The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1886-03-06
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, Feb. %, 1886.

of Washington's birthday, neither
House of Congress was in session,
and the Government machinery
stopped, as usual, in honor of the
day. Although there was no formal
celebration in this city there were a
number Of suitable observances.
The Oldest Inhabitants Associa-
ton met, read Washington's fare
well address, and some of the
members made speeches. The
Washington Monument Associa-
ton also had a meeting and served
luncheon to some distinguished
guests, including Senators, Judges,
Ministers, Generals, etc. Then
there were some military parades,
national airs were played on the
Metropolitan Church chimes, and
the Washington Continentals made
a pilgrimage to Mount Vernon,
where they were addressed by Con
gressman Cabell of Virginia, Camp
ton of Maryland, and General
Black, the present Commissioner OF
the Pension Office.
The city has been under siege by
female sullragists since l wrote
you. The women have gone, how
ever, jubilant over their lively
convention, and the church that
resounded with their eloquence is,
this week, at the service of an edu-
cational convention.
The advocates of woman suffrage
were granted a hearing by the
House Judiciary Committee, before
which they plead their own cause.
Among the orators of the occasion
were Mrs. Meriweather and Mrs.
Minor of Missouri, Miss Eastman
of Boston, Mrs. Nelson of Tennes-
see, Mrs. Bennett Of Kentucky,
Mrs. Field Of Louisiana (who is
the Catherine Cole" of the New
Orleans Picayune), Mrs. Sewell oI
indianapolis and Mrs. Cougar OF
Indiana.
The latter probably made the
most striking remarks. She asked
the committee to let the question
20 on to the State Legislatures,
saying they need not commit them
selves to the principle. She said
she was not for suffrage, but for the
salvation of society and Of the
country. The Government was
ruled by the cities, and the cities
were ruled by the slums. She
wanted to put the intelligent
woman's vote rs an offset for this
ignorance and crime. Woman did
not want suffrage, suffrage needed
woman. Women's vote should be
the reserve force upon which the
intelligent men of the country
would have to call to preserve them
from degradation and crime. She
pointed out the election troubles
in Chicago and Ohio to show that
for the want of more intelligent
voters the Government was being
run by the criminal classes. Gen
tlemen," she said, "you ARE kind
you are gallant. We ask you to
be just"
The committee, of which Ran
dolph Tucker of Virginia is chair
man, listened to the ladies with
respectful attention. When the last
speech was made, Susan B. Anth-
ony, who is mistress of ceremony
at all the suffrage conventions,
presented the committee with a
history Of the suffrage movement
from its beginning up to the present
time. IL will continue to make
history out of your actions on this
question: she said, "until we get
a sixteenth amendment to the
Constitution"
Since every Congress gives a
week or two to the Fitz-John Porter
business, now that the General has
been disposed Of by the House for
this winter, it is hoped that body
will get down to real work. All of
the Democrats and sixteen Repub-
lican members voted u restore
General Porter to his position in
the army and retire him with pay.
The bill will now 60 to the Senate,
where its fricu Is think it will have
four majority, although the Repub-
licans have control of the Upper
House.