stone, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_831">831</a>.</li> +<li>Alexander, Janet, iii, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>.</li> +<li>Allen, Jane, case of, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_592">592</a>.</li> +<li>Allen, Nancy R., argument before Senate Committee, iii, <a href="#Page_160">160</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—legacy, iii, <a href="#Page_624">624</a></li> + <li>—Notary Public, made, iii, <a href="#Page_626">626</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Allen, Sophia Ober, iii, <a href="#Page_502">502</a>.</li> +<li>Almanac, Woman's Rights, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_863">863</a>.</li> +<li>Amberly, Lady, letter to Mrs. P. W. Davis, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_439">439</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">American Equal Rights Association</span>: + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—"colored," the word, discussion, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_214">214</a></li> + <li>—Constitution, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_173">173</a></li> + <li>—Meetings: + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Academy of Music (Brooklyn), ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_398">398</a>,</li> + <li>Church of the Puritans, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_182">182</a>,</li> + <li>Cooper Institute, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_309">309</a>,</li> + <li>Steinway Hall, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_378">378</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—Memorial to Congress, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_226">226</a></li> + <li>—name changed to "Nat. Woman Suffrage Association," ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_400">400</a></li> + <li>—officers, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_174">174</a></li> + <li>—organized, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_173">173</a></li> + <li>—letter of B. F. Wade, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_117">117</a></li> + <li>—report, Susan B. Anthony's, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_183">183</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>American flag, design, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_323">323</a>.</li> +<li><a name="AWSA" id="AWSA"><span class="sc">American Woman Suffrage Association</span></a>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_756">756</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Celebration of Woman Suffrage in New Jersey, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_846">846</a></li> + <li>—constitution of, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_763">763</a></li> + <li>—conventions: + <ul class="IX"> + <li>call for first, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_757">757</a>,</li> + <li>Baltimore, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_820">820</a>,</li> + <li>Brooklyn in Plymouth Church, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_831">831</a>,</li> + <li>Cincinnati, O., <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_854">854</a>,</li> + <li>Cleveland, O., <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_802">802</a>,</li> + <li>Detroit, Mich., <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_834">834</a>,</li> + <li>Indianapolis, Ind., <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_851">851</a>,</li> + <li>Louisville, Ky., <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_861">861</a>,</li> + <li>New York City in Apollo Hall, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_821">821</a>,</li> + <li>in Cooper Institute, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_825">825</a>,</li> + <li>in Steinway Hall, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_809">809</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_840">840</a>,</li> + <li>Philadelphia, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_815">815</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_849">849</a>,</li> + <li>St. Louis, Mo., <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_821">821</a>,</li> + <li>Washington, D. C., <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_819">819</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_858">858</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—letter, circular, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_757">757</a></li> + <li>—members received at the White House by Mrs. Hayes, ii., <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_860">860</a></li> + <li>—memorial to Congress, ii., <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_859">859</a>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>referred to Committee on Territories, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_860">860</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—report of chairman of Executive Committee, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_803">803</a></li> + <li>—resolutions, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_805">805</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_809">809</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_810">810</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_818">818</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_826">826</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_837">837</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_843">843</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_849">849</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_851">851</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_859">859</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Ames, Chas. G., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_271">271</a>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_844">844</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_754">754</a>.</li> +<li>Amnesty, universal, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_315">315</a>.</li> +<li>Amos, Sheldon, on vice, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_796">796</a>.</li> +<li>Anderson, Geo. W., iii, <a href="#Page_699">699</a>.</li> +<li>Andrews, Margaret H., letter to S. J. May, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_531">531</a>.</li> +<li>Angell, John W., iii, <a href="#Page_341">341</a>.</li> +<li>Ann Arbor University, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_541">541</a>.</li> +<li>Annekè, Franceska, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_571">571</a>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_374">374</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_393">393</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—sketch of, iii, <a href="#Page_646">646</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Anniversaries, <i>See <a href="#Conventions">Conventions</a></i>.</li> +<li>Anthony, Daniel, Lucy and Mary, i. <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_461">461</a>.</li> +<li>Anthony, Hon, Henry B., on woman suffrage, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_867">867</a>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_273">273</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Pembina Territory bill, on the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_568">568</a></li> + <li>—Sargent's amendment to the Pembina Territory bill, on, <i>ib.</i></li> + <li>—suffrage on, iii, <a href="#Page_339">339</a></li> + <li>—woman suffrage, his last utterance on, iii, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Anthony</span>, Susan B., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_186">186</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_465">465</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_467">467</a>, +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_986" id="Page_986">[Pg 986]</a></span> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_468">468</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_476">476</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_485">485</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_487">487</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_489">489</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_490">490</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_500">500</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_501">501</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_515">515</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_517">517</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_526">526</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_570">570</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_589">589</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_591">591</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_607">607</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_624">624</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_653">653</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_673">673</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_679">679</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_716">716</a>;<br /> +ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_66">66</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_67">67</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_116">116</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_154">154</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_220">220</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_286">286</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_287">287</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_322">322</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_360">360</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_361">361</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_363">363</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_375">375</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_382">382</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_389">389</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_391">391</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_427">427</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_431">431</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_437">437</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_442">442</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_456">456</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_582">582</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_584">584</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_760">760</a>;<br /> +iii, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, + <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>, + <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a>, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>, + <a href="#Page_412">412</a>, <a href="#Page_502">502</a>, <a href="#Page_560">560</a>, + <a href="#Page_580">580</a>, <a href="#Page_630">630</a>, <a href="#Page_641">641</a>, + <a href="#Page_697">697</a>, <a href="#Page_773">773</a>, <a href="#Page_811">811</a>, + <a href="#Page_819">819</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Abolitionists, and the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_264">264</a></li> + <li>—American Equal Rights Association, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_171">171</a></li> + <li>—appeal for woman rights, 1854, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_856">856</a></li> + <li>—appeal to Congress, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_167">167</a></li> + <li>—argument before Illinois Legislature, iii, <a href="#Page_572">572</a></li> + <li>—argument before Senate Committee, iii, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a></li> + <li>—arrest of, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_628">628</a></li> + <li>—arrest, incidents of, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_539">539</a></li> + <li>—arrest, resolution concerning, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_537">537</a></li> + <li>—birthday celebrated in Indianapolis, iii, <a href="#Page_538">538</a></li> + <li>—"Bloomer," in a, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_128">128</a></li> + <li>—bonnet and Noah's ark, iii, <a href="#Page_522">522</a></li> + <li>—"Bread and Ballot," iii, <a href="#Page_536">536</a></li> + <li>—California visit, iii, <a href="#Page_756">756</a></li> + <li>—call, loyal women, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_53">53</a></li> + <li>—Centennial Exhibition, at the, iii, <a href="#Page_27">27</a></li> + <li>—complimented by Judge Edmunds, iii, <a href="#Page_160">160</a></li> + <li>—Constitutional Convention at Albany, before, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_284">284</a></li> + <li>—corruptionist, as a, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_936">936</a></li> + <li>—Declaration of Rights, reads, at Centennial, iii, <a href="#Page_31">31</a></li> + <li>—delegate to Democratic National Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_340">340</a>,</li> + <li>—comments of the press, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_342">342</a></li> + <li>—Democratic National Convention, at the, iii, <a href="#Page_182">182</a></li> + <li>—<i>feme sole</i> capable of making a contract, iii, <a href="#Page_21">21</a></li> + <li>—Fifteenth Amendment, on the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_340">340</a></li> + <li>—financial report, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_175">175</a></li> + <li>—fugitive wife's escape from an insane asylum, aids, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_469">469</a></li> + <li>—general agent, appointed, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_619">619</a></li> + <li>—Grant and Wilson campaign, appeal, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_517">517</a></li> + <li>—Grant, U. S., conversation with, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_544">544</a></li> + <li>—Iowa, in, iii, <a href="#Page_622">622</a></li> + <li>—Kansas campaign, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_200">200</a>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_239">239</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_254">254</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_261">261</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_262">262</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_263">263</a></li> + <li>—lecture, "False Theory," iii, <a href="#Page_675">675</a></li> + <li>—lecturing tour, Ohio, iii, <a href="#Page_491">491</a></li> + <li>—Letters: Boston Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_256">256</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Brooks, James, to, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_97">97</a></li> + <li>—Carson League, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_488">488</a></li> + <li>—Democratic National Convention, to, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_340">340</a></li> + <li>—Foote, E. B., to, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_941">941</a></li> + <li>—Garfield. Jas. A., to, iii, <a href="#Page_185">185</a></li> + <li>—loyal women, from, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_875">875</a></li> + <li>—Mott, Lydia, to, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_748">748</a></li> + <li>—Stanton, Mrs., to, announcing her having voted, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_934">934</a></li> + <li>—Wright, Martha C, to, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_678">678</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>—Logan, Olive, and, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_385">385</a></li> + <li>—"Male" in the Constitution, on the word, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_91">91</a></li> + <li>—manhood suffrage, on, iii, <a href="#Page_566">566</a></li> + <li>—marriage and divorce, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_735">735</a></li> + <li>—meeting in Rahway, N. J., iii, <a href="#Page_479">479</a></li> + <li>—meetings in Virginia, iii, <a href="#Page_824">824</a></li> + <li>—Michigan campaign, iii, <a href="#Page_522">522</a></li> + <li>—Napoleon of Woman Suffrage, the, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_456">456</a></li> + <li>—Newport Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_403">403</a></li> + <li>—on Mrs. Robert Dale Owen, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_303">303</a></li> + <li>—Oregon visit, iii, <a href="#Page_769">769</a></li> + <li>—police officer, and the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_540">540</a></li> + <li>—portrait, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_577">577</a></li> + <li>—President Mozart Hall Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_668">668</a></li> + <li>—President National Woman Suffrage Association, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_516">516</a></li> + <li>—presentations, iii, <a href="#Page_193">193</a></li> + <li>—reception, Sorosis, iii, <a href="#Page_571">571</a></li> + <li>—registered, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_627">627</a></li> + <li>—reminiscences, Mrs. E. C. Stanton's, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_456">456</a></li> + <li>—report, National Convention, at Cooper Institute, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_689">689</a></li> + <li>—report as secretary of American Equal Rights Association, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_183">183</a></li> + <li>—<i>Revolution</i>, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_46">46</a></li> + <li>—Secretary Loyal League, made, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_66">66</a></li> + <li>—sex, and her, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_112">112</a></li> + <li>—Speeches: Anti-Slavery question, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_898">898</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Congressional Committee, before, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_414">414</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_513">513</a></li> + <li>—first public speech, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_41">41</a></li> + <li>—Furness' Church, in, iii, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></li> + <li>—Is It a Crime for a United States' Citizen to Vote? ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_630">630</a></li> + <li>—Philadelphia Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_385">385</a></li> + <li>—Saratoga Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_621">621</a></li> + <li>—Teachers' Convention, N. Y. State, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_513">513</a></li> + <li>—Temperance Convention, Rochester, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_483">483</a></li> + <li>—Washington Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_423">423</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_521">521</a></li> + <li>—Washington Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_259">259</a></li> + <li>—Woman's National Loyal League, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_61">61</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>—Suffrage, on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_383">383</a></li> + <li>—tableau "Mother and Susan," i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_461">461</a></li> + <li>—Taxation without Representation, on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_539">539</a></li> + <li>—Temperance Convention at Rochester, read call, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_481">481</a></li> + <li>—testimonial, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_534">534</a></li> + <li>—tour, western, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_367">367</a></li> + <li>—tour with Ernestine L. Rose, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_97">97</a></li> + <li>—tracts, Kansas campaign, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_239">239</a></li> + <li>—tracts and petitions, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_383">383</a></li> + <li>—Train, G. F., and <i>The Revolution</i>, criticism, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_264">264</a></li> + <li>—Trial: + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Arrest, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_628">628</a></li> + <li>—argument, Crowley's, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_648">648</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_675">675</a></li> + <li>—argument, Judge Selden's, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_654">654</a></li> + <li>—bail, refused to give, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_629">629</a></li> + <li>—case opened by Judge Selden, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_652">652</a></li> + <li>—Gage, Matilda J., Letter to <i>Albany Law Journal</i>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_947">947</a></li> + <li>—guilty, Court directs a verdict of, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_679">679</a></li> + <li>—Hunt's, Judge, decision, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_677">677</a></li> + <li>—Hunt's decision criticised, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_689">689</a></li> + <li>—Hunt's decision reviewed, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_946">946</a></li> + <li>—incidents, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_537">537</a></li> + <li>—indictment, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_647">647</a></li> + <li>—inspectors of elections, <i>See <a href="#trials_decisions">trials and decisions</a></i></li> + <li>—Jones, B. W., testimony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_650">650</a></li> + <li>—letter from Gerrit Smith, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_941">941</a></li> + <li>—trial, new, denied, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_687">687</a></li> + <li>—trial, new, motion for, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_680">680</a></li> + <li>—opening of, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_647">647</a></li> + <li>—petition to Congress praying for remission of fine, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_698">698</a></li> + <li>—reports, majority and minority, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_701">701</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_711">711</a></li> + <li>—Pound, J. E., testimony ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_653">653</a></li> + <li>—press comments, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_935">935</a></li> + <li>—resolutions concerning, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_537">537</a></li> + <li>—Selden's letter, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_935">935</a></li> + <li>—sentenced to pay a fine of $100, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_687">687</a></li> + <li>—testimony in trial of election inspectors, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_692">692</a></li> + <li>—Washington gossip, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_943">943</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>—Tribute, "Aunt Lottie's," iii, <a href="#Page_41">41</a></li> + <li>—tribute, to Laura C. Haviland, iii, <a href="#Page_532">532</a></li> + <li>—tribute, from <i>The Leavenworth Commercial</i> (Kansas), ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_263">263</a></li> + <li>—tribute to Lucretia Mott, iii, <a href="#Page_189">189</a></li> + <li>—tribute, St. Louis Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_147">147</a></li> + <li>—tribute, Scovill's, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_420">420</a></li> + <li>—visit to Lucretia Mott, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_414">414</a></li> + <li>—voted for <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_987" id="Page_987">[Pg 987]</a></span> Grant for President, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_628">628</a></li> + <li>—letter announcing her having voted, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_934">934</a></li> + <li>—Washington Territory Legislature, hearing before, iii, <a href="#Page_786">786</a></li> + <li>—Wyoming visit, iii, <a href="#Page_734">734</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Anti-Slavery struggle, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_323">323</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_325">325</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_339">339</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_417">417</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Josephine Griffing and Freedman's Bureau, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_29">29</a></li> + <li>—Society reorganized, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_153">153</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Anti-Woman Suffrage Society, iii, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>.</li> +<li>Antonelli's, Cardinal, sacrilegious child, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_788">788</a>.</li> +<li>Appendix, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_801">801</a>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_863">863</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_955">955</a>.</li> +<li>Archer, Stevenson, iii, <a href="#Page_816">816</a>.</li> +<li>Arkansas, iii, <a href="#Page_805">805</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Constitutional Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_806">806</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Arnell's services in Congress, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_489">489</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_491">491</a>.</li> +<li>Arnett, Hannah, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_442">442</a>.</li> +<li>Art and artists, iii, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>.</li> +<li>Ashley, Henry, iii, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>.</li> +<li>Ashley, J. M., speech in Congress, iii, <a href="#Page_495">495</a>.</li> +<li>Astell, Mary, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_30">30</a>.</li> +<li>Attorneys, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_604">604</a>.</li> +<li>Augustine, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_756">756</a>.</li> +<li>Austin, Helen V., sketch of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_312">312</a>.</li> +<li>Austria, iii, <a href="#Page_904">904</a>.</li> +<li>Autograph book, Centennial, iii, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>.</li> +<li>Avery, Alida C., iii, <a href="#Page_719">719</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<h3><a id="IX_B" name="IX_B">B.</a></h3> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Ballard, Anna, iii, <a href="#Page_407">407</a>.</li> +<li>Ballot, the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_168">168</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Sumner on the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_95">95</a></li> + <li>—what is the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_155">155</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><i>Ballot-Box</i>, iii, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>, <a href="#Page_504">504</a>.</li> +<li>Banks, N. P., speech, iii, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>.</li> +<li>Banquet, St. James Hotel, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_441">441</a>.</li> +<li>Bar, admission to the, iii, <a href="#Page_330">330</a>.</li> +<li>Barber, Miss, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_807">807</a>.</li> +<li>Barkaloo, Helena, lawyer, iii, <a href="#Page_404">404</a>.</li> +<li>Barker, Jos., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_114">114</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Pulpit, on the, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_140">140</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Barnum, P. T., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_503">503</a>.</li> +<li>Barstow, Hon. A. C., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_499">499</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—battle-field, services on the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_23">23</a></li> + <li>—letters to Susan B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_916">916</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Barton, Clara, appeal to soldier friends, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_418">418</a>.</li> +<li>Bascom, Emma C, letter to S. B. Anthony, iii, <a href="#Page_647">647</a>.</li> +<li>Batchelder, Mrs. Dr. L. S., on working women, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_389">389</a>.</li> +<li>"Battle Hymn of the Republic," ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_18">18</a>.</li> +<li>Battle of Lexington, commemoration of, iii, <a href="#Page_414">414</a>.</li> +<li>Baxter, Richard, on witchcraft, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_765">765</a>.</li> +<li>Bayard, Thos. F., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_567">567</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_576">576</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_205">205</a>-6.</li> +<li>Beck, Senator, on woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>.</li> +<li>Becker, Lydia E., letters, iii, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_249">249</a>.</li> +<li>Beecher, Catharine E., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_787">787</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_399">399</a>.</li> +<li>Beecher, Edward, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_368">368</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_566">566</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Beecher</span>, Henry Ward, Kansas campaign, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_265">265</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—letter to American Woman Suffrage Association meeting in St. Louis, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_825">825</a></li> + <li>—letter to Lucy Stone, Presidency American Woman Suffrage Association, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_808">808</a></li> + <li>—letter to Washington Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_496">496</a></li> + <li>—President of American Woman Suffrage Association, made, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_764">764</a></li> + <li>—speeches, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_156">156</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_216">216</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_399">399</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_766">766</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_774">774</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_52">52</a></li> + <li>—suffrage, universal, and, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_315">315</a></li> + <li>—Tilton colloquy, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_167">167</a></li> + <li>—Tilton trial, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_789">789</a></li> + <li>—woman's right to vote, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_620">620</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Beecher, Lyman, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_393">393</a>.</li> +<li>Belgium, iii, <a href="#Page_909">909</a>.</li> +<li>Bell, Lydia, iii, <a href="#Page_693">693</a>.</li> +<li>Bell, Dr. T. S., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_862">862</a>.</li> +<li>Bellows, Dr., on woman's rights, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_245">245</a>.</li> +<li>Bennett, Dr. Alice, iii, <a href="#Page_472">472</a>.</li> +<li>Bennett, James Gordon, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_546">546</a>.</li> +<li>Bentham, Jeremy, iii, <a href="#Page_836">836</a>.</li> +<li>Bequests, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_257">257</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_667">667</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_742">742</a>.</li> +<li>Berlin, iii, <a href="#Page_903">903</a>.</li> +<li>Berlin Congress, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_404">404</a>.</li> +<li>Bible, Antoinette L. Brown's points, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_535">535</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—divorce, and, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_213">213</a></li> + <li>—interpolations, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_797">797</a></li> + <li>—revision, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_798">798</a></li> + <li>—woman and the, discussion, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_380">380</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Biggs, Caroline A., letter to S. B. Anthony, iii, <a href="#Page_250">250</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—letter to Rochester Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_120">120</a></li> + <li>—letter to Washington Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_261">261</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Biggs, Emily J., iii, <a href="#Page_702">702</a>.</li> +<li>Bingham, Anson, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_687">687</a>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_461">461</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Biography</span>: Austin, Helen V., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_312">312</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Blake, Lillie D., iii, <a href="#Page_408">408</a></li> + <li>—Barton, Clara, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_23">23</a></li> + <li>—Boyd, Louise V., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_312">312</a></li> + <li>—Brown, Olympia, iii, <a href="#Page_646">646</a></li> + <li>—Clark, Mary T., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_312">312</a></li> + <li>—Colby, Clara B., iii, <a href="#Page_670">670</a></li> + <li>—Collins, Emily, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_88">88</a></li> + <li>—Davis, Paulina Wright, by "E. C. S.", i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_283">283</a></li> + <li>—Duniway, Abigail S., iii, <a href="#Page_768">768</a></li> + <li>—Griffing, Josephine Sophie, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_26">26</a></li> + <li>—Lozier, Clemence, iii, <a href="#Page_411">411</a></li> + <li>—Morrow, Jane, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_313">313</a></li> + <li>—Owen, Mary Robinson, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_313">313</a></li> + <li>—Owen, Robert Dale, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_293">293</a></li> + <li>—Rose, Ernestine, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_95">95</a></li> + <li>—Swank, Emma B., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_313">313</a></li> + <li>—Thomas, Mary F., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_314">314</a></li> + <li>—Underhill, Sarah E., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_313">313</a></li> + <li>—Warren, Mercy Otis, in the Revolution, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_201">201</a></li> + <li>—Way, Amanda M., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_311">311</a></li> + <li>—Wright, Frances, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_35">35</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Bird, Frank W., iii, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>.</li> +<li>Birdsall, Mary B., sketch of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_313">313</a>.</li> +<li>Bittenbender, Ada M., sketch of, iii, <a href="#Page_692">692</a>.</li> +<li>Blackstone on the canon law, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_771">771</a>.</li> +<li><a name="Blackwell" id="Blackwell"><span class="sc">Blackwell</span>, Antoinette L. B.</a>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_760">760</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—letter to Cooper Institute Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_862">862</a></li> + <li>—marriage and divorce, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_723">723</a></li> + <li>—speech at American Woman Suffrage Association meeting in New York, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_841">841</a></li> + <li>—Woman's National Loyal League, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_69">69</a>.</li> + <li>(See <a href="#Brown">Brown, A. L.</a>)</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Blackwell</span>, Elizabeth, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_78">78</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—letter to Emily Collins, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_90">90</a></li> + <li>—letter to Westchester, Pa., Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_831">831</a></li> + <li>—physician, as a, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_94">94</a></li> + <li>—sanitary commission, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_13">13</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_988" id="Page_988">[Pg 988]</a></span><span class="sc">Blackwell</span>, Henry B., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_382">382</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Kansas Campaign, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_235">235</a></li> + <li>—South, on the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_929">929</a></li> + <li>—speech at American Woman Suffrage Association meeting in Steinway Hall, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_811">811</a></li> + <li>—at American Woman Suffrage Association meeting in Cooper Institute, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_830">830</a></li> + <li>—Cleveland Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_126">126</a>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_780">780</a></li> + <li>—President of Am. Woman Suffrage Association, made, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_856">856</a></li> + <li>—<i>Vermont Watchman</i>, on, iii, <a href="#Page_386">386</a></li> + <li>—Woman Suffrage in New Jersey, on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_846">846</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Blake</span>, Lillie Devereux, iii, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>, <a href="#Page_483">483</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Argument before House Committee, iii, <a href="#Page_163">163</a></li> + <li>—sketch of, iii, <a href="#Page_408">408</a></li> + <li>—Dix's Lenten lectures, her reply to, iii, <a href="#Page_436">436</a></li> + <li>—lectures "Woman's Place to-day," iii, <a href="#Page_436">436</a></li> + <li>—Washington Convention '76, iii, <a href="#Page_7">7</a></li> + <li>—Washington Convention, at, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_541">541</a></li> + <li>—Fable, "The Selfish Rats," iii, <a href="#Page_114">114</a></li> + <li>—speech, Battle of Lexington Commemoration, iii, <a href="#Page_414">414</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Blake, S. L., against woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_371">371</a>.</li> +<li>Blaine, Jas. G., iii, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>, <a href="#Page_366">366</a>.</li> +<li>Blair, Henry W., letter to Susan B. Anthony, iii, <a href="#Page_380">380</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Bloomer</span>, Amelia, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_46">46</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—address before Nebraska Legislature, iii, <a href="#Page_672">672</a></li> + <li>—Cleveland National Convention, at, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_128">128</a></li> + <li>—comments on Jane G. Swisshelm, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_844">844</a></li> + <li>—portrait, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_496">496</a></li> + <li>—replies to Senator Gaylord's speech against woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_623">623</a></li> + <li>—speech at Rochester Temperance Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_483">483</a></li> + <li>—work done, iii, <a href="#Page_613">613</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Bloomer costume, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_469">469</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_844">844</a>.</li> +<li>Blunt, Gen., Kansas campaign, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_243">243</a>.</li> +<li>Boarding House Law, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_688">688</a>.</li> +<li>Bodeker, Anna W., iii, <a href="#Page_823">823</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—vote, attempted to, iii, <a href="#Page_824">824</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Bohemia, iii, <a href="#Page_907">907</a>.</li> +<li>Bolton, Sarah Knowles, iii, <a href="#Page_494">494</a>.</li> +<li>Bolton, Sarah T., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_300">300</a>.</li> +<li>Bones, Marietta, address to Dakota Constitutional Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_665">665</a>.</li> +<li>Booth, Mary L., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_624">624</a>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_433">433</a>.</li> +<li><i>Boston Commonwealth</i>, report of fifth Washington Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_543">543</a>.</li> +<li>Boston Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_255">255</a>.</li> +<li><i>Boston Transcript</i>, iii, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>.</li> +<li>Bottsford, Harriette, iii, <a href="#Page_623">623</a>.</li> +<li>Bower, E. S., iii, <a href="#Page_700">700</a>.</li> +<li>Bowles, Ada C., iii, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>.</li> +<li>Bowles, Samuel, letter to Mrs. Hooker, iii, <a href="#Page_325">325</a>.</li> +<li>Boyd, Louise V., sketch of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_312">312</a>.</li> +<li>Bradburn, Geo., address, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_56">56</a>.</li> +<li>Bradlaugh, Charles, speaks in New York for woman suffrage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_842">842</a>.</li> +<li>Bradley, Judge, on the XIV. Amendment, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_457">457</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—opinion, Bradwell case, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_624">624</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Bradstreet, Anne, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_204">204</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_302">302</a>.</li> +<li>Bradwell, Myra, application to Illinois Bar, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_601">601</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—opinion denying, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_609">609</a></li> + <li>—Carpenter's, Matt. H., argument, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_615">615</a></li> + <li>—opinion of Justice Bradley, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_624">624</a></li> + <li>—report of proceedings in Illinois and U. S. Supreme Courts, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_614">614</a></li> + <li>—U. S. Supreme Court decision, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_622">622</a></li> + <li>—writ of error, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_614">614</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Brent, Margaret, first woman in America to claim the right to vote, iii, <a href="#Page_815">815</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Bright</span>, Jacob, iii, <a href="#Page_727">727</a>, <a href="#Page_841">841</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—letter to Mrs. P. W. Davis, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_438">438</a></li> + <li>—municipal franchise bill, secures, iii, <a href="#Page_845">845</a></li> + <li>—became law, iii, <a href="#Page_847">847</a></li> + <li>—Parliament, fails of reelection, iii, <a href="#Page_853">853</a></li> + <li>—speech on woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_849">849</a>, <a href="#Page_873">873</a></li> + <li>—votes for woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_842">842</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Bright, John, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_349">349</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_366">366</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_420">420</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—speech against woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_861">861</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Bright, Wm. H., career of, iii, <a href="#Page_729">729</a>.</li> +<li>Brinkerhoff, Martha H., iii, <a href="#Page_614">614</a>.</li> +<li>British taxation, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_202">202</a>.</li> +<li>Bromwell, H. P. H., iii, <a href="#Page_720">720</a>.</li> +<li>Brooklyn Bridge, iii, <a href="#Page_440">440</a>.</li> +<li>Brooks, James, on woman suffrage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_97">97</a>.</li> +<li>Brooks, Harriet S., sketch of, iii, <a href="#Page_692">692</a>.</li> +<li>Broomall, John H., iii, <a href="#Page_464">464</a>.</li> +<li>Brougham, Lord, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_633">633</a>.</li> +<li><a name="Brown" id="Brown"><span class="sc">Brown</span>, Antoinette L.</a>, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_41">41</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_186">186</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_624">624</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Bible argument, points on the, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_535">535</a></li> + <li>—colleges, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_144">144</a></li> + <li>—on the Half-world's Temperance Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_507">507</a></li> + <li>—pastor, ordained as, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_473">473</a></li> + <li>—portrait, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_449">449</a></li> + <li>—resolutions, Albany Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_593">593</a></li> + <li>—speech at Broadway Tabernacle Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_553">553</a></li> + <li>—Syracuse National Convention, argument, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_524">524</a></li> + <li>—World's Temperance Convention, at the, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_152">152</a>.</li> + <li>(See <a href="#Blackwell">Blackwell, A. L. B.</a>)</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Brown, B. Gratz, speech, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_136">136</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—universal suffrage, on, iii, <a href="#Page_598">598</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Brown, David Paul, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_333">333</a>.</li> +<li>Brown, Martha McClellan, iii, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>.</li> +<li>Brown, Mary Olney, iii, <a href="#Page_767">767</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—argument, her right to vote, iii, <a href="#Page_783">783</a></li> + <li>—vote, attempts to, iii, <a href="#Page_780">780</a>, <a href="#Page_785">785</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Brown</span>, Olympia, iii, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a>, <a href="#Page_301">301</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—discussion with Fred. Douglass, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_311">311</a></li> + <li>—Kansas, in, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_200">200</a>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_239">239</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_240">240</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_241">241</a></li> + <li>—letter to Susan B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_259">259</a></li> + <li>—sketch of, iii, <a href="#Page_646">646</a></li> + <li>—speech at Equal Rights Association anniversary, Cooper Institute, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_309">309</a></li> + <li>—speech before Congressional Committee, iii, <a href="#Page_95">95</a></li> + <li>—speech, Washington Convention, '76, iii, <a href="#Page_7">7</a></li> + <li>—speech at Washington Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_422">422</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Brown, R. T., speech on suffrage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_853">853</a>.