The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-10-29

bare walls covered with pictures, libraries
filled with books which are interesting as
Wen as improving. seats and desks ar
fluffy OF limb OF growing youth, and a
Froebel kindergarten in every school as
the foundation stones of the whole educa-
tionaI fabric. Perhaps OF more import
ance than anything yet mentioned is the
voice in the choice of teachers. the chance
to do away with the old-fashioned peda~
rogue, OF whom examples yet survives;
the opportunity to Il 70 utter rout the
Cornelia BlimbeTs who produce mental
h-ydrocephalus by systematic oramming;
and, most glorious work of all, the en-'
forcement OF appointments without regard
to pull or politics on the simple and only
basis OF efficiency.
Mrs. Florence Howe Hall. one of the
most active workers in the world of wom-
ems clubs, and Vice-President of the State
Federation, spoke on School Suffrage for
Women" a subject in which She is deep
ly interested. She said In part
/ am no believer in wasting time
over lost causes, | should not speak to
you today of school suffrage for women
to be very much alive, despite the defeat
of the constitutional amendment at the
recent special election. Many of YOU
know that women living in country dis
tricts possess at this moment the right 10
vote on all questions coming before school
meetings, With the single exception Ct
voting for the election Of school trustees.
| will give you my authority for making
this statement. namely. the Official opir-
ion Of A.. B. Poland. late State Superin-
tendent of Public Instruction. Mr.. Pos
land says. '~Tfle decision of the Supreme
Court as to the right of women 10 vote at
school meetings was that under the con-
stitution women are not permitted 70
vote for election of members Of Boards
OF Education. They may. however, vote
on all other questions that come before
school meetings, such as the voting
tax or authorizing the issuing of bonds
THE women of Crawford. acting in con-
cert with the liberal and progressive men
in that place, have just voted 10 give the
children Of their pretty town a much
Town Improvement Association took up
the matter, and they were faithful to their
duties. faithful to the cause of the little
children. Who can champion It as well
animals Will defend the young from dan
ger, and we are going TO sit supinely and
see our children, our neighbors' children,
crowded in 70 narrow, upwholesome quar-
tiers. there to breathe impure air, to drink
impure water. To sow the seeds of disease
IT. fntufa life nay, 10 contract contagious
diseases nov, because WE are too timid, or
toe inert. 70 exercise the right given US
by oar Legislature. OF having q voice in
choosing III what SORT OF school rooms our
Children shall spend five hours every
day?
Sine ! spoke to you on this subject in
May last, we have written to the men
who are the highest authorities Of our
public ~sehools-to our State Superintend-
ent of Public Instruction-to the County
and City superintendent, the President
and members of the State Board of Edu-
cation, II is the business of these gentle
men tc know about the schools in our
State, and what these schools need. They
are the highest authorities, the experts in
these matters. They are practically
unanimous in favor of wishing to have
women vote on school questions. I could
read you letter after letter-if time per-
mitted-heartily indorsing schoo suffrage
for women, The opinion of these gem
Of US. They know whereof they speak.
Here is what State Superintendent of
Public Instruction Charles ]. Baxter
writes:-
women the right to vote for members of
school boards. l believe it would tend to
the best possible election of school officers,
would secure more interested and, conse-
quentiy, more intelligent and effective
supervision of our schools, and thus prove
a decided educational gain to the State.
me mothers are nearer to the children,
and, consequently, the nearest to the
schools. 1t is also true that their concep-
tons as TO suitable school environment
and proper school influences are more
nearly IDEAL
I'm addition to the officials of the pub
lie schools, many other prominent men
and women have written us letters in
dorsing school suffrage. On our roll of
honor of 100 signers are Vice President
Hobart, our own President of the State
Federation, Miss Cecilia Gaines; our hon
ofary president, Mrs. Margaret Yardley.
and many others. The cornerstone of our
Republic is the education of the people.
Without popular education, universal suf-
frage would be a mockery. For the well
fare of our country. therefore, as well as
for that of the little children themselves.
We must each and all take a. deep and
vital interest in o. public schools. .
Addresses were delivered by Miss Bow
Ian, State chairman of correspondence. on
General Federation by Miss Gaines, on
Educational Value of Federation, Miss
Emma Rallou, on The Needs of Our
Schools Miss Esther Burdick, on Have
the Best Books for School Children" and
Miss Ballou read the paper which STE
City Woman's Club. Miss Celia Gardner
read a poem, "A Woman's Reason.e
In the evening Miss Fisher, of cainneap-
oils, sang a solo and Miss Mary Taylor
Blauvelt delivered an address on sThe
Poetry of Robert Browning" The feder-
alton composed by Miss Marion G.
ica.'
Today reports will be heard from de-
partments,. and there will b. a discussion
on the Palisades.
+ n $780,