The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1910-04-15
SUFFRAGETTES
"DEPL0RE' THE
TAFT INCIDENT
Pass Strong Resolution Practi.
cally Censuring the Kissing
of the President
CONDUCT IS STILL ANIMATED
SUBJECT OF CONVERSATIONS

Oklahoma Women Believe They Will
Secure tie Right of Suffrage in the
Near Future-Report of Associa.
tons Treasurer Heard,
l. Washington. April 15-In expia-
ton of the kissing which greeted the
remarks of President Taft last night
at the Forty-second annual conven-
ito nof the National American Woman
Suffrage association, in which he did
not endorse the entire position of the
suffragists, the convention today
adopted resolution of thanks and ap-
probation for his words of welcome
The resolution described Taft as the
first incumbent of his Office to recog-
nize Tcially our determination to Sc
cure complete democracy, thereby tes-
tify!ng his conviction as to its pow
er and growth" and that the presi-
dents seriousness, honesty and
ifriendliness had Converted what
might have been an empty form into
an official courtesy, historic alike for
adopted unanimously by a rising vote.
President Taft's address before the
association and the manner in which
lit was received was the subject of
conversation among the delegates pre-
vious to their meeting, as they gath
cred in groups in the hotel corridors
to discuss the incident which was
termed by many as "deplorable." The
officers and great number of dele
gates expressed regret at its occur
ence.
Today's session of the convention
was preceded by conference on prac-
tical methods of work, at which Mary
Hutcheson Page Of Massachusetts, pre-
sided. The subject was discussed by
Mary Waredellett of Massachusetts
and several others.
When Rev. DR.. Anna Howard Shaw
called the convention to order the
4 reports were reed from South Dallo-
1 tta,s Oregon Washington and Oklahoma
in which states the association has
campaigns pending.
In Oklahoma
The report of the Oklahoma asso-
citation shows that the women of the
new state are leading determined
fight. A petition bearing nearly 4O.-
600 signers to strike the word male"
from the state constitution has been
prepared and asks that the question
be submitted to the voters at the next
special or regular election in Okla
foma in 1910
! Mrs. .Biggers reported that one of
! the surprises in store came when they
presented the petition to the secre-
tary of state. The women. being po-
litical nonenttties, could not take the
receipt The secretary Of the Okla
homa Federation Of Labor consented
to stand as guardian for the sex mi
nors and 'thc receipt was made out in
his name.
"The anomoly of these women. many
of them middle aged and gray haired,
requiring young man to act as guar.
dian was a surprise. as we'll as an
object lesson in the injustice per-
petrated on women" declared Mrs.
Biggers.
$50 quietly had the names to the pc
tition been secured that it caused con-
sternation among the politicians when
the women presented the completed
petition with 3S,5S6 signers, to the
secretary of state. The aspirants for
political berths. whose records might
not stand the test of women voters,
Immediately conferred with view to
preventing the petition from being
presented to the people. This anxiety
to attack the petition was one of
the strong proofs Of the general pro-
phecy that the vote on our amendment
would surely carry. If those who
manipulate our politics had not been
confirmed in this opinion they would
, have permitted the question to be vot-
ed upon. They dared not take this
risk. Immediately the plan of sus-
! pending action on tine petition was
suggested. on the absurd charge that
5000 OF the signatures were fraudu-
lent A hearing was granted by the
secretary Of state January %. The
Suffrage association was ably defend
ed by three of Oklahoma's eminent
! lawyers. Judges ]. l.. Brown. ]. B.
Robertson and P. Nagle. these men
being prominent in the Republican.
Democratic and Socialist parties. The
secretary of state sustained the pett-
ton. whereon the remonstrant ap-
pea!ed to the supreme court. He was
allowed forty days in which to file
his brief. At the expiration Of the
time, he was unable to sustain his
charges and prayed for further ex-
tension, which the court granted. He
was given until APRIL / to produce
proof Of his allegations. Meanwhile
we are losing no time in working our
campaign.
Treasurer's Report.
Harriet Taylor Upton. treasurer Of
the national association, presented
her report showing the total receipts
of the year 1909 to have been $21.-
466.OS. The disbursements were
$19.S14.5O.