Milford chronicle., 1920-01-09
DELAWARE WOMEN TO
STUDY GOVERNMENT
SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION OPENS HEAD
QUARTERS AT DOVER AND HOLD
CITIZENSHIP INSTITUTES.

The Delaware Equal Suffrage As
sociation opened January lst. 1870,
Headquarters on State street in Dover.
The opening was the occasion for
reception rendered by the Dover sec
tion OF the association TO the State
officers and members.
Mrs. Bernard Behen has been en-
gagged as office secretary and will be
in charge of headquarters from to
5 p. N. each day.
Mrs. Henry Ridgely, president OF tne
Suffrage Association, announced the
formation of five committees-educa-
tion. organization, literature, press
and finance. The personnel OF the
committees not being quite complete,
its announcement was postponed until
the next meeting.
The most significant piece OF work
to be undertaken by su1ragists IN the
immediate future is the holding OF
citizenship institutes in various sec
tions OF the State. These institutes
are TO be held in February. They are
TO be planned somewhat on the lines
of the farmers institutes, and are de-
signed TO give to women the training
for the responsibilities Of citizenship
which all newly enfranchised groups
need.
Since women are so soon TO share
with men the duties and responsible
ties of citizens, we wish to get ready
for what is coming" said Mrs. Ridgely
when interviewed. "As a body Of think
ing women, il seems to US to be our
first and most serious obligation to
put in reach Of every woman In the
State the opportunity to learn the
value OF citizenship; its meaning, Its /
Dotentialities and how TO use il in I
diligently and conscientiously
do you think the women will take 4
advantage Of the opportunities you /
propose to give them she was asked. ]
Mrs. Ridgely smiled when she an
swered: Il don't believe you men re-
alize yet that Delaware women have
walked up. The keenest interest in
our Institutes has been expressed
wherever our intentions in regard to
them have become known. Women
even who have always claimed they
did not want to vote are asking ques-
tions and wishing to enroll that they
may be prepared for what they realize
now is inevitable"
Does that mean you are to have
a special session in Delaware?" was
the next question.
"Not necessarily. Women will be
voting inside of is months, whether
the Delaware Legislature acts or not, !
by virtue of what the other States will
do. However, il Governor Townsend
should call a special session before
February l, il would in all likelihood
insure votes to women all over the
in the 1920 fall elections, and
we cannot help believing that both pO-
litical parties will see the eXpediency
Of finishing the thing at once, We
hope we are to have it.
The present plans for the institutes
include provision for six. Others may
be added. They will last two days
and include a function of some kind in
the evenings. There will be three lee
-urers, who will talk on such subjects
as Politics, the Science Of Govern
ments"; The Vote and How to Use
IT,; Primary Election, etc. At the
close of each lecture time will be given
Tor discussion and questions. Sample
ballots will he in evidence and the
voters will be shown how
10 mark them. In fact. it is rumored
hat a real mock election will be held
rom the time when the ballot boxes
are examined al the opening Of the
ge!is on election dav until the votes
ire counted at the close It looks as if
he women mean business. If they
larry out their idea for training for
citizenship seriously. they will be an
.sset to the State. the value of which
,annOt be estimated.