Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-02-14

states. we announce our belief with pleas
ure that the organized condition of those
states which we can rightfully call organ
lied Is more hopeful and satisfactory than
ever before. There are working organiza-
lions IN every state and territory except
New Hampshire and Florida. All in all,
our association is showing signs of greater
stability, permanence and influence than
ever before. In fact. suffragists are begin
ming to see the truth many others have
seen it-that organization is the watchword
of the hour.
THE close of the year 1899 found US COM
pletely out of debt. owing to the generous
and prompt response to letters of appeal
sent out just before the new year, at which
time we faced the startling fact that 5000
would be necessary to pay our obligations"
The report is signed by Mrs. Gait chair
man; Mary S. Hay, secretary, and Emily
L. Rowland. Elmira Springer and Mary C.
{. Hussey, as members.
Election of Officers.
The election of officers yesterday after
| noon was about as tame an affair as could
well be imagined The clouds which had
been lowering cleared away, and the scene
was as serene as a summer day Mrs
Lille Devereux Blake, who was the only
formidable candidate against Mrs Carrie
Chapman Gait, but who, being a keen poll
tANi1iI, Sd" tfidt Things were not coming
her way this time, in a neat speech to the
convention, withdrew her name, which left
the field practically clear to Mrs. Gait for
the presidency of the association. A ballot
for nomination was taken, and with a
dozen scattering ones Mrs. Gait had a clear
80 majority out of possible 2S5 votes SO
1t was moved to make her choice unani-
nous, which was done with a rush and a
hurrah.
Mrs Blake not being in the hall, Miss
Anthony was made committee of one to
present Mrs. Gait to the convention The
women went wild as Miss Anthony, erect
and alert, with her snow white hair band
ed smoothly about her face, walked to the
front of the platform, holding the hand of
her young co-worker, of whom she Is ex-
tremely fond and of whom she expects
great things. Miss Anthonys eyes were
tear-dimmcd and her tones were uneven
as she presented to the convention its choice
or a leader. and paid her tribute of praise
to the woman who had been her right
hand man for so many years 1t was
Shch a tribute as most people get only after
the sun of another world dawns upon them.
X was tribute freighted with love and
tender solctude, and rich with reminis-
conces of the past, and full of hope for
the future of Mrs. Gait and her work.
Suffrage is not longer theory, but an
actual condition." she said land new uc-
casions bring new duties. These newer du-
ties. these changed conditions demand
younger heads and fresher hearts. In
MIS- odtt you nave my ideal leader I pre-
sent to you my successor"
BY this time half the women were using
their handkerchiefs on their eyes and the
other half were waving handkerchiefs in
the air Mrs. Gait said quickly: Your pres
ident, if you please, but Miss Anthonv,s
successor never, There is but one Miss
Anthony, and she could not have a success
sor. Much moved, Mrs. Gait made a brief
but strong talk to the convention pledging
herself and her energies to the oreaniza-
ton.
Sketch of the New President,
Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait was born in
Ripon, Wis. One of her grandfathers fought
on the American side in the revolutionary
war; her other grandfather lived in Canada,
but moved to the United States because Of
his sympathy with the young government
Mrs. Gait thus comes honestly by her dis
belief in taxation without representation /"
/ Her parents, Lucius Lane and Maria
clinton, were both born at Potsdam, N. Y,
but moved to Wisconsin. When their
daughter was seven years old they moved
to Charles City, Iowa, where the young girl
grew up. She was educated at the State
Industrial College of Iowa, after which she
took a special course in law. For three
years she was principal of the High School
ana general superintendent of schools in
Mason City, Iowa.
Mrs Gait, in addition to being a good
organizer and e'oquent speaker, has in a
pre-eminent degree the gift of statesman
ship-the power of understanding and deal
ing wisely with political conditions, of lay
Ing plans on long lines, and combining all
the elements that lead to victory.
Her Part in Achieving Victories.
OF late years Mrs. Gait has been closely
connected with almost every important
victory that the cause has won. She
worked in the Colorado campaign, and the
Colorado women attribute the carrying of
the amendment largely to her. She worked
in Idaho. and all the four political parties
put equal suffrage panks in their plat
forms, and the amendment carried by
almost two to one. By invitation of Mrs
| Caroline Il. Merrick of New Orleans and