The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-09-21
A GREAT BATTLE
FOR SUFFRAGE
California Women Doing Utmost
to Win Contest at Polls Two
Weeks Hence
HELP FROM OTHER STATES
After Fight of Almost Two Years
Leaders Fell Confident Of Suc-
cess IN Sixth State.

San Francisco. Calf. Sept. 21.-On
october 10, only a trihe more than
two weeks hence, the voters Of Call
|fornia, for the second time I'm the his
tory OF the state, will decide by their
vote whether women shall have the
right to vote The last time women's
suffrage was submitted to the ballot
in this state II was defeated by only
5000 votes. Times have changed great
ly since then and the advocates OF
women's rights are not only more
hopeful OF success than ever before
but quite confident that California
VIII win the honor OF becoming the
IsiXth state in the Union to grant suff-
rage to women.
Never was a political campaign i'm
this state fought with greater determ-
ination than the one now drawing to
q close. The women Of California
realized the Importance Of victory at
this time and, inspired and encouraged
by the success of the women in other
western states. entered upon this cam
paign with tremendous energy and de-
termination. When the legislature de-
cided to submit a constitutional
amendment, giving women the right 10
vote. to a referendum vote on octoher
10, it did not find the women OF tho
state unprepared.
Fight Waaed Two Years.
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. James Lees Laid
law, chairman of the Women's Suffrage
party of New York city. who by her
Individual efforts induced the women
of California to organize for the pur-
pose of making "a fight for suffrage.
The ground was well prepared and,
when the legislature voted for the
submission Of the women's suffrage
amendment 20 the state constitution,
the organized women of this state
" ere ready TO begin the battle.
Fully realizing the Importance of
Thorough and energetic campaign the
women of California sent out an ap-
peal to the friends of women's suff-
rage throughout the United States and
elsewhere. Nobly did their friends re-
spond to the appeal. From all parts
OF the world came encouraging letters
ifrom men and women interested in the
success of the women Of California
fighting for their rights. J. II. Braly of
Pasadena. a retired business man 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 70 aid the women's suffrage
movement.
Help From Other States.
In every state of the Union where
there are friends of women's suffrage
meetings were held. resolutions passed
giving moral support TO the battling
suffragists I'm California and funds
were contributed to help the women Of
this state in their great struggle. The
women OF New York. headed by Mrs.
Iaidlaw. willingly came To- the assist
lance of their sisters on the Pacific
coast. Miss Jeannettc Rankin. sent by
Mrs. Laidlaw, MIS-. Helen *. Hoy
Greeley, Mrs. Archibald G. Fisk and
other distinguished leaders and organ
lizers OF the woman's suffrage move
lment in Greater New York. came 90
california to help by word AMI deed in
the campaign. Large sums were raised
lduring the week of self-denial. when
linen and women. anxious to help the
women in California, denied them
lselves some Injuries and contributed
1.-THE money thus saved to the campaign
fund.
Campaign Bdsinesslike.
The energetic, businessiike and ef-
Elective manner I'm which the women Of
this state have conducted their cam
lpaign has been "a revelation to such
linen even who have made politics a
business for many years and gave
grown gray in 1t. There was no un-
lcertaintv about tho methods employed
and everything was thoroughly up-t0-
date. The women throughout the
states were thoroughly organized and
Everywhere meeting were held
speeches made and literature distribut-
: ed. In many places house-to-housc
lcanvasses were made by special COM
mittees of women and all men favora-
lble TO the movement were enlisted in
the campaign.
The opposition. which includes many
Y distinguished and powerful men. Tie
n Gen. Harrison Gray, otis, formei
A United States senator Frank +. Flint
: oscar Il. Lawlor. former assistant
n United states attorney general in th'
8 department Of the interior; forIne'
limited States senator Cornelius Cole
President Benjamin lde Wheeler of tn
University of California and many 9th
lers, has by no means been idle and i
y lstill carrying on It's campaign In al
n parts of the United states, counteract
a ing the efforts OF the suffragists Wit
Il great shrewdness and ability The out
IA lcome Is still doubtful, but the wome
lore oonfidpnt of suCcpes.