The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-04
SUFFRAGE HAS MADE FINE PROGRESS IN HE PAST TWO YEARS Review of W0men's Move ment in Alabama and
 Plans for Future LEGISLATIVE FIGHT
 IS COMING ON SOON Effort Being Made to Have Amend ment to Constitution Sub-
 mitted to Voters of the State
Ny JULIA BAMILL GILLESPY Former State Press Chairman


 Since the legislature of Alabama will amendment relative to equal suffrage, a yes or no vote of the electors of the state at the next general election. brief history of the movement is of vital pub lie interest
 The people want to know what Alabama is thinking and is doing or has done since the wider interest has taken root about equal suffrage There has been nc date in the history of this state when there were not men and women who es- poused the cause of woman's enfran- chisement The sentiment or conviction grew after the entrance by federal en- actment of the ex-save into Alabama politics. Alabama men and women did little and said less all these thousands of days. because, until recently. only the opportunity has been offered them to aid in local organization, and the woods are found to be full of sympathizers or advo- oates of equal suffrage. This was force fully proven in Birmingham when the national leaders of equal suffrage held their first southern conference and the largest theatres of Birmingham failed to hold the crowds who came from all over Alabama to hear those women whose lives have been devoted to the cause.
 Organizations Now at Work
 While the beginning of organized eff fort in Alabama was small indeed, its development has been most meteoric. In 1895 the first league was formed in Hunts vile, through the efforts of Mrs. Alberta c. Taylor sister of Mrs. Milton Humes of that city. and daughter of ex-Gov- ernor Reuben Chapman.
 This Political Equality League" as fl was then called, invited Susan B. An thony and Carrie Chapman Catt to speak in Huntsville and ever so long ago men and women of the 'conservative" Ala bama city were glad to hear the other side. Sentiment in Alabama unquestion- ably developed. but organization followed far in the rear No other league or club was formed and only two years ago were the women of Alabama or a suffl- cient number of them awake to the need of systematic effort and local organiza- tion. When they did answer the call the list increased and in less than 30 months 50 thriving associations were formed in divers directions besides Huntsville, Birmingham. Selma, Mont gomery, Cullman, Vincent, Pell City, Greensboro, South St. Clair Tusca- loosa, Brewton. Mobile. Florence. Git ronelle Albertville. Gadsden. Fort Payne, Collinsville, Lafayette, Coal City, Cur ley, Camden. Anniston, University, Hurts boro, Burnsvlle, Calera, Faunsdale and others, with total membership of more than 15,000 men and women.
 Methods of Propaganda
 All of these organiza tions have taken on greater activity since the petition pre- sented to the legislature was launched by Mrs. Solon Jacobs, president of the Ala bama Equal Suffrage association. a year ago, and which Is being pushed by her chairman of legislative work, Mrs. Os- car Hundley.
 The devotion of these men and wo- men to the cause of equal suffrage Is evidenced most by their efforts at propaganda which covers the entire gamut of publicity, from the wellworn lecture method (pad for out of their private purses) to the get-to-g gether tea, at which the silent voice of suf- frage colors in vases of black-eye l Susans and notices in yellow add the glow of beauty to the joy of suffrage gossip.
 In Birmingham, which is the heart of the suffrage movement in Alabama, handsome headquarters were estab- lished in June, 1913. Out from those rooms, under the direction of Mrs Jacobs, Mrs. Hundley. Mrs. Shell and Mrs. Taylor, the new president, goes propaganda that will effect not only the Birmingham district. but the entire state This association maintains a we'll edited suffrage newspaper depart nent. directed by Miss Amelia Worth ington This is first aid to the wounded Booths at the state fair, suffrage schools, suffrage plays and mono .ogues, lectures. care of the working girl, thousands of effective phamplets, banquets, consumers leagues, and all kinds of social functions have been the various methods of the Birmingham association to win support and even tually the vote. With some of the brainiest women of Alabama whom devotion to equal suffrage Is second only tU their love of home, these Bir- nfngham women have set an example cs self-sacrifice which is enthusing all Alabama women who read newspapers of the Magic city
 Montgomery association, which was organized in 1913, has done a vast amount of educative work. The two- column suffrage department furnished by them to the Montgomery Evening Journal has been invaluable In spread ing the gospel of equal suffrage At the state fair in that city suffrage tent made delightful retreat for tired
 
 checked. information, literature dis tributed with like urbanity Montgon.- cry held the first suffrage school of the south, directed by the former pres ldent Mrs. $. B. Stern, which was a great success. Mrs. Bonelli, demure talented little worker from New York was teacher Montgomery has held birthday parties, in which no one's age was questioned where a woman of 25 gave q hundred pennies or visa versa Montg Nlery is just now the mecca of suffraeists and headquarters have been established there for visitors from all over Alabama, who will go to the cap itol city during the coming session of the legislature to aid the legisla- tive programme, which Is not yet quite tlocked
 Huntsville holds headquarters at Hill Crest the beautiful home of Mrs Milton Humes. a charter member A suffrage library is at the command of the members and among the volumes q gift from Susan B. Anthony in 1895. when the association was organized a history of the movement. The Hunts vile association, more than any other in the state. has now favor wth the local press. in which frequent and com plinentary editorials appear, and en- dearments by The Times, The Demo- orat and Mercury Banner Huntsville aided Montgomery in sending Mrs Humes and Mrs Virginia Clay -Clopton 10 them during the fair week Leaflets fliers and other literature is sent out weekly from Huntsville
 The first "suffrage supplement- to, a newspaper in Alabama was issued by Huntsville women on November q, 1913, in the Manufacturing number of the Mer- cury- Banner. This supplement made bofl'
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