</li> +<li>Brown, Sarah A., nominated for office, iii, <a href="#Page_705">705</a>.</li> +<li>Brown, Wm. Wells, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_368">368</a>.</li> +<li>Bruhn, Rosa, letter to Mrs. P. W. Davis, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_439">439</a>.</li> +<li>Buchanan, James, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_204">204</a>.</li> +<li>Buck, J. D., iii, <a href="#Page_511">511</a>.</li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_989" id="Page_989">[Pg 989]</a></span>Buckalew, Senator, speech, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_146">146</a>.</li> +<li>Buckingham, Mrs., iii, <a href="#Page_337">337</a>.</li> +<li>Buckley, Brother, on women as preachers, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_784">784</a>.</li> +<li>Burger, Sarah, iii, <a href="#Page_526">526</a> (see Stearns, S. B.).</li> +<li>Burleigh, Celia, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_402">402</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_790">790</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_801">801</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_817">817</a>.</li> +<li>Burleigh, Charles C., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_549">549</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_558">558</a>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_194">194</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_392">392</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_818">818</a>.</li> +<li>Burnet, Rev. J., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_55">55</a>.</li> +<li>Burnham, Carrie S., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_600">600</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_444">444</a>.</li> +<li>Burns, Anthony, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_254">254</a>.</li> +<li>Burns, Robert, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_266">266</a>.</li> +<li>Burr, Frances Ellen, iii, <a href="#Page_319">319</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—letters to S. B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_912">912</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_334">334</a></li> + <li>—Senate Judiciary Committee, argument before, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_543">543</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Burtis, Sarah Anthony, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_76">76</a>.</li> +<li>Burton, Mary, iii, <a href="#Page_852">852</a>.</li> +<li>Bush, Abigail, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_75">75</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Butler</span>, Benj. F., letters to Susan B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_539">539</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_255">255</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—report on Victoria C. Woodhull's memorial to Congress, ii, <a href="#Page_464">464</a></li> + <li>—speech, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_514">514</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Butler, David, iii, <a href="#Page_691">691</a>.</li> +<li>Butler, Deborah, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_348">348</a>.</li> +<li>Butler, Josephine E., on prostitution, iii, <a href="#Page_145">145</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—vice, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_795">795</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +</ul> + +<h3><a id="IX_C" name="IX_C">C.</a></h3> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Cadwallader, John, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_330">330</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">California</span>, iii, <a href="#Page_749">749</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Appendix, iii, <a href="#Page_977">977</a></li> + <li>—constitution, liberal provisions, <a href="#Page_750">750</a></li> + <li>—constitution and statute-laws, <a href="#Page_760">760</a></li> + <li>—Conventions (<i>see Conventions</i>)</li> + <li>—journalism, <a href="#Page_761">761</a></li> + <li>—Mill's Seminary, <a href="#Page_751">751</a></li> + <li>—petition to Legislature, <a href="#Page_755">755</a></li> + <li>—press, <i>ib.</i></li> + <li>—senator, Mrs. Gordon nominated for, <a href="#Page_756">756</a></li> + <li>—silk culture, <a href="#Page_762">762</a></li> + <li>—State Society organized, <a href="#Page_754">754</a></li> + <li>—woman's lawyer bill, <a href="#Page_757">757</a></li> + <li>—woman suffrage society, first, <a href="#Page_752">752</a></li> + <li>—women made eligible to school offices, <a href="#Page_757">757</a></li> + <li>—women in the industries, <a href="#Page_763">763</a></li> + <li>—women in the State University, contest, <a href="#Page_758">758</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Cameron, Don, iii, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>.</li> +<li>Campbell, Margaret W., iii, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>, <a href="#Page_716">716</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—speech in Detroit, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_839">839</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Campbell, Mary G., iii, <a href="#Page_712">712</a>.</li> +<li>Canada, women's position in, iii, <a href="#Page_831">831</a>.</li> +<li>Canon law, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_755">755</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_769">769</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_770">770</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_771">771</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_774">774</a>.</li> +<li>Carey, Mary A. S., iii, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>.</li> +<li>Carey, Samuel F., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_154">154</a>.</li> +<li>Carpenter Hall, application for, iii, <a href="#Page_16">16</a>.</li> +<li>Carpenter, C. C., letter to Iowa Woman Suffrage Association, iii, <a href="#Page_621">621</a>.</li> +<li>Carpenter, Matt. H., on Sargent's amendment to Pembina Territory bill, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_562">562</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Anthony, Susan B., trial, on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_701">701</a></li> + <li>—argument in Myra Bradwell's application to Illinois Bar, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_615">615</a></li> + <li>—letter to Elizabeth C. Stanton, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_423">423</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Carr, Jeanne, iii, <a href="#Page_751">751</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Carroll</span>, Anna Ella, iii, <a href="#Page_153">153</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—claim before Congress, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_863">863</a></li> + <li>—statement of Benj. F. Wade, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_865">865</a></li> + <li>—letters, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_865">865</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_866">866</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_867">867</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_868">868</a></li> + <li>—Tennessee campaign, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_3">3</a></li> + <li>—Vicksburg, on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_11">11</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Cartter, Mrs. M. M., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_442">442</a>.</li> +<li>Cartter, Chief-Justice, opinion, Spencer-Webster suit, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_597">597</a>.</li> +<li>Cary, Alice and Phœbe, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_433">433</a>.</li> +<li>Catherine II., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_34">34</a>.</li> +<li>Catholic Church, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_207">207</a>.</li> +<li>Cattle expert, Middie Morgan, iii, <a href="#Page_404">404</a>.</li> +<li>Cavender, John H., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_328">328</a>.</li> +<li>Centennial celebration, iii, <a href="#Page_411">411</a>.</li> +<li>Centennial headquarters, iii, <a href="#Page_21">21</a>.</li> +<li>Centennial Tea-Party, iii, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>.</li> +<li>Centennial year, iii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_1">1</a>.</li> +<li>Centralization, iii, <a href="#Page_89">89</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Matilda J. Gage, on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_523">523</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Century Club, Philadelphia, iii, <a href="#Page_469">469</a>.</li> +<li>Chace, Elizabeth B., iii, <a href="#Page_340">340</a>, <a href="#Page_341">341</a>, <a href="#Page_348">348</a>.</li> +<li>Chalkstone, Mrs., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_59">59</a>.</li> +<li>Chamberlain, D. H., favors woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_829">829</a>.</li> +<li>Chambers, Rev. John, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_159">159</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_167">167</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_500">500</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_508">508</a>.</li> +<li>Chandler, Dolly, iii, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>.</li> +<li>Chandler, Z., on Mrs. J. S. Griffing and the freedmen, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_33">33</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Channing</span>, William Henry, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_476">476</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_583">583</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_584">584</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_587">587</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_591">591</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—appeal, woman's rights, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_588">588</a></li> + <li>—resolutions, Rochester Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_580">580</a></li> + <li>—social relations, report on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_233">233</a></li> + <li>—speech at Broadway Tabernacle Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_550">550</a></li> + <li>—Woman's Rights, Declaration, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_129">129</a></li> + <li>—World's Temperance Convention and John Chambers, on the, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_508">508</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_922">922</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Chapin, Augusta, iii, <a href="#Page_276">276</a>.</li> +<li>Chapin, Clara C., iii, <a href="#Page_691">691</a>, <a href="#Page_693">693</a>.</li> +<li>Chapin, E. H., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_476">476</a>.</li> +<li>Chaplain, Mrs. E. F. Hobart, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_18">18</a>.</li> +<li>Chapman, Maria Weston, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_53">53</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—poem, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_82">82</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Chase, Salmon P., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_167">167</a>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_73">73</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_808">808</a>.</li> +<li>Cheever, George B., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_226">226</a>.</li> +<li>Chicago Historical Society, iii, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>.</li> +<li><i>Chicago Inter-Ocean</i>, iii, <a href="#Page_682">682</a>.</li> +<li><i>Chicago Legal News</i>, iii, <a href="#Page_562">562</a>.</li> +<li>Chicago Legal News Company, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_607">607</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Child</span>, Lydia Maria, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_775">775</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—letter to E. C. Stanton, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_910">910</a></li> + <li>—letter to St. Louis Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_825">825</a></li> + <li>—petitions Congress, iii, <a href="#Page_266">266</a></li> + <li>—universal suffrage, on, iii, <a href="#Page_519">519</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Children, guardianship of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_747">747</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—illegitimate, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_760">760</a></li> + <li>—rearing of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_304">304</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Christine of Pisa, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_29">29</a>.</li> +<li>Christlieb, Prof., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_787">787</a>.</li> +<li>Church and State, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_753">753</a>.</li> +<li>Church, Elmwood, Illinois, iii, <a href="#Page_563">563</a>.</li> +<li>Churchill, Elizabeth K., iii, <a href="#Page_371">371</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—woman suffrage, on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_812">812</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Citizenship</span>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_462">462</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_468">468</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_469">469</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_470">470</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_473">473</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_532">532</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_555">555</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_556">556</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_665">665</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Bates, Attorney-General, on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_461">461</a></li> + <li>—Blake, Devereux, on, iii, <a href="#Page_7">7</a></li> + <li>—Curtis, Justice, on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_472">472</a></li> + <li>—Daniel, Justice, on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_471">471</a></li> + <li>—Stanton, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_990" id="Page_990">[Pg 990]</a></span>Elizabeth C., speech on, iii, <a href="#Page_80">80</a></li> + <li>—Taney, Justice, on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_472">472</a></li> + <li>—term defined, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_451">451</a></li> + <li>—Thorbeck, on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_473">473</a></li> + <li>—White, Richard Grant, on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_567">567</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Citizenship, women crowned with rights of, in Wyoming, iii, <a href="#Page_726">726</a>.</li> +<li>Claiborne, F. L., iii, <a href="#Page_795">795</a>.</li> +<li>Clark, Emily, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_489">489</a>.</li> +<li>Clark, Helen Bright, iii, <a href="#Page_874">874</a>.</li> +<li>Clark, Mary T., sketch of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_312">312</a>.</li> +<li>Clark, Sidney, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_363">363</a>.</li> +<li>Clarke, Hannah B., on woman suffrage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_807">807</a>.</li> +<li>Clarke, Jas. Freeman, on suffrage, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_258">258</a>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_768">768</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_266">266</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—speech, New England, Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_263">263</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Clarke, Mary Bayard, iii, <a href="#Page_825">825</a>.</li> +<li>Clarkson, Thomas, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_54">54</a>.</li> +<li>Clay, Mary B., iii, <a href="#Page_818">818</a>.</li> +<li>Clemmer, Mary, letter to S. B. Anthony, iii, <a href="#Page_262">262</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—letter to Senator Wadleigh, iii, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Clergy, charges against, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_135">135</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—celibacy of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_757">757</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Clergymen and corkscrews, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_167">167</a>.</li> +<li>Cleveland, Grover, iii, <a href="#Page_437">437</a>.</li> +<li>Clute, Oscar, on woman suffrage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_770">770</a>.</li> +<li>Cobbe, Francis Power, iii, <a href="#Page_865">865</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—letter to Mrs. P. W. Davis, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_438">438</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Cobden, Jane, iii, <a href="#Page_875">875</a>.</li> +<li>Cobden, Richard, favors woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_835">835</a>.</li> +<li>Coe, Emma R., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_232">232</a>.</li> +<li>Cogswell, Brainard, iii, <a href="#Page_371">371</a>.</li> +<li>Colburn, Catharine A., iii, <a href="#Page_774">774</a>.</li> +<li>Colburn, Mary J., iii, <a href="#Page_650">650</a>.</li> +<li>Colby, Clara Bewick, iii, <a href="#Page_222">222</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—sketch of, iii, <a href="#Page_670">670</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Colby University opened to girls, iii, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>.</li> +<li>Cole, Mrs. Miriam M., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_790">790</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_806">806</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_832">832</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_501">501</a>.</li> +<li>Coleman, Lucy N., speech at Woman's National Loyal League, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_62">62</a>.</li> +<li>Coleridge, Lord, iii, <a href="#Page_844">844</a>.</li> +<li>Colfax, Schuyler, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_181">181</a>.</li> +<li>Colleges, iii, <a href="#Page_399">399</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—women in, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_144">144</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Colleges for women, iii, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>.</li> +<li>College, Woman's, Evanston, Ill., iii, <a href="#Page_578">578</a>.</li> +<li>Collier, Robert Laird, iii, <a href="#Page_567">567</a>.</li> +<li>Collins, Emily, reminiscences of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_88">88</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Miss Sarah Owen's correspondence, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_91">91</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Collins, Jennie, speech at Washington Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_423">423</a>.</li> +<li>Collins, Stacy B., iii, <a href="#Page_482">482</a>.</li> +<li>Collyer, Robert, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_368">368</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_371">371</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_372">372</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—recollections of Lucretia Mott, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_409">409</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_414">414</a></li> + <li>—speech at Chicago, iii, <a href="#Page_565">565</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Colorado</span>: clergy, iii, <a href="#Page_720">720</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Conventions, <i>See <a href="#Conventions">Conventions</a></i></li> + <li>—Desert, great American, iii, <a href="#Page_712">712</a></li> + <li>—equal-rights mass-meeting in Denver, <a href="#Page_722">722</a></li> + <li>—leaders in the cause, <a href="#Page_719">719</a></li> + <li>—legislation, <a href="#Page_714">714</a>, <a href="#Page_715">715</a></li> + <li>—press, <a href="#Page_715">715</a></li> + <li>—suffrage amendment, defeat of, <a href="#Page_723">723</a></li> + <li>—suffrage first effort for, <a href="#Page_712">712</a></li> + <li>—suffrage, Gov. McCook's message, <a href="#Page_713">713</a></li> + <li>—woman suffrage, Gov. Evan's on, <a href="#Page_722">722</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><i>Colorado Tribune</i>, iii, <a href="#Page_715">715</a>.</li> +<li>Columbia College, effort to open to women, iii, <a href="#Page_410">410</a>.</li> +<li>Colvin, N. J., letters to S. B. Anthony, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_691">691</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_750">750</a>; ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_914">914</a>.</li> +<li>Conciliatory amendments, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_527">527</a>.</li> +<li><i>Concord Monitor</i>, iii, <a href="#Page_371">371</a>.</li> +<li>Congress, first Continental, iii, <a href="#Page_17">17</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Elizabeth C. Stanton runs for, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_180">180</a></li> + <li>—Victoria C. Woodhull's memorial, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_443">443</a></li> + <li>—Riddle's speech in support of, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_448">448</a></li> + <li>—House majority report, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_461">461</a></li> + <li>—Minority report, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_464">464</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Congressional Action</span>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_90">90</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Anthony, Senator, speech, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_106">106</a></li> + <li>—arguments before House Committee, iii, <a href="#Page_161">161</a></li> + <li>—arguments before Senate Committee, iii, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li> + <li>—Banks' N. P., speech, iii, <a href="#Page_10">10</a></li> + <li>—Brooks' James, speech, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_96">96</a></li> + <li>—Brown's, Senator, speech, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_136">136</a></li> + <li>—Buckalew's, Senator, speech, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_146">146</a></li> + <li>—Butler's, Benj., speech, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_514">514</a></li> + <li>—Committee, special, House appoints, iii, <a href="#Page_221">221</a></li> + <li>—Committee, special, on woman suffrage, Senate discussion, iii, <a href="#Page_198">198</a></li> + <li>—Committee, special, on woman suffrage, House discussion, iii, <a href="#Page_219">219</a></li> + <li>—Committee, standing, Senate discussion, iii, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> + <li>—Cowan, Senator, speech, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_110">110</a></li> + <li>—Cowan repels the charge of insincerity, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_121">121</a></li> + <li>—Davis's Senator, speech, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_144">144</a></li> + <li>—Debate, Senate and House, iii, <a href="#Page_70">70</a></li> + <li>—Democrats and the petitions, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_95">95</a></li> + <li>—District of Columbia suffrage bill, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_103">103</a></li> + <li>—vote, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_151">151</a></li> + <li>—District of Columbia bill, Julian's amendment, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_482">482</a></li> + <li>—Doolittle, Senator, speech against, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_150">150</a></li> + <li>—electors, who constitute, House debates, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_326">326</a></li> + <li>—female employées, iii, <a href="#Page_811">811</a></li> + <li>—Frelinghuysen's, Senator, speech, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_135">135</a></li> + <li>—hearing before Senate Committee, iii, <a href="#Page_227">227</a></li> + <li>—Henderson, Senator, presents Mrs. Gerrit Smith's petition with a speech, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_98">98</a></li> + <li>—House discussion, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_514">514</a></li> + <li>—Johnson's, Senator, speech, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_130">130</a></li> + <li>—joint resolutions before House affecting women, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_72">72</a></li> + <li>—Julian's bills, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_325">325</a></li> + <li>—Morrill's, Senator, speech, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_118">118</a></li> + <li>—National Association granted hearing, iii, <a href="#Page_75">75</a></li> + <li>—Negro's hour, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_94">94</a></li> + <li>—Parker's bill, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_516">516</a></li> + <li>—Pembina Territory bill, debate on, Sargent's amendment, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_545">545</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>am't rejected, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_582">582</a>;</li> + <li>Anthony's remarks, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_568">568</a>;</li> + <li>Bayard's remarks, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_567">567</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_575">575</a>;</li> + <li>Boreman's remarks, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_549">549</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_580">580</a>;</li> + <li>Carpenter's remarks, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_562">562</a>;</li> + <li>Conkling's remarks, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_558">558</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_559">559</a>;</li> + <li>Edmund's remarks, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_562">562</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_569">569</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_571">571</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_572">572</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_573">573</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_580">580</a>;</li> + <li>Ferry's remarks, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_568">568</a>;</li> + <li>Flanagan's remarks, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_552">552</a>;</li> + <li>Merrimon's remarks, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_552">552</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_553">553</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_554">554</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_555">555</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_556">556</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_557">557</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_560">560</a>;</li> + <li>Morrill's remarks, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_562">562</a>;</li> + <li>Morton's remarks, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_549">549</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_569">569</a>;</li> + <li>Sargent's remarks, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_546">546</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_555">555</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_564">564</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_567">567</a>;</li> + <li>Stewart's remarks, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_991" id="Page_991">[Pg 991]</a></span><a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_548">548</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_558">558</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_559">559</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_564">564</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_573">573</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_579">579</a>.</li> + <li>Petition, iii, <a href="#Page_9">9</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—petition read and referred, iii, <a href="#Page_130">130</a></li> + <li>—petition, Rhode Island, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_560">560</a></li> + <li>—petition for universal suffrage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_97">97</a></li> + <li>—petitions against the word "male" in Constitution, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_91">91</a></li> + <li>—Pomeroy's, Senator, resolution, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_324">324</a></li> + <li>—Pomeroy's, Senator, speech, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_151">151</a></li> + <li>—Report, first favorable majority, iii, <a href="#Page_231">231</a></li> + <li>—report, first favorable, Senate, iii, <a href="#Page_131">131</a></li> + <li>—report, minority, iii, <a href="#Page_237">237</a></li> + <li>—reports on Victoria C. Woodhull's memorial, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_461">461</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_464">464</a></li> + <li>—reports, iii, <a href="#Page_150">150</a></li> + <li>—Republicans' protest in presenting petitions, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_94">94</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_96">96</a></li> + <li>—Republicans, squirming of, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_101">101</a></li> + <li>—resolution to appoint special committee, iii, <a href="#Page_175">175</a></li> + <li>—Sargent, Senator, speech, iii, <a href="#Page_9">9</a></li> + <li>—Sixteenth Amendment, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_333">333</a></li> + <li>—Sixteenth Amendment, resolutions, iii, <a href="#Page_154">154</a></li> + <li>—Stevens', Thaddeus, resolution, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_95">95</a></li> + <li>—Sumner, Charles, presents a petition under protest, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_96">96</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>why he protested, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_100">100</a>.</li> + <li>Wade, Benj. F., speech, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_123">123</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—Williams, Senator, speech against, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_108">108</a></li> + <li>—Wilson's, Senator, bill, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_324">324</a></li> + <li>—Wilson's, Senator, speech, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_128">128</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Conkling, Roscoe, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_363">363</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—on Senator McDonald's Woman Suffrage resolution, iii, <a href="#Page_191">191</a></li> + <li>—talk with, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_347">347</a></li> + <li>—Senator Stewart and woman suffrage, on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_558">558</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Connecticut, iii, <a href="#Page_316">316</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Appendix, iii, <a href="#Page_957">957</a></li> + <li>—Bar, admission to the, iii, <a href="#Page_330">330</a></li> + <li>—Legislature, minority report, iii, <a href="#Page_317">317</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Constitution, Story on the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_477">477</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_478">478</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_588">588</a>.</li> +<li>Constitution and suffrage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_741">741</a>.</li> +<li>Continental Europe, iii, <a href="#Page_895">895</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc"><a id="Conventions" name="Conventions">Conventions</a></span>: American Woman Suffrage Association (<i>See <a href="#AWSA">Am. Woman Suffrage Association</a></i>) + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—barn, in a, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_123">123</a></li> + <li>—<i>California</i>, San Francisco, iii, <a href="#Page_753">753</a>, <a href="#Page_760">760</a></li> + <li>—<i>Connecticut</i>, Hartford, iii, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_322">322</a></li> + <li>—<i>Colorado</i>, Denver, iii, <a href="#Page_716">716</a>, <a href="#Page_720">720</a></li> + <li>—<i>Illinois</i>, Bloomington, iii, <a href="#Page_572">572</a>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Chicago, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_368">368</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>, <a href="#Page_565">565</a>, <a href="#Page_570">570</a>;</li> + <li>Galena, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_375">375</a>;</li> + <li>Springfield, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_371">371</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_570">570</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>—<i>Indiana</i>, Dublin, Wayne Co., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_306">306</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Indianapolis, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_307">307</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>, <a href="#Page_534">534</a>, <a href="#Page_537">537</a>;</li> + <li>Richmond, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_307">307</a>;</li> + <li>Winchester, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_308">308</a>;</li> + </ul></li> + <li>—<i>Iowa</i>, Des Moines, iii, <a href="#Page_618">618</a>, <a href="#Page_623">623</a>, <a href="#Page_624">624</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Mount Pleasant, iii, <a href="#Page_617">617</a>;</li> + <li>Ottumwa, iii, <a href="#Page_624">624</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>—<i>Kansas</i>, Topeka, iii, <a href="#Page_702">702</a>, <a href="#Page_709">709</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Salina, iii, <a href="#Page_709">709</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>—London, first ever held, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_406">406</a></li> + <li>—Loyalists' ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_329">329</a></li> + <li>—<i>Maine</i>, Augusta, iii, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>, <a href="#Page_363">363</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Portland, iii, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_352">352</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—<i>Massachusetts</i>, Boston, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_178">178</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_192">192</a></li> + <li>—Worcester (Nat.), i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_215">215</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_266">266</a></li> + <li>—<i>Michigan</i>, Detroit, iii, <a href="#Page_516">516</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Grand Rapids, iii, <a href="#Page_530">530</a>;</li> + <li>Lansing, iii, <a href="#Page_519">519</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—<i>Minnesota</i>, Minneapolis, iii, <a href="#Page_659">659</a></li> + <li>—<i>Missouri</i>, St. Louis, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_369">369</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_407">407</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_601">601</a>, <a href="#Page_606">606</a></li> + <li>—National, in 1866-67, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>report by Caroline H. Dall, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_899">899</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—<i>Nebraska</i>, Kearney, iii, <a href="#Page_688">688</a> <a href="#Page_694">694</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Norfolk, iii, <a href="#Page_689">689</a>;</li> + <li>Omaha, iii, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>, <a href="#Page_687">687</a>, <a href="#Page_690">690</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—New England, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_254">254</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_262">262</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_267">267</a></li> + <li>—<i>New Hampshire</i>, Concord, iii, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>, <a href="#Page_368">368</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Dover, iii, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>;</li> + <li>Keene, <i>ib.</i>;</li> + <li>New Haven, <i>ib.</i></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—<i>New Jersey</i>, Vineland, iii, <a href="#Page_479">479</a></li> + <li>—<i>New York</i>, Albany, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_591">591</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_628">628</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_678">678</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_745">745</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Rochester, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_577">577</a>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>press comments, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_802">802</a>;</li> + </ul></li> + <li>Rochester, iii, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>;</li> + <li>Saratoga, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_402">402</a>;</li> + <li>Burleigh's, Celia, description, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_402">402</a>;</li> + <li>Saratoga, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_620">620</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_623">623</a>;</li> + <li>Saratoga, iii, <a href="#Page_396">396</a>;</li> + <li>Seneca Falls, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_67">67</a>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>press comments, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_802">802</a>;</li> + </ul></li> + <li>Syracuse (Nat.), i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_517">517</a>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>press comments i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_852">852</a></li> + </ul></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—New York Constitutional, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_269">269</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_282">282</a></li> + <li>—New York City, Apollo Hall, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_427">427</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_484">484</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_533">533</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Broadway Tabernacle i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_631">631</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_546">546</a>;</li> + <li>Church of the Puritans (Nat.), <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_152">152</a>;</li> + <li>Cooper Institute (Nat.), i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_688">688</a>;</li> + <li>Irving Hall, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_426">426</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_545">545</a>;</li> + <li>Masonic Temple, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_584">584</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>;</li> + <li>Mozart Hall (Nat.), i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_668">668</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_672">672</a>;</li> + <li>Steinway Hall, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_809">809</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—<i>Ohio</i>, Akron, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_111">111</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Cincinnati (Nat.), i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_163">163</a>;</li> + <li>Cincinnati, iii, <a href="#Page_492">492</a>;</li> + <li>Cleveland (Nat.), i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_124">124</a>;</li> + <li>Cleveland, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_757">757</a>;</li> + <li>Dayton, iii, <a href="#Page_493">493</a>;</li> + <li>Massilon, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_123">123</a>;</li> + <li>Salem, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_103">103</a>;</li> + <li>Toledo, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_377">377</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_506">506</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + <li>—<i>Oregon</i>, Portland, iii, <a href="#Page_773">773</a></li> + <li>—Paris, International, iii, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_585">585</a>, <a href="#Page_896">896</a></li> + <li>—<i>Pennsylvania</i>, Philadelphia, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_375">375</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Westchester, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_350">350</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—<i>Rhode Island</i>, Newport, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_403">403</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Providence, iii, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_340">340</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—<i>South Carolina</i>, Columbia, iii, <a href="#Page_828">828</a></li> + <li>—<i>Vermont</i>, Montpelier, iii, <a href="#Page_385">385</a></li> + <li>—<i>Washington Ter.</i>, Walla Walla, iii, <a href="#Page_775">775</a></li> + <li>—Washington, D. C., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_345">345</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_356">356</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_359">359</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_416">416</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_418">418</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_425">425</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_417">417</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_442">442</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_493">493</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_521">521</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_537">537</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_538">538</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_543">543</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_582">582</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_3">3</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_221">221</a>, <a href="#Page_254">254</a></li> + <li>—<i>Wisconsin</i>, Janesville, iii, <a href="#Page_642">642</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Madison, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_374">374</a>;</li> + <li>Milwaukee, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_374">374</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_640">640</a>;</li> + <li>Racine, iii, <a href="#Page_645">645</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + </ul></li> +<li>Conventions, Constitutional, Kansas, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_189">189</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Massachusetts, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_253">253</a></li> + <li>—New York, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_267">267</a></li> + <li>—Ohio, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_105">105</a></li> + <li>—Pennsylvania, iii, <a href="#Page_465">465</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Conventions held in Washington, why, iii, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>.</li> +<li>Cooper, Edward, against woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_422">422</a>.</li> +<li>Cooper, Joseph, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_447">447</a>.</li> +<li>Cooper, Peter, iii, <a href="#Page_399">399</a>.</li> +<li>"Copperheads," going over to the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_320">320</a>.</li> +<li>Corbin, Hannah Lee, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_33">33</a>.</li> +<li>Cornell, A. B., iii, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>, <a href="#Page_423">423</a>.</li> +<li>Cornell, University, iii, <a href="#Page_398">398</a>.</li> +<li>Corner, Mary T., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_122">122</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_810">810</a>.</li> +<li>Correll, E. M., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_862">862</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_691">691</a>.</li> +<li>Correspondence, <i>See <a href="#Letters">Letters</a></i>.</li> +<li>Corson, Hiram, letter to Susan B. Anthony, iii, <a href="#Page_472">472</a>.</li> +<li>Courtney, Leonard, iii, <a href="#Page_862">862</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Couzins</span>, Phœbe W., iii, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_370">370</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—address, "Woman as a Lawyer," ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_542">542</a></li> + <li>—argument before House Committee, iii, <a href="#Page_170">170</a></li> + <li>—delegate to National Democratic <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_992" id="Page_992">[Pg 992]</a></span>Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_27">27</a></li> + <li>—Labors of, iii, <a href="#Page_596">596</a></li> + <li>—reception, iii, <a href="#Page_610">610</a></li> + <li>—Senate Judiciary Committee, argument before, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_543">543</a></li> + <li>—Speeches: + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Centennial, iii, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>,</li> + <li>St. Louis Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>;</li> + <li>Washington Convention, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>;</li> + <li>Woman Suffrage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_387">387</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + </ul></li> +<li>Couzins, Mrs. J. E. D., as a nurse, iii, <a href="#Page_596">596</a>.</li> +<li>Covenant, Ladies' National, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_39">39</a>.</li> +<li>Cowan, Senator, speech on District of Columbia suffrage bill, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_110">110</a>.</li> +<li>Cowles, Betsey M., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_104">104</a>.</li> +<li>Cox, Rt. Rev. Dr., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_782">782</a>.</li> +<li>Crandall, Prudence, iii, <a href="#Page_316">316</a>, <a href="#Page_560">560</a>, <a href="#Page_703">703</a>.</li> +<li>Craven, Rev. E. A., on Woman in the Pulpit, iii, <a href="#Page_485">485</a>.</li> +<li>Crawford, S. J., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_251">251</a>.</li> +<li>Cromwellian era, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_775">775</a>.</li> +<li>Crosby, Howard, letter to Mrs. M. J. Gage, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_798">798</a>.</li> +<li>Crow, Wayman, iii, <a href="#Page_595">595</a>.</li> +<li>Crowley, Richard, argument Miss Anthony's trial, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_648">648</a>.</li> +<li>"Crown and Anchor," i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_438">438</a>.