The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-26
Autumn Plans and MoOen1ents
 Of Society Here and Elsewhere
Little Gossip About Woman Solemnized and In Prospect and Birthday PariesAlso Pro- gressive Forty two As Diversion For socety-Topics
 of Feminine Interest
By MYRTLE MILES

Those who are watching the progress of the doctrine of womans rights will be interested in the bit of history con- nected with the history of the work in Alabama, lately received from the na- tional organization.
 It was found that active work in woman suffrage began in 1890. The editor of the New Decatur Advertiser opened his col umns to all matters on the question and thus aroused local interest which cul- minated in 1892 in the formation in that town of the first suffrage club in the state There was a good deal of favor able sentiment in New Decatur, whose population was varied and most cosmo- politan. because of the presence of people from many sections.
 This first suffrage club faced however, most conservative public sentiment, ob- stacles that meet the cause wherever 1t is initiated. The seven charter members, Mrs. Harvey Lewis, Mrs. S. E. Jenkins Mrs. E. G. Robb, Mrs. A. R. Rose, Mrs. B. k. Moore, Mrs. Lucy A. Gould, Mrs. Ellen Stevens Hlldreth, were women whose names are well known in the state Following quickly upon the successful formation of this club, another was or ganized at verbena during the same year Miss Frances A. Griffin, who has since become noted as public speaker in behalf or Feminine enfranchisement, was one of the instigators in its formation. Then the state organization ,Was effected in 1893, with Mrs. Hildreth as president and Miss Griffin as secretary.
 In 1895, Miss Susan B. Anthony, the mt ,f fI.a, |. Mrs Carrie Chapman Gait, chairman of the organization committee, making tour of the south. were asked by the New De- catur club to include Decatur in their it. inerary. They were also invited by Mrs. Alberta Taylor to address the society at Huntsville. In 1896 Mrs. Virginia Clay Clopton of Huntsville was elected state president, and two years later, in 1898. she represented the association at the Ten nessee centennial. It was during the state convention held in 1900, however that Miss Griffin was elected president, Mrs. Clopton being obliged to resign. Mrs. Fay Tor presided at that meeting and Miss Julia Tutwiler was appointed state or ganizer.
 That is practically the history of the state organization. There has been no per- manent organization since 1900. But af- fairs have been in much the same case elsewhere than in Alabama. In Ken lucky the organization has survived, though 1t has not f1ourished until lately. Miss Laura Clay, one of the strongest ex- ponents of the cause tactfully and wisely has called together informally meetings of few people whose interest has been in behalf of political enfranchisement, hold ing these meetings annually just for the purpose of keeping alive the little flame of interest. There have been also in Ala bama, though few opportunities have been given for its expression, number of women faithful to the cause itself, and these. now that organizatio are spring ing up in city after city, are doing propa- ganda work in It's behalf. An especially important step will be taken, it is be- lieved, during the State Fair.