The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-31
MRS. JACOBS ON THE
/ SELMA CONVENTION
Was Successful Beyond Her
Expectation
PREDICTS SUCCESS
Expects to See Equal Suffrage in
Alabama Before 192O-COnyen-
ton Gave Impetus to Move
ment Throughout State

Tho great significance of the Selma
EQUAL Suffrage convention is that We had
a convention" said Mrs. Solon Jacobs,
president Of the Alabama Equal Suffrage
association, on her return last night from
Selma. Mrs. Jacobs was enthusiastic
over the suffrage outlook in Alabama and
e optimistically of its prospects.
fe will have equal suffrage in Ala
before 1920" she said. The de-
"a now on the state association for
ature on the woman suffrage is more
tAal we can supply. The Selma conven-
s.6-the first convention of the equal
rage association in Alabama, was a
6sinorable one. as well as an historical
so, 1t showed us that In the past few
aiaaths since the state association was
ned that we had progressed to hold
onvention with delegates representing
parts of the state in attendance.
rhe Selma convention was successful
ond my expectations. The delegates
ne with the earnest desire to promote
~ cause and there was no time lost
discussion of various welfare move
nts. 1t was all for woman suffrage
"a the delegates were there to do their
most to promote the propaganda OF
lal suffrage in the best way to attain
isfactory results.
Every Session Crowded
The attendance at the convention was
nderful, every session being crowded
tn interested visitors, among whom
re noticeable several men. The people
Selma were very courteous to the
fr.rr ntae Id 4l&Ot.. T..
" to make their stay in Selma very
>. iasant. The convention was greai
d petus to woman suffrage in Selma, as
fore left there the secretary of the
lima association informed me that ap-
cations were pouring in on her for
imbership in the cause.
The first convention of the suffragists
10 gave an impetus to the cause
throughout the state as the reports OF
rat it accomplished We're published
padcast and will inform the women oil
Alabama that the movement for equal
suffrage in this state has advanced from
theory to practical results and that wom-
EN- suffrage in Alabama, instead of being
dream, will be an accomplished fact
within the next five or six years.
I'VE want to inform the women of Ala
bama of our movement. The equal suf-
frage association is not only working to
create sentiment that will impress the
solons when the legislature meets to pass
a suffrage bill, but is working in the
meantime to educate all the women of
Alabama to what women suffrage means
and how best to utilize the vote when
we get it. The suffrage movement is
an educational one. Women don't want
to vote just to vote-they want the ballot
because with 1t they can secure the re-
forms for the general good OF humanity
that the men in all their wiseness would
never accomplish. We are educating the
women of Alabama on the uses the ballot
can be put to when they get it. The
ballot to the women Of Alabama will
mean better and more schools and there
fore a higher standard of education. 1t
will mean the adjustment of child labor
and of various other reforms of a like
nature
1.-THE beauty of the suffrage move
ment Is its altruism; it gives the women
of the leisure class an opportunity to
do something for her less fortunate sis
ters that will be of benefit to the entire
feminine world. | take no stock in the
insane statements of correspondents who
prate about alleged dissensions in the
national women suffrage association be-
cause of the so-called leisure class ele-
ment being in power. There is no such
element in power.
Want Women of LEISURE
This element is the pillar of the
suffrage movement. If it wasn't for them
the suffrage movement would not have
advanced as 1t has. The women of the
leisure class can afford to go around
stirring up enthusiasm for the move
ment which the women of other classes
cannot do. The suffrage movement is
a great thing for the women of the
leisure class 1t is in my opinion her sal
vation for in her leisure moments she
can go out and do yeoman Service for
squal suffrage. ! only wish more women
II the leisure class in Birmingham would
take up equal suffrage as they can do
30 much for the movement.
'"rhe equal suffrage association of
Alabama today stands on its own feet
e has just been through its. first con-
vention which was successful beyond ex-
pectations 1t is receiving requests for
literature on women suffrage. from all
parts of the state in such volume that
4 cannot supply the demand, thus show
ing the great interest throughout Ala
pama in women suffrage. IT is doing
rreat educational work in preparing the
women on the uses of the ballot and of
.he great economic questions that will
confront them when they get it. 1t is
ioing a work that will bring women suf-
rage TO the women of Alabama within