The Portland daily press., 1890-11-22

baance........ Sl55. .06
The following Is the list of officers cleo
ted:
President-ReV. Henry Blanchard, d. d, Of
Portland.
Vice Presldents-Mrs. George s. Hunt, Mrs. s.
L. Spring. Hon. ThOs. g. Reed, Gen. Francis
fessenden, DR., II Gerrish Of Portland. ex-
Gov. Frederic Robie Of GOrh tm, ex-GOv. Nelson
Dug ey OF Lewiston, Mrs. A. f. Grrely OF Els
L. OBrion of C0rish, Mrs. l.. W. Weston, Skow-
hogan, Mrs Hannah j. Bailey Of Winthrop.
C1rresponding secretary-Mrs. Eta ii. OsgoOd
recording secretary-Miss L. F. Donnen Of
Portland.
Tredsurer-Dr. Jaue L. Hersom of Portland.
Executive COmmittee-The President, Cor
respondent Secretary, secretary, Treasurer, Mrs.
Margaret W. I. Merrill, Mrs. L. NJ. N. Stevens,
Mrs Zenas Thompson, Rev: j: rosser, Mrs.
J L. Mcdowell, Mrs. III. NJ. Humphreys, Mrs.
Sarah +. Hamilton Of Saco.
Miss Elizabeth U. Yates. Of Round Pond,
was introduced as the first speaker. After
considering the difficulties which our an
cestors had to contend with In order to give
us tie privileges which we now enjoy. Miss
Yates thought that we had a great deal to
contend with in solving this great moral
questionable prejudices Of conservative
people who close their eyes to the light, and
will not even have them pried open. Such
people are like the Scotchman who was
open to conviction, ut he would like to see
the man who was able to convince him, No
cause has ever suffered more than this from
prejudice. But II has now pessed from a
theory TO an experiment, and from an ex-
pertinent to a most gratifying experience.
There l. nothing to apprehend Of the effect
Of suffrage upon woman. Such mOnstrOs-
tiles as DIR. Mary Walker and Victoria
woodruff will remain monstrOsities, while
Mrs. Mary Livermore and Lucy Stone will
continue to wear the royal crown Of woman
hood. The enfranchisement Of woman
Will not only be good thing
for her but better one for government
when she has voice In the framing OF its
laws that will better protect the sanctity Of
her home. Women are accountable moral
haings.- obliged to obey the lave, and they
ought to have voice as to the laws
The speaker dwelt upon the inequality OF
remuneration In the treasury department., in
schools. and even in domestic service, relat-
Ing case under her own observation where
woman In country town gets the princely
SUN OF 81 a week for Homework. Priucely,
because trat is so much above the average ii
thai place. Her work Is labori0us, with q
good deal OF responsibility. In the same
family lives boy who does the errands
about the house and stable. lie gets S5 a
week. but he Is going to leave, because he
can do better tlan that.
Woman has not had the Industrial training
In the past that she ought to have had. Girls
were sent to boarding schoOls, and after fin
ishing sat down and waited Tor the coming
man; and sometimes he dIdn't come. The
greatest obstacle Is the indifference OF wom-
an herself, andithree classes of women were
pointed out as being Indifferent to this sub
Ject-the society woman, who Is afraid that
the children will be neglected If this reform
Is brought about; the devoted mother, who
is taking all Of life's burdens upon her
self, and has no appreciation OF what the
ballot would do for the home; and the phil
lanthropist, who does not seek greater and
broader field wherein to work.
Rev. Mr.. Clymer, the next speaker. said he
entered upon the discussion of this question
of political suffrage for women not as poll
tlcian, but as a preacher Of Gods righteous
ness. 1t has been objected that ministers
and women are not competent to deal with
political questions. But he thought they
were better equipped morally, then men who
are muddled with much scheming. He is in
favor Of political suffrage for women be-
cause the political right of representation
under taxation demands 1t. because the legal
right Of human equality under the law OF
equity demands 1t, and because the moral
right Of utilizing individual ability for the
general good demands it.
Rev. Mr.. Crosser Of the Park street church
was glad to identify himself with the cause.
There Is no good reason why women should
not have the ballot, every good reason why
she should have it. Indifference Is the great
est obstacle. The sailor prefers a fierce gale
TO dead calm. Where a principle Is at stake
Indifference Is crime. Perseverance will
accomplish the end In view.
The speakers were listened to with close
attention. and were frequently applauded.
Evening Session.
In the evening Miss Yates touched upon
the subject of woman's sphere. The great
question Of the age is the woman question
what she ought to be. and what she ought to
do. Reviewing the condition Of woman
throughout the world that OF the American
woman is above all others, with correspond
ing responsibilities. Her sphere is well nigh
boundless, but v7ith marked limitations. 1t
has been urged against enfranchisement
that woman does not possess the requisite
wisdom. Folly is not confined to woman.
She has not projected Panama canal or an
expedition to the North Pole. Ia the legis-
latiye halls would not the combined wisdom
Of man and woman be better than the COM
bined folly and wisdom of man? Capacity
not custom should rule. II man can cook
better than a woman, let him cook. III a
woman can preach better that man ct her
preach.
DR.. Henry B. Blackwell Of Boston. spoke
with great earnestness. For more than IS
years he has spoken on this subject. He
said that since the last annual meeting there
has been great stride. A year ago woman
suffrage was reform pleading for rgcogni-
tion. Today 1t is fact, commanding re-
spect. For 81 years the women Of the ter
ritory Of Wyoming have voted; eight-tenths
of the men voted, nine-tenths of .he women.
When they asked to be admitted as a state
objection was made to the suffrage clause In
the constitution which gave the women equal
rights with men. But Judge Carey made
answer that as much as Wyoming needed
statehood she would stay out Of the Union
Tor hundred years unless she could come
In without that suffrage clause being ellmln-
ated. Today the women Of Wyoming ga.
vote and have the honor of living In tne ~ h1ss s
state which has accorded, not that pIlSS...ssiI
alone, but the right to do SO. MI. blaSss Ssnnth
has Just returned from Visit " toorssts of
Dakota where he went in the nsd Insdd 10 the
this great movement. He referIeu =" h' sh
large number of Ignorant lisn the right
brcone citizens there and possess sh0 Sie,h
N suff fs.ga which is denied 10 women, ouush Jun
D,knta he saws, needs WOOL water ana
woman suffrage.