The San Francisco call., 1896-09-11

duu q lew petty LOT
women which no law of cOmmon-sense or
common decency could ever have denied her;
using all the force and logic OF clear, strong
1nIeilect IN refutlng arguments so simple and
ridiculous that the children of the future will
laugh them TO scorn; and even now hear
they are still hinging their sickly sentimen-
tallty ana brutally selfish arguments in her
patient face.
For mel am not patientl and when con-
sloer these things a great wrath rises In me
Whlcn amounts almost TO the frenzy OF despair!
But fancy, dear friends, that what you
reauy want of me tonight is some expression
OF the stand of the S. L. p of California re-
garolng what is known as the sixth amend
menl. our position here is unusual and needs
some explanation. Now even the most frivo-
lous mind cannot but feel that we are on the
verge OF great economic crisis.
we take no stand upon the SO-called great
money issue that is agitating the Nation to-
day, but there are men in our ranks, working
men, rough clad and unbeautiful, who can see
through and beyond both sides of the ques-
tion with elearness of vision which might
well make political confusionists mble and
the throne OF plutocracy shake from its very
foundation.
But of this sixth amendment we make a
notable exception. In the great uprising of
tLe women OF the world we see, not mere
side issue of the times, but q part, and no
small part, of the mighty struggle of an
oppressed humanity, Prometheus striving to
arise In this loud woman's call, resounding
through the length and breadth of the land,
we recognize one note in the great world cry.
and wheE 1t calls our name we answer,
"HereP'
Mr.. Leggett, representing the single tax
advocates, said he thought all of his COM
rades would vote for the sixth amend
ment.
I'VE will vote thus" he proce eded, "be-
cause we are logical. Holding as we do
that all have right to seeK their common
and private good, we cannot with hold
from woman the chief means to that end.
I'VE men are not in position to con-
cede the right of suffrage TO woman; the
right is hers as much as it is ours. But
we can vote to do away with the unjust
laws which hinder her in the enjoyment
of that God-given right"
Mr.. Leggett went on to men ton few of
the advantages which in his conce ption
would accrue to the commonwealth were
women admitted to the right of suffrage.
His remarks told most powerfully, and
were frequently interrupted by bursts of
applause.
Mr.. Fowler, the Populist delegate. said
he felt proud to have a chance to say
word for woman suffrage. He gave a brief
historical sketch of the adoption of q
woman suffrage plank in the Populist
platform at the great convention in
Hazards Pavilion in Los Angeles in Oc-
tober 1891.
THAT plank has been confirmed from
year to year." proceeded Mr.. Fowler.
Ladies of the Suffrage Bureau, you are
eloquent, logical speakers, and we love to
hear you; but so far as the Populists are
concerned your convincing arguments and
glowing words are unnecessary. Woman
suffrage is a doctrine of the Populist
party, and on the Sd of next November
every Populist vote will count on the side
of justice to woman"
Charles Wesley Reed, the Democratic
representative, was next introduced by
Miss Anthony in sparkling little speech
as "our Democratic champion." He said
he had been woman suffragist long be-
fore there was any agitation in this State
IN relation to the movement. The Demo-
cratic party of the State was, he said, in
process of conversion.
"The Buckley ring at B'nai Birth Hall
the other night" he went on, s'put a
woman suffrage plank in its platform. |
wonder what influence was brought to
bear upon Mr.. Buckley. I heard il said
that Miss Anthony had a dinner with
him."
81 had an interview with him." admit
ted Miss Anthony amid a general laugh,
"and he told me he had been a woman
su11raglst ever since he could remember"
Mrs. Chapman-Catt was next intro
duced, and her welcome was loud and
long.
Reason and experience, she began,
"are the two tests by which 1 ask YOU
men of California, to Judge the woman
suffrage movement. The practical results
OF woman suffrage are TO be seen in sew.
eral states and nations, but notably in
wyoming, where it has had over twenty
years In which TO show what it can do.
The ideal State is that in which there
Is the least percentage of illiteracy, pov-
erty, criminality, insanity and idiocy.
Let us see whether Wyoming comes any
where near this ldeal''
Mrs. Chapm an-Catt then drew a glowing
word-plcture of the State of Wyoming.
Schools flourish everywhere, the
people are prosperous, the jails are nearly
empty, the insane asylums thinIy popu-
lateo with forlorn contingent of men
only, while in the whole State there is
only one idiot, and he was a grown man
when he arrived there"
her peroratlon was most brilliant
triumph OF oratory, and moving plea for
a higher and purer civilization.
a collection was taken up by a number
OF the lady ushers, during which Professor
the march from Tannhauser on the or
gan.
Miss Hay amid much cheering, an
nounced that Miss Anthony would speak
TINS evening at Odd Fellows Hall, at the
entertainment to be given by the Native
Sons of Vermont
Miss Anna Shaw spoke at length upon
the woman-suffrage movement. With
Keen satire and sparkling wit, she called
attentlon TO the arguments usually alleged
against the giving of the ballot to women,
ana forthwith proceeded to demolish
those arguments in a manner as unique
as 1t was sweeping.
AS each wellworn sophism fell before
the batteries of the gifted lady's clear-cut,
nawless logic cheers rent the air and hand
kerchiefs and hats were waved with over
mastering enthusiasm.
a few words from Miss Anthony made
every man present feel like voting for
amendment 6, and the great bly,
olssoived with three cheers for political
equality.
In