The Indianapolis journal., 1902-11-09
WHERE THE WOMEN VOTE
THEIR METHODS OF CONDUCTING A
CAMPAIGN OUT IN COLORADO.
supporters Of One Party Engage Bry-
an tn Address Them; the Others
Hold a Reception.
Mary II. Krout. in Denver Times.

II. hrOut, IN Denver Times.
1t was woman's day in Denver politics
yesterday. Two rival meetings. represent
ing both political faiths. called out every
woman voter who could leave her business,
her drawing room, her kitchen or her nur
sery. For once the lady Of the house, liter
ally, was not at home. And for once the
baby had to put up with the crude minis
trations Of its father or brother, for the
mother and sister were off listening TO a de-
nunciation of Imperialism and the trusts at
the Broadway Theater, or discussing the
tariff over their ices and cakes at the
Brown Palace Hotel. 1t was the poetry and
romance of campaigning. with the accom-
paniment Of flags and flowers and music;
with youth and beauty in ribbons and airy
muslins. and serene middle age-there is no
old age-in velvet, lace and brocade. AS
one looked at the vast audience of women
that packed the Broadway Theater TO the
very roof. standing five deep wherever they
could stand, filling the stage and peeping
out from the flies, one asked involuntarily:
Where are the poor and illiterate classes
Of Denver?' which surely must have had
some representative in so vast a multitude.
were they to be found at all.
Mr.. Bryan was advertised to begin his
address at o'clock. By L o'clock the the
ater was already well filled, and people
women. almost all-maids and matrons.
were streaming toward the lobby from
every direction.
In appearance it reminded one of such
an assemblage as is called together in a
college town commencement day; at
club federation, or a church convention.
1t was self-evident intelligence, modesty,
and the sort of goodness that does not
get into politics farther East, but Is kept
strictly for home consumption.
This gives me some idea OF what pollt
ical meetings will be everywhere twenty
years from now," said a newcomer.
THE evidence of a womans hand is ev-
erywhere,' and she scanned the red, white
and blue bunting gracefully draped below
the boxes. each strip held in place by
brilliant shield; the speakers stand, also
draped with flags, embowered in foliage,
with tall white chrysanthemums standing
out in pleasing relief against the effective
background. Young girls in gowns of
white, pink or pale blue seated the arriving
throngs, with no hurry confusion, show
ing that they had been well trained to
their work.
How are you going to vote?" woman
was asked, who was standing patiently in
the wings.
I'm not going to vote at ALL"
There a chorus of "ohs' with a
strong falling infection.
Don't say that" motherly dame pro-
for
PHYS sake, if you have to vote for General
Jackson"
1t was a little after when little stir
among the expectant people made it evil
| dent that Mr.. Bryan had arrived. The
prominent members of the Jane Jefferson
Club and of the Democratic central COM
mittee were already in their places on the
stage, women of refinement, Of dignity and
brains, to whom politics mere fad
with which they were amusing themselves,
but serious matter, involving good gov
ernment and the protection of the home.
INTRODUCED BY CHAIRWOMAN.
The distinguished speaker came upon the
stage escorted by the young and altogether
| charming chairwoman of the central COM
mittee, Mrs. Samuel Belford. She could not
have been more modest, more at ease. more
| gracious and graceful had she been receiv-
ing company of invited guests like cor
dial and hospitable hostess in her own
| drawing room. She would have been. a
wholesome lesson to the enemies of equal
suffrage who have prophesied the instant
Generalization and degeneration offSomen
| the minute they presume to vote. First,
| she introduced the young vocalist, Miss
Julia Chadwick, who sang 1.-THE Star-span-
| gled Banner" with fine effect and who
1
| evidently preferred TO look and listen to her
and only few in the front row accepted
| the invitation. Then three cheers were pro-
posed. This time a man-one of the few
| who had come to see the women voters
and incidentally hear Mr.. Bryan-made the
mistake. Women don't like to cheer be-
cause they can't; however, on this occasion
| they tried.
AS Mr.. Bryan surveyed the packed house
| the parquet, the dress circle, the topmost
| gallery, with women on the very topmost
| q
| beautiful expression stole over his
| countenance. And well it might Those
hundreds of women were not there "to ex-
ert an influence" Every last mothers
daughter who had reached the voting age,
as had nearly all of them, had vote and
would exercise their right to use it on cleo
| ton day. There were no malcontents; no.
body with grievance in that smiling, at
tractive. well-bred audience. 1t was an un-
usual display of party harmony.
| When he had been introduced by Mrs.
| Belford with just the right sort of a speech
| neither too long nor too short-with no
vindictive slaps at the enemy, Mr.. Bryan
| proving applause Of gloved hands and wav-
| ing handkerchiefs.
He began: Ladies and gentlemen, and
to-day, place a special emphasis on the
ladies" 1t was good speech, well deliv-
| cred, but Ii was apparent that the finan-
cial themes were not so interesting as
| those that dealt with economic questions
| His anti-imperialistic ideas also found ia
| vor.
The speech of Mrs. Helen L. Grenfell,
candidate for reelection for State superin-
| tendent of public instruction, was a warm
| Endorsement of Mr.. Bryan's propositions.
| She dwelt with much emphasis on the in
terest women have shown in education
| and presented her subject clearly and log
ically and with much fluency The ap-
plause that greeted her was evidence OF
her great personal popularity.
THE REPUBLICAN WAY.
Over at the Brown Palace Hotel, while
Mr.. Bryan was exhorting the Democrats,
the Republican women were electioneering
quite as effectively, although the meeting
was called reception. The large drawing
room was darkened. rose-colored shades
tempered the glow of the electric lights,
| and the chrysanthemems and flags be-
slowed upon the mantels and walls showed
that here too, the beautifying touches
were not forgotten in the more serious
business of getting votes and converting
voters. Here too. there was confessedly
| no influencing" 1t was business and
| conducted on strictly business principles
throughout, though IL might have seemed
| to the uninitiated nothing more than a
| conventional society function.
| The receiving line stationed near the door
| would have undeceived one. if nothing else
| had enlightened the looker-on. In this line
| were James III. Peabody, the candidate for
Governor: Mrs. John E. Routt, Mrs. George
| Randolph. Mrs Anna Il. Brandt the on