The Washington herald., 1912-03-09
NEWSOFALEXANDRIA
Miss Mary Johnston, Richmond
Novelist, Opens woman's Suffrage
Crusade with Big Rally.

three knlgntS WOulQ ilke 10 see come
into the field. and they are knowledge.
wisdom. and justice" declared Miss
Mary Johnston author and suffrage ad-
vocate, before a large audience tonight
in the auditorium Of the Elks' Home, the
occasion being Alexandria's initial meet
ing In the interest Of equal suffrage
The speaker ridiculed the idea of
women returning to where their grand
mothers were. Government for the
people, OF the people, and by the peo-
ple." she ridiculed. inasmuch as 1t ap-
piled to men only.
Miss Johnston enumerated the strides
made by women in life's march on the
great highway Of progress. Many Of
them support themselves as well as sup
porting others. she said. In Virginia
two girls graduate to every boy from
the high schools.
Cases where equal suffage was sue
cessful were cited by her. Man, she
declared. has no corner on the gray mat
ter of the world. Where women vote
about 50 per cent participate. according
to statistics. Her address was given
close attention.
Mrs. Lila NJ. Valentine, OF Richmond,
president Of the Equal Suffrage League
OF Virginia, followed. She said that the
question OF equal suffrage really rested
with the women OF Virginia. A league
has been organized In this State. and
she added that 1t would continue 10
come before the Legislature until the re-
quest for equal suffrage is granted by
that body.
Il think that when men think It over.
they will find it is honest and tnst," she
asserted.
Mrs. Valentine created a ripple Of
laughter by asserting that from time
immemorial the women OF Virginia had
been praised like angels, but when II
came to voting they were, under the Con-
sttution, placed in a class with both
the child, lunatic. and idiot. The speaker
referred to the progress OF New Zealand,
where equal suffrage prevails.
A short address in the beginning was
made by Representative c. c. Carl!n,
who introduced the speakers. He as
serted he had carefully avoided taking
sides on this issue, but he added: when
women satisfy the men that they want
equal suffrage they will get It"
Robert S. Barrett presided at the meet
ing. which was opened with a short
prayer by Rev. G. A. Luttrell, pastor OF
Trinity Methodist Church.
Those favoring equal suffrage declared
tonight that the meeting has aroused
considerable enthusiasm and before long
with the movement.
Miss Johnston and Mrs. Valentine were
this afternoon rendered a reception by
Mrs. Kate Waller Barrett atthe lat
tsTs residence, and tonight a dinner
was given.
The charge preferred against Mrs. Sig
nora w. o. Vickers, a Washington hair
dresser. Of withholding two switches Of
hair belonging to Mrs, Annie NJ. Dun
bar, OF this city, was dismissed in the
Police Court this morning, following q
hearing before Justice OF the Peace Har-
ris White, who sat in the case. Justice
White, in dismisslng the case, ruled that
1t was one for a civil court.
Immediately after the dismissal OF the
case Attorney Crandal Mackey, on be-
half of Mrs. Vickers, entered suit in the
Circuit Court for this city to recover
damages in the sum OF 5000 from Mrs.
Dunbar.
The question OF having the Bible read
in the public schools here is again being
agitated by the Ministerial Association
of the city. they having some time since
put the matter up to the local school
board. The committee on discipline OF
that body has recommended that this
question be submitted to the various re-
ligious bodies of the city that they may
select from the Bible whatever excerpts
they may deem proper to be read.
Mayor Woody, a nonresident, reports
to the police that he was knocked down
by two white men yesterday afternoon.
while in the northeastern section OF the
city. and rolled" for SIS. The police
have taken in custody a man giving the
name OF Charles Perry, twenty-one years
old. who says his home is in Wash
ington on suspicion Of knowing some
thing OF the affair.
Frank A. Wise, a former Alexandrian.
died Sunday last. according to news re-
ceived here, in San Francisco. He was
seventy years of age, and a son OF the
late George P. Wise, who. in the early
ffties, was mayor Of this city.
The committee from the chamber Of
commerce which attended the good roads
rally in Manassas yesterday, made its
report this afternoon at a meeting of the
board Of directors OF that institution.
The 'Old Folks Concert was given by
a number Of young people this evening
at the Del Ray schoolnCuse, Alexandria
County. Funds derived from the affair
will be for the benefit Of the Del Ray
Methodist Church.
Harry Patterson Hopkins, organist of
the Franklin Street Presbyterian Church,
Baltimore, tonight gave an organ recital
at the Second Presbyterian Church. He
was assisted by Miss Mary Brewington,
OF Washington College. The affair was
under the auspices of the Westminster
League OF he Second Presbyterian Church.
E. S. Martin, scout commissioner Of
tonight delivered a talk be-
fore the Boy Scouts Of this city.
Harrie White has been appointed to act
as expert in land values in the annex
alton proceedings recently instituted by