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

ming as otherwise would be possible; yet
when we consider the adverse conditions.
the results have been all We should expect.
IF 1 We're asked to name the chief cause
otstructing thorough organization 1 should
not hesitate to reply: The chief obstacle is
not to be found in societies opposed to the
extension of suffrage to women: in
ignorance or conservatism; 1t is to be found
in that large body of suffragists who be-
lieve that suffrage will come. but that II
will come in some unaccountable way with
out effort or concern upon their part.
The reports were all adopted, that of the
treasurer being accepted with thanks.
Mrs. Mariana w. Chapman.
The president of the New York State
Woman's Suffrage Association, Mrs. Mari
ana W. Chapman, who is prominent in the
convention, was born in the city of New
York on March IA. 1913. Her parents and
ancestors were members of the Society OF
Friends, whose simple. kindly face she still
retains She thinks that one passes easily
from q belief in full religious to full polid-
cal equality. In 1857 the family removed to
Ohio, where in 1864 she married Noah ii.
Chapman. a business man of Cincinnati.
The union has been one of the happieSt or
der and blessed with five children, three
scEs and two daughters. now in early man
aid womanhood. Since 1880 they have
lived In Brooklyn, New York, where Mrs.
Chapman became interested in the cause OF
woman's suffrage and other philanthropic
work. She was at one time president of
the Brooklyn Womans Suffrage Associa-
ton, later of the Womans Club, and Is
now in her second year of service to the
state suffrage association.
Mrs. Ella n. Haskell.
Mrs. Ella Knowles Haskell was born in
Northwood, N. H, in what was known as
tn, Knowles district, where her father now
resides. Her great grandfather OF her
mothers side fought at the battle of Bun
lrnr ND hold
tain's commission in the Continental army.
She graduated from Bates College, Lewis
ton, Me-, with the degree of b. A, In the
year 1884, and q few years later the de-
gree Of MA. was conferred upon her by
her alma mater. Her health having failed
after graduation from college, she went
west and was engaged for a year or two in
teaching. She then entered law office in
Helena, Mont, and was admitted to the
bar Of that state in 1880. She was the first
woman to hold a notarial commission and
to practice law In Montana. In 1897 she
was nominated by the populist party as
candidate for attorney general of the state
and made q vigorous campaign, but was
defeated by her republican opponent. II. j.
Haskell. In 1876 she was chosen delegate
to the populist national convention at St.
Louis, and was also a delegate to the state
convention held in Helena, Mont, and to
to the county convention held in the same
place. She was elected secretary of the
county convention and acted in that ca
pacity, even though women do not have
the right of suffrage in Montana She was
the first woman to be sent as a delegate
from Montana to a national cow enton or
a state or county convention.
From 1892 to 1896 she held the office of
assistant attorney general of Montana the
second woman in the United States to hold
such an Office. The first was a Kansas wo-
man, Mrs. Kellogg, whose husband was
attorney general.
In May, 1895, she was married to IL. ].
W hQd dafo tod har for
general
During the seven years she has been en-
gagged in the active practice of law she has
conducted cases In nearly all the courts of
tie state of Montana, and has tecome to
be respected by the public the bar and the
bench as an attorney of learning and abiI-
lily.
Most Brilliant and Strong Minded.
Miss Belle Kearney is a Mississippian by
birth, and has all the grace and charm of
manner that could be expected in de-
scendant of a long line of high-born ances-
tors. Miss Kearney is regarded as the most
brilliant and strong minded speaker among
southern women, and has few equals as an
orator anywhere. She has addressed ire
mendous and enthusiastic audiences in Can
ada and Europe and in the United States
from Maine to California. Last summer
she travelled in Alaska and lectured in
Sitka.
Miss Kearney, although young. is regard
ed as leader in philanthropic movements
and has been a devoted advocate for the
enfranchSement of women since her early
gfrlhood. From her radical views one
would suppose that she had been born in
the heart of the New England hills instead
OF the south, which Is SO noted for its con-
servatism.
District Representative.
Ellen Powell Thompson president Of the
District w. S. A. has had rather an I'M
usual career. At sixteen she was teach
ing school. Before she was twenty she
married Prof. A. H. Thompson, continuing
her work as a teacher, and taking up his
position as a superintendent of schools
when he entered the army. She spent her
summer vacation QS63) at Cairo, ILL.,, car
ing for the sick and wounded soldiers her
husband being stationed here. Later, VIXEN
Prof. Thompson had charge of making
maps of the then almost unknown terri
tories of the west, his wife was his COM
panton. After leaving the railroad at Salt
Lake City their only means of transporta-
ton was by mule or horseback. Mrs.
Thompson made friends of number of
tribes of Indians at this time, learning the
language of the Pah Utes, and studying
their customs. She also studied the flora
of the country traversed, sending suits of
her collection to DIR. Asa Grey every three
months. In his botany may be found the
new species of her collection with ''Thomp-
collections is also to be found in the bo-
tanical department at Washington
Regarded as a Victory.
A dispatch was read from Des Moines,
Iowa, telling of the defeat of the bill to
submit suffrage amendment in the upper
house Of the general assembly by a ma
jority of 80 to Al. This was regarded in
the light Of a victory by the delegates, in
view Of the exceedingly small majority. 1t
was stated In this connection that the re-
publicans had paid lobbyist at the legisla-
ture to work against the bill. 1t was stated
that the bill has to go before two legisia-
lures. this and the one following.
About $4,000 was collected for the associa-
ton. New York furnishing $500 of this
amount.
The afternoon session, which began at
2:3O o'clock. was what is known as the
memorial hour" Resolutions were passed
by Clara Bewick Colby on those members
of the association and its friends who have
gone before.
Mrs. Mariana w. Chapman submitted the
report of the committee on plan of work.
Convention Notes.
The members of the Junior Equal Suf-
frage Club. who are working '.manfully"
during the convention, are Miss j. Minnie