</li> +<li>Culver, Hon. Erastus D., speech at Cooper Institute Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_709">709</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Curtis</span>, Geo. Wm., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_668">668</a>; ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_378">378</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_440">440</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—speech on woman suffrage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_795">795</a></li> + <li>—speech, Constitutional Convention at Albany, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_288">288</a></li> + <li>—suffrage for women, favors, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_672">672</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Cushman, Major Pauline, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_20">20</a>.</li> +<li>Cutler, Hannah M. T., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_380">380</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_384">384</a>; ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_773">773</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_788">788</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_809">809</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_818">818</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_823">823</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_853">853</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_561">561</a>, <a href="#Page_614">614</a>, <a href="#Page_675">675</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<h3><a id="IX_D" name="IX_D">D.</a></h3> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Dahlgren, Madeleine, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_494">494</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_495">495</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Dakota</span>, iii, <a href="#Page_662">662</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—address to women of, M. J. Gage's, iii, <a href="#Page_663">663</a></li> + <li>—Constitutional Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_664">664</a></li> + <li>—Legislative action, iii, <a href="#Page_662">662</a></li> + <li>—school suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_663">663</a>, <a href="#Page_666">666</a></li> + <li>—suffrage bill passed Legislature, iii, <a href="#Page_667">667</a></li> + <li>—vetoed, iii, <a href="#Page_667">667</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Dall</span>, Caroline H., "Drawing-room Convention," i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_276">276</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—lectures, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_262">262</a></li> + <li>—letter to <i>The Nation</i>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_101">101</a></li> + <li>—petition, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_262">262</a></li> + <li>—reports National Conventions held in '66 and '67, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_899">899</a></li> + <li>—speech, New England Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_265">265</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Dana, Richard H., on womanhood, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_367">367</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—woman suffrage, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_41">41</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Darlington, Hannah M., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_349">349</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—letter to Mrs. E. C. Stanton, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_344">344</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Darrah, Lydia, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_321">321</a>.</li> +<li>Dartmouth College case, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_725">725</a>.</li> +<li>Daughters of Liberty, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_203">203</a>.</li> +<li>Davis, Senator, speech against woman suffrage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_144">144</a>.</li> +<li>Davis, Edward M., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_358">358</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_462">462</a>.</li> +<li>Davis, Jefferson, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_542">542</a>.</li> +<li>Davis, J. J., iii, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>.</li> +<li><a name="Davis" id="Davis">Davis, Mary F.</a>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_390">390</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_791">791</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_480">480</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Davis</span>, Paulina Wright, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_46">46</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_823">823</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—colored women on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_391">391</a></li> + <li>—death of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_827">827</a></li> + <li>—Fifteenth Amendment, on the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_336">336</a></li> + <li>—portrait, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_273">273</a></li> + <li>—President, made, Boston Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_255">255</a></li> + <li>—President, made, Worcester convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_221">221</a></li> + <li>—President, made, Worcester National Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_227">227</a></li> + <li>—reminiscences of, Elizabeth Cady Stanton's, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_283">283</a></li> + <li>—speech, Boston Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_256">256</a></li> + <li>—speech, Syracuse National Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_533">533</a></li> + <li>—<i>The Una</i>, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_246">246</a></li> + <li>—woman's rights movement, review of, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_428">428</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Deaths, Mrs. Dall's report, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_905">905</a>.</li> +<li>Decisions and Trials, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_586">586</a>.</li> +<li>Declaration, Channing's, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_129">129</a>.</li> +<li>Declaration of sentiments, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_70">70</a>.</li> +<li>Declaration and pledge, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_486">486</a>.</li> +<li>DeFoe, Daniel, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_29">29</a>.</li> +<li>Delaware, iii, <a href="#Page_817">817</a>.</li> +<li>Democrats advocated woman suffrage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_320">320</a>.</li> +<li>Denmark, iii, <a href="#Page_914">914</a>.</li> +<li>Dentistry, Lucy B. Hobbs, iii, <a href="#Page_401">401</a>, <a href="#Page_455">455</a>.</li> +<li>Dentistry, women in, iii, <a href="#Page_452">452</a>.</li> +<li>Deroine, Jeanne, address to women of America, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_234">234</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Dickinson</span>, Anna E., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_375">375</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>, <a href="#Page_811">811</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—California, in, iii, <a href="#Page_752">752</a></li> + <li>—Chicago Convention, at, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_368">368</a></li> + <li>—Fifteenth Amendment, her suggestion, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_227">227</a></li> + <li>—letter to Susan B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_916">916</a></li> + <li>—speech, Chicago, iii, <a href="#Page_567">567</a></li> + <li>—speeches, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_40">40</a></li> + <li>—tribute, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_433">433</a></li> + <li>—"Young Elephant," ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_42">42</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Dilke, Sir Charles, iii, <a href="#Page_847">847</a>.</li> +<li>Dimock, Susan, tribute, iii, <a href="#Page_827">827</a>.</li> +<li>Dinsmoor, Orpha C., sketch of, iii, <a href="#Page_693">693</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">District of Columbia</span>, iii, <a href="#Page_808">808</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Conventions (see Conventions);</li> + <li>—Miner Normal School, iii, <a href="#Page_809">809</a></li> + <li>—Organic Act, iii, <a href="#Page_812">812</a></li> + <li>—suffrage bill, iii, <a href="#Page_809">809</a>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_482">482</a></li> + <li>—Universal Franchise Association, iii, <a href="#Page_809">809</a></li> + <li>—women admitted to District bar, iii, <a href="#Page_812">812</a></li> + <li>—women in government departments, iii, <a href="#Page_808">808</a></li> + <li>—women in the profession of medicine, iii, <a href="#Page_812">812</a></li> + <li>—women writers and teachers, iii, <a href="#Page_813">813</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Disraeli on woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_839">839</a>.</li> +<li>Dix, Dorothea, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_479">479</a>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_12">12</a>.</li> +<li>Dix, John A., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_530">530</a>.</li> +<li>Dix, Morgan, Lenten lectures, iii, <a href="#Page_436">436</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Mrs. Blake's reply, iii, <a href="#Page_436">436</a></li> + <li>—coëducation, on, iii, <a href="#Page_410">410</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Divorce (see Marriage and Divorce).</li> +<li>Dodge, Mary Mapes, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_49">49</a>.</li> +<li>Dolph, J. N., iii, <a href="#Page_778">778</a>.</li> +<li>Doolittle's, Senator, speech against woman suffrage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_150">150</a>.</li> +<li>Dorsett, Martha Angle, lawyer, iii, <a href="#Page_660">660</a>.</li> +<li>Dorsey, Sarah A., iii, <a href="#Page_794">794</a>, <a href="#Page_807">807</a>.</li> +<li>Doud, Katharine R., iii, <a href="#Page_645">645</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Douglas, Frederick</span>, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_584">584</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_585">585</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_587">587</a>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_391">391</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—discussion with Olympia Brown, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_311">311</a></li> + <li>—Fifteenth <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_993" id="Page_993">[Pg 993]</a></span>Amendment, on the origin of, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_326">326</a></li> + <li>—Kansas campaign, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_265">265</a></li> + <li>—letter to Elizabeth Cady Stanton, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_328">328</a></li> + <li>—Loyalists' Convention, delegate, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_329">329</a></li> + <li>—refuge in Mrs. E. C. Stanton's house, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_382">382</a></li> + <li>—<i>Revolution</i>, on the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_382">382</a></li> + <li>—wolf-skins, in, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_377">377</a></li> + <li>—speech, Washington Convention '76, iii, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Douglass, Sarah M., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_332">332</a>.</li> +<li>Douglass, Stephen A., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_263">263</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_301">301</a>.</li> +<li>Dow, Neal, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_154">154</a>.</li> +<li>Downing, Geo. T., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_214">214</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_215">215</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_377">377</a>.</li> +<li>Downing, Lucy, iii, <a href="#Page_296">296</a>.</li> +<li>Downs, Cora M., made a Regent, iii, <a href="#Page_706">706</a>.</li> +<li>Doyle, Sarah E. H., iii, <a href="#Page_344">344</a>.</li> +<li>Draper, E. D., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_242">242</a>.</li> +<li>Dresser, Horace, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_952">952</a>.</li> +<li>Duchess of Sutherland, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_421">421</a>.</li> +<li>Dugdale, Jos. A., on wills, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_357">357</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Duniway</span>, Abigail Scott, arrest of, ordered, iii, <a href="#Page_774">774</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—career, iii, <a href="#Page_768">768</a></li> + <li>—egged at Jacksonville, Oregon, iii, <a href="#Page_775">775</a></li> + <li>—Constitutional liberty, on, <i>ib.</i></li> + <li>—lecturing tour, iii, <a href="#Page_769">769</a></li> + <li>—temperance meeting, at a, iii, <a href="#Page_772">772</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +</ul> + +<h3><a id="IX_E" name="IX_E">E.</a></h3> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Eaglesfield, Elizabeth, iii, <a href="#Page_549">549</a>.</li> +<li>Earl, Sarah H., tribute, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_217">217</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—President New England Convention, made, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_254">254</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Eastman, Mary F., speeches, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_829">829</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_840">840</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_845">845</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_854">854</a>.</li> +<li>Ecclesine, Thos. C, iii, <a href="#Page_420">420</a>.</li> +<li>Eddy, Eliza F., will case, iii, <a href="#Page_312">312</a>.</li> +<li>Edgerton, A. J., on woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_666">666</a>.</li> +<li>Editor, first colored, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_91">91</a>.</li> +<li>Editors, opinions of three liberal, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_227">227</a>.</li> +<li>Editors interviewed, iii, <a href="#Page_623">623</a>.</li> +<li>Edmunds, Senator, on State rights and suffrage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_561">561</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_569">569</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_570">570</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_571">571</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_572">572</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_573">573</a>. <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_580">580</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—woman suffrage, on, iii <a href="#Page_70">70</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Education, Mrs. Dall's report, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_900">900</a>.</li> +<li>Education, compulsory, iii, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>.</li> +<li>Education, equal, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_909">909</a>.</li> +<li>Educational movement, iii, <a href="#Page_398">398</a>.</li> +<li>Eggleston, Edward, on woman suffrage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_810">810</a>.</li> +<li>Eldridge, Edward, iii, <a href="#Page_781">781</a>.</li> +<li>Electors, qualification of, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_272">272</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_463">463</a>-4.</li> +<li>Eliot, Rev. Wm. G., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_171">171</a>.</li> +<li>Elizabeth, Queen, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_30">30</a>.</li> +<li>Ellsworth, Bertha H., iii, <a href="#Page_700">700</a>.</li> +<li>Elstob, Elizabeth, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_30">30</a>.</li> +<li>Emancipation Petition, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_78">78</a>.</li> +<li>Emerson, on Power of Human Mind, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_427">427</a>.</li> +<li>Episcopal restrictions, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_785">785</a>.</li> +<li>Essex County Society, iii, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>.</li> +<li>Estabrook, Prof., speech for woman suffrage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_839">839</a>.</li> +<li>"Eumenes", i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_451">451</a>.</li> +<li>Evans, L. D., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_10">10</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_801">801</a>.</li> +<li>Evarts, Wm. M., upon woman's subordination, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_789">789</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_53">53</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<h3><a id="IX_F" name="IX_F">F.</a></h3> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Fable, "The Selfish Rats," iii, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>.</li> +<li>Fales, Mrs. I. C, speech on suffrage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_851">851</a>.</li> +<li>Fairchild, Governor, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_375">375</a>.</li> +<li>Faithful, Emily, letter to Mrs. P. W. Davis, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_440">440</a>.</li> +<li>Farnham, Eliza W., iii, <a href="#Page_750">750</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—speech at Mozart Hall, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_669">669</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_750">750</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Ferrin, Mary Upton, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_209">209</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_289">289</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—speech before Judiciary Committee, Massachusetts Legislature, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_212">212</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Ferry, Thos. W., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_568">568</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>on the Pembrina Territory bill, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_568">568</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Feudalism, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_761">761</a>-3.</li> +<li>Flanagan, Senator, on Sargent's amendment to Pembrina Territory bill, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_552">552</a>.</li> +<li>Florida, iii, <a href="#Page_829">829</a>.</li> +<li>Field, Anna C, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_398">398</a>.</li> +<li>Field, David Dudley, iii, <a href="#Page_647">647</a>.</li> +<li>Field, Kate, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_620">620</a>.</li> +<li>Fields, Jas. T., letter to H. B. Blackwell, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_838">838</a>.</li> +<li>Fifteenth Amendment, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_314">314</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_327">327</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_333">333</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_334">334</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_335">335</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_336">336</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_337">337</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_387">387</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_455">455</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_463">463</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_478">478</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_479">479</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_502">502</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_503">503</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_556">556</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_557">557</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_569">569</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_616">616</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_618">618</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_619">619</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_641">641</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_642">642</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_663">663</a>.</li> +<li>Filley, Mary Powers, iii, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_380">380</a>.</li> +<li>Foeking, Emilie, iii, <a href="#Page_816">816</a>.</li> +<li>Foley, Margaret, iii, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>.</li> +<li>Folger, Chas. J., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_750">750</a>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_271">271</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_801">801</a>.</li> +<li>Folsom, Marianna, iii, <a href="#Page_703">703</a>.</li> +<li>Foltz, Clara S., iii, <a href="#Page_757">757</a>.</li> +<li>Foote, Samuel A., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_629">629</a>.</li> +<li>Forbes, Arathusa L., iii, <a href="#Page_596">596</a>.</li> +<li>Ford, Jennie G., iii, <a href="#Page_693">693</a>.</li> +<li>Forney, John W., on women and hospital clinics, iii, <a href="#Page_450">450</a>.</li> +<li>Foster, Abby Kelly, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_134">134</a>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_216">216</a>.</li> +<li>Foster, J. Ellen, iii, <a href="#Page_536">536</a>.</li> +<li>Foster, Julia, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_301">301</a>.</li> +<li>Foster, Rachel, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_391">391</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_474">474</a>.</li> +<li>Foster, Stephen S., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_141">141</a>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_381">381</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_372">372</a>.</li> +<li>Fourteenth Amendment, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_313">313</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_315">315</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_323">323</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_324">324</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_327">327</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_407">407</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_411">411</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_412">412</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_422">422</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_455">455</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_457">457</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_461">461</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_463">463</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_468">468</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_478">478</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_479">479</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_499">499</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_500">500</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_501">501</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_502">502</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_503">503</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_556">556</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_586">586</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_590">590</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_593">593</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_595">595</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_596">596</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_619">619</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_617">617</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_618">618</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_619">619</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_621">621</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_622">622</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_624">624</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_625">625</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_626">626</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_641">641</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_642">642</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_663">663</a>.</li> +<li>Fox, Charles James, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_453">453</a>.</li> +<li>Fox, W. J., on women in politics, iii, <a href="#Page_836">836</a>.</li> +<li>Fowler, Lydia F., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_178">178</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_478">478</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_491">491</a>.</li> +<li>France, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_202">202</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—agitation in, address of Pauline Roland and Jeanne Deroine, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_234">234</a></li> + <li>—international woman's rights congress, iii, <a href="#Page_896">896</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>"Frank Miller," ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_19">19</a>.</li> +<li>Franklin, Benjamin, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_324">324</a>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_244">244</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_475">475</a>.</li> +<li>Franklin, William, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_441">441</a>.</li> +<li>Freedmen's Relief Association, Mrs. J. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_994" id="Page_994">[Pg 994]</a></span>S. Griffing, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_26">26</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Josephine Griffing's letter to Lucretia Mott, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_869">869</a></li> + <li>—letters on the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_45">45</a></li> + <li>—originator of, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_38">38</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Freeland, Margaret, arrest of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_475">475</a>.</li> +<li>Frelinghuysen, F. G., speech, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_135">135</a>.</li> +<li>Fremont, Jessie B., letter to Susan B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_911">911</a>.</li> +<li>Fremont, Jno. C., Presidential campaign, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_651">651</a>.</li> +<li>French, Charlotte Olney, iii, <a href="#Page_784">784</a>.</li> +<li>Frothingham, O. B., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_186">186</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_248">248</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_380">380</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_545">545</a>.</li> +<li>Fry, Elizabeth, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_479">479</a>.</li> +<li>Fry, Elizabeth, and Lucretia Mott, i. <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_423">423</a>.</li> +<li>Frye, Wm. P., iii, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>, <a href="#Page_366">366</a>.</li> +<li>Fuller, Margaret, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_801">801</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>.</li> +<li>Fulton, W. C., iii, <a href="#Page_776">776</a>.</li> +<li>Furness' church, iii, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<h3><a id="IX_G" name="IX_G">G.</a></h3> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li><span class="sc">Gage</span>, Frances Dana, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_114">114</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_116">116</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_561">561</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Cleveland Convention, at, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_124">124</a></li> + <li>—lectures in Iowa, iii, <a href="#Page_613">613</a></li> + <li>—letter to American Woman Suffrage Association, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_769">769</a></li> + <li>—at Cincinnati, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_857">857</a></li> + <li>—letter to Matilda Joslyn Gage, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_117">117</a></li> + <li>—letter to <i>National Anti-Slavery Standard</i>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_176">176</a></li> + <li>—letter to Lucy Stone, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_656">656</a></li> + <li>—letter to Rochester Temperance Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_845">845</a></li> + <li>—letter to Washington Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_424">424</a></li> + <li>—mothers and their children, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_360">360</a></li> + <li>—National Convention, Philadelphia, at, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_325">325</a></li> + <li>—negro testimony quoted by Senator Cowan in U. S. Senate, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_115">115</a></li> + <li>—Nichols, Mrs., and, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_198">198</a></li> + <li>—orator, as an, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_168">168</a></li> + <li>—portrait, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_128">128</a></li> + <li>—reminiscences of Sojourner Truth, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_115">115</a></li> + <li>—reply to Gerrit Smith's letter to Mrs. Stanton, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_842">842</a></li> + <li>—speech, Akron Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_111">111</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Broadway Tabernacle Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_563">563</a>;</li> + <li>Winchester, Ind., Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_308">308</a>;</li> + <li>Equal Rights Association Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_200">200</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—her last speech, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_223">223</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>temperance and the ballot, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_211">211</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Gage</span>, Matilda Joslyn, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_589">589</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_591">591</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>, <a href="#Page_437">437</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—address to women of Dakota, iii, <a href="#Page_663">663</a></li> + <li>—Anthony case, her letter to <i>Albany Law Journal</i>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_947">947</a></li> + <li>—appeal, iii, <a href="#Page_413">413</a></li> + <li>—argument before House Committee, iii, <a href="#Page_167">167</a></li> + <li>—Carpenter Hall, application for, iii, <a href="#Page_17">17</a></li> + <li>—church influence on woman's liberties, iii, <a href="#Page_74">74</a></li> + <li>—divorce on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_566">566</a></li> + <li>—Grant and Wilson campaign, appeal, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_517">517</a></li> + <li>—letter to wife of Admiral Dahlgren, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_494">494</a></li> + <li>—letter to Dakota Constitutional Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_664">664</a></li> + <li>—letter to Omaha convention, iii, <a href="#Page_259">259</a></li> + <li>—Minor suit, her review of Judge Waite's opinion, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_742">742</a></li> + <li>—<i>National Citizen</i> prospectus, iii, <a href="#Page_116">116</a></li> + <li>—<i>National Citizen and Ballot-Box</i>, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_47">47</a></li> + <li>—petition, political disabilities, iii, <a href="#Page_60">60</a></li> + <li>—portrait, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_753">753</a></li> + <li>—report, iii, <a href="#Page_522">522</a></li> + <li>—sketch of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_466">466</a></li> + <li>—speeches: + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Centralization, at Washington Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_523">523</a>;</li> + <li>Congressional Committees, before, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_415">415</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_10">10</a>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>;</li> + <li>Furness' church, in, iii, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>;</li> + <li>Rochester Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_579">579</a>;</li> + <li>Saratoga Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_622">622</a>;</li> + <li>Syracuse National Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_528">528</a>;</li> + <li>United States on trial, not Susan B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_630">630</a>;</li> + <li>Washington National Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_4">4</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—Sunderland controversy, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_543">543</a></li> + <li>—Van Schaick, and Mr., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_406">406</a></li> + <li>—Woman, Church and State, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_753">753</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>"Gail Hamilton," iii, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>.</li> +<li>Gaines, Myra Clark, iii, <a href="#Page_801">801</a>.</li> +<li>Gale's, Senator, insulting epithets, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_483">483</a>.</li> +<li>Gallup, J. D., iii, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>.</li> +<li>Galusha, Eben, address, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_55">55</a>.</li> +<li>Gardner, Nannette B., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_587">587</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—votes in Michigan, iii, <a href="#Page_523">523</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Garfield, James A., letter to Susan B. Anthony, iii, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>.</li> +<li>Garret, Eliza, iii, <a href="#Page_582">582</a>.</li> +<li>Garrett, Thomas, iii, <a href="#Page_818">818</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Garrison</span>, Wm. Lloyd, argument at Cleveland National Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_136">136</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—attacked by Dr. Nevin, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_144">144</a></li> + <li>—on Gen. Carey, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_162">162</a></li> + <li>—letter to American Woman Suffrage Association meeting in Philadelphia, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_816">816</a></li> + <li>—letter to Concord Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_368">368</a></li> + <li>—letter to Rochester Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_122">122</a></li> + <li>—letter to Worcester National Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_216">216</a></li> + <li>—London Anti-slavery Convention, and the, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_61">61</a></li> + <li>—marriage and divorce, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_733">733</a></li> + <li>—National Convention, Philadelphia, at, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_378">378</a></li> + <li>—speech at Broadway Tabernacle Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_548">548</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_570">570</a></li> + <li>—tracts and petitions, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_383">383</a></li> + <li>—tribute to Mrs. J. S. Griffing, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_38">38</a></li> + <li>—woman suffrage, apathy, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_322">322</a></li> + <li>—women in national councils, on the right of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_672">672</a></li> + <li>—World's Temperance Convention, on the, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_160">160</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Gay, Sidney Howard, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_369">369</a>.</li> +<li>Gaylord, Senator, iii, <a href="#Page_623">623</a>.</li> +<li>Geddes, Geo., on the Property bill, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_64">64</a>.</li> +<li>Generals, why kept in the army, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_75">75</a>.</li> +<li>Geneva, iii, <a href="#Page_909">909</a>.</li> +<li>George Eliot, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_302">302</a>.</li> +<li>Georgia, iii, <a href="#Page_830">830</a>.</li> +<li>Germans against woman suffrage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_231">231</a>.</li> +<li>Germany, iii, <a href="#Page_902">902</a>.</li> +<li>Gibbons, Abby Hopper, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_40">40</a>.</li> +<li>Gibbs, Sarah A., dissection of a sermonizer, iii, <a href="#Page_391">391</a>.</li> +<li>Gibson, Anthony, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_29">29</a>.</li> +<li>Giddings, Joshua R., on woman suffrage, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_128">128</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—World's Temperance Convention, on the, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_162">162</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Giddings, Maria L., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_114">114</a>.</li> +<li>Gillette, Rev. Mrs., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_837">837</a>.</li> +<li>Gillingham, Lydia, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_324">324</a>.</li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_995" id="Page_995">[Pg 995]</a></span>Girls and boys, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_541">541</a>.</li> +<li>Gladden, Washington, on woman suffrage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_815">815</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Gladstone</span>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_293">293</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_366">366</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Catholicism, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_27">27</a></li> + <li>—speech on woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_850">850</a>, <a href="#Page_854">854</a>, <a href="#Page_877">877</a>, <a href="#Page_883">883</a>, <a href="#Page_888">888</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Goddard, Sarah, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_44">44</a>.</li> +<li>Godwin, Parke, on the higher education of women, iii, <a href="#Page_433">433</a>.</li> +<li>Goodell, Lavinia, iii, <a href="#Page_648">648</a>.</li> +<li>Goodrich, Sarah Knox, iii, <a href="#Page_765">765</a>.</li> +<li>Gordon, J. W., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_307">307</a>.</li> +<li>Gordon, Laura DeForce, iii, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>, <a href="#Page_751">751</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Lectures, iii, <a href="#Page_755">755</a></li> + <li>—Letter to Washington Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_64">64</a></li> + <li>—Senator, nominated for, iii, <a href="#Page_756">756</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Gougar, Helen M., iii, <a href="#Page_540">540</a>, <a href="#Page_552">552</a>, <a href="#Page_697">697</a>, <a href="#Page_702">702</a>, <a href="#Page_708">708</a>, <a href="#Page_857">857</a>.</li> +<li>Government, Hooker on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_475">475</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Paine on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_474">474</a></li> + <li>—Pillsbury on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_201">201</a></li> + <li>—Priestly on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_476">476</a></li> + <li>—Radical basis of, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_290">290</a></li> + <li>—Sharpe, Granville, on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_475">475</a></li> + <li>—Summers, Lord, on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_475">475</a></li> + <li>—theory, true, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_474">474</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>"Grace Greenwood" (<i>see</i> Mrs. Sara J. Lippincott).</li> +<li><span class="sc">Grant</span>, U. S., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_88">88</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—campaign (1872), Tremont Temple meeting, iii, <a href="#Page_278">278</a></li> + <li>—XV. Amendment, on the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_646">646</a></li> + <li>—talk with Susan B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_544">544</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Grant and Wilson campaign, National Woman's Rights Association's appeal, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_517">517</a>.</li> +<li>Graves, Ezra, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_282">282</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_307">307</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Great Britain</span>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_202">202</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_833">833</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—associations formed, iii, <a href="#Page_841">841</a></li> + <li>—circular to Members of Parliament, iii, <a href="#Page_881">881</a></li> + <li>—Conference, Edinburgh, iii, <a href="#Page_878">878</a></li> + <li>—Conference, Leeds, iii, <a href="#Page_874">874</a></li> + <li>—Conference, St. James' Hall, iii, <a href="#Page_888">888</a></li> + <li>—demonstration, Birmingham, iii, <a href="#Page_868">868</a></li> + <li>—demonstration, Manchester, iii, <a href="#Page_867">867</a></li> + <li>—demonstrations, iii, <a href="#Page_869">869</a></li> + <li>—education act, iii, <a href="#Page_850">850</a></li> + <li>—education bill, Scotch, iii, <a href="#Page_851">851</a></li> + <li>—household suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_886">886</a></li> + <li>—Isle of Man, iii, <a href="#Page_870">870</a></li> + <li>—letters, woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_865">865</a></li> + <li>—Manchester Liberal Association, iii, <a href="#Page_876">876</a></li> + <li>—married women's property act, iii, <a href="#Page_872">872</a></li> + <li>—medical relief bill, iii, <a href="#Page_890">890</a></li> + <li>—meetings during 1870, iii, <a href="#Page_852">852</a></li> + <li>—memorial of the Birmingham conference, iii, <a href="#Page_855">855</a></li> + <li>—memorial to Gladstone, iii, <a href="#Page_883">883</a></li> + <li>—memorials, iii, <a href="#Page_853">853</a>, <a href="#Page_854">854</a>, <a href="#Page_873">873</a></li> + <li>—municipal franchise bill, iii, <a href="#Page_845">845</a></li> + <li>—municipal franchise bill for Scotland, iii, <a href="#Page_871">871</a></li> + <li>—Northern Reform Society, iii, <a href="#Page_838">838</a></li> + <li>—Parliament debates woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_850">850</a>, <a href="#Page_861">861</a>, <a href="#Page_862">862</a>, <a href="#Page_863">863</a>, <a href="#Page_873">873</a>, <a href="#Page_884">884</a>, <a href="#Page_889">889</a>, <a href="#Page_890">890</a></li> + <li>—petitions, iii, <a href="#Page_866">866</a></li> + <li>—petitions and pamphlets, iii, <a href="#Page_840">840</a></li> + <li>—petition to Parliament, Mary Smith's, iii, <a href="#Page_835">835</a></li> + <li>—reform act, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_590">590</a></li> + <li>—Sheffield Association, iii, <a href="#Page_837">837</a></li> + <li>—suffrage bill before Parliament, iii, <a href="#Page_842">842</a></li> + <li>—chronological table of successive steps towards freedom, iii, <a href="#Page_980">980</a></li> + <li>—women householders, iii, <a href="#Page_881">881</a></li> + <li>—women in politics, iii, <a href="#Page_835">835</a></li> + <li>—woman suffrage, able advocates of, iii, <a href="#Page_836">836</a></li> + <li>—women suffrage meeting, first ever held in London, iii, <a href="#Page_848">848</a></li> + <li>—<i>Woman Suffrage Journal</i>, iii, <a href="#Page_850">850</a></li> + <li>—women vote, iii, <a href="#Page_843">843</a></li> + <li>—women vote in Scotland, iii, <a href="#Page_871">871</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Greece, iii, <a href="#Page_919">919</a>.</li> +<li>Greeley, Ann F., iii, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Greeley</span>, Horace, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_227">227</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_408">408</a>, <a href="#Page_773">773</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—abolitionists, denounced, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_287">287</a></li> + <li>—bullet and ballot, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_284">284</a></li> + <li>—defranchisement, panacea for, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_101">101</a></li> + <li>—enfranchisement of women, on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_103">103</a></li> + <li>—Kansas campaign, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_230">230</a></li> + <li>—letter to Susan B. Anthony, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_628">628</a></li> + <li>—letter to Cleveland National Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_125">125</a></li> + <li>—letter to Paulina W. Davis, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_520">520</a></li> + <li>—letter to Mrs. J. S. Griffing, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_36">36</a></li> + <li>—letter to Sam'l J. May on woman's rights, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_653">653</a></li> + <li>—marriage, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_730">730</a></li> + <li>—marriage and divorce, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_740">740</a></li> + <li>—Owen, R. D., discussion, divorce, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_296">296</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_746">746</a></li> + <li>—Stanton, Elizabeth Cady, and, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_287">287</a></li> + <li>—support of, lost, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_269">269</a></li> + <li>—temperance speech, Metropolitan Hall, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_491">491</a></li> + <li>—universal suffrage and universal amnesty, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_315">315</a></li> + <li>—woman and work, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_589">589</a></li> + <li>—woman suffrage, opposed to, iii, <a href="#Page_185">185</a></li> + <li>—woman suffrage, report against, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_285">285</a></li> + <li>—criticism, <i>New York Independent</i>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_305">305</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Greeley's, Mrs., petition, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_287">287</a>.</li> +<li>Green, Anna R., Md., iii, <a href="#Page_815">815</a>.