The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1916-04-13
BIG SUFFRAGE MEETING.
EX-Nlayor Hanna of Des NlOines, Was
Speaker as Suffrage Meeting ON
Monday Evening-LeOn Men
Organize for Suffrage.

Leon now boasts of a Mems League
for Woman Suffrage The movement
was launched in great shape Monday
evening at the big tabernacle. Hon.
James r. Hanna, former mayor of
Des Moies was the speaker of the ev-
ening. A large crowd had assembled
for the meetings, the tabernacle be-
ing more than two-thirds filled. The
X. P. band was used to announce the
meeting down town. The crowd then
followed the band to the tabernacle
and the band gave the opening num-
ber of the evening program. The
WOman's suffrage organization had
special decorations for the occasion
and furnished the ushers small PEN
nants, "Votes for Women" which
they pinned to everyone as they en-
tered the tabernacle. Many of Leon's
prominent men were seated on the
platform and formed a male chorus
of unusual ability.
Icons new mayor, Mr.. Morris
Gardner presided and distinguished
himself as a speaker and man of
splendid executive ability. Mayor
Gardner said that he had long since
espoused the cause of Woman's Suf-
frage and that it has his hearty sup
port. Rev. Henry Esch gave the in
vocation. Miss Mabel Horner, chair
r,sn of the Decatur County Equal
Suffrage Association, was the first
speaker. Miss Horner is one of Icons
popular speakers and always pleases
her audience. She said that she rep
esented the women of Decatur cOun-
ty in their appeal for the privilege of
suffrage. She urged the business OF
I, oh hn1r1d p0f
be arrested in her development by
Withholding from her the ballot.
Mayor Hanna was then introduced
and he proved to be a speaker or
much force and ability. He speaks
very deliberately and Of mature
Judgment. One observing his measur-
ed words and reasonable attitude to-
ward issues, finds much to explain
why he was for three terms, Des
Moines popular mayor. Mr.. Hanna
briefly review the evolutionary pro-
cess of the race and showed how both
men and women had come to enjoy
more of the privilege and liberty, as
a result of enlightenment and ad-
vanced civilization. He noticed some
of the objections made to woman suf-
frage and stated that he had never
YET u0dl u q 1CoA "a $ uAAASAS oo~AAASS
euual suffrage. He argued that the
cause of humanity is the greatest
concern of men and women. He said
that men want suffrage. because they
are men, and that equally SO women
want suffrage because they are wom-
an. But, he said, the greater reason
why both men and women want suf-
frage is because they are human be-
jngs. He asserted that politics and
economics are the two great prob
lens of government which broaden
and develop men, and that women
should have this contact with the af-
fairs of government and opportunity
for l,er development and contribution
to the nations good. He asked, why
oppose the inevitable, for woman SUI
frage vas sure to come, at least in
few years to the nation.
Follt wing Mayor Hanna's address,
motion was made by Mr.. E. G.
Monroe that a Mems League for
Woman Suffrage be organized and
that nominating committee be ap-
pointed 10 present names as officers
for the league The following officers
were elected: DR.. B. l.. Eiker presi-
dent, Jas. w. Hurst and A. L. Acker-
lev vice presidents, Geo. R. Farquhar
secretary and treasurer. The advis-
ory committee consisted of c. M.
Axes, C. w. Hoffman, E. G. Monroe,
John Mcintosh, J. R. Bowsher, V. R.
McGinnis, Geo. w. Baker, Capt. J. D.
Brown, John Chastain, Marion F.
Stookey, B. F. Jacobs, J. M. Gardner
and F. S. Stewart. There were sew
enty-nine signatures secured for the
,;,oL