New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-03-02
Tribute to His Work Left by the
Late Mrs. Howell.
PUT THROUGH FIRST BILL
Story Of the Measure Passed BY
the Assembly with His Help
in Winter of 1892.
To III. Editor Of The Tribune.


To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: A few days ago the death Of Mrs.
Mary Seymour Howell. Of Mount Morris,
y. Y, was announced in the New York
papers. / had just received from her a
testimonial to Governor Sulzcr, which sh.
was very anxious to have published. and
send it now, hoping that it may speak
for her. even though she has gone.
A number OF New Yorks good laws fo'
women are duo to the work OF Mrs How.
ell and Mrs Lille Dcvereux Blake. Of
New York City. who in the sos and Ys
went every winter TO tho Legislature 10
their behalf. and also to secure the sub
mission OF A woman suffrage amendment
Mrs. Howell possessed great beauty and
womanly charm, and was exceedingly
popular among the legislators. She was q
much loved friend OF Susan y. Anthony.
IDA Hustled HARPER.
New York. Feb %. 1918.
In the winter Of 1852 a working wo1ns ne
bill had been introduced In the Legislature
by the late Hamilton Wilcox, and twe
weeks before the Adjournment Miss An
thony. Mrs. Blake and myself spoke fo,
the bill before the Judiciary Committee Of
which Mr.. Suzer WAS chairman. The
next Monday evening he came TO me anc
said IL / would draw up fun suffrage
bill that night he would introduce II al
once and his committee would report y
favora bly-as they would not the WORKING
woman's bill. He also said that II woule
lobby all that week. With his help, NJ
felt sure it could be passed. I did as b
told me. The bill was introduced tina
night and spent every waking hour o.
tho next week working for II.
Early Friday morning. when Inc Oh,
was called NJ for the fnal VOTE hal
seen every member and knew Just ~net
II. stood Soon an Asscmblyman said
MIR. Howell. the bill hae passed lo'
We arc even now beyond the needed num-
Der. S5''
had worked ten years in that Lesisa
ture and this was the first time I'll,
suffrage bill had been adopted 80 "hen .
heard such glorious news | grew lam.
A member gave me glass Of water arc
said: You were never pale at deiea1
no" I answered ~ defeat strs my
blood 10 action, but victory toucnes 'n'
hearts strings with such JOY that TOT
uomcnt they forget TO throb.
Inst then Speaker Brush, with the OF
N
brcn given 10 ne in the Legislature 81
nounced the passage OF the OIL D!
yotes saving. The Assembly VIII nov
take recess 70 congratulate "'
Howell" And every member gave ms
handclasp.
II was the last speech James w hus'''
made in the House, as the Lcslss'
adjourned tho following week anu y
died the next September he llAe ~,
Sulzer. was a champion or inc ise''v
OF woman. and for many years spohe q"
laborcd for us. That day he SAID 10 III
"J talked for the bill until my VOICE a"'
strength failed me-" for he nad ''sN
from a sick-bed TO be there 10 he'p VS.
ON Monday | was IN the seha'o
nv bill in my hands straight No"' "
Engrossing Committee, ana 'he Nv"
three days fairly lived there, tdhins
meals AZ the lunch counter IN one OIL v"
corridors. II came out Of the Juo'''e''
Committcc, and twenty Senators
were pledged TO me. only seventeen '.'
required. The late Senator 'ogses"''
hastencd back from New YORK !" Wv
and the late Governor Flower mao p'V"
ised 20 sign the bill. but the pre'''
officer. Lieutenant Governor Niiha"
Sheehan. who had always peen y.
iiercest enemy. managed to prsVeh'
until time for the fnal Adjournment
midnight. Il,
Under our former state constitution :"
ablest lawyers in and out OF the tes'
lature and presidents OF our law sen'''
said woman could vote. -.
IL would take another article 10 -
the history OF the noble men who We,
with us. who worked Tor us ana d'' VIZ
utmost for us. Many OF them nave p"'
on. but their names are enrolled a'"V
the lovers Of equality. and In our "'''
arc held with grateful remempran''.
Governor Sulzer is also the states"'~
who. In 1894, when Miss Anthony anu y.
helpers we're going through the s
rolling up a petition of SIX hun'.
thousand to take to the Consu'uuo
Convention. invited her TO hold W."
meeting in the Assembly chamber 30
was then Speaker OF the House. lhe NE.
| spoke nc presided. and before no'
crowded with brilliant audience
made fearless. eloquent plea io' "." .,
suffrage. and at the close he asho"
the sinews OF war and had Senator
up the collection. His words "e''
full Of pathos and wit that there
tears and smiles on the faces OF tue -
pie as the money rolled up into the "''
dreds.
This is Governor Suffers reeo'u
woman suffrage-clear, clean. wi'nos'
flaw. The years and the cause nave
waiting for him. waiting for tn's %
OF the people. Of all the people. ana o"'
his administration the victory for "o'
suffrage will be achieved.
MARY SEYMOUR HOWELL
Mount Morris, jan s. pla