Evening journal., 1915-01-18
SUFFRACISTS TO
CANVASS THE State
Will Inquire Sentiment on
"Votes For Women" in
Every District
GORMLEY FOR BILL
IF VOTERS WANT IT

Equal suffragists in Delaware prob
ably will be compelled to make can
vass of the entire State before the
bill to amend the Constitution giving
votes TO women comes before the
Legislature. In numerous cases. when
the women asked Senators and Rep
resentatives in the Legislature for
an expression Of views. they were
told that the members Of the General
Assembly was opposed TO the meas
ure unless the majority of their con-
stituents requested it.
The last member to so inform the
women was Senator Thomas f. Corn
ley, OF this city, who told the equal
suffrage delegation on Saturday af-
ternoon that he voted against the
measure two years ago. and would do
so again unless the majority of his
constituents asked him to do other
wise The suffragists will circulate
petitions among Mr.. Gormley's con-
sutuents at once.
Continuing. Senator Gormley said
Women in their present sphere have
very potent influence with the
Legislature. and while I want to be
as fair in the matter as / possibly
can. | find that ! will not be able
to help you" And Senator Corn
ley politely bowed himself out of the
Office.
OF the number of members of the
assembly who have so far been inter-
viewed on the question, Senator
Gormley Is the first one who has
taken a definite stand on the matter,
all the others being non-committal
and promising vaguely 10 do their
best"
The women who are interested in
the cause propose in these cases to
find out the sentiment of the voters
in the districts affected and to get
petition from them asking their rep
resentative 10 vote for the measure.
This will mean considerable work.
but Il Is expected the canvass will be
made and the petitions ready for pre-
sentation by the time that the Legis-
lature Is ready to act on the bill.
There will be a meeting tomorrow
night in Pythian Castle at which Mrs.
Florence Bayard Hilles will be the
principal speaker The meeting Will
| be under the auspices of the VIII
mington Equal Suffrage Association.
Miss Mabel Vernon addressed a
large and enthusiastic audience in the
town hall at Cheswold on Saturday
night. at which resolutions were
unanimously passed. approving the
Constitutional amendment for equal
suffrage, and copies of the resolutions
]
resentaiives OF the district.
Miss Vernon will also speak al
/, Blackbird on Wednesday afternoon
having been invited to address the af
ternoon session of an all-day meetinl
= to be held there. On Friday nigh
! both Miss Vernon and Mrs. Florenc'
! Bayard Hilles will address a meet
ing to be held in Smyrna. and on Sat
: urday night Miss Vernon will speak al
Leipsic
A reception will be held on We'd
nesday evening at suffrage headquar
ters. in Dover. and on Thursday thl
suffrage bill will be given a hearins
by the revised statute committee.
Mrs. Edna s. Latimer of baltimore
spoke in the NJ h. Church in Clayton
on Saturday night. and Miss Anna Nc
Cue spoke in Kenton NJ e. Church
the same evening
With Miss Vernon and Mrs. Hille
as the principal speakers an interest
: ing meeting was held yesterday after
noon In the Friends Meeting House
corner Fourth and West streets. Th
: meeting was under the auspices o
/, the philanthropic committee of tn
. Wilmington Monthly Meeting. Charlie
q Palmer, of Chester presided. At tn
I conclusion of the addresses, resolu
tions favoring suffrage were passed.