The San Francisco call., 1896-02-25
MISS SHAW NOT BLAMED.

hester A. Harland Does Not Wish to
Be q Public Censor.
Hester A. Harland sends the following
communication, which refers to the recent
difficulty in the ranks OF woman suf-
fragists:
To the Editor: Rather than appear in false
ilght 10 your many readers interested in suf-
rage matters and TO my many friends in the
scfrage ranks who might otherwise misappTe-
heno my attitude | feel compelled to make
the following statement.
am the more urged to do this because there
nave been published recently in the news
papers portions of a social conversation in no
sense intended for publication, and remarks of
others attributed 10 me. rejecting upon the
management OF the woman's suffrage move
ment in California.
l regret the publication of these remarks
because, AS having been salared employe of
the committee las State organiZer) and mana
ger OF the lecture tour of Rev. Anna II. Shaw
l was unwilling to appear as public censor OF
the movement.
Ny statements regarding Miss Shaw mot in
tended for the public were qualified by the
further remark that she was not to be blamed
for making a good bargain. 1 did, however,
ma tault with the policy which should allow
the association to be SO stripped of funds
Enough she helped TO raise them) as to cripple
other i'm portant work.
question if the value of Miss Shaw's lecture
tour through this State can be rightly esti-
mated. II has been unquahfedly the best ed
ucational feature OF the entire campaign.
AT time have l used the expression
BOSS rule" in connection with Mrs or Miss
cooper or any other person. Ny exceptions
were taken entirely with the policy and not
with persons.
Knowing that probably two-thirds OF the pa
pers in the State would publish suffrage liter
ature urged having our campaign carried on
almost exclusively through the press that
pertinent and interesting information on suf-
frage might find It's way into even the re-
motest and humblest homes everywhere in
California As to the efficacy of other suffrage
literature (too frequently consigned to the
waste-basket without a reading). I had little
talth, nor in public meetings, where suffragists
talk TO suffraglsts, and few or no comments
are made.
Hence, in our press committee lay our best
opportunity for effective work; in its mac
lYlty lay fatal error. OF this comm ittee
Mrs. Cooper was chairman.
Time was too limited to allow of successful
organization in ffty-seven counties
IL was my intention to urge formation OF
cluos In each Congressional district, appoint
suD-organlZers for the counties and secure as
slstance OF good workers when available.
Ny only attempt to secure such assistance
was the cause OF an open rupture between Miss
cooper ana myself, l resenting an interference
where clearly she had no authority whatever
Further, do not wish TO criticize persons or
methods IN connection with suffrage work, and
VIII simply say, in conclusion, that had a diff
ierent policy been followed Miss Shaw would
have been afforded much larger field, her
eloquence would have been heard throughout
eTiul voice OF the press. have brought to the
enthusiastic support OF our movement the COM
nonsense OF the community, irres pective of
creed or political affilation. Respectfully
yours, HESTER A. HARLAND.
san Francisco, February "a, 1896.