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About The new Northwest. (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 10, 1881)
, ... KllKK .Sl'KtXII, KllKK PlIBSS, FllEE P0OM.K. ! . PER YEAR $3 00. i ' ' in ' " i : '-'IT ' i T CU. W. S. A. - aXUl'KS,,AXI JlW6KIKf3if OF THE NINTH AN NUAL CWNSOTHMf OFIlE ORKOON STATE ' WOjiAis' TFFRAJ: ASSOCIATION, A XKW CONSTlTtmOlf TIC AfUIEKCIW APOITED I-ABGE AND ENT1IVS1AS- WtESEXI A1DSE BT MASY LADIKS AMD OKieTI,lnBN. as in former yours, and, with the noble assistance of many gentlemen and ladies, so shaping public means, that no amendment to a pending amend ment shall be proposed while such amendment FIRST DAY MORNING SESSION. The ninth unniial Convention of the Oregon State Woman Suffrage Association met on Tues day, the Sth lnsirnt, in the large hall of the Young Men's Christian Association, as per previ ous announcement, the President, Mr. 32. 1?. Hero j', in the chair. Owing to the Interruption of lines of travel by storms and Hoods, very many of the delegates from abroad had njot yet arrived, the counties rep resented being Multnomah, Yamhill, "Washing ton, Cltiteop ami Clackamas. The Recording Secretary, Mrs. J. DeVore John eon, being absent, Mrs. Duniway was appointed pro tern. The President appointed the following Commit tees: ' - On Programme Mrs. M. A. Dalton and Miss Ida Lesley of Multnomah and Mrs. 32. A. Corwin of Clatsop. On Finance Chaplain Stubbs, Mrs. C. A. Co burn ami Mrs. M. A. Dalton, all of Multnomah. On Resolutions Mrs. H. A. Loughary of Yam hill and Mrs. A. S. Duniway ami Dr. Mary A. Thompson of Multnomah. Mr. 32. F. Heroy, the President, then read the following address: TUB lJtESrDENTS ADDRESS. Officers and Member of the Oregon Stale Woman Suffrage AtsodatUm : The ninth annual Conven tion of your Society convenes this morning under unusually favorable auspices, and, though much of the progress of the question of woman's enfran chisement may be attributed to the earnest desire of the intelligent people of this coast to lay the foundation of our governmental fabric upon the rock of eternal truth, yet to-day we should not have witnessed the broad fields of ripening-grain, now almost ready for the garner, had it not been for the wearisome toil, the unswerving purpose, the abounding zeal of the officers and members of this Association. A ready appreciation should be accorded to those who have stood and toiled in the front rank of the work. In reviewing the work of the past year, I find that very much more has been accomplished for Woman Suffrage in that time than in all the former years of the Association's history ; and it s significant to note that this work has been ac complished mainly within the latter half of the year, cheering the hearts of the husbandmen with the thought that the harvest so long delayed is at last ready for the gatherer. In justice to those who have labored so zealously in former years to prepare the soil and sow the seed of our present harvest to show that we are not unmindful of their labors I will briefly notice the successive stages of the work accomplished prior to the pres ent year. Mrs. Duniway, who has been the leader of the movoment from the beginning in this State, and to whose untiring energy our success is thus far mainly due, attended the Legislature for the first time for the purpose of bringing the interests of women before that honorable body of law-makers in 1872. At that time the women of Oregon were wholly under the dominion of the old common law, which deprived them, as soon as married, of all legal, civil, political and financial personality, and made them alike the subjects of their hus bands' munificence or illiberality, their affections or abuse, their prodigality or their disposition to be miserly. At the legislative session before al luded to, Hon. Samuel Corwin, then of Tillamook, but now a resident of Astoria, offered a resolution to secure the elective franchise to citizens without regard to sex. A number of gentlemen seconded ' Mr. Corwin's efiorts and fought bravely for the resolution, but, though it received a handsome vote, it failed to receive a majority. In 187-1, Col. C. A. Reed, who has always been a stanch Woman Suffragist, introduced the same resolu tion, which was equally well considered in the House, but eventually shared the fate of its prede cessor. But the majority of our legislators were not indifferent to the rights of women, even in that early period of the movement, as was proved by their .passage of "The Married Women's Sole Trader Bill" in '72, and a "Married Women's Proporty Bill" in '74. 