Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1878-01-19
The StronG-Minded Women and
Their Rights.

An amusing and interesting scene
was witnessed in the corridor at Wash
incton between the Senate chamber
and the marble-room. Senator Conkling
came out to see gentleman who had
sent in his card to him. Before the
gentleman could step up Mr. Conkiing
was bodily surrounded by some twenty
or thirty of the strong minded women
who had, despite the efforts of the door
keepers to prevent them, pushed past
into the corridor. At the head of them
was Mrs Isabella Beecher Hooker.
They button holed the Senator in the
most forcible style, and when he found
that he could neither advance nor re-
trace his steps without coming IN vio-
lent collision with some of his tormen-
tors he was faiu to stand still aud listen.
They appealed to him by all the gallan-
try and chivalry for which he was so
famous to allow them to appear at the
bar of the Senate and plead their cause.
They told him that Vice President
Wheeler had said that it would be very
ungallant and discourteous for any
Senator to refuse such a modest request.
Mr. Conkling said it would be setting
precedent under which the Senate
could not refuse to allow any one with
petition TO appear at the bar and ar
que on the subject. Mrs. Hooker said,
1--WE represent eight million of clti-
zens of the United States who are base
ly defrauded of their rights. You are a
man who have your rights, and we ask
and demand OF you that you help us TO
get ours" Mr.. Conkling said he was
always glad to help the ladies in every
thing. Then some twenty of them in
chorus SAID, "Give Us our rights.
After this they became more demon
strative than ever, r,and came closer TO the
Senator that the position was rather en-
barrassing for a modest man. Finally
lady took him by the lapels of his
coat and said, "Mr Senator, you alone
can do this thing for us. With your
position, your eloquence and your abili-
ty, if you will champion our cause, you
can secure for us the ballot. DO it, and
call down upon your head the everlast-
ing gratitude of the mothers ard daugh-
ters of this country 1t is noble work;
devote yourself to it, and let it be the
crowning act of your life.
Mr. Conkling said: "You fatter me.
/ have no such influence. am salts
fed | could not persuade the smallest
woman here to do anything against her
will"
ooh yes, Mr.. Senator" the lady said,
putting her face within about two inch
es of his, ''if we can only get you enlist
ed in our cause, we know We shall sue
ceed and that very soon"
Mr. Conkling said, "You can't prove
it by me.
AT this juncture some jelousy was
exhibited against the lady who had
hold of the Senator's coat, and another
one of the strong minded caught hold
of Mr.. Conkling by the arm aud pulled
him away. This one tried the whis-
pering game, and for three or four min
utes there was most striking panto-
mime. The lips of the lady, which
were at Mr.. Conkling's ear, were NOV
ing at the rate of sixteen krots an hour,
the Senator at frequent intervals was
bowing low, and making furtive at
tempts to edge his way to the door
leading into the Senate chamber. lie
finally reached it, and with one very
profound bow disappeared. The whole
scene was highly relished by the few
who witnessed it.