</li> +<li>Green, Beriah, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_417">417</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—speech at Cooper Institute Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_699">699</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_450">450</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_487">487</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Gregory, Samuel, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_38">38</a>.</li> +<li>Grew, Rev. Henry, on woman's rights, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_379">379</a>.</li> +<li>Grew, Mary, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_325">325</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—speech at Cooper Institute Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_735">735</a></li> + <li>—woman suffrage, on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_814">814</a></li> + <li>—President, iii, <a href="#Page_457">457</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Griffing</span>, Josephine S., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_110">110</a>; ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_345">345</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_422">422</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_810">810</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Freedman's Aid Association, letter to Lucretia Mott, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_869">869</a></li> + <li>—Freedman's Bureau, originator of, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_38">38</a></li> + <li>—Freedman's Relief Association, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_26">26</a></li> + <li>—letter to Horace Greeley, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_36">36</a></li> + <li>—letter to Lucretia Mott, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_33">33</a></li> + <li>—letter to Catharine F. Stebbins, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_874">874</a></li> + <li>—report 1871, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_484">484</a></li> + <li>—"Shirley Dare," on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_30">30</a></li> + <li>—speech, Equal Rights Association, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_221">221</a></li> + <li>—testimonials of Congressmen, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_33">33</a></li> + <li>—tribute from Wm. Lloyd Garrison, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_38">38</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Grimké</span>, Angelina, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_52">52</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—anecdotes, by her husband, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_402">402</a></li> + <li>—letter to Wm. Lloyd Garrison, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_397">397</a></li> + <li>—sketch of "E. C. S.," i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_392">392</a></li> + <li>—speech against slavery, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_334">334</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Grimké</span>, Sarah Moore, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_53">53</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_406">406</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—letter, West Chester, Pa., Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_353">353</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Grover, A. J., iii, <a href="#Page_560">560</a>, <a href="#Page_591">591</a>.</li> +<li>Guardianship law, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_749">749</a>.</li> +<li>Gurney, Samuel, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_421">421</a>.</li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_996" id="Page_996">[Pg 996]</a></span>Guthrie, Clara Merrick, iii, <a href="#Page_790">790</a>.</li> +<li>Guthrie, Mrs., daughter of Frances Wright, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_543">543</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<h3><a id="IX_H" name="IX_H">H.</a></h3> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Haggerty, James, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_210">210</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_434">434</a>.</li> +<li>Hale, Sarah Josepha, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_388">388</a>.</li> +<li>Hall, Israel, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_377">377</a>.</li> +<li>Hall, Mary, admission to the Bar, iii, <a href="#Page_330">330</a>.</li> +<li>Halleck, Sarah H., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_60">60</a>.</li> +<li>Hallock, Frances V., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_435">435</a>.</li> +<li>Halstead, Murat, iii, <a href="#Page_593">593</a>.</li> +<li>Hamilton, Alexander, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_413">413</a>.</li> +<li>Hamlin, Senator, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_411">411</a>.</li> +<li>Hampden Society, iii, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>.</li> +<li>Hanaford, Phebe, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_398">398</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_791">791</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="#Page_479">479</a>, <a href="#Page_481">481</a>.</li> +<li>Hancock, Gen. W. S., iii, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>, <a href="#Page_431">431</a>.</li> +<li>Hanna, Laura, iii, <a href="#Page_720">720</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Harbert</span>, Elizabeth Boynton, iii, <a href="#Page_560">560</a>, <a href="#Page_592">592</a>, <a href="#Page_621">621</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—delegate to Republican National Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_26">26</a></li> + <li>—oration, iii, <a href="#Page_581">581</a></li> + <li>—speech before Congressional committee, iii, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Harberton, Lady, speech at Edinburgh, iii, <a href="#Page_879">879</a>.</li> +<li>Hare, Thomas, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_292">292</a>.</li> +<li>Harper, Frances E. W., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_838">838</a>.</li> +<li>Harrington, Mary L., iii, <a href="#Page_374">374</a>.</li> +<li>Harris, Sarah, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_376">376</a>.</li> +<li><i>Hartford Courant</i>, iii, <a href="#Page_322">322</a>.</li> +<li><i>Hartford Times</i>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_538">538</a>.</li> +<li>Harvard Annex, iii, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>.</li> +<li>Haskell, Mehitable, Worcester Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_232">232</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>.</li> +<li>Hatch, Junius, "pin-cushion ministry," i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_539">539</a>.</li> +<li>Hatton, Frank, iii, <a href="#Page_617">617</a>.</li> +<li>Haven, Gilbert, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_388">388</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>, <a href="#Page_528">528</a>, <a href="#Page_620">620</a>; ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_839">839</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_398">398</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_840">840</a>.</li> +<li>Havens, E. O., iii, <a href="#Page_526">526</a> <a href="#Page_428">428</a>.</li> +<li>Haviland, Laura C, iii, <a href="#Page_532">532</a>.</li> +<li>Hawley, Jos. R., letter to Mrs. Stanton, iii, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_90">90</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Hay</span>, William, letter to Broadway Tabernacle Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_655">655</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—letter to Susan B. Anthony, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_631">631</a></li> + <li>—letter to <i>The North Star</i>, on the Saratoga Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_621">621</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>paper, property rights, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_607">607</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hayes, R. B., iii, <a href="#Page_165">165</a>.</li> +<li>Hayhurst, Martha, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_348">348</a>.</li> +<li>Hazard, Rebecca N., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_855">855</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_604">604</a>.</li> +<li>Hazlett, Adelle, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_787">787</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_522">522</a>.</li> +<li>Heath, Jeannette Brown, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_642">642</a>.</li> +<li>Heloise, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_759">759</a>.</li> +<li>Henderson, Miss A. M., iii, <a href="#Page_654">654</a>.</li> +<li>Henderson, Senator, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_98">98</a>.</li> +<li>Heroism, Kate Shelly, iii, <a href="#Page_633">633</a>.</li> +<li>Herricourt, Madame, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_569">569</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_395">395</a>.</li> +<li>Hertell's, Barbara, will, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_63">63</a>.</li> +<li>Hewitt, Rev. Dr., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_502">502</a>.</li> +<li>Heyrick, Elizabeth, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_41">41</a>.</li> +<li>Heywood, E. H., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_222">222</a>.</li> +<li>Hiatt, Hannah, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_306">306</a>.</li> +<li>Hiatt, Sarah W., iii, <a href="#Page_803">803</a>.</li> +<li>Hicks, Elias, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_412">412</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_415">415</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Higginson</span>, Thos. Wentworth, iii, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>, <a href="#Page_305">305</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Brick Church meeting, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_500">500</a></li> + <li>—coëducation, on, iii, <a href="#Page_496">496</a></li> + <li>—Kansas campaign, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_265">265</a></li> + <li>—Kansas campaign, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_237">237</a></li> + <li>—letter to Susan B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_917">917</a></li> + <li>—letter to Cleveland National Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_131">131</a></li> + <li>—letter to Lucy Stone, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_566">566</a></li> + <li>—marriage ceremony, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_260">260</a></li> + <li>—Massachusetts Constitutional Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_253">253</a></li> + <li>—<i>New York Times</i>, on the, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_648">648</a></li> + <li>—speech, in Cleveland, O., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_802">802</a></li> + <li>—speech, in Cooper Institute, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_828">828</a></li> + <li>—speech, Broadway Tabernacle Convention, at, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_656">656</a></li> + <li>—speech, Cleveland Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_760">760</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_771">771</a></li> + <li>—speech, National Convention, New York, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_642">642</a></li> + <li>—voters, qualification of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_249">249</a></li> + <li>—temperance and woman suffrage, on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_819">819</a></li> + <li>—theological discussion, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_647">647</a></li> + <li>—woman's rights almanac, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_863">863</a></li> + <li>—women in Christian civilization, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_791">791</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hilda, Abbess, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_30">30</a>.</li> +<li>Hill, Benj. H., speech, iii, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>.</li> +<li>Hill, Charlotte, iii, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>.</li> +<li>Hill, Peter, iii, <a href="#Page_524">524</a>.</li> +<li>Hillier, C. J., iii, <a href="#Page_756">756</a>.</li> +<li>Hinckley, Frederick A., on woman suffrage in Rhode Island, iii, <a href="#Page_349">349</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—speech at Washington Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hindman, Matilda, iii, <a href="#Page_459">459</a>, <a href="#Page_522">522</a>, <a href="#Page_621">621</a>, <a href="#Page_719">719</a>, <a href="#Page_723">723</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Hoar</span>, Geo. F., minority report, iii, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—presents petitions, iii, <a href="#Page_104">104</a></li> + <li>—letter to Washington Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_858">858</a></li> + <li>—speech, women in the Supreme Court, iii, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> + <li>—select committee, U. S. Senate, iii, <a href="#Page_198">198</a>-216</li> + <li>—speech in 1871, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_820">820</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hobart's, Ella F., services as chaplain in Union army, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_18">18</a>.</li> +<li>Hobbs, Lucy B., dentist, iii, <a href="#Page_401">401</a>, <a href="#Page_455">455</a>.</li> +<li>Holland, J. G., iii, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>.</li> +<li>Holloway, Wm. R., iii, <a href="#Page_534">534</a>.</li> +<li>Homeopathic College, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_765">765</a>.</li> +<li>Holland, iii, <a href="#Page_907">907</a>.</li> +<li>Holmes, Jennie F., iii, <a href="#Page_683">683</a>.</li> +<li>Holmes, Rev., iii, <a href="#Page_390">390</a>.</li> +<li>Hook, Frances, as a soldier, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_19">19</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Hooker</span>, Isabella B. iii, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—argument before House Judiciary committee, iii, <a href="#Page_103">103</a></li> + <li>—before Senate committee, iii, <a href="#Page_105">105</a></li> + <li>—declaration and pledge, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_486">486</a></li> + <li>—letter to New York Convention, twenty-fifth anniversary, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_534">534</a></li> + <li>—police, how she would rule,, iii, <a href="#Page_73">73</a></li> + <li>—receptions in Washington; iii, <a href="#Page_99">99</a></li> + <li>—reminiscences of, iii, <a href="#Page_320">320</a></li> + <li>—report, National Association, 1872, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_496">496</a></li> + <li>—speech before House Judiciary committee, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_458">458</a></li> + <li>—speech before Senate Judiciary committee, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_499">499</a></li> + <li>—thanks the champions of woman's rights in Congress, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_489">489</a></li> + <li>—Washington Convention, notes ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_425">425</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_997" id="Page_997">[Pg 997]</a></span>Hooker, John, iii, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="#Page_957">957</a>.</li> +<li>Hopkins, E. A., on legal grievance of women, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_584">584</a>.</li> +<li>Hosmer, Harriet, iii, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>, <a href="#Page_595">595</a>, <a href="#Page_951">951</a>.</li> +<li>Hospital clinics, iii, <a href="#Page_448">448</a>.</li> +<li>Houghton, Agnes A., iii, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>.</li> +<li>Hovey, Charles F., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_625">625</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Bequests, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_257">257</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_258">258</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_667">667</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Howe, Frederick B., iii, <a href="#Page_438">438</a>.</li> +<li>Howe, J. H., on women as jurors, iii, <a href="#Page_736">736</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Howe</span>, Julia Ward, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_757">757</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_770">770</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_792">792</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_873">873</a>, portrait, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_783">783</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_276">276</a>, <a href="#Page_371">371</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Fifteenth Amendment, on the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_335">335</a></li> + <li>—President of Am. Woman Suffrage Association, made, ii <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_834">834</a></li> + <li>—Speech in Philadelphia, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_817">817</a>; in Detroit, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_834">834</a></li> + <li>—Woman Suffrage in New Jersey, on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_847">847</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hoyt, John W., Gov. of Wyoming, iii, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>, <a href="#Page_474">474</a>, <a href="#Page_730">730</a>.</li> +<li>Hoyt, Mrs., on anti-slavery and woman's rights, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_63">63</a>.</li> +<li>Howitt, Wm., letter to Lucretia Mott, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_434">434</a>.</li> +<li>Howland, Emily, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_688">688</a>.</li> +<li>Howland, Fannie, description of Washington Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_416">416</a>.</li> +<li>Howland, William, iii, <a href="#Page_437">437</a>.</li> +<li>Hubbard, R. D., iii, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>.</li> +<li>Hugo, Victor, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_369">369</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>.</li> +<li>Hulett, Alta C., iii, <a href="#Page_572">572</a>.</li> +<li>"Human Rights," Hurlbut's, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_38">38</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Hunt</span>, Harriot K., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_224">224</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_356">356</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_531">531</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_535">535</a>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_583">583</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—medical education, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_356">356</a></li> + <li>—physician, as a, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_260">260</a></li> + <li>—speech at Broadway Tabernacle Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_564">564</a></li> + <li>—taxation, protest against, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_259">259</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hunt's, Ward, Judge, decision Anthony trial, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_689">689</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—resolution against, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_537">537</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hunt's, Richard, tea table, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_68">68</a>.</li> +<li>Hunt, Seth, iii, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>.</li> +<li>Hurlbut's "Human Rights," i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_38">38</a>.</li> +<li>Husband and wife, act concerning rights and liabilities of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_686">686</a>.</li> +<li>Hussey, Cornelia Collins, iii, <a href="#Page_482">482</a>.</li> +<li>Husted, James W., favors suffrage for women, iii, <a href="#Page_409">409</a>, <a href="#Page_417">417</a>, <a href="#Page_424">424</a>, <a href="#Page_437">437</a>.</li> +<li>Hutchinson family, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_239">239</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_262">262</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_309">309</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_542">542</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_934">934</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_35">35</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Letter, John W., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_627">627</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Hutchinson, Anne, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_206">206</a>.</li> +<li>Hutchinson, Nellie, iii, <a href="#Page_752">752</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<h3><a id="IX_I" name="IX_I">I.</a></h3> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li><span class="sc">Illinois</span>, iii, <a href="#Page_559">559</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Art Union, iii, <a href="#Page_587">587</a></li> + <li>—Bar, Myra Bradwell's application, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_601">601</a></li> + <li>—opinion denying, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_609">609</a></li> + <li>—Carpenter's, Matt. H., argument, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_615">615</a></li> + <li>—opinion of Justice Bradley, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_624">624</a></li> + <li>—report of proceedings in Illinois and U. S. Supreme Courts, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_614">614</a></li> + <li>—U. S. Supreme Court decision, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_622">622</a></li> + <li>—writ of error, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_614">614</a></li> + <li>—centennial celebration at Evanston, iii, <a href="#Page_581">581</a></li> + <li>—Conventions (see conventions)</li> + <li>—Elmwood church trouble, iii, <a href="#Page_563">563</a></li> + <li>—Garrett Biblical Institute, iii, <a href="#Page_582">582</a></li> + <li>—houses of ill-fame, licensing Chicago, iii, <a href="#Page_572">572</a></li> + <li>—married women's earnings act, iii, <a href="#Page_570">570</a></li> + <li>—Master in Chancery, Mrs. Schuchardt, iii, <a href="#Page_588">588</a></li> + <li>—Moline Association, iii, <a href="#Page_589">589</a></li> + <li>—Monticello Ladies Seminary, iii, <a href="#Page_579">579</a></li> + <li>—petitions, toils of circulating, iii, <a href="#Page_590">590</a></li> + <li>—pulpit utterances, iii, <a href="#Page_564">564</a></li> + <li>—Social Science Association, iii, <a href="#Page_584">584</a></li> + <li>—Suffrage Association formed, iii, <a href="#Page_569">569</a></li> + <li>—suffrage society, first, iii, <a href="#Page_560">560</a></li> + <li>—temperance petition, iii, <a href="#Page_587">587</a></li> + <li>—Woman's College at Evanston, iii, <a href="#Page_578">578</a></li> + <li>—woman, as preacher, first in, iii, <a href="#Page_579">579</a></li> + <li>—women elected as school officers, iii, <a href="#Page_575">575</a></li> + <li>—women eligible as school officers, bill making, iii, <a href="#Page_575">575</a></li> + <li>—women, trials and triumphs of, iii, <a href="#Page_560">560</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Impeachment, articles of, iii, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Indiana</span>, i. <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_290">290</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_533">533</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—appendix, iii, <a href="#Page_965">965</a></li> + <li>—campaign of 1882, iii, <a href="#Page_543">543</a></li> + <li>—colleges open to women, iii, <a href="#Page_548">548</a></li> + <li>—constitutional debates, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_296">296</a></li> + <li>—Conventions (see Conventions)</li> + <li>—electoral bill, iii, <a href="#Page_541">541</a></li> + <li>—Equal Suffrage Society Indianapolis, iii, <a href="#Page_536">536</a></li> + <li>—laws for women, changes in, iii, <a href="#Page_544">544</a></li> + <li>—legislative enactments, iii, <a href="#Page_544">544</a></li> + <li>—legislative hearings, iii, <a href="#Page_538">538</a></li> + <li>—liquor law, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_307">307</a></li> + <li>—mass meeting in Indianapolis, iii, <a href="#Page_541">541</a></li> + <li>—newspapers, iii, <a href="#Page_555">555</a></li> + <li>—Republican State Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_542">542</a></li> + <li>—secret conclave, iii, <a href="#Page_535">535</a></li> + <li>—temperance petition, Mrs. Wallace, iii, <a href="#Page_539">539</a></li> + <li>—women in schools, iii, <a href="#Page_547">547</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Infidelity, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_143">143</a>.</li> +<li>International Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>, <a href="#Page_585">585</a>, <a href="#Page_896">896</a>, <a href="#Page_952">952</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Iowa</span>, iii, <a href="#Page_612">612</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—churches indorse woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_620">620</a></li> + <li>—Clergymen's tract, iii, <a href="#Page_624">624</a></li> + <li>—Conventions (see Conventions)</li> + <li>—Fort Dodge, iii, <a href="#Page_617">617</a></li> + <li>—friendly associations, iii, <a href="#Page_635">635</a></li> + <li>—Governor Kirkwood appoints women to office, iii, <a href="#Page_626">626</a></li> + <li>—Governor, first, to recognize woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_622">622</a></li> + <li>—Governor Sherman interviewed, iii, <a href="#Page_624">624</a></li> + <li>—Inventions by women, iii, <a href="#Page_632">632</a></li> + <li>—Journalism, iii, <a href="#Page_629">629</a></li> + <li>—laws, improvement in, iii, <a href="#Page_636">636</a></li> + <li>—lectures, iii, <a href="#Page_630">630</a></li> + <li>—Legislative action, iii, <a href="#Page_619">619</a></li> + <li>—Legislative action, summary, iii, <a href="#Page_625">625</a></li> + <li>—mass meeting at the capitol, iii, <a href="#Page_619">619</a></li> + <li>—medical profession, iii, <a href="#Page_631">631</a></li> + <li>—Polk County Society, iii, <a href="#Page_614">614</a></li> + <li>—Republican Convention, women's plank, iii, <a href="#Page_620">620</a></li> + <li>—County School Superintendents, Attorney General's opinion, iii, <a href="#Page_627">627</a></li> + <li>—school offices, eligibility of women to hold, iii, <a href="#Page_628">628</a></li> + <li>—societies organized, iii, <a href="#Page_615">615</a>, <a href="#Page_617">617</a></li> + <li>—<i>State Register</i>, iii, <a href="#Page_620">620</a></li> + <li>—women in office, iii, <a href="#Page_626">626</a></li> + <li>—women employed as teachers, iii, <a href="#Page_627">627</a></li> + <li>—woman suffrage, first agitation of, iii, <a href="#Page_613">613</a></li> + <li>—woman suffrage society, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_998" id="Page_998">[Pg 998]</a></span>first, iii, <a href="#Page_614">614</a></li> + <li>—women in positions of trust, iii, <a href="#Page_616">616</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Island No. 10, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_10">10</a>.</li> +<li>Italy, iii, <a href="#Page_899">899</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<h3><a id="IX_J" name="IX_J">J.</a></h3> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Janney's, Mrs. R. A. S., recollections, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_122">122</a>.</li> +<li>Jay, John, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_413">413</a>.</li> +<li>Jackson, Rev. E. M., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_502">502</a>.</li> +<li>Jackson, Francis, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_189">189</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_257">257</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_634">634</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_667">667</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_743">743</a>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>will case, iii, <a href="#Page_310">310</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Jackson, James C., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_582">582</a>.</li> +<li>Jackson, Mercy B., letter, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_920">920</a>.</li> +<li>Jenkins, Lydia Ann, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_145">145</a>.</li> +<li>Jerry, rescue trials, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_474">474</a>.</li> +<li>Johnson, Andrew, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_205">205</a>.</li> +<li>Johnson, Mariana, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_351">351</a>.</li> +<li>Johnson, Oliver, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_367">367</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_671">671</a>; ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_786">786</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_813">813</a>.</li> +<li>Johnson, Rev. Samuel, letter to National Convention in New York, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_635">635</a>.</li> +<li>Johnson, Wm. H. and Mary, letter to Westchester, Pa., Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_832">832</a>.</li> +<li>Jones, Mrs. E. C., Jailoress, iii, <a href="#Page_488">488</a>.</li> +<li>Jones, Jane Graham, delegate to National Convention at Washington, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_522">522</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_442">442</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>, <a href="#Page_580">580</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—address International Congress at Paris, iii, <a href="#Page_585">585</a></li> + <li>—Genevieve Graham, daughter, iii, <a href="#Page_586">586</a>, <a href="#Page_897">897</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Jones, J. Elizabeth, report, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_168">168</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—speech at Cooper Institute Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_694">694</a></li> + <li>—speech at Syracuse National Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_530">530</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Journalism, women in, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_43">43</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_303">303</a>, <a href="#Page_629">629</a>, <a href="#Page_761">761</a>, <a href="#Page_813">813</a>.</li> +<li>Judge direct a verdict of guilty, can a, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_690">690</a>.</li> +<li>Julian, Geo. W., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_333">333</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_489">489</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_490">490</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_552">552</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_727">727</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—amendment to District of Columbia suffrage bill, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_282">282</a></li> + <li>—speech on woman suffrage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_801">801</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Juries, venerable decisions on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_705">705</a>.</li> +<li>Jury, women on, iii, <a href="#Page_732">732</a>.</li> +<li>Justice of Peace, Mrs. Esther Morris made, iii, <a href="#Page_731">731</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<h3><a id="IX_K" name="IX_K">K.</a></h3> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Kalamazoo college, iii, <a href="#Page_525">525</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Kansas</span>, Mrs. Nichols' account, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_185">185</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_696">696</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—appeal, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_247">247</a></li> + <li>—campaign, 1867, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_928">928</a></li> + <li>—campaign, S. N. Wood's summing up of, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_254">254</a></li> + <li>—<i>Champion</i> (Atchison) on woman suffrage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_240">240</a></li> + <li>—<i>Commercial</i>, (Leavenworth) on the campaign, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_262">262</a></li> + <li>—constitutional amendment to strike word "white" from suffrage clause, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_229">229</a></li> + <li>—Conventions (see Conventions)</li> + <li>—elections, iii, <a href="#Page_701">701</a>, <a href="#Page_708">708</a></li> + <li>—Harvey, Governor, message, iii, <a href="#Page_696">696</a></li> + <li>—legislative action, iii, <a href="#Page_709">709</a></li> + <li>—Lincoln suffrage association, iii, <a href="#Page_701">701</a></li> + <li>—Lincoln Auxiliary of the National Association, iii, <a href="#Page_698">698</a></li> + <li>—parties in convention, action of, iii, <a href="#Page_707">707</a></li> + <li>—press, iii, <a href="#Page_699">699</a></li> + <li>—property rights, iii, <a href="#Page_704">704</a></li> + <li>—Radical Reform Christian Association, iii, <a href="#Page_703">703</a></li> + <li>—reminiscences, Helen Ekin Starrett's, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_250">250</a></li> + <li>—schools, iii, <a href="#Page_706">706</a></li> + <li>—Stanton Suffrage Society organized, iii, <a href="#Page_702">702</a></li> + <li>—suffrage organizations, history of, iii, <a href="#Page_698">698</a></li> + <li>—suffrage song, the Hutchinsons, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_934">934</a></li> + <li>—Superintendent of Public Instruction, Sarah A. Brown nominated, iii, <a href="#Page_705">705</a></li> + <li>—suppressed proceedings, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_931">931</a></li> + <li>—Temperance Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_231">231</a></li> + <li>—woman suffrage facts, iii, <a href="#Page_709">709</a></li> + <li>—woman suffrage indorsed by Republican State Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_707">707</a></li> + <li>—woman suffrage petitions, report of Judiciary Franchise Committee, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_194">194</a></li> + <li>—Women's Christian Temperance Union, iii, <a href="#Page_703">703</a></li> + <li>—Women's Impartial Suffrage Association, address, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_932">932</a></li> + <li>—women run for office, iii, <a href="#Page_708">708</a></li> + <li>—women in office, iii, <a href="#Page_706">706</a></li> + <li>—women in the professions, iii, <a href="#Page_706">706</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Kasson, John A., iii, <a href="#Page_619">619</a>.</li> +<li>Keating, Harriette C., iii, <a href="#Page_791">791</a>.</li> +<li>Kelley, W. D., suffrage resolution, iii, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>.</li> +<li>Kelly, Abby (<i>see Foster</i>).</li> +<li>Kemble, Fanny, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_412">412</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Kentucky</span>, iii, <a href="#Page_818">818</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—architecture, Miss White, iii, <a href="#Page_820">820</a></li> + <li>—education, facilities for, iii, <a href="#Page_821">821</a></li> + <li>—Louisville School of Pharmacy, iii, <a href="#Page_821">821</a></li> + <li>—woman suffrage society, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_862">862</a></li> + <li>—school suffrage, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_869">869</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_821">821</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>King, Susan A., sketch of, iii, <a href="#Page_420">420</a>.</li> +<li>King, Thos. Star, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_666">666</a>.</li> +<li>Kingman, Judge, Kansas, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_192">192</a>.</li> +<li>Kingman, J. W., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_836">836</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_727">727</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>.</li> +<li>Kingsbury, Benjamin, iii, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>.</li> +<li>Kingsbury, Elizabeth A., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_310">310</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_476">476</a>.</li> +<li>Kingsley, Henry, letter to Mrs. P. W. Davis, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_438">438</a>.</li> +<li>Kirk, Mrs. Eleanor (Nellie Ames), ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_390">390</a>.</li> +<li>Knight, Ann, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_438">438</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_837">837</a>.</li> +<li>Knowlton, Helen M., iii, <a href="#Page_302">302</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<h3><a id="IX_L" name="IX_L">L.</a></h3> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Ladies' Art Association, iii, <a href="#Page_399">399</a>.</li> +<li>Lander, Mrs. Dick, iii, <a href="#Page_852">852</a>.</li> +<li>Lane, James H., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_191">191</a>.</li> +<li>Langdon, Lady Anna G., iii, <a href="#Page_854">854</a>.</li> +<li>Lapham, Elbridge G., presents petition, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_283">283</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—votes for, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_304">304</a></li> + <li>—Anthony trial, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_647">647</a></li> + <li>—printing speeches in the House, iii, <a href="#Page_174">174</a></li> + <li>—vote in Senate, iii, <a href="#Page_218">218</a></li> + <li>—Senate committee, <a href="#Page_228">228</a>, <a href="#Page_231">231</a></li> + <li>—Senate report, <a href="#Page_232">232</a></li> + <li>—thanks to, iii, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Lawrence, Amos A., iii, <a href="#Page_330">330</a>.</li> +<li>Lawrence, Sybil, iii, <a href="#Page_532">532</a>.</li> +<li>Lawyers, women, iii, <a href="#Page_575">575</a>.</li> +<li>Lee, Mary B., legacy, iii, <a href="#Page_624">624</a>.</li> +<li>Leftwich, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_649">649</a>.</li> +<li>Legacy, iii, <a href="#Page_624">624</a>.</li> +<li>Leipsic, iii, <a href="#Page_902">902</a>.</li> +<li>Leslie, Mrs. Frank, iii, <a href="#Page_441">441</a>.</li> +<li>Lester, Louise, iii, <a href="#Page_780">780</a>.</li> +<li><a name="Letters" id="Letters"><span class="sc">Letters:</span></a> Alcott, Louisa May, to Lucy Stone, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_831">831</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Amberly, Lady, to Mrs. P. W. Davis, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_439">439</a></li> + <li>—Andrews, Margaret <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_999" id="Page_999">[Pg 999]</a></span>H., to S. J. May, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_531">531</a></li> + <li>—Anthony, H. B., to S. B. Anthony, iii, <a href="#Page_350">350</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Letters, Anthony, Susan B., to her family; Boston Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_256">256</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—to Brooks, James, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_97">97</a>;</li> + <li>—to Foote, E. B., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_941">941</a>;</li> + <li>—to Garfield, iii, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>;</li> + <li>—to Mott, Lydia, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_748">748</a>;</li> + <li>—to National Democratic Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_340">340</a>;</li> + <li>—to Wright, Martha C., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_676">676</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Letters, Barton, Clara, to Susan B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_916">916</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Bascom, E. C., to S. B. Anthony, iii, <a href="#Page_647">647</a></li> + <li>—Becker, Lydia E., to Susan B. Anthony, iii, <a href="#Page_62">62</a></li> + <li>—Beecher, H. W., to St. Louis Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_825">825</a></li> + <li>—Bennett, Alice, to Susan B. Anthony, iii, <a href="#Page_472">472</a></li> + <li>—National Association to Berlin Congress, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_404">404</a></li> + <li>—Briggs, Caroline A., to S. B. Anthony, iii, <a href="#Page_250">250</a></li> + <li>—Blackwell, Elizabeth, to Emily Collins, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_91">91</a></li> + <li>—Blackwell, Antoinette Brown, to Cooper Institute Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_862">862</a></li> + <li>—Blackwell, Elizabeth, to Westchester, Pa., Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_831">831</a></li> + <li>—Blackwell, H. B., to E. C. Stanton, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_235">235</a></li> + <li>—Blair, Henry W., to Susan B. Anthony, iii, <a href="#Page_380">380</a></li> + <li>—Bowles, Samuel, to Mrs. Hooker, iii, <a href="#Page_325">325</a></li> + <li>—Bright, Jacob, to Mrs. P. W. Davis, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_438">438</a></li> + <li>—Brown, Olympia, to S. B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_259">259</a></li> + <li>—Bruhn, Rosa, to Mrs. P. W. Davis, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_439">439</a></li> + <li>—Burleigh, Celia, giving account of Saratoga Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_402">402</a></li> + <li>—Burns, Alexander, to Des Moines Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_618">618</a></li> + <li>—Burr, Frances E., to Susan B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_912">912</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_334">334</a></li> + <li>—Butler, Benjamin F., to Susan B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_539">539</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Letters: Carpenter, C. C., to Iowa W. S. Association, iii, <a href="#Page_621">621</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Carpenter, M. H., to Elizabeth C. Stanton, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_423">423</a></li> + <li>—Channing, Wm. Henry, Cleveland National Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_129">129</a></li> + <li>—Child, L. Maria, to St. Louis Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_825">825</a>; E. C. Stanton, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_910">910</a></li> + <li>—Clemmer, Mary, to Senator Wadleigh, iii, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>to S. B. Anthony, iii, <a href="#Page_262">262</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—Cobbe, Frances P., to Paulina W. Davis, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_438">438</a></li> + <li>—Cole M. M., to H. B. Blackwell, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_832">832</a></li> + <li>—Colvin A. J., to Susan B. Anthony, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_691">691</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_750">750</a>; ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_914">914</a></li> + <li>—Corner, Mary T., to Mrs. Bloomer, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_122">122</a></li> + <li>—Corson, Hiram, to Susan B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_472">472</a></li> + <li>—Cutler, Mrs. H. M. T., to Susan B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_915">915</a></li> + <li>—Dall, Caroline H., to <i>The Nation</i>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_101">101</a></li> + <li>—Darlington, Hannah M., to Mrs. Stanton, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_344">344</a></li> + <li>—Deroine, Jeanne, to women of America, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_234">234</a></li> + <li>—Dickinson, Anna E., to Susan B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_916">916</a></li> + <li>—Douglass, Fred., to E. Cady Stanton, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_328">328</a></li> + <li>—Faithful, Emily, to Mrs. P. W. Davis, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_440">440</a></li> + <li>—Fields, James T., to H. B. Blackwell, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_838">838</a></li> + <li>—Folger, Charles J., to Susan B. Anthony, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_750">750</a></li> + <li>—Foster, Rachel G., to <i>Our Herald</i>, iii, <a href="#Page_243">243</a></li> + <li>—Freedman's Relief Association, on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_35">35</a></li> + <li>—Fremont, Jessie B. to Susan B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_911">911</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Letters: Gage, Frances D., to Cincinnati Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_857">857</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li><ul class="IX"> + <li>Steinway Hall Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_769">769</a>;</li> + <li>Gage, M. E. J., to, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_47">47</a>;</li> + <li>Rochester Temperance Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_845">845</a>;</li> + <li>Stone, Lucy, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_656">656</a>;</li> + <li>Washington Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_424">424</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—Gage, M. J., to Mrs. Dahlgren, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_494">494</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>to Omaha Con., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_250">250</a>;</li> + <li>to women of Dakota, iii, <a href="#Page_663">663</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—Garfield, James A., to S. B. Anthony, iii, <a href="#Page_185">185</a></li> + <li>—Garrison, Wm. Lloyd, to American Woman Suffrage Association meeting in Philadelphia, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_816">816</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>to Third Decade Convention, Rochester, iii, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>;</li> + <li>to Concord Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_368">368</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—Geddes, George, to M. J. Gage, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_64">64</a></li> + <li>—<i>Greeley</i>, Horace, to Susan B. Anthony, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_628">628</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Cleveland National Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_125">125</a>;</li> + <li>Davis, Paulina W., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_520">520</a>;</li> + <li>Marsh, Rev. John, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_503">503</a>;</li> + <li>May, S. J., on woman's rights, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_653">653</a>.