The Press., 1893-12-28
Number 39.
w. CT U. DEPARTMENT.

that our badge of white belts us to all the world. News reaches us of a large and fiourishing w. c. T. U. in Atlantic City, N. J. The wave of enthusiasm which the suffrage movement is causing reached it's heighth there at one of the recent meet ings, when one of our much loved and former co-workers here, Miss Georgiena Washburn, was elected superintendent of franchise, amid much enthusiasm. Greet ings and:best wishes.
 Extract from annual address of Pres. Conn. w. c. T. U.:
 Closely allied to this legislation for our schools was the passage of the school suf- frage bill, which allows women to vote in all school meetings and at all elections of school officers Women have, for years, been permitted to serve upon school boards, but not having the ballot could not place themselves there. Men, except in few instances, have not been ready to yield their places to women. This bill was not introduced by the w. c. T. U., but was heartily approved by us, and we rejoice in it's passage. We firmly believe that when once the women of the state
 
 they will gladly impIo owe this opportunity to cast ballot for the control of the pub lie schools, in which their children pass so large portion of their formative years. The results of this first experiment of women at the polls justifles this legisla- | tion, and the fact that about 1000 women registered, and 4,000 voted, proves that women are ready to take their rightful place by the side of men in matters which concern vital interests. Some prudishly held back their garments, saying, 70 no, it is disagreeable business. 1 don't care to vote, it is too manish. l am too busy to go into politics." Yes, our conserva- tive Connecticut women are not easily converted to such novelties, and yet, wo- men have actually voted in Connecticut 4,000 of them, and still the world moves.
 The Philadelphia Record, referring to the matter, says: "The town election held in Connecticut in October, mark ed the opening of a new chapter in the polit- cal history of that state, and likewise in the annals of the woman's suffrage move- ment. It must be conceded that the lasses of the Nutmeg state have made an excel | lent beginning. Woman's suffrage has worked fairly we'll in the west, has now shown that it has as good reason for ex- | istence in the east, and while it is too soon to judge of the fruits, there is not the slightest reason for questioning that it's general adoption would prove whole some and for the public good. When the land of steady habits can thus adapt itself without jar to such radical innovation, the world may be truly said to be in mo- tion, and other commonwealths cannot fail to feel and to reflect the influence and effects of it's whirling impetus" | Already number of women are elected | to positions upon the school boards, and the value of the law will be determined, largely, by their execution of their trust. | Twenty-three states and territories have taken this forward step, and this move 1 ment is but the opening door into a broad. CT field for women. The end is not yet. Because of the possibilities which lie be- | fore us, let us, as part of the advance guard, undertake more thorough study | of governmental methods, of parliament ary usages, and of the live social ques- tions of the day.
 In Hartford the women are organizing for study-a good example for other towns of the state. Let us not fail to accept our God-given mission. l recommend that a real live, wide-awake superintendent of finances be appointed at this convention, who, in cooperation with local superin- tendents, shall crystalline into practical service those newly awakened visions of the ballot box.
 The police matron bill. secured through the joint action of the w. c. T. U. and the Equal Rights club of Hartford marks also a great advance, for, by the passage | of the bill, six cities of Connecticut are required to appoint police matron, fur nish her with suitable quarters, and as- | sistance, and to her care must be rela- gated all the women and children arrested l and brought into the police stations of these cities. This is a humane and chris tian movement. No reports of the work ings of the law have come to us, but let me remind the unions of these six cities, Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, Nor wich, Meriden and Waterbury,-that they must carefully look after this matter.
 Our thanks are due Hon. John Hooker of Hartford, for his professional service in drafting the bill, and in other ways for warding it's passage. But, some ask What does the w. c. T. U. do ?" "What good is it accomplishing ?" Let the legis- lative work of the past winter answer. Doubtless some are entirely ignorant of our organization and it's work. The re- suits achieved last winter cannot be measured. Think you that it is an easy task for quiet, retiring women to go day after day to those legislative halls be- clouded with tobacco smoke, to meet com mittees, and to press desired legislation ! Nothing is more distasteful to them, and only official position and conviction of duty could drive them to it But, I de- sire to bear testimony to the invariable courtesy and chivalry which we always received when on such errands bent.
 The query arises-Why should these disagreeable services be undertaken by some, while others remain supremely in different to them Probably there is not a woman within sound of my voice who does not in her heart desire the extinction of the liquor traffic. Then why should you not do your part to secure it's extinc- tion? Why should 4,000 only in Connec- ticut wear the white ribbon, and 353, ,000 other women decline it. I attended one of the Murphy meetings for women only, last winter. The church was filled. Doubt less a large majority of them had felt the knife in their souls because of loved ones under the curse. They were ready for the blue ribbon, but they were not ready for the white. Would that, as result of this convention. many hitherto indifferent women might step to our side ready for our service.
 'See here! it is the night it is the night And snow lies thickly, white, untrodden | snow,
 And the wan moon upon easement | shines
 A easement crusted o'er with frosty leaves, That makes her ray less bright along the l floor.
 A woman sits, with hands upon her knees, Poor tired soul and she has naught to do l For there is neither fire nor candle light | The driftwood ash lies cold upon her
 hearth;
 The rushlight fiiekered down an hour ago l Her children vail a little in their sleep For cold and hunger; and, as if that sound Was not enough. another comes to her, Over Gods undpf1led snow-a song
 Nay, never hang your heads Il say, a song. And doth she curse the ale house, and l the SotS