Wichita eagle., 1889-10-02
woman suffrage work in the United States

woman suffrage work in the United State
!, VIII be quite complete.
A notable event in this years history G
woman's work in our state is the the girls
industrial school, the work for which wa
inaugurated and carried forward by GU
noble sister association. the state ". c. I
u. aided and abetted by the state r. 5. A
Every woman in Kansas must be glad
dened by the knowledge that we now hav
a place other than the county jail-schoo
for vice as it mostly is-to which to SEM
the neglected girls of our state. place il
which they will find possibilities of srowti
in goodness and usefulness, and be saved t.
valuable citizenship
The school is situated at Beloit, and o
the Beloit people who did most for its rs
Enlistment we are indebted to Mrs
Watson. Mrs. ST. John, ex-senator l
ID. Young and Mr.. Hamilton, president o
board of trade. The idea of the under
taking was born in the brain of Olive p
Bray, editor Our Messenger, and was fos
tered and developed by Mrs. Fanny H.
Rastail and Mrs. l.. A. Thurston, until
with the cooperation and contributions Of
the woman of the state, 1t became fixed
fact and now blesses the lives and shelter:
| the heads OF thirty girls
| The WON u of W yomIng, and indeed the
women OF the whole United States, are &c
be congratulated upon the attitude OF the
| wyoming constitutional convention to-
ward the woman suffrage question. There
| seems to be no doubt that Wyoming vii
come into the union with her women en-
| franchised, and thus will be furnished a
precedent that will strengthen the cause,
| born III our own state:
The action of the constitutional conyen-
| tons in the other territories, now look Ing
| earnestly toward statehood, has not been
| altogether unfavorable to woman suffrage.
| Il
| more has been secured than was eXpec ed.
| The conditions in Washington territory
are disheartening. After the women there
| have been twice DISTINGUISHED by decision
| of an appointed supreme court the
| woman's suffrage article is to be submit
ted separately and under conditions most
uIfavorable. Its defeat will fail with
crushing weight, but the Washington ter
| ritOry suffragists are not vet beaten into
sug inc acceptance of their hard conditions,
and the women will offer their vote for or
against the constitution and for the
woman suffrage article, aid they hope to
show that their votes, with those OF the
men on their side, are enough to adopt the
separate article, and they have appealed
from the adverse decision of the terri
torial court to the supreme court of the
United States where they hope it will be
reversed. and God grant that it may, but
the whole matter is now SO complicated
that its chances seem to be daily growing
less though there is just faint ray of
hope from the appeal from the politicians
to the people.
AT our last annual meeting it was voted
that we petition the legislature Ito SO
amend the law creating a state board of
trustees of charitable institutions us to
make it require that at least two OF its
members shall be women." These petit
tons were sent from nearly all our auxili-
aries, from many W. G.. L Unions and the
Woman's Relief Corps, as well as many
church societies. But though the petit
tioning made some Impression, and eiic-
tied favorable comment, there WAS such
opposition to the plan among 1.-The powers
that be-" thai there was little chance of
success. A bill was introduced in the
house by Hon. James +. Legate, which
made mandatory the employment of
competent fem"ie physicians to care for
the female patients in the insane asylum"
and the bill further provided that When
ever in the Judgment OF ohe governor it is
for the interest of the state, or any chart
table institution, he shall appoint three
women, who shall visit, examine and in
spect any charitable institution, and the
management thereof designated by the
governor, and they shall as soon as practi-
cable, report to the governor in writing
the resu o. such visitation and eXamina-
tlon, and make such recommendations as
they shall deem proper" Three dollars
per day WAS mentioned as compensation
for time actually employed in making said
visits, examination and report.
The bill, however, never came to a vote,
and perhaps it was well that it did not. 1t
was not what we asked for
L am told 10y those who were residents of
Kansas nearly nine years ago, when the
prohlbltory amendment was submitted to
the popular vote. il never would have sue
ceeded without the help of women Their
Influence on public sentiment, their can
vassing for votes; but the extremity is
dire now. The liquor powers scorned the
possibility of prohibition and emf rcement
then, but now they fear and hate it, and
Will fight iG to their last grasp, and in
this extremity women are powerless with
out the ballot. They 20 unarmed to meet
an armed and relentless foe. Ii seems to
me that every man and woman who de-
sires the survivai of our prohibItOry law,
and its complete enforcement, must see
and acknowledge the importance OF the
Of women. 1t must
surely be plain to all VINO believe in the
mothers right to project her home that
the ballot must be placed in woman's
hand.
After the address OF the president vote
of thanks was extended to her aud after a |
few remarks the convention adjourned !
until 7:30 p m.
EVENING SESSION
AT 7:30 the convention met in the Chris |
tan church. corner of Second and Market,
and was called to order by the president,
who introduced DR.. Mamie Stevens of |
this city, who spoke of the fact thai the
larger churches of the city bad been closed
against the meetings of the convention,
when at other places where the annual
meetings were held it was not thought
harmful that the association held its meet
ngs in the church buildings DR.. Stevens
then introduced 7. T. McMechan, who
she said would deliver the address of well
come.
Mr.. McMechan took the stand and spoke
Is follows:
adde's OF the Convention:
The city of Wichita fully appreciates
our presence and extends a cordial well
'ome 10 you. Our metropolis, so well
with industrial forces, will grasp
he opportunities OF this hour to study So
ial and political progress. The brain and
leart of the west are always open to con-
notion upon ISSUES vitality connected with
he welfare of society. Wichita Will cheer
ully consider every prophecy aud every
lcpe which you give mankind.
We recognize IN you leaders of advanced
olicles for be reconstruction of the exer-
ised rights of the human race. Your OBJ |
ect is polit cal equality. You fully know
ow slow the world has been to accept add {
ancement IN its own welfare. You know {
hat it took centuries to bring the belief to {
nan that he had Il voice in the government
I b imself Man trusted for ages in the ,
ing Tor government; can il be that wo-
IAN VIII forever trust 10 man for her full
nd perfect rights; Equality Will bring
.rger individuality. and individuality {
l a.. c,.f H. I l.