Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1928-04-27
(By MRS. NJ. Il. PLASSMANN)

ITOW many Montanans are aware of the
fact that a clause came near being
H Incorporated in our state constitu-
ton, giving women the ballot? A woman
braved public opinion, ridicule, and per-
haps open abuse to champion it, and its
defeat was largely due to the opposi-
ton of two of our early day statesmen
of Irish extraction-a race noted for its
chivalry.
The world has rapidly forged ahead
during the last four decades, and today
women occupy an entirely different posi-
ton from what was then accorded them.
A better knowledge of science has par
TALLY wrought the change, although to
courageous efforts of women is mainly
due the beginning of their economic and
political freedom. In their bitter strug-
gle to gain this, they were aided by a
large number of liberal minded men, who
realized that the initial step towards
race betterment was the enfranchisement
of women. Without their help woman
suffrage would have been much longer
delayed.
When in 1889 the state constitution
was to be drafted, and the various dele
gates congregated in Helena for that pur-
pose, the wife of one of them, Mrs. Perry
w. Meadow, elected to accompany her
husband to the capital. She was a wom-
an of intelligence INK what was then
uncommon, we'll acquainted will bust
ness, having, it is reported before her
marriage conducted a real estate office
in Billings. Nor did her business activi-
ties cease with her marriage, as she as
sisted her husband, who was an invalid,
in running his mine, the Spotted Horse,
near Maiden.
Before her marriage, she was Miss
Tomlinson, which name was abbreviated
to Captain Tom by those who knew
her. This title of itself constituted a
tribute to her ability. Captain Tom went
to Helena for a purpose not at all con-
nected with a desire to shine in the So
cial life of the capital city. She wen
to work for woman suffrage, then and
for some years later anything but a pop
ular movement. She asked for no assist
ance, but single handed entered the
strife for what she considered simple
justice.
Her business training stood her in good
stead in her undertaking. Most women
at that time would have hesitated tc
approach men alone in the endeavor tc
obtain their vote, and do this in an open
and straightforward tanner. There had
long been women lobbyists, but here was
the first instance, SO far as / have beer
able to discover, when q Montana woman
tried to influence representatives as g
man would have done IT..
Her first move was to request permits
sion to address the assembled delegates
This was denied her. She then wished
access to the room where the convention
was sitting, that she might interview the
members. No, this could not be, was
the decision. 1t would be a departure
from custom, to which the human race
has from time immemorial been slavish-
ly subservient.
This opening attack being unsuccess-
full, Captain Tom had to alter her tactics
to meet conditions. One thing was GER
tain, nothing could be accomplished
without each delegate being approached
and the case plainly stated to him. How
might this be done? There was but one
course left her; each man must be met
and argued with on his way to the con
vention. This gave little time to bring
about a conversion where needed. hen
too, most men would %instinctively rebel
against being figuratively held up to de-
mand his ballot.
Another difficulty confronted Captain
Tom. If she interviewed consecutively
several democrats or republicans, yes
even If the number was but two, the re-
port would be circulated that woman
suffrage was a partisan measure. This
must be avoided, and SO this wise woman
interviewed them alternately. republi-
can, democrat, republican, democrat, and
so on. One and all heard what she hao
to say, but how they received her mes
sage we are not informed. Was she treat
ed courteously? / do not know. How
ever, she persisted in her efforts.
That she was meeting with some meas
ure OF success is evident from the alarm
it awakened in the minds Of two dele
gates. The Hon. Martin Maginnis, and
Joseph K. ~Toole-later Gov. Toole-
sensed what was going on. and at once
girded themselves for the fray. They LED
the opposition, we are told, and found
no difficulty in ridiculing the whole
movement. Probably 1t is just as well
that what they said on the subject is
not available generally, If at all.
These Two anti-suffragists did their
work well, as the vote on the cause
proved when taken. 1t stood 43 against
and % for the proposed addition to the
constitution.
The next morning after the ballot was
taken, every delegate found on his desk
a bouquet Of roses that is, all but two
the desks of Messrs. Toole and Magin-
mis- were decorated with thistles. She
laughed best who a laughed last, =
and that was Captain Tom.