The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-05-07
Women, Meeting in Wichita,
Plan to Win.
Man Only WOman's Child, Says
Kansas Leader.
MEN ARE DECLARING FOR IT
Clubs Organized in Schools and
Colleges.
Preachers, Lawyers and Doe.
tors Favor WOmen's Votes.

Wichita, Kan, May 7.-Fraternal
greetings exchanged between national,
state and county workers opened the
Kansas equal suffrage convention in
this city this afternoon. Mrs. Lucy
B. Johnston of Topeka, the presi-
dent, presided. Among the speakers
were Miss Helen Eacker of Lawrence,
state secretary; Mrs. Matte T. Kim
ball, Manhattan; DR.. Helen Brewster
Owens, Ithaca, n. Y, national organ
izer, and Sallie B. Toler, Wichita,
representing the Wichita Federation
of Women's Clubs This afternoons
session was informal. The conven-
ton proper will be opened tonight,
when Jane Adams will speak on
Votes for Women
The delegates arrived in a drizzling
rain The convention will continue
until noon Thursday.
Mrs. Owens. state equal Suffrage
organizer, who during the last SIX
months has visited every congressional
district in the state and "a counties,
making public lectures and holding
conferences with other workers, gave
a glowing account of the work in her
report to the state convention of the
Kansas Equal Suffrage association here
today.
THE addresses delivered says Mrs.
Owens, have been given at suffrage
mass meetings, high school and college
chapels, church and revival services,
moving picture shows, parlor teas, mis-
sionary societies and street meetings.
Court room, churches and homes have
been thrown open to US; luncheonS'
banquets and pink teas have welcomed
US
Everywhere there has, been shown
an interest in the work. They have
come from many motives-earnest con-
viction, lively interest, half laughing
curiosity. But one and all have listen
ed with perfect attention and respect.
Iox O.
man Indifferent who knew what the
subject meant Others are convinced
of the justice, expediency and necessity
of giving women the ballot and many
more are anxious to learn. There is
little outspoken opposition.
THE brightest men and women of
every community visited are among
the suffragists. The ministers and
physicians are almost a unit in their
endorsement of US. Fully three-fourths
coming to us voluntarily, anxious to be
known as suffragists.
College Students Interested.
Probably one of the most encour-
aging things in the campaign is the
attitude of the Kansas colleges. I
have spoken before audiences at nine
colleges scattered over the state.
Every one of these has been an en-
thusiastic meeting. 1 count it one of
my honors that I have been the one
granted the privilege of organizing
college equal suffrage leagues in five
of these. Our young people, students |
of economics and history are most
ready to admit the logic and justice of |
our claims.
''It would be unfair to close this re-
port without reference to the loyal |
support given by the men of this state. |
This have met in the Mems League
of Lawrence and Mankato, and in the |
men, numbering over 100, who have
within the last five weeks given me |
their names as members of the State |
Mems League for Woman's Suffrage. |
The men have all been among the
and their assistance is thoroughly ap-
preciated.
1.-The general sentiment is favorable to
US. People are becoming deeply, seriously
interested. They are thinking soberly
and the result will be good.
IF we keep consistently at work, re-
Numbering the word from headquarters,
BE dignified keep sweet; if we meet
that the same man who lost Bull Run
won Gettysburg and Antietam, then ir-
deed shall we receive our reward in No
vember; then. forgetting all the sacrifices
that grand paen of joy: Free Kansas, |
the State where the People Rule -
Believes Good VIII Come of 1t.
Mrs. Cora Billiard, of Ton
ganoxie. second vice president, in her ad-
dress of welcome said:
There is only one true failure in life
and that is not to be true to the best one
knows. If I did not believe with all my
heart and head that the acknowledgment
of women would lift Kansas to higher
levels of citizenship I should not be upon
this platform If I were not satisfied be-
ycnd shadow of doubt that great good