Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-11-20
SUFFRAGTSTS FILL
HALL AS SCRANTON
CONVENTION OPENS
Mrs. Frank NJ. Roessing,
State President, Formally
Calls Workers to Order.
May Never Meet Again.

~ " NibNh lNAo hibl lllitb AilN iVNhb NAiN
what is confidently expected, will he the
last convention Of women to assemble in
Pennsylvania for the purpose Of advocat-
ing votes for women in the State. formal
ly was called to order In the crystal
room of the Hotel Casey by Mrs. Frank
M Roessng, president Of the State or
ganization.
with more than 300 delegates present
and as many more visiting suffragists, the
600 seats provided in the auditorium were
filled. A number of the younger dele
gates crowded the rear of the room,
standing throughout the meeting.
After the invocation. asked by DIT. 6.
w. Wellbarn of the Second Presbyterian
Church. Robert Silverstein, Mayor =. b.
Jermyn's secretary, in the absence OF the
Chief Executive. who was unable 10 pe
present extended cordial welcome 10
the suffragists. ,-.
Mr.. Silverstein was received with nearly
applause when he voiced the conviction
I'm the minds of the suffragists that this
would he the last time the women OF
Pennsylvania would have to do battle FOR
the ballot
VOTE AN "INALIENABLE RIGHT"
"The right to vote" said he. us the
inalienable right of every American citi-
zen, and the claim of women is based on
two indisputable reasons, first, 1t Is only
Just that they should vote, and, sec
ondly, 1t is practical"
In conclusion, Mr. Silverstein said
Scranton was not merely mining town.
but an educational manufacturing and
industrial centre as we'll. In behalf or
the city. he expressed pride that the
women of the State had recognized Its
convention possibilities.
BY far the most important feature OF
the mornings work was the reading OF
the annual report by Mrs. Roessing.
Declaring that the last year has been
one of "unuuestioned progress, continued
harmony and increased coordination ana
teamwork" she announced that even tho
enemies of suffrage Concede the equal sut-
frage bill will pass easily in the next Leg
islature. She said In part:
But this does not mean that we can re-
lax. lii the next Legislature our team
work must be even stronger and more
| Immediately effective Having selected
our leaders we must follow them, respect
| ing their silence without doubling their
sincerity or devotion.
"Of course, we should continue 10 be
non-partisan. on that we are unanimous
! We must ask for the votes of men or all
political parties, and besides, ours Is not
a party issue like the tariff. It Is ques-
ton of simple justice to which no party
can claim sole right.
MONEY AND MEMBERS NEEDED.
"In preparing for this convention 1
| asked leaders of the three mems parties
to name the two essentials to our sue
cess in 1915 Without a moments hesi-
tation the answers were; Money and
members We must have 100000 next
year; how to get it we will consider to-
gether tomorrow. Members mean house,
! toulouse canvassing; nothing less will do.
We must have our voters list and check
them Off We must interview every in
! habitant.
What we Pennsylvania women need to
| do especially is TO get the intelligent vote
| out to the polls i'm l9l5'
| Answering the criticism that the Penn
| sylvania suffraGsts are not given TO the
| performance of stunts" that the work
lacks picturesqueness. Mrs. Roessing
said the State Committee had subjected
the State to a thorough analysis and is
trying to treat Pennsylvania in the dig
nlfied manner which Pennsylvania con-
dltions and attitude toward suffrage
seem to demand.
MISS PATTERsON's ADDRESS.
Miss Hannah ]. Patterson, of Pitts
burgh, chairman of the State Suffrage
party and one of the most convincing
speakers for the cause, was next to speak.
and she explained in detail the methods
used by workers in rennsylvsnta. In
the last year Il organizations have honey
combed the State, forming new orsanlza'
tions and stimulating those already es
tablished, addressing women's clups
teachers Institutes, political meetings
and speaking in churches, colleges FAC
tories and department stores
"The strength OF the party" said Miss
Patterson, lilies I'm the fact, hrst. that It
is organized by governmental units and
thus acquaints every prospective woman
voter with the political district OF which
she will be a part when she becomes en-
franchised and second, that II provides
a uniform working plan for every Or
ganzatiou In the State.
"In the last analysis, the success or
failure OF the campaign rests upon the
shoulders of the precinct leaders, With
a working leader in every one of the
6TOO odd precincts i'm the State, we can
carry the State for suffrage. ] would urge
upon the county chairmen the necessity
of procuring active leaders Tor the voting
precincts in their county and that
definite plans be Immediately made so
every precinct shall be canvassed by
May /, 1915"
A NEW LIBERTY" BELL
An announcement made by Mrs, Roes-
sing and greeted with enthusiastic ap-
plause by the convention was that Mrs.
Charles Wister Ruschenberger Of Phila-
delphia, had given an order to the
Meinely Bell Company, OF Troy, for
liberty and justice bell, TO be an exact
replica OF the bell Of l776 in Independence
rI,u bTeforfp prapk and all
A large delegation OF sufIragists viii
proceed 70 Troy in February 70 see the
bell cast. In May, 1915, it will be COM
pleted aud after an exhibition in Car
penter Hall viii be sent all over the
state. with its clapper tied with bronze
chains. The elapper will not be re-
leased until the bell rings for victory.
This symbol" said Mrs. Roessing
Chained and mute, typihes the appeal
which the women Of Pennsylvania are
making 10 their men. Not that we ask
privilege. but liberty; the same passion
ate desire that stirred mems hearts a
century ago Is throbbing Ia our breasts
Z today and for the Same reasons. We. too.
,.aosfIN ha Fnaa n dawalou the nnaaf rnea