Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-02-28
REFUTE THE CHARGE
Woman Suffragists Up in Arms
Against an Anonymous Attack
MADE ON THEM TO CONGRESSMEN.
They Deny Being in League With Social
lists and Anarchists.
REVELATIONS OF A YOUNG SUFFRAGlST
[FRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT. ]

tFRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.-The WomaL's
Suffrage Convention was thrown into
panic to-day by the general leakage of the
fact that the leaders had been charged to
mem bers OF Congress with being in league
with Socialists, Anarchists, Communists
and every other organization bent upon dis
turbing the existing delightful order OF
things. The charge was contained in cir
cular letter to Congressman, which was
signed "Many Remonstrants," and the re-
monstrants demonstrated against the passage
of the bill granting women suffrage, now IN
the Senate.
AS everybody knows, there has never been
the least chance of the passage of the bill.
The circular was evidently written solely
for the purpose of stirring up strife, raising
row in the convention and giving the
woman suffragists black eve. The emf
nent ladies who lead the convention were
very indignant at the charge, not so much
on account of Its ubstance as of its anony-
nous character, and the spirit which
prompted it. They utterly deny being in
league with anybody except themselves, in
a formal sense, though they admit being
grateful even to an Anarchist, who has
enough of the spirit of freedom and equality
in him to favor woman suffrage.
Susan b. Anthony Talks.
Miss Anthony, when asked about the
matter to-day answered: "It is simply an
other OF the anonymous attacks made upon
US, and scarcely demands an answer. There
is certain set of unprogressive women in
Boston-Beacon street dilletautes-and
have no doubt the pamphlet was written,
or at least inspired by them. The whole
story is simply concoction of lies, and
absurd ones at that.
Miss Clara B. Colby, who was one of the
three appointed on the committee to invite
the cooperation of other National bodies in
securing the enfranchisement of women,
said practically the same thing. Every
time" said she, when it looks as though
we were going to be successful, there comes
a deluge iof these anonymous pamphlets
from this little clique OF jealous and un-
progressive women. They are not always
alike, it is true. Something OF the sort was
done in Dakota and elsewhere, but this time
they are pursuing new plan OF attack, but
the statements themselves are quite as
false
The Charge of Socialism.
Mrs. Corinne Brown, OF Chicago, is one of
the most advanced thinkers in the conven-
ton, with decided leaning toward social
ism. She has been Tor some time past inter-
ested in all branches of the labor question.
She was even more emphatic in her denial
OF the statement that there was any sort of a
coalition between the Suffragists and the
Socialists. 81 am not sure vet whether
am a Socialist OF not" said Mrs. Brown to
the reporter, who talked with her behind
H. l., r.
with all their methods, as we'll as with those
of the Suffragists. and 1 know that there is
not sign of any agreement or union be-
tween the two classes as classes"
One of the Youngest and most brilliant
members of the convention added her testi-
mony to the falsity of tine accusation, but
gave some very interesting additional in
formation.
Running Red With Socialism.
~ don't want to be quoted as saying So"
said she, "but l can assure you that the
best blood, and especially the best young
blood of the woman suffrage movement, runs
red with socialism. Not anarchism, not
nihilism, not communism, but substantial,
practical State socialism, such as has the
support of 1000, 900 voters in Germany, and
such as pervades the thinking, progressive,
humane classes throughout the civilized
world. The best there is of the woman suf-
frage movement is full of this sort of social
ism, but that has no part nor lot in the
movement. That is question OF economics.
The woman suffrage movement is for
equality of the sex before the law. The
socialism of those who are Socialists is the
outgrowth of economic condi.ons-a pure
question of the best and most just method of
producing and distributing the good things
of life. am proud of my Socialism, but 1
don't want it mixed up with my suffrage
efforts"
The Woman's Council and the Woman's
Suffrage Conventions, which have crowded
the Grand Opera House day and night DUR
ing the week, taken together, form the great
est and most enthusiastic convention of
women ever held. Outside of the merely
fashionable society, which is that and moth
ing else, the women of Washington have
attended the meetings in great numb bers, and
appear to be in full sympathy with the pur-
pose of the convention. LIGHrNER.