The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-22

Jewett; auditors. Mrs. Z. c. ormsbee.
Mrs. o. A. Angel.
These officers were elected during the
afternoon and announced at the evening
session.
At the close of the afternoon session a
social hour was enjoyed and supper
served In the vestry OF the church.
EVENING SESSION
The evening session was called to order
at 1880 o'clock by the president Mrs.
Dewing. after which the hymn America"
was sung by the audience.
The chief feature of the evening was
an address by Hon Henry Il. Blackwell
on the topic. Equal Suffrage for Presl-
Dental Electors"
The address was in part as follows:
HIS SECOND ADDRESS.
The choice OF president and vice presi-
dent of the United States is the most ina
portant form Of suffrage ever exercised
by an American citizen. Ii decides who
shall be for four years the chief executive
officer of T5,OC0,oO0 people. with power OF
appointment and removal OF tens OF thou
sands OF officials. with supreme command
OF the army and navy, with the manage
ment OF Our foreign relations and the dujy
OF making treaties subject 10 the advice
and consent of the senate.
The King OF England and the Emperor
of Germany are practically possessed of
no greater political power than Is this
sovereign ruler OF a continental nation
alty during his official term.
Here then Is an open door TO equal suf-
frage Once let the women of any stats
take their equal part In this great national
election. and their complete equality ~
recognized and assureu. Without chang ?
OF state or federal constitution. without
ratification by the individual VOters-a
simple majority OF both houses OF any
legislature In any state, at any time, cali
confer upon women citizens this masnih-
cent privilege. which will carry with IL a
certainty OF speedy future concessions OF
all minor rights and privileges.
IL Is simply amazing that no concerted
effort has ever been made In any state To
secure this right SO easily attainable ana
of such transcendent importance. Is
pecially Is IL strange that In states like
Pennsylvania, Michigan and Rhode lsl-
and whore iron-bound constitutional re-
strtctions forbid any exercise whatever
OF local or municipal suffrage, and where
the social conditions make no appeal 10
the voters for an amendment OF the state
constitution hopeless. suffragists allow
year after year Co elapse without any
effort to get done the only practical thing
fosslble-through action b. the state
legislature conferring presidential suffrage
on women
Suffrage in school or municipal cleo
tions cannot give us a fun and fair test
OF the value OF equal suffrage or OF wo-
mems willingness 20 participate. Suf-
frago In state elections cannot be had
without amendments OF state constitu-
lions. always difficult and usually i'm
possible of attainment IN face OF organ
ized opposition
Why not avail ourselves Of this unique,
this Providential opportunity? why not
try next winter 10 secure from the state
legislatures what they ana only they can
grant2
At the close Of Mr. Backwels address
which was received with much favor.
Rev. r. 6. Miller. pastor OF the Hope
I Street NJ. r. church. spoke briefly.
Mrs. Ellen NJ. Boles OF the R. l. wo-
man Suffrage association. spoke also on
some aspects OF the coal question
| The meeting came 20 a nual close at
| shortly after . o'clock.