The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-03
ANNA II. SHAW.

she said, ''of not being very good looking,
I think the motto for suffrage societies
should be, Handsome is as handsome
does I think if we should look back and
see how many handsome things have been
done by homely people, we would agree
that providence has been particularly good
to them.
Mrs. Hester A. Harland, the recording
secretary, then read the report of the
years work, showing a large increase in
membership. The report was adopted, as
was also that of Mrs. Emily Pitts-Stevens
the corresponding secretary. Mrs. Emma
Gregory, the treasurer, reported balance
of cash or hand ior the year of So % after
all expenditures.
At this point Miss Shaw took occasion to
say that since the arrival in California OF
herself and Miss Anthony they had almost
been deluged with letters, which it had
been impossible for them to answer. Those
which had not been referred to the local
suffragist societies would be answered in
due course when they returned home.
Mrs. Nellie Holbrook Blinn stated that
she had her annual report ready, but
would pass it, so that other business might
be transacted. There were cries of mol"
"Nol" and she acceded to the general WISH
She read:
One year ago, atthe annual meeting of this as
ISOLATION, the honor of presiding over your de-
liberations was by your ballots conferred upon
me. The year has rolled by and now appear
before you to render an account OF my steward
ship and turn over the records to my successor.
The year has been one OF more than ordinary
interest to the association.
The Thursday following the election meet
ing was called OF the board OF directors and the
various committees for the year appointed.
Shortly after the Republican convention was
held. and through the efforts OF the State Asso-
citation, for the first time in the history of that
q II
the plat torn pledging 1t to the cause OF woman
suffrage. A like effort Yves made with the
Democratic party at their convention, but 1t
was unsuccessful.
At the session of the Legislature held at Sac
ramento last winter your president was elected
to represent the association before that body
in an effort 10 secure the passage OF a bill
granting suffrage to women. During seven
weeks of the session it was my pleasant duty
to work increasingly for this object In this
effort, able assistance was rendered by several
members of other organizations. The bill was
introduced, and passed in the Assembly by a
vote of AZ TO %. II went to the Senate, where
the Committee on Judiciary pronounced il I'M
constitutional. Nevertheless it was brought
up, out of regular order, through the strenuous
efforts of our loyal friend and champion, one
of the grandest orators of California, Frank
MCGOWAN of Humboldt, and was defeated by
a bare majority. Efforts were then directed
toward the procuring OF constitutional
amendment, and in this, success crowned our
| efforts, and this amendment Will come before
| the people at the general election in Noyem-
Der, 1896, to decide whether or no they be-
! lieve in equal rights to all, and are willing to
prove this by their ballots, and not until the
same rights are extended TO ALL irrespective of
sex, will this land OF ours be truly free.
There have been dark days when it seemed
/ almost as though we could not breast the
waves that threatened to enguH us; then a ray
| of light would illuminate our pathway, such
| as letter from Fresno telling us that a little
band of brave women had decided to become
| auxiliary to the State association and were do
ing all in their power TO influence public ODin-
| ion in that town in favor of the enfranchise-
ment of women. Then another ray from San
| Diego with the names of hundreds who be-
! lieved in equal rights, both men and women.
Then came glowing accounts from Los Angeles
| of work performed and great good accom-
! plished. Then came a ray of light so bright
| that it seemed like the flash of a beam from
/ the MONDAY sun, and Miss Susan B. Anthony
| Aunt Susan as we love to call her-and Miss
| Anna Howard Shaw came into our City. We
| had hoped great things would be accomplished
when this grand captain and her first-lieutenant
| arrived, but we had not expected a revolution.
We shall never cease to thank the Woman
| Congress for bringing into our midst the big
cannon and hot shot that completely demol-
| ished the opposition that had piled itself up
! against woman suffrage. To-day there are few
| in the State who dare proclaim that they do
| not favor equal rights.
The furore which these stars have created by
! the magnificent speeches made by them, also
I the converts that have come into the fold, the
| promise that we have that they will come back
| to us next year has greatly encouraged us, and
we look forward to the return of these grand
women with delight, knowing that with such
patriots to champion our cause we can but sue