The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-03
OLIVE BRANCH OFFERED.
Two Annual Meetings of One
State Association Held
Yesterday.
ONE ADJOURNED SPEEDILY
The Other Adopted a New Constitu-
ton and Elected a Full Quota
of Officers.

The woman sutfraglStS or CALIFORNIA are
no longer divided among themselves.
When the sun rose yesterday they were
gathered in two camps, as hostile 10 each
other as they have been for year. When
the orb,of day had made its half round OF
earth and dropped into the western ocean
the olive branch had been extended and
received, and where the house had been
separated nothing but harmony prevailed,
and united front was presented to march
onward against the obnoxious word male
in the constitution.
For the year past, two organizations,
each claiming to be the original and only
California State Woman's Suffrage Educa-
tional Association, have held aloof from
ca CHI. other. The one was composed OF
Mrs Nellie Holbrook Blinn and her fol-
lowers and the other was under the leader
ship of Mrs. Laura de Force Gordon. The
split from the parent organization came
Just a year ago, in disagreement over
representation by proxies, and up till yes
terdav noon but few had any hope that the
breach would be healed. 1t came unex-
pected, as most things that happen are
said to be, but it was none the less vel
come, and in consequence thereof all SUI
fragists are rejoicing.
The organization headed by Mrs. Laura
ing and after but few moments dellbera-
ton decided to adjourn until September.
The reason assigned for this was that, in
the desire for peace in suffrage circles, 1t
was thought best to await the action OF the
convention presided over by Mrs Blnn,
so that in the event that good ticket was
elected the Gordon forces could JOIN IN IN
dersing it, and all could Join hands once
more under common leadership.
In the afternoon the convention OF which
Mrs. Blinn was president was called
promptly to order, and ere it had finished
It's labors had elected the following officers,
upon whom it is thought the Gordon
followers can bestow their unanimous
votes at the September election:
Mrs. A. a. Sargent, San Francisco,
Mrs. General Bidwell, Chico, first vice
president.
Mrs. Nellie Holbrook Blinn, San Fran
cisco, and Mrs. John Spalding of Los An
geles, second and third viee-presidents.
Mrs. George Oulton, San Francisco, cor
responding secretary.
Mrs. Hester A. Harland, San Francisco,
recording secretary.
Mrs. Knox Goodrich, treasurer.
Mrs. John f. Swift of San Francisco and
Mrs. Sarah Baldwin of Oakland, auditors.
The meeting was called to order by Mrs.
Nellie Holbrook Blinn, whocailed upon the
=
After the latter had concluded, the presi-
dent appointed Mrs. Alice Smith, Mrs.
Kate Willets and Mrs. Hester A. Harland
as q committee on credentials. While the
committee was preparing to retire the
chair recognized Mrs. Sarah B. Cooper,
president of the Woman's Congress- who
was called to the stage amid much ap
plause. She held in her hand a beautiful
box almost buried IN sweetpea blossoms,
in which was hidden beautiful badge of
gold bullion depending from a red, white
and blue rosette.
Madam president" said Mrs. Cooper,
''ladies and gentlemen, l am the bearer of
dispatches from the Fourth of July execn-
tive committe, which has sent its official
invitation and its beautiful regalia to Miss
Anna Shaw. 1t gives me great pleasure to
present these. to one who has gained the
hearts OF the whole people of the Pacific
Coast"
There was almost deafening applause as
Miss Shaw received the box into her hands
and held up the pretty piece Of patriotic
regalia for the general inspection.
II thought Miss Shaw told you," said
Miss Anthony, laughing, as soon as the
applause had somewhat subsidized, that
she came out here to hold my bonnet 1t
rather looks to me now as If [ came out
here to hold her bonnet"
~ don't think that would have been
said" replied Mrs. Cooper, 'tif Miss An
thony could have heard the nice things
the committee had said about her"
Madam, bearer of messages" said Miss
Shaw, withdrawing her face from the
sweet-smelling blossoms, 81 really do not
know what is in this box, but I am sure 1t
is something beautiful, or Mrs. Cooper
would not have been the. bearer. of it, as
she never could bear anything but that
which is nice and good and for the benefit
of the person to whom it is borne. So
accept this very beautiful thing which the
gentlemen have gotten up. 1t is recogni-
ton by body of men who are beginning
to realize the great principles underlying
our Government, who recognize the work
of the women of the country in develop
ing the country; and who, therefore real
ize the. justice and right that women
should take part in celebrating the birth
day of this land"
-. At the conclusion of Miss Shaw's re-
marks, Mrs; Nellie Holbrook BIinn gave
expression to the general desire to hear
from Miss Anthony.
'.In olden times, +" said the latter, arising,
az remember when they were always call
ing on Wendell Phillips for speech. On
one occasion ne said his friends seemed to
think that it was as easy for him to make
. q speech as it was to get water out of the
/: town pump; they simply had to lift up the
. handle and the water flowed. Now; / do
= not know what you want me to say but I
do. want to say this to the friends
of the State Suffrage Association,
that you have a most complicated consti-
:. tuition under which to work, and I am in
hopes that the call for this meeting, part
of which provided for the amendment of
the constitution, will result in the making
;of one which will be in harmony with the
constitution of the National association. -
Miss Anthony then went on to give a
brief outline of the organization Of the
con clusion of her talk was asked by Mrs.
Eliza Upper Wilkes what was the position
of the State organization toward the cam
paign amendment committee formed after
the adjournment of the woman's congress.
Il am not prepared to answer that, "
said Miss Anthony, "but l do hope that