The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1917-04-27
SUFFRACISTS MEET.

HOUSE WELL FILLED WITH INTER-
ESTED PEOPLE.
The Opera House was we'll filled on
Friday afternoon, April 10th, at the
mass meeting held under the auspices
of the Just Government League of
Carroll county. The beautiful deco
rations, including the National and
State flags, and the handsome green,
white and violet banner of the League,
with potted plants and ferns, and
large punches OF yellow flowers, the
suffrage color, were under the super
vision of Mrs. d. F. Shipley, chair
man of the decorating committee.
Music by the Boy Scout Band who
kindly gave their services and a
group of Camp Fire Girls, under the
supervision of Misses Dorothy Elder
dice, Azelia Shipley, and Mrs. Mad
aline Powers, who served as ushers,
and distributed literature added
greatly to the attractions.
At 2.30 p. m. the meeting was called
to order by Miss Mary B. Shellman,
president of the Carroll county League
who after introducing the first speak
er, Mrs. Donald r. Hooker, president
of the Just Government League of
Maryland, turned the meeting over to
her. On the platform with them were
the principal speaker of the day, Mrs.
VIM. Kent, of California, a woman
voter, wife of Hon. VIM. Kent, rep
resentative in Congress from Califor-
mic &c of hn CT
suffragists in the country and a Nat
ional officer; Mrs. E. GrisWold Thelin
and Mrs. Calvin n. Gabriel, promi-
nent Baltimore suffragists; Mrs. S. K.
Herr, vice-president of Carroll coun-
ty; Mrs. O. d. Gilbert, Mrs. d. f.
Shipley, and Miss Lucy Branham,
state organizer.
The teachers and pupils of the
Westminster High School and the
young ladies of the senior class of
Western Maryland College attended in
a body.
The attention of the audience was
held throughout by the earnest con-
Vincing speeches of both Mrs. Kent
and Mrs. Hooker the latter of whom,
conducted an interesting question box
at the close OF the speeches. The
platforms of the different political
parties, each indorsing suffrage in
some form were read by Mrs. Thelin,
who also stated that seven million WO-
men now vote in National elections.
Equal suffrage is now established in
II states, presidential suffrage in 5
states, and primary suffrage in l state,
making II in all, while partial 5uf-
frage is granted in - states, and the
Presidential bill has passed both
Houses of the Michigan Legislature
and is waiting the promised signature
of the Governor Why not Maryland?
From the states where women vote,
come over One-Quarter of electoral
college t159 Of the 531 electoral votes)
Over one-Quarter of House G20 of the
433 members of COngreSS.D Over one
third Of Senate ga of the 90 Senator's
In the course of her remarks Mrs.
Hooker said: "A year ago, | frequent
ly met men and women living in
America who did not know what De
mOcracy meant. Now. however, be-
cause of the dangerous attack made
upon democracy, everybody has come
to realize and appreciate what it
means. This realization has made
them more open minded, it has nur-
tured a frame of mind auspiciOus
for our problem of woman suffrage"
At the close of the meeting a recep-
ton was held by the League at the
residence of Mrs. S. X. Herr, which
was largely attended. and was in
charge of Mrs. O. ID. Gilbert, chair
man of the hospitality committee. as
sisted by Mrs. Luther Bare and Mrs.
w. H. Vanderford.
A telegram was sent to Gov. Har-
rington from the meeting asking him
to urge the passage OF the suffrage
bill at the special session of the Leg
islature as a war measure.
A vote OF thanks was given by the
League to Messrs. Reese and SANTOS
for use of the Opera House; to the
Boy Scout Band and to the Camp Fire
Girls for their assistance in making
the meeting success and to the
press for notices
On Monday, Mrs. 5. X. Herr. Mrs. O.
ID. Gilbert and Mrs. Charles Billing
slea attended. as delegates from Car
roll county, the State Convention of
the Just Government League in Bal
timore, and were with the party who
went to Washington in special car
to present resolutions to President
Wilson. and to he received by Con-
gresswOman Jeanette Rankin. and the
Maryland Representatives in the
House and Senate.
Similar meetings of Friday will lie
held during the summer at Westmin-
Ster and other PARTS of Carroll county