Omaha daily bee., 1906-05-20
WOMAN IN CLUB AND CHARITY

The prediction that the St Paul biennial
would be without an issue promises to lie
dashed after all, for at this late day rock
has doomed up ahead that. while one of the
most serious that has ever confronted BIZ
ennial Of the General Federation Of Wo-
mems Clubs, is not seriously worrying the
women who will have to meet it. This is
sue is woman suffrage. and IL comes up in
form Of the following set Of resolutions
which have been circulated recently and
which, 1t is said will be presented at the
st. Paul biennial
To All State Federations and Federated
CLUBS: The industrial advisory committee Of
the General Federation of Women's Clubs
submit for your consideration the following
resolution:
Whereas The number of wage-earninE
women and girls In the United States Is
now more than 100000. and is rapidly in
creaSinE.
Whereas, Wage-workers who are disfran-
chised are at a serious disadvantage in the
industrial world without the protection and
power that the ballot gives ....
Whereas, The American Federation of La
Dor has perceived this, and for many years
has endorsed the enfranchisement of women
as necessary step in their industrial adj
Therefore, This committee, standing I'm an
advisory capacity to the General Fedora
ton in all matters relating to Industrial
conditions OF women and children, urge
upon the General and State Federations and
women's clubs affiliated with them, the duty
Of endorsing the principle of equal suffrage
for women and the 3dvisability of taking
such action in securing state laws and
amending municipal charters as should give
TO the working women Of the country the
needed protection OF the ballot.
JANE adams, Chairman.
MAUD NATHAN.
MARY MORTON KEHEW.
EDITH M HOWES.
JEAN HAMILTON.
FLORENCE KELLEY.
The fact that the resolutions carry the
names of Jane Adams, Florence Kelly
and Maude Nathan lend one of the sur
prising but possibly one of the saving
| features. When Mrs. Sarah Plat Decker
| of Denver was elected president of the
| General Federation at St. Louis Two
years ago, the only opposition offere
| her candidacy was the fact that she
was an ardent woman suffragist, and this
| pi cmpted the fear that she might urge
| some Of her well known views upon tn,
| General Federation Early in the history
Of the Federation il was deemed neceS-
sRry to taboo the question of woman
! suffrage in the interest of harmony, buS
the altruistis trend OF club work THAI
has necessitated so much legislative eff
fort has brought this matter to even
the most conservative woman in an alto.
| Rether different light, but while II hss
| converted the majority TO the principles
| ot woman suffrage there are still among
some OF the strongest and more conserya-
tive women those who believe that for II,
| General Federation to embrace an issue
| against which there is such bitter
prejudice. and especially among men
would materially limit the organization
possibilities for accomplishing many
nuch-needed reforms. TO the women who
have been in touch with the club move
ment, the facing of this problem ha,
long appeared inevitable. but they hay,
none the less dread of its coming up a
this time. If the resolutions of the ad
visOry industrial committee fail TO pas
at the ST. Paul meeting IL will not b,
because club women are not in sympath,
with them or do not believe thorough,
in the principles they advocate, but rattle
because experience indicates that thei
adoption would be inexpedlent just YET
| In this case the Longer way around
seems the "surer way home" It is shnpl,
a matter of policy.
That Mrs. Decker is in any way respon
sible for the Introduction OF these resn
lutions is staunchly denied by CoIorad
! club women, but having been forced L
defend the principles so dear 10 theL
VINO i've IN state where women ar
enfranchised equally with men. Colorad
! will send a delegation $50 strong 20 d
battle for whatever seems best. II an
opposition is offered TO Mrs. Decker
reelection az 81 Paul g will be base
; upon this ground. Mrs. Decker has frc
quenuy said In the past that she wouI
a never bring IN the matter OF wOma
D suffrage In the General Federation an
% she has conscientiously refrained froT
putting forward her well known views