The Press., 1884-03-20
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, D. C., March s

Washington, D. C., March 1884.
 In this popular city for holding conven- tions, notable one is now in session. It is the National Association of Woman Suf- fragists, and this Is their sixteenth annual meeting. The seekers for suffrage are from large number of states, and illus trate in their oratorical fights against mans inhumanity to woman that they know how to talk, and how to talk we'll They gre a perennially hopeful sisterhood, and fully expect to vote sometime ill the future. Their veteran leader, Miss Anthony, while speaking to the convention, alluded to her recent foreign travels, aud said high premium was offered to widowhood, and spinsterhood in England, as the right of suffrage was: there granted in muulcipal and school matters only to widows and spinsters. Over there public men were not afraid to go to woman suffrage meet ings and sit upon the platform, and she knew it would be so here If woman had the influ-nce of voe. At the twice dall, sessions several addresses are m'de by the q legates on pertinent subjecus. Ms. Dunniway of Oregon told how woman sui frage had been obtained in Washington territory. Mrs. Brown of Cincinnati spoke on political disabilities" Mrs. Hubert of Chicago on "The Statesmanship of Wo- men," Mrs. Cougar of Indiana, who would make more effective stump speak CT than any other woman of the conven- tion, spoke upon "Woman Before the Law" Belva Lockwoods subject was the ''Propos q Disenfranchisement of Utah N,1an," and Miss Couzins' theme was the unme ming question: .'What Answer? ?'' in which she sarcastically paid paid her re- spects to inc would be aristocracy of the national capital, spending it's time in strict observance of borrowed social forms and quarreling over petty points of social pre- cedence. Her arraignment of the sham was receiv. with laughter and applause by the audience. Mrs. Blake represented woman as the ''Unknown Quantity nf Pol itics'' and turned her attention to th' presidential candidates. "Mr Edmunds, she said, would not do at all. Ever since he had been in the senate he had used his voice and influence against the enfranchise- ment of women and even the women oi Utah, whether Mormon or Gentle, he wanted to disenfranchise. The "Histori an of the Kennebec" had better record but he had never heartily espoused thei. cause, and women wanted no luke-warm lover. COnkling had not been good ts women when in the senate, and the giant from little Delaware might be a chivalrous Bayard, ,tbut when he set his lance at res against the demands of women he might as well place himself among the fossils O the national museum $ Mr. Flower was al outspoken advocate of woman suffrage and if he were nominated the women woult smile upon him but Joseph Mcdonald she said was their most unequivocal cham pion, and ithe first man whothad'' ever don' anything in the United States senate fo the freedom of women. By invitation of ficers and delegates ;of. the convention call ed on the president. On Friday the ser ate committee on woman suffrage gave th' convention hearing, and the house judi ciary committeeswill hearIthem onISatur day.
 The presidents daily callers often repre- sent great variety of people and classes Some scalpers of the plains, who called a the white house yesterday to pay their re spects to the president, were followed by Henry Ward Beecher, and he by MT. Hen " Irving of dramatic fame.
 Presidential candidates were conspicu ous.at the Irving performance the othe night Gen. Logan and Senator Sherman occupied opposite boxes, and Presiden Arthur and MT. Blaine were in the orches tra chairs. On the next evening Mr. Blain' saw the play of Hamlet from box H evidently enjoyed the performance, ant kept his opera glasses on the English tra gedlan during the greater part of the time
 Thus far, the senate's work may be sum med up in the discussion and passage 0 the appropriation bill for the militar, school at West Point bill for the pro lection of children in the District of Col umbia who may be cruelty treated bil for extending the limits of the Yellowston, national park, and the consideration o judi cial jurisdiction outside of the territo " of the United States. The house O representatives has debated and passed tht bill for pensioning the Mexican veterans at eight dollars a month, voted for thir teen more house employees, pages, messen gers, and clerks, and is now discussing the naval appropriation bill The senate spent some time offering tributes to the memory of the recently deceased member from Kansas, MT. Haskell.