The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-05-01
LABOR ALWAYS
THEFR|ENDOF
TEEQUAL|TY
State Federation Pledges Its
Active Support In
Campaign

SdilipdISn
Organized labor Of West Virginia
stands solidly behind the movement
Tor equal suffrage in the state. and
Will lend Its aid in bringing about that
end at the coming election in Novem-
Der.
Particularly IL this true OF the state
Federation OF Labor. which at its
last convention not only endorsed the
movement. but pledged the individual
support OF its membership TO the
cause.
The stand taken by this organiza-
ton OF The NO. A-.s O. tue state means
much for the success OF the move
ment, for they as a class will bene-
NJ more by II than any other. and for
this reason. aside from the manifest
fairness OF the proposition. It has
been given
Hearty Endorsement.
The action endorsing suffrage
taken at the meeting OF the federation
held In Charleston February 1918 was
one OF the unusually interesting fea-
lures OF this great gathering. During
the afternoon session OF the sixteenth
the president announced the presence
OF two representatives of woman .
suffrage and asked Tor them the privi-
lege OF the floor. This was granted
and Miss Alice McChesney. OF Charles
ton. was introduced and addressed the
body. Miss McChesney gave the rea-
sons why the women wanted the bal
lot and presented her arguments in a
most forceful and convincing manner.
She was followed by Mrs. LeMans.
OF Missouri. who spoke very enter
tainingly OF the movement and dwelt
at length on what had been accom-
Pushed in other states where the
ballot had been given TO women.
Although the delegates generally
were in favor of the movement. the
impression made by the two speakers
corded an ovation. When they had
concluded delegate arose and ad-
dressed the chair as follows.
Mr.. President: move that this
convention 60 on record as giving
its unqualified endorsement and
support TO the cause OF woman suf-
frsoe. Then came numerous sec
onds from different parts OF the
hall and when the question was
put Il was carried UNANIMOUSLY
with resoundins chorus OF
ayes
In speaking of this action and the
general relation of woman suffrage
10 labor. Charles Higgins. president
Of the State Federations, said:
when this action was taken by the
convention. the delegates realized they
were doing something for themselves
as well as rendering service 10 their
state. There was no question of the
value of equal suffrage for II will go
a long way toward giving the state
what II needs and II needs much.
The introduction of women into
politics cannot help but have an en-
nobling influence particularly along the
lines of humanitarisniSm and this
alone should be sufficient 10 insure the
success of the movement. West Wiz
ginia needs child labor laws. mini
mum wage laws and other legislation
OF value to workers and as women are
largely represented in the working
class they are the ones that will help
by their ballots 10 bring about these
reforms.
In many states that have given
the ballot conditions bordering on thu
ideal prevail In all the industries
where women are employed they have
been given shorter hour. more money
and generally improved cOnditione due
10 new statutes placed on. the statute
books largely through the votes OF
women.
II Is IN West Virginia that the stat,
federation looks 10 The women 90 bring
about similar reforms that viii bring
10 the workers better working COndi
lions which mean better living COudi
tons. We want a minimum wage Law
for women. law 10 prevent girls from
working ~ night. more stringent com
pulsory education laws and free TEX
books. our aim being 10 provide the
children with the best education pos
sible before ~ b. ncceSsar, for them "a
enter any ~ the industries
Much Accomplished.
Much has already been accomplished
along these lines and due credit mus
be given the women for their share
In ~. What they have acCompli Shet
has been by their Influence and with
these efforts backed by their ballots
the future holds great promise for the
laborinE classes
Women generally favor the Mother.
Pension act and rightfullv so There
never was proposition put before
the public containing as much merit
a. this It's main object H. 90 prevent
the woman Of small means OF who o.
In INDECENT circumstance from hocom
INK an object Of charity. and iu-fca,
~ being forced To place her Dependent
children IN home she can. rs this
pension keep the family intact ant
surround her children with home IN
fiuences which are 50 necessary TO the
Proper Soaring Of Child
Women are Also heartily In favor ot
proper factory inspection. and are do
inR great work Tor Tho masses m
antt-iuberculosis work. and metal. "a
and acid poisoning. pc vol o. In safe
guarding The workers In tho various