The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-03-19
Compare Progress in Uni
ted States With Record
in Europe.
As TO WOODROW WILSON
Women Feel That He Has
Not Done All He
Could. -

A number Of prominent suffragists
In the city met for conference last
night in the Public Library building
and held an interesting discussion re-
garding the advance along the lines
Of their belief. Mrs. N. R. G. Nor
row was in charge of the discussion
and Mrs. Jennie Engle led the devo-
tional exercises Just before 1t opened.
Mrs .Clem Shaver gave some enlight-
eping opinions on various phases Of
the subject which were much enjoy
ed.
The women who assembled last
evening were small in number, bat
large in faith that the day is not far
distant when the State Of West Vir-
gtnia will go suffrage. Many foreign
countries gave women the ballot, yet
the United States lags behind. / do
not consider that we have pure
democracy until our entire popula
ton is allowed to vote" said Mrs.
Morrow. The meeting last evening
was made up Of short opinions in
which a number took part. Some OF
the expressions Of belief ran as fol-
lows:
About one-eighth Of the women in
Germany vote and 40 women sat re-
Gently in German parliament. Eng
lish women vote. France has prom
lsed the vote to her women. Former
Premier Asquith was ready to prom
lse this after the war proved woman's
yital part in accomplishing great
things. Before the war the militant
suffragists began to worry France.
Womeu's part in actual warfare ac-
complished what these turbulent wo-
men could not ohtain-favorable con-
sideration in obtaining the ballot.
Russia when she overthrew her mon
archial government gave women the
vote. New Zealand and Finland,
Norway and Sweeden-all have con-
terred suffrage on their women. Yet
the United States is tagging behind.
The effect of the war upon suffrage
was discussed. That the war had
helped, was agreed by every woman
present. 1t was felt that men every
where had a higher opinion of wo-
mems capabilities since the great war
was waged, bringing to the front her
various abilities which entitle her to
the vote. 1t was regretted that so
many women in Fairmont did not be-
lieye in suffrage-especially among
the teaching force. 1t was decided
that anyone attending universities
who finished course without believ-
ing in suffrage. was hopeless indeed.
The militant doings Of the Woman's
National party was deplored by the
little band last evening. 1t was felt
that miltancy harmed the situation.
The progress made in the house and
senate during the last 49 years in the
u direction OF suffrage was especially
commented upon. The southern
Democrats who fought suffrage be-
cause OF the colored vote 1t would
entail. were viewed in the same light
that the men who objected to votes
for women, when at the same time
thousands Of illiterate men were CIV
en- say in the doingS Of the country,
was considerd.
"A word was said of President Will
sons plea for suffrage which was so
wonderfully logical. When the Pres
ldent gave his spoken word in the
Interat OF suffrage, 1t was considered
inconsistent for the women OF the Ma
tionaI Women's party TO burn him in
eHtgy, together with his speeches.
Some discussion OF this attitude
brought out the opinion from Mrs.
Glenn Shaver that perhaps many felt
President Wilson to be insincere on
ti1is subject. When he can put we'll
over every measure he wishes, is II
not easy to believe that II he really
wanted to put over suffrage he could
do so7 was asked last night. II he
really has the cause at heart, say in
the same degree he had the eight
hour labor undertaking, he could
have handled the situation, was the
opinion Of a number.
The fact that the woman's party
had refused ahiIiation with suffra-
gists was discussed. Mention was
made Of the time they tried to bring
their into West Virginia campaign
ing and were refused. At this time
They were dde-tracked and not allow
Cd TO appear. Much discussion took
place last evening and each woman
present was intensely interested, The
meeting lasted about two hours. A
very beautiful solo was rendered by
MISS Leah Gilkeson. She sang an
Indian song with exceptional sweet
ness and expression playing her own
accompaniment.