The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-07-27
BETTER SPIRIT IS
FOUND IN WEST
WOMEN GET GRUDGING TREAT
MENT IN EASTERN SCHOOLS.
Henry B. Blackwell Of Boston, Vet
eran Champion of Woman's suf-
frage, Commends Tone of Western
Colleges Struggle His Sister En-
dured to Become Physician.

Among the returning travellers. from
the National American Moman Suffrage
association conventien in Portland were.
Henry B. Blackwell and Miss Alice
Stone Blackwell of Boston, who have
been the guests of DR.. Martha G.. Rip
ley for a few days and who go on to
Chicago tonight. Mr.. Blackwell, with
is as distinct a figure in all great suf-
| frage gatherings as Miss Anthony.
Mr.. Blackwell was the husband of
| the late Lucy Stone, who was one of
the first women in the United States
to secure a college education. In or
der to do this she was obliged to leave
her New England home and go into
only college in the country willing. to
admit women. Mr.. Blackwell;s sister,
Elizabeth, who is still living was the
| hrst woman admitted to an American
college of medicine and the first woman
to secure a medical diploma. - 49, (;
To Journal representative Mr..
Blackwell yesterday told the story Of
stefan, this thought being suggested by
the wonderful difference he had OBJ
served between the treatment of young
women students in western colleges
| and their reception at co-educational
schools even of the present in the east,
where they are grudgingly admitted
and socially ostracised to discourage
their attendance.
"In the west" said Mr.. Blackwell,
Syou have the real co-educational
spirit of working together, not merely
sharing the same classroom advan-
tages, but the spirit of the east is still
represented by the separate colleges. -
Miss Blackwell IS application for adj
mission to a medical college had been
denied by number of schools when
she applied to Geneva Medical school,
disorderlv school. The faculty, wish
ing to shift the responsibility, agreed
to leave her application to vote of
the students, stating that if they would
anonymously agree to her entrance she
might be admitted. When the PROPOSE.
tion was submitted to them the wholly
unexpected ne X happened and ID all save ono
spirit Of mischief set upon him and
pummeled him till he changed his vote.
By this unexpected happening, Miss
Blackwell entered the school and her
influence wrought q complete trans
formation re- in ~ its ,discipline and she
was always accorded the most, com
plete respect and courtesy. This in
novation, however, set the medical pro.
fession by the ears and the protests
were 50 strenuous that a promise was
exacted from the faculty that no more
women should be admitted, and there
never have been. 49,
=. Miss BLACKWELL ostracism socially
was SO complete that no one would
rept her house for residence and
office in New York, and she was
obliged to buy one. Both she and he1
sister had to go to Europe to get any
opportunity for hospital experience.
Mr.. Blackwell has served for many
years as chairman of the committee on
resolutions, of: the suffrage association
and he is a master aofr strong state
ments. of principles. This year his
committee had representatives from
twenty eight states. One of the fea
lures Of the resolutions was the in
dorsement Of the iin2itiatiye and refer
ent for securing the submission Of tn.
question of suffrage to the decision o,
the people. When submission can b,
secured in several states it is fully be
lieved the popular vote will establish
full suffrage; the stumbling block i
the legislatures. This is the situation
in Iowa. =.