The evening times., 1900-02-09

The second days session of the Natlona
American Woman Suffrage Association be-
gan this morning at 10 o'clock at the
| Church of Our Father, corner Thirteenth
and L streets northwest.
The convention was called TO order by
Miss Susan b. Anthony. The first speakel
| introduced by Miss Anthony was Elenora
! NJ Babeock. Chairman of Committee OF
! Press Work. The recording secretary
Alice Stone Blackwell, read the minutes OF
yesterdays sessions, which were adopted
as read.
The reports of the various State Presi
dents was in order next. Mrs. Cranston
President of the State Association OF
Delaware, submitted her report She was
followed by Mrs. Thomas of Georgia.
The report of Harriet Taylor Upton
Treasurer of the National Woman Suffrage
Association, was read, which was as fol-
lows
From January 1. 1899, TO January 1,
1900. receipts amounted to SO, ,339.7l; ex-
penditures $9,3S6.OS, leaving a balance OF
S935.63
In the year 1890, forty-two States and
Territories paid auxiliary dues. being a
gain of five States over last year. The
four States paying the largest dues this
year, are New York. Massachusetts,. Iowa
and Pennsylvania. Nebraska is the State
showing the largest gain, having nearly
doubled its membership since the last con-
vention, and having established headquar-
tiers at Omaha
Mrs. Upton also reported that although
some OF the States did not show financial
gain all of The work was in better
condition ou more stable basis than il
ever has been
The report OF the treasurer was adopted
as read. and a vote Of thanks extended TO
her for he faithful performance CT her
duties
After this the reports OF the State PreSi-
dents were continued. Cartharine Waugh
McCulloch. of Illinois. in her report coy
ering the work OF the association in Illi-
nois. expressed her satisfaction with the
progress OF the work in her State. The
report OF the State President of Indiana
was read by the corresponding secretary
of the association. Mrs. Avery. The re-
port of Ellen Powell Thompson. for the
District OF Columbia is as follows:
The organization of equal suffragists in
the District of Columbia is steadily in
creasIng in numbers and strength of pur-
pose and efficiency. At present il con-
sists of the Woman Suffrage Association,
the Junior Suffrage Club. and a delegate
organization form these two associations
called the Equal Suffrage Association of
the District of Columbia the latter an
swering to and exercising the same func-
tions as the State organization in the
States
The Woman Suffrage Association in
cludes in its membership men and women
who are in favor of equal suffrage, and
who will work for its attainment. Its
meetings are held monthly and are de-
voted not alone to the discussion of equal
, suffrage. but to the presentation of eco
nomic and sociological subjects bearing
upon the exercise of the elective franchise.
The Junior Suffrage Club is thought to
be an unique organization in the move
ment. Ii is composed of younger people
of both sexes 1t holds monthly meetings.
at which are presented and discussed
questions generally bearing upon the
proper exercise and value of the right of
suffrage.
The fundamental principles underlying
the work OF these bodies. is to present
the truth and justice of their claim, the
desirability and expediency of their speedy
adoption in our political organizations, and
the education and instruction of members
in the just. intelligent and proper eXer-
else of the right of franchise when the
good time coming comes,
The Equal Suffrage Association holds
two meetings annually. at which is trans
acted the necessary business to properly
coordinate. stimulate. and develop the
work of the other associations.
There is place and sufficient material
in the District of Columbia to form other
suffrage clubs, and strong effort will be
made TO effect such organizations within
the coming year.
1T is gratifying TO be able to report an
increasing interest and enthusiasm in the
cause Of equal suffrage in Washington.
Probably in no community in the civil
lied world do the people have so little
voice, so little influence in their own social
government as here. 1t would seem that
nearly all the fundamental principles of a
free representive government are Yio-
lated in our case.
Our District Government does not de
rive its powers from the expressed con-
sent of the governed Our rulers. often
alien. are appointed without consulting
US. and kept in power, regardless of our
wishes. We are taxed without our con-
sent and without representation. The
nues so derived. We often fail to get laws
the most wholesome and necessary for the
public good passed. In fact, we are sub
ject to a jurisdiction foreign TO our Con-
stitution, even if acknowledged by techni-
cal law.
That under these conditions-for which
We ask the sympathy of the National As
sociation-We can maintain a vigorous and
growing organization for equal suffrage
justifies me in reporting that We have the
cause deep at heart, and can be counted
on as reliable and earnest workers. The
greatest obstacle we have to contend with
is the conservatism and lack of under
standing among women of the practical
value suffrage would be to them in Sc
curing and defending the rights. privileges,
and powers which they now hold by suffer-
ance only.
I'VE conduct a campaign OF education
among the working women of Washington,
especially among those in public Office,
upon this subject. and our efforts have a
large and continually increasing measure
of success. We pledge ourselves to never
rest until we have enrolled every working
woman in Washington in the membership
of our organization"
Some New Crimes.