The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-08-18
MINERVA ROBERTS.
Once She Was the Pet Of the Women
RefOrmers of Denver.
Her Political Career and Fight TO BE
Sent to st. Louis.

tlon OF fOpullsts at St. Louis was tne
speech Of Mrs. Minerva Roberts of Denver
I'm seconding the nomination Of Bryan In
behalf Of the delegation from Louisiana.
That speech, though short, was delivered
in so fetching manner that the tired au-
dience went wild in their cheers and ap-
plause. At its conclusion a southerner
rushed 10 tho platform and handed down
the speaker with the gallantry for which
the south Is noted, and Mrs. Roberts was
the center Of an admiring group for some
time afterward. The fact that Mrs Mi
nerva Roberts has dashing air about her
and an attractive face had of course some-
thing TO do with her reception. Her clear,
ringing voice and brilliant stage presence,
combined with some self assurance, did
the rest.
To Mrs. Minerva Roberts this speech
was a consummation OF her ambition. She
wanted TO go to st. Louis and make
speech before the convention. Envious
men and women delegates, who doubted
the wisdom Of her ambition, tried to pre-
vent her, but she appealed to the gallantry
Of the men Of Louisiana and won. The
Colorado delegation contained several
woman delegates, and 10 was left largely
TO them To select somebody to second the
nomination of Bryan in behalf of Colo
RADIO. The women quarreled among them
selves, and with the men Of the delegation
decided that Mrs. Roberts should not
speak. The decision was disappointment
to her, and as she had already received at
tentions from some of the delegates sitting
near tho Colorado delegation she confded
her woes to the outsiders, and they used
their influence TO the satisfaction of Mrs
Roberts
1t is announced TINT she will be one Of
the campaign orators for tho national COM
mitteo of the Peoples Party, along with
Mrs. Leose. She lacks the experience, the
preparation, the knowledge and the age OF
Mrs Lease but she has the advantage of
good looks, abundant self assurance and a
musical voice Of resonant and far carrying
qualities, and she thinks she can pick up
the rest.
Mrs Roberts is an example Of the eman-
cipation of woman through equal suf-
fragc. The adage about a prophet with
honor save In his own country Is applica-
BILE to her case. For time she was pet
of tho women of tho Populist party In
Denver, and was showed to the front on all
possible occasions, but she was needless Of
the counsel OF the more experienced ma
irons and was withal willful, and now
they are disposed ~ criticise and condemn
her for her disposition TO profit out Of her
political knowledge. They went into cam
paigns In the past to emphasize their theory
that women can reform politics, but she
quickly recognized that politics had n bust
ness end, and that officeholding and
speechmaking could be the means of max
Ing living for herself and her little
daughter. Hence she has elected TO sacri-
fico friendships rather than lose her grip
upon politics.
At tho state convention which selected
delegates to st. Louis Mrs. Roberts ap-
peared as delegate from Lake county. She
had been teaching school at Orc, a min
ing settlement near Leadville, and had
won some stanch friends among the Popu-
lists OF her county. They worked manfully
to secure her appointment as delegate to
st. Louis, but for time the pressure
against her from Denver was so great that
IL seemed as if defeat was inevitable. She
was defeated In the convention, but when
the congressional convention met imme
diately afterward her friends carried on
the fight there, and she was finally elected
by close vote Her flashing eyes ana
pleased countenance, when the result of
the balloting was announced, showed
plainly how her heart was set on this
thing. She almost fell upon the necks OF
tho Populist delegates from Leadville when
they flocked around her Offering congrat-
ulations, but she did not forget to flash
glanccs of scorn over toward the women
delegates from Denver who had lobbied TO
defeat her.
Now, we shall expect you to make
yourself heard in ST. Louis" said her adj
miring friends
"If got half chance, will, !" was her
reply
Mrs. Roberts came into public notice
during the Waite administration. At that
time sho was teaching In the public schools
on tho north side and was actively engaged,
along with number Of other women, In
advancing the cause of Populism. Her
first public appearance was at a Popullst
meeting In Coliseum hall, and she made
an instant hit. The board Of education
heard of tho conduct OF Mrs. Roberts with
somo surprise The members held that a
public school teacher had no right to ap-
pear liz public as an advocate Of any sort
Of political doctrine, and they called her TO
account
Don't do my work In school satisfac-
torily9" she inquired. The board admitted
that she was an undoubtcd success.
"Then, she continued, "my time outside
Of school hours Is my own, and / am FREQ
10 do az 1 please. ! claim the same privi-
lcgcs as man. II ] want 10 mix I'm politi-
cal discussions, l shall do so. J."
In this atand she was heartily supported
by all tho women of the various political
clubs The bOnrd continued 10 protest and
when the end of tho school term arrived
Mrs. Roberts was notified that her services
would be no longer needed. Her dismissal
created tempest, and the contest over her
case was nm issue I'm the next school cleo
tion. Mrs Roberts wns jealous In her
campaigning and made rattling speeches
nearly every night In the week. But tho
opposition was too strong, and she had to
submit 90 defeat.
Governor Wslte and his active little wife
took immediate charge of Mrs Roberts,
and place was provided for her In the
etfw Iall WIap that pflico failed shp