The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-02-17
WOMAN ~SUFFRAGISTS
Interesting Sessions Yesterday Of
the National Association.
Report of the Corresponding Secretary
Tributes to Lucy Stone, George w.
Childs and Others Who Have Died.

MIS-. tiacnel roster Avery, corresponding
secretary, presented her report this morn
ing. Among other things she said that the
advances along the line of woman suffrage
had been very great and unusually encour-
aging even for these encouraging times.
The splendid and almost unhoped for vic
tory in Colorado had prepared all for more
devoted work, even in the face of difficult
ties which may appear insurmountable.
Among all the victories rome seemed so
significant Of a change in public sentiment
as the rejoicing of the Wellesley students,
where the girls who are receiving the high
er education, which is one of the first fruits
of the struggle for political rights, are
awakening to the underlying principle OF
justice between the sexes. The future of
the cause, Mrs. Avery said, was in safe
hands. She referred to the disappointed
hopes Of the women Of Michigan and New
York, where certain laws on the subject of
woman suffrage had been declared uncon-
stitutional. Looking further away said
the report, ''the past year was made men,
orable in woman suffrage annals by the
extension Of the franchise to the women of
New Zealand and by their eager and en-
thusiastic entry into political life at the
late election, when one-third Of the votes
were cast by the women and when the
proportion of defective ballots was smaller
than ever before. IN England, the women
been endowed with the parish councils
franchise in company with several classes
of men now enfranchised:"
AS a member of the National Councll OF
Women, the association had the oppor-
tunity, said the report OF bringing It's prln,
ciples to the notice OF women VINO wouto
never, OF their own notion, attend a sur
frage meeting. The next public meeting OF
the council, which will be held In this city
next spring, would prove an immense help
to the woman suffrage cause In showing the
interest of women of all creeds and inter
ests in the public questions which are ag1-
tating the Nation. Mrs: Avery suggested
that the Pilgrim mothers dinner, originated
in New York, by Mrs. Blake and others,
was an annual gathering which II would De
well to inaugurate In every city, ana she
women should be urged TO preach at least
one year upon them. Woman must feel 1t
her chief work now to crystalline INTO or.
ganized form the mass of public sentiment
which was growing in favor Of the cause
of woman suffrage
THE CAUSE IN THE SOUTH.
Miss Laura Clay, Of Kentucky, submitted
the report Of the Southern committee,
which said that last year the number or
| members of the mint had been IN
| creased by four, representing a gain OF
| four Southern State suffrage associations.
In February the Southern work suffered a
| severe loss in the suspension or the woman
Suffrage Chronicle, Of Arkansas, caused by
| the prolonged i'll health Of Its editor, MISS
Cunningham. This left the Southern sur
fragists without a distinctive organ since
the successful organization In IeXas, the
report says, there are about tnree Soutne III
| sociation-West Virginia, North Carolina
and Mississippi. The State reports Woula
show valuable work in every southern
State and a wise expenditure Of the money
in those States which have been assisted
from the funds OF the committee. Inc re-
port made an earnest appeal Tor heip 10
| carry on the Southern work, which is re-
garded as the most important. presented 10
The convention; as the south Is "a iar nor
| glance. The people are far more homeo.
| genous than that of any otner section OF
the country OF equal size, ana %nS inIe on ifs
| growth is rapid. Woman suffrage. with an
educational qualification, is singuIaTfy
After discussion of the Southern outlook
the committee on resolutions was appointed.
In the afternoon memorial services were
held in honor Of Lucy Stone Elizaneth
Cakes Smith, Hon. Leland Stanford, Eliza
beth Peabody and George W. Childs. A
number of addresses were made and papers
read. Elizabeth Cady Stanton had prepared
a paper. Mrs. Stanton is not attending the
convention this year. and her paper was
Chllds, the paper said: I'm the death or
George w. Childs another striking figure
| dlSaDDeQrS from our nOTIZOn. f1c was the
first journalist to employ women in his
printing office and pay them equal wages
with men and to place a woman at the head
Of an editorial department of his paper Gle,
voted 10 women. He brought from England
the first trained nurses and established them
in Blockly Hospital. He was Instrumental
ans department in the insane asylum at
Norristown, with absolute control. His in
fuence was exerted in the organization OF
the DreXel Institute to secure equal advan-
tages in every department for boys and
girls. He contributed literally to the Ma.
tional Suffrage Association. He distributed
tire bulk Of his fortune during his life 10
worthy objects, and left a handsome fortune
to his wife 20 use. will and bequeath as she
saw fit"
TRIBUTE TO LUCY STONE.
Concerning Lucy Stone Mrs. Stanton said,
in part: '"The many beautiful tributes paid
Lucy Stone in all parts of the country
must have been highly satisfactory to all
who knew and loved her. / think we can
say with truth that no other woman in
this country has been so widely and re-
spectfu!ly mentioned by the press, the pull
pit and the people
as a pre-eminently self-nade man. He had
said that he considered the emancipation
Of women the vital question of the coun-
try. IL all riches and poverty alike he
maintained an integrity, purity ana gener-
oSity Of character that commanded the
confidence and admiration Of all who knew
him The crowning act of his life in honor
ing woman was in leaving his Wire pos
SCISSOR and manager of his vast estate OF
$40, OGO.0 900. With rare executive ability shs
is managing the stocks and bonds of the
banks. railroads and the university just as
her husband did in his life. Similarly beau
tiful and pathetic tributes were paid by
Mrs. Stanton to the memory and character
of Elizabeth Cakes Smith and Elizabeth
Peabody.
Mrs. lilly Devereaux Blake also read a
paper containing a tribute TO Lucy Stone
talking especially of her two domestic
virtues in whose life there had been q
demonstration of how unfounded all the ap-
prehensions were of the dreadful results
to be expected from woman suffrage
Mrs. Julia Ward Howe also read a. glowing
tribute TO the memory of Lucy Stone
whose mind, she said, was OF a practical
cast. Tributes to the memory of the de.
ceased were also paid by Mrs. Josephine h
Henry, OF Kentucky; Miss Laura Clay, OF
Kentucky, and Henry b. Blackwell. OF
Massachusetts. A letter Of coincidence OF
Mrs. Stones death was read from David
Dudley Foulke. of Indiana
Lucretia L. Blankenberg, of Philadelphia
who enjoyed a personal acquaintance witt
the late George w. Childs, told of tn,
latter's willingness TO always help women
and said that in his death the women OF
America had lost a generous friend. Fred
Douglass. of this city, the veteran coloreC
orator. was introduced and delivered Z
glowing eulogy on the life and charactel
of Mrs. Stone.
The first paper read at the evening ses
sion Of the convention vas entitled won
ans Suffrage in the South" by Mrs. JOSEPH
X. Henry, of Kentucky. Then followed
stirring address by Lily Devereaux Blake
the chairman Of the New York City Suf
frage League. An address was also mad
by Leonard r. Hone. the chairman of tn
pN9nITlEa RO~nFniFfna of tho National rran 80