Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1914-12-12
SUFFRACISTS OPEN
BATTLE FOR BALLOT.
Concentrate on Legislature
to Try to Get "VoteS for
Women" Amendment
OPEN HEADQUARTERS
AT STATE CAPITAL

At a conference held yesterday af-
ternoon between Miss Alice Paul. head
of the Congressional Union for Wom-
an Suffrage; Mrs. Florence Bayard
Hilles and Miss Mabel Vernon, the
latter Congressional Union organizer
for Delaware plans were made
whereby the Delaware Equal Suffrage
Association and the Congressional
Union will make concerted effort
to get votes for women in this State
With this end in view, strenuous
campaign is being planned.
In speaking of the conference this
morning Miss Paul declared herself
most optimistic over the outlook for
equal suffrage in Delaware, adding
that conditions here were more hope
full than anywhere else in the coun-
try that she knew Of Miss Paul also
gave brief outlines for the coming
campaign, stating that during the
Legislature suffrage headquarters viii
be maintained in Dover; that cam
paign chairmen will be appointed for
every town and city in the State, and
that there will be a big meeting in
one of the theatres in Wilmington
early in January at which number
of Congressmen from suffrage States
will speak.
Am I optisistic over the suffrage
outlook here? L should say l am. /
consider conditions are more hope
full here than anywhere else in the
country for the reason that Delaware
is the only State in the Union where
an amendment to the State Consti-
tuition is possible without a refer
endum." Miss Paul declared.
Miss Paul met Mrs Hilles and Miss
Vernon in another conference this
morning at suffrage headquarters
when further details for conducting
the campaign were discussed.
In the Legislature that meets in
January the Suffragists will offer an
amendment to the Constitution to
permit women to vote. Before such
an amendment could become effective
il would have to be adopted by two
thirds Of each branch of the Legisla-
ture for two successive biennial ses-
sons of the Legislature. Another
method that could be followed is to
have a bill enacted by the Legisla-
ture, requiring a two-thirds vote in
each branch, to submit to the voters
the question of whether or not a con-
vention shall be called to amend the
Constitution. If the voters so de-
eide, such a convention could be held
and the Constitution could be chang
ed to permit of votes for women.
In order TO stir up enthusiasm anc
general activity throughout the entire
State. a number of prominent speakers
have been secured to speak at severa
large meetings that will be held during
the session OF Legislature, among then
being Miss Anne Martin, president o
the Nevada Equal Suffrage Association
Mrs. Jesse Hardy Stubs, press chair
man for the National Congressiona
Union, who spoke here last year on th'
Court House steps; Miss Elsie Hill, VIII,
did organizing work here last summer
Mrs. Donald r. Hooker, leading sui
frage worker OF Baltimore, and Mis-
Anna McCue, of Philadelphia, who SPOKE
out at the Delaware State Fair las
September; along with number o
congressman from suffrage States.
Miss Anne Martin, president of tln
Nevada Equal Suffrage Association
with whom Miss Vernon was closely as
ISOLATED during the campaign in tina
State last wear, held a conference will
President Wilson last Thursday il
Washington. during which she says h'
warmly congratulated her on the reoen
suffrage victory in Nevada. and adde,
that he hoped for additional victorie
in other States. Miss Anna McCue
another speaker OF prominence. will ar
rive here today to remain until tn
campaign ends.
Miss McCue will speak tonight at q
meeting at Fifth and Market streets
Another feature of the campaign
will be the calling on the Assembly
men of the various districts by dele
cations of men and women who viii
urge each member to vote for the suf
frage amendment. To a large number
of letters which have been sent to tn,
representatives of each district a mum
Der OF favorable replies have been re
ceived, about 80 per cent of those VIII,
have expressed an opinion havinl
been favorable>to suffrage.
On the day the legislature opens II
Dover there will be a big suffrage
meeting for which several prominen
speakers have been secured. Mis-
Mabel Vernon will have charge of tn
suffrage headquarters in Dover whicl
viii be open during the session of tn
General Assembly