Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1911-03-21
EQUAL FRANCHISE
DISCUSSED BY
THE CIVIC CLUB
Mrs. F. II. SOmmer and Others
Tell Why They Wish
to Vote.

Equal Franchise formed the topic
of a number of interesting addresses
yesterday afternoon at a meeting Of
the Civic Club, held in the Public
Library. The president. Mrs. Harry
Campton, presided. II Miss Emma l..
Richards, president of the Essex Coun-
ty Woman Suffrage Society. was the
chairman of the program and intro
duced the speakers. These were Mrs.
Frank IL. Sommer, wife of former
Sheriff Frank H. Sommer, who made
her maiden speech for the cause of
woman suffrage, which she outlined in
ten reasons why she is an advocate OF
granting the ballot to women. Il be-
lieve in equal suffrage because / refuse
to be classed with idiots, convicts n
other incompetents who are disfran-
chised of their right to vote, and be-
cause 1 want to help, by my vote, in
seeing that our children are properly
attended to in the home, the school and
places of recreation
Mrs. Beatrice Maybaum Stern, the
county chairman of the New Jersey
State Federation of Women's Clubs,
gave her reasons for wanting the bal
lot, and urged the appointing of women
on school boards.
Mrs. Pamela Eakins, a member of
the Kearny Board of Education, spoke
on suffrage, and said in part:
at admit that 1t will be necessary
for the men to train the women after
they are granted the right to vote.
The men say that our place is at home;
that there is no DON for women In
politics. Isn't 1t better for the women
20 be in politics than attending matt
nees and bargain sales? How many OF
our men would be so well educated In
politics IL It had not been necessary for
them to vote.
st believe In the influence of women's
clubs In accomplishing results In civic
matters. Woman's influence Is recog-
nized in every way today except In a
legal way. For years women have been
doing charitable. religious n educa-
tional work beside filling her place III
society, but women have been working
without weapons. Women, therefore,
cannot cope with forces lined up ard
trained. The great weapon of modern
civic success is the ballot
Miss Hester E. Hosford, a member
of the faculty of the Orange High
School, said she believed In oma
suffrage first, because 1t is democratic.
1t seems as If there would not be 80
many problems confronting us after
all these years If the menhad conducted
affairs more creditably. Responsibility
develops character. and responsibility
always gravitates to those who are able
10 assume 1t. Personal liberty Is not to
deprive others Of rights. If all men
were just there would be no need for
woman suffrage But while statistics
show that five million wonen are
obliged TO earn heir living, it looks as
though men mad not lived up to their
opportunity.
Mrs. Idella Gardner, a vice-president
Of the Essex County Suffrage Society,
spoke of the effect which equal suffrage
would have on the so-called red light"
districts and in the ultimate cleaning
up Of vice. She was followed by Mrs.
Sarah e. Rowan. who spoke briefly.
Mrs. Harry Campton, president of
the Newark Civic Club. was the last
woman to speak in favor of woman
suffrage.
That the women have enough re-
sponsibility on their shoulders in their
care of the home vas the contention
of Mrs. Jennie suderley. of Arlington.
Mrs. Suderley has been active in the
ranks of the anti-suffragetteS