The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-06-20

Sounding q note of unanimous sen timent in appealing to Governor Hol- comb to call a special session of the state legislature for the ratification or the suffrage amendment and launch tnr the views of the Republican and Nnmocratic parties on Woman Suf- frage, the annual convention of the Fairfield County Woman Suffrage as- sociation held at Rosemary Hall yes teriay, was the greatest and most en- thusiastic meeting ever held by the association of this county. There was a eense of triumph and victory ringing through the stirring addresses of the day, which brought forth the new responsibilities and the future plans of the new voters of the nation No little interest was expressed in the address made by Hon. William R. Palmer, of Oxford, former most per sistent anti-suffragist, who in a most self-acknowledged and surprising statement told of his influence in causing Senator McLean's bitterness towards the suffrage cause
 T coached Senator Mclean both through mail and by interviews in voting against the suffrage amend Tnent---there was nothing that l could not do to prevent the passage of the a,i,. I opposed 1t in the Senate and in the House. I have been busy amongst all political. parties to see that sui frage should not pass---and I have all ways been the most persistent, imper- tinent and conservative opponent for the cause"
 Suffragists, who listened aghast at MT. Palmer's confessions, smiled at the fact that he was speaking in the past tense- MT. Palmer acknowel- edged his past beliefs he held about women whole, and rather non- chalantly asserted his surprise in find ing women able to handle grave and serious matters in the most efficient manner.
 T never heard an argument on suf- frage that appealed to me. was ab- soiutely and totally opposed to the enfranchisement of women," said MT. Palmer, and the greatest disappoint- ment in my life came when President Wilson urged and commanded the passage of the amendment. So, not withstanding my prejudice I had for the cause, I changed my mind in re- spect of the President of the United States. and in view of the great war brought women up to the highest standards in grave responsibilities"
 "I see now that America could not have done her part in the war if fl wero not for the women. Suffrage 1: not a right not privilege-but ar obligation"
 Mir. Palmer cited the fine leader, ship of Miss Ruutz- Rees and other suffrage leaders and expressed his be. lief that the intuition of women ana their assistance was now a necessity in the government of the country. H, said that the reports that boti parties were making bids for th' votes of the women were not tru' and that he hoped some of tn, women will join the Republicans ant some the Democrats so that botl parties may have the benefit of thei good judgment.
 The principal address of the da. was made by Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, president of the Nationa Womens Suffrage association wh, sounded the seriousness of the ratifi cation by states of the suffrag g amendment and noted the remedy O Bolshevism in this country througI the ballot.
 The time of justice is past" Mrs Catt said during her address, "an the time has come for action. If on state out of the three-fourths neces sary to ratify the amendment, refuse to ratify 1t, the amendment may re main pending for a number of year. If Connecticut dares to hold back. d you think the women will ever vot for that parry, now in control of tn state? We are now nearer a politics body. and if Connecticut delays an refuses to act, how different it is go ing to be for the state committee { come to us and say, Ladies, ho' gallant we have been-come and vot our ticket If the men do not UT derstand our political psychology they do not understand us then we d not understand them. It has bee my life time to understand cases sue as Mir. Palmer's.
 "A million or so years ago men fe to own control and dominate tt woman. This has not been elimina ed even at the present time. You wi still find the same thing among me illterate and uneducated. The san instinct is also living in men who al educated and refined. They posse the tender polite and honest desil to protect the women. It is a beaut full sentiment and it Is the kind tn; is very hard to get rid of"
 T do not think either man or won an alone can do things wisely in Il matter of government. This is matter so serious. so important,
 sacred, that 1t needs all the intuitio all the understanding. all the brair that both men and women can offer
 Connecticut must come forward al ratify the amendment-you wom must insist upon the ratification, al 1. is not so difficult before 1t will ha pen. The women need the vote f tho reconstruction president"
 Mr1. Catt. Miss Mary Hays pre- dent of the New York City Woman Sunrage association. and Miss Kat erfne Ludington, president of t Connecticut Woman's Suffrage ass citation. emphasized that the sta should call q special session of t legislature. A delegation of wom of this state. headed by Mrs. Ludin ton. will call on Gov. Holcomb ne Tuesday when they will urge him
 calling tho special session. All e preased the hope that the govern win comply with the request.
 4iss Hays was nn unexpected gut at the meeting and she was call