74
THE CONGRESSIONAL UNION OF MARYLAND
ON Thursday, May 27, a delegation from the Congressional Union
called upon Mr. Talbott. The delegation was led by Mrs. Townsend
Scott, chairman of the Congressional Union of Maryland, and Mrs. Emma
Maddox Funck, member of the Advisory Council of the Union, acted as
the spokeswoman. Although it was decided not to ask Mr. Talbott as to
his opinion on woman suffrage, but only to ask him to vote favorably on
the Susan B. Anthony amendment when it came up for action in the Sixty
fourth Congress, Mr. Talbott had a strong desire to express his reason for
voting against the suffrage amendment in the Sixty-third Congress, and
the statement he made was that he was “personally” opposed to woman
suffrage. It is not a matter of concern to us at this time to know Mr.
Talbott’s views on the right or justice of allowing women to use their
political rights or privileges as citizens, for the simple reason that this
aspect of the question is not before us at the present time. The sole ques
tion at issue in regard to the passage of the Federal amendment is, “Is
there a widespread demand for the passage of this amendment?”
We believe that there is, and in a representative government such as
we boast of in this country it is for the members of Congress to vote for
legislation that is in accordance with the wishes of the people. Mr. Tal
bott was the sixth Congressman to be visited by a deputation of members
from the Congressional Union. Four Democrats and two Republicans
have been called upon. Four Democrats have expressed themselves as
opposed to the Federal amendment. The two republicans stated that they
would vote favorably. Many are wondering what is the answer.
That girls are leaving home for suffrage, that they are wearing last
year dresses made over, that they are giving up their summer vacations
and their salaries and personal allowances made them by their wealthy
parents for the cause, was told by Miss Alice Paul of the Congressional
Union for Woman Suffrage. Is this why the Congressional Union has
been making such rapid strides and why it has within a comparatively
short time been able to gather beneath its banner such a wonderful com
pany of women, live, active American women, with the single purpose in
view—“ Enfranchisement” ?
There are scores of women whose husbands give them an allowance
of SIOO a month for their own personal use who have not bought a gown
for three years. They are giving every dollar to suffrage. If such spirit
counts for anything, we should win the Federal amendment without labor
ing one-half century for it, as women have been doing in many of the
States still disfranchised. Many wealthy women in all parts of the coun
try who are interested in our movement, have made their beautiful homes
into boarding-houses for young workers who come to the city to aid the
Congressional Union. One young woman from New York State donated
her services to the work of the Union for one year. Another young
woman who is employed in the Government service and who supports a
widowed mother has kept open house for workers who give their time for
suffrage. We could go on reciting scores of instances where women feel
ing deeply the great necessity of procuring the ballot for their sex are
making daily sacrifices. The Congressional Union has been able to accom
plish a great deal because the campaigns are run so economically, most of
the workers are volunteers, so that the income received is not spent on a
big salary list.
One by one the big men of the country are coming out for woman
suffrage. A recent press bulletin says Vice-President Marshall approves
of woman suffrage. He is most rational in his assertion, “I certainly be
lieve that the mothers of this land should be allowed to vote on public
questions, but I do not hold to the belief that equal suffrage is a cure-all
for every evil in our society. No reasonable man or woman regards suf
frage as a panacea, but it is the one remedial for legislative conditions
which react on the social body. It is reasonable to infer that the demand
of men and women voters can bring about better conditions than the vote
of one sex alone.” Mr. Marshall has already declared that he was born
MARYLAND SUFFRAGE NEWS
Mention the Maryland Suffrage News When Patronizing Our Advertisers.
CUT THIS OUT AND SEND IT TO YOUR FRIENDS!
THEY WILL THANK YOU FOR A GOOD TIME!
A picnic with jumping and running races, donkey rides for
the children and a play enacted by “Goucher girls”
will be given on Saturday, June twenty-sixth,
at Mrs. Donald R. Hooker’s residence, Upland, Roland Park.
Knowing the resourcefulness of our members and remember
ing the joyous times had on previous occasions upon
the grounds of our hospitable President, we
expect all readers to spread the tidings
and assure their friends of a
splendid afternoon.
“The more the merrier, iy is the watchword.
Joy is contagious and needs no doctor to check!
Watch further notices in these columns.
L. M. Zurndorf
a State’s Rights Democrat. His views on that point have been altered by
the complete failure of States to observe their duties. “When a State fails
to discharge its duties,” said Mr. Marshall, as quoted in the New Orleans
Times-Picayune, “the people cannot complain if the general government
steps in and discharges its functions.” Mr. Marshall is now right in line
for the Federal suffrage amendment.
Mrs. Minnie E. Brooke of Chevy Chase, Md., will speak on Child
Labor at the open meeting of the Congressional Union, to be held at 105
West Saratoga street, on Tuesday, June 8, at 8.30 P. M.
Edna S. Latimer,
National Organizer
EQUAL SUFFRAGE LEAGUE OF BALTIMORE
The Equal Suffrage League will not close its office during June and
July, as was originally intended, but will be open between 11 A. M. and
1.30 P. M. daily, with the exception of Saturday.
The excursion to Tolchester given under the auspices of the Woman’s
Suffrage Party was a success in spite of the fact that a number of the
active workers were out of town.
Mrs. John Heard, who was chairman of the Excusion Committee, re
quests that all returns for tickets be made at once to facilitate her report.
The next regular meeting of the Board of Governors of the Suffrage
Party is the second Friday in June, and she is anxious to be in a position
to make a complete report.
Mrs. Heard is also desirous that the suffragists throughout Maryland
know of the friendliness and generosity of the firm of Stewart & Co.,
Howard and Lexington streets, to our cause. She made an appointment
with the manager to ask that his firm donate to the Prairie Schooner Ex
pedition by charging two army cots to her account at a wholesale figure,
and was generously rewarded by having two cots presented outright.
This is not the first time they have responded. They always have sub
stantially donated whenever approached for any worthy cause or charity.