New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-11-27
by Ida Hustled Harper.


Philadelphia, November &c.
How have these women behaved?' was
asked of a sx-foot policeman at the door
of the convention hall where the suf-
fragists are meeting.
i've been on the job here nearly a
week" he answered, land only one wom-
an has thrown me down hard. I was
trying to close the door when the hall was
full and had to push those on the outside
a little.
Don't YOU dare 10 touch me- said one
woman. Take your hand right off of
me" and / done it. My Gawd, says
to myself, IL they do that way now what
will they do when they get the vote?"
This is the chief objection to woman
suffrage in a nutshell-that it will in
crease the power of women. one class of
men are willing that this shou,. be done
and another class are determined that II
shall not be- One class of women recog-
nize the power II will be and want it
another class do not understand il and
think they do not want it.
A gratifying feature of the convention
is the friendliness of the so-called work
ing women, as expressed through Miss
Leonora O'Reilly. the representative OF
the Women's Trade Union League. A
few years ago they looked with distrust
on the suffrage association as composed
of class that had no sympathy with
wage earners. Miss O'Reilly's own most
cordial reception at this and last years
conventions is convincing proof Of what
has always been the claim of the suf-
fragists, that II is for them above all
others they are working to get the bal
lot.
Miss O'Reilly said that when the College
Women's Suffrage League provided Coop
er Union and acted as ushers and col
lectors in order that the striking work
ing women might present their case to the
public it firmly cemented the bond be-
tween them.
"Suffragists Never Relax"
Women who have been in the habit of
going to conventions Of Daughters Of the
American Revolution. Federation of Wom-
ems Clubs and the like, but are having
their frst experience at woman SUI
frage convention ask with anstonishment:
when do you relax" Suffragists never
relax, and they long ago cut from their
annual meetings most Of the time consum-
ing social festivities. The New York dele
cation made an exception in giving
beautiful dinner at the Hotel Walton to
their honorary president, Mrs. Crossett.
Some Of the newspaper men who report
the various political conventions said they
could not compare with this one in dig
nifty, good temper. parliamentary pro-
cedure and facilitation of business. Natu-
rally, $50 strong minded women would
clash, hut there has been no loss Of self
control and defeat was accepted philo-
sophically
The new board is well equipped in every
way and has the confidence of the asso-
citation. The most serious difficulty 1t
faces is that Of finances. and this has
been the case for several years. In olden
times the members In all parts Of the
country contributed to the support of the
association: the sums for the most part
were small but there were many Of
them The widely circulated reports that
a few rich women were financing it
stopped almost wholly these contribu-
tons, which often were made al a sacri-
fee, and. as the reports had very little
foundation. the work has often Neen in
straits.
Its increasing scope and the demands
of the frequent campaigns make heavy
drains, which can only be inadequately
met About $1,000 was given or pledged