The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-02-23
MABEL VERNON LEAVES
ICoutinued from Page Une.I


that Irish wit. Why. it saved an aw-
fully embarrassing situation and he
was so gracious and kind to me that
one could not help but appreciate it
I shall write him a letter and thank
him. That's what 1 will do"
Would the work in Kansas stop?
Were the women discouraged? Would
the congressional union give up?
Those were some of the questions
which an interviewer asked.
Give up?' exclaimed Miss Vernon,
as her eyes snapped with determine
ton and fight.
Give up?" This time from Miss
Stevens. This time the women were
Mortified. The idea! such a strange,
strange thought!
Il should say not" came the reply.
I'VE won't give up until we have won"
Then Miss Vernon explained that as
western organizer for the congress
sional union her work called her into
other states and other women will
take up the work where she lays it
down. But quit? Never.
Mrs. Monroe on Floor.
Mrs. Lila Day Monroe opened the
festivities for the Congressional union
when she told 125 Topeka and Kan
sas women that the organizations
work was missionary uplift" Kan
sas, she said, had needed a Mace
DOMAIN cry for help
kansas is disposed to listen. Kan
sas is disposed to help" said Mrs
Monroe. But Kansas women, with
their ballots, have won but half the
battle. Why own a musket if you
don't use it? Why the ballot in Kan
sas if Kansas women do not help
those in the eastern and southern
states. We are just going forward.
We are tall for suffrage and we must
all help in the national fight
Mrs. Monroe contrasted the recep-
ton to Miss Stevens to that for Mrs.
Pankhurst when the militant suffrage
leader visited this state years ago.
Mrs. Monro setated that she intro
duced Mrs. Pankhurst when she came
to Kansas to aid IN the state suffrage
fight. Following a short talk, Mrs.
Monroe introduced Miss Doris Stevens
OF New York, who, the Topeka
woman said, would outline the Con-
gressional union program Off national
suffrage.
Gets Cool Reception.
1t was rather cool reception which
Miss Stevens received. Probably ten
or dozen of the women in the hall
clapped thin hands MANY of the
women sat firm and displayed a cool
even an unresponsive and unsym-
pathetic attitude. The attitude of the
Kansas women DIDN'T seem to distrust
Miss Stevens in the least. She plunged
Of OhC0 1ulO the Tor suffrage.
DR.. Harding There.
In the audience was DR.. Eva Hard
ing of Topeka 1t was Dr. Harding.
who started the fightw hich defeated
Democratic resolution before the
Democratic state committee. Among
the women was an apparent feeling
that DR.. Harding would throw a bit of
scrap iron in the congressional union
machinery. DR.. Harding listened to
Miss Stevens in an attitude of appar-
II
was Mrs. Lucia o. Case and other
women who have opposed the con-
gressional union in Kansas. Mrs.
Miliken, former president of the Pol
itical Science club, sat in the gallery.
1t was apparent that she did not
bate.
Must Use Power.
Miss Stevens urged that the women
use the power which voters of KAN
sas had given them Referring to the
failure of congress to pass the An
thony resolution. she declared:
Those men in congress understand
our language and they understand it
welll Why don't you use the power
that has been given you? Why don't
you talk to those men in the language
4 they understand? Why don't you pun
ish those men for refusing to give
you the thing you want-just as you
would reward them for favors?''
! Miss Stevens had talked nearly 90
minutes to an audience that was at
| tentive, but not demonstrative. As
! Miss Stevens urged that women exer-
else their rights. there was no evil
dence of applause. Three women
two in the front row of seats-were
to all appearances asleep
Women should have the same
rights as men-we must get them -
urged Miss Stevens. A dozen women
| CLAIMED their hands It was the first
| expression from the women in the