The Washington herald., 1914-09-06

ward State" says Mrs bennett. Small
cities, scattered population, relatively
few workers, not much money and hot
opposition from the liquor interests
This is Offset, however, by able leader
ship and an unbOunded determination to
win on the part OF the women. Jean
nette Rankin leads the women in Mon
tana, woman who looks so young and
charming as to seem almost dangerously
innocent and inexperienced. And yet she
is neither, and every day she is demon
strating her common sense and her thor
ough grasp Of the situation.
Miss Rankin career as a suffrage
worker has been successful if not long.
Three years ago. when there had been
relatively little concentrated work done
in the immediate past, she succeeded in
getting the amendment passed by the
legislature. So much did the legislature
appreciate the value Of her personal work
that it sent her A bunch OF violets on
the day of the vote. Miss Rankin loved
violets, TO he sure. but she loved the
amendment more, and she made UP her
mind that the next time it should not
fail.
"Wettest State in the Union"
The liquor opposition has seldom been
more acute than il has been in Montana
1t would seem a little excessive, even
from a saloon point OF view. for the tenn
peranCe movement is not specially strong
in Montana. But apparently, the liquor
interests do not want TO run the slight
est risk Of losing their proud boast that
Montana is the wetteSt State in the
Union
A humorous incident frequently oc-
ours said Mrs. bennett. The woman's
national anti-sUffraEe orCn nizat!on sent
an agent. a Miss Markeson. TO Montana
10 confer with the liquor interests and
urge them to cease. their open opposition
% woman suffrage and leave the ants to
fight their losing battle alone This was
because il was becoming all too evident
that the liquor opposition was winning
friends for the suffrage cause, and be
cause the anti women were becoming
embarrassed by the character
Of those with whom they found them
selves doing team work. Whether the
liquor men will aCcede to the wishes of .
the ladies remains 10 he seen. 1t will I
be good opportunity for them to
demonstrate the 'Chivalry on which the
ants seem 10 put undue emphasis and 7
1 will be an admirable chance for th.
ants to test their oft repeated boast. /
hat they can get all they want or nee-I =
without the vote; that men in power are
only too glad to aCcede 10 all reasonable /
demands. etc
The Montana suffrage Headquarters ]
$ IN Butte, and there is an able group .
If workers who have the campaign well .
damned. The vote Of the labor unions
and Socialists will be in favor of the
amendment and there is every reason
% believe that the voters in general will
i've the question a substantial majority
next November.
Campaign in South Dakota.
IF suffragists were forced 10 choose
'etween States which could win this
ear. and If any must he left out. it
urely would not be South Dakota. for
has suffrage history that would
melt a heart Of stone. This is the sixth
ampaign. and the women have no in.en-
ion of contemplating a seventh A nricf
urvey OF the struggle since Territorial
avs will readily demonstrate why.
Before the Territory was divided into
'ortn and South Dakota" Mrs Bennett
ontnued, the suffrage bill passed both
ouses of the legislature, only 10 be
etoed by the governor. When it was
iVided and admitted as two States. the
onstltuuon of South Dakota required
ne legislature 10 submit the amendment
its first session. This brought the cam
align of 1890, when valiant effort was
lade, but the amendment was used as
n item OF political trading and was de-
"a Ted two to one
Now they are facing the last plucky
rusgle and they are doing it braveIy .
spite of the fact that for two years
ne State has suffered a cruel drought, I
nd the Western part is without re- :
'urces The women especially are feel
lg the pinch of poverty In certain dis
lcts they cannot afford even to sub
'rioe to the State suffrage paper. They '
IMPLY have no ready money. They are /
wing all they can-their services.
Mrs. John Pyle. Of Huron, is presi-
INT OF the State association. The State
divided into campaign districts. with 7
ehicient chairman in each. and a q
'isk weekly suffrage newspaper pub =
shed by the association.
Mrs. Clara barrow, Of Fargo. wife a
the famous surgeon. beloved by the n
hole State. is president Of the State g
Mirage Association. The vice presi- q
mt is Mrs. Beulah Amidon. wife Of (
e CHIEF justice. One Of the most able n
orkers is Mrs. Elizabeth Preston An
.rson. who understands organization, c
wing had years Of experience in the S
=. c. T. L. n
Three of the seven States which b
ould be victorious next November are t