The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-09-22
For Suffrage Made By
California Women
Voters Will Decide At EIeC.
ton October 10


the state will decide by their vote
whether women shall have the right
to vote. The last time womens suf-
frage was submitted to the ballot in
this State it was defeated by only
5000 votes. Times have changed
greatly since then and advocates of
women's rights are not only more
hopeful of success than ever before
but quite confident that California
will win the honor of becoming the
sixth State in the Union to grant suf-
frage to women.
Never was a political campaign in
this State fought with greater deter
mination than the one now drawing
to close. The women of California
realized the Importance of victory
at this time and, inspired and encour--
aged by the success Of the women in
other western states, entered upon
this campaign with tremendous energy
and discrimination. When the legis-
lature decided to submit a constitu-
tional amendment, giving women the
right TO vote, to referendum vote
on October 10, it did not find the wo.
men of the State unprepared.
More than two years ago the first
step was taken to prepare the women
of California for just such an emer-
gency. 1t was Mrs. Lees Laidlaw,
chairman of the Women's Suffrage
party of New York city, who by her
individual efforts induced the women
of California 10 organize for the pur-
pose of making a fight for suffrage.
The ground was well prepared and
when the Legislature voted for submis-
sion of the womens suffrage amend
ment 10 the State constitution, the
organized women of this State were
ready to begin the battle.
Fully realizing the Importance of a
thorough and energetic campaign the
women of California sent out an ap-
peal to the friends OF women's suffrage
throughout the United States and else.
where. Nobly did their friends re-
spond to the appeal. From all parts
of the world came encouraging letters
from men and women interested in
the success of the women of Califor-
mia fighting for their rights. J. H, Braly
of Pasadena retired businessman
! of great wealth, organized under the
name Of The Political Equality League
powerful body of prominent men and
| women bound together by the com
mon desire to aid the women's suffrage
| movement.
In every State of the Union where
there are friends of women's suffrage
meetings were held, resolutions pass
ed, giving moral support to the bait
ling suffragists in California and funds
were contributed to help women OF
this State in their great struggle. The
women of New York, headed by Mrs
Laidlaw, willingly came to the assist
ance of their sisters OF the Pacific
coast Miss Jeanette Rankin, sent
by Mrs. Laidlaw; Mrs. Helen X. Hoy
Greeley Mrs, Archibald G. Fisk ant
other distinguished leaders and organ
izers of the woman's suffrage move
ment In Greater New York, came tC
California to help by word and deed IL
the campaign Large sums were rails
ed during the week of self-denial
when men and women, anxious to hell
the women in California, denied them
selves some luXuries and contributed
the money thus saved to the campaign
fund
The energetic, businesslike and ef
fectiye manner in which the women o
this state have conducted their cam
paign has been q revelation to sucl
men even who have made politics
business for many years and hav,
grown gray at it. There was no un
certainty about the methods employees
and everything was thoroughly up-to
date. The women throughout tn
! State we're thoroughly organized an,
everywhere meetings were held
speeches made and literature distri
buted. In many places house-to-hous
canvasses were made by special cou
mittees of women and all men favor
able to the movement were enliste
/ in the campaign.
The opposition, which includes man
7 distinguished and powerful men, lik
Gen. Harrison Gray Otis. former Uni
ed States senator Frank p. Flint, o:
car p. Lawlor, former assistant Unite
, States attorney general in the depar
ment of the interior; former Unite
. States senator Cornelius Cole, Pres
dent Benjamin Ide Wheeler of the Un
4 verslty of California and many Others
/ has been by no means idle and
still carrying on its campaign in a
!. parts of the State, counteracting tn
| efforts of the suffra pists with greu