The San Francisco call., 1896-07-09
EQUAL SUFFRAGE
AND ITS FRIENDS.
Precinct Clubs Are Being
Organized in the
Interior.
MUCH INTEREST RIFE.
The Good Work Is Progressing
Admirably in Alameda
County.
ENTHUSIASM HERE IN TOWN.
Adherents of the Movement Appear to
Be Thoroughly Confident of
Victory.
ENTHUSIASM HERE IN TOWN.

woman suffrage is a serious matter
nowadays" remarked Miss BAY, chair
man of the State Central Committee of
the Woman Suffrage Association, yester-
day afternoon. The chairman, since she
cannot be called chair-lady, was seated
at her desk endeavoring to get about two
bushels of letters into some sort of order,
and apparently meeting with only indif-
ferent success in the effort
1.-The volume of correspondence which
posses through this office" she went on,
sis something incredible From the let
tiers one can easily see that the cause is
gaining ground all over the State. Women
write to us on all su biects, even remotely,
related to the suffrage movement. For
instance, l have seen a few letters con-
tanning complaints that the terms used by
the newspapers in referring to the suf-
fragist claims were too flippant. OF course
these letters come from persons who do
not .recollect that any one who ventures
into the field OF politics is almost sure to
be 'guyed' numerically, sooner or later.
II am bound to say, however, that de-
spite some little gayety of phraseology
the local papers have as a rule treated US
kindly and respectfully.
'0f course, from THE CALL we have
learned TO expect nothing but words of
cheer and announcement. l could not
begin to number the families which to my
certain knowledge have ceased taking the
other papers in favor of THE CALL since
that great paper came out in straight
forward advocacy of woman suffrage
Members of the Suffrage Association and
other friends of the movement look to
THE CALL for the most reliable informa-
ton on the subject, appearing to regard
that journal as in a certain sense the
organ of the cause.
But we are working as well as talk
ing," continued Miss Hay vivaciously ain
MADEIRA County we have Mrs. Ida c. Haz-
lett, late of Colorado, who is busy organiz-
ing precinct clubs in the interior towns of
Southern and Central California. She is
aided by a corps of devoted lady assistants,
all OF whom report that wherever they go
they find crowds of enthusiastic, hard
working and high-minded women anxious
to work for the cause. In many instances
these women are obliged to travel long
distances in order TO attend the meetings.
Here in town, despite the season, much
interest is perceptible. At yesterdays s
meeting of the Thirty-second Assem- bly
District Woman Suffrage Club the ladies
displayed the most vivid appreciation of
the ends had in view by the movement
and evinced determination to work un-
haggingly for its success. Miss Harriet
40AAlS QCIlNGIcQ q SllTIlug dUuI6SS, WllCn
was frequently interrupted by applause,
and several committees were appointed to
see that the good work shall go on until
its grand object shall have been realized.
ION Tuesday afternoon we had a grand
meeting in Oakland. All the leading
spirits of the movement who reside in
Alameda County were present in force
Mrs. A. A. Sargent, Mrs. Nellie Holbrook-
Blinn and l addressed the meeting on the
subject of precinct organ ization. The as
sembly was of one mind on the matter
and steps are being taken for the organiza-
tion of well-ordered and comprehensive
plan of campaign throughout the county.
Meanwhile the Political Equality Club of
Alameda County has gotten out this little
leadet, OF which thousands of copies are
being circulated"
The leahet, neatly printed on hot
pressed white paper, reads as follows:
The policy of the State woman's Suffrage
Association is non-partisan. The platform is
woman suffrage and our efforts will be concen-
trated upon trying to carry the eleventh
amendment to the State constitution, which
II 1t receive majority of votes at the election
women upon equal terms with men,
We base our claim to enfranchisement upon
right and justice, and believe that woma
suffrage is but carrying the principles of this
Republic to their logical conclusion.
We hold that the interests of men and
women are not divided, but identical, and ask
4oA OF me amend
ment by all voters. After having tried until
election day to convince them of the right of
woman to selfgovernment we shall submit
our case to their sense of right and justice
$50 you can see," concluded Miss Hav
with despairing glance at the pile of let
ters before her, that the suffrage move
ment is neither dead nor dying; that it is
very much alive and that it is much too
important an affair to be lightly put off
as undeserving of serious consideration. Z"