The San Francisco call., 1896-05-10
Great Enthusiasm Is Mani.
tested at All the
Sessions.
MISS SHAW SHOWS SPIRIT.
Eleven Fine Papers Read and a
Stirring Address Given by
Miss Anthony.
JOINT CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE,
1880 FOLSOM STREET,

SAN FRANCISCO, May 81
The nine days talk in regard to the action
of the Republican convention in adopting q
woman suffrage plank has not yet ended and
the committee of women VINO went up to
Sacramento are besieged with inquiries as to
how it was done. The only answer 10 be made
is that lit did itself" We established our
headquarters on the third floor of the Golden
Eagle Hotel, opened our parlor, lighted q
cheerful fire in the CRATE; the ladies of Sacra-
mento sent in quantities of flowers, we spread
out our literature, put our boxes OF badges on
the center table, and then sat down in our
rocking-chairs and waited. We had decided
not to down in the lobby to 'buttonhole" the
delegates, but to stand on our dignity and let
them come to US. There was no other head
quarters on that floor, and they would have to
make the trip on purpose 10 see US. Suppose
they did not ONE
But in short time prominent editor ap-
peared and then the rush commenced. From
Tuesday noon until the close OF the conven-
tion there was steady stream of delegates, in
twos ana threes, and in whole delegations
Sometimes chairman would come up and say
the others were too busy to call, but had sent
him for badges for the entire delegation.
Wednesday morning $50 delegates were wear
ing woman-suffrage badges, and our supply
was exhausted. At least fifty more could have
been used.
Only once did we go to the floor below and
that was when we were invited to address the
platform committee. 1 wish 1 could picture
that scene. In the small room, seated or stand
ing around the table, were the seven men who
held the fate OF this question in their hands
At one end of the table stood Miss Anthony,
the light from above shining upon her silver
hair till it seemed like a halo around her
head, and she spoke as no one ever heard her
speak before.
On the face of every delegate was an express
sion OF the deepest seriousness, and before she
had finished tears were in the eyes of more
than one of them. She was followed by Miss
Shaw, who stood there the embodiment of all
that is pure, sweet and womanly, and in a
low clear voice presented the cause as no one
else could have done. As we were about to
leave the room the chairman said: Ladies,
we viii take the vote now ii you desire" We
thanked him but said no, we would with
draw and leave them to consider the matter at
their leisure.
With in very few minutes we had their de-
cision, six in favor of the resolution and one
opposed-Kidder of Grass Valley. We violate
no confidence in giving his name, as he went
down into the lobby and publicly proclaimed
the fact Here want to call attention to one
thing Eight women knew of the favorable
action of the committee by O'Clock, but al
though we were be sieged by reporters and del
egates until nearly midnight we gave no sign,
and the Wednesday morning papers could
only say that it was probable there would be
woman suffrage plank. 1t is said that women
cannot keep secret but this is one OF those
many ancient myths that takes long time to
die.
How were we treated? Just as ladies are
treated who hold a reception in their drawing
room. Not one discourteous word or action
during the entire convention, only the most
profound respect. There was more than re-
spect; there were hearty encouragement and
helpfulness, and more compliments than we
cared to hear. We would not have it under
stood that we believed implicitly all that was
said 10 US, but the final action OF the conven-
ton spoke louder than words.
The conyention-hall was clean, cool and
beautiful with flowers and bunting. There
was no smoking and no disorderly conduct
roundings were much more agreeable than at
the majority of mass-meetings for various pur-
poses which women attend without any COM
ment.
The meeting was more orderly and decorous
If we are to judge from the telegraphic reports
than great religious convention now in ses.
sion, which is not willing to permit woman
to sit among its delegates. As we entered the
hall we noticed on every banner which marked
a delegation three white stars on blue
ground. We did not know what they might
signify, but to US they said, "Wyoming, Colo
rado Utah''-the three States where women
are fully enfranchised.
The convention throughout was for US an