El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-02-01

/ THE women OF FL Paso. in conso-
1 nance with their sisters through
out the state and nation. have ever
been alive 10 the fact that as SEN
tlent beings with an interest in life
beyond the mere acquisition OF hus-
bands and homes they were entitled
to a place in the SUM-" politically
speaking and to a right TO a voice in
the making Of the laws affecting
their children and themselves.
A reading OF the records as pub
lished in the newspapers Of the city
viii show that almost from the be-
ginning the women OF FL Paso have
taken prominent part in attempts at
civic betterment. whether along lines
Of location and Identification of
parks, suppression OF vice or moral
uplift. even though they had no right
the personnel OF the officers who
were to execute such laws as might
be made
Talked 1t Over Many Times.
Many times through the years the
active and public spirited women OF
the city have met and discussed the
advisability Of banding together for
the purpose Of formulating demands
that they be given the right 10 be
placed upon an equality with their
fathers. brothers and husbands at the
polls. but II was not till four years
ago that they finally did get together
and form an association which held
together In 1914, Miss Ruth Augur.
at that time on the reportoriai staff
OF The Herald, called a meeting Of
women. which was held in the par
Tors OF the Orndorff hotel. and the re-
suit was the organization OF the e.
PasO Equal Franchise league. with
Mrs. Charles De Croft as the first
president Since that momentous
meeting the organization evolved has
been a striking factor in the politi-
cal as wei as the civic life Of Ell Paso
and the southwest
object of the Organization.
The object Of the league was to Sc
cure for women the exercise Of the
right OF suffrage by appropriate ma
such changes in the laws as shall
recognize the equal rights OF wo-
men with men, and to encourage the
upbuilding OF civic conditions.
Last years work opened with a
suffrage luncheon celebrating the
third birthday Of the league, the VIC
tory for suffrage in the national
house Of representatives. and the an
nual installation Of officers. Il was
held in the tea rooms OF the new Y.
W c A building, and was largely at
tended.
Two meetings have been held each
month since in the class rooms Of the
Y. W. c. A. except August and
September. One Of these monthly
meetings is for business. and study
Of parliamentary law and civics con-
Quoted by Mrs. s. J. Fenneu: the
other, for purely social purposes.
Campaign Work During the Year.
The league. in February, opened
and conducted campaign for the
purpose Of electing n woman on the
local school board. Their candidate.
n member OF the organization. lost by
AZ votes.
The league also had charge OF ed
ucatiOnal week in connection with the
better babies" movement, in May.
The organization took an active
part in preparing for and helping in
the primary election for congress
sional, state and county offices in
July. Tt furnished a series Of short
talks by members and articles for
the daily papers, on registration and
voting.
Miss Jessie z. s. Mcdonald was
chosen TO help the Democratic execu-
tive chairman in compiling a list of
capable women to serve as clerks at
the election, which they did most ef-
ficiently- Many league members
served in this capacity and helped in
various ways during election.
Worked on Republican Chairman.
A committee from the league. to
gether with other women prominent