New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-08

HELEN vARIcK BOSWELL CRITICIsEs
THE WOMAN sUFFRAGIsTs.
SHE TELLS THEM TO JOIN ONE OR THE OTHER
OF THE GREAT POLITICAL PARTIES AND
WORK WITH THE MEN IF
THEY WANT TO WIN.

THEY WANT TO WIN.
The City Suffrage League had an unusually
bright meeting last evening at No. 4 Lexington
ave. Mary B. Clay. daughter OF Cassius NJ. Clay.
Of Kentucky. and one OF the lea ling women OF her
State was present, and spoke In the interests OF
woman's Miss Helen varick Boswell made
the principal address of the evening on Women in
Practical Politics." and said in part:
There is ideal sort of politics harbored In the
minds OF impractical and and in the
brains OF professional reformers but such kind OF
politics has materialized Will material
ize and would make cry. Chaos has come If 1t
should.
MY experience in politics Is not OF very long
duration. many OF you know. 1t has extended
over short span OF years-just four; yet have
been engaged In the kind OF political work that per-
haps entities to speak of women in practical
politics In the National campaign OF 1892 the Ma
tional Womans Republican Association. OF which
l officer. had headquarters at the Hotel
Savoy, and from there we got in touch with men
and women throughout the country. Women We're
waking up TO interest in politics. and We fosered
that interest and fed II with suitable matter.
I'm 1894 the exposures made by the Lexow Com
mittee caused a great outpouring of indignant
sentiment in our community the best elements Of
Democracy and Republicanism united to fight the
common foe. and press and pulpit appealed 10 the
women TO help in such ways as they could. / was
inent in social life. These meetings were addressed
by DR. Parkhurst and other men-no women-who
made suggestions what the women ought to
do toward obtaining a better local government
None OF these suggestions struck me as capable OF
practical results. and. believing that party or
ganization methods afforded the best medium for
efficient work l submitted certain plans TO Chair
man Hackett OF the Republican State Committee.
These were approved. and during that campaign Of
1894 the work of the Woman's Republican Associa-
ton In New-York inaugurated This work con-
sisted chiefly in meetings held both in the after
noon and night. for the purpose OF rousins public
sentiment and guiding 1t in the right direction A
woman always presided at the meetings called by
me- and the best speakers procurable. both men and
women addressed 1t campaign of public
meetings: and they were most effective. l always
advise women TO attend political meetings. It is a
good school for those in search of knowledge.
Horace Greeley used TO say that every political
campaign was equal to years education to men.
This is true and women should avail themselves
OF those opportunities 10 lay by store OF useiuI
Information In a couple OF hours they will hear
reviewed all the issues stake and their intellect
reason and enthusiasm Will be stimulated 10 d
when l began political work here in the city
I had few acquaintances-none VINO were H.t s
esed In public matters-but | remembered that
there We're many progressive women IN me ,oWn:
These who are DESTROYS OF the right 10 Vote.
who 20 10 the Legislature with petitions ana arr
accustomed 10 such work. Will gladly cooperate
with me-will be glad OF opportunity 10 demon
how effective woman can De IN politics II tne
chance is given her. Alas. ladies. regret 10 say
that though | appealed TO many strong suhras1sts
I found but who had civic pride and the bro5d
idea that she would like TO help clear out the Dody
nolitic In which she hoped 10 have n voting priv
lege The others said oh, we shail not render any
assistance in this matter, the men don 90 any y,
thing for US and shan't help them. IL seemed
TO me a short-sghted policy Many OF these same anne
women have since come 20 my conclusion lou
know In this workaday word We MAKE our own
destiny oftener than we the creatures OF II.
High position in science in literature, IN business
in politics comes TO him who from the peglhhiii,,s
m demonstrates his fitness for the place ne hhaiy
attains. ~, = ,, Gre. - Tho
women in the communities IN Wnlcn they JOIN o'e
or the other of the great portical par,ies -, =.
Miss Boswell then gave resume OF me pan an, OF
orgsnized practical work in the tenernent-no
districts by the various committees under tne uiie
tion ~ the Woman's Republican State Association
SIrs Charlotte Perkins Stetson added greatly 10
the entovment of the evening by reading some OF
I--=-.