The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-16
WARM STATEMENT
 BY DELEGATION
Attalla Suffragists Resent Refusal of Convention to
 Seat Them

Gadsden, February 15.-(Specia1.J J-As an echo of the state woman suffrage conven- ton. which ended Friday night, state ment was given out by members of the Attalla delegation. who were not allowed seats in the convention on the ground that their dues were delinquent. They claim to have elected their delegates at a meeting at which a. quorum was pres ent, and state they have been informed that such was not the ease with Gads- den They also insist that, if six days In January and eight days in February constitute IA days, and if l4 days make two weeks, then they were entitled Co representation in the conventiOn They complain of Gadsden association's hospi- tality, and conclude; We still believe in woman suffrage, and that the cause Is Just and right, but we have found that as exactly in the case of men, we have to be very, very careful in whose hands We place the reins of government. The statement is signed by seven prominent women Of Attalla and follows
 Tine Attalla delegates to the Equal Suffrage association convention held in Gadsden. feeling that as so much pub licity has been given through the press 10 their exclusion from the convention, would like through the same medium to give their version of the affair.
 1nasmuch as We were not allowed d voice in the convention or to defend our selves from false statements repeated on the floor, we think it only just to our selves to do this.
 "The Attala association had 4s paid members. which entitled us to five dele- gates.
 "our delegates were legally elected at a meeting at which we had more than full quorum.
 We have been informed by q member of the Gadsden association that they had 
 gates were elected at meeting when only four were present. Seven constitutes a quorum i'll the Equal Suffrage associa- ton of Alabama.
 Nevertheless the delegates of the Gadsden association voted solidly to ex- clude Attalla from the convention.
 "Consistency, thou art a jewel!
 Now. for the technicality by which they excluded us The bylaws say that the dues must be paid not later than two weeks prior to the first day Of the convention. The first day of the con vendon, of course, was the 9th of Feb ruary. Our dues were mailed and the check dated the 25th of January, and Miss Partridge (the treasurer) acknowl- edged that she received them on the morning of the 26th. When We were children we were taught that six and eight make 14 (six days in January and eight in February) and that 14 days made two weeks, but from the decision of the convention we must conclude either that it takes 15 days to make two weeks or that six and eight make IS.
 We have also heard that there was a hospitality committee. There usually is at conventions of this kind, but by some mischance the Attalla delegates failed to meet any of that committees
 "A criminal is considered innocent lil- til he is proven guilty, but it seems the Gadsden association tried, convicted and sentenced us before the case went to the credentials committee.
 We consider that we have been very unjustly treated by the convention, and most discourteously by the Gadsden as- sociation.
 we still believe in woman suffrage. and that the cause is just and right but we have found that as exactly in the case of men, we have to be very, very careful in whose hands We place the reins of government
 MRS. w. F. SHOWERS.
 MRS. JOE RHEA,
 MRS. CHlsRLES s. SHAWMANs
 MRS. WILLBURN HILL,
 MRS. JOHN J. STEPHENS,
 MRS. WILLIAM COLE,
 MRS. JOHN P. STEWART,
 MISS LOUISE DUPRE.