</li> + <li>Severance, Mrs. C. M., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_125">125</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—<i>Griffing</i>, Josephine S., to Catharine A. F. Stebbins, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_874">874</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>to Greeley, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_36">36</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—Grimké, Angelina, to Wm. Lloyd Garrison, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_397">397</a></li> + <li>—Grimké, Sarah M., to Westchester, Pa., Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_353">353</a></li> + <li>—Grover, A. J., to Mrs. Stanton, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_591">591</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Letters: Hay, Wm., to Susan B. Anthony, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_631">631</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li><ul class="IX"> + <li>Broadway Tabernacle Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_655">655</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—Higginson, T. W., to S. B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_917">917</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Cleveland (Nat.) Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_131">131</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—Hooker, Isabella B., to Susan B. Anthony, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_535">535</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>to Mrs. Dahlgren, iii, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>; Stone, Lucy, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_566">566</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—Howitt, Wm., to Lucretia Mott, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_434">434</a></li> + <li>—Hugo, Victor, to Clemence S. Lozier, iii, <a href="#Page_75">75</a></li> + <li>—Johnson, Samuel, National Convention in New York, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_635">635</a></li> + <li>—Johnson, Wm. H. and Mary, to Westchester, Pa., Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_832">832</a></li> + <li>—Kingman, J. W., to Lucy Stone, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_836">836</a></li> + <li>—Kingsley, Henry, to Mrs. P. W. Davis, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_438">438</a></li> + <li>—Lawrence, Amos A., to Abby Smith, iii, <a href="#Page_330">330</a></li> + <li>—Leo, Andre, to Second Decade meeting, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_439">439</a></li> + <li>—Livermore, Mary A., to Susan B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_921">921</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Letters: Manderson, C. F., to O. C. Dinsmoor, iii, <a href="#Page_688">688</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Marsh, J., to Horace Greeley, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_503">503</a></li> + <li>—Marsh, L. R., to Mrs. E. C. Stanton, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_922">922</a></li> + <li>—Martineau, Harriet, to P. W. Davis, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_229">229</a></li> + <li>—Mott, Lucretia, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_437">437</a></li> + <li>—Mayo, A. D., to Syracuse Con., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_851">851</a></li> + <li>—Mendenhall, H. S., to Dr. Avery, iii, <a href="#Page_724">724</a></li> + <li>—Meriman, Emelia J., to the Second Decade meeting, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_451">451</a></li> + <li>—Mill, John Stuart, to Paulina W. Davis, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_220">220</a>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_419">419</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>to S. N. Wood, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_252">252</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—Miller, Francis, to S. B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_536">536</a></li> + <li>—Mills, Chas. D. B., to Mrs. Matilda J. Gage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_424">424</a></li> + <li>—Mott, Lucretia, to Daniel O'Connell, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_432">432</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>to Josephine S. Griffing, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_873">873</a>;</li> + <li>to <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1000" id="Page_1000">[Pg 1000]</a></span>Salem, Ohio, Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_812">812</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—Mott, Lydia, to Susan B. Anthony, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_630">630</a></li> + <li>—Mott, Mary, to Westchester, Pa., Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_829">829</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Letters: <i>New York Tribune</i>, on, canvass of 1859-'60, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_677">677</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Nichols, Mrs. C. I. H., to Rochester Tem. Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_847">847</a></li> + <li>—Owen, Robert Dale, to Susan B. Anthony, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_292">292</a></li> + <li>—Pastoral, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_81">81</a></li> + <li>—Phelps, Almira L., to Mrs. Hooker, iii, <a href="#Page_100">100</a></li> + <li>—Phelps, Elizabeth Stuart, to Am. W. S. Association meeting in Cooper In., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_831">831</a></li> + <li>—Phillips, Wendell, to S. B. Anthony, iii, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>to Third Decade Convention at Rochester, N. Y., iii, <a href="#Page_122">122</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—Pickler, J. A., to Matilda J. Gage, iii, <a href="#Page_668">668</a></li> + <li>—Pomeroy, C. R., to Des Moines Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_618">618</a></li> + <li>—Post, Amy, to S. B. Anthony, iii, <a href="#Page_48">48</a></li> + <li>—Pugh, Sarah, to Salem, Ohio, Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_814">814</a></li> + <li>—Rose, Ernestine L., to Susan B. Anthony, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_98">98</a>; ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_423">423</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>to Mrs. J. S. Griffing, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_356">356</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—Russell, Lucinda, to Harriet S. Brooks, iii, <a href="#Page_682">682</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Letters: Sanford, R. M., to Cleveland Con., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_819">819</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Sargent, A. A., to Third Decade Con., iii, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>to Omaha Con., iii, <a href="#Page_245">245</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—Sargent, J. T., to E. C. Stanton, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_911">911</a></li> + <li>—Saxon, Elizabeth L., to Mrs. Minor, iii, <a href="#Page_791">791</a></li> + <li>—Severance, Caroline M., to Mrs. E. C. Stanton, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_911">911</a></li> + <li>—Shaw, Sarah B., to Susan B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_239">239</a></li> + <li>—Smith, Gerrit, to Susan B. Anthony, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_497">497</a>; ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_317">317</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_538">538</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_941">941</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Garrison, Wm. L., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_223">223</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_620">620</a>;</li> + <li>Stanton, E. Cady, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_708">708</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_836">836</a>;</li> + <li>St. Louis Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_825">825</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—Somerville, Mary, to Mrs. P. W. Davis, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_440">440</a></li> + <li>—Stanton, Elizabeth Cady, to Akron, O., Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_815">815</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Cooper Institute Con., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_860">860</a>;</li> + <li>Greeley, Horace, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_738">738</a>;</li> + <li>Mott, Lucretia, iii, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>;</li> + <li>Omaha Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>;</li> + <li>Salem, O., Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_810">810</a>;</li> + <li>Smith, Gerrit, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_839">839</a>;</li> + <li>Syracuse Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_848">848</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—Stanton, Harriot, to Nebraska voters, iii, <a href="#Page_247">247</a></li> + <li>—Stebbins, Catharine A. F., to Lucretia Mott, iii, <a href="#Page_47">47</a></li> + <li>—Stone, Lucy, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>to Susan B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_237">237</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_919">919</a>;</li> + <li>to Elizabeth C. Stanton, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_234">234</a>;</li> + <li>to Salem, O., Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_813">813</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + </ul></li> +<li>Letters: Taylor, Mrs. M., to Mrs. P. W. Davis, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_438">438</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Tenney, Mrs. R. S., to Susan B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_257">257</a></li> + <li>—Tilton, Theo., to American Woman Suffrage Association, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_770">770</a></li> + <li>—Wade, Benjamin F., to Susan B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_117">117</a>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>to Josephine Sophie Griffing, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_35">35</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—Wallace, Zerelda G., to Susan B. Anthony, iii, <a href="#Page_257">257</a></li> + <li>—Wattles, Susan E. to Susan B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_255">255</a></li> + <li>—Weber, Helene M., to M. A. Spofford, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_822">822</a></li> + <li>—Weld, Angelina G., on organizations, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_540">540</a></li> + <li>—Whiting, N. H., letter to Cooper Institute Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_861">861</a></li> + <li>—Winder, R. B., to Susan B. Anthony, iii, <a href="#Page_817">817</a></li> + <li>—Wright, Elizur, to Paulina W. Davis, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_217">217</a></li> + <li>—Wright, Henry C., to Garrison, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_310">310</a></li> + <li>—Wright, Martha C., to Pillsbury, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_240">240</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Lewis, Ida, iii, <a href="#Page_347">347</a>.</li> +<li><i>Lily, The</i>, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_486">486</a>.</li> +<li><i>Lincoln</i> (Kansas) <i>Beacon</i>, <i>Lincoln</i> (Kansas) <i>Register</i>, iii, <a href="#Page_699">699</a>.</li> +<li>Lippincott, Sarah J., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_46">46</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Saxe's poems, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_828">828</a></li> + <li>—Washington Convention (Nat.), description of, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_359">359</a></li> + </ul></li> +<li>List, Charles, address at Worcester National Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_232">232</a>.</li> +<li>Little, Knox, iii, <a href="#Page_471">471</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—sermon to women, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_728">728</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Livermore, Mary A., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_777">777</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>, <a href="#Page_274">274</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>, <a href="#Page_388">388</a>, <a href="#Page_561">561</a>, <a href="#Page_565">565</a>, <a href="#Page_570">570</a>.</li> +<li>Livingston, William, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_441">441</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Lockwood</span>, Belva A., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_522">522</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_240">240</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_443">443</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_523">523</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_537">537</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_585">585</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="#Page_809">809</a>, <a href="#Page_811">811</a>, <a href="#Page_818">818</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—attempted to vote, iii, <a href="#Page_813">813</a></li> + <li>—admitted to U. S. Supreme Court, iii, <a href="#Page_141">141</a></li> + <li>—brief to U. S. Senate, on women as lawyers, iii, <a href="#Page_106">106</a></li> + <li>—motion to admit Lowry to Supreme Court, iii, <a href="#Page_174">174</a></li> + <li>—speech in Dr. Furness' Church, iii, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></li> + <li>—women's rights, the way to get, iii, <a href="#Page_73">73</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Logan, John A., on woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>.</li> +<li>Longfellow, Samuel, speech at Cooper Institute Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_711">711</a></li> +<li>Lord, Mrs. A., iii, <a href="#Page_703">703</a>.</li> +<li>Loring, Geo. B., iii, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>.</li> +<li>Lords, feudal, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_760">760</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_762">762</a>.</li> +<li>Loud, Huldah B., iii, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>.</li> +<li>Loughary. Mrs. H. A., iii, <a href="#Page_774">774</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Louisiana</span>, Constitutional Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_789">789</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—married women, laws relating to, iii, <a href="#Page_799">799</a></li> + <li>—press, iii, <a href="#Page_798">798</a></li> + <li>—St. Anna's Asylum, iii, <a href="#Page_789">789</a></li> + <li>—schools, physiology in, iii, <a href="#Page_797">797</a></li> + <li>—women eligible to school offices, iii, <a href="#Page_795">795</a></li> + <li>—women's club, iii, <a href="#Page_796">796</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Love, Mary F., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_583">583</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_587">587</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_589">589</a> (See <a href="#Davis">Davis, Mary F.</a>).</li> +<li>Lovering, J. F., iii, <a href="#Page_371">371</a>.</li> +<li>Lowell, Jas. R., poem "Endurance," iii, <a href="#Page_695">695</a>.</li> +<li>Lowell, Josephine Shaw, appointed to office, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_473">473</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>police matrons, iii, <a href="#Page_432">432</a></li> + <li>—Com'r of Charities, made a, iii, <a href="#Page_417">417</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Lozier, Clemence S., M. D., iii, <a href="#Page_405">405</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—sketch of, iii, <a href="#Page_411">411</a>, <a href="#Page_416">416</a>, <a href="#Page_421">421</a></li> + <li>—presided, <a href="#Page_425">425</a></li> + <li>—seats for shop girls, <a href="#Page_433">433</a></li> + <li>—protest against District Attorney Russell, <a href="#Page_436">436</a></li> + <li>—appeal to voters, <a href="#Page_437">437</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Lukens, Esther Ann, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_311">311</a>.</li> +<li>Lunt's, Bishop, defence of polygamy, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_776">776</a>.</li> +<li>Luther, Martin, will of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_358">358</a>.</li> +<li>Luther and polygamy, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_775">775</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_776">776</a>.</li> +<li>Lyford, Rev. C. P., on polygamy, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_778">778</a>.</li> +<li>Lynn, Eliza, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_34">34</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1001" id="Page_1001">[Pg 1001]</a></span></p> +<h3><a id="IX_M" name="IX_M">M.</a></h3> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Macaulay, Catharine Sawbridge, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_790">790</a>.</li> +<li>McCarthy, Justin, iii, <a href="#Page_864">864</a>.</li> +<li>McClellan, Geo. B., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_42">42</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_75">75</a>.</li> +<li>McClintock, Thomas, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_539">539</a>.</li> +<li>McClintock, Mary Ann, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_67">67</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_454">454</a>.</li> +<li>McCook, Edward, on suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_713">713</a>.</li> +<li>McCook, Mrs. Mary, <a href="#Page_715">715</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—tribute, <a href="#Page_718">718</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>McDonald, Joseph E., women to the Supreme Court, iii, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_139">139</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—moves Standing Committee, iii, <a href="#Page_190">190</a></li> + <li>—tribute, iii, <a href="#Page_553">553</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>McDowell, Anna E., <i>Woman's Advocate</i>, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_388">388</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—<i>Sunday Dispatch</i>, iii, <a href="#Page_446">446</a></li> + <li>—J. Edgar Thomson's will, iii, <a href="#Page_468">468</a></li> + <li>—Rev. Knox Little, iii, <a href="#Page_471">471</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>McDowell, Gertrude, iii, <a href="#Page_693">693</a>.</li> +<li>Mackey, T. J., iii, <a href="#Page_828">828</a>.</li> +<li>McLaren, Mrs. Duncan, iii, <a href="#Page_842">842</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—portrait, iii, <a href="#Page_849">849</a>; <a href="#Page_951">951</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>McLaren, Charles, Mr. and Mrs., iii, <a href="#Page_927">927</a>.</li> +<li>McLaren, Walter, iii, <a href="#Page_874">874</a>, <a href="#Page_936">936</a>.</li> +<li>McRae, Emma M., argument before House committee, iii, <a href="#Page_161">161</a>.</li> +<li>Madison, James, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_632">632</a>.</li> +<li>Mahan, Asa, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_151">151</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—argument at Cleveland National Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_133">133</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Maine</span>, iii, <a href="#Page_351">351</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Bar, admissions to, iii, <a href="#Page_355">355</a></li> + <li>—conventions (see Conventions)</li> + <li>—faithful friends, iii, <a href="#Page_365">365</a></li> + <li>—Goddard, Judge, iii, <a href="#Page_353">353</a></li> + <li>—Industrial School for girls, iii, <a href="#Page_356">356</a></li> + <li>—legislation, iii, <a href="#Page_357">357</a>, <a href="#Page_364">364</a></li> + <li>—married women, law, iii, <a href="#Page_352">352</a></li> + <li>—"Moral Eminence of Maine," iii, <a href="#Page_359">359</a></li> + <li>—suffrage society, first, iii, <a href="#Page_352">352</a></li> + <li>—women holding office, Supreme Judicial Court opinion, iii, <a href="#Page_361">361</a></li> + <li>—women in office, Gov. Dingley's message, iii, <a href="#Page_363">363</a></li> + <li>—women on school committees, iii, <a href="#Page_351">351</a></li> + <li>—woman suffrage, progress made, 1873, iii, <a href="#Page_357">357</a></li> + <li>—women tax-payers protest, iii, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>"Male" in the Constitution, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_91">91</a>.</li> +<li>Manderson, Charles F., iii, <a href="#Page_678">678</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—letter to O. C. Dinsmoor, iii, <a href="#Page_688">688</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Mandeville, Dr., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_486">486</a>.</li> +<li>Manikin, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_37">37</a>.</li> +<li>Mann, Horace, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_356">356</a>.</li> +<li>Mansfield, Arabella A., case of, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_606">606</a>.</li> +<li>Manufactures in hands of women, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_291">291</a>.</li> +<li>Marcet, Jane, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_34">34</a>.</li> +<li>"Maria" and "Old Betty," ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_114">114</a>.</li> +<li>Marriage amendment act, English, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_293">293</a>.</li> +<li>Marriage a cause of disfranchisement, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_621">621</a>.</li> +<li>Marriage and minority disabilities, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_603">603</a>.</li> +<li>Marriage, "Mrs. Schlachtfeld," on, iii, <a href="#Page_723">723</a>.</li> +<li>Marriage, what is legal status of, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_456">456</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Marriage Question</span>: Church views, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_758">758</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—devils, with, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_769">769</a></li> + <li>—Greek church, under, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_773">773</a></li> + <li>—heterogeneous, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_719">719</a></li> + <li>—law, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_107">107</a></li> + <li>—law of 1860, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_686">686</a></li> + <li>—protest, Robert Dale Owen's, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_295">295</a></li> + <li>—protest, Lucy Stone's, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_260">260</a></li> + <li>—relations, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_293">293</a></li> + <li>—Rose, Ernestine L., on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_237">237</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Marriage and Divorce</span>: Anthony, Susan B., on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_735">735</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—bill before New York Legislature, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_745">745</a></li> + <li>—Blackwell, Antoinette B., on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_723">723</a></li> + <li>—drunkenness, for, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_485">485</a></li> + <li>—Garrison, Wm. Lloyd, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_733">733</a></li> + <li>—Greeley, Horace, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_740">740</a></li> + <li>—Greeley-Owen discussion, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_296">296</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_746">746</a></li> + <li>—law amended in Massachusetts, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_211">211</a></li> + <li>—Mott, Lucretia, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_746">746</a></li> + <li>—Phillips, Wendell, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_732">732</a></li> + <li>—Rose, Ernestine L., on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_729">729</a></li> + <li>—Stanton, Elizabeth Cady, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_716">716</a></li> + <li>—Stanton, Mrs., letter to Horace Greeley on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_738">738</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Marriages solemnized by women, iii, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>.</li> +<li>Marquette, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_762">762</a>.</li> +<li>Marsh, John, letter to Horace Greeley, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_503">503</a>.</li> +<li>Marsh, Luther R., iii, <a href="#Page_408">408</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—letter to Mrs. E. C. Stanton, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_922">922</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>"Martian Statutes," i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_31">31</a>.</li> +<li>Martin, John A., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_249">249</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Martineau</span>, Harriet, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_34">34</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_854">854</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—letter to Pauline W. Davis, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_229">229</a></li> + <li>—letters to Lucretia Mott, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_437">437</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Maryland</span>, iii, <a href="#Page_814">814</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Baltimore Dental Surgery, iii, <a href="#Page_817">817</a></li> + <li>—Equal Rights Society, iii, <a href="#Page_815">815</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Mason, O. P., iii, <a href="#Page_683">683</a>, <a href="#Page_691">691</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Massachusetts</span>, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_201">201</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_265">265</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Association, anniversary, iii, <a href="#Page_272">272</a></li> + <li>—association, work done, iii, <a href="#Page_269">269</a></li> + <li>—conventions (see Conventions)</li> + <li>—Democratic Convention, action, iii, <a href="#Page_278">278</a></li> + <li>—divorce law amended, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_211">211</a></li> + <li>—Governors, action of, iii, <a href="#Page_287">287</a></li> + <li>—Grant campaign, Tremont Temple meeting, iii, <a href="#Page_278">278</a></li> + <li>—Harvard Annex, iii, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> + <li>—Legislative, action, iii, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></li> + <li>—Legislature, petition before, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_258">258</a></li> + <li>—New England Women's Club, iii, <a href="#Page_304">304</a></li> + <li>—petitions, iii, <a href="#Page_274">274</a>, <a href="#Page_285">285</a></li> + <li>—Philosophy at Concord, School of, iii, <a href="#Page_307">307</a></li> + <li>—prohibitionists, alliance with, iii, <a href="#Page_280">280</a></li> + <li>—Republican Convention, action, iii, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>, <a href="#Page_278">278</a></li> + <li>—school committees, women, iii, <a href="#Page_290">290</a></li> + <li>—school suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_280">280</a>, <a href="#Page_288">288</a></li> + <li>—suffrage associations, iii, <a href="#Page_273">273</a></li> + <li>—Supreme Court decisions, iii, <a href="#Page_290">290</a></li> + <li>—women in the civil service, iii, <a href="#Page_306">306</a></li> + <li>—women delegates to Republican Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_277">277</a></li> + <li>—women opposed to suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_275">275</a></li> + <li>—women at the polls, iii, <a href="#Page_282">282</a></li> + <li>—women, social condition, iii, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></li> + <li>—woman suffrage political party, iii, <a href="#Page_276">276</a></li> + <li>—woman suffrage ticket, iii, <a href="#Page_281">281</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Mather, Cotton, iii, <a href="#Page_303">303</a>.</li> +<li>Maule, Mollie K., iii, <a href="#Page_693">693</a>.</li> +<li>Maxwell, Lily, iii, <a href="#Page_842">842</a>.</li> +<li>May, Joseph, iii, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">May</span>, Samuel J., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_485">485</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_518">518</a>; ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_418">418</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_422">422</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—"Colored," on the word, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_215">215</a></li> + <li>—Kansas campaign, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_265">265</a></li> + <li>—President <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1002" id="Page_1002">[Pg 1002]</a></span>Rochester Convention, made, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_578">578</a></li> + <li>—speech at American Equal Rights Association meeting, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_191">191</a></li> + <li>—speech on temperance, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_478">478</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Mayo, A. D., letter to Syracuse Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_851">851</a>.</li> +<li>Medical, iii, <a href="#Page_299">299</a>, <a href="#Page_549">549</a>.</li> +<li>Medical College, first opened to women, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_88">88</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_389">389</a>.</li> +<li>Medical Education, Harriot K. Hunt on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_356">356</a>.</li> +<li>Medical profession, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_37">37</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Iowa women, iii, <a href="#Page_631">631</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Meetings (see Conventions).</li> +<li>Memorials, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_497">497</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, <a href="#Page_480">480</a>, <a href="#Page_517">517</a>, <a href="#Page_539">539</a>, <a href="#Page_855">855</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Democratic Party, iii, <a href="#Page_182">182</a></li> + <li>—Gladstone, iii, <a href="#Page_883">883</a></li> + <li>—Greenback Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></li> + <li>—Ohio Constitutional Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_105">105</a></li> + <li>—Republican Party, iii, <a href="#Page_177">177</a></li> + <li>—Woodhull, Victoria C., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_443">443</a></li> + <li>—Legislatures, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_673">673</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Mendenhall, Mrs. H. S., letter to Dr. Avery, iii, <a href="#Page_724">724</a>.</li> +<li>Meriman, Emelia J., letter to Second Decade meeting, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_441">441</a>.</li> +<li>Meriwether, Elizabeth A., iii, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_822">822</a>.</li> +<li>Merrick, Caroline E., iii, <a href="#Page_789">789</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—women as school officers, iii, <a href="#Page_795">795</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Merrick, Mrs. E. T., speech, Louisiana Constitutional Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_792">792</a>.</li> +<li>Merrill, Catharine, iii, <a href="#Page_548">548</a>.</li> +<li>Merrimon, Senator, on the Pembina Territory bill, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_552">552</a>-560.</li> +<li>Merritt, Paulina, T., iii, <a href="#Page_540">540</a>.</li> +<li>Methodists and women preachers, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_784">784</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Michigan</span>, iii, <a href="#Page_513">513</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—churches, attitude of, iii, <a href="#Page_521">521</a></li> + <li>—constitutional amendment, iii, <a href="#Page_518">518</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>lost, iii, <a href="#Page_522">522</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—Conventions (see Conventions)</li> + <li>—Episcopal Church bill, iii, <a href="#Page_529">529</a></li> + <li>—legislative action, iii, <a href="#Page_516">516</a></li> + <li>—local societies, iii, <a href="#Page_529">529</a></li> + <li>—memorial, iii, <a href="#Page_517">517</a></li> + <li>—Northwestern Association, iii, <a href="#Page_516">516</a></li> + <li>—State Suffrage Society, iii, <a href="#Page_515">515</a></li> + <li>—University, iii, <a href="#Page_525">525</a></li> + <li>—State University, Ann Arbor, opened to girls, iii, <a href="#Page_525">525</a></li> + <li>—vote for woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_522">522</a></li> + <li>—women's literary clubs and libraries, iii, <a href="#Page_513">513</a></li> + <li>—women voting in Sturgis, iii, <a href="#Page_514">514</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Middlesex society, iii, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>.</li> +<li>Miles, Nelson A., iii, <a href="#Page_779">779</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Mill</span>, John Stuart, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_341">341</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_378">378</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_727">727</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_833">833</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—death of, iii, <a href="#Page_853">853</a></li> + <li>—Fifteenth Amendment, on the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_334">334</a></li> + <li>—"Household Suffrage Bill" amendment, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_182">182</a></li> + <li>—Letter to Paulina W. Davis, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_220">220</a>; ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_419">419</a></li> + <li>—letter to S. N. Wood, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_252">252</a></li> + <li>—women government, on, iii, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Mill, Mrs. John Stuart, essay, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_225">225</a>.</li> +<li>Miller, Francis, argument, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_523">523</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Argument Spencer-Webster suit, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_595">595</a></li> + <li>—letter to Susan B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_536">536</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Mills, Chas. D. B., letter to M. J. Gage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_424">424</a>; ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_915">915</a>.</li> +<li>Milton, John, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_779">779</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_780">780</a>.</li> +<li>Ministers, charges against, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_135">135</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Minnesota</span>, iii, <a href="#Page_648">648</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Appendix: Early friends, iii, <a href="#Page_973">973</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>school officers, <a href="#Page_973">973</a>;</li> + <li>authors and poets, iii, <a href="#Page_974">974</a>;</li> + <li>graduates from State University, iii, <a href="#Page_974">974</a>;</li> + <li>teachers and professors, iii, <a href="#Page_975">975</a>;</li> + <li>medical profession, benevolent institutions, painters in oil and water colors, iii, <a href="#Page_976">976</a>;</li> + <li>musical clubs, speakers and writers, iii, <a href="#Page_977">977</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—coëducation, iii, <a href="#Page_656">656</a></li> + <li>—constitution, bill to amend, iii, <a href="#Page_651">651</a></li> + <li>—Conventions (see Conventions)</li> + <li>—Evangelists, iii, <a href="#Page_657">657</a></li> + <li>—homestead law, iii, <a href="#Page_655">655</a></li> + <li>—Kasson Society, iii, <a href="#Page_652">652</a></li> + <li>—legislative hearing, iii, <a href="#Page_651">651</a></li> + <li>—petitions to Congress, iii, <a href="#Page_651">651</a></li> + <li>—property rights of married women, iii, <a href="#Page_655">655</a></li> + <li>—Rochester society, iii, <a href="#Page_651">651</a></li> + <li>—school officers, voting for, iii, <a href="#Page_653">653</a></li> + <li>—school suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_652">652</a></li> + <li>—State association organized, iii, <a href="#Page_657">657</a></li> + <li>—teachers, iii, <a href="#Page_660">660</a></li> + <li>—temperance question, iii, <a href="#Page_655">655</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Miner, Myrtilla, iii, <a href="#Page_808">808</a>.</li> +<li>Minor, Francis, resolutions St. Louis Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_407">407</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_717">717</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Minor</span>, Virginia L., Dahlgren's, Mrs., memorial, on, iii, <a href="#Page_103">103</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—delegate to Nat. Democratic Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_27">27</a></li> + <li>—labors of, iii, <a href="#Page_596">596</a></li> + <li>—sanitary work, iii, <a href="#Page_597">597</a></li> + <li>—speeches: + <ul class="IX"> + <li>St. Louis Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_409">409</a>;</li> + <li>Washington Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_257">257</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—suit, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_715">715</a></li> + <li>—Chief-Justice Waite's opinion, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_734">734</a></li> + <li>—decision reviewed by Mrs. Gage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_742">742</a></li> + <li>—reviewed by <i>Central Law Journal</i>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_748">748</a></li> + <li>—taxes, refused to pay, iii, <a href="#Page_607">607</a></li> + <li>—vote, attempted to, iii, <a href="#Page_606">606</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Mississippi</span>, iii, <a href="#Page_806">806</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Missouri</span>, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_194">194</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_594">594</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—address to voters, iii, <a href="#Page_599">599</a></li> + <li>—Church and State, iii, <a href="#Page_601">601</a></li> + <li>—colleges and law schools, iii, <a href="#Page_594">594</a></li> + <li>—Conventions (see Conventions)</li> + <li>—petition to Legislature, iii, <a href="#Page_601">601</a></li> + <li>—suffrage movement, facts and incidents, iii, <a href="#Page_604">604</a></li> + <li>—taxation, iii, <a href="#Page_600">600</a></li> + <li>—Woman Suffrage Association organized, iii, <a href="#Page_599">599</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>division, iii, <a href="#Page_603">603</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—woman's union, iii, <a href="#Page_607">607</a></li> + <li>—women in the war, iii, <a href="#Page_596">596</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Mob Convention, Broadway Tabernacle, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_546">546</a>.</li> +<li>Mobs, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_467">467</a>.</li> +<li>Moody, W. W., iii, <a href="#Page_662">662</a>.</li> +<li>Morelli, Salvatore, iii, <a href="#Page_898">898</a>.</li> +<li>Morgan, E. D., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_687">687</a>.</li> +<li>Morgan, John T., on woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>.</li> +<li>Morgan, Middie, live-stock reporter, iii, <a href="#Page_403">403</a>.</li> +<li>Morinella, Lucrezia, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_29">29</a>.</li> +<li>Mormonism, see <i>Polygamy</i>.</li> +<li>Morrill, Senator, on Sargent's amendment to Pembina Territory bill, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_562">562</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—speech on woman suffrage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_563">563</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Morris, Esther, made Justice of Peace, iii, <a href="#Page_731">731</a>.</li> +<li>Morris, W. H., iii, <a href="#Page_691">691</a>.</li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1003" id="Page_1003">[Pg 1003]</a></span>Morrow, Jane, sketch of i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_313">313</a>.</li> +<li>Morton, O. P., iii, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>, <a href="#Page_553">553</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Pembina Territory bill, on the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_549">549</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_569">569</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_571">571</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Moss, Charles E., speech, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_200">200</a>.</li> +<li>"Mother Bickerdyke" iii, <a href="#Page_709">709</a>.</li> +<li>Mott, James, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_174">174</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_438">438</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Mott</span>, Lucretia, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_184">184</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_456">456</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—address at Westchester, Pa., Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_355">355</a></li> + <li>—Bible, on the, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_143">143</a></li> + <li>—Bible, position of woman, on the, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_380">380</a></li> + <li>—Cleveland National Convention, at, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_124">124</a></li> + <li>—dangerous woman, spoken of as a, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_423">423</a></li> + <li>—divorce, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_746">746</a></li> + <li>—eulogy by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_407">407</a></li> + <li>—Farewell, last Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_125">125</a></li> + <li>—funeral, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_835">835</a></li> + <li>—Furness' church meeting, at, iii, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></li> + <li>—home of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_411">411</a></li> + <li>—Howitt, William, correspondence, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_434">434</a></li> + <li>—letter to Lydia Mott, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_746">746</a></li> + <li>—letter to Josephine Griffing, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_873">873</a></li> + <li>—letter to St. Louis Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_144">144</a></li> + <li>—letter to Salem, O., Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_812">812</a></li> + <li>—letter to Saratoga Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_626">626</a></li> + <li>—Luther's will, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_359">359</a></li> + <li>—marriage of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_408">408</a></li> + <li>—marriage, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_79">79</a></li> + <li>—Martineau, Harriet, correspondence, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_437">437</a></li> + <li>—memorial service, iii, <a href="#Page_188">188</a></li> + <li>—ministry, engaged in, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_412">412</a></li> + <li>—O'Connell, Daniel, correspondence, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_432">432</a></li> + <li>—portrait, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_369">369</a></li> + <li>—President of the American Equal Rights Association, made, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_174">174</a></li> + <li>—President, meeting in Dr. Furness' church, iii, <a href="#Page_35">35</a></li> + <li>—President National Woman's Rights at Syracuse, made, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_519">519</a></li> + <li>—President Washington National Convention, made, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_346">346</a></li> + <li>—Pulpit, on the, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_73">73</a></li> + <li>—recollections of, by Robert Collyer, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_409">409</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_414">414</a></li> + <li>—religion and theology, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_422">422</a></li> + <li>—Rochester Convention, at, iii, <a href="#Page_123">123</a></li> + <li>—sketch of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_407">407</a></li> + <li>—slavery, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_416">416</a></li> + <li>—speech at Broadway Tabernacle Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_557">557</a></li> + <li>—Syracuse National Convention, argument, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_527">527</a></li> + <li>—tribute, Susan B. Anthony's, iii, <a href="#Page_189">189</a></li> + <li>—womanhood, her reply to R. H. Dana's lecture, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_368">368</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Mott, Lydia, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_376">376</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_476">476</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_519">519</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_578">578</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_593">593</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_623">623</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_744">744</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—letter Susan B. Anthony, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_630">630</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_409">409</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Mott, Mary, letter to Westchester, Pa., Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_829">829</a>.</li> +<li>Mottoes, Washington Convention, 1880, iii, <a href="#Page_151">151</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Newbury Society, Ohio, <a href="#Page_502">502</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Moulton, Louise Chandler, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_49">49</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<h3><a id="IX_N" name="IX_N">N.</a></h3> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Nash, Clara H., iii, <a href="#Page_358">358</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—admitted to the Bar, iii, <a href="#Page_355">355</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Nash, Mary E., iii, <a href="#Page_623">623</a>.</li> +<li>National Association, officers 1886, iii, <a href="#Page_956">956</a>.</li> +<li><i>National Citizen</i>, iii, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>.</li> +<li>Nations, mortality of, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_201">201</a>.</li> +<li>Neal, Alice Bradley, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_386">386</a>.