3n '76, though an honor able efmrtwas made by a called Convention of this Association for the purpose of securing further legislation in woman's behalf, thorc was no im mediate result. In '78, Mrs. Duniway was again at her post, and remained at the Legislature throughout tho session, bearing lior own oxpenses, sentiment that a law was passed granting to mar- awaits' the ratification required by the Constitu- j ried women the right to personal use and control of all property received by them through gift, de vise or inheritance. They also secured at that;' session the right to make contracts and to sue and be sued. Public sentiment continued to grow in favor of exact equality for women before the law. until in 1SS0 there was a law passed granting to, them, when married, the right to own and eontro( their own earnings the same as if single. They are also entitled, under the same law, to the cus tody and control of their minor children upon equal terms with fathers. The "Probate Confisca tion Court" has been abolished, and tho wife can now hold the property and carry on tho business, in case of the husband's death, with the same im munity from legal oppression with which the husband has always been able to carry on tho bus iness after tho death of the wife. But the crown ing act of the Legislature of 1880 was tho triumph ant passage of the resolution to amend the Con stitution and grant women the elective franchise. Until this right lias been secured to them, all other rights are unsafe. If men need the ballot for the protection of their interests, it is idle to say that women do not need it for a like reason. It lias been well said that "men and women have the same animal and mental natures, the same physical and spiritual needs, and tho same com mon destiny. The inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is common to both,, and each is endowed with an individuality pecu liar to the sex, ami neither can rightly represent the other, because it is not possible for one olasa to comprehend the individual needs of another class." The next great eflbrfc of our Association will be to exert its influence for nominating well-known Woman Suffragists for the Legislature of 1882. The resolution jwssed at the last session will re quire to be ratified at the next one before it can reach the people. Let every member of this As sociation and even friend of woman's enfranchise ment be on the alert. Other States in tho Utttonq aro moving rapidly in the same direction, and Oregon must hasten in the work if she would gain the prestige of leadership which those who are battling valiantly to secure so much desire. Women are already voting on educational inter ests in Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Colorado, California, Oregon, New Hampshire, Massachu setts and New York, and on all questions in Wy oming and Utah. Let us not delude ourselves with the idea that we shall have no opposition. Bigotry, ignorance, intemperance and licentiousness in every form will unite to place obstructions in the way ; slan der and vituperation will be hurled at the leaders in the future as in the past; hut the friends of freedom will surely triumph if they do their duty. I would recommend that you have a Committee on Political Action, consisting of picked men and women of eacli county, whose duty shall consist in securing the passage of a resolution favoring Woman Suffrage by every nominating Conven tion in State or county. I would awsuggest that a standing Committee on Finance be appointed, and that one of its first considerations should he to devise some way of remunerating Mrs. Duni way in some degree for her labors in the cause, While others whose hearts are enlisted have occa sionally assisted in the work, she has struggled constantly, suffering indignities and persecutions in forwarding the cause; has toiled and journeyed often, visiting remote places, meeting the un tamed elements, lighting our battles, hand to hand with ignorance and prejudice, and, in spite of seemingly unsurmountable difficulties, has sown the seed of this gospel of truth broadcast over our mountains and through our valleys, scat tering the leaves of the tree of knowledge, calling around her the friends of the cause, and, by organ izing societies and speaking In school-houses and churches, so arousing the people that they have become our co-workers all over tho State. To sustain her and the New NouthWRST is to sus tain the cause. 