The morning call., 1890-12-13
W0MAN'S SUFFRAGE.
Important Meeting of the State
Association.
Mrs. Gordon Tells How Washington's Women
We've Defrauded of Their Rishts-Ths
Work in California.

More than dozen of the most prominent
advocates OF woman's rights assembled in
Washington Hall yesterday afternoon. 1t
was special meeting of the California State
Woman's Suffrage Association and among
those in attendance were: Mrs. Laura de
Force Gordon, President; Mrs. Addie L.
Ballou, Vice-President; Mrs. Emily Pitt
Stevens, President of the Board of Direc-
tors; Mrs. Jennie Phelps Purvis of Mo-
desto; Mrs. E. P. Keeney. Mrs NJ. G.. Ed
holm OF Oakland; Mrs. Scott Ecker, Mrs
A. G. W. Cummings. Mrs. Emily Murdoch,
Mrs. Ella Smedley, Mrs. Marie Harrington
and Mrs. Louise Croll of Atchison. Kans.
1t is rather chilly here, ladies'" sug-
gested Mrs. Gordon, as she called the meet
ing to order and wrapped fur-lined
mantle around her shoulders. Suppose
we adjourn to the anteroom and tightly
close all doors and windows?"
SO the ladies filed into the smaller room
and the business of the meeting commenced
by the selection of Mrs. Purvis to act as
Secretary.
CHANGES DECIDED UPON.
AS Chairman of the committee appointed
to revise and abbreviate the constitution
and b y-laws. Mrs. Ballou made report of
the changes made and the report was ap-
proved. The association is incorporated
under the laws of California, and for that
reason copy of the changes made will
nave to be filed with the Secretary of State
=, In brief the changes are: To strike out
the word Educational" in the name of the
organization to make its objects the pro-
curement of woman's rights and of the cleo
1--WE FRANCHISE; TO cause the annual meet
lngs to be held on the first Tuesday in Sep
TENDER, and to provide that special meetings
nm loot ip nf IF
the Directors or by the President of the as
ISOLATION. The meetings of the Board of
Directors are to be held quarterly.
:" Madam President" said Mrs. Ballou,
addressing Mrs. Gordon, " desire to call
attention 10 the fact that no official action
has been taken in reference to members of
the Legislature who are opposed to woman's
suffrage"
PETITIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE.
Mrs. Pitt Stevens said that petitions
would be sent to the Legislature by the
WOmen's Christian Temperance Union
to represent the association during the COM
ing session of the Legislature ard that she
90 all She can to secure the passage of any
laws favorable to wOman's suffrage
A resolution to that effect was adopted,
and Mrs. Gordon was also given authority
to call to her aid any members OF the assO-
ton who may be at the State capital during
the session.
Mrs. Schessinger. the Treasurer, was alb
sent by reason of sickness and no report
was received from her. President Gordon
having been out Of the State on legal bust
ness for six weeks, was also unable to make
an Official report. She had a communication
to make, however, in reference to the agi-
satlon of woman's rights before the public.
lhere Is stronger sentiment in favor of
the movement" she said, 'in this State than
ever before, particularly since the admission
OF Wyoming. To my astonishment even law
yers have changed their views. For myself
don't see why women should not have as
much right to political privileges as men.
As to the State Of Washington, It's Legisla-
ture amended its laws so as to give women
right to vote. BY a gross conspiracy ON the
part of the enemies of suffrage there, the
women have been deprived Of their rights.
The wife OF saio0n-keeper of Spokane City
was not allowed to vote. A suit was COM
menced against the officers of election.
THE CONSPIRACY REVEALED.
Then the plan of conspiracy to disfran-
chise the women Of the Territory before its
admission to statehood was successfully car
ried out. An appeal to the Supreme Court
Of Washington resulted in Chief Justice
Jones deciding the bill allowing women to
vote to be unconstitutional. He declared the
bill unconstitutional because the word 'cti-
zens' was used in such sense as not to con-
template women.
II have a case now 1 propose to take up
to the United States Supreme Court that
will affect legislation in the Territories here
after. The feeling in the State of Wash
iEgton is now greatly in favor CT wOman's
rights. This general sentiment has recently
been voiced by the Farlners' Alliance and
the American Federation Of Labor"
AT the suggestion of Mrs. Pitts-Stevens
Mrs Gordon was instructed to send tele-
gram to the Convention of the American
Federation of Labor of Detroit, Mich, ask
in Z that body to adopt a resolution favoring
woman's suffrage.
Mrs Gordon then impaired little secret.
Il have decided" she said, ito devote sew
eral months to lecturng tour through the
State in advocacy of woman S-rights." She
also promised to secure the indorseme Mt of
representative politicians in every Senate
rial and Assembly district Petitions
signed by women, she explained, had little
weight. THE suffrage is controlled by the
male element" she concluded, land from
the males must come the relief
The association adjourned to the call of
the Chair,