The Detroit times., 1913-03-06
.SUFFRACIST
BATTERS ANTS
'CONTENTED'PLEA
IF You're Happy, Thank God,
But Don't Forget Less
Fortunate Sisters"
MRS. HACKSTAFF VISITS
OPPOSITION ROOMS
Tells Opponents of "VOtes for
Women" They're Allies
of the Saloon

IF you are so fortunate as to be
perfectly happy and contented with
your lot. you need to go into your
closets. go down on your knees and
thank God. but don't forget your sis
tiers that are not so happy and fortu
nate"
These were the words addressed
to Miss Helen Keep, secretary OF the
local anti-sufYragists, and. Mrs. Gar
vim DENLY, niece of Mrs. George
by Mrs. Priscilla HackstafY. Of Brook
lyn, prominent New York suffragist
who arrived In Detroit. Wednesday
on her way to Bay City, to assist In
the campaign, and decided to pass
the time by paying friendly visit "a
the headquarters of the opposition In
the Majestic building.
Mrs. Hackstan was politely re-
ceived and questioned as to her be
liefs. When she revealed herself the
"antis" told her that they were not a
lot of disconnected women like the
suffragists but perfectly happy and
contented.
1t was at this stage Of the con
versation that Mrs. Hackstaff made
her emphatic retort.
Il then told Them" said Mrs. Hack
staff. that the chief opponents of re-
form are those who are so satisfied
that they do not desire change and
the depraved who hate reform as In
imical TO their interests. When ! said
this meant the saloons.
II asked them how they liked their
company, and they answered that
they did not admit the truth OF what
| said.
Il went on to tell them that was
just as much a home woman as they
were. said: The woman who es'
tablishes a home of her own with
the right kind Of husband and with
her own children around her, Is the
best kind OF woman. After having
brought a soul into the world, she is
under an obligation to that soul which
she has no right to delegate to any
other human being. She must see
that the very best conditions are
brought about for the governing OF
the home in which that child is to be
raised and for making the laws under
which that child must live
The anti-suffragists babe Mrs.
Hackstaff polite and affectionate
farewell. and she returned to suffrage
headquarters in the Grand Circus
building. She left Thursday morning
for Bay City.
Mrs. Hackstaff has been married 81
years, and Is the mother OF six chill
dren. She figured prominently in or
ganizing the Interurban Woman Sui
frage council which has member
ship OF $4,000 New York women. She
is an expert parliamentarian. Her
family Is behind her in all she does
for suffrage.
Miss Laura Clay. descendant OF
Henry Clay. who Is In Detroit help.
ing the local suifragists in their cam
paign for votes. will deliver an ad-
dress in the meeting Of the Adcraft
club. Grand River-ave. and Washing
ton blvd, Thursday evening, at s
O'Clock, following the weekly target
talk. She will speak on woman suf-
frage and endeavor to show why 1t IL
necessary in the interest OF the ma.
ton that the woman's viewpoint
should be represented in the making
of laws.
Mrs Beatrice Forbes Robertson
Hale will give a suffrage address in
Wyandotte, Saturday afternoon, at
2:3O. speaking in Odd Fellows hall.
The meeting Is in charge of Mrs. j.
II. Bishop and Mrs. James A. Hurst.
This will be the first big suffragist
meeting of the campaign in Wyan-
dOtte