Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1908-11-18
A Mean Trick.
1905, by American Press Asso-

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Copyright, 1908, by American Press Asso-
ciation.l
London, Dec. 5, 1918.
am sorry, my dear daughter. that
you have entered into movement to
obtain the vote for women. Ten years
ago took part in movement with
that object In view, and It turned out
q lamentable failure.
I will give you brief account Of
how our organization was broken up
with view to inducing you to aban-
don your attempt, foreseeing some
such outcome for the present move
ment. Our society grew rapidly. far
more rapidly than one could have ex-
pected. We had meetings in Hyde
park, gathering thousands Of women
with appropriate banners and much
enthusiasm. We stormed the house of
commons and forced the members to
listen to us. Our enemies, the men, ar
rested us and kept us in jail.
Finally, when the house of commons
was in despair Of being able to defeat
us by open methods it must needs
go about undermining our society. In
secret session a committee was ap.
pointed to find and execute some meth
cd to break US up. This committee
consisted Of old bachelors-rather, old
curmudgeons-all Of them confessed
woman haters and mean enough to
take advantage Of those weaknesses
peculiar to our sex.
They began by laying a plan to get
rid Of our admirable officers and put in
such women as would wreck the so
ciety. Our annual election and appoint
ment of committees came off shortly
after these men began their work, and
they took advantage Of the opportuni-
ty. Just before the election we were
surprised at large accession to our
membership. Then on the day Of the
election, while we were preparing for
the ballot, handbills were scattered
about the hall In which we met stating
that at store on Piccadilly certain
standard goods that all women must
have were offered at less than half the
usual price. A silk dress that would
ordinarily cost ESQ might be had for
EGO. Hats in the latest style that were
selling for Is were offered at f. Is.
Cloaks worth Flo were to be had for "A.
These are but few examples to show
you what bargains were to be obtained.
The sale was to take place during the
afternoon Of our election, but all wom-
en- know that to secure what they want
at such sales they must be on hand
when the sale opens.
Well, no sooner were the handbills
read than there began gradual disap.
pearance of the members. just as water
leaves a bathtub without ones seeing
where it goes. One by one our wom-
en- slipped out, but it was noticeable
that all the new members remained.
At that time, my child, your father was
not doing at all we'll at his business,
and was wearing hat that had been
long out of fashion. 1t was impossible
for me to appear in any gathering in
such frightful headgear. Satisfying
myself that there was quorum of the
society without me, I went to seize the
opportunity.
Now, our hall was on the opposite
side Of London from the place Of the
sale. took bus to get there and on
arriving at the store asked where the
sale was going on. What sale? The
sale announced in the handbills! No
one knew of any handbills or any
sale. Then saw that something had
gone wrong. Taking another bus, I
went back to the hall in company with
others Of our members. I found that
the election was over, a new set Of
officers had been put IN and new COM
mittees appointed. What do you
think? These mean. contemplate
men-villains had hired the new men,
bers to join. had produced the hand
bills, and while we bona fide members
Of the society were going to and COM
ing from the bogus sale the hussies
had elected ticket given them by tho
men.
This was not the worst Of our mis-
fortunes The new officers and com.
mittee women had been selected Qby
the mem for the violence of their tenn
pers and the volubility of their tongues.
The very first meeting after their in
stallation showed that we had met
with quietus One Of the committee
said something that made the presl-
dent mad, and she threw her gavel at
the offending woman. The secretary
rose to her feet and began a steady
stream Of talk. Other members strove
in vain to get the floor, but the shriu
voice of the secretary. sounding like
steam whistle, drowned them out.
At one time there were dozen women
gesticulating and shrieking like
storm wind in the rigging of ship.
Then the chairwoman Of the commit
tee of ways and means. perfect Her.
cules, selling table used by the Sec
rotary, went through the hall for the
purpose of clearing it. In five minutes
there was not a member left.
BY such contemplate process did
these mean, vile, ignoble, base, sneak
ing, rascally, scurvy. unfair creatures
to whom has been given the name
man thwart the noble work we had In
hand. That was the last Of the suf-
fragette movement of the first decade
Of the present century, and members
Of parliament have since been despica-
bic enough to boast that by a political
maneuver only worthy of an American
old fashioned primary they had Sc
cured peace and comfort
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