The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-01-26
(6y Ida Hustled Harper, In thu
lndlananQlia NeNa.l

Indianapolis NeW8.)
The hearts of Indiana women, near
and far, were gladdened and they
Joined in spirit with those who, the
dispatches said, danced with Joy in the
old statehouse when the long struggle
for the suffrage was ended on Jan.
uary 16.
Two legislatures have done all In
their power to bring this happy con-
summation that Of 1917 gave the
presidential and municipal franchise,
and when this grant was nullifled by
the supreme court, the one of 1919
properly re-enacted the law, giving the
presidential, and now has completed
its work by ratifying the federal
amendment. --- ~.-------.- l-- --- .--~-' ---
only unexpected delays will prevent
the women of Indiana from exercising
the full suffrage next November. This
will mark the finish Of a contest be-
gun Just 60 years ago. There is not
in all history an instance of class
of men striving that length of time for
a voice in their government.
It IL not generally known that In
diana ranks among the very earliest
Of the pioneer states in the movement
of woman suffrage. preceded only by
New York, Ohio and Massachusetts,.
New York led the way with the fam
Gus first woman's rights convention in
1S48, but did not hold another until
1852.
Ohio called one in April, 1850:
Massachusetts in October of that year,
and Indiana in 1851. At an anti-slav-
cry meeting in Greensboro, Henry
county. resolution was offered by
Amanda NJ. Way, an active agent of
the underground railroad" as fol.
lows: Whereas the women of our
land are being oppressed and degrad-
ed by the laws and customs Of our
country and are in but little better
condition than chattel slaves, there
fore,
Resolved, that we call a woman's
rights convention and that a commit
tee be appointed now to make the
necessary arrangements"
Met at Dublin.
Miss Way herself. Joel Davis and
Fanny Hiatt were appointed. The
convention met in Dublin, Wayne
county, in October. probably the 18th,
and lasted two days. Hannah Hiatt
was elected president; Miss Way. vice
president, and Henry Hiatt, secretary
Apparently they did not need a treas
urer. All were "Quakers'' or Friends.
Miss Way stated the object of the
meeting to be "a full, free and candid
discussion of the legal and social Pc.
sition of women"
A letter was read from Mary F.
Thomas, OF North Manchester, urging
them to "be firm and out-spoken in
their opinions and encouraging young
women to enter trades and profess
sions and fit themselves for pecuni-
airy independence" very radical ideas
for these days, and she was carrying
them out by studying medicine her.
self Henry G. Wright, the noted
abolitionist, addressed large audiences
both evenings.
1t was natural that in the early
stages of this movement its strongest
supporters should be Friends and abol.
itionists, the former because they rec
ognized the equality of women in
their religion, and the latter because
they could not logically plead for free
dom for the negroes and deny it to
the women, although many Of the men
did SO. The women soon saw the
similarity between the legal and polit-
tcal position Of the negroes and them,
selves.
Address Assembly.
The two houses met in joint SEES
sion; the women were escorted to the
speakers stand, and J. r. Cravens,
president Of the senate, introduced
them. Mrs. Cook invited, their ser.
ious and candid consideration of the
intrinsic merits of the petition and the
arguments Of the petitioners" DR.
Thomas read the petition bearing
more than 1000 names. and claimed
the right of suffrage on the grounds OF
absolute justice as we'll as of the
highest expediency," pointing out the
evils of "class legislation"
Mrs. Birdsall followed with a clear
logical address of half an hour. The
proceedings were respectful and dig.
nified and the resolution of General
Steele was adopted unanimously that
"the address be spread upon the