Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1914-08-14
COOL RECEPTION
Accorded Bearers of Suffrage Peti-
tions by Secretary Graves. Largest
Initiative Petition Ever Presented
to Any State in any County in the
World.

Columbus was the mecca of suf
fragets on July 80, when they came
from far and near to file their initia-
tive equal suffrage petitions with the
Secretary of State. Following theil
arrival in the city, meeting which
might be styled a joint business and
old fashioned experience meeting was
held in the parlors Of Hotel Hartman
at which Mrs. Harriet Taylor Upton
presided. All of the counties present
reported and many were the ludi-
crous reasons given by some of the
men, for refusing to sign the petit
tions. For instance one man who af-
ter much argument was convinced of
the justice of the cause, with pen in
hand finally refused because the four
men who had signed just previously
were Methodists and he was a Bap-
tist. 1t was said one of the old argu-
ments against woman suffrage was
that women could not fight, therefore
they should not vote, the new argu-
ment seems to be that because they
can fight they should not vote.
Although some people advance the
theory, that woman's vote would not
help the cause of prohibition in the
least, it was found that the liquor
interests were fighting the proposed
amendments tooth and nail.
Many of the women expressed
themselves as greatly encouraged up
on learning of the trials encountered
by others. Of the signatures secur-
ed 10 per cent was secured in IA
counties and 5 per cent in all but 2
counties, totaling 131.100 signatures
in all. Of these Fulton county fur
nished 535.
The petitions were delivered to the
petition bearers following this meet
ing, and all repaired to the Board of
Trade building from which the
parade was to start. At 1870 the pro-
cession which was formed in the fol-
lowing manner took up the line of
march which extended around the
State House square and which was
thronged with spectators.
Heralds, squad of policemen, Miss
Lucille Atcherson attired in white and
mounted on a snow white charger,
suffrage counties, women carrying
banners. suffrage states, women car
rying shields, campaign states.
2 divisions, executive committee,
campaign committee, state workers.
division, standard bearers, and
women carrying petitions on wooden
travs, representing each county.
The women were all dressed in
white, and yellow the suffrage color
was much in evidence.
1t was said Secretary of State
Graves had promised to meet the
delegation at the head of the State
House steps to receive the petitions
but he was CONSPICUOUS by his abb
sence; President Thompson of the O.
S. u. Mr.. Mcnamara of Youngs-
town and Mr.. j. l.. Taber, lecturer of
the Ohio State Grange. assisted by
received the petitions
from Mrs. Upton. The petitions were
borne on table by Pres. Thompson
end Mr.. Taberi to the office of Sec.
Graves, but he was no where in sight,
end they were informed that he was
tied up with some gentlemen in his
private office. Confusion reigned un-
til S. M. Thompson statistician in the
office came forward end offered to
take charge of the petitions.
Sec. Graves gave as the reason for
his conduct that he was opposed to
the proposed amendment. and did not
wish anyone to think that he favored
it.
Earlier in the afternoon when the
'wets" filed their petition in his Of
fee he honored the occasion with his
presence and welcomed the committee
with a glad hand. A word to the
wise is sufficient.
At the mass meeting which follow
ed the presentation Mrs. Upton spoke
Of the affairs as follows: eve have
marched on the Ohio State Capitol
today with initiative petitions bear
ing the names of 131.100 voters of
the state who favor woman suffrage
The total makes this the biggest in
itiative petition ever presented to. anv
state in any country in the world, and
vet so far as I have ever heard, it is
the first time that such delegation
IF women has ever met with such a
as I have met here today.
It is the first time the officials of any
state have refused to receive such a
ieleoation of women bearing an in
tiative petition. and it has been a
.om custom, even in this state. to re-
,eive officially the bearers of 'peti-
ions" But then, continued Mrs. Up
ton, why should we care about such