Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-10-12
WANTTHE BALLOT
MEETING OF THE NEW ENGLAND
WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION.
Addresses Ivy Mrs. Mary 4. Livermore of
Melrosc, Mass, Miss Laura Moore of
Barnet, Miss Elizabeth Collcy of water
bury and W. J.. stafford of ST. Johnsbury.

women gathered ut Howard Relief hall Thurs
day at the opening exercises of the mid
year convention of the New England Woman
Sufira &c association. Amale quartettc consist
ing of Messrs Severson. knights, Armstrong
and Gritfiths rendered music. l.. f. VIII
bur of this city presided, Mrs. Wilbur read
a selection of Scripture and Rev. Mr.. Per
kns offered PRAYER. Mr.. Wilbur introduced
Hon Henry Ballard of Burlington as n CON
slant friend and supporter of the woman
suffrage cause. Mr.. Ballard in a
brief addrcs, of welcome paid
graceful tribute to Mrs. Mary \. Liver
more. He said that Vermont never changed
her politics. the prohbitorY law or her opin-
ion ON the tariff question, but he was pleased
TO observe that the woman suffrage question
was gaining ground He related what had
been done 10y various Legislature, in recent
Years in this direction. Mr. Ballard said he
had never heard or read sound argument
against the right or the eXpcdicncv of WON
an suffrage. He hoped that substantial aid
to the causc would come from the meeting
here.
Mrs. Mary A. Livcrmore of Mclrosc.
Mass. responded. She lecouutcd some of
her experiences in working for the cause.
She regretted that the women of Vermont
had not more rights. But humanity is
when the mother will have with the father IA
legal ownership of their child. For Is con
secutivc years supporters of the cause have
been before the Legislature of MaSsachu
sets. taking with them the best legal talent
and have been politely told to get out. Mrs
LiVermorc sharply criticised the laws of her
state relating to the holding of property by
women. The non-activitY of woman is
largely responsible for hor political position
to-day The speaker had good word for
the Woman Christian Temperance union
AND for Vermont, prohibitory law.
Mr. W. 7. Stafford of 81. .Johnsbury was
introduced as the champion OF the woman
suffrage bill which passed the Vermont
House last year. but which was defeated in
the Senate Woman'S rights rest on the
same foundation as do man She is
obliged to help bear the burdens of life and
she should have As many privileges. We
shall never get woman to help us in the
cause until We convince her that it i, her
duty to vote We need To agitate
our cause among the Indifferent and
careless. Get women interested in pub
lie affairs. Man has run the govern
ment alone SO long that he has come to be
licvc that he has no need of wOman'S help.
But woman belongs TO the State and tn,
State belongs to woman. II is pleasant to
look forward to the time when man and
woman shall work tremendously together
for the public good.
The convention of the New England
Women's Suffrage association closed Fri
day with afternoon and evening sessions
M. l.. y. Franklin of Rutland presided a
the afternoon session in Howard Relief hall
There was an attendance of 40 includin.
five men. Singin" was led by W. W. Grif
iths, a selection OF Scripture was read b.
Mrs. II. H. Read of Shclburne and Rev. T
G. Thompson of this city offered prayer.
Miss Elizabeth Collcy Of Waterbury Iea,
paper ON Woman and reform. In thu
early history of the world the wrongs of so
ciety were referred to woman'S influence bu
we to-day front the life Of new era. Woman
has awakened to PERCEPTION of he
power ami her opportunities, Her wild
pned outlook enables her to perform
an important part in the great work of tn
worlds redemption. She is still more need
I'd and more desired in and near our home
than anywhere else But we do not bcicv
that her work and svmpathcs should h
bounded by the fom walls of home. Edu
ration is the central light of all reform
work. II is our high privilege to help per
petUate all the good work of the past t
share in all the grand work of the prcsen
and help inau2urate still glander work fo
the future.
o. p. Ray of This city presented some rca
sons why the right OF suffrage should b
granted to women. Man has found that h
cannot get along without woman except il
the case of going to the polls. God mad
woman rs fit companion for man am
created them equal. If it is goo
for man to have woman associate
with him in private life and in society VIII,
not i'm public life The average woman
mentally equal to and in many instance
superior to man. We are strangely ncoI
olstent. We want women as teachers in on
schools and we want them to know Somcthin.
about the science of government
but we arc not willing to give them a par
in that government The ". c. I
L. has shown by it work wha
woman can do. More won, N than men IN
engaged in religious work to-day and We
men say women could not vote in
diligently. Yet she hat exercised tn
right of suffrage, where it has been PARTIAL
granted to her. with honor When woma
j. given the full rights of outrage she wi
take more interest in political matters tina
does the average man. Sine will look TO til
highest welfare of the ST tte ndhome. Nj
Ray read some statements made by Unite
States Senator Carey of Wyoming. shown
that woman suffrage i'll that state had bee
SucrctS.
Woman has the same interest rs man
the welfare OF society and in the purity {
the home. Men have exercised the rgi
of suffrage SO long that they have come t
regard il a, an inheritance, but if it is II,
good for man to hc alone in the hon
and in society it is not good for hil
10 he alcnc in politics, instances of IL
ability 10 govern well, from Queen Elzi
beth to Queen Victoria were given TT
browning ACT of God was the creation
man: let the browning act of man he II
giving to woman of those political privieg,
he enjoys,
After a solo by Nj. Griiliths Miss I.am
Moore o! Barnet corresponding secretary
the association, spoke on the "Ncrmont Gu
look She had faith that woman suifras
was coming in Vermont, not by womt
bescechinS men to grant it TO them 1T
because men would in time rrrogni
the justice of Wumau's claim. AZ
Voc.tS of woman suffrage have II,