</li> +<li>Neal, John, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_435">435</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_352">352</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Nebraska</span>, iii, <a href="#Page_670">670</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—campaign, iii, <a href="#Page_241">241</a></li> + <li>—canvass of the State, iii, <a href="#Page_686">686</a></li> + <li>—Constitutional amendment, iii, <a href="#Page_683">683</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>again defeated, <a href="#Page_691">691</a>;</li> + <li>convention, <a href="#Page_677">677</a>;</li> + <li>debate, <a href="#Page_678">678</a>;</li> + <li>new constitution, <a href="#Page_680">680</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—Conventions (see Conventions)</li> + <li>—description of, iii, <a href="#Page_671">671</a></li> + <li>—electors, qualifications of, iii, <a href="#Page_680">680</a></li> + <li>—Fourteenth Amendment ratified, iii, <a href="#Page_675">675</a></li> + <li>—Frontier life, iii, <a href="#Page_671">671</a></li> + <li>—legislative action, iii, <a href="#Page_672">672</a>, <a href="#Page_674">674</a>, <a href="#Page_675">675</a>, <a href="#Page_676">676</a>, <a href="#Page_683">683</a>, <a href="#Page_695">695</a></li> + <li>—State, made a, iii, <a href="#Page_675">675</a></li> + <li>—suffrage societies, first, iii, <a href="#Page_681">681</a></li> + <li>—Thayer County Association, iii, <a href="#Page_686">686</a></li> + <li>—Woman Suffrage Amendment beaten at the polls, iii, <a href="#Page_677">677</a></li> + <li>—woman suffrage bill passed House, beaten in Senate, iii, <a href="#Page_672">672</a></li> + <li>—woman suffrage, first work in Lincoln, iii, <a href="#Page_675">675</a></li> + <li>—women, leading, iii, <a href="#Page_692">692</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Negro, civil and political right of, argument, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_59">59</a>.</li> +<li>Negroes opposed to woman suffrage in Kansas, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_238">238</a>.</li> +<li>Negro suffrage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_106">106</a>.</li> +<li>Nevin, Dr., defence of the clergy, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_140">140</a>.</li> +<li>New England Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_262">262</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">New Hampshire</span>, iii, <a href="#Page_367">367</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—married men, bill to protect, iii, <a href="#Page_372">372</a></li> + <li>—married women, Judicial decision, iii, <a href="#Page_379">379</a></li> + <li>—petitions, iii, <a href="#Page_371">371</a></li> + <li>—Republican Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_373">373</a></li> + <li>—State Association formed, iii, <a href="#Page_370">370</a></li> + <li>—woman suffrage, first organized action, iii, <a href="#Page_367">367</a></li> + <li>—women on school committees, iii, <a href="#Page_374">374</a></li> + <li>—women voting, iii, <a href="#Page_376">376</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">New Jersey</span>, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_441">441</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_476">476</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Conventions (see Conventions)</li> + <li>—Constitution, defects in, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_451">451</a></li> + <li>—Historical Society, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_447">447</a></li> + <li>—legislative hearings, iii, <a href="#Page_490">490</a></li> + <li>—memorial to Legislature, iii, <a href="#Page_480">480</a></li> + <li>—mothers' legal claim to their children, iii, <a href="#Page_483">483</a></li> + <li>—property of married women, iii, <a href="#Page_484">484</a></li> + <li>—State Society, iii, <a href="#Page_479">479</a></li> + <li>—suffrage, progress made, iii, <a href="#Page_479">479</a></li> + <li>—Women's Club of Orange, iii, <a href="#Page_482">482</a></li> + <li>—Woman's Political Science Club, iii, <a href="#Page_481">481</a></li> + <li>—women in the pulpit, iii, <a href="#Page_484">484</a></li> + <li>—women as school trustees, iii, <a href="#Page_484">484</a></li> + <li>—woman suffrage, celebration of, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_846">846</a></li> + <li>—woman suffrage, origin of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_447">447</a></li> + <li>—women voted, iii, <a href="#Page_476">476</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><i>New Orleans Picayune</i>, iii, <a href="#Page_798">798</a>.</li> +<li>Newspapers, women in, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_43">43</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">New York</span>, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_63">63</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_472">472</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_395">395</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—appendix, iii, <a href="#Page_959">959</a></li> + <li>—Constitutional Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_269">269</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_282">282</a></li> + <li>—Constitutional revision commission, iii, <a href="#Page_409">409</a></li> + <li>—Conventions (see Conventions)</li> + <li>—disfranchisement bill, Attorney-General Russell's opinion, iii, <a href="#Page_434">434</a></li> + <li>—Lansingburgh taxpayers, iii, <a href="#Page_441">441</a></li> + <li>—Legislative hearings, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_464">464</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_489">489</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_605">605</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_679">679</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_745">745</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_406">406</a>, <a href="#Page_409">409</a>, <a href="#Page_417">417</a>, <a href="#Page_420">420</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>disfranchisement bill, iii, <a href="#Page_426">426</a>, <a href="#Page_431">431</a>, <a href="#Page_434">434</a>;</li> + <li>reports on petitions, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_612">612</a>;</li> + <li>report on woman suffrage, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_629">629</a>;</li> + <li>school suffrage bill passed, iii, <a href="#Page_424">424</a>;</li> + <li>suffrage, power to extend, iii, <a href="#Page_959">959</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—License Law</li> + <li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1004" id="Page_1004">[Pg 1004]</a></span>of 1848, repeal, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_474">474</a></li> + <li>—property rights granted, iii, <a href="#Page_438">438</a></li> + <li>—reception at the capitol, iii, <a href="#Page_438">438</a></li> + <li>—results, iii, <a href="#Page_443">443</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><i>New York Christian Enquirer</i> on the Worcester National Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_243">243</a>.</li> +<li><i>New York Evening Express</i>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_95">95</a>.</li> +<li><i>New York Evening Post</i>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_102">102</a>.</li> +<li><i>New York Herald</i> on Senator Wilson and woman suffrage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_325">325</a>.</li> +<li><i>New York Independent</i> on the New York Constitutional Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_305">305</a>.</li> +<li><i>New York Times</i>, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_645">645</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_648">648</a>.</li> +<li><i>New York Tribune</i>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_304">304</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_491">491</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_820">820</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_46">46</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—support lost, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_269">269</a></li> + <li>—World's Temperance Convention, on the, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_511">511</a></li> + <li>—woman as a voter, on the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_248">248</a></li> + <li>—Kansas campaign, on the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_232">232</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Neyman, Clara, speech at Washington Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>.</li> +<li>Nichols, Elizabeth Pease, iii, <a href="#Page_837">837</a>, <a href="#Page_925">925</a>-6.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Nichols</span>, Clarina I. Howard, iii, <a href="#Page_704">704</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Centennial protest, iii, <a href="#Page_49">49</a></li> + <li>—education of women, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_356">356</a></li> + <li>—Kansas campaign, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_258">258</a></li> + <li>—letter to Rochester Temperance Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_847">847</a></li> + <li>—portrait, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_192">192</a></li> + <li>—reminiscences, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_171">171</a></li> + <li>—speech at Broadway Tabernacle Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_561">561</a></li> + <li>—Syracuse National Convention arguments, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_522">522</a></li> + <li>—tribute, iii, <a href="#Page_764">764</a></li> + <li>—work in Vermont, iii, <a href="#Page_383">383</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Nicholson, Mrs. E. J., iii, <a href="#Page_798">798</a>.</li> +<li>Nightingale, Florence, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_14">14</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_854">854</a>.</li> +<li>Nixon, Jennie C., iii, <a href="#Page_798">798</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">North Carolina</span>, iii, <a href="#Page_825">825</a>.</li> +<li>Northcote, Sir Stafford, iii, <a href="#Page_873">873</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—speech on woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_887">887</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Norton, Caroline, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_229">229</a>.</li> +<li>Norway, iii, <a href="#Page_912">912</a>.</li> +<li>Nye, Joshua, iii, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<h3><a id="IX_O" name="IX_O">O.</a></h3> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Obituaries, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_905">905</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_891">891</a>.</li> +<li>O'Connell, Daniel, letter to Lucretia Mott, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_432">432</a>.</li> +<li>O'Connor, Henry, iii, <a href="#Page_617">617</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Ohio</span>, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_101">101</a>; iii, 491 + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—centennial celebration, women decline to take part, iii, <a href="#Page_507">507</a></li> + <li>—Constitutional Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_565">565</a></li> + <li>—Conventions (see Conventions)</li> + <li>—Equal Rights Association, iii, <a href="#Page_491">491</a></li> + <li>—Painesville Equal Rights Society, iii, <a href="#Page_509">509</a></li> + <li>—Senate Committee report on the suffrage question, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_870">870</a></li> + <li>—Soldiers' Aid society, first, iii, <a href="#Page_491">491</a></li> + <li>—Toledo society, iii, <a href="#Page_503">503</a>, <a href="#Page_506">506</a></li> + <li>—women of Oberlin protest against enfranchisement, iii, <a href="#Page_494">494</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Oliver, Anna, debate upon ordaining, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_784">784</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—suit, iii, <a href="#Page_440">440</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Oliver, Lewise, letters, iii, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>.</li> +<li><i>Omaha Republican</i>, iii, <a href="#Page_682">682</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—on Omaha Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Oregon</span>, iii, <a href="#Page_767">767</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—clergy favor woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_778">778</a></li> + <li>—constitutional amendment lost, iii, <a href="#Page_778">778</a></li> + <li>—Convention at Portland, iii, <a href="#Page_773">773</a></li> + <li>—Donation Land Act, iii, <a href="#Page_770">770</a></li> + <li>—legislative action, iii, <a href="#Page_779">779</a></li> + <li>—married woman's property bill, iii, <a href="#Page_775">775</a></li> + <li>—married woman's sole trader bill, iii, <a href="#Page_771">771</a></li> + <li>—school offices, women made eligible, iii, <a href="#Page_775">775</a></li> + <li>—suffrage organizations formed, iii, <a href="#Page_774">774</a></li> + <li>—suffrage society, first, iii, <a href="#Page_768">768</a></li> + <li>—Temperance Alliance, iii, <a href="#Page_771">771</a></li> + <li>—woman suffrage bill, iii, <a href="#Page_771">771</a></li> + <li>—woman suffrage bill passed Legislature, iii, <a href="#Page_776">776</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Oren, Mrs. Sarah A., iii, <a href="#Page_548">548</a>, <a href="#Page_972">972</a>.</li> +<li>Organizations, Angelina G. Weld, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_540">540</a>.</li> +<li>Orth, Judge, votes woman suffrage in Congress, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_483">483</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—on national platform, iii, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Orient, iii, <a href="#Page_918">918</a>.</li> +<li>Orme, Miss, iii, <a href="#Page_928">928</a>, <a href="#Page_982">982</a>.</li> +<li>Ostrander, Mrs. R., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_180">180</a>.</li> +<li>Otis, James, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_291">291</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_644">644</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Owen</span>, Robert Dale, Women's Loyal League, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_50">50</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—"male" in Federal Constitution, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_91">91</a></li> + <li>—birthday anniversary, 83rd, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_619">619</a></li> + <li>—Greeley discussion on divorce, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_746">746</a></li> + <li>—letter to Susan B. Anthony, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_292">292</a></li> + <li>—sketch of, by Rosamond Dale Owen, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_293">293</a></li> + <li>—speech at meeting in Philadelphia, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_817">817</a></li> + <li>—speech, property rights of married women, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_296">296</a></li> + <li>—spiritualism, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_301">301</a></li> + <li>—testimonial, silver pitcher, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_300">300</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Owen, Mrs. Robert Dale, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_302">302</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_313">313</a>,(see Robinson, Mary).</li> +<li>Owen, Sarah C., letter to Emily Collins, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_91">91</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—speech, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_78">78</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +</ul> + +<h3><a id="IX_P" name="IX_P">P.</a></h3> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Pacific Northwest, iii, <a href="#Page_767">767</a>.</li> +<li>Paddock, A. S., iii, <a href="#Page_674">674</a>.</li> +<li>Painter, Hetty R., iii, <a href="#Page_693">693</a>.</li> +<li>Paist, Harriet W., iii, <a href="#Page_467">467</a>.</li> +<li>Pan-Presbyterians, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_783">783</a>.</li> +<li>Panim, Ivan, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_773">773</a>.</li> +<li>Parasol-makers, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_829">829</a>.</li> +<li>Parker, Alex., speech at Broadway Tabernacle Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_560">560</a>.</li> +<li>Parker, Julia Smith, argument before Senate Committee, iii, <a href="#Page_156">156</a> (see Smith, Julia, and Abby).</li> +<li>Parker, Mary S., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_39">39</a>.</li> +<li>Parker Theodore, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_626">626</a>; ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_207">207</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—sermon "Function of Woman," i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_277">277</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Parnell, Stewart, M. P., iii, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>.</li> +<li>Parnell, Rosina M., iii, <a href="#Page_956">956</a>.</li> +<li>Parody, woman suffrage in the courts, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_599">599</a>.</li> +<li>"Pastoral Letter," i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_84">84</a>.</li> +<li>Pat and the Locomotive, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_188">188</a>.</li> +<li>Patridge, Lelia E., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_852">852</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_461">461</a>.</li> +<li>Patterson, Catherine G., iii, <a href="#Page_712">712</a>.</li> +<li>Patterson, Jessie, iii, <a href="#Page_708">708</a>.</li> +<li>Peckham, Lilia, career, iii, <a href="#Page_642">642</a>.</li> +<li>Peel, Sir Robert, iii, <a href="#Page_835">835</a>.</li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1005" id="Page_1005">[Pg 1005]</a></span>Pellet, Sarah, speech at Saratoga Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_621">621</a>.</li> +<li>Pembina Territory bill, U. S. Senate debate on Sargent's amendment, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_545">545</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—bill rejected, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_582">582</a> (see also Congressional).</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Penn, William, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_320">320</a>.</li> +<li>Pennell, Mrs. Horace, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_92">92</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Pennsylvania</span>, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_320">320</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_444">444</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—anti-slavery struggle, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_323">323</a></li> + <li>—appendix, iii, <a href="#Page_961">961</a></li> + <li>—Century Club, iii, <a href="#Page_469">469</a></li> + <li>—Citizens' Suffrage Association, iii, <a href="#Page_460">460</a></li> + <li>—common law, iii, <a href="#Page_961">961</a></li> + <li>—Constitutional Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_495">495</a></li> + <li>—Conventions (<i>see Conventions</i>)</li> + <li>—Fugitive Slave law i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_328">328</a></li> + <li>—hall, destruction of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_333">333</a></li> + <li>—Legislature recommends a sixteenth amendment, iii, <a href="#Page_474">474</a></li> + <li>—literary women, iii, <a href="#Page_469">469</a></li> + <li>—medical school controversy, iii, <a href="#Page_447">447</a></li> + <li>—petitions to Legislature, iii, <a href="#Page_463">463</a></li> + <li>—property law, married women's, iii, <a href="#Page_445">445</a></li> + <li>—school officers, women elected, iii, <a href="#Page_467">467</a></li> + <li>—school offices, women made eligible, iii, <a href="#Page_465">465</a></li> + <li>—statutes and court decisions, iii, <a href="#Page_963">963</a></li> + <li>—suffrage association formed in Philadelphia, iii, <a href="#Page_457">457</a></li> + <li>—report, annual, iii, <a href="#Page_459">459</a></li> + <li>—Swarthmore college, iii, <a href="#Page_456">456</a></li> + <li>—temperance work in, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_344">344</a></li> + <li>—University, attempt to open to women, iii, <a href="#Page_474">474</a></li> + <li>—University, clinical instruction, iii, <a href="#Page_448">448</a></li> + <li>—Woman's Medical College, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_389">389</a></li> + <li>—Woman's Medical College, report on hospital clinics, iii, <a href="#Page_450">450</a></li> + <li>—woman's rights, first legal argument, iii, <a href="#Page_462">462</a></li> + <li>—women sold with cattle, iii, <a href="#Page_445">445</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Perry, M. Frederica, lawyer, iii, <a href="#Page_574">574</a>.</li> +<li>Peru, iii, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>.</li> +<li>Peterson, Myra, iii, <a href="#Page_703">703</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Petition</span> to Congress for a XVI. amendment, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_851">851</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—first, sent to New York Legislature, iii, <a href="#Page_395">395</a></li> + <li>—Sherman-Dahlgren against woman suffrage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_494">494</a></li> + <li>—Woman's National Loyal League, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_78">78</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Petitions, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_262">262</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_308">308</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_315">315</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_489">489</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_588">588</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_625">625</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_629">629</a>; + ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_91">91</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_282">282</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_283">283</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_286">286</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_401">401</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_514">514</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_516">516</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_560">560</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_698">698</a>; + iii, <a href="#Page_58">58</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>, <a href="#Page_790">790</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—form of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_676">676</a></li> + <li>—New York Legislature report, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_612">612</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>against, iii, <a href="#Page_571">571</a>, <a href="#Page_841">841</a>.</li> + </ul></li> + </ul></li> +<li>Petitioners, four classes of, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_283">283</a>.</li> +<li>Phelps, Almira L., letter to Mrs. Hooker, iii, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>.</li> +<li>Phelps, Elizabeth B., woman's bureau, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_431">431</a>.</li> +<li>Phelps, Elizabeth Stuart, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_831">831</a>.</li> +<li><i>Philadelphia Press</i>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_359">359</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_44">44</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—<i>Ledger</i>, iii, <a href="#Page_43">43</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Philadelphia Anti-Slavery Society, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_325">325</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Phillips</span>, Wendell, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_317">317</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_268">268</a>; i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_469">469</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Anti-Slavery Convention, London, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_54">54</a></li> + <li>—Grimké, Angelina, his opinion of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_399">399</a></li> + <li>—Kansas campaign, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_230">230</a></li> + <li>—last letter on woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_122">122</a></li> + <li>—letter of regret, Saratoga Con., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_627">627</a></li> + <li>—letter to Susan B. Anthony, iii, <a href="#Page_62">62</a></li> + <li>—letter to Mrs. Stebbins, iii, <a href="#Page_522">522</a></li> + <li>—marriage and divorce, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_732">732</a></li> + <li>—Mrs. Eddy's will, iii, <a href="#Page_312">312</a></li> + <li>—self-government, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_258">258</a></li> + <li>—speeches: + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Broadway Tabernacle Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_572">572</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_637">637</a>;</li> + <li>Cooper Institute Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_701">701</a>;</li> + <li>Mozart Hall Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_674">674</a>;</li> + <li>National Convention, Boston, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_178">178</a>;</li> + <li>New England Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_273">273</a>;</li> + <li>Woman's National Loyal League, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_84">84</a>;</li> + <li>Worcester, Mass., Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_227">227</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—treasurer of Jackson fund, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_189">189</a></li> + <li>—woman suffrage, apathy, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_318">318</a></li> + <li>—World's Temperance Convention, at the, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_152">152</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Philosophy, school of, at Concord, iii, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>.</li> +<li>Physical culture, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_908">908</a>.</li> +<li>Physicians and nurses, iii, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>.</li> +<li>Pickler, J. A., letter to M. J. Gage, iii, <a href="#Page_668">668</a>.</li> +<li>Pierce, J. D., on woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_739">739</a>.</li> +<li>Pierce, Wm. S., on woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_458">458</a>.</li> +<li>Pierpont, Rev. John, iii, <a href="#Page_294">294</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—speech at Broadway Tabernacle, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_451">451</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_569">569</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Pillsbury</span>, Parker, speeches, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_427">427</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_671">671</a>; ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_173">173</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_176">176</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_375">375</a>; iii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_173">173</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_196">196</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_367">367</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_478">478</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_948">948</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—appeal for, universal suffrage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_917">917</a></li> + <li>—editor, <i>The Revolution</i>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_264">264</a></li> + <li>—Fifteenth Amendment, on the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_265">265</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_335">335</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_337">337</a></li> + <li>—Kansas campaign, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_265">265</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_367">367</a>, <a href="#Page_945">945</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Pitkin, Benjamin C, on woman's rights, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_209">209</a>.</li> +<li>Playfair, Lyon, iii, <a href="#Page_850">850</a>.</li> +<li>Plumb, P. B., the Kansas campaign, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_231">231</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_253">253</a>.</li> +<li>Plumly, Rush, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_364">364</a>.</li> +<li>Pochin, Henry D., iii, <a href="#Page_847">847</a>.</li> +<li>Pochin, Mrs., iii, <a href="#Page_848">848</a>, <a href="#Page_929">929</a>.</li> +<li>Poem, "Endurance," Lowell, iii, <a href="#Page_695">695</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Frances D. Gage and the Hutchinsons, iii, <a href="#Page_38">38</a></li> + <li>—"From Clatsop," iii, <a href="#Page_780">780</a></li> + <li>—"Pastoral Letter," i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_84">84</a></li> + <li>—"Ancient Usage," i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_371">371</a></li> + <li>—"The Times That Try Men's Souls," i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_82">82</a></li> + <li>—"Woman's Cause," Lowell, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_263">263</a></li> + <li>—Tennyson's Princess, iii, <a href="#Page_258">258</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Poland</span>, iii, <a href="#Page_917">917</a>.</li> +<li>Police, women as, iii, <a href="#Page_397">397</a>, <a href="#Page_431">431</a>, <a href="#Page_432">432</a>.</li> +<li>Political campaigns, Anna E. Dickinson, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_43">43</a>.</li> +<li>Political disabilities, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_315">315</a>.</li> +<li>Polygamy, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_776">776</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_777">777</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_778">778</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Miss Couzins on, iii, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a></li> + <li>—Bishop Lunt's defense of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_776">776</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Pomeroy, C. R., letter to Des Moines Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_618">618</a>.</li> +<li>Pomeroy, Senator, S. C., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_185">185</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—speeches, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_324">324</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_346">346</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_419">419</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_727">727</a>, <a href="#Page_811">811</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Poppleton, A. J., speech at Omaha Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>.</li> +<li>Porter, Albert G., iii, <a href="#Page_538">538</a>, <a href="#Page_553">553</a>.</li> +<li>Portugal, iii, <a href="#Page_901">901</a>.</li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1006" id="Page_1006">[Pg 1006]</a></span><span class="sc">Post</span>, Amy, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_75">75</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—letter to Susan B. Anthony, iii, <a href="#Page_48">48</a></li> + <li>—Third Decade Meeting in Rochester, N. Y., iii, <a href="#Page_117">117</a></li> + <li>—tried to vote, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_647">647</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Potter, T. B., iii, <a href="#Page_848">848</a>.</li> +<li>Powell, Aaron M., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_468">468</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_671">671</a>; ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_783">783</a>.</li> +<li>Pray, Isaac C., speech at Broadway Tabernacle Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_571">571</a>.</li> +<li>Presidential campaigns: + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—1856, John C. Fremont, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_633">633</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_641">641</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_643">643</a></li> + <li>—1872, Grant and Wilson, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_520">520</a></li> + <li>—1876, Hayes and Tilden, iii, <a href="#Page_22">22</a>, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a href="#Page_415">415</a></li> + <li>—1880, Garfield and Hancock, iii, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_431">431</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Preston, Ann, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_389">389</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_390">390</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—address at Westchester, Pa., Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_360">360</a></li> + <li>—Dean Medical College, iii, <a href="#Page_450">450</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Pretorius, Emile, letter to Woman's Nat. Loyal League, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_86">86</a>.</li> +<li>Price, Abby, speech at Syracuse National Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_532">532</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Worcester Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_242">242</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Priestley, celibacy, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_759">759</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_760">760</a>.</li> +<li>Prince, Bradford L., iii, <a href="#Page_417">417</a>.</li> +<li>Privileges and immunities, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_453">453</a>.</li> +<li>Progressive friends, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_141">141</a>.</li> +<li>Prohibition Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_183">183</a>.</li> +<li>Prohibitionists, alliance with, iii, <a href="#Page_280">280</a>.</li> +<li>Property Bill, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_64">64</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—bill, New York, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_256">256</a></li> + <li>—laws, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_171">171</a></li> + <li>—rights, Wm. Hay's paper, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_607">607</a></li> + <li>—rights of married women, iii, <a href="#Page_325">325</a></li> + <li>—opinions of Indiana Legislators, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_299">299</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Prostitution, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_264">264</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_397">397</a>, <a href="#Page_398">398</a>(see, also, Vice).</li> +<li>Pryor, Margaret, iii, <a href="#Page_477">477</a>.</li> +<li>Pugh, Sarah, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_327">327</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_337">337</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_376">376</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—letter to Salem, O., Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_814">814</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_34">34</a></li> + <li>—at Third Decade Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Pulpit, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_902">902</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—charges against, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_135">135</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Pulte medical college, iii, <a href="#Page_511">511</a>.</li> +<li>Purvis, Robert, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_183">183</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_265">265</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_347">347</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_358">358</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_418">418</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<h3><a id="IX_Q" name="IX_Q">Q.</a></h3> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Quakers, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_412">412</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_783">783</a>.</li> +<li>"Queen's women," i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_794">794</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<h3><a id="IX_R" name="IX_R">R.</a></h3> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Ransier, A. J., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_542">542</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_829">829</a>.</li> +<li>Raymond, Henry J., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_547">547</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_649">649</a>.</li> +<li>Reconstruction, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_313">313</a>.</li> +<li>Reed, C. A., iii, <a href="#Page_768">768</a>, <a href="#Page_773">773</a>.</li> +<li>Reed, Thomas B., in Congress, iii, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_366">366</a>.</li> +<li>Reformation, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_774">774</a>.</li> +<li>Reid, Mrs. Hugo, iii, <a href="#Page_836">836</a>, <a href="#Page_838">838</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Reminiscences</span>: + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Collins, Emily, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_88">88</a></li> + <li>—Davis, Paulina W., by "E. C. S.," i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_283">283</a></li> + <li>—Grimké, Angelina, by "E. C. S." i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_392">392</a></li> + <li>—Nichols, Clarina I. H., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_171">171</a></li> + <li>—Stanton's, Elizabeth C., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_456">456</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_922">922</a></li> + <li>—Starrett, Helen E., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_250">250</a></li> + <li>—Thomas, Mary F., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_306">306</a></li> + <li>—Way, Amanda, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_306">306</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Remond, Charles L., i,, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_214">214</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_220">220</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_225">225</a>.</li> +<li>Republican Party, iii, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>.</li> +<li>Republicans, treachery of, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_322">322</a>.</li> +<li>Reports (see Woman Suffrage).</li> +<li>Resolutions: + <ul class="IX"> + <li>i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_71">71</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_219">219</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_254">254</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_535">535</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_537">537</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_542">542</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_570">570</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_574">574</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_580">580</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_593">593</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_633">633</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_641">641</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_644">644</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_646">646</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_673">673</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_694">694</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_706">706</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_708">708</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_716">716</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_723">723</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_787">787</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_808">808</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_814">814</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_816">816</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_817">817</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_820">820</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_821">821</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_823">823</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_825">825</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_827">827</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_833">833</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_834">834</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_855">855</a>;</li> + <li>ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_57">57</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_84">84</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_154">154</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_171">171</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_190">190</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_213">213</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_358">358</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_384">384</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_388">388</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_396">396</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_407">407</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_420">420</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_436">436</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_493">493</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_521">521</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_533">533</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_537">537</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_583">583</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_584">584</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_780">780</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_809">809</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_810">810</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_818">818</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_826">826</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_837">837</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_843">843</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_859">859</a>;</li> + <li>iii, <a href="#Page_5">5</a>, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, + <a href="#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, + <a href="#Page_128">128</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>, + <a href="#Page_256">256</a>, <a href="#Page_493">493</a>, <a href="#Page_566">566</a>, + <a href="#Page_619">619</a>, <a href="#Page_641">641</a>, <a href="#Page_676">676</a>, + <a href="#Page_707">707</a>, <a href="#Page_708">708</a>, <a href="#Page_780">780</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Retrospect, iii, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>.</li> +<li>Revelation, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_647">647</a>.</li> +<li>Revolution, 1776, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_747">747</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Arnett, Hannah, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_441">441</a></li> + <li>—battle, first, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_203">203</a></li> + <li>—girls, two, with a drum and fife, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_204">204</a></li> + <li>—spy, female, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_323">323</a></li> + <li>—women in the, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_321">321</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_444">444</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><i>Revolution, The</i>, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_46">46</a>; + ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_317">317</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_319">319</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_321">321</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_324">324</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_333">333</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_340">340</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_344">344</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_345">345</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_372">372</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_381">381</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_382">382</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_400">400</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_401">401</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_407">407</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_411">411</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_426">426</a>, + <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_431">431</a>; + iii, <a href="#Page_397">397</a>, <a href="#Page_398">398</a>, <a href="#Page_478">478</a>, + <a href="#Page_752">752</a>, <a href="#Page_802">802</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—editorial correspondence, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_362">362</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_367">367</a></li> + <li>—establishment of, iii, <a href="#Page_401">401</a></li> + <li>—founded, when, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_264">264</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Rhode Island</span>, iii, <a href="#Page_339">339</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Conventions (see Conventions)</li> + <li>—legislation, iii, <a href="#Page_346">346</a></li> + <li>—State Association, organized, iii, <a href="#Page_340">340</a>, + <ul class="IX"> + <li>address, iii, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>;</li> + <li>work done, iii, <a href="#Page_343">343</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—women represented, iii, <a href="#Page_349">349</a></li> + <li>—Women's Board of Visitors, iii, <a href="#Page_345">345</a></li> + <li>—women on school boards, iii, <a href="#Page_341">341</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Richards, David M., iii, <a href="#Page_715">715</a>, <a href="#Page_716">716</a>, <a href="#Page_719">719</a>, <a href="#Page_721">721</a>.</li> +<li>Richardson, Susan Hoxie, iii, <a href="#Page_560">560</a>.</li> +<li>Ricker, Marilla M., iii, <a href="#Page_106">106</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—first woman to cast a vote, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_586">586</a></li> + <li>—prison reform, on, iii, <a href="#Page_578">578</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Riddle, Albert G., iii, <a href="#Page_106">106</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—speech at Washington Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_421">421</a></li> + <li>—speech before Congressional Committee, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_448">448</a></li> + <li>—Spencer-Webster suit, argument, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_587">587</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Roberts, Mrs. Marshall O., iii, <a href="#Page_400">400</a>.</li> +<li>Roberts, William H., iii, <a href="#Page_777">777</a>.</li> +<li>Robinson, Charles, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_191">191</a>.</li> +<li>Robinson, Emily, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_103">103</a>.