New-York tribune., 1908-12-23
PILGRIM MOTHERS DINE
Post -PrandiaL Speakers Al Discuss
Woman Suffrage.

Now 7 will introduce superior said MIS-
Lille Devereux Blake, president or the Ne" h'iH
legislative League. at the Pilgrim Mothe's HiiiiI
NJ The Hotel Astor, yesterday afternoon me" sue
produced the one voter IN the rooli'' III A--N
Welch OF Colorado.
Afrs welch told OF the queer letters tha' come -
Colorado from all parts OF the United states anu
Of The world Tor that matter. asking how woman
suffrage works
Letters that come to the Secretary Of State, she
said are turned over to me only yesterday louI
were forwarded me, and as II happened al "e1e
from schools or colleges. OF course they thought
they We're writing 10 q man.
Are women one asked solenlnly' mace man
nish by voting?
Dc the women Of Colorado, inquired another
earnest seeker after knowledge. 'stin have oaoles
seriously though, these letters show me no"
al oyer The world interest in the question OF woman
suffrage IS growing. But cannot understand 'niS
fear that voting viii make women Hanhlsh Oul
voting places are much like other places ny
women have lived in close contact Win men Since
-ha beginning Of time without being made nan-
rish' have often wondered II there is something
obnoxious about that they are SO aiTald we
shall become ike them
Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait, who followed Mrs
Blalzes address Of welcome talked Of the modern
Pilgrim Mother who goes about doing things. and
who II current phraseoogy Is called an unattached
female Women are also she said, called the
leisure class Men see this leisure class
wherever they go-on the cars in the streets-car-
ry!ng burdens. dodging motors, hanging 10 straps
IN the cars such numbers that the poor men can
read their papers il peace because women are
standing or their feet
But the modern Pilgrim Mother is. setting up
her altar everywhere even IL the little hall bed
room And after all. nothing compare IN i'm
oortarce with the emancipation Of women"
Ny greaI-gr grandmother said Mrs Eva McDon-
aid Talesh. general organizer in the American
Federation Of Labor, spun her three miles OF
thread q day. She lived see her gTeat-grand-
daughter go perforce into factory and spin three
thousand miles Of thread day There are two
classes Of women who have come out from the
old ways There the women who have op-
oortunities for culture: who. since modern times
give them such freedom from household drudgery
organize clubs. interest themselves in progress:
and al This makes them better women and better
mothers I belong TO the class whose girls are
sent out from home with desire 10 go, but be
cause stern necessity forces them TO help support
the family. I say from experience that II IS
trying period this period Of adjustment Employ
ers take advantage OF wonen's weakness and
without the ballot she has not much power 10
enforce her rights Wonen's clubs have tried to
alleviate the conditions in which women workers
live. but sometimes the result has been good.
sometimes bad. some cases the result has been
that employers have said: Why, these girls
live cheaper-and down went the wages.
7 cant believe Il is right that girls are forced
10 60 out and give the best years Of their lives
uncongenial drudgery. ! don't speak now, OF
course. Of the women who go from choice. But
for the women in factories and trades this much
is true-that they equality with
men doing the same work than is the case with
women in professional life"