1 Opponents of Woman Suffrage, who have re treated step by step from their former positions, are now attempting to interpose a constitutional barrier to prevent the ratification by the Logisla ture of 1882 of the resolution adopted last Fall ; but it is noticeable that the leading newspapers which at first favored tills fancy have ceased to offer it as a reasonable or legal objection. The ablest legislators, lawyers, judges and jurists who have examined the Constitution with unpreju diced motives are unanimous in their opinion that the Constitution was not intended as a bar rier to human liberty. To argue that the Consti tution prohibits a proposition for amending any part or clause of the whole while an already pro posed amendment of any other clause or part is ponding, is to place an obstruction in the pathway of common sense. But if you make it say, as it tiori'as a whole, vou then interpret the instrument in accordance with a broad comprehension 6f logic and law. Let everv member of tbife Association read the Constitution and. become properly forti- liejl against the sophistry of unconstitutional op position. The National work is progressing ferandly.- The yearly Conventions at Washington arc popular, well-attended and enthuwUfetic. Tlfoprcss and people' are IwijRg instructs! mtfr&fttjMry thuri eves' Before in trie principles of jri$S&-v Congress receives delegations of Woman Smfifagtsts with courtesy, and givels them A respectful hearing be fore committees. Members of both Houses make stirring speeches for the cause. Tho White House is open for the reception of its advocates. Mrs. Hayes is a pronounced Woman Suffragist, and the President is not opposed to the measure. Tho leading divines of the country are giving the cause their warmest approval and making stirring speeches in its favor, and Christian men and women all over the Nation are beginning to real ize the fact that the mission of Christ on eartli meant peace and good will to women as well as men. The cause is inarching on. Let good will, har mony and enthusiasm mark our deliberations in this Convention. Let us be guided by wisdom and moderation in all we say and do, and victory will crown our labors with success. AT THE fONCUTSrON OF TUB ADDRESS, Letters favoring the work of the Association were read from Mrs. P. ICulil and Miss M. h. Douthitt, President and Secretary of tho Grant County Woman Suffrage Association; from Hon. M. Ful ton of Clatsop, who introduced the Woman Suf frage resolution in the last State Senate; Hon. F. O. McCown of Clackamas, Hon. J. N. Dolph of Multnomah, Hon. W. Carey Johnson of Clacka mas, and Hon. W. H. Smallwood and Hon. S. M. Gilmore of Klickitat county, W. T. Dr. Thompson was called for, and made a brief alMrefes. Adjourned to 2 l sr. afthrNoon SUSSioy. Tiio Convention was called to order at 2 o'clock by the I'resident. Minutes of previous meetfilg were road and ap proved Upon invitation, tho Association was addressed by Mr. Cochran of Vancouver. He said that ho had been taught the doctrine of Woman Suffrage by his mother and by his sister, who wore noble women. His wifo was a Woman Sulfragist, and together they helped along the good cause of lib erty according to their opportunities. He consid ered it a reflection upon the nineteenth century that conventions should be necessary for the con sideration of the enfranchisement of women. He spoke at somo length upon the desirability of giv ing women the ballot as a reformatory movement especially in the cause of temperance. He de voutly believed that the women would wipe out the curse of intemperance. In conclusion, he enunciated his creed. He declared himself op posed to secession and to slavery of every kind, and in favor of universal suffrage, especially Woman Suffrage. Mrs. A.S. Duniway, Chairman of the Committee on Revision of the Constitution and By-Laws, presented the report of the Committee. The re vised Constitution and By-Laws were read and considered seriatim. The following form was adopted by the Associa tion : CONSTITUTION. We, the undersigned, citizens of the State of Oregon, in order to promote the enfranchisement of the women of the commonwealth, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to all persons, do ordain and subscribe to this Con stitution. Article 1. This Association shall be called tin entitled to such funds from the treasury as the Executive Committee sliall deem appropriate compensation for the service rendered. Article 4. ThcVice-Presiddrfts of this Associa tion shall consist of the Presidents of the varioi.K County Associations. For counties in which there are no auxiliary societies, this Association shall elect the Vice-Presidents by a majority vote. Article 5. The Executive Committee shall con sist ex ojjieio of the President, the Recording and Corresponding Secretaries, the Vice-President at Large, and one other member of the Associa tion, to lie elected at each annual meeting. Article C. The n ular meetings of this Asso ciation shall be held annually in the city of Port land, beginning their sessions at 10 a. ar., on Tuesday, of the first week of the