New-York tribune., 1896-12-29
HOW IDAHO WOMEN WON.
THE WAY THEY MANAGED TO GAIN THE
RIGHT OF EQUAL SUFFRAGE.

r.
RIGHT OF EQUAL SUFFRAGE.
HISTORY OF THE PROGRESS OF THE MOVE
MEXr-ADvocATEs OF THE MEASURE
HOPEFUL. OF RESULTS.
The woman suffrage movement in Idaho gathered
to itself something OF the best talent and ability of
the state 1t was managed and carried on by some
of the women OF high social position and aided ana
abetted By men of eminent talents and respecta-
biitv says "The Chicago Tribune" The battle was
Inaugural ted years ago. when the Legislature
by a very large I'm both houses passed the Dill
submitting the question OF a change of the Con-
stitution the suffrage question to the voters Oh
the State. A man who Is now State Senator from
Owyhee County. J. VI. Bennett. together with FRANK
Wvman of Ada I'm the House. were prominent In
securing this favorable legislation. State Senator
Dewey lent the cause much encouragement I'm the
Legislature.
After the Legislature voted 10 allow the matter
to come before the people at the general electioh
TO follow the friends OF the movement saw that
they had quite a fight on their hands. They had 10
overcome the inertia more than the opposition Oh
the people Indifference was greater foe TO their
cause than anything else only a few OF the more
sanguine advocates OF the measure really expected
the measure to pass They thought they would get
a good vote but relied on time and education 10
win the victory when II should come.
The movement was begun in 1894 by the Popust
State Convention which body after hard fight
secured resolution in their convention favorable
TO the movement. The Republican State conven-
ton followed. and passed a favorable resolution.
Mrs. J. Ellen Foster present at the Republ-
can State Convention. and advocated the measure
I'm her usual convincing and eloquent manner 1t
must be confessed that the politicians OF all par
ties in the State fought shy OF the measure They
gave quasi support to 1t. relying on the general
vote to sweep it into oblivion. but the people, when
tta NarN
fair vote Abigail Scott Dunniway. of Portland.
Ore delivered an address In this city and mmedi-
ately after association formed for the pur-
pose OF agitating the subject and arranging for an
active campaign.
CALLS A STATE MEETING.
A State convention called to meet in Boise
in November. 1895. Eight counties responded to the
call by sending delegates At this meeting Mrs.
J. H. Beatty wife Of the Federal Judge Of the
State. presided. and Mrs j. II. Richards was elect
ed PRESIDENT Mrs. w ". Wood OF Shoshone
County yice-prcsldcnt Mrs. VI. c. Ahey, secre-
tary: Mrs. L. Burnside. treasurer and Mrs. Bow
man. Mrs. Fetham and Mrs Whitman. Advisory
Committee
State convention was called meet in Boise
on July l. 1896, which was well attended by the
leading workers IN the State. At this convention
interesting addresses were delivered and the plan
OF campaign fully outlined. Mrs Johns. OF
Kansas was secured to travel through the State
and deliver addresses 70 tntnusc tle prOpc oh '"c
subject and she did very effective service.
SO effective the work that when the polit-
teal conventions met In Boise all OF them passed
resolutions recommending the woman suffrage
amendment TO the favorable consideration OF the
voters. Mrs. Carrie Lane Chapman Gait. OF Ben
sonhurst. Long Island. an earnest anu eloquent ad-
vocate Of woman suffrage. also made a canvass
OF the State and aroused much enthusiasm After
tho State conventions adjourned the active can
vass commenced.
ENCOUN NTER MANY DIFFICULTIES.
Idaho is A big State many OF the counties
are off the railroad. that political campaigning
Is no path Of roses. To reach many centres OF
population recourse must be had TO the stage
coach In some Instances the mining camps can
be reached only on the backs OF horses. Nothing
daunted. the women who had this cause a, heart
attempted the canvass OF the State. They arranged
It so that often they were permitted TO speak from
the same stand with ne orators OF NE sattous % Po
OF parties IN the State that were conending f9r
tho victory but devoted their energies TO persuad-
ing the people OF the benefits and justice OF woman
They were crippled much in their canvass for the
want Of funds. Less then 500 was spent by them IN
the campaign. II was 50 far ~ the women ot
Idaho concerned boodess campaign. Most OF
the money raised was spent FOR literature: They
had printed D.ooo dodgers bearing the words Vote
for the Woman suffrage Amendment ana these
wcre sent 70 every precinct In the state The local
ment printed and circulated at the p9i!s. Some oi
m. voters did seem 10 understand this part OF
they voted on tn"in instead OF on
The ballot. and folded the fac-similes up neatly
placing them inside the ballots ana thus losing the
vote the amendment.
All over Idaho the day Of the election was quite
stormy and dlsa greeabc. The day preceding was
extremely rainy and the streets and roads were
muddy but the women We're on hand at the polls
early in the morning. and acted by relays until the
polls closed at night. They conducted their can
vass a, the polls very satisfactorily and were gen
orally we'll received.
Ths official count showed that the amendment
had received l2l26 votes In It's favor and 6.2@
against The total OF the State WAS 2Jl92. For
A long time the friends OF the movement were In
doubt as TO whether IL would he held that the
Amendment had carried or not
Because Of certain clauses In the Constitution or
the State regulating the passing OF amendments.
the legality OF the election questioned. and the
question taken promptly into the supreme
Court. 49, .
The woman suffragists represented by W. f.
Borah and j II Hawley, while Attorney-General
Parsons appeared for the State Board. The argu-
men. lasted TWO days and the courtroom was crowd
cd with listeners the argument. The whole sub
,.ct was gone most exhaustivey on both sides.
The Supreme Court unanimously decided that the
amendment had carried.
This decision hailed with Joy by the women
Of the state II put the crown upon the woman
hood OF Idaho and was at once judicial decision
of the highest court in the State and the evangel Of
their uplift and enfranchscment. II remains 10 be
secn vhe her Will result In all the good
ia advocates promised The people In general
the State seem to be satisfied with the measure
and Will face the era with Joy and hope.
coal DEPOT FOR THE POOR.
Nathan Strauss opened a coal depot at the foot OF