Connecticut western news., 1916-05-18
BIG SUFFRAGE MEETING
Fine Speaking at Mrs. HitchcocES
 Home, "MeadowIand,"

Home, "MeadowIand."
 More than sixty ladies, and three clergymen, assembled at the residence of Mrs. FranF Hitchcock, Thursday afternoon, in response to her invitasion as president of the Canaan Equal Fpan- chise League, to listen to arguments ir favor of suffrage. The house was taste fully decorated with datfodils, and khe occasion very enjoyable.
 Mrs. A. s. G. Taylor, of NorfcGk, presided and started the ball rolling ky telling the ladies that she was pleased to see that all of them had on proGty spring hats. She said, "The antis say we are not particular enough about our clothes, and l am glad to see that this IS not the case with the ladies os bne Canaan league, at least"
 Mrs. Taylor then introduced the speaker Of the afternoon, Mrs. l. R. Whitney, vice. president of the Now Haven Equal Franchise Leugue, and it was the pleasure of the ladies present. to listen to one of the most practical and convincing speeches on wofuan suffrage ever given in Canaan. Sue said:
 We are not fighting for the little piece of paper, but for civic poweS to put forth the best movements for social service. The burden of proof has rested on the suffragists to prove why they should have the vote-now it has sRfted to the shoulders of the antis, who must prove why women should not vote. Every woman must say I am parb of this nation, and have a right to havo a voice in its government. The mann question is, Are women 'people?' if so then they are entitled to the balloe; all side issues have nothing to do with it. Each individual should havo a sense of civic responsibility and woman must have part in making the laws. in order to remedy the many social ills, and especially the problem of the work ing girl, and the decreasing of tho number of deaths caused by negligence. and lack of cleanliness. The ballot would be a source by which woman could have voice in civic improve ment, without being obstrusive. The government has finger in our pie= why shouldn't we have voice in tho government ?''
 AJA NpOhS OA kiAt work women are doing as soldiers in England and France, and the work they are doing in munitions factories. She also said that the Canaan suftra- gists had work peculiarly their own-- that of converting Mir. J. H. Rorabaok- She said: Yours is mighty task, hut think of the magnificent rewardp'
 Mrs. Elizabeth Cooper, ex.presideue of the Salisbury league, said the whole problem hinges on the question, whether. women are citizens.
 Mrs. George Harrison, of Lalseyikie. spoke very much to the point on. Inc school question. She said women nre blamed because they do not vote on matters pertaining to our public schools. and justly so. They have no righs to criticise the schools unless they avail themselves of the privilege to vote on school matters.
 Revs. Haven, of Falls Village, mud Crichton, of Canaan. spoke briefly ma the subject.
 Out of town persons present were Mrs. George Harrison, Mrs. Elizabeth Cooper, Mrs. Churchward, Miss Reed and Mrs. William Heffernan, of LnkD- vile; Miss Julia Goodwin, of IltUae Rock; Rev. and Mrs. Haven. of phlls Village and Mrs. A. $. G. Tavlor mud secretary of Norfolk.