The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-05

ment many of the members of the asso-
citation throughout the state who had
planned TO be in town today staid at
home. The conference was held this
morning at the home of Mrs. Dewitt
Nellis, 314 Fifth street west. Besides
the officers there were present num-
Der of local members of the organiZa-
ton and Good Government club, which
has strong sympathies for the cause OF
equal suffrage. Plans for the year, in
the matter of organization and in
creased membership. were discussed.
The association now has more MEM
bers than ever before in it's history and
has doubled its strength since last
Year.
I'VE have been doing good deal of
quiet work throughout the state" said
Miss Helen Kimber of Parsons, the
president of the association, who came
in from Chicago Thursday night to at
tend the meeting, land some people
would be surprised to know the strength
we have developed. o, yes, l suppose
we will have another equal suffrage bill
introduced at the next legislature. We
will continue to ask for our rights until
we get them"
DO you count greatly upon the next
governor. E w Hoch, for support?'
Miss Kimber was asked.
Yes, I understand that Mr.. Hoch is
very strongly in favor of granting the
women Of Kansas the ballot. We hope
the political movement which has Sc
cured MS nomination VIII also nominate
for the legislature men of like views on
the woman question. But Governor Bal
ley is also in favor of our cause and
has supported it loyalty. Yes. although
we have not made any definite plans
and are not attempting to influence the
nomination of members of the legisla-
ture, 7 think we Will stand a good show
of getting our bill through next time
Before the meeting came to order
there was a lively discussion among the
hove
fTage bill introduced at the last session
of the legislature. The boss busters
of the association accredited it to the
machine" although it is generally
known that Cyrus Leland made his
only speech in the house in favor of the
bill.
The women We're bitter in their de-
nunciation of the members who had
promised them to vote for the bill and
broke their word and Senators F'itz-
tives O'DonneIl and Adams who spoke
against it came in for severe criticism.
Commenting upon the fiowery eloquence
of one of the legislators who was
against the bill because he wished wo-
man kept on a pedestal, one of the wo-
men said: He was all for the cling
ing vine, the dainty, sheltered woman
who never comes in contact with the
world. I said when l heard him I'll
bet dollar that mans wife scrubs her
own kitchen floor.
Yes" agreed another "Rebellious
Susan" land that's probably why he
isn't in favor of giving women their
rights. He's afraid she'll learn better
and get above that sort of thing
1T was really amusing to me-" said
another, ITO hear that little Mr.. Ad-
ans excusing himself for his speech
against the bill. His mother whom I
met at the Copeland when she was
visiting him here during the session
was in favor of it, but he made one
of the speeches against it. When I ask
ed him about it afterwards he said
We'll really, Mrs. -, 1 didn't think
it would be the best thing for mother.
Isn't it ridiculous that we mothers who
have raised these men have to ask
them for our simple rights?"