Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-02-13
THE ANNUAL SESSION.
Connecticut Represented at Woman
 Suffrage Association Convention
(Special to Democrat )

sixth annual convention of the Nation al Woman Suffrage Association is be- ing held in this city. The delegates from Connecticut are Mrs Elizabeth B. Bacon, of Hartford; Miss Frances Burr, of Hartford; Mrs Beatrice Esth- CT Hahn, of Stamford, and Mrs Susan Thurston Cooper, of Stamford. S
 Mrs Bacon, wno is the proxy of the state president, Mrs Hooker, made the report for Connecticut. She spoke as follows: '1 am here as a representa- tive of our cause in Connecticut-that state which gave to the world the first formulated and written constitution and the first to be adopted by the suf- frages of the people. It was one of the first of the original colonies to adopt the constitution of the United States, and has always been loyal to the great principles enunciated in that and it's own constitution, so far as one half of the people are concerned, but with the progress of the nation when woman has kept pace with man for, for no nation can rise above the status of its wOmanhood, some of us are impatient for the time when the men who make ana administer our laws shall awaken to the fact that the principles laid down in those glorious constitutions are not being fully car ried out, so long as one-haf of the people are governed without their con- sent, and are taxed without represen- tation. ..+r ..
 The Woman's Suffrage Association of Connecticut is striving, though under adverse conditions, to break down the bulwarks of prejudice which blinds our brothers to clear sense Of justice to women. In reviewing the history of Connecticut we find that noted men and women have been in digineus to our soil, but perhaps no family has brought greater fame to the state that that of Dr Lyman Beecher. The only living representa- tive of thet eminent divine is Isabel Beecher Hooker, the president of the Connectucut Woman's Suffrage Asso- citation, having been elected to that office in 1871, two years after the for nation of this society. Although she will in the 22d of February hay reach ed the eighty mile stone in life's journey, she is yet the possessor of vigorous mind, which is con- stantly studying plans, not only for the advancement of our cause, but TOT All mankind. She desired me to say to YOU that she longed to be with you, but is kept at home by the cold Weatn- CT and rheumatism. Consequently | am here as her proxy. ..
 CT regret that Connecticut has so lit tle to bring to this convention, but we hone to carry much that shall assist HIS and stimulate us to greater eHorts in our work. Our association has, however, been more active ill the state the mart wear, making itself better known in the state. Securing resolu- lions. holding conventions in the state and nation, has been undertaken Wltn a degree of success which gives us courag ge for pushing the work more vi1orously in the future. At our an-. ma, convention in November we Yot- al to fake LID enrolment work, ana have made a good beginning Ill that direction. A letter writers commit tee was also appointed, and as Mrs Fenner. the talented and active vice nresident. of New London county, IS the aDpointee. good work is sure to follow. Mrs Fenner began several years ago what seems good Work for the enlightenment of children
 .The most optimistic suffragist in onr association cannot imagine Con- necticut as adding a star to the flag, but we hope that our courage VIII De sustained assisted by the success III other states."'
 When asked why the ladies Of Con- necticut did not generally avail them selves of the limited suffrage granted them ill the state, Mrs Bacon said:
 'There is no incentive in most of the towns In many instances only enough candidates are nominated to fill the offices. There is no competl- ton, and then we have no voice i'll the machinery of election or noninat- ing conventions. When we do vote, the fact that it costs so much extra is up to us. I hope the voting machines will be adopted in all the towns of the state, as we can operate them as well, or better, than most men and it would not add to the expense to have women vote."