The Indianapolis journal., 1896-01-28
THE "WOMAN'S BIBLE
NATTER THAT HAS CAUSED
TROUBLE IN SUFFRAGIST RANKS.
The Work StoutIy Defended by Mrs.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the
Originator Of the Enterprise.
oecial to the Indianapolis Journal.

Social to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27.-As mentioned
in the press dispatches, the "Woman's BIZ
ble' has caused much discussion and some
dissension in the ranks of the Woman's
National Suffrage Association, now in ses-
sion here. The first indication that there
was any difference of opinion between the
women engaged in compiling Mrs. Stan
toms Bible and the regular association
came when the report of the correspond
ing secretary was read last week In that
report the corresponding secretary, Rachel
Avery Foster, called on the association to
repudiate the production and to disavow
any connection with it, as it was feared
the cause of woman's suffrage was being
injured by the ENHANCEMENT. She referred
in rather harsh terms to the new Bible,
which she called a makeshift of shreds
and patches. without either scholarship
or literary value, set forth in a spirit which
Is neither reverent nor inquiring." 1t was
this clause of the report concerning the
'Womans Bible" that caused discussion
and bitter feeling In the association, and
special meeting of the executive committee
was held to take action with regard to
that part of the report. Many of the wcm-
en- OF the association have so far refused
to allow their names to be used in connec-
tion with the work, and a number of schol-
ars among the members of the association,
familiar with Greek and Hebrew, have re-
fused to assist in the work of translation.
Nearly all of those engaged in the work,
however, are members of the association.
and for this reason feel that they have
right to ask the association to refrain from
adopting any report or portion of a report
alluding to the work in such terms as those
used by Rachel Avery Foster. The execu-
tive committee reported that the trouble
was personal matter, and that 1t was
not the duty of the association to take cog
nizance of the matter.
Mrs. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who is the
originator of the enterprise, stoutly de-
tends the work, which, she says, is simply
an effort TO place woman right in the BIZ
Die, her position having been one of in
Justice. The new Bible is not a new trans
lation, but Is a compilation of all those
parts relating or referring to woman in
the Bible committee. These comments are
written by the different members of the
committee, and 1t is against these that the
animosity of many of the anti-Bible men,
bers of the association have aimed their
snafts, as they claim that they are irrev-
erent and not written In the proper spirit.
The entire production is an attempt to
show that woman's place in the Bible
should be equal to mans, and that great
injustice has been done the sex by alter
Ing in cases the original text and by sup
pressing those parts which in the original
give woman prominence not given in the
translated editions of the Bible. Mrs. STAN
ton, Tor instance, says: Il do not believe
that any man ever saw or talked with
God; do not believe that God inspired the
Mosaic code, or told the historians what
they say he did about women, for all the
religions on the face of the earth degrade
her, and so long woman accepts the
position that they assign her emancipa-
,ie iion Is Impossible: The manner of hand
ling the text in this woman's Bible is much
like tnat In Barnes'S Commentaries. They
begin with Genesis, 1-26: 27:2S-the creation
OF man, and God blessing him." Mrs. STAN
ton has revised this at some length, and
says that its paucity of language may
give rise to many misunderstandings, but
ADDS; The above texts plainly show the
simultaneous creation of man and woman
and their equal Importance in the develop
ment or the race. All those theories, based
upon the assumption that man was prior in
the creation, have no foundation in fact"
To-days session of the suffragists con-
vention opened with a review of work in
the South, by Miss Laura Clay, of Ken
lucky. She spoke of the almost entire alb
sence Of the foreign element in that sec
ton, and said the women there now have
the opportunity to break the solid South"
or opposition to the movement. She pre-
dicted rapid progress of the suffrage senti-
ment there, based on the encouraging re-
suits OF the work Of organization done dur
ing the year.
Henry b. Blackwell of Massachusetts,
made brief address, urging the State as
sociations to petition their respective legis-
latureS to insert clause in the State con-
Stitutions granting women the right to vote
in presidential elections. He announced
that the women of Kansas would take this
action at the opening of the next Legisla-
ture.
Exercises in commemoiation of persons
identified with the movement who died dur
ing the past year occupied the remainder
of the forenoon session. Tributes were
paid TO Frederick Douglas, Hugh McCulloch,
under whose administration as Secretary
or the Treasury women were first admtted
TO employment in tnat department.; Theo-
dore l.. Sewall, the husband of May Wright
Sewall; Ellen Battelle Dietrich, of Cam
bridge, Mass; Julia A. Wilbur, DR.. Grace
Danforth, Hon. Thomas Davis, DR.. James
C Ciarkson and Theodore D. Well.
During the afternoon many of the dele
gates accepted the invitation of Mrs. John
of the late President. ana Joined a large
throng of Washingtonians in Observing
Mrs Grants birthday.
Officers were elected for the ensuing year
as follows: President, Susan B. Anthony
reelected unanimously; vice president ar
responding secretary. Rachael Foster Avery;
recording secretary, Alice Stone Blackwell;
treasurer, Harriet Taylor Upton; first audi
tor, Miss Laura Clay, and second auditor
Mrs. Anna Dggs-
At to-night's meeting utah, our new
star" was the principal theme of interest
and speechmaking. Addresses were made BY
Senator Cannon, Representative Allen, Mrs
Sarah A. Boyer and Miss Emily :. Richard
all OF Utah. Other speeches of the evening
were made by Ella Knowles Haskell. Assist
ant Attorney-general of Montana; Virginia
D. Young, OF south Carolina: Mrs. Mary NJ.
Clare. of Vermont, and Miss Jessie Manley
of West Virginia