Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-16

Rachel Foster Avery.
whose government is founded on the prin-
ciple that all laws derive their just power
from the consent Of the governed and
every citizen Of full age not disqualified by
incompetency or crime may enjoy ali the
high privileges of the full citizenship
This greeting was unanimously adopted
at once to Susan B. Anthony, president of
the National American Woman Suffrage
Association"
Report of the Treasurer.
A synopsis of the report of the treasurer,
Mrs. Harriet Taylor Upton. is as follows:
Mrs. Upton reported the receipts for 1897,
4,O55.13; the disbursements, S135U3 H.
leaving balance of $551.71.
She reported that the bequest of Eliza
Murphy of Now Jersey, announced at the
last convention, had been paid, and that
$500 willed to the association by Mrs. Viola
Neblett of South Carolina would soon be
paid.
She gave the amount of dues the states
had paid, and pointed out those which had
made large gains. Until this year New
York has always headed the list, and al
though it made a handsome gain this year,
Iowa passed it, having paid the largest
auxiliary fee. which means it has the larg
est organization of any state in the history
of the association.
Mrs. Upton then asked the association 10
pl6uSe 10 raise $S0,UOO In6 WOFh
Of the coming year.
She said If the cause did not advance, as
so righteous a cause should, it was due to
the opponents or to the inaction of indiffer
ent believers-"those who know the right
and do nothing to bring about that right
Greetings by Wire.
The reading of a telegram from Abigail
Scott Dunnaway. president Of the Oregon
Suffrage Association, was received with
fo1l
"Oregon's school suffrage law declared
constitutional by supreme court"
The matter had been pending for some
little time, it had been contested.
Another telegram was received from a
San Francisco paper ask g Miss Anthony
to send birthday greeting to the women
of California through its columns.
Greetings were received from the Della
ware Peace Association. Rev. Amanda
Deyo, business manager OF the Philadel-
phia Peace Association, was introduced to
the delegates and extended an invitation
to them to visit the Quaker city Washing
tons birthday. DR.. Sarah F. Rogers Evan
ston of Scranton, Pa, made short ad-
dress.
Organization Committee.
Mrs. Cairn Chapman Gait read the report
Of the organization committee. 1t was in
part as follows:
TT is pleasure to report 1897 as the
most prosperous and satisfactory of the
three years since the national organiza-
ton work began In 1895 the receipts were
in round numbers $500; in 1876, $500; but
in 1897 the receipts very nearly doubled
these OF either year. having reached the
sim of $500, exclusive of loans An in
creased confidence in the work of organiza-
ton has brought the increase of receipts:
and the increase Of funds has brought a
&C responding increase in results.
"(plr work for the has been confined
to the south and west. Thsre remained a
few southern states. which. while possess
ing scattered local clubs had not yet ar
rived at the dignity of holding a state con-
vention. Their state officers were appoint
ed. not elected. Among these were Mis-
sissippi and Tennessee. Mississippi had
frequently pleaded for help, and the expo
Sition at Nashville offered an oppOrtune
tina for work in Tennessee. A three
months tour was therefore made for Mis-
sissippi, in which all the more important
towns of the state were visited, and lee
lures given. At the close Of the tour, q
convention was held at Meridian, where a
constitution was adopted and a corps of
officers. who promise to faint not and fall
ter not were elected. In Tennessee, a
two months tour was effected. closing with
a convention at Nashville. in connection
with the 'Woman's day. at the exposition
During the year we have sent repre-
sentatives to the Delaware constitutional
convention and to the Oklahoma legisla-
legislative work of six states.
In November five national conferences
were held, in which national officers in
Guiding the president, vice president and
chairman of organization committee met
in council with state executive committee
The conferences were of two days dura-
tion, with public meetings each afternoon
and evening. They were held in Minnesota,
Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio
Summing up the work of the year. 900
public meetings. including 1874 county con-
ventions. two state conventions and five
national conferences, have been held direct
ly under our auspices. Two new state or
ganiZations have been effected, 113 county
organizations and no local clubs.
Not alone has the organization office
arranged for this field work, but in addi-
ton, 1t has conducted an immense CORES
pcndence In which answers have been sent
to all sorts of inquiries; instructions to
local clubs. suggestions to workers. direc-
lions for organization and sundry infor-
nation to seekers for light.
Debts to Meet.
Although the receipts have been nearly
twice as large as these of any previous
year, we were forced to close our books
January l with debts amounting to over
81, 400. At the close of the spring work
| there was $1,000 in obligations unpaid. and
the matter was carefully laid before the
business committee and their opinions re-
Quested as to the ACCESSIBILITY of stopping
the work and devoting the fall to raising
the money due. It was the opinion Of the
committee that inasmuch as the series of
conventions had been promised to Iowa,
they must. for honors sake. be completed;
while the amendment in South Dakota
seemed to neceSsftate preliminary work in
that state. Our president, who never loses
faith in our cause or our association came
to the rescue, offering to loan 500 to pay
outstanding obligations. Two hundred dol
lars more were borrowed from the SewelI
| fund through William Lloyd Garrison, and
all debts were paid. The Garrison note
was paid when cue, but 1t was necessary
to extend the Anthony note for longer
period The remaining sum was due to
organizers and printers. 1t il not at oil
strange that expenses and receipts did not
meet on an equality at the end OF the year.
since 1t Is impossible, on the one hand, to
estimate accurately the cost of any UNDER
taking OF field work, and equally impossi-
Bile, on the other, - know what funds are
at our disposal. There is nothing discour-
aging in this outcome save that these oblI-