Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1912-12-26


occasion to defeat The viii of a large
majority of delegates present. thus
controlling the policies and the cleo
tionS.
Upon every question the insurgents
insisted upon the plural vote, as this
necessitated roll call vote by states.
In two days we had ridden their
hobby to death and so disguised even
some of its advocates that upon the
NAL vote it was defeated by an over
a victory for the south and west and,
for democratic and twentieth century
convention methods. (.
The question upon political affilia-
| tons was heated but decidedly one
sided debate, the majority being in
| favor of officers and members retain
ing their individual right to affiliate
with political organizations, but en-
phasizing the non-political attitude of
the organization in constitutional
amendment, in resolutions and in Off
cial statements to the press.
The delegates were women of keen
intelligence and knowledge of civic
and political issues. They were hon
estly aligned with every political par
ty, but any attempt to swing their or
CARNATIONS from its non-poltical atti-
tude or to submerge in any way the
sole purpose of the organization, the
securing of unrestricted and unquali-
fed universal suffrage" was unanim-
ously denounced.
Through the entire convention there
was that spirit of friendliness which
characterizes gatherings of people in
spired with one purpose. Like our
Town conventions, the suffrage conven-
ton had one purpose, and only one
Their differences were of methods and
tactics rather than of purpose. There
was nothing of personal jealousies or
snobbishness.
Naturally SO long as the organiza-
ton is financed by contribution rather
than by dues paying system, that long
will it's policies be in the hands of
board, and thus be controlled to a
large extent by the "PoWen behind
| the throne"
The insnrgent element is quite So
cialistic, revolutionary forces ferment-
ing our union and fraternal orgapiza- |
lions are also at work in the Suffrage |
Association. There were at least ten |
red card members, and about thirty |
delegates came to me for information |
regarding Socialist work.
Near the literature booth kept
supply of the November issue of The
Progressive Woman and Comrade |
Simon's address to Women.
The Philadelphia comrades and Wo
mans committee held two large meet
ings upon Progressive Woman Day.
The speakers at these meetings were
Francis SQUIRE Potter, former member
of the Suffrage Executive Board, now
Socialist lecturer, Carrie Allen,
Mrs. Borjman of New York, Comrade |
Irwin, Jessie Ashley and Winnie E.
Branstetter, Comrade Anna Cohen act
ing as chairman.
Delegates from the Suffrage states
almost without exception expressed
their appreciation Of the assistance
rendered them by the Socialist party.
The president Of the Suffrage Associa- i,
ton. of Kansas. attributes the large
majorities for suffrage in the Third
District in Kansas and the three south |
ern tiers of counties to the Socialist
campaign. Ohio really considers their
defeat a victory and will initiate the
question again this year
( Wisconsin delegates attribute their
defeat to the campaign made against |
the amendment by the brewing indus |
tries. Upon the grounds Of several
breweriesl notices were posted which |
read DANGER! Votes for Women
will break up the home, will close
down the industries, will take the
bread from the mouths of your child
rem" The amendment was printed
upon pink paper. Many foreign work
ers would ask for the pink ballot and
vote against the @accursed red eyi'
which would take the bread FROM the
mouths of their babies"
ALI of which comes to one conclu-
sion: we have an immense work be-
fore us, comrades, not alone to bring
the great body OF Indifferent and ignor-
ant women to an understanding OF So
cialism, but to educate these foreign
workers and even some of our own
comrades within the Socialist party to
a better understanding Of the political
and industrial injustices heaped upon