The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-27

When the state democratic execu-
tive committee of Alabama holds its
expected meeting in January. one of
the live subjects to come before 1t
will be the matter of woman repre-
sentation upon the committee in line
with the precedent that has already
been set by the national democratic
body.
Mrs. John D. McNeel, national com
mitteewoman for Alabama, and w. ID.
Nesbitt, chairman of the state demo-
cratic committee, have had some re-
cent correspondence upon the subject
in which the main points involved arc
discussed. and II Is their desire to
bring the matter before the democrats
of the state in order that present
members of the committee may APP
proach the forthcoming meeting pre-
pared to discuss and represent the
views of their constituents in such
action as may be taken.
The present executive committee
consists of five members from each
congressional district in the state,
and the democratic voters of each
district elects its five members on
the committee. This arrangement
was provided by the last state demo-
cratic convention held, which was a
number of years ago. Whether the
committee has authority to change
this arrangement Is one of the points
to be discussed.
The correspondence between Mrs
McNeel and Mr.. Nesbitt will be inter-
esting to all democrats of the state
Under date of October 2s Mrs. McNeel
wrote as follows:
~ Vic ~
the necessity of having as thorough
an organization of democratic women
in Alabama as possible, l am request
ing you to bring before the next
meeting of the state executive COM
mittee the question OF equal repre-
sentation of women on the commit
tee. Although the committee will not
be reorganized until August, 1922, II
does not seem too early to discuss the
matter in order that a decision may
be reached as to the best method OF
making this change in personnel, and
also that recommendations regarding
equal representation may be sent tc
county committees.
"As you know, the democratic ma
tional convention at San Francisco
provided for equal representation OF
women on the national committee BY
doubling the number of members or
the committee. This method, IL fol-
lowed by the various states and theil
counties, appears to be logical ad.
justment of the matter. Yours cor
daily.
ADELE G. M'NEEL,
National Committeewoman of Ala.
bama."
To this Mr.. Nesbitt replied. October
81, as follows:
my Dear Mrs. McNeel--I have your
letter of the 2Sth.
II thoroughly agree with you as
to the desirability of having on the
state democratic executive committee
full representation of the democratic
women of the state and 1 shall be
glad to bring the matter to the at
tention of the state executive commit.
tee at is mex meeting.
I'm the meantime, l would like yor
to think over this situation and make
your suggestions after consultation
with other women democrats. Since
both men and women in Alabama are
now on the same basis of citizenship
is it the proper thing to divide then
into classes on account of sex ant
have representation on sex basis
or is it best to give to each indi-
vidual, whether man or woman, the
opportunity of serving in office? Ir
considering this please bear in minc
that the members of the democratic
executive committee are elected ir
the primary and it suggests itself tt
me that probably it would be wises
to allow both men and women candi
dates to offer and be elected on thu
basis of their fitness rather than or
account of sex.
Each congressional district ha.
representation on the committee o.
five members and 1t seems to me tina
without trying to dictate to them a.
to how many women or how many
men each should have. each dis
trict be permitted to elect just a.
many men or women. not exceeding
five, as it desires. In working thi!
situation to a satisfactory conclusion
/ am sure it will be the desire of thu
democrats now on the committee to dc
the thing that probably will give full
and equal representation to our new
democratic women voters. and thu
thing to be decided is what Is the
best way to accomplish this. With
kind regards. I am, yours very truly
wv. d. NESBITT. Chairman"
In further exposition of the views
on the matter Mrs. McNeel. on No
vember 2, wrote:
MY Dear Mr. Nesbitt-Your letter
of October 31st has been received.
thank you for your promptness II
replying to my request that the ques
ton of equal representation OF demo.
cratic women on the state executive