The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-10-22
LABOR JOINS HANDS
WITH SUFFRAGISTS
Secretary Of Vermont American Fedora
tion OF Labor Tells Equal Suffrage
Association of Community
of interests.

Equal Suffrage league elected the follow
ing officers at the annual meeting her,
yesterday; Honorary president, DIR. Alice
Sherwood, st. Adams; first district, vice
president, Mrs. Alice c. Beals, Spring
field; second district, vice. president, Mrs
Edgar Moore, Rutland; corresponding
secretary, Miss Emelia Houghton, st. Al,
bans; recording secretary, Mrs. Anna G.
Taylor, Burlington; auditor, Mrs. Francis
II. Wyman, Manchester Center.
A rising vote OF thanks from the body
of delegates, which responded very enthu-
siastically, was given to Mrs. Wyman,
who concluded her duties as president
after three years Of efficient service be-
cause of i'll health.
] The afternoon session was most inter
esting and instructive. Mrs. Kezer Of
Rochester gave greetings from the w. G.
7. U. Of Windsor county. Mrs. Wyman,
the state president, gave an interesting
and inspiring account Of the years work.
An interesting report OF the congression-
| al chairman, Mrs. r. H. RastaII, was read
and accepted
Alexander Ironsidc Of Barre, secretary
| Of the Vermont branch OF the American
Federation OF Labor. gave a splendid ad.
dress on "Aims and Objects of the So
ciety," giving accounts of several bills
passed and showing how the state suf-
frage league could be of great service.
Mrs 0. G. Ashton gave a fine address on
"The Relation Of the Woman's Club to
Suffrage" M. ]. Hapgood spoke in favor
OF suffrage and commended the conven-
tion on its orderly, pleasant and service
able proceedings.
Throughout the course of his remarks
Mr.. Ironside laid stress on the fact that
women. struggling for the emancipation
Of their sex, should SEX to hasten the day
of equal franchise by cooperating with
the organized labor men. He said: 81
have never been able to understand why
man could 20 stolidly to the bal
lot box and vote TO disfranchise the kind,
gentle mothers who have nursed them,
reared them, aye sehooled them to be
come what they should be broad minded
lovers of the big human family. Then
there is the woman who does not marry, |
who is competing successfully with the |
male in all departments Of trade and the !
varied walks of life Who win dare deny |
them the right to act as legislators in |
our halls OF congress or in the civic life I
Of our municipalities Speed the day I
when the women Of our great nation will /
have the same right as the male in en- /
loying the fruits OF universal suffrage /
and the common heritage Of free coun-
try"
In line with his contention that advo-
'ates of the suffrage extension can work
hand in hand with organized labor in
bringing about many needed reforms. Mr..
Ironside reviewed some Of the labor leg.
station which has resulted in more hu-
name laws in Vermont He referred first
o the law compelling weekly pay bill.
described the unsatisfactory features of
he old law, and the improvements OF the
lew. Next he discussed child labor, which
: more Of a problem outside Of Vermont
han within the state, aud quoted the !
tate factory inspector as saving that '
cry few indications of child labor have !
ome under his notice in his travels up {
nd down the state.
The 5S-hour law has been truly a I
'lessing 70 our oyer.worked women and !
minors in the mills and factories Of Yer. {
mont" Mr.. Ironside went on. Before the {
'w went into effect girls Is years Of age ]
fere working periods ranging from 72 20 '
Q hours in the woolen mills" The fac
ory inspection law has proven 10 BE- one I
{ the most beneficial measures ever .
assed in the state, the speaker declared. @
nd the workingmen's compensation act 3
] another phase of the general up.lift in b
ermont. II is a pretty weak law, in
ONE respects, said Mr. Ironside, but its lc
aving part Is the industrial accident Il
oard. In
In closing the speaker said. TO gain n
ny fundamental. sacrifices must be made '
nd ] am sure that II an earnest effort Il
made by the equal suffrage association. y
he federation OF Womens clubs and the :
ermont state branch Of the American I,
Of Labor, who have 50 muchl
common to work and fight for. our a,
int efforts should be crowned IN the :,
ar future with success. 10 in eonclu. G
on and bidding you godspeed in your N
eat cause, ] sincerely trust vou viii n
4 forget 20 elect a fraternal delegate
attend our next convention. which will Y
held IN Barre IN August. 1919. And In
.e interval let NJ DO all We can ~ cor N
spondenoe and converted effort 70 oh
ia q permanent footiBg Oh our march
ward social justice