The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-06-01
me delegate called him, was enthusiastically

~ oeiekate cdiieu nim, "as outnus'aslooAy
Several more $500 subscriptions were then
taken until the $500 men seemed to be ex-
hausted. when q quiet looking gentleman about
half way back 10 the audience arose and said
he'd give 5000 ITO keep the thing . Roir.."
Your name shouted the chair.
Nathaniel B. Powers replied the speaker:
Daniel P. Powers contributes $500" said the
chair In q loud voice to the audience
Nav, nav, now don't get It that way said
Mr.. Powers. Nathaniel b. is my name.'
oh. yes. Daniel B." said the chairman. turn
ing to the secretary.
mo. not Daniel b." shouted Mr.. Powers
somewhat out of patisnce-'Nathaniel B."
"Ah, | see. Nathaniel P. Al right, Mr..
.No; that amt it yet BIZ
mo. B.; N. Blake Notice Powers; put
me down that way If you can't hear my name
any other way
When this colloouy was concluded the indi-
vidual in the gallery yelled. "'Rah for Powers
and the convention again worked on some OF its
surplus enthusiasm In . wild cheer. So'tne col
lection went on. Every man who contributed
received enthusiastic applause. A good many
o. those who subscribed received the value OF
their money in free advertising. The delegates
who announced the amounts generally referred
IL glowing terms to the contributor. One
world; another that his made the celebrated
Aassachusetts blowers; still another that his
friend was the manufacturer OF the best buggy
springs in the United States.
But the most Significant contribution of the
convention was that Of Rev. Martin Ma
honey, . Catholic priest, Of St Paul,
Mimi. Chairman Dickie announced that
Father Mahoney contributed $50 out of q
salary Of $500, aud that rather than see the pro-
cents q day. Father Mahoney insisted on max
ing his offer 500. and it was 90 announced. This
created the greatest applause OF the day, and
Father Mahoney was compelled to come for
ward and mount . chair whore the immense au-
dience could see him and listen TO q short
speech. The collection occupied the time Of the
convention until after IL o'clock. and the audi
ence WAS heartily tired when it was over.
In the afternoon the audience was larger than
at any other time during the convention. 1t
was known that the time had come for the
woman suffrage fight, 40 the first thing in order
wks the reading of the report Of the committee
on resolutions. and consequently the crowd OF
spectators IN the gallery was simply immense,
and they thoroughly enjoyed the proceeding. a.
did every one else In attendance. Shortly after
calling the convention to order the tall. slender
form Of Sam Small. secretary of the committee on
resolutions, was noticed on the stage. In o few
minutes he came forward and in . deep voice
began the reading OF the remarkable document
over which the committee had been struggling
fog more than twenty-four hours. There was
little il any contention over the first parts of it
"a delegate objscting to the phraseology
OF the preamble-and . slight dissatisfaction
with the expression in regard TO the means Of
raising revenue being the only things that
caused any delay whatever. But when the
sonorous voice of Mr.. Small began on the sew
entn paragraph the audience recognized that
the time for trouble had arrived. The platform
declared In favor Of the women, and its reading
was greeted with great cheers by the audience,
the ladies shouting, mounting chairs and wav-
ing handkerchiefs, parasols and whatever they
could get . hold of in . way that made some OF
the male advocates ashamed Of themselves.
When order was restored Mr.. Small completed
the reading Of the rest Of the platform. and then
the Chair announced that q minority report
would be presented on the suffrage question by
Prof. John NJ. DIN. of Wisconsin. MIR. Olin's
motion was practically the principle OF local
option applied to it. He favored allowing the
States to settle the matter themselves. and sup
ported his motion in . powerful speech,
as he 10 by long odds the best
speaker in the convention. There was . great
DIN sat down. A gentleman from Wisconsin
obtained the floor first and delivered a telling
speech in favor of the minority report. While
be was speaking, q lady OF middle age. dressed
in black, with a small bonuet on her head, was
sero, advancing toward the front Of the room
along the east aisle of the building. She walked
up to where the speaker WIS standing on .
chair and deliberately stopped in front OF him.
During the time Of his speech she
seemed in great nervousness, changing
NOSitlou ku00iaS y SSSConCA
and making gestures until the attention OF the
whole audience was attracted. When the Wis
consin delegate completed his speech she de-
maIded recognition OF the chair in . very per-
emptory manner. though there were a dozen
delegates on the floor at the same time. She
succeeded. however. after one or two had spoken
in getting the chairman's notice and was allowed
to speak.
John.
MRS. Merriweather, Of Missouri, cir" she re-
piled, CURLY. She charged the speaker from Wiz
consin with miirepresentiDg the people of the
South on the suffrage question and said that it
was none Of his business to speak for them. II
am Southern, sir, she shouted at the top of her
voice. with a dramatic gesture from the crown
Of my head to tho sole of my feet-from my
heart here ~(striking her breast with her hAnd)
to the tips of my fingers. My father fought in
the confederate army-yss. rebel. rebel army il
you want to call it that. under JEFF Davis, and
so did all my kith and kin. and I am proud Of
it.r-here the speaker became exceedingly de-
monstrative. walking up the aisle and
gesturing at the chairman In q
most emphatic manner. The audience in
around and face the cTo Nd, but this did no good,
until q lady sitting GEAR. seized the orator by
her hustle, and with this rs . rudder, succeeded
10 steering her around 30 that she faced the au-
dlencs. She continued for her full time in q
most vigorous manner, and was finally shut of
by the chairman announcing that her Eve min
utes was up.
The debate from this time was vigorous and
pointed, the speakers alternating on the differ
emit sides. One lady demanded of the gentle
mon of the convention to know who made them
prohibitionists, and where they'd have been IL it
hadu't been for their mother. to which another
replied, where would you have been il il hadn't
been for your fathsr-and so the contest went
on. many prominent speakers speaking on each
side. The venerable Neal Dow, with flowing
white locks. mounted . chair and uttered his
protest against the movement, while Col.
/ George ". Balm spoke earnestly for 1t.
The debate was closed by Miss Willard, who
was listened to with close attention and loudly
cheered when she closed.
It was evident from the very outset that the
convention was determined TO yield to the
women. The delegates had all been thoroughly
worked. They were unable to resist the de-
mands of the fair sex It was certainly a great
victory for the women. for they succeeded with
out doubt in capturing the whole convention.
and could have had it declare for anything they
might have wanted. After this the delegates
and spectators were glad to adjourn for supper.
THE BUSINESS OF THE CONVENTION.
Reports from Committees and Action
Thereon.
Thn ca.eo1 1.xfs s>.s,oo -. cnocax -;tb