The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-06-05
EQUAL RIGHTS IN ASTORIA.

Court House in this place, at which Col.
Taylor was elected Chairman, and Mrs.
w. w. Parker Secretary, and commit
tee was appointed to draft Constitu-
ton and Bylaws, to be submitted on
the sth. The Committee at this time
reported a Constitution and Bylaws,
which were adopted with slight amend
ments. The first and second articles are
as follows:
ARTICLE 1. This Society shall be
known as the Clatsop County Equal
Righs Association.
ART. .. The object of this Association
is to secure to women the same political
rights enjoyed by men.
After the adoption Of the Constitu-
ton, the organization of the Society was
completed by the election of the follow
ing named officers: President, Col.
James Taylor; Vice President, Miss H.
NJ. Morrison; Secretary, Mrs. A. w.
Tenney; Treasurer, T. P. Powers, Esq;
Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. Mary
Shane Smith.
Addresses favorable 70 Woman Suf-
! frage were made by Messrs. t. P. Pow
ers, w. H. Smith, d. Ingalls,, Charles
Stevens, f. c. Holden, James Taylor,
and Mrs. NJ. S. Smith.
Col. spedden spoke in opposition to
unqualified Woman Suffrage, because he
thought woman too pure and angelic to
crush into the filthy eess-pool of poll
ties" feared 'they would be contami-
mated by association with the men they
would meet at the polls,n ets., but
thought it might perhaps be admissible
to allow women to vote on certain
moral questions, and gradually the
way might lie prepared for her safe ad-
mission TO all the rights OF American
/ citizens.
! He was answered by Mr.. Holden in
brief but stirring and pungent manner.
/ He said the efforts of the ladies in the
Temperance cause, here aud elsewhere,
| had satisfied him that woman's effective,
substantial influence at the ballot-box
is needed, and must be had, If the evils
and miseries caused by intemperance
are ever to be lesseued or abolished. He
was in favor of enfranchising women
because it is their natural, inalienable,
right-and because the country requires
their assistance to save it from distruc-
ton.
Mr.. Powers endorsed the movement
heartily, though he had not hitherto
considered it expedient. He had always
believed women had the right to vote,
and that they were in every respect as
capable as men, but he had not until
quite recently felt it to be expedient.
He said he could find nothing in the
Bible denying to woman any natural
right to man, and he felt that woman's
influence would be in politics, as else
where-good and efficient. He wished
it understood that in identifying himself
with this movement he felt no sympathy
with Mrs. Woodruff and her school of
fanatical free-lovers.
He was assured by lady that Woman
Suffragists considered themselves no
more responsible for Mrs. Woodhulps
abominable depravity, than did individ-
Z
wickedness of Boss Tweed and others.
She referred to Colonel Spedden's re-
marks, and inquired e che ladies' be
, spoke of as 100 pare ali sngelic t.
mingle with men as -aa polls, had zny
fathers, broth husbands or sons, and
if so, if these non gre all maelal7 OF pro-
priety. Ii t were nos, how did
women prese-. .4eil superiority OF
heart and soul when compelled to asso-
ciate constantly with them. She
thought if they endured this strain sue
cessfully, they surely would not lose all
lovely, womanly attributes by going
quietly to the polls and depositing a bal
lot
Col. Taylor expressed his qualification
at the progress of the cause he had so
long advocated, and insisted that all
side issues should be ignored = that
Woman Suffrage should be judged on its
own merits, and should not be held re-
sponsible for any ultra orpeculiar views
expressed by any individuals supporting
it,
Mr.. ingalls, said he had long been in
favor of giving women equal rights
with men, and was pleased to see the
movement now going on to secure them.
, Mr.. Stevens spoke warmly in favor of
the object of the society, and felt that
woman's influence was imperatively de-
manded to correct the shameful and de-
based condition of politics, and realized
that that influence could only be fully
: exerted through the ballot.
t Mr.. w. II. Smith said he thought it a
t shame that women should have to ask
l for the means of protection, and that it
) was pusillanimOus for any man to think
] Of refusing it, on any ground. He said
, he did not think a single reason could be
D given why women should not vote, and
e every reason in favor of it was unauswer-
e able. He was heart and soul with suf-
e fragists and hoped soon to see the cause
= succeed.
D Mrs. Sarah f. Warren and Miss H. NJ.
e Morrison were appointed committee to
i secure signatures to the Constitution in
e this vicinity.
/. The following names were given in
+ during the meeting: Mrs. W. w. Par
: ker. My Shane Smith, Sarah +. War
i rem, Miss II. NJ. Morrison, Col. James
Taylor, w. II. Smith, T. 2. Powers,
!, w. W. Parker, Chas. Stevens, f. c.