Mechanics' Fair, and continuing the same as long as the officers and members shall deem expedient. But the Ex-, eeutive Committee may have the power to call. extra sessions whenever necessary. Article 7. All elections shall be effected by brt , lot, and a majority of all votes cast shall &e re quired to elect. Article 8. Election of officers shall take plae annually on the afternoon prior to the closing evening session; and officers shall hold their po sitions until their successors are duly elected and. installed. Article 0. Five members may constitute a que rtim at any regular session of the meetings of this Association. Article 10. Any person may become a member, of this Association and be entitled to a voice in its deliberations by signing this Constitution and paying into the treasury annually a fee of 51. Article 11. Amendments to this Constitution must be proposed in writing, and shall be pre sented to the Executive Committee two weeks prior to any annual meeting; and a majority vote of tho members present at any regular meeting tho Association shall be sufficient to adopt. BY-I.AWS. Article 1. Three sessions of the Association shall be held daily during any annua meeting, viz.: at 10:30 A. M. and at 2 and 7:30 p. x. But a temporary change may be made at any regular meeting by a majority vote of those present. Article 2. The Exocutive Committee shall meet from time to time at the call of the President. Article 3. The following committees, each of three persons, shall be appointed by the President at the opening session of any regular convention, to-wit: on Programme, on Finance and onResohi- tions ; members of these committees to serve dur ing the sessions of the meeting at which they are appointed. After the adoption of the Constitution and By Laws, the Convention was entertained by an in strumental solo by Miss Ellen Scott, of Foresfc Grove. Adjourned until 7:30 i r. ' EVBNING SBSSION. Convention called to order at 7:80 o'clock by thi-1 President; Miss Dora McCord and Miss Nellie Waltz favored the audience with instrumental music upon the violin and the piano. Mrs. Duniway dolivered an address of welcome to tho immense assemblage. She alluded to the small beginning of tho Woman Suffrage move ment in Oregon a boginning scarcely noted by the people. She said the reform carried with it from its inception a promise of success, because it was a question of right, and as such must eventu ally triumph. "We are not advocating woman's rights, but equal rights for all, irrespective of race or color recognizing for all the brotherhood of men and the fatherhood of God." She spoke of the struggles and aspirations of the women of the Revolution. They began the struggle for equal rights. Mrs. Abigail Adams uttered long ago the plea for political equality which the women ol to day present to the American people in all confi dence. Mrs. "Duniway concluded bv savinr lhai. the Oregon. Legislature had at last placed lwlore Oregon State Woman Suffrage Association, and J ;he people of this Statea livo issue by consenting shall be auxiliary to the National Woman Suf- o submit to them thoqutioiv Si "woasaifs -en- frage Association of the United States, Article 2. The officers of this Association nlial consist of a 3resident, Vice-President at Large, ii Vice-President for each county of the State of OrcM gon, a Recording Secretary, a Corresponding Hec- rotary, a Treasurer, and an executive i omnmte of five persons, and their duties shall be thesafft as devolve upon liko officers in other associated rdoliborative bodies, excoptas hereinafter specified Article 3. The Vice-President at Large shall be authorized to lecture under the auspices of this Association, in any town, city or district lie or she "3 He stated that he coul much ground In spoaking 115011 fission; 'He ttaidAaiat iW Sf fffora Rev.. J. A. Gray n'oxt addressed the mlunot undertake te ower i v the suDjjtct of ales dPifto f-nkm pltliy re'wgnTzIng tlteVoperty u.nA -family $ggwop-wom0n wh6 have hiSpeB frffefrnd oar epuoiic. iioToviewen ts portion of wosnoAfa UBtory, citing jhany heroic exanplee: ittrJwtd compliment to'the women of i-j Rewkfliia- iriDing oremt 10 mom wnicu .Ns boe ts sei- rh a'ecdrdedi Hn..liu(ltf in fl, rwut mrfnmi. 0 . . ' ' o . v. ry work which hns neon (ioimwome 3n our -mnv visit within tho boundaries of the State, ami shall be vigilant in prosecuting the work of thaMRoimtry especially In elevating AT aseitfati As;nninMnil ! mid fin or )io olntll no fnr n lwiooiin :lr.knr. n.l nffmi tinm,tl.t ' , .-v ...... .. .... - I'voni- WUUiUllll UUU UllVU VUlUUUU ditJ.- oie, organize jounty woman SuiiragbocioliesMhyhd have flooded ourtshoros and local Woman Suffrage Clubs, and" shall bJ UT?' . inonciu,v.ijfitthifc