New-York tribune., 1896-11-25
THE STATE OF VIRGINIA.
DISCUSSED BY THE SOCIETY FOR POLITI-
CAL STUDY.
FOLLOWED BY LIVELY DEBATE on THE CUR
RENT TOPIC. THANKSGIVING AND REA-


RENT TOPIC. THANKSGIVING AND REA-
SONS FOR THANKFULNEss
virginia was the subject considered yesterday
afternoon at the regular meeting OF the Society
for Political Study. No. IA Madison-ave.. and the
paper was furnished by Mrs. d. St. John Gaffney.
who is descendant Of Captain John Smith. Mrs.
Gafney paid most attention to the romantic his
tory Of the State dwelling at length the
achievements OF her famous ancestor and ended
with the statement of Edward Everett Hale that
Americans are destined 10 become not mere trans
planted Englishmen, Scotchmen Dutchmen. but
70 form entirely new race. with new traditions.
manners. institutions and customs.
A paper on current topics TO have been con-
tributed by DR.. Fannie Oakley but she
able to be present Mrs. jackson suggested that
they take Thanksgiving as their current topic.
The motion carried. and Mrs. Lille Devereux
Blake consented to start the ball rolling by tell
sng Of the encouraging features in the suffrage
movement
I'm spite Of our defeat in California and Idaho"
ehe said II think the campaign I'm those States
thing to rejoice over. There never was such
q suffrage campaign in the whole history Of the
country as the that preceded the election In
California. Miss Anthony who will be seventy
seven years Of age in February. was there as
early as May, and with the help Of some OF the
younger women IN the movement she organized
the State by election districts from end TO end.
thing that has never been done before. Great
mass-meetings were held every night. and high
hopes Of success were entertained. II was there
fore very disappointing to find the vote 10
against us. but the agitation cannot ral 10 90
much good
Another thing that consider a hopeful sign OF
the times is the existence OF these great womens
clubs. for matter what subject they take up
they all help suffrage Whether you be-
reve in woman suffrage not. ladies' you are
working for II every day. Every time you appear
before the public read paper on a political
subiect you are Fastening the day when women
will be thought capable OF voting intelligenty. But
don't be alarmed 1t is not likely to hurry along
10 soon that you will be overburdened with your
rights"
Mrs James Fairnan said that there was the
greatest cause for Thanksgiving in the election Of
Mckinley and Hobart, and Mrs. Maria Mccu
Tough confessed that she did not feel particularly
thankful for anyhng the immedae Sause 0i nss
Of the Smith Manufacturing Company In fonkers
.,cr nSW M en having been set to work by the
Electric Company Of Schenectady, and MIS-. llama
Mrs. Hanaford also mentioned that one OF their
members Mrs. Cobrun. had taken one OF ne
s worth Of Iocen, pieces This she considered
thing for which the club had right 10 be thank
credit in She had given the s,enN enyeepe ,
tsns = her husbnd Gnn it seemed and the STOCK
Mn: Jackson spoke Of the telegram Of fraternai
women while both were in convention last week;
and said she thought the growth of the spirit OF
religious toeraton shown by the message was
something for which we could not be thankiui
enough.
At the conclusion of the discussion Mrs. Cath
crime ]. Foote the clubs delegate to the conven,
ton OF the Federation Of Clubs in Chicago, read
her report.
roCs spoke Of the hSsDaay shown +, os hs
esnshtfuy eniertSined DR. Mrr rs Helrnuth and Ms
Croly had no chance TO eat single meal IN theiT
hotels after the first breakfast. and for herself
che was much obliged 10 the club for sending her,
3or she never had a better time In her life