</li> +<li>Robinson, Harriett Hanson, iii, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>, <a href="#Page_265">265</a>.</li> +<li>Robinson, Lelia J., application to the bar, iii, <a href="#Page_307">307</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Supreme Court decision, iii, <a href="#Page_308">308</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Robinson, Lucius (Gov.), defeat of, iii, <a href="#Page_423">423</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—vetoes school suffrage bill, iii, <a href="#Page_418">418</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Robinson, Mary, sketch of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_293">293</a>.</li> +<li><i>Rochester Democrat and Chronicle</i> on Miss Anthony's trial, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_715">715</a>.</li> +<li><i>Rochester Evening Express</i> on Miss Anthony's trial, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_714">714</a>.</li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1007" id="Page_1007">[Pg 1007]</a></span><i>Rocky Mountain News</i>, iii, <a href="#Page_715">715</a>.</li> +<li>Roebling, Mrs., iii, <a href="#Page_440">440</a>.</li> +<li>Roebuck's flattery of woman, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_537">537</a>.</li> +<li>Rogers, Nathaniel P., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_61">61</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_367">367</a>.</li> +<li>Roland, Pauline, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_234">234</a>.</li> +<li>Rome, "The City of God," i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_794">794</a>.</li> +<li>Root, H. K., speech at Broadway Tabernacle Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_560">560</a>.</li> +<li>Root J. P., on the Kansas campaign, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_258">258</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Rose</span>, Ernestine L., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_52">52</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_619">619</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_624">624</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_626">626</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_636">636</a>; ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_390">390</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_514">514</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—biography, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_95">95</a></li> + <li>—debate, Cleveland National Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_133">133</a></li> + <li>—English women, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_645">645</a></li> + <li>—Equal Rights Association, on the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_397">397</a></li> + <li>—<i>Letters</i>: + <ul class="IX"> + <li>to Susan B. Anthony, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_99">99</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>;</li> + <li>to Mrs. J. F. Griffing, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_356">356</a>;</li> + <li>to Rochester Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_120">120</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—marriage, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_237">237</a></li> + <li>—marriage and divorce, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_729">729</a></li> + <li>—portrait of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_97">97</a></li> + <li>—propagandist, <i>Albany Register</i> charges, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_608">608</a></li> + <li>—resolutions, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_707">707</a></li> + <li>—<i>Speeches</i>: + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Broadway Tabernacle, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_562">562</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_661">661</a>;</li> + <li>Cooper Institute Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_692">692</a>;</li> + <li>New York Legislature, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_607">607</a>;</li> + <li>Philadelphia Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_376">376</a>;</li> + <li>Rochester Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_579">579</a>;</li> + <li>Syracuse Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_537">537</a>;</li> + <li>Woman's National Loyal League, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_73">73</a>;</li> + <li>Worcester Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_237">237</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—tribute to Frances Wright, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_692">692</a></li> + <li>—Westchester, Pa., Convention, at, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_357">357</a></li> + <li>—women in colleges, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_144">144</a>; ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_208">208</a></li> + <li>—in London, 1883, iii, <a href="#Page_940">940</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Ross, E. G., letter to Susan B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_423">423</a>.</li> +<li>Ross, James, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_449">449</a>.</li> +<li>Ross, Laura J., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_374">374</a>; (see Wolcott, Laura Ross).</li> +<li>Russell, Leslie W., iii, <a href="#Page_434">434</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—defeat of, iii. <a href="#Page_437">437</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Russell, Lucinda, correspondence, iii, <a href="#Page_682">682</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—sketch of, iii, <a href="#Page_692">692</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Russia, iii, <a href="#Page_915">915</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<h3><a id="IX_S" name="IX_S">S.</a></h3> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Sacrilegious child, Cardinal Antonelli's, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_788">788</a>.</li> +<li>Safe deposit companies, iii, <a href="#Page_402">402</a>.</li> +<li>St. Chrysostom's description of woman, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_758">758</a>.</li> +<li>St. John, Gov., J. P., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_258">258</a>. iii, <a href="#Page_706">706</a>.</li> +<li>St. Paul, quotations, iii, <a href="#Page_720">720</a>.</li> +<li>Salic law, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_774">774</a>.</li> +<li>Sanborn, Frank B., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_765">765</a>.</li> +<li>Sandford, Arch-Deacon, iii, <a href="#Page_848">848</a>.</li> +<li>Sanford, Rebecca M., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_77">77</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—letter to Cleveland Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_819">819</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Sandige, John M., iii, <a href="#Page_791">791</a>.</li> +<li>Sanitary Commission, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_13">13</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Sargent, A. A.</span>, iii, <a href="#Page_108">108</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—California Constitution, on the, iii, <a href="#Page_760">760</a></li> + <li>—District of Columbia suffrage bill, on the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_483">483</a></li> + <li>—letter to Omaha Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_245">245</a></li> + <li>—letter to Rochester Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_121">121</a></li> + <li>—Pembina Territory bill, amendment, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_545">545</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>bill rejected, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_582">582</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—Pembina Territory bill, on the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_546">546</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_555">555</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_564">564</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_567">567</a></li> + <li>—resolution, woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_70">70</a></li> + <li>—speech in San Francisco, on woman's rights, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_483">483</a></li> + <li>—speech in Senate, iii, <a href="#Page_9">9</a></li> + <li>—woman suffrage, joint resolution, iii, <a href="#Page_75">75</a></li> + <li>—minister at Berlin, iii, <a href="#Page_944">944</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Sargent, Elizabeth, M. D., iii, <a href="#Page_763">763</a>.</li> +<li>Sargent, J. T., letter to Mrs. E. C. Stanton, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_911">911</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—speech at New England Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_270">270</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Saunders, Alvin, on woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_674">674</a>.</li> +<li>Savage, John, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_38">38</a>.</li> +<li>Saxe, Dana, and Grace Greenwood, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_828">828</a>.</li> +<li>Saxon Elizabeth L., iii, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_241">241</a>, <a href="#Page_690">690</a>, <a href="#Page_791">791</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—argument before Senate committee, iii, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Scatcherd, Mrs. Oliver, iii, <a href="#Page_875">875</a>, <a href="#Page_878">878</a>, <a href="#Page_923">923</a>, <a href="#Page_929">929</a>, <a href="#Page_936">936</a>.</li> +<li>Schell, Augustus, favors woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_422">422</a>.</li> +<li>Schenck, Elizabeth T., iii, <a href="#Page_750">750</a>, <a href="#Page_754">754</a>.</li> +<li>School of Design for Women, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_390">390</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_399">399</a>.</li> +<li>School officers, bill passed New York Legislature, iii, <a href="#Page_417">417</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>vetoed by Gov. Robinson, iii, <a href="#Page_418">418</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>School suffrage (see Suffrage Gained).</li> +<li>Schurz, Carl, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_42">42</a>; ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_370">370</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Scotland</span> (see Great Britain, iii, <a href="#Page_833">833</a>).</li> +<li>Scott, Thomas A., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_5">5</a>.</li> +<li>Scovill, James M., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_420">420</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_477">477</a>.</li> +<li>Sears, Judge, in Kansas campaign, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_240">240</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_253">253</a>.</li> +<li>See, Rev. Isaac M., trial of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_780">780</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_485">485</a>.</li> +<li>Segur, Rose L., iii, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>.</li> +<li>Selden, H. R., Miss Anthony's counsel, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_629">629</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_647">647</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_652">652</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_654">654</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_679">679</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_680">680</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_689">689</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>appeal to Congress, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_698">698</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Seneca Falls Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_67">67</a>.</li> +<li>Severance, Caroline M., address at Broadway Tabernacle, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_569">569</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—New England Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_262">262</a></li> + <li>—letter to Mrs. E. C. Stanton, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_911">911</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Sewall, Samuel E., iii, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>.</li> +<li>Seward, Wm. H., on self-government, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_77">77</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_85">85</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—on woman's rights, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_457">457</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Sewall, May Wright, iii, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_534">534</a>, <a href="#Page_557">557</a>, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>.</li> +<li>Seymour, Horatio, thirty pieces of silver, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_473">473</a>.</li> +<li>Shattuck, Harriette R., iii, <a href="#Page_226">226</a>, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>.</li> +<li>Shaw, Sarah B., letter to Susan B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_239">239</a>.</li> +<li>Shelly, Kate, heroism of, iii, <a href="#Page_633">633</a>.</li> +<li>Sherman-Dahlgren petition against woman suffrage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_494">494</a>.</li> +<li>Shields, M. F., iii, <a href="#Page_719">719</a>.</li> +<li>Sholes, C. L., report on rights of women in Wisconsin, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_315">315</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_640">640</a>.</li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1008" id="Page_1008">[Pg 1008]</a></span>Shuman, Andrew, iii, <a href="#Page_561">561</a>.</li> +<li>Silk Culture, iii, <a href="#Page_762">762</a>.</li> +<li>Simpson, Bishop, favors woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_460">460</a>, <a href="#Page_616">616</a>.</li> +<li>Sixteenth Amendment, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_333">333</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_350">350</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_351">351</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_352">352</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_353">353</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_400">400</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_420">420</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_422">422</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_425">425</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_436">436</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>.</li> +<li>Sixteenth Amendment, reasons for a, iii, <a href="#Page_235">235</a>.</li> +<li>Sixteenth Amendment, renewed appeal, iii, <a href="#Page_58">58</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—press comments, iii, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Sketches, <i>see Biography</i>.</li> +<li>Slave law, fugitive, Pennsylvania, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_328">328</a>.</li> +<li>Slavery, Angelina Grimké's speech, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_334">334</a> (see, also, Anti-Slavery).</li> +<li>Slavery sustained by the North, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_542">542</a>.</li> +<li>Slavery and the war, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_77">77</a>.</li> +<li>Slavonic countries, iii, <a href="#Page_915">915</a>.</li> +<li>Smith, Elizabeth Oakes, iii, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>, <a href="#Page_826">826</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Massachusetts Constitutional Convention, at the, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_253">253</a></li> + <li>—speech at Syracuse Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_522">522</a></li> + <li>—Worcester Convention, at, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_231">231</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Smith</span> Gerrit, home of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_471">471</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—letter to + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Susan B. Anthony, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_497">497</a>; ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_317">317</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_538">538</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_941">941</a>;</li> + <li>Wm. Lloyd Garrison, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_223">223</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_620">620</a>;</li> + <li>St. Louis Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_825">825</a>;</li> + <li>Elizabeth Cady Stanton, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_708">708</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_836">836</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—speech at Syracuse National Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_526">526</a></li> + <li>—petition for woman suffrage, refused to sign, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_317">317</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Smith, Mrs. Gerrit, petition, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_98">98</a>.</li> +<li>Smith, Hannah Whitehall, speech at Philadelphia Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_230">230</a>.</li> +<li>Smith, Julia and Abby, iii, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>, <a href="#Page_328">328</a>, <a href="#Page_336">336</a>.</li> +<li>Smith, Sidney, iii, <a href="#Page_834">834</a>.</li> +<li>Snow, Lucy and Lavinia, iii, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>.</li> +<li>Social relations, Channing's report, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_233">233</a>.</li> +<li>Sojourner Truth, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_115">115</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_567">567</a>; ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_222">222</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_224">224</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_926">926</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_458">458</a>, <a href="#Page_531">531</a>.</li> +<li>Soldiers, women as, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_869">869</a>.</li> +<li>Somerville, Mary, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_790">790</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—letter to Mrs. P. W. Davis, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_440">440</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Song, "A Hundred Years Hence," iii, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>.</li> +<li>Song, "Kansas Suffrage," ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_934">934</a>.</li> +<li>Sorosis, iii, <a href="#Page_402">402</a>, <a href="#Page_571">571</a>.</li> +<li>South, what the, can do, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_929">929</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">South Carolina</span>, iii, <a href="#Page_828">828</a>.</li> +<li>Southwick, Thankful, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_341">341</a>.</li> +<li>Southworth, Mrs. E. D. E. N., iii, <a href="#Page_813">813</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Spain</span>, iii, <a href="#Page_901">901</a>.</li> +<li>Spencer, Herbert, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_26">26</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Spencer</span>, Sarah Andrews, iii, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—argument before House Committee, iii, <a href="#Page_166">166</a></li> + <li>—before Senate Judiciary Committee, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_543">543</a></li> + <li>—before D. C. Committee, iii, <a href="#Page_12">12</a></li> + <li>—delegate Rep. Nat. Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_26">26</a></li> + <li>—resolutions, iii, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></li> + <li>—speeches, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_539">539</a></li> + <li>—suit, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_587">587</a></li> + <li>—Chief-Justice Cartter's opinion, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_597">597</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Spider-crab, Theodore Tilton, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_93">93</a>.</li> +<li>Sprague, Homer B., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_425">425</a>.</li> +<li>Stanford, Leland, iii, <a href="#Page_764">764</a>.</li> +<li>Stansfeld, M. P., James, iii, <a href="#Page_872">872</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—speech, iii, <a href="#Page_886">886</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Stanton, Edwin M., and Mrs. J. S. Griffing, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_33">33</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Stanton</span>, Elizabeth Cady, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_79">79</a>; ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_322">322</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_360">360</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_361">361</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_381">381</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_382">382</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_383">383</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_391">391</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_417">417</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_418">418</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_428">428</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_430">430</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_456">456</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_582">582</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_7">7</a>, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>, <a href="#Page_529">529</a>, <a href="#Page_560">560</a>, <a href="#Page_630">630</a>, <a href="#Page_644">644</a>, <a href="#Page_811">811</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Abolitionists, and the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_264">264</a></li> + <li>—address to New York Legislature, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_595">595</a></li> + <li>—appeal to women of New York State, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_676">676</a></li> + <li>—appeal to women of the Republic, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_51">51</a></li> + <li>—appeal for Woman's Rights, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_858">858</a></li> + <li>—argument before Senate committee, iii, <a href="#Page_228">228</a></li> + <li>—"Bloomer," in a, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_128">128</a></li> + <li>—California visit, iii, <a href="#Page_756">756</a></li> + <li>—call, loyal women, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_53">53</a></li> + <li>—candidate for Congress, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_180">180</a></li> + <li>—children i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_457">457</a></li> + <li>—civil rights bill for women, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_541">541</a></li> + <li>—"copperheads," ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_320">320</a></li> + <li>—divorce for drunkenness, argument, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_485">485</a></li> + <li>—editorial correspondence in <i>The Revolution</i>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_362">362</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_367">367</a></li> + <li>—eulogy: Lucretia Mott, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_407">407</a></li> + <li>—Equal Rights Association, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_173">173</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_174">174</a></li> + <li>—eternal punishment, on, iii, <a href="#Page_196">196</a></li> + <li>—Fifteenth Amendment, on the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_333">333</a></li> + <li>—girls and boys at school, on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_541">541</a></li> + <li>—Grant and Wilson campaign, in, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_520">520</a></li> + <li>—Greeley, Horace, and, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_287">287</a></li> + <li>—Hurlbut, Judge, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_39">39</a></li> + <li>—Kansas campaign, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_200">200</a>; ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_253">253</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_254">254</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_261">261</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_262">262</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_263">263</a></li> + <li>—lecture, "Education of Girls," iii, <a href="#Page_536">536</a></li> + <li>—lectures in Omaha, iii, <a href="#Page_675">675</a></li> + <li>—lecturing tour, Ohio, iii, <a href="#Page_491">491</a></li> + <li>—Letters: + <ul class="IX"> + <li>to Akron, O., Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_815">815</a>;</li> + <li>to <i>The Ballot Box</i>, iii, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>;</li> + <li>to Cooper Institute Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_860">860</a>;</li> + <li>to Gerrit Smith, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_839">839</a>;</li> + <li>to Gen. Hawley, iii, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>;</li> + <li>to Horace Greeley, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_735">735</a>;</li> + <li>to the <i>National Citizen</i>, iii, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>;</li> + <li>to Omaha convention, iii, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>;</li> + <li>to Salem, O., convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_810">810</a>;</li> + <li>to Syracuse convention i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_848">848</a>;</li> + <li>to Washington convention, iii, <a href="#Page_261">261</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—London visit, 1882-3, iii, <a href="#Page_922">922</a></li> + <li>—"male" in the constitution, on the word, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_91">91</a></li> + <li>—manhood suffrage, on, iii, <a href="#Page_566">566</a></li> + <li>—marriage and divorce, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_716">716</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_738">738</a></li> + <li>—Michigan campaign iii, <a href="#Page_521">521</a></li> + <li>—"Negro's hour," ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_94">94</a></li> + <li>—Newport Con., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_403">403</a></li> + <li>—Oregon, Mo., visit, iii, <a href="#Page_609">609</a></li> + <li>—portrait, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_721">721</a></li> + <li>—President Albany convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_592">592</a></li> + <li>—President Loyal League, made, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_66">66</a></li> + <li>—press comments on Rochester and Seneca Falls conventions, her reply to, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_806">806</a></li> + <li>—reception, Sorosis, Chicago, iii, <a href="#Page_571">571</a></li> + <li>—reconstruction, on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_214">214</a></li> + <li>—Reminiscences: i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_456">456</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_836">836</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_922">922</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>of Angelina Grimké, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_392">392</a>;</li> + <li>of Paulina Wright Davis, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_283">283</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—resolutions before Congress affecting women, on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_92">92</a></li> + <li>—resolutions, Washington convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_542">542</a></li> + <li>—sermon, St. Louis, iii, <a href="#Page_148">148</a></li> + <li>—Sixteenth Amendment, urges a, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_350">350</a></li> + <li>—Smith, Gerrit, refusing to sign petition for <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1009" id="Page_1009">[Pg 1009]</a></span>woman suffrage, on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_317">317</a></li> + <li>—Speeches: + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Cooper Institute, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_716">716</a>;</li> + <li>Congressional committee, before, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_411">411</a>;</li> + <li>Furness' Church, in, iii, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>;</li> + <li>Legislature, claiming woman's rights, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_271">271</a>;</li> + <li>Milwaukee, iii, <a href="#Page_641">641</a>;</li> + <li>National protection for National citizens, iii, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>;</li> + <li>New York Legislature, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_679">679</a>;</li> + <li>New York National convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_154">154</a>;</li> + <li>Rochester Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>;</li> + <li>Rochester Temperance Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_481">481</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_493">493</a>;</li> + <li>Senate Judiciary Committee, before, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_506">506</a>;</li> + <li>suffrage, question of, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_185">185</a>;</li> + <li>Washington Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_495">495</a>;</li> + <li>Washington Nat. Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_348">348</a>;</li> + <li>Woman's National Loyal League, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_87">87</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—testimonial ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_533">533</a></li> + <li>—Train, G. F., and <i>The Revolution</i>, criticism, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_264">264</a></li> + <li>—tribute from <i>Leavenworth Commercial</i> (Kansas), ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_263">263</a></li> + <li>—view of, an objective, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_456">456</a></li> + <li>—Wadleigh, Senator, on, iii, <a href="#Page_93">93</a></li> + <li>—western trip, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_367">367</a></li> + <li>—Wyoming visit, iii, <a href="#Page_734">734</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Stanton Harriot, letter to Nebraska voters, iii, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="#Page_933">933</a>.</li> +<li>Stanton, Theodore, iii, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>, <a href="#Page_895">895</a>, <a href="#Page_928">928</a>.</li> +<li>Starrett, Helen Ekin, reminiscences Kansas campaign, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_348">348</a>.</li> +<li>Stearns, O. P., iii, <a href="#Page_528">528</a>.</li> +<li>Stearns, Sarah Burger, iii, <a href="#Page_527">527</a>, <a href="#Page_649">649</a>.</li> +<li>Stebbins, Catharine A. F., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_26">26</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_514">514</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—before House committee, iii, <a href="#Page_162">162</a></li> + <li>—letter to Lucretia Mott, iii, <a href="#Page_47">47</a></li> + <li>—vote, attempts to, iii, <a href="#Page_523">523</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Steck, Amos, iii, <a href="#Page_714">714</a>.</li> +<li>Steele, William, iii, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>.</li> +<li>Stephens, Alexander H., reception, iii, <a href="#Page_98">98</a>, <a href="#Page_830">830</a>.</li> +<li>Stevens, Louisa B., iii, <a href="#Page_633">633</a>.</li> +<li>Stevens, Thaddeus, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_354">354</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_632">632</a>.</li> +<li>Stevenson, Emily Pitts, iii, <a href="#Page_752">752</a>.</li> +<li>Stevenson, Sarah Hackett, iii, <a href="#Page_579">579</a>.</li> +<li>Stewart's Home for Working Women, iii, <a href="#Page_420">420</a>.</li> +<li>Stewart, Senator, on the Pembina Territory bill, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_548">548</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_558">558</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_559">559</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_564">564</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_573">573</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_579">579</a>.</li> +<li>Stone, Dr. James A. B., address at St. Louis, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_821">821</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_525">525</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Stone</span>, Lucy, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_473">473</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_619">619</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_626">626</a>; ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_56">56</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>, <a href="#Page_513">513</a>, <a href="#Page_722">722</a>, <a href="#Page_724">724</a>, <a href="#Page_818">818</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Constitutional Convention at Albany, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_284">284</a></li> + <li>—husband, and her, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_164">164</a></li> + <li>—husband's name, refusing to take her, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_261">261</a></li> + <li>—Kansas, in, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_200">200</a></li> + <li>—Kansas campaign, in, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_232">232</a></li> + <li>—letter to Susan B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_237">237</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_919">919</a></li> + <li>—letter to Salem, O., Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_813">813</a></li> + <li>—letters to E. Cady Stanton, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_234">234</a></li> + <li>—letter to <i>The Una</i>, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_501">501</a></li> + <li>—marriage of, under protest, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_260">260</a></li> + <li>—meetings held in New Jersey, iii, <a href="#Page_479">479</a></li> + <li>—petitions, iii, <a href="#Page_104">104</a></li> + <li>—National Convention, Broadway Tabernacle, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_631">631</a></li> + <li>—Philadelphia National Convention, at, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_375">375</a></li> + <li>—portrait, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_761">761</a></li> + <li>—report, American Woman Suffrage Association, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_803">803</a></li> + <li>—scripture, on, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_650">650</a></li> + <li>—speeches: + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Broadway Tabernacle Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_554">554</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_565">565</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_632">632</a>;</li> + <li>American Woman Suffrage Association meeting in Cooper Institute, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_829">829</a>;</li> + <li>in Steinway Hall, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_811">811</a>;</li> + <li>in Detroit, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_837">837</a>;</li> + <li>in St. Louis, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_823">823</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_827">827</a>;</li> + <li>in Washington, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_858">858</a>;</li> + <li>Cincinnati, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_165">165</a>;</li> + <li>Cleveland, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_163">163</a>;</li> + <li>Concord, iii, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>;</li> + <li>Woman's National Loyal League, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_64">64</a>;</li> + <li>Worcester, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_233">233</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—suffrage, negro, first, on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_383">383</a></li> + <li>—Syracuse National Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_524">524</a></li> + <li>—taxes, refused to pay, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_450">450</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Story, Judge, on the Constitution, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_477">477</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_478">478</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_588">588</a>.</li> +<li>Strahan, Robert H., iii, <a href="#Page_417">417</a>.</li> +<li>Strong, Rev. A. H., iii, <a href="#Page_155">155</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—on subordination of women, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_787">787</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Stuart, Abby H. H., iii, <a href="#Page_787">787</a>.</li> +<li>Stuart, Mary A., iii, <a href="#Page_158">158</a>, <a href="#Page_817">817</a>.</li> +<li>Studwell, Edwin A., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_398">398</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Suffrage Gained</span>:</li> + <li><ul class="IX"> + <li><i>Full</i> suffrage:</li> + <li> Isle of Man, iii, <a href="#Page_870">870</a>, <a href="#Page_982">982</a>;</li> + <li>Utah Territory, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_426">426</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_432">432</a>;</li> + <li>Washington Territory, iii, <a href="#Page_777">777</a>;</li> + <li>Wyoming Territory, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_426">426</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_432">432</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_730">730</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Suffrage Gained</span>:</li> + <li><ul class="IX"> + <li><i>Municipal</i> suffrage:</li> + <li>Canada, iii, <a href="#Page_832">832</a>,</li> + <li>England, iii, <a href="#Page_845">845</a>;</li> + <li>Madras, iii, <a href="#Page_983">983</a>;</li> + <li>Scotland, iii, <a href="#Page_871">871</a>, <a href="#Page_983">983</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Suffrage Gained</span>:</li> + <li><ul class="IX"> + <li><i>School</i> suffrage:</li> + <li>Canada, iii, <a href="#Page_831">831</a>;</li> + <li>Colorado, iii, <a href="#Page_718">718</a>;</li> + <li>Dakota, iii, <a href="#Page_633">633</a>;</li> + <li>England, iii, <a href="#Page_850">850</a>;</li> + <li>Kansas, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_185">185</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_701">701</a>, <a href="#Page_710">710</a>;</li> + <li>Kentucky, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_869">869</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_821">821</a>;</li> + <li>Massachusetts, iii, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>;</li> + <li>Michigan, iii, <a href="#Page_515">515</a>, <a href="#Page_530">530</a>;</li> + <li>Minnesota, iii, <a href="#Page_652">652</a>, <a href="#Page_653">653</a>, <a href="#Page_654">654</a>;</li> + <li>Nebraska, iii, <a href="#Page_675">675</a>;</li> + <li>New Hampshire, iii, <a href="#Page_375">375</a>, <a href="#Page_376">376</a>;</li> + <li>New York, iii, <a href="#Page_424">424</a>;</li> + <li>Oregon, iii, <a href="#Page_775">775</a>;</li> + <li>Scotland, iii, <a href="#Page_851">851</a>;</li> + <li>Vermont, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_171">171</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_304">304</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Suits (see Trials).</li> +<li><span class="sc">Sumner</span>, Charles, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_81">81</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_168">168</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_169">169</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—ballot, on the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_95">95</a></li> + <li>—equal rights to all, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_322">322</a></li> + <li>—Fourteenth Amendment, opposed, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_323">323</a></li> + <li>—voted for, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_324">324</a></li> + <li>—letter, Woman's National Loyal League anniversary, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_86">86</a></li> + <li>—"male," and the word, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_91">91</a></li> + <li>—petition, presents, under protest, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_96">96</a></li> + <li>—petitions, asks for, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_93">93</a></li> + <li>—rebuked by Senator Cowan, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_113">113</a></li> + <li>—speech in U. S. Senate on presentation of petition of the Woman's Nat. League, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_78">78</a></li> + <li>—Taxation without Representation, on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_114">114</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Sunday-school teachings, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_786">786</a>.</li> +<li>Sunderland-Gage controversy, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_543">543</a>.</li> +<li>Sunderland, Mrs. H. E., iii, <a href="#Page_564">564</a>.</li> +<li>Sutherland, Julia K., iii, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>.</li> +<li>Swank, Emma B., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_307">307</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—sketch of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_313">313</a></li> + </ul></li> +<li>Sweet, Ada, pension agent, iii, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>.</li> +<li>Swisshelm, Jane Grey, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_386">386</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_650">650</a>, <a href="#Page_813">813</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—<i>Saturday Visitor</i>, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_46">46</a></li> + <li>—letter, "Borders of Monkeydom," i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_807">807</a></li> + <li>—speech, Washington Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Switzerland</span>, iii, <a href="#Page_909">909</a>, <a href="#Page_911">911</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1010" id="Page_1010">[Pg 1010]</a></span></p> +<h3><a id="IX_T" name="IX_T">T.</a></h3> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Taney, Justice, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_639">639</a>.</li> +<li>Tax, society, anti, iii, <a href="#Page_413">413</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Susan A. King, iii, <a href="#Page_420">420</a></li> + <li>—protest, Harriet K. Hunt's, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_259">259</a></li> + <li>—Report of N. Y. State Assessors, iii, <a href="#Page_412">412</a></li> + <li>—representation, without, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_114">114</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_169">169</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_274">274</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_475">475</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>, <a href="#Page_397">397</a></li> + <li>—Lucy Stone refused to pay, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_450">450</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Taylor, Helen, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_425">425</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_852">852</a>, <a href="#Page_923">923</a>, <a href="#Page_940">940</a>.</li> +<li>Taylor, Mrs. Mentia, letter to Mrs. P. W. Davis, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_438">438</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Mrs. P. A., iii, <a href="#Page_848">848</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Taylor, R. B., in Kansas campaign, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_231">231</a>.</li> +<li>Tea, Anti, Leagues, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_202">202</a>.</li> +<li>Telegrapher, Hattie Hutchinson, age ten years, iii, <a href="#Page_805">805</a>.</li> +<li>Teller, Willard, iii, <a href="#Page_715">715</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Temperance</span> conventions: + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Albany, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_489">489</a></li> + <li>—Dayton, Ohio, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_118">118</a></li> + <li>—Half World's, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_506">506</a></li> + <li>—Lawrence, Kansas, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_231">231</a></li> + <li>—Pennsylvania, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_348">348</a></li> + <li>—World's, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_152">152</a></li> + <li>—press comments, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_854">854</a></li> + <li>—daughters of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_474">474</a></li> + <li>—New York, Brick Church meeting, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_499">499</a></li> + <li>—New York, Metropolitan Hall meeting, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_490">490</a></li> + <li>—New York Woman's State Society, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_484">484</a></li> + <li>—Woman Suffrage, and, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_819">819</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Tennessee</span>, iii, <a href="#Page_822">822</a>.</li> +<li>Tennessee campaign, Miss Carroll, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_3">3</a>-9.</li> +<li>Tenney, Mrs. R. S., letter to Susan B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_257">257</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Texas</span>, iii, <a href="#Page_801">801</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Constitutional Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_801">801</a></li> + <li>—Legislative action, iii, <a href="#Page_802">802</a></li> + <li>—women in government offices, iii, <a href="#Page_804">804</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Theological discussion, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_647">647</a>.</li> +<li>Thirteenth Amendment, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_77">77</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_313">313</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_663">663</a>.</li> +<li>Thomas', Mrs. Abel C., farm, iii, <a href="#Page_469">469</a>.</li> +<li>Thomas, Julia J., and Greek prize, iii, <a href="#Page_6">6</a>.</li> +<li>Thomas, Mary F., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_860">860</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—reminiscences of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_306">306</a></li> + <li>—sketch of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_314">314</a></li> + <li>—speech, Winchester, Ind., convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_308">308</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Thompson, Geo., speech, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_56">56</a>.