Martinsburg statesman. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1869-1906, 1906-03-23
EIGHTY-SIXTH BIRTHDAY.
CELEBRATION OF WoMAV SUI
ERAGISTS IN HONOR OF
MISS ANTHONY.


Protest Against Laws Which Allow
Mothers Small Protection Over
Children Plea for Exercises Of
Corrective Ballot.
1t is a rare occurrence when noted
men Of the country gather together to
do honor to a woman who has worked
and striven for a cause to which many
Of them are antagonistic. Yet this was
tie case q week or two ago when
statesmen, political leaders, jurists,
and literary lights joined in paying
homage to Miss Susan B. Anthony,
the great woman suffragist, on the
occasion of her eighty-sixth birth
day.
This meeting was held in Washing
ton, d. c., in February, Miss Anthony.
Of course, being present to listen to the
addresses and words of felicity. She
had just come from a convention OF
woman suffragists in Baltimore.
Among the letters of congratulation
read was one from President Roose-
welt which said:
LET me join in congratulating Miss
Susan B. Anthony on the occasion Of
her eighty-sixth birthday and extend
my best wishes to her upon her con-
tinued good health
In reply to the numerous congratu-
lations, Miss Anthony, owing to Sc
we're cold, confined her remarks to
these few words:
II wish the men would do something
besides extend congratulations.
have asked President Roosevelt to
push the matter of constitutional
amendment allowing suffrage to
women by recommendation to Con-
gress. | would rather have him say a
word to Congress for the cause than
to praise me endlessly."
The Rev. Anna Howard Shaw. a
prominent woman leader, presided
over the meeting, introducing the
speakers, and incidentally poking
much fun at the members Of the stern
err sex. She said that any man who
accepts post OF especial learning I'M
mediately dons gown. 1t was true
Of college professors, of graduates,
and of men who sat upon the Supreme
Bench. She stated that the gown is
a symbol of wisdom.
Over One Hundred Woman Leaders.
In connection with this celebration
of Miss Anthony's birthday, one hun
dred and fifty advocates OF woman
suffrage swooped down on the Mem
bers Of Congress and hurled at the
Statesmen all sorts of feminine oratory
on the subject. In appealing to the
solons of the Capitol, the argument
was made by the women that God did
not intend the female to be subserv-
lent to man, and that she should be
given justice through the ballot.
The principal address was made by
Miss Mary Thomas, of Baltimore,
who protested against the laws dis
eliminating against women.
I'VE have no right to the children
we have Graded in our loving arms
beyond the age of seven years" she
said, "and now our boys of eighteen
need not ask our permission to join
the army and navy If their fathers are
willing. The girls of Maryland, who
cannot contract legal marriages under
sixteen years of age, may then con-
sent to their own degradation and
their destroyer go free. Think OF this
terrible injustice to ignorance and
innocence and grant us the power to
protect the child who cannot protect
himself
1.-THE saloon keeper, the cigarette
vender. and the gambler may ply their
nefarious trades next door to our very
homes and we are powerless to save
the boys Of the land from their infiu-
ence. We ask of Congress the right
to express our opinion at the ballot
box, because it will be the surest and
safest way to accomplish what we
desire"