The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-09-07

The Florida Equal Franchise League
came into existence, rull-nedged in
June, 1912. A meeting was called at a
private residence, the handsome An
derson residence on Market St, Jack
sonville, being loaned for the occasion,
a number of women were reached by
telephone, about thirty-f1ve met, and
Florida was a Suffrage state. As
chairman of the committee on con-
stitution and bylaws the writer in
sisted Oh the name of Equal Fran
Chise, il seemed so just, as q name
So fully setting forth the real object
Of organization; and so rapidly has
Suffrage moved, that even then in
June, 1912, the name Suffrage Asso-
citation seemed to cast a gauntlet, and
many there were ready to lift 1t and
assume the aggressive. Bpt in these
two years all is changed. The seri-
BUSINESS and Justice of equal citizen
ship is no longer a jest or a semi
crime, while the facilitating of the
many states having suffrage, the vOt-
ing for the right men and not for
politics, has caused the public, (and
the public in Florida is still composed
of mem, to "sft up and take notice"
But the name Equal Franchise has
won for the league many compliments
from the men speaking to the league,
so although the word Suffrage has
lost it's sting for the politician, we
are yet proud Of being the Florida
Equal Franchise League.
The new movement attracted great
attention, and notwithstanding the
summer heat, the regular monthly
meetings were large affairs, too large
for private houses. A paid member
ship of foPty-five was enrolled, but
more than hundred persons attend
ed at several Of the meetings.
HEADQUARTERS ESTABLISHED.
Through the courtesy Of Mr.. J. b.
Cohen Of Cohen Bros, the league was
given room in the large office build
ing the first and second stories of
which the firm occupies. and the first
Suffrage headquarters in Florida es-
tablished. In the fall of that year,
1912. the first large work was done.
The meeting OF the National Child
Labor Convention was at Jacksonville,
bringing as two of it's most gifted
speakers two prominent Suffrage
workers, Mrs. Florence Kelly Of ma
tional fame as a Suffra gist, and Miss
Jean Gordon of New Orleans, a gift
ed and womanly southern girl, whose
brilliant sister Kate Gordon Of New
Orleans is the President of the South
ern States Suffrage Conference. Feel
ing the responsibility of leaders in
the cause, the Florida Equal Fran
Chise League interviewed the two
ladies. who consented to give an ev-
ening to Suffrage. We set about get
ting a place for the speaking. DID we
have any trouble? Well 1t was anus
ing, we could far easier have found
4 place for a cock fight. The Child
Labor Convention met at the Board
OF Trade Auditorium. Mrs. Kelly and
Miss Gordon spoke there every day.
Things were said Of legislatures that
we, IS Suffragists. did not then dare
to say; bills were framed and en-
dorsed to be sent to the legislature
in April. The Board of Trade Audi
torium was 10 be let at a small price
for public entertainments, concerts,
meetings OF various kinds We call
ed on the chairman of the Board Of
Governors. explained that we would
pay for the auditorium that the
speakers were Mrs. Kelly and Miss
Gordon. The chairman was pleased to
let us have 1T, but nine governors
must give majority vote. Well they
did not. But we understood that
there was quite a lot Of debate, the
vote being finally given against the
meeting out Of Difference to the feel
ings OF Mr.. ----, who was SO bit
terly opposed to Suffrage"
very elaborate luncheon was
served at the Womans club building
for the Child Labor conference, after
dinner speeches were made, legisla-
ton discussed and endorsed. both
NIrz Kelly and Miss Gordon spoke,
and vet we had also been refused the
luditrriIvT, Of "a Won. -..- CI,,h o,.o-,
though We were ready 20 pay the
reGula~ rental Of twenty-five dollars
for the evening. Both the Board OF