</li> +<li>Thompson, Mary A., iii, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_775">775</a>.</li> +<li>Thomson, J. Edgar, will of, iii, <a href="#Page_468">468</a>.</li> +<li>Thornton, J. Quinn, iii, <a href="#Page_773">773</a>.</li> +<li>Tilden, Samuel J., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_473">473</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_417">417</a>.</li> +<li>Tillotson, Mary A., iii, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Tilton</span>, Theodore, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_376">376</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Beecher colloquy, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_167">167</a></li> + <li>—Fifteenth Amendment, and the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_327">327</a></li> + <li>—Kansas campaign, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_230">230</a></li> + <li>—letter to American Woman Suffrage Association, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_770">770</a></li> + <li>—speech at Nat. Convention in New York, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_154">154</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Tod, Isabella M., iii, <a href="#Page_866">866</a>, <a href="#Page_888">888</a>, <a href="#Page_938">938</a>.</li> +<li>Toucey, Sinclair, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_419">419</a>.</li> +<li>Train, Geo. Francis, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_381">381</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_431">431</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Constitutional Convention at Albany, before, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_284">284</a></li> + <li>—Kansas campaign, in, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_243">243</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_254">254</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_264">264</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Tracts, prize, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_379">379</a>.</li> +<li><a name="trials_decisions" id="trials_decisions"><span class="sc">Trials</span> and Decisions</a>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_586">586</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_934">934</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Allen, Jane, case of, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_592">592</a></li> + <li>—Anthony, Susan B. (see Anthony)</li> + <li>—Bly, Mrs., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_671">671</a></li> + <li>—Bradwell, Myra (see Bradwell)</li> + <li>—Burnham, Carrie, suit, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_600">600</a></li> + <li>—Gardner, Nannette B., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_587">587</a></li> + <li>—Huntington, Sarah M. T., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_628">628</a></li> + <li>—Inspectors of election, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_691">691</a></li> + <li>—jury convicts, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_696">696</a></li> + <li>—pardoned by President Grant, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_715">715</a></li> + <li>—sentenced, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_698">698</a></li> + <li>—trial, motion for new, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_696">696</a></li> + <li>—Mansfield, Arabella A., case of, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_606">606</a></li> + <li>—Minor, Virginia L., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_715">715</a></li> + <li>—Chief-Justice Waite's opinion, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_734">734</a></li> + <li>—opinion reviewed by Mrs. Gage, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_742">742</a></li> + <li>—reviewed by <i>Central Law Journal</i>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_748">748</a></li> + <li>—parody, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_599">599</a></li> + <li>—Ricker, Mrs. M. M., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_586">586</a></li> + <li>—Spencer, Sarah Andrews, suit, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_587">587</a></li> + <li>—Chief-Justice Cartter's opinion, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_597">597</a></li> + <li>—Van Valkenburg, Ellen Rand, suit, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_600">600</a></li> + <li>—Waite, Catharine V., suit, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_601">601</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_571">571</a></li> + <li>—Webster, Sarah E., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_587">587</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_571">571</a></li> + <li>—5,000 women householders and Lord Coleridge, iii, <a href="#Page_884">884</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Truman, James, on Women in dentistry, iii, <a href="#Page_452">452</a>.</li> +<li>Trumbull, Lyman, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_498">498</a>.</li> +<li>Tudor, Mrs. Fenno, reception, iii, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Turkey</span>, iii, <a href="#Page_919">919</a>.</li> +<li>Turner, Eliza Sproat, iii, <a href="#Page_451">451</a>.</li> +<li>Turner, Jennie, iii, <a href="#Page_407">407</a>.</li> +<li>Tyler, Moses Coit, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_813">813</a>.</li> +<li>Tyler, W. S., iii, <a href="#Page_497">497</a>.</li> +<li>Tyndale, Sarah, tribute, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_218">218</a>.</li> +<li>Tyndale, Sharon, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_371">371</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<h3><a id="IX_U" name="IX_U">U.</a></h3> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li><span class="sc">Una</span>, Mrs. Paulina Wright Davis, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_246">246</a>.</li> +<li>Uncle Tom's Cabin, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_102">102</a>.</li> +<li>Underhill, Sarah E., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_308">308</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—sketch of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_313">313</a></li> + </ul></li> +<li>United States a nation? Is the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_529">529</a>.</li> +<li>Updegraff, W. W., Kansas campaign, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_250">250</a>.</li> +<li>Upham, Hon. Charles W., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_210">210</a>.</li> +<li>Underwood, John C., iii, <a href="#Page_823">823</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—tribute, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_538">538</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_640">640</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Utah</span>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_325">325</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<h3><a id="IX_V" name="IX_V">V.</a></h3> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Van Cleve, Charlotte O., iii, <a href="#Page_653">653</a>.</li> +<li>Van Lew, Elizabeth, postmaster at Richmond, iii, <a href="#Page_824">824</a>.</li> +<li>Van Pelt, Maggie, journalist, iii, <a href="#Page_629">629</a>.</li> +<li>Van Valkenburg, Ellen Rand, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_600">600</a>.</li> +<li>Van Voorhis, John, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_692">692</a>-697.</li> +<li>Vassar College, iii, <a href="#Page_398">398</a>.</li> +<li>Vaughan, Mary C., speech on temperance, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_476">476</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Vermont</span>, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_171">171</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_383">383</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—homestead law, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_172">172</a></li> + <li>—St. Andrew's letter, iii, <a href="#Page_384">384</a>, <a href="#Page_389">389</a></li> + <li>—school suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_393">393</a></li> + <li>—University opens to women, iii, <a href="#Page_389">389</a></li> + <li>—woman suffrage amendment, Reed's report, iii, <a href="#Page_385">385</a></li> + <li>—<i>Vermont Watchman</i>, iii, <a href="#Page_386">386</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1011" id="Page_1011">[Pg 1011]</a></span>Vest, Senator, on woman suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>.</li> +<li>Vice, legalization of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_795">795</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_796">796</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>, <a href="#Page_397">397</a>.</li> +<li>Vicksburg, naval attack on, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_11">11</a>.</li> +<li>Virginia, iii, <a href="#Page_823">823</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Woman Suffrage Association, iii, <a href="#Page_823">823</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Voltaire, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_658">658</a>.</li> +<li>Voris, A. C., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_837">837</a>.</li> +<li>Vote, first woman to cast a, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_586">586</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—first woman to claim the right, iii, <a href="#Page_815">815</a></li> + <li>—Mrs. Gage attempted to, iii, <a href="#Page_406">406</a></li> + <li>—woman earned her right to, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_89">89</a></li> + <li>—in Scotland, iii, <a href="#Page_871">871</a></li> + <li>—reports of voting in New York, iii, <a href="#Page_429">429</a></li> + <li>—voted with Miss Anthony, list of, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_647">647</a></li> + <li>—voted in New Jersey, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_448">448</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_476">476</a></li> + <li>—voting in 1776, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_33">33</a></li> + <li>—persons entitled to, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_272">272</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Voted, 1867, Lily Maxwell, iii, <a href="#Page_981">981</a>.</li> +<li>Voters, qualification of, T. W. Higginson's speech, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_249">249</a>.</li> +</ul> + +<h3><a id="IX_W" name="IX_W">W.</a></h3> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Wade, Benjamin, F., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_9">9</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—letter to Susan B. Anthony, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_117">117</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>J. S. Griffing, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_34">34</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—speech, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_123">123</a></li> + <li>—remarks to Anna Ella Carroll, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_9">9</a></li> + <li>—letters to Miss Carroll, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_866">866</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_867">867</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Wadsworth, L. A., iii, <a href="#Page_352">352</a>.</li> +<li>Wait, Anna C., iii, <a href="#Page_696">696</a>, <a href="#Page_709">709</a>.</li> +<li>Waite, Catharine V., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_601">601</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_571">571</a>.</li> +<li>Waite, Chas. B., iii, <a href="#Page_569">569</a>.</li> +<li>Waite, Jessie T., argument before House committee, iii, <a href="#Page_161">161</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—report of National Convention, iii, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>-260.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Waite, M. R., iii, <a href="#Page_505">505</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Supreme Court opinion, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_734">734</a>-742.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Waldo, Peter, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_27">27</a>.</li> +<li>Walker, Dr. Mary, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_813">813</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>.</li> +<li>Wall, Sarah E., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_636">636</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_310">310</a>.</li> +<li>Wallace, W. D., iii, <a href="#Page_540">540</a>, <a href="#Page_966">966</a>.</li> +<li>Wallace, Zerelda G., iii, <a href="#Page_536">536</a>-7, <a href="#Page_539">539</a>-40, <a href="#Page_551">551</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—argument before Senate com., iii, <a href="#Page_155">155</a></li> + <li>—letter to S. B. Anthony, iii, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Walling, Mrs. M. C., speech in U. S. Senate, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_327">327</a>.</li> +<li>Walter, Cornelia, iii, <a href="#Page_303">303</a>.</li> +<li>War, woman's patriotism in, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_1">1</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_863">863</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_596">596</a>, <a href="#Page_631">631</a>.</li> +<li>Warn Kate, iii, <a href="#Page_398">398</a>.</li> +<li>Warner, Esther L., iii, <a href="#Page_693">693</a>.</li> +<li>Warren, Mercy, Otis, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_31">31</a>; ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_201">201</a>.</li> +<li>Washington Conventions (see Conventions) + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—(see also District of Columbia).</li> + </ul></li> +<li><i>Washington Evening Star</i>, iii, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>.</li> +<li><i>Washington Sunday Chronicle</i>, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_599">599</a>.</li> +<li>Washington, George, letter to ladies of Trenton, N. J., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_447">447</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Washington</span> Territory, iii, <a href="#Page_786">786</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—women enfranchised, iii, <a href="#Page_776">776</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Watterson, Henry, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_861">861</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_862">862</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_182">182</a>.</li> +<li>Wattles, John O., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_189">189</a>.</li> +<li>Wattles, Susan E., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_255">255</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_697">697</a>.</li> +<li>Way, Amanda M., iii, <a href="#Page_533">533</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—legislative hearing, iii, <a href="#Page_539">539</a></li> + <li>—reminiscences, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_306">306</a></li> + <li>—sketch of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_311">311</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Weber, Helene Marie, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_41">41</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—letter to M. A. Spofford, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_825">825</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Webster, Rev. D. L., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_114">114</a>.</li> +<li>Webster, Sarah E., suit, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_587">587</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Chief-Justice Cartter's opinion, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_597">597</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Weed, Thurlow, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_720">720</a>.</li> +<li>Weld, Angelina Grimké, on organizations, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_540">540</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—speech, Loyal Women's Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_54">54</a></li> + <li>—speech, Woman's National Loyal League, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_60">60</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Weld, Theodore, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_392">392</a>.</li> +<li>Wells, Charlotte Fowler, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_45">45</a>; ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_435">435</a>.</li> +<li>Wendt, Mathilda F., iii, <a href="#Page_405">405</a>.</li> +<li>Wendte, W. C., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_855">855</a>.</li> +<li>Wenthworth, Elizabeth R., iii, <a href="#Page_643">643</a>.</li> +<li>Wesley, John, on witchcraft, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_765">765</a>.</li> +<li>Wesley, Susannah, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_790">790</a>.</li> +<li>Weston, Hannah and Rebecca, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_203">203</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">West Virginia</span>, iii, <a href="#Page_824">824</a>.</li> +<li>Wheatly, Phillis, colored, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_205">205</a>.</li> +<li>Wheeler, L. May, iii, <a href="#Page_659">659</a>.</li> +<li>Whipple, E. P., views of George Eliot, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_791">791</a>.</li> +<li>White, Andrew D., iii, <a href="#Page_398">398</a>, <a href="#Page_528">528</a>.</li> +<li>White, Bessie Heagen, pharmacy, iii, <a href="#Page_820">820</a>.</li> +<li>White, Laura R., architect, iii, <a href="#Page_820">820</a>.</li> +<li>White, Richard Grant, on the word "citizen," ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_567">567</a>.</li> +<li>Whitehead, Wm. A., paper on woman suffrage, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_447">447</a>.</li> +<li>Whiting, Lilian, iii, <a href="#Page_303">303</a>.</li> +<li>Whiting, N. H., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_861">861</a>.</li> +<li>Whitman, Sarah Helen, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_433">433</a>.</li> +<li>Whittier, John G., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_83">83</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_520">520</a>.</li> +<li>Wife ownership, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_772">772</a>.</li> +<li>Wigham, Eliza, iii, <a href="#Page_852">852</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Wilbour</span>, Charlotte B., iii, <a href="#Page_396">396</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—organized Sorosis, iii, <a href="#Page_403">403</a></li> + <li>—President New York City Society, iii, <a href="#Page_405">405</a></li> + <li>—remarks at Washington Convention, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_421">421</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_424">424</a></li> + <li>—Corresponding Secretary Loyal League, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_80">80</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Wilbur, Hervey Backus, iii, <a href="#Page_421">421</a>.</li> +<li>Wilcox, Hamilton, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_346">346</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_441">441</a>, <a href="#Page_959">959</a>.</li> +<li>Wildman, John R., iii, <a href="#Page_457">457</a>.</li> +<li>Willard, Emma, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_36">36</a>.</li> +<li>Willard, Frances E., iii, <a href="#Page_104">104</a>, <a href="#Page_578">578</a>, <a href="#Page_587">587</a>, <a href="#Page_660">660</a>.</li> +<li>Willard, Judge John, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_750">750</a>.</li> +<li>Will of Bridget Smith, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_563">563</a>.</li> +<li>Williams, George, iii, <a href="#Page_774">774</a>.</li> +<li>Williams, Nellie, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_48">48</a>.</li> +<li>Williams, Sarah Langdon, iii, <a href="#Page_503">503</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—<i>The Ballot-Box</i>, iii, <a href="#Page_51">51</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Williams, Senator, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_108">108</a>.</li> +<li>Willing, Mrs. J. F., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_368">368</a>.</li> +<li>Willis (see Olympia Brown).</li> +<li>Wilson, Elizabeth, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_103">103</a>.</li> +<li>Wilson, Hannah, iii, <a href="#Page_697">697</a>.</li> +<li>Wilson, Henry, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_128">128</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_322">322</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_390">390</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_267">267</a>.</li> +<li>Winchell, Charlotte, S., career of, iii, <a href="#Page_653">653</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Wisconsin</span>, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_178">178</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_290">290</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_638">638</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Conventions <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1012" id="Page_1012">[Pg 1012]</a></span>(see Conventions)</li> + <li>—legislation, iii, <a href="#Page_638">638</a></li> + <li>—Shole's report, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_315">315</a></li> + <li>—report of David Noggle, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_867">867</a></li> + <li>—married women, rights of, iii, <a href="#Page_638">638</a></li> + <li>—Milwaukee Female College, iii, <a href="#Page_643">643</a></li> + <li>—State Association, iii, <a href="#Page_645">645</a></li> + <li>—State University, iii, <a href="#Page_643">643</a></li> + <li>—statutes, modification of, iii, <a href="#Page_639">639</a></li> + <li>—suffrage amendment, iii, <a href="#Page_644">644</a></li> + <li>—temperance question, iii, <a href="#Page_645">645</a></li> + <li>—women as lawyers, iii, <a href="#Page_648">648</a></li> + <li>—voters, iii, <a href="#Page_640">640</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Wise, Mary E., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_869">869</a>.</li> +<li>Witchcraft, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_759">759</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_764">764</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_765">765</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_766">766</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_767">767</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_768">768</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_769">769</a>.</li> +<li>Wives in Russia, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_773">773</a>.</li> +<li>Wives, sale of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_792">792</a>.</li> +<li>Wizards, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_766">766</a>.</li> +<li>Wolcott, Laura Ross, graduated medical college i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_389">389</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—organized Wisconsin State Society, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_374">374</a></li> + <li>—sketch of, iii, <a href="#Page_638">638</a></li> + <li>—National Convention, Milwaukee, iii, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Wollstonecraft, Mary, eulogy of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_126">126</a>-7 + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—"Rights of Women," i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_34">34</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Wollstenholme, Mrs. Almy, with Mrs. Jacob Bright, iii, <a href="#Page_893">893</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Woman</span>, advice of men, warned against, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_268">268</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Anglo-Saxon laws, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_863">863</a></li> + <li>—army, in the, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_290">290</a></li> + <li>—bar, admissions to, iii, <a href="#Page_307">307</a>, <a href="#Page_355">355</a></li> + <li>—British Parliament, in, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_30">30</a></li> + <li>—census enumerators, first appointments, iii, <a href="#Page_174">174</a></li> + <li>—church poll, at the, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_781">781</a></li> + <li>—civil service, in, iii, <a href="#Page_306">306</a></li> + <li>—clinical instruction, Pennsylvania University, iii, <a href="#Page_448">448</a></li> + <li>—coeducation, statistics, iii, <a href="#Page_496">496</a></li> + <li>—colleges, and the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_541">541</a></li> + <li>—colleges, in, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_144">144</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_6">6</a></li> + <li>—college in Evanston, Illinois, iii, <a href="#Page_578">578</a></li> + <li>—congress organized in New York, iii, <a href="#Page_411">411</a></li> + <li>—degradation of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_791">791</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_794">794</a></li> + <li>—emancipation, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_29">29</a></li> + <li>—employment of, in insane asylums, iii, <a href="#Page_421">421</a></li> + <li>—employments, varied capacity for, iii, <a href="#Page_406">406</a>, <a href="#Page_572">572</a></li> + <li>—excluded as delegates, Anti-slavery Convention, London, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_60">60</a></li> + <li>—chronological table of successive steps in England, iii, <a href="#Page_980">980</a></li> + <li>—history of, in three pictures; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>under Hindoo laws, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_863">863</a>;</li> + <li>under Anglo-Saxon laws, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_863">863</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_864">864</a>;</li> + <li>under Signs of the Times, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_865">865</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_866">866</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—illiteracy of, iii, <a href="#Page_372">372</a></li> + <li>—inventions by, iii, <a href="#Page_632">632</a></li> + <li>—jury, on, iii, <a href="#Page_731">731</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>list of the first grand, iii, <a href="#Page_738">738</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—Kansas, of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_642">642</a></li> + <li>—labor performed in Christian countries, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_792">792</a></li> + <li>—laborer, unpaid, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_28">28</a></li> + <li>—legal disabilities, removed of, iii, <a href="#Page_893">893</a></li> + <li>—legal rights, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_107">107</a></li> + <li>—list of names of friends in California, iii, <a href="#Page_977">977</a>-80; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>list of names of friends in Minnesota, iii, <a href="#Page_973">973</a>-80</li> + </ul></li> + <li>—Loyal League, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_3">3</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>address to Abraham Lincoln, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_67">67</a>;</li> + <li>anniversary of, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_80">80</a>;</li> + <li>letters in response to a call for a meeting, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_875">875</a>;</li> + <li>petition, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_78">78</a>;</li> + <li>platform, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_891">891</a>;</li> + <li>press comments, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_893">893</a>;</li> + <li>resolutions, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_84">84</a>;</li> + <li>secretary's report, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_80">80</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—married, act relative to rights of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_618">618</a></li> + <li>—married, laws regarding, iii, <a href="#Page_291">291</a></li> + <li>—married, and their legal status, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_642">642</a></li> + <li>—married, property rights of, iii, <a href="#Page_325">325</a></li> + <li>—marry, will the coming, iii, <a href="#Page_723">723</a></li> + <li>—national protection, claim, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_531">531</a></li> + <li>—naval heroines, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_21">21</a></li> + <li>—official position, first appointed to, in New York, iii, <a href="#Page_417">417</a></li> + <li>—Ohio, protest against enfranchisement, iii, <a href="#Page_494">494</a></li> + <li>—outrages, 1880, in Ireland, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_794">794</a></li> + <li>—pharmacy, 379, 820, 980</li> + <li>—physician, first, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_260">260</a></li> + <li>—physicians in insane asylums, as, iii, <a href="#Page_473">473</a></li> + <li>—politics, in, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_277">277</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_304">304</a></li> + <li>—preachers, as, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_784">784</a></li> + <li>—professions, in the, iii, <a href="#Page_706">706</a></li> + <li>—property rights, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_256">256</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_296">296</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_770">770</a></li> + <li>—property rights granted, iii, <a href="#Page_438">438</a></li> + <li>—public affairs, why meddle in, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_109">109</a></li> + <li>—revolution, in the, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_201">201</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_321">321</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_444">444</a></li> + <li>—Roman law, under i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_754">754</a></li> + <li>—school of design, Philadelphia, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_390">390</a></li> + <li>—school boards, on, iii, <a href="#Page_892">892</a>, <a href="#Page_981">981</a></li> + <li>—school officers, bill passed New York Legislature, iii, <a href="#Page_417">417</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>vetoed by Gov. Robinson, iii, <a href="#Page_418">418</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—school officers, made so in Illinois, iii, <a href="#Page_575">575</a></li> + <li>—science and literature, degraded in, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_790">790</a></li> + <li>—sermon to, Rev. Knox Little's, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_782">782</a></li> + <li>—Sin, Original, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_756">756</a></li> + <li>—slaves, legislated for as, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_772">772</a></li> + <li>—social evolution of, iii, <a href="#Page_226">226</a></li> + <li>—social relations, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_233">233</a></li> + <li>—sold with cattle in Pennsylvania, iii, <a href="#Page_445">445</a></li> + <li>—soldiers, as, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_18">18</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_889">889</a></li> + <li>—sphere, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_265">265</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_317">317</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_522">522</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_660">660</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_662">662</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_694">694</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_713">713</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_716">716</a>; ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_163">163</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_779">779</a></li> + <li>—spy, anecdote, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_323">323</a></li> + <li>—subordination, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_780">780</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Evarts in the Beecher-Tilton trial upon, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_789">789</a>;</li> + <li>sermon by Rev. A. H. Strong, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_787">787</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—Supreme Court opened to, iii, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Senator Hoar's speech, iii, <a href="#Page_139">139</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—torture of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_26">26</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_766">766</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_768">768</a></li> + <li>—type-setters, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_585">585</a></li> + <li>—wardens, iii, <a href="#Page_893">893</a></li> + <li>—work, statistics, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_267">267</a></li> + <li>—work done by, iii, <a href="#Page_54">54</a></li> + <li>—work and wages, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_78">78</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_589">589</a></li> + <li>—working, of Boston, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_389">389</a></li> + <li>—working, seats in shops, iii, <a href="#Page_433">433</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Woman Suffrage</span>, (see Suffrage Gained); + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—appeals, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_588">588</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_856">856</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_858">858</a>; ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_168">168</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_364">364</a></li> + <li>—arguments in favor of, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_349">349</a></li> + <li>—Bible argument, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_374">374</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>Bible, and the, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_380">380</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_535">535</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—complaints, 1869, the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_323">323</a></li> + <li>—debate between Anna Dickinson and R. L. Collier, iii, <a href="#Page_567">567</a></li> + <li>—Democratic National Convention, letters and delegates, iii, <a href="#Page_22">22</a></li> + <li>—discussion at Woman's National Loyal League, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_59">59</a></li> + <li>—England, Gen. Butler's report in, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_465">465</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_466">466</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_467">467</a></li> + <li>—essay, in <i>Westminster Review</i>, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_225">225</a></li> + <li>—Equal Rights Association organized, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_173">173</a></li> + <li>—Fifth Avenue conference, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_427">427</a></li> + <li>—Kansas, report of Judiciary Franchise Committee, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_194">194</a></li> + <li>—<i>National Association</i> organized, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_400">400</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>address to President Hayes, iii, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>;</li> + <li>appeal, Mrs. Hooker's, to women of the United <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1013" id="Page_1013">[Pg 1013]</a></span>States, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_485">485</a>;</li> + <li>appeal to women, Grant and Wilson Presidential campaign, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_517">517</a>;</li> + <li>Congressional Committee grant hearings, iii, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>;</li> + <li>constitution and officers, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_401">401</a>, iii, <a href="#Page_955">955</a>-6;</li> + <li>letter to Berlin Congress, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_404">404</a>;</li> + <li>delegates to Berlin, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_406">406</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—New York and Boston wings, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_406">406</a></li> + <li>—New York City society, iii, <a href="#Page_405">405</a></li> + <li>—opponents, iii, <a href="#Page_570">570</a></li> + <li>—organ, need of an, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_378">378</a></li> + <li>—periods, most trying, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_319">319</a></li> + <li>—petitions in many States, one year's work, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_869">869</a></li> + <li>—power of legislature to extend suffrage, iii, <a href="#Page_959">959</a>-6</li> + <li>—presidential suffrage iii, <a href="#Page_966">966</a></li> + <li>—principles, mode of disseminating, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_379">379</a></li> + <li>—progress made, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_905">905</a></li> + <li>—"Fair Play," from Rev. Wm. H. Channing, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_611">611</a></li> + <li>—Second Decade celebration, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_427">427</a></li> + <li>—Third Decade Celebration, iii, <a href="#Page_117">117</a></li> + <li>—subscriptions, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_923">923</a></li> + <li>—sympathizers, celebrated, iii, <a href="#Page_233">233</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><i>Woman's Journal</i>, Lucy Stone editor, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_819">819</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_820">820</a>; iii, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>, <a href="#Page_274">274</a>, <a href="#Page_297">297</a>, <a href="#Page_388">388</a>.</li> +<li>"Woman's Kingdom," <i>Chicago Inter-Ocean</i>, Mrs. Harbert, editor, iii, <a href="#Page_583">583</a>.</li> +<li><i>Woman's Review, English</i>, Caroline Ashurst Biggs, editor, iii, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_970">970</a>.</li> +<li><i>Women's Suffrage Journal</i>, Lydia E. Becker, editor, iii, <a href="#Page_850">850</a>, <a href="#Page_852">852</a>, <a href="#Page_880">880</a>, <a href="#Page_981">981</a>.</li> +<li><i>Woman's Tribune</i>, Mrs. Colby, editor, iii, <a href="#Page_695">695</a>.</li> +<li>Wood, Bradford R., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_500">500</a>.</li> +<li>Wood, Rev. Jeremiah, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_690">690</a>.</li> +<li>Wood, S. N., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_200">200</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—Kansas campaign, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_230">230</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_233">233</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_234">234</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_236">236</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_252">252</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_254">254</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Woodall, William, iii, <a href="#Page_877">877</a>.</li> +<li>Woodhull, Victoria C., memorial to Congress, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_443">443</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—memorial supported in a speech by A. G. Riddle, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_448">448</a></li> + <li>—memorial, House majority report, iii, <a href="#Page_461">461</a></li> + <li>—memorial, House minority report, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_464">464</a></li> + <li>—speech before Judiciary Committee, House of Representatives, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_444">444</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +<li>Woolson, Abba G., ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_832">832</a>.</li> +<li>Wooster, Wilder M., iii, <a href="#Page_691">691</a>.</li> +<li>Worden, Mrs., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_462">462</a>.</li> +<li>Wright, Elizur, letter to Paulina W. Davis, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_217">217</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Wright</span>, Frances, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_44">44</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_52">52</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—editor, <i>Free Enquirer</i>, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_296">296</a></li> + <li>—Owen, Robert Dale, and, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_293">293</a></li> + <li>—portrait, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_1">1</a></li> + <li>—sketch of, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_35">35</a></li> + <li>—tribute, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_429">429</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>tribute, Mrs. Rose's, i, 692.</li> + </ul></li> + </ul></li> +<li>Wright, Henry C., letter to Garrison, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_310">310</a>.</li> +<li><span class="sc">Wright</span>, Martha C., i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_69">69</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_376">376</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_429">429</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_462">462</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_519">519</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_522">522</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_535">535</a>, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_744">744</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—May Anniversary, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_545">545</a></li> + <li>—President Cincinnati Convention, made, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_163">163</a></li> + <li>—President N. Y. State Society, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_623">623</a>; presided, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_628">628</a>-31</li> + <li>—thanks Rev. Sam'l Longfellow, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_716">716</a></li> + <li>—portrait, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_640">640</a></li> + <li>—Equal Rights Association, on the, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_175">175</a></li> + <li>—letter to Pillsbury, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_240">240</a></li> + <li>—speech at Cooper Institute Convention, i, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28020/28020-h/28020-h.htm#Page_689">689</a></li> + <li>—tribute, ii, <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28039/28039-h/28039-h.htm#Page_582">582</a>-3.</li> + </ul></li> +<li><span class="sc">Wyoming</span>, iii, <a href="#Page_726">726</a> + <ul class="IX"> + <li>—act to protect property rights of married women, iii, <a href="#Page_728">728</a></li> + <li>—election, first, iii, <a href="#Page_729">729</a></li> + <li>—election under woman suffrage, first, iii, <a href="#Page_738">738</a></li> + <li>—jury, women on, iii, <a href="#Page_731">731</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>list of the first grand, iii, <a href="#Page_738">738</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—press, iii, <a href="#Page_745">745</a></li> + <li>—school law, iii, <a href="#Page_728">728</a></li> + <li>—Sunday laws enforced, iii, <a href="#Page_734">734</a></li> + <li>—suffrage bill signed by Gov. Campbell, iii, <a href="#Page_731">731</a></li> + <li>—territory organized, iii, <a href="#Page_729">729</a></li> + <li>—women granted citizenship, iii, <a href="#Page_726">726</a></li> + <li>—woman suffrage act, Legislature votes to repeal, iii, <a href="#Page_741">741</a>; + <ul class="IX"> + <li>bill vetoed, iii, <a href="#Page_741">741</a></li> + </ul></li> + <li>—woman suffrage respected, iii, <a href="#Page_744">744</a>.</li> + </ul></li> +</ul> + +<h3><a id="IX_Y" name="IX_Y">Y.</a></h3> + +<ul class="IX"> +<li>Yocum, A. P., iii, <a href="#Page_691">691</a>.</li> +<li>Yount, A. K., iii, <a href="#Page_718">718</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. 23 forgotton --> forgotten + 2. p. 83 petioned --> petitioned + 3. p. 136 neccessarily --> necessarily + 4. p. 143 Universiy --> University + 5. p. 146 engergertic --> energetic + 6. p. 151 presidental --> presidential + 7. p. 170 in ever --> in every + 8. p. 217 committe --> committee + 9. p. 218 therefere --> therefore + 10. p. 274 nnd --> and (Footnote #120) + 11. p. 291 certan --> certain (Footnote #141) + 12. p. 298 their is no need (left as published) + 13. p. 347 Footnote marker for #177 missing in original text + 14. p. 351 iniative --> initiative + 15. p. 369 suffers form --> suffers from + 16. p. 384 iniative --> initiative + 17. p. 399 mora --> more (Footnote #209) + 18. p. 429 enconnter --> encounter + 19. p. 444 thorougly --> thoroughly + 20. p. 445 enfrancisement --> enfranchisement + 21. p. 447 Text for footnote #259 missing + 22. p. 449 Hopsital --> Hospital + 23. p. 450 neccessarily --> necessarily + 24. p. 465 elegible --> eligible + 25. p. 479 Historcal --> Historical (Footnote #276) + 26. p. 496 Table header text in footnote #291 replaced with + legends to shorten table width (TXT file only) + 27. p. 509 auxilary --> auxiliary + 28. p. 509 disappoinments --> disappointments + 29. p. 510 Footnote marker missing; placement assumed + 30. p. 517 Februay --> February + 31. p. 533 iniative --> initiative + 32. p. 571 handsomly --> handsomely + 33. p. 606 Sufirage --> Suffrage (Footnote #386) + 34. p. 621 Yonrs --> Yours + 35. p. 629 ef --> of (Footnote #420) + 36. p. 631 hnndred --> hundred + 37. p. 633 minature --> miniature + 38. p. 644 introducd --> introduced + 39. p. 660 St. Panl --> St. Paul + 40. p. 674 Footnote #459 points to two places + 41. p. 697 dilligent --> diligent + 42. p. 724 benificent --> beneficent + 43. p. 727 universites --> universities + 44. p. 740 transcient --> transient + 45. p. 743 connot --> cannot + 46. p. 751 Feburary --> February + 47. p. 769 seige --> siege + 48. p. 770 jonrnalist --> journalist + 49. p. 780 npon --> upon + 50. p. 797 objectionabie --> objectionable + 51. p. 808 origininally --> originally + 52. p. 809 Josophine --> Josephine (Footnote #525) + 53. p. 827 distinguised --> distinguished + 54. p. 887 uuhappily --> unhappily + 55. p. 943 bycicles --> bicycles + 56. p. 967 at al. --> et al. + 57. p. 978 bïennial --> biënnial + 58. p. 978 legislatuere --> legislature + 59. p. 985 and following, Index punctuation standardized + 60. p. 988 Snpreme --> Supreme + 61. p. 994 pseeches --> speeches + 62. p. 1000 Stan- --> Stanton + 63. p. 1005 (Convention)s --> (Conventions) + 64. p. 1007 Covention --> Convention + 65. p. 1007 Scatcherd..629... --> Scatcherd..929.. + 66. p. 1009 Suffbage --> Suffrage +</pre> + +</div> + +<hr class="full" /> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of History of Woman Suffrage, Volume III +(of III), by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF WOMAN SUFFRAGE *** + +***** This file should be named 28556-h.htm or 28556-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/8/5/5/28556/ + +Produced by Richard J. 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