New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-06-11
.SUFFRAC|STS IN KINGS
FACE SERIOUS REVOLT
Mrs. HaCkstaff Leads Movement
AGAINST Mrs. R. E. Elder,
County President.
STORM BREAKS IN CHURCH
Changes in Dues, Dates and
Methods Make Convention
Illegal, "Revolters' Say,
Forcing Adjournment.

storm which had been brewing long
In the councils of the Kings County
suffragis burst into hurricane OF tax
Yesterday at a convention Of the organ
ization held in the Unitarian church,
Flatbush. and II took a 'ong' I'm" 10
bring order out Of disorder Mrs. Robert
n. Elder. n militant suffragist. and wife
Of the First Assistant District Attorney
Of Kings County. though OF weighty per
sonalitv. was unable TO bang her gavel
loudly enough 10 drown the clamor Of
her opponents, who did not wish her TO
he reelected president and who we're
quite sure she did not want TO give them
a hearing AS result an Independent
body is 10 be formed
In their excitement women discussed
questions not pertinent 10 the meeting.
and wanted 10 read reports and 10 make
speeches after the convention adjourned.
The trouble vas started by a decision to
bar from the meeting the delegates from
two Of the clubs which had not paid their
dues Mrs Priscilla d. Hackstaff, one Of
these delegates and a rival Of Mrs. Elder
for the presidency, became indignant
when she was ruled from the hoor.
This convention is Illegal" said Mrs.
Hackstaf vehemently. 1T is provided
that nominating committee be ap-
pointed 10 send ballots to the clubs. on
which they are 10 name their choice for
officers for the coming year. This has
not been done this year. and besides the
clubs have paid but 80 cents dues. while
the constitution calls for 80 cents. The
constitution also calls for the annual
meeting in the first week OF June and
this is the second week.
Explains Reduction In Dues.
Mrs Elder explained that the sta te
body had reduced It's dues from % cents
To 90 cents. and that they had felt justi-
fed in doing the same
You had no right TO do that" said
Mrs. Hackstaf The state body does
not rule our county organization. and
YOU could not reduce the dues without
cha nging the bylaws"
Mrs r. G. Talbot Perkins moved that
the election Of officers be postponed. but
that the reports be read as a matter of
courtesy. and that the other business of
the programme be carried out.
Il hereby give notice" shouted Mrs.
Hackstaff that after the reports have
been read there will be meeting for
the consideration of the reorganization
Of the Kings County Suffragists. If YOU
put us out of this church. we will hold
the meeting in the street"
Where does your authority come in Ia
call such a meeting" asked Mrs. Ste
phen Loines.
From the fact that | am the founder
of the county organization" exclaimed
Mrs. Hackstan.
Il question that" said Mrs. Perkins
Mrs Hackstaff was as good as her
word The "revolters" met and made
preliminary plans for an independent
women's suffragist body in Kings
County.
The Bushwick League and the Strong
League, II was said would form the
nucleus OF the independent movement
Mrs Hackstaff and Miss craft declared
that they wanted 10 be In an organiZa
tion where women could have the lib
erty enjoyed by men in political organi-
cations where. as Miss Craft put II,
every body could have her say"