New-York tribune., 1899-12-04
CRrTIC1sING THE FEDERATION.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: That the recent meeting in Rochester OF the
New-York State Federation OF Women's Clubs
has resulted in a prevailing dissatisfaction with
the dominant trend of the sessions generally was
to be expected. seeing that there is strong con-
sttuency in the Federation opposed to Its commhtal
to the woman suffrage movement
Really. I should think l at woman's
convention" was commonly remarked at the
meetings-that one particularly when Miss An
thony expressed her unbounded delight that the
Federation had taken the stand 1t had; In other
words and as her hearers could but interpret that
IL had Joined the cause of the suhragsts ana was
promoting what as she believed. would elevate
woman
The session given 10 the consideration OF poitcai
education was led by Miss Anthony. as chairman
the speakers being the old warhorses Of the suf-
frage movement.
II had been reported (unoffically) that the oues-
ton OF woman suffrage would come up, and tha'
both sides would have n hearing. There was
large contingent OF anti-sufragsts present-"oHlen
who had been led TO attend the meeting largely 70
see II IL were true. as report had IT, that untair
and marked consideration would be given 10 SUI
fraee leaders as such BY the rule Of this asso-
citation opposed the extension OF the Suffrage 10
women, its members may not enter into puoic ois-
cussion OF the subject. were any IN attehuanCe
upon the Federation delegates from anti-sul-
frage leagues; but upon this occasion had they
protest. least, against the Appropriation Oh 'h'
Federation colors by any movement. altnough
had they taken the floor. no doubt there "ouio
have been q repetition OF the scene In the interha
tional Council when the suffragsts from the Ohiteu
States actually hissed and stamped ~hen Mrs
Francis Scott began reading the able paper sne
had prepared at the request of Lady Aoeroeeh
s,atinr why the majority OF women In the United
states did not want that ballot Somebody called
the meeting "a political equality picnic, ana 50 II
seemed to be.
The "ent,s" deserve TO be censured for keeping
snent-as they did-on the Roberts question. Inc tne
strongest opposition that Miss Anthony tnet Cotn
ing from suffragsts Her assault upon the mort, h :
lty of men, as whole Is part ol tne snd pshonId
have surprised any one as II Is "f pr, whsn
Fundamental Of her addresses at%Iys 1Sy tbe State
the Federation OF the Women cluDs oi 1ne 90" y,
OF New-York stands committed 10 an approvdl oi
sentiments branding the fathers
II as good-what wonder that there are s's"S VI
Should the Federation, for instance, meet some
time in ely nat at sa Is 80 SatuTae the
with strong local flavor, az was done IN h~oches. ~
ter? That there surfeit OF Rochester IN every
feast; but considering that the current was lail
~ in one direction swelling OF tne suiIrasise ia
tide would IT not be better In the future 10 Keep
incai affaIrs and personages a little more In the
background remembering that the Federation is a a
in the Municipal affairs OF any one locality, gor-
Gus as may be the election returns OF the place -,
'rhe suffrage question save when emphaslZe1 py
indscreet zeal. seemed very inconsequent IN COM
pa rison with the educational. philanthroplc, ana
other great movements so ably presented ana us- ,
cussed. Could II have been suppressed entlrey lne
meeting would have been far more satisfactory 70
all concerned. even TO many or the deiegates WI, wlo
are suffragiss. and who. seeing that me feHera
tion NAV not take sides for or against poltical
equality regret that II was made TO appear 10 o. De Oe
in fuii sympathy with It's leaders whenever they
advocated their cause-sO much 80 that MISS An
thony was justified in claiming the assembly as one
~ her victories something To quote her words
Il never dreamed OF seeing" Plainly either tne ne
q" nd
for their rights in the Federation or see the or
aanization merged into the association demanding
'ne O"''o' '0' WESTERN NEW-YORK.
TIolley y Y Nov 80, 1899.