The Washington herald., 1914-11-08
Eyes Turn To Suffrage Conference
Crisis Faces National Association

problems, create literature, raise money,
develop our women They did not wish.
however, to sever relations with the ma
tional association, as they have made II
plain that n the Southern legislatures
continue to refuse their women chance
to carry the question to the voters In
their own States they may be compelled
to resort 10 amending the Constitution
OF the United States. During the past
winter. almost every Southern legisia-
tnre which was In session defeated over
whelmingly q resolution TO submit
woman suffrage amendment and In the
face of this situation II viii be interest
ing TO see what attitude this conferences
win take. Its president. Miss Kate Cor
don. Of New Orleans. Is one Of the ablest
, OF Southern women. She was leader
in securing for the tax paying women OF
Louisiana the right to vote on all mat
tiers requiring special taxation. and was
also a founder and for many years presi-
dent Of the very influential Era Club OF
New Orleans Of over Thousand MEM
bers.
cOnveatIOn at Nashville.
The convention Of the National suf-
| fraEe Association TO be held In the State
! House At Nashville November I2rlf. IN
I elusive, win be one OF the most tmpor-
4 tant IN its long history Of annual 1fet-
ings extending through fcrty-five years.
It viii be the first time there ever has
/ been q real contest for the presidency.
that Office having been held by Eliza
beth cady Stanton until she retired in
/ 1889 at the age OF seventy-sevens by Su-
san B. Anthony until she resigned II In
| 1900 on her eightieth birthday: by Mrs
Carrie Chapman Gait for the next our
years. when she gave Il UP because OF
impaired health. and by DR.. Anna How
, ard Shaw since then II IL an unsaiarted
ofice. with most exacting duties, which
| grow heavier as the movement for wo-
man suffrage extends from State to State.
Every one Is now organized to some de-
gree and henceforth in addition to work
| in the States there must be continuous.
/ systematic effort with Congress.
The delegates at Nashville should con-
slider carefully whether II would not be
advantageous to establish the national
headquarters elsewhere than in New
York City. They had great mission to
| perform there. but II was completed
some time ago. Their opening in 1Sos
on q large scale, partly through the
financial assistance OF Mrs. oliver h p.
Belmont, galvanized that city into life
so far As the genersi public was con-
cerned. The great daily papers. the press
associations, the syndicates began to
send matter concerning woman suffrage
throughout the country; and the estab-
fishing of national headquarters in that
city, whose influence radiates into the
farthest corners Of the United States
unquestionably was q prominent factoI
in the national awakening on the sub
ject which began at that time Now
there should be q new center Of opera.
tons as there are half a dozen big suf
frage headquarters in New York anC
an endless number Of small ones. Prob
ably 10 other city Is so alive on tn,
subject Of votes for women. The larges
State campaign in history Is now II
progress and the newspapers and tbs
people are and will be for the next veal
more interested in that than in nationa
matters
II the national headquarters had re.
moved to Washington last fall q way
undoubtedly could have been found tC
prevent the unfortunate controversy be
tween factions which ragged all winter
Only those who were in this city car
know the detrinent Il was to the status
j Of woman suffrage IN Congress and In th'
eyes Of the public at the most critica
moment Of its existence. As the mex
session Is likely to be a short one 4
may be that the influence OF headGuar
ters could be more effective in som'
other city for the coming year, but il
that case a branch should be opened
in Washington while Congress is sit
ting with at least two national oficeri
in charge to give II dignity prestig'
and influence. With the question pend
ing in the United States Senate last win
z ter II was suicidal to have it in charg,
OF a committee OF only three women. al
from Chicago and all prominent work
ers in the Progressive party, with roomi
in the ONCE building 81 a newspaper
J conducted In the interest of that party
and a professional newspaper man o.
Washington as paid publicity agent. Tha
the amendment received as favorable {
vote as It did was due to the iniuenc'
! of its friends among the Senators anC
the large constituencies Of women II
the Western States rather than to th'