The San Francisco call., 1908-03-19
URGES WOMEN TO
JOIN GRAFT FIGHT
Country Needs Their Aid to
Save 1t, Pardee Tells
Oakland Club

OAKLAND, March 1s.-Before the
women of the Oakland club former
Governor George c. Pardee made a
stirring appeal for help in the struggle
for clean government and civic decency
Pardee declared that in its previous
hours of need the women had never
failed their country. He reviewed the
sacrifices made by the women of the
north and the south in the civil war.
and said that the need of their help in
the war now on against graft and cor
ruption was none the less required.s
IN the course of his address Pardee
said:
Is it not time for every American citizen to
awake TO the fact that our country's perpetuity
and the liberties Of it's people are in danger? Is
II not time for every American citizen 10 take
mat interest In ouT pescetime politics that he
takes in that Of times of war? Is 1t not
time for Us all TO realize that our liberties and
the liberties Of our children and Cur children $
chlldren are being threa tened by the tratorous
Vaccinations OF the bribe givers and their cor
rrptions and debancheries Of politics and public
otnclalss II so, the remedy lies in the hands of
the honest, patriotic people Of the country It is
not necessary that those who shall help in the
good work shall be able 10 vote.
The women Of the revolution did not bear
arms. Yet by their unwarering courage, patri-
otlsm and encouragement Of those who did the
actual fighting they added immessurably 10 the
SureneSs Of independence.
Neither the women of the south nor tile north.
ii the civil war. followed the rag hat
tleheld- Yet by sending their sons fathers
husbands TO suffer and die they did heroic worl,
on both sides So in this peacetime strife
against the foes OF the people. against the
peacetime traitors, against the brbe givers who
create the bribe takers against the corrnters
ana deoauchers OF politics and public officials
the women OF the country do good service
as they did in 1I76 and 81 and 65.
Public opinion can win wars; 1t can right
wrongs; II can reform politics: fl can often keen
corrupt men from getting into public office: If
sometimes can prevent them from doing the
things they are bribed 10 do An aroused and
vlgllant public opinion win make Schmitzes
and new Ruefs impossible and force the bribe
eivers TO cease 1outing the law and defying the
people
The women Of the country can do much very
mucn, toward forming and keeping alive public
opinion that VIII reform our politics and make
II possible to punish bribe givers aud 10 prevent
them foisfing upon bribe taking public ofn-
cfsls- The women have never failed the country
now. =
The reception was held at Pythian
castle. Elaborate decorative work in
asparagus ferns and white carnations
was done. with the American and Irish
flags entwined.
Mrs. Cora E. Jones was toastmis-
tress. Among the guests were Mrs. Ed
ward Buss of Bakersfield. president of
the state federation of women's clubs:
Mrs. Oliver Bryant a member of the
state board, and Miss Ethel Moore. a
former president OF the Home club and
acting chairman of the public health
committee
Each woman responded with clever
toast. Mrs Jessie Dean Moore sang a
charming group of songs. She was ac-
companied by her daughter. Miss Ruby
Moore.
Miss Manetta Milton was assisted in
her duties as hostess by Mrs George c.
Pardee, Miss Eta Penniman. Mrs III.
J. Patterson. Mrs. II. V. Paratt, Mrs. A.
J. Pillsbury Mrs Sara Reamer, Miss
Rau Mrs. w. d. Reed Mrs w. s. Rheem.
Mrs. J. P. Rich, Mrs. Henny Plumsner.
Mrs. 5. n Palmer, Mrs. Nellie Nelson,
Mrs. J. ". Palmer. Mrs. j. F. McGrath.
Mrs. J. S. Naismith, Mrs. A. p. Pratt.
Mrs. w. r. Peters, Mrs. A. II McKaig,
Miss Mary McElroy. Mrs. William Nc
Donald. Miss E. MacClaren. Mrs. J. L.
Mccarthy, Mrs. B. 7. Mouser, Mrs Mary
Mott, Mrs. Walter Morgan, Miss Mary
Moran. Mrs A w. Palmer. Mrs. j. F.
Potter.