Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-09-18
The TOrn-up Condition OF the
women SufffagiSta.

DIFFERENT PART1ES-WHAT ONE OF THEIR
LEADERS SAYS-THE WAY THEY WERE TREATED
BY THE DIFFERENT COEyENTIONS-THE GREEN
BACK LABOR CONVENTION GAVE THEM THE
MOST CONSIDERATION.
The advocates and friends of woman suffrage
having apparently arrived at widely different
conclusions concerning the present status of
that question In the various political parties,
and the most effective method Of advancing the
rights Of women during the present presiden-
tial campaign. THE STAR recently interviewed
Mrs. Sara Andrews Spencer, of Washington. for
many years member and an officer of tn
National Woman Suffrage Association, to as
certain her views on these points. This lady
attended the republican, greenback- labor and
democratic presidential conventions, for the
express purpose Of learning how each OF these
parties regarded the enfranchisement of
women.
Star:-"Mrs. Spencer, what is your opinion
regarding the treatment the republican preSi-
Dental convention extended to woman suffrage
erally?"
collectively and individually treated our dele
gates with kindness and courtesy. During the
seven days OF that convention l did not hear
one sneer or unkind word concerning the rights
OF women, but On every hand expressions of
approval and also OF regret at what seemed to
them the danger OF introducing question that
might divide the party. You see the republi-
can party has passed the day when it dares to
make an issue befor the American people. And
SO it has gone before the country entirely upon
its history. The convention meant to give us
toward us; They gave us ten seats as dis
tiDgulshed guests forty balcony seats, and no
end OF promises for the future, but entreated us
not to press our question upon the convention
at this critical time. reminding us that all that
had been done for the rights of women In the
past had been done by the republican party,
and we ought to trust no other"
Star:-"HoW does their candidate Garfield
stand on that question:"
Mrs. Spencer:-"In what he considers an at
tltude OF respectful inquiry. He has never been
upon any committee in the House where it has
Deen under consideration until the last session
or congress, and he then voted for committee
on The rights OF women citizens, saying that it
was huge question of human rights and we
had right to demand its consideration
Star:-"Are woman suffragiSts working for
the election OF Garfieid?"
Mrs. Spelace1:-"No; 1 do not know Of one
who feels it her duty to work for a party that
mas been thoroughly educated on our question:
knows we have the right to self government.
aId dares not make the issue in its platform In
stand by us now, 1T has no right to expect US to
help it into power again, as we did In lS72. I
recommend silence toward that party"
StGT:-"H0W did the other presidential con-
VentlonS t1eat woman sufrage?''
Mrs. Spe1lceT':-"The greenback labor con-
vention and the prohibition convention elected
ana received women as delegates on equal
terms with men; placed them on committees;
allowed full, fair opportunity for The DISCUSSION
OF the question, and adopted square woman
suffrage resolutions. The greenback labor con-
yention gave five of our woman suffrage dele
gates all the time they wanted to address the
convention, and after hours OF debate adopted
by vote OF 52S to 124 a resolution declaring
that 'every citizen of sound mind proper age
and not felon should be fully enfranchised,' )
and at daylight next morning another pledging
themselves to secure the right OF suffrage to
women by constitutional amendment" !"
G0r:-"But that party Is small, and needs
your help"
Mrs. STencer:-" SO does the republican par
" and the democratic need our help, as large as
they are, and they dare not say so, and tight
for our rights. All honor to a new party that
dares to demand equal rights for women at the
very beginning. But it was not a small con-
vention. 1t had more delegates than either the
republican or democratic, an1 each man dared
do MS duty. II it dares to vote In the same
manner 1t will be strong enough to defeat both
the other part1eS,'
StGi:-'But did the democratic party ignore
your question? We hear that several OF your
leading woman suffrage advocates have taken
the field for Hancock"
:. Ms. spencer:-" The ladies themselves deny
1t totally. The democratic convention treated
us handsomely. and quite impressed some Of
our delegates with apparent friendliness to our
rights, but they quite left the subject out of
their Platform, and the whole record and ali the
principles OF that party are against us. They
VIII give US any amount OF chlvalry to the end
OF Time and not an atom of Justice"
Sdr:-" Do the officers and mpmbers of the
National Woman Suffrage Association agree
with your concluSjOns?"
Ms: Spencer:-"The leading officers do not
they ignore the greenback and prohibition en-
dorsement OF woman suffrage, and proclaim a
general defeat. l declare victory, and would
have our ten million OF women citizens rouse
themselves, and with voice and pen. songs and
banners stir the masses to sweep into power
the party OF equal rights to men and women.
nave, therefore, resigned my position as cor
responding secretary OF National Woman Sui
1rage Association and corresponding editor of
It's ohlef organ, The National Citizen that may
work Independently, and state the truth to the
country as l see it,