Women -- Suffrage -- History; Women -- Suffrage -- United States -- History; Women's rights -- History; Women's rights -- United States -- History
While the eminent speakers attracted the largest audiences that ever
had attended the conventions of the association, according to the
opinions of the older suffragists, the delegates themselves were
equally interested in the morning meetings devoted to the reports and
other business. The corresponding secretary, Miss Kate M. Gordon, a
keen student of politics and organization, in speaking of factors in
success, said: "There is great necessity for a personal acquaintance
between the leaders in our suffrage work in the States and the
prominent politicians in the States; the personal acquaintance also of
the editors and managers of our great public-opinion-forming
newspapers; a pleasant working relation in women's clubs and all
movements for better social conditions in our respective communities;
a more intimate acquaintance with the educational influences, the
teachers in our public schools and the college life of our
communities."
Miss Gordon made a special plea for cooperation in the efforts for
Child Labor legislation and she ended by saying: "But means and
methods for the future of our work pale into insignificance in the
need of the hour, which is Oregon. Funds for this campaign must be a
matter of conscience with every believer. In proportion to the
gratitude you feel for the comfortable position which women occupy
today, measure your contribution; no sacrifice can be too great at
this crucial moment in our onward history." Throughout the convention
the work in Oregon, where an amendment to the State constitution would
be voted on in November, was the uppermost thought. The treasurer made
a special appeal for funds; the chairman of the Press Committee told
of it; it was discussed and planned for in the business meetings and
different speakers referred in hopeful words to its probable success.
An amendment to the constitution abolishing proxies empowered to cast
the full vote to which the State was entitled and providing that
delegates present should cast only their own vote caused a spirited
discussion, with Mrs. Catt and eastern delegates in favor and Dr. Shaw
and western delegates opposed and was lost by a vote of 68 to 11. No
change of officers was made at this convention. Reports of Committees
on Libraries, Literature, Enrollment, Presidential Suffrage, etc.,
were presented by their chairmen. A lively discussion on the use of
the union label on literature, stationery, etc., resulted in an almost
unanimous decision to retain it. Very interesting reports of work in
the States were made by their respective presidents. Invitations for
the next convention were received from the Chamber of Commerce of
Wheeling, W. Va., the Chamber of Commerce, Bar Association and
Suffrage Club of Oklahoma City and the Commission for celebrating the
founding of Jamestown, Va.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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