Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1912-03-27
DR.. Founders
Modest Request
By OSCAR cox
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.

There is an old Dutch town not a
hundred miles from New York which
up to few years ago, when a but
ton factory was located there, was
very much in the condition of New
York when that city was called New
Amsterdam. They have a church
there where the congregation has
been used to listening to the same
kind Of preaching ever since the place
was settled, and the same organist
has discoursed the same kind of music
for half century.
A new minister was called to the
church recently, but his call to the
passionate was followed by his being
called down, for he shocked the con-
gregation by preaching socialism and
woman's rights. He had been chosen
on account Of his name, which was
Founder, the congregation thinking
that they would listen to the same
pulpit hammering to which they had
been so long accustomed. When they
fired" him he took up his favorite
causes, deyoting himself to them ex-
clusively.
Miss Katrina Van Schoonerhoven, a
member of this antiquated congre-
cation, one day lost her bearing so
far as to permit the use Of her domi-
Gle for a suffragette meeting. From
every side came protests that one Of
the old Dutch circle should lend her
house for such purpose. Miss Van
Schoonerhoven explained, averring
that she was not suffragette herself
and had lent her house for a purpose
of which she did not even approve. In
the midst of her embarrassment there
came ring at the telephone
Are you Miss Van Schoonerhoven?
was asked in a sonorous voice.
II am
II am DR.. Founder. l understand
that meeting Of suffragettes recently
took place at your house. hope to
make that meeting the beginning of
a movement
"But, doctor, 1 lent my house only
for purpose in, which I take no per-
sOnal"-
1--WE are intending to make a stir in
behalf of the suffragette movement,
and am counting on your personal in
fuence to-
Il assure you that I am not myself
a suffragette; that r.
II can't hear you. What we want is
to stir up the town in the hope that
we may carry the suffragette ticket at
the next election and give the privilege
to women that is now left solely with
men; that we may eradicate that
clause in the national constitution
which gives the franchise to all except
women, Indians and idiots
II tell you l shall have nothing to
do with your endeavor for the suffra-
gette course. 1 take no interest in it.
I don't approve of IT,
"Just so. knew you would be with
US from the moment I heard that the
had taken place at your home.
am arranging for big meeting to
be held on the corner of Van der Deck
er and Blocker streets. Your name
will be announced in the newspapers
as the principal speaker. I am sure
your eloquence will win many influen-
tial persons to our ranks"
'Dr. Founder, If you dare announce
my name in the newspapers as speak
er at your meetings shall never speak
to you again.
"You say you consent? I knew you
would. We are going to have a brass
band in attendance; there will be
crowds Of women distributing suffra-
gette pamphlets and no end of enthu-
siasm. You will be mounted on soap
box-1 have box provided-and po-
|icemen will be on hand to see that you
are not jostled by the crowd"
''Dr. Pounder!''
'There will be fireworks
"Dr. Pounder!''
Tin the evening"
"Dr. Founder, wish you to under
stand that l will have nothing to do
with your meeting, and If you insist
upon mixing me up with the affair
shall call upon my lawyer to get out an
Injunction to prevent you.''
II will call for you myself in a
carriage at Z O'clock and assist you
to the soap box. A lfmelight will be
in an opposite window that
will illuminate your face while speak