The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-05-10
STATE Journal. THURSDAY EVENING. MAY TO- 1894

friend c. A Dana, whom have known
for forty years. He is the author of the
old slang phrase that the women can
vote as soon as any respectable number
asked for the franchise. l asked him
what he considered a respectable num-
ber! He replied that petition from
100000 women ought to settle the ques-
ton forever. I said, Bless you, for forty
years we have been taking petitions to
the Legislature Of from $4,000 to $1,000
names, and they have had no effect
"a petition from every woman in the
state would not create a ripple in the
minds of Boss Croker of Tammany, or
Boss Platt of the Republican forces"
Mrs. Otis Makes = Short Talk.
Mrs. Bina Otis, wife of the ex-con-
gresham from this district was the next
speaker. She admitted that one half of
her house had not yet been cleaned to-
day because of her loyalty to the cause
of equal suffrage. 81 rejoice she said,
that my oldest son will cast his first bal
lot this year for the enfranchisment of
his mother
Mrs. Johns, the master of ceremonies,
said, "We have heard from representa-
tives of two parties We will now -"
Miss Anthony-"Hold on dear; who are
the two party representatives? 1 don't
represent any party. There's nothing in
any of them to representa- Qaughter).
Rev. Anna Shaw of Boston the next
=
Miss Shaw is rather stout and speaks
with a heavy "tragedian" accent, and
winks both eyes very fast. She is
smart as a whip and says lots of brilliant
things. The following were among the
things she said:
thing. Thank God l never followed for
any party that doesn't hollow for me-"
81 am beginning to think Eve was not
made out OF mans rib, but out of his
backbone, and that accounts for his not
having any left All l can say to you
men is, Brace upP"
81 am not waiting to see what turns
up but to see who gets turned down."
Miss Shaw was very severe on the
men who were present and scOlded them
roundly. She intimated that they were
ring-ridden and debAsed and had no ex-
cuse for existence. The speech met
with great deal of approval among the
women on the platform and most of the
audience.
Noah Allen was called on for a speech.
He put himself on record as saying that
if the PopuiistS didn't put an equal suf-
frage plank in their platform she
was afraid" he would have to
hunt some other party. He continued:
1--WE men have got ourselves
in the mire and taken the women with
US, and it is only proper that we should
ask them to help US out We are
moral and political towards if we fail to
say in our conventions, women are as
good as we are and can vote when we
VOTE"
Mr.. Kelly and BIr. Hudson Talk.
His was the last of the speeches, and
Mrs. Johns called for volunteer speeches.
Bernard Kelly was among those who re-
sponded. He said 81 have deep convic-
tions on this subject and am one of the
kind of men who don't hesitate to speak
them. Speaking for myself, l have be-
lieved from boyhood that women should
be extended the elective franchise. No
matter what my party may do, shall
work and vote for equal suffrage"
Major j. K Hudson took occasion to
reply to Mrs. Shaw's remarks. He said:
Indifference and lack of interest among
the women is of more Importance to the
people here than the matter of political
rings. If Mrs. Shaw wishes to talk
about them she should talk about the
rings of New York and at her home in
Boston, from where all we know about
corruption in politics have come. Mis-
work in this dive should begin
in the east and move westward. Do
something more than scold the men.
1 hat doesn't make any votes" In con-
clusion he said he would ask to have an
equal suffrage plank in the Republican
platform.