The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-02-17
MISS LAURA GREGG.
Noted Suffragist to Direct Series Of
Meetings Here.

Mss Laura Gregg Of Kansas is con
ceded TO be one of the best organizers
and finest lecturers Of the National
! american Woman Suffrage Associa-
tion. She unites to her unusual eNecil-
/ tive ability a persuasive elcqutnce and
gracious wonanls dignity that IL q
| convincing combination in her work for
!, woman's progress. Her experience in
campaigns for equal suffrage covers a
longer term OF years than her appear.
ance would indicate. She began her
work in 1894 in the Kansas movement
for full suffrage. In 1895 she devoted
her labor to Oklahoma and was the
first to organize suffrage clubs in this
territory. The shifting population and
the undevel6ped country made this a
difficult task, but 80 well was the work
begun that ii formed basis upon
which TO conduct d campaign in 1898.
In this year an equal suffrage biz was
submitted 10 the legislature OF Okla.
homa, which passed the House, and was
defeated in the Senate by but two
votes The interest aroused in the ter.
ritory was intense. When the bill was
first presented TO the house it was re.
garied a. joke. and this attitude was
maintained for some weeks, until the
women OF Oklahoma resented the indig.
nifty and the joke resolved itself into
serious matter, failing OF legislative
enactment by two votes only.
In 1904, Miss Gregg again returned to
Oklahoma, and during this year, in the
proposed Statehood bin, the clause dis
franchising women, classified them po-
litically with idiots and criminals
This aroused such a storm OF indigna.
tion from men and women that lead.
ing politician stated it required b,.shel
basket to deliver his mail, owing to the
number of protests he received silly
After the United States Congress de.
feated this Statehood bill, a bill calling
for constitutional convention, copied
this same objectional clause, and was
rapraI,oa1 Il, ..a ~, hran,h &c .ka ni.ln
homa legislature. Again, the women OF
the territory voiced their disapproyal
with such force that an opponent de.
clared the legislature would be obliged
To strike out the offensive clause, 30 as
to prevent the house and senate from
being overwhelmed by the CONGESTION
attendant on the protests.
Miss Gregg has made extended lee.
ture tours in Pennsylvania, Delaware.
Maryland. Ohio and Iowa.
In 1898, in company with other sui.
frage workers, Miss Gregg rendered
such effective service in South Dakota
that the Equal Suffrage measure lac..ed
less than $500 votes f0r victory.
In 1899 Miss Gregg arranged series
Of important Suffrage conferences in
Minnesota. From Minnesota she went
TO Nebraska where Headquarters were
established and here she remained for
period of four years, giving devoted,
self sacrificing, and valuable effort to
the suffrage cause. Miss Gregg arrived
in Oregon September, 1905 and under
her wise guidance the Oregon State
Equal Suffrage Association trusts to
achieved usitice, and victory for the
Equal Suffrage amendment which will
be Submitted to the voters next June.
In addition to her many personal at.
fractions, Mis- Gregg possesses a fine
spiritual nature which radiates an un-
conscious helpfulness and uplift. After
" ''''H' "dhitSS out VI UtF hUHltIice
said; Il have heard great many
speaker, and know all the arguments
for woman suffrage, but Miss Gregg
makes me See it in new light. She
appeals to the better side OF a man."
And he expressed what is really the
charms of her work and her life. Her
family were Kansas pioneers. Her
father was IA soldier in the Civil War.
and her mother went through all tie
agony OF the terrible experiences of the
Border warfare. when it was necessary
at all times to be ready to fee with her
tcfbleg for sa44ty and conc(alment |
. from Invading predatory holde5. in |
those agonizing days of blood5hed the
women Of Kansas were the defender,
ami protectors Of the home, while nus.
bands, fathers and sons were giving
|serrfre to the. Union. II is little won.
der then, that Miss Greggs patriotism
and devotion to principle is an inherit
ance which her fine, hiehly-organized |
nature SO transcendently expresses.