Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1912-08-15
Equal Suffrage Banquet.


the banquet scheduled for Wednes-
day noon. Old Sol had a good-na-
tured grin on his face. 1t was re-
Elected on the countenance of all who
wended their way to the park club
house. The ladies of that useful or
ganization had decked the tables
with bonny yellow blooms. Even
some wore the colors themselves, and
we are sure they never prepared a
better dinner than that which they
served to the Equal Suffrage Club
and its guests, which approximated
$50 and might have been doubled
had there been time to hunt for more
chicken. Brother Gillis informed us
he had some anti chickens penned
up at his place that were mighty
fine" but of course we never patron
ize that breed of fowls.
Mr.. and Mrs. Robert Conklin were
the guests of honor.
Shortly after the first tables were
filled DR.. Matte B. Shaw, our charm
ing little president, introduced the
exercises, with an invocation by Rev.
Stephen A. Douglas.
Mayor Neil gave brief speech of
welcome to one and all, including
our various visitors, particularly to
Mrs. Conklin, president of the South
ern Oregon Equal Suffrage Associa-
ton. He incidentally said that he
had always been a believer in the
movement and prophesfed that suf-
frage would win at the coming cleo
tion by majority of 1866 votes.
Mrs. Conklin responded in a digni-
fled manner. 1t is no wonder that
her own town appreciates her and
has put on banquet for next week
to which they have invited the Off
cial members of the Ashland Equal
Suffrage Club.
Mr.. B. j. Greer was next called
upon to speak. He said that since
woman has been forced out, by cir
cumstances, to supply herself with
the necessities of life, she has a right
that must be recognized by every fair
minded citizen, to regulate laws that
pertain to her welfare in the labor
marts. While he did not prophesy
a great reform fifteen minutes after
she began to vote, he did believe that
great energy for the uplifting of
mankind would be set in motion that
would rebound to the welfare of our
nation.
Mr.. Robert Conklin confessed to
the fact of having been converted to
the womans suffrage cause but two
years, but so effectively that there
was no "backsliding" for him.
Mrs. Lambkin, one of our vice
presidents, responded gracefully at
the call and made her initial speech
for the movement
Mr.. Burns added to the amuse-
ment by citing a case where women
sat on the jury, where woman was
accused of throwing a stone with
malice aforethought and breaking a
window. The jury went straight to
the heart of the matter and decided
that was impossible, as a woman
never hit anything at which she
aimed He was almost eloquent
when he referred to the fact that the
balance of voting power was tipping
slowly but surely toward the en-
franchisement of women.
Mr.. Gillette confessed he had al
ways voted for women to have the
ballot, and always should.
Mr.. Briggs, president of the Com
mercial Club, was too modest to
voice his sentiments, but introduced
in his stead DR.. Edwards of Califor-
mia, who made a splendid impression
as he voiced what his state had ac-
complished since women vote, and
said the propdest day of his life was
when he escorted his wife and daugh-
ters to the polls and they cast their
votes for civic Righteousness.
DR.. Shaw's remarks are too hu-
morous for this scribe to produce
but he struck the high keynote in his
last remarks for that great moral re-
form which they would bring to pass.
Mr.. Campbell gave a most delight
full reading delicately dedicated to
the antis, which provoked enthusias-
tic applause.
Mr.. Lemery strongly urged that
women be given the ballot because
of their upholding of all those prin-
ciples that make for civic righteous
ness.
Mrs. Shaw then closed this happy
affair with an announcement of a
business meeting in the park. Thus
closed an event not soon to be for
gotten by those participating.
MRS. NJ. Nj. EDMUNDS,
Press Cor Eqlal Suffrage Club.