Milford chronicle., 1920-09-03
WOMEN HOLD AN
ENTHUSIASTIC MEET
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS FORMED
AT REHOBOTH BEACH, MONDAY,
AUGUST l6, 1920.
PROMOTE GOOD CITIZENSHIP
WILL URGE ITS MEMBERS TO AFFILIATE
WITH THE TWO LEADING PARTIES.
MRS. RlDGELY, PRESIDENT.

An enthusiastic and profitable meet
( ing was held at Rehoboth on August
I 10th when the executive body of the
Equal Suffrage Association. including
/ a number of other members from all
parts of the State, met at the Hotel
1 HenlOpen to discuss, and to receive
/ instructions in citizenship. While
the afternoon meeting was in session
/ the news was flashed over the wires
1 that Secretary of State Colby had
proclaimed the Nineteenth Amend
ment. The passing of Woman's Suf-
frage was received joyfully. So great
was the faith of the women that the
Suffrage banner was hanging on the
wall with 35 gold stars in the dia-
mond field of blue, and the 36th
awaiting the word to take the space
reserved for it. After the evening
session an informal meeting took
place in the lobby where the banner
was on exhibition and the stitches
were on sale. The first stitch. which
was to be taken by Governor Town
send, who was unable to be present,
was taken by Mrs. Burnett, the last
was reserved for Mrs. Buckingham,
the designer of the banner.
Henry Ridgley, Esq, of Dover, made
the principal address of the evening.
He explained that the Nineteenth
Amendment was self-enacting, and
didn't require any legislation by the
State; that it put women on the same
plane as man with respect to suffrage.
He said the only qualifications for a
woman to vote in Delaware are that
oh I,a Of La
resident of the State for one year
prior to election, for the last six
months a resident of the county. and
for the last thirty days a resident of
the district in which she votes. He
urged the women to use their fran
chise and to put conscience and
thought into their voting.
Republican State Chairman Charles
Warner, assured the women that his
committee was doing all in its power
to secure proper representation for
the women. Democratic State Chair
man Isaacs was unable to be present
but sent a letter assuring the women
that he also stood ready to help in ev-
cry way.
The organization voted to unite with
the League of Women Voters, a new
party which is to be nOn-partisan in
endorsing candidates whom it deems
fitting without regard to party. Mrs.
Henry Ridgley was made State Preli-
dent. Active measure to assist and
secure registration of women voters
and to bring out the vote will be
taken.
The League of Women Voters has
no thought of creating a woman's
party, which would be as absurd as a
mems party. It's purpose is 10 III
struct for candidates those who are
known to support the principles of
good government, to demand clean
elections, to held principle above par
to vote for the best candi- /
date available rather than one to
whom the party is indebted. Mem T
bers of the league are expected to
join the party of their political choice.
The following resolutions were
recommended by the executive COM
mitee:
Resolved, that the Delaware Equal
Association shall become the
Delaware League of Women Voters.
Resolved that. believing there
auOulu D6 no sex III pOILlCSs we uldlu-
tain there should be no separate party
for women voters. We favor working
with and through the present political
parties, but we believe the voter
should reserve independence of judg-
ment and action and refuse to be gov
erned by partisan considerations
when they conflict with the best in
.erests of the State.
I'VE demand clean elections and
clean and competent candidates for
)ffice. We believe no platform pro-
essions can justify unfit nominees.
I'VE hold that in State and ocal
politics. the only true test of party's
sincerity is the character and ability
If its nominees.
I'VE pledge ourselves to oppose all
andidates whose intention to uphold
he honor and welfare of the State
an be. justly questioned"