Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-10-23
POLITICIANS EYE
PLANS OF WOMEN
Watch Peoria Convention,
Where Suffragists' Policy
May Be Decided.

Chicago, H., Oct. 23.-Politlcians
have centered their attention on the
three day state convention of the Hi
nois Equal Suffrage association in
Peoria beginning on Nov. 6.
The bel.igerent attitude taken by
some suffragists in the late Fifth su-
preme court campaign has increased
the general interest, in this approaching
session. Gossip indicates there will
be a clash between the element led
by Mrs. Grace Wilbur Trout, president
of the association, and the women
who side with Mrs. Medill Mccormick.
Mrs. Antoinette Funk, and Mrs. Sher-
man Booth over the advisability of
the fight the three women made in be-
half of the progressive nominee Tor
supreme judge, Arthur H. Shay.
Mrs. Trout wrote letter to Thomas
A. Grier, a conspicuous business man
OF Peoria, saying the projection of the
woman issue into the campaign wa
no part of the policy of the state or
ganization. The same position was
taken publicly by Mrs. H. NJ. Brown,
president of the Peoria association,
which will entertain the state conYen-
, ton next month.
The politicians, particularly those
/ interested in the coming legislative
campaign, are interested TO know what
steps will be taken by the organized
women in regard to the next general
assembly. II has not been indicated
that the women will insist on immedi-
ate submission of a general suffrage
amendment to the constitution, as has
been the policy of those who accept
the leadership Of Mrs. Catherine
Waugh McCulloch. Nor is there a
sign that the women will campaign
the legislative districts for a legisla-
ture which viii plug up possible de-
tects in the present statutory suffrage
act or which will pass it again If the
supreme court declares the present
statute unconstitutional.
The "wets" are wondering whether
ftle suffrage convention will make an
organized attack on the liquor inter
ests. with particular reference to the
local option issue.
Politicians generally think the wet
and dry" issue cannot be kept under
cover In the coming legislative con.
tests. With the United ates senator.
7 chin aIfp,fpatad oe n la1islo,iva ,-o,,,
sition, there is nothing else to fight
about. they say, inasmuch as every
other proposition OF importance al
Springfield gets down 20 a straight
. wet and dry" lineup before being
disposed of
Local option elections will be held
in twenty-three Illinois municipalities
next month under the city and village
local option law. The women will have
their first chance to vote directly OF
the saloon ques ion. 1t generally is
, held that every one Of the twenty
three places will go dry" Information
from the various localities shows the
women organized almost solidl,
: against the saloons.
: The elections are possible at this
time because general elections will b,
: held in the sixteen counties of tn,
state, not under township organiza
, ton. to elect one county commission
er. The twenty-three places were pc
titions have been filed and wher,
local option elections are impeding
are: Thebes. Mound City, Grant
Chain. Pinckneyville, Percy, Baldwin
!, Coulterville. Battery Rock. Petersburg
, Athens. ROsiclaire. Mounds. Ullin
Metropolis. Duquoin. Willisville, Rock
ford. Stellville. Cave-in-Rock, jackson
Vile. Beardstown and Kampsville
F.. Neariy all these are in southern III
D nois. Jacksonville is the largest cit
g involved. and Is the only one nov
Y dry"
s The women are reported to hav
trouble broiling over the financial rs
suits OF a recent newspaper specis
edition. and over the officers to b
elected at Peoria
Incidentally Senator Sherman is o
, the program to address the wome
at one OF the convention sessions.
James c. MoShane yesterday issue
statement which sail be has nj
? started actively as a candidate for n
n democratic nomination for Unite
d States senator. but admitted many {
e my personal friends have suggeste
that I become 2 candidate