New-York tribune., 1909-10-30
NTERSUFFRAGISTS
NOW A REAL PARTY.
Mrs. Clarence Mackay Chair
man of Carnegie Hall Meeting.


The theory of the woman sufrragists OF
New York and the means they intend to
use In making II an actuality were read out
10 the world by Mrs. Clarence r. Mackay
from the platform OF Carnegie Hall last
night and formally ratified by the First
Woman Suffrage Convention OF the City of
New York. The convention also elected
permanent officers. to continue its existence
as an organized party
1t was the first great convention on
woman suffrage in America called and
managed throughout entirely by women, a
fact which the leaders did not leave un-
noted. The delegates. chosen in open pri-
maries of suffragls;s voting by Assembly
districts. filed the floor of the hall The
boxes made brave showing. occupied by
patrons who had Purchased them for the
benefit of the cause. and the galleries over
flowed with visitors who were as ready
the delegates themselves to show their ap-
probation of the historic business which
was toward.
Mrs. Frederick Nathan brought the con-
vention to order with three very chairmauIy
wraps of the gavel. In her opening speech
she permitted herself the quiet pleasantly
at mankind's political methods in which
other suffrage leaders have been known To
indulge.
THE UNkINDEST CUT.
Our political methods are above re-
proach,'' she said. I'VE have copied mems
proceedings only up to a certain point; We
have not thrown out any regularly elected
delegates to this convention nor have we
taken them by the throat and forced them
into line with our programme"
Mrs. John Winters Brannau then read her
report as chairman of the committee on
nominations. and the ticket as she present.
ed it was elected forthwith The officers
were Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait permanent
president, and the following three borough
secretaries: Mrs. Priscilla d. Hackstah for
Brooklyn Mrs. Alice NJ. Clifford for Man
haitian and Mrs. Jean Penheld for The
Bronx. Mrs. Nathan then presented Mrs.
Gait as permanent chairman.
The flare and mufied explosion of a dozen
nashlight bags hung In the middle Of the
house stopped the applause with a shock
Just as it was growing into the dimensions
of a campaign demonstration. When the
audience was quiet again Mrs Gait took
the meeting in hand.
I'VE have been asked she said. what
we can gain by this convention. Well,
here are a thousand women who know what
Assembly district they live In. which they
never knew before. That Is something.
We have held a real election We have
elected delegates TO fill every seat on this
floor. We must make converts Of the
men. so that they will vote for our cause
when it comes before them; We must con-
vert the women, so they will convert the
men.
hav haar, hon hall
have woman suffrage. 1t rests with you
whether We have il in three years or ten
OF fifty. If the suTragists do one-quarter
of what those who are now really working
for us do. promise that you will have the
ballot in your hands within four years
MRS. MACKAY SPEAKS.
The chairman then introduced Mrs.
Mackay to read the platform for the con-
vention.
II hope the convention will adopt the
platform in its entirety" Mrs. Msckay
said. Many have asked ME what it is the
suffragists stand for. I am anxious that
the first full presentation OF our cause in
definite form should come from New York
and from this convention.
The woman's suffrage is a humanitarian
movement. 1t is inspired by the desire to
help social and philanthropic reforms
through the mothers active participation
in the life OF the state. We believe that
woman suffrage is not a fight for rights.
but the natural evolution of justice.
Therefore. we appeal to all men present to
join US in our work because of what their
mothers. or their wives, or their daughters
mean TO them. We appeal to all women
here tonight to join us because Of their
loyalty TO their womanhood"
HERE'S THE PLATFORM.
Mrs Mackay then read the declaration.
the cardinal points Of which are:
Men and women are born equally free
and independent members of the human
race, equally endowed with intelligence and
ability, and equally entitled to the free
exercise of their individual rights and ho-
erty.
Self-government in the home and the
state il the tnalenable right of every nor
NAL adult, and the refusal of this right
TO women has resulted in social, legal and
economic injustice TO them. and has also
intensified the existing economic disturb
ances throughout the world.
Governments which impose taxes and
laws upon their women citizens without
giving them the right Of consent. or dis
sent. which is granted to men citizens. eX-
erciSe tyranny Inconsistent with just gov
ernment.
The ballot is the only legal and perma-
liberty and the pursuit of happiness pro
nounCed inalenable by the American Decla-
ration of Independence and accepted as IN
alienable by all civilized nations.
Resolved. that We women citizens or
the city of New York. agree 10 join with
other women of our state and nation IN an
appeal to Congress 70 submit to the ieSis-
latures OF the several states an -rlendment
10 the federal Constitution which Snall pro
hibit the abridgment or the right OF any
citizen 70 vote on account or sex, ana tHat
we appeal to the Legislature OF our state
to submit to popular vote A constitutional
amendment which shall extend the tran
chse to women.
Resolved, That a deputation wait upon
the charter legislative committee OF our
Citv and urge that the following sugges-
tions be Incorporated into It's recon-
nlendations TO the Legislature:
That the charter be amended so as TO re-
quire that at least one-third OF the mem
hers of the Board OF Education be women
That the charter be amended 50 as TO re-
auire that at least three of the members
OF the board of Bellevue and Allied Hos
pitfalls be women.
That the charter be amended so TO re-
Ouire that the compensation OF teachers,
like the compensation of employees i'm the
municipal Civil Service, be determined in
accordance with the title and grade or
position and not by the sex OF the worker
And further be II resolved That meas
ureS he taken TO secure amendment OF the
Civil Service law Of the state 10 the effect
that no citizen shall be excluded from any
examination on account OF sex. unless IL
car satisfactorily be shown that such eX-
Cluslon is rendered necessary by the nature
of the work to be done
And finally. be IL resolved. That q depu-
tation wait upon the Mayor tC urge the
appointment Of women TO at least three OF