Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1911-07-27

government Of the town, county, state
or nation. Not only our material inter
ests but our charities and efforts to help
other people are now being assumed by
government. The failure of people to
realize that public charity is the collect
i've duty of the individual has resulted in
many disgraceful conditions. But VEN
ture to say that when women wake up
to the fact that their naturally charitable
instincts should be employed, not only on
personal amelioration of the conditions
Of one poor man or family, the perfectly
disgraceful conditions of the almshous es
of Maryland will no longer exist.
What want briefly to make plain as
possible Is that women are waking up to
these responsibilities. Five states give
the full franchise to women. Kansas
gives municipal franchise; and over
fifteen states give women voice on
questions of education and taxation.
England has had for seventeen years full
municipal franchise. Australia and zea-
land have full franchise; 80 have Finland,
Denmark, Norway and Sweden. In all
these states and countries, the influence
of women has been felt on the side of
legislation which helps and uplifts the
people, and they have always voted for
the best man, and their homes are still
intact,
Are our eastern states to lag behind?
Are we to wait while other countries
adapt themselves to the needs of one
half the population? If you, who are
comfortable, feel no desire to enter on
new development, are you willing to turn
aside from the women who need protec-
ton? Eight million women are now
working in the United States on one
half the wages for which men work,
often under conditions which endanger
their lives, health, and honor. We
women know that only legislation by
women for women can avail to protect
this enormous working class against the
greed of corporations and trusts. 1t is
no use W say ~ udSh w Jo"A ""'A'~''
They are protecting their homes and
feeding their families by their work and
80 the woman with taxable property
ions hands with the woman who tolls
for representation. Now here in Mary
land We are preparing bill for quail
fed suffrage for women. Men have seen
fit TO give an unlimited suffrage to them
selves, but in view of it's abuses, we are
asking for a sufficient qualification to
give every woman who can show some
intelligence and some character the right
to be represented. Montgomery, Talbot,
Baltimore, Frederick counties have al
ready active organizations. Will you not
extend the work in this large and pros
porous county and stand ready at the next
legislature to prove that the women OF
Frederick county need the ballot to pro-
tect their homes and children, and that
they are real citizens.
The addresses were all listened to very
attentively and seemed much appreciated.
Next week will appear the address deiv-
cred by Miss l.. C. Trax, field secretary
of the League.
After the addresses, number of cards
were distributed through the audience,
many of which were signed up as want
ing to know more of Womans Suffrage.
A parlor meeting was held at the Mil
Ter House Tuesday afternoon at o'clock.
At this meeting the following officers
pro tenn were elected for Woman Suf-
frage Club of Thurmont: Mrs. G. E.
Rogers, president; Miss Kathleen Beard,
secretary; Miss Emma Eyler, treasurer.
During the summer propaganda work
will be carried on, and it the autumn a
permanent organization will be formed.
The club has very bright future, and
expects to send representatives to the
fall meeting of the State Equal Franchise
League, and to the suffrage delegations
to 90 before the Legislature next Win
ter.