Evening journal., 1916-07-08
CALL ON CONGRESS
TO AID SUFFRAGE
Congressional Union Holds
Democrats Responsible
for Anthony Amend
ment
MRS. HILLES CHOSEN TO
HEAD ORGANIZATION

AT the first annual session OF the
Delaware Congressional Union today
in the rose room of the Hotel du-
Pont the following officers were elect
ed: Chairman. Mrs Florence Bayard
Hilles; first vice-chairman, Mrs.
Julien Ortiz second vice-chairman,
Mrs Frederick Bringhurst; secre-
tary. Miss Mildred Hopes treasurer,
Mrs. James n. Ginns; legislative sec
retary, Mrs. Francis l. DUPONT. The
Office of second yice-president was
created this morning.
The following committees were ap-
pointed;
Nominating Miss Rachael How
land, Mrs. Frank Stirlith and Mrs. A.
NJ. Pollard. of Newark
Resolutions committee Fred
erick Bringhurst and Miss Mabel
Vernon.
The following resolutions were
adopted by the convention:
Whereas, We believe that the time
has come when il is necessary for the
United States as nation to grant
political rights to the women citi-
zens OF this country; and,
Whereas, the Democratic party
through its majority In Senate and
House. is today responsible for the
passage Of a national suffrage amend
ment through Congress; therefore be
II
Resolved. That we. the members
of the Congressional Union of Della
ware, in convention assembled. call
upon the Democratic party to pass the
National Suffrage Amendment imme-
diateiy on to the State Legislature for
ratification, and be II also
Resolved, That we determine 10
use our full strength as an organiza-
tion in support of this measure. il
necessary. in the next national election
without considering the interest OF
any national political party: and be
it further
Resolved. That copies Of these
resolutions be sent to Senator Sauls-
bury and Representative Miller. with
a request that they be read into the
Congressional Record in Senate and
House and copies also be sent to the
President of the United States and to
administration leaders in Congress-"
Several changes were made in the
constitution which was read by Mrs.
Hilles. IL was voted to add the
phrase "and men as honorary men,
bers" to that part of the constitution
having to do with the membership
and it was also voted 20 make all men
honorary members upon payment oI
twenty-five cents dues It was alsC
decided to allow every member Of th'
] TvfA ftr1
ege of voting.
The convention was called TO orde
b at 1890 O'Clock this morning by Mrs
Hilles, State chairman. after whicl
the opening prayer was made by thu
Rev. r. L. Jackson, pastor Of Han
over Presbyterian Church.
The delegates were welcomed OF
behalf of the State by Governor
Charles R Miller, who said in part
that he deeply appreciated the invita-
ton from the union to address the
convention. and added that while
Delaware might be one of the small
est States in the union, il was any
thing else when il came to the
warth and cordiality with which II
desired to greet the suffragists as
sembled. The Governor spoke OF the
great cataclysm from which the en-
tire world seems to be suffering al
the present time, and deplored the
fact that we seemed to be drifting
away from the fundamental princi
Nes of democracy He congratulated
the women upon the work they haC
already accomplished, in connection
with which he said:
"You women represent an elemen
in our social and intellectual life ant
a.. you have displayed in this mOvemen
a zeal and an earnestness which
might be well for other bodies to fol
low. l want to congratulate you upol
the earnestness of your purpose an
upon the sympathy which you hav
gained in your work. If you know
. anything about political life you mus
know by this time that such
fraught with opposition, but that onl
serves to develop ones strength"
In making the response on behal
? of the Congressional Union Mrs. Hille
said that the governor had touche
=, the real keynote of the situation whe
! he used that word democracy" fo
! that is the one word for which IN
I Congressional Union stands.
: "There is no real democracy, sal
[. Mrs. Hilles, where only one half {
? the people are represented"
= Following Mrs. Hilles' response III
= minutes OF the last convention
/. which time the Congressional Unio
!. was formerly organized were read t
a Mrs. e. Paul DUPONT. This was fc
lowed by reports from the variou
county chairmen. Miss NJ. Phyllis Nj
son, of Laurel. chairman for SUISSE
4 county, in her report stated that seve
: organizations had been formed
u Sussex namely at Delmar, Georg
e town, Lewes, Milford. Seaford an
% Bridgeville.
u The report for Kent county stat
IL that Kent County Union was organiz
with seven branches in the county.
conference was held at Dover with
persons in attendance.
~ Fraternal greetings from the vario
Ut DELEGATES of other women's organic
u tions were given by Mrs. Alice Dumb
&c Nelson. from the Thomas W. Garre
Settlement; Mrs. Elizabeth Rhoa,
from the Delaware Peace Society; VIII
DIR Josephine NJ. r. White Delasol
president of the Wilmington Equal 81
}" frage Association. gave greetings fro
the Delaware Equal Suffrage Associate