Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-06-11
WOMAN SUFFRAGISTS.
STATE ASSOCIATION HOLDING ITS
ANNUAL MEETING.
The Emsnoipators of the Fairer Sex wei
coined to Montpelier Julia Ward
Howe Speaks Of the Progress
of tho Cause.

Montpelier, VT, June 10.-Thc 18th an
nual meeting of the Vermont Woman's
Suffrage association was opened ia this
city in the Church of tho Messiah this
evening with Il goodly attendance. The
house was very tastefully decorated with
ferns and cut flowers and q large por-
trait on the platform of Mrs. Lucy Stone,
one OF the pioneer organizers of the re-
form. Music was furnished by the choir
of the church under the leadership OF f.
W. Bancroft.
The meeting was formally opened by
Scripture reading and invocation by Rev.
Il. i. Bceman of this city, after which a
short time to the business of the asso-
citation AT tho close of the business ses-
sion greeting was given to the members
by Mrs. T.. NJ. Denny of this city. She
welcomed them in the name of the local
association and the w. G. r. L. She said
that it might be surprise to them but
that all movements of reform were very
closely allied to the women of the white
Ribbon" and this association had been a
theme for amusement, but 1t had been her
good fortune to observe that the women
who were engaged in this work we're
not fanatics but whole hearted women
who cherished their homes. closing with a
hearty welcome to the city.
Rev. j. Edward Wright followed with
short address of welcome TO the visit
ors. He stated that % years ago his posi-
ton this evening woul have been 10 that
of Garibaldi when he summoned band OF
patriots about him and told them he could
offer them hunger, thirst, hardship and
death, but he said that in these latter
years the people had como to look on this
movement :rom more favorable stand
point oven to the casting Of a vote for its
aavanccmcnt lie closed by welcoming
them 10 his church in the most cordial
manner.
CO IL, I,,. Nf.. I'D
Ward Howe of the New England Wo-
mans Suffrage association. She spoke Of
tho progress of the reform since she be-
came engaged In the work, speaking Of
the odium with which the mere mention
OF woman's rights" was received, as
though they thought the women believed
they had no rights. She also spoke of tho
horror that was expressed when it was
suggested sending girls to college but
That now ii Is considered quite the thing
as 1t rounded out tho womanhood and
gave 1t m added lustro that could rot
otherwise DO obtained. She also reviewed
the work done by them I'm Massachusetts.
stating That whore once tho husband could
sell tho very dresses worn by his wife IL
cannot now be done, attributing these
changes to the work of this association
After tenor solo by f. w. Bancroft.
rendered In his usual faul;lcss manner
Mary ~ Chase, A. b. of Barnet. deliver
Il
men in three States would at the next
presidential election vote on exactly the
same footing as the men; also. that an
ounce of experience in this work was
worth ton of theory, and then went on
to show that the work was no longer a
theory by reviewing tho results wrought
In those localities whore suffrage had been
allowed. She reflected on the methods OF
the politician, comparing them with those
which would influence the vote of women,
asserting there was one which would ever
stand foremost In her mind and that was
How Will this vote affect my homer"
She said further that she preferred to dis
cuss the question rather from the stand
point Of woman's duties and responsible
ties than from that OF woman's rights as
she believed that tho franchisement OF
woman not only helped and upliftcd wo-
man. but served to stimulate them God
ward She closed by calling attention 10
the sacrifices women had made for tho
right and for her country.
After music by tho choir, benedicton
was pronounced and the meeting adjourn
cd to 10 a. m. Thursday.