The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-02
VIEWS OF REFORMERS
ADDRESSES DELIVERED AT THE
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN.
Chief Topics = Greeting from
Representation League.

OF moral reforms were advocated and dis
cussed at the sessions of the National Coun-
Gil or Women to-day. There were two ses-
sions during the day, and the need of or
ganization and cooperation of women in
accomplishing improvements in government
methods were generally urged A feature
of the morning session was the presenta-
ton of a greeting from the American Pro-
portional Representation League. 1t ex-
pressed its sympathy with the aims, prin-
ciples and ideas looking to the betterment
of the condition of womankind directly and
indirectly of mankind. and held that the
best form of government was a representa-
tive one, made up of all citizens of the age
of discretion After citing il1ustra tions
from the recent elections to support the
contention that the present method of elect
ing Representatives does not secure the rule
of the majority. the league accounts for
this, not in gerrymanderng, but in the
nature of the system, and says the remedy
lies in electing Representatives from the
State at large by means of proportionate
VOTE The Swiss or free list system is
cited as the best scheme for accomplishing
this pian as dovetailing into present meth
DDS and giving the maximum of result with
the minimum Of change. 1t was urged as
important to women, because it will be
right and will enable them to accomplish
their aims.
The discussion centered about the aues-
tion of physical force as basis of gov
ernment, and was led by Rev. Ida c. HUI
ton, Of Moline, Ill. who made an eloquent
plea for the publication of politics and the
requirement of character in the selection
of those. to whom control of the govern
Mrs. Lille Devereaux Blake was unable
10 appear, but her formal address
corded cord by the presiding officer Mrs. Blake
tion that physical force is the basis of
government. She reviewed military actions,
duels and conflicts from the earliest days,
and asserted that the constant mediaeyai
conflicts so drained the nations of their
young manhood that the people of to-day
are the descendants of the mere riff-raff of
the middle ages. The closely woven indus
trial ties that bind nations together were
in the abolition of the war in the civilized
world, and the revival of the military
spirit shown in the drilling OF boys and
the increase Of the standing army was dep
recated as foolish, and the movement char
acterized by useless and silly absurdity,
delegate from Penr sylvania, made an i'm
passioned plea for equal recognition of the
negro race and for the cooperation of
white people In advancing the standard of
honor of her race. Others who spoke were
Mrs. Minnie Snow, of Utah; Miss Clara
citation. and Mrs. ]. Ellen Foster The
afternoon session was devoted to reviews
of the aims and progress. OF organizations
president of the Universal Peace Union,
discussed "Organized Work of Peace"
Other topics of the session We're: Organ
lin. Of Massachusetts,, president Of the Ma
piers; ORGANIZED Work in Moral Re-
FORM Elizabeth B. Grannis, Of New York,
president of the National Christian League
for the Promotion Of Social Purity, and
Organized Work In Government Reform
Miss susan B. Anthony, of New York,
president of the suffrage association.
The evening session was devoted to sep
arate discussions of moral and government
reforms. Mrs Elizabeth 3. Grannis, of
New York. president of the National Chris
tian League for the Promotion OF Social
Purity, said its aims to establish
single standard of purity--the same meas
ure of charity for men and boys which it
required for women and girls. Mrs. Isabella
Charles Davis, of New York, spoke of the
effect of double moral standard mod
ern life. The equal moral standard was
discussed by Caroline d: Buell.. of Con-
city. pointed out the relation of religion
to morals.
first recognition from the council, and its
president, Miss Susan e.. Anthony, of New
York was the presiding officer during the
latter part of the evening. She spoke of
strong plea for equal suffrage. The woman
of the twentieth century was pictured by
Emma Cranmer, of South Dakota, as a
philanthropist and reformer. valiant in con-
with the ballot before going TO war, as well
as the recipient of equal pay for equal
work. Alice Stone Blackwell. of Massachu-
setts, argued that women have more right
before the law than men, as the husband is
required to support his wife, and Annie T..
Diggs, of Kansas, told of woman's work
insuring happy homes and uplifting the
plane of the world The closing address
was made by Carrie l.. Chapman Gait, of
New York.. who vigorously discussed the
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