The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-02-15
THREE MEETINGS Of
THE W0MAN'S COUNCIL
Mrs. Manchester Is Opposed to
Female Suffrage.
Mrs. Weaver Desires to Argue
the Question.
Much Routine Business Transacted
During the Dny-Many Abscnt-
Members Snowbound.

yesterday during which several important
measures were discussed. The most start
ling feature of the day was the announce
ment of Mrs. l. c. Manchester that the
best of women were not in favor of
woman suffrage made at the afternoon
session and the address of Mrs Elizabeth
b. Grannis in the evening in which she
stated that the sin OF amalgamation of
the two races in the South was just as
bad today as it was before the war. She
stated that this statement was made on
the authority of a Southern man of good
standing. Much exception was taken to
the statement of Mrs. Grannis. as it was
not fortified with the persons name to
whom she referred, and further that Mrs.
Grannls had never been in the South and
perhaps knew less about the people of that
section than any other woman in the
whole United States. Some ladies went
so far as to indicate that they did not be-
lieve anything said upon the subject by
Mrs. Grannis as she was governed by
prejudice, and had never had any OPP
portunities of knowing anything per-
sonally upon the subject.
There were women present who thought
that Mrs. GranDis should first make an
effort to reform the morals of people in
her own city-New York-before She talked
of others of whom she had no personal
knowledge and in view OF certain re-
strictiOns governing conditions in the
South, she could not know anything
The morning session was devoted 10 the
reception of the reports of the various fra
ternal organizations. a number of repre-
sentatives were unable to be present and
the meeting was shortened on that ac-
count. The reports of some of the State
and local organizations We're also on the
programme to be read at the meeting, but
only three representatives appeared.
Mrs. Flora s. Welschner, of indianapolis,
read the report of the Local Council of
Women of indianapolis, and reports were
also read by Rev. Anna Garland Spencer
and Mrs. l.. NJ. Beck
At the afternoon session the reports of
the local councils were again in order.
Mrs. Miriam Landsberg, of Rochester. was
present as the representative of the coun-
ell of that city, and Mrs. Mary VI. Fisk
appeared in behalf of the council at Min
neapolis. At the conclusion of the reading
of the reports a general discussion of the
subject. How Can Women Aid in NUM-
cipal Reform, occurred and il was dur
ing this that Mrs. Manchester presented
her views on woman suffrage. 1t was
admitted by all those who took part in
the debate that one of the first steps to-
ward woman suffrage YVES to secure a
reformation of municipal affairs Was then
one of the woman's first objects. When
this point in the discussion had been
agreed upon and that portion of the mat
ter was about to be disposed of Mrs. Man
chester stated that she did not believe
that the best women of the country were
in favor of woman suffrage. She after
ward qualified her statement by saying
she meant TO say that some of the best
in s,f cuff
frage.
This statement was rank heresy. and
Mrs. Ida NJ. Weaver. of Idaho. could not
allow it to pass as the sentiment of the
National Council. She therefore arose in
her place. and, advancing toward the plat
form, in decided tones announced that she
wished to Tefute the statement made by
Mrs. Manchester Seeing that a volcano
was on the verge of eruption President
Sewall called the meeting TO order with
the remark that no statements were to be
refuted at that meeting and everything be-
came quiet again. For moment the en-
tire council was on the qui vive and almost
anything was to be expected.
The evening session was devoted TO the
reading of the reports of the various or
CARNATIONS represented in the council and
the reading OF the addresses on the pro-
gramme.
ne OIuer Ol lls programme NdS COdUE
ed somewhat as the delegates were slow
in arriving, and the report of the Vino
daughsis of this city, by Mrs. Ada c.
Dickerson, which was third on the list
came first. Following the report of Mrs
Dickerson, which explained the workings
of the Wimodaughsis and its auxiliaries
came the address of Mrs Grannis. who
was present as the representative of the
National Christian League for the Promo
ton OF Social Purity.
Her address last night was the same
that she has been making for a long time
She had much to say why Representatives
elect Roberts of Utah should not be al
lowed to take his seat in Congress Mrs
Grannis advanced no new argument upon
this subject. but made about the same
speech that all others have made who Op-
pose Mr.. Roberts right to a place in the
National Legislature.
Following Mrs. Grannis' address came
the report of the Florence Crittcn:on Mis-
sion presented by Mrs. Kate Waller Bar
rett, one Of the ablest and best takers
of the Council. Mrs. Barrett stated that
she did not believe that the single stan
dard that was so prayed for by women
should be their elevation to the immoral
plane now occupied by man. Men say
women are always the first to condemn
women, the speaker went on to state but
this was wrong. In all her experience she
had never seen woman throw a stone at
woman that had not been first placed in
her hands by man. The whole human
race was one family and it seemed that
it would be better if they worked for the
betterment of the existing conditions and
the alienation of suffering that was
brought prominently before the public
eye. The Florence Crttenton Mission
ali sail viii III.
in view and it had accomplished a great
deal in the cause of humanity. Mrs Bar
rett then gave history OF the Florence
Crittenton homes from their inception in
New York to the present day, when there
are thirty -four houses in different parts OF
the world and over three thousand women
taken care of annually.
Following the report of Mrs. Barrett came
the report of the National Women's Relief
Society by Mrs. Zina Young Card of Utah.
Two addresses of some interest to the
members OF the council were also made at
the evening session by Mrs. Ida NJ. Weaver
of Idaho and Miss Bina NJ. West of Michi-
gan. AT the conclusion of the addresses a
letter from Mrs. Mary Low Dickinson. a
former president of the council, was read
expressing her regret at her enforced alb
sence from the council and the hope that
she would arrive in the city before its
meetings had concluded. After the reading
of the letter the meeting adjourned until
this morning at 10 O'clock
The programme for today has been
slightly changed from the plan laid out
originally by the promoters of the council
Instead of the reading OF the reports of
the standing committees, the entire morn
ing session will be devoted TO business.
and many important questions will be acted
upon behind closed doors. The election of
officers Will also take place at this time
At the afternoon session there will be a
SympOSiUm with the Cars DrOnoSitinn fo-