Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-10-18
Some Noted SuffraqetteS

state, as a solution Of the southern
problem. II was considered. at its
granting q wholly uselss concession,
as New Orleans. the principal city OF
the state, had already reached the
limit OF taxation.
The return Of yellow fever, how
ever. after a lapse OF almost twenty
years. reused the people to the neces-
sity of the city Icing placed In a san
itary conditiOn--that il, that an ade-
quate system OF sewerage. drainage
and pure-water supply must be estab-
1ished.
New Orleans at this time was al
most the only American city Of its
size without even a vestige OF a sew
erage system: a magnificent drainage
system was plodding along for the
want of means. at a rate which
would take twenty years 10 accom-
piish: an adequate supply OF water.
and what little OF that in the hands
OF a private corporation. In order 10
restore confidence, these much need
ed improv enlents must be had, ana
had quickly. Only two methods OF re-
lief offered themselves-either for the
taxpayers to vote to tax themselves
for a bond issue Of at least $l2.O0o.'
900, or for private franchises to take
the matter in hand. Upon investiga-
ton it was found that out OF pos
sible $4,000 taxpayers $4,000 were wo-
men. A woman's league was immedl'
ately formed. and with the newly con-
ferred power placed in the hands OF
women. a six-months campaign Of eiC'
cation led to their successfully con-
yincing the taxpayers Of the wisdom
OF voting to tax themselves for per-
iod Of over so years. There is possib-
ly no other case on record where such
indomitable energy. pluck and per
severance overcame obstacles which
would ordinarily have disconnected
men campaigners.
As president of the WOman's Lea
que. Miss Gordon came prominently
forward and demonstrated her execu-
tive ability in planning and carrying
on successfully the work Of the lea
que. This large city was divided In
W WdIuS, utStilSiS anu PASSAANs',
education for better sewerage, drain
age and free water was made neld
of propaganda for the suffrage cause
in the hands OF the intelligent women
Of New Orleans.
Miss Mary Simpson sperry.
President Of the California assocla-
ton and second auditor OF the nation
al association. Mrs. Sperry is an Eas-
tern woman by birth. but has lived IN
California for many years. Her beau
tiful home on Pacific avenue. in san
Francisco. was spared by the earth
quake but Mrs. Sperry and her fam
ily fed to Stockton for safety from
the flames. DR.. Mary Sperry, a
daughter. remained in the city and.
with other woman physicians. assist
ed in caring for the refugees. The
warehouses and Offices OF the Sperry
Flour Companwy were destroyed, but
] in an incredibly short time the COM
pany resumed business across the
hay. Mrs. Sperry is mother and
grandmother. mistress Of magnifi'
cient home. and. while neglecting
none of the duties connected with
Ter family. finds mucn t me for pubic
work As property-owner and large
taxpayer, she Is interested in woman
suffrage from practical viewpoint
i as well as a matter Of abstract right
The California association. through
its members. was terribly stricken by
the earthquake, but rallied in won
derful fashion. contributing more
money to the campaign then in pro
gress in Oregon than any other state
association. Mrs. Sperry herself
went to Portland to aid in the Fast
few weeks OF the campaign, where
she spoke at parior meetings, assisted
in the headquarters. and on election
day took her place a. the polls VIII
the younger women. Mrs. Sperry was
close personal friend Of Miss Antho-
my and has been . familiar and be
loved figure in national woman sun
rage conventions for years.
Mrs. Florence Kelley.
Every man and woman Of the Ed
| Dire state should be familiar with the
daughter Of Judge william Kelley Of
Pennsylvania, who was known in Con
eress as Pig Iron Kelley. because Of
his advocacy Of . high tariff on iron
in the early days, and how she be
came interested in economic condf'
tons when q mere schoolgirl. She
was graduated from Cornell. and her
thesis on the subject Of wOUan's eco
nomic status was published In the
North American Review. The weak
the defective those unequal to the
struggle attracted her attention She
began TO search for the reaon WY
an dto attempt to secure remedial leg.
islafion. For more than . score o.
years she has devoted her splendid
talents to the cause OF those who are
being worsted in the Industrial war.
fare. She is especially interested In
women and child workers. and IS saio
to have beer the source and main.
\ ~ x,o~, Of the rhiL6l3h0f lex