posed to Woman Suffrage

T1

By Mrs. Barclay Hazard

HE anti-suffrage movement is not furthered by any organization of national scope, but the methods of work of the New York State Association Opposed to Woman Suffrage are representative of those employed by the antisuffrage associations of Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Oregon and the committees of Maine and Rhode Island.

The New York Association, whose president is Mrs. Francis M. Scott, was founded in 1895. At the time of the last Constitutional Convention of the State of New York, fourteen years ago, a very determined effort was made by the suffragists to secure an amendment in their favor. At first this movement excited no particular interest and women were willing to watch with quiet amusement the efforts of their more strenuous sisters. As time went on, however, it became apparent that the subject must not be allowed to go by default. In consequence a handful of women gathered at Mrs. Abraham Hewitt's on April 8th, 1905, and then and there started what has grown into the large and ever increasingly influential association opposed to the further extension of franchise to woman. The first work before these ladies was to secure names to a counter petition to the Constitutional Convention. In the short space of six weeks, without an effort, and with no expenditure of money, except for the absolutely necessary expenses of printing and postage 18,000 names were secured. These figures are the more significant in view of the fact that after two years' work of the suffragists their "million name" petition just handed in to Congress has dwindled down to 404,825 names, and their quota for New York State is only 18,000. In two years and as a result of countless meetings and continued efforts,

they have achieved only the same number of names for New York that were secured in six weeks by the other side.

After the excitement of the Constitutional Convention died down it was at first supposed that the opposition organization would disband. When it became apparent, however, that the suffragists did not intend to abandon the field it was decided to put the association in sufficiently good working order that it might be called upon in any emergency. This emergency arose after the suffrage meeting in Baltimore at which $60,000 was raised as a testimony to Susan B. Anthony. This fund immediately produced great activity in the suffrage ranks and compelled the opposition to more active measures. In June, 1909, the State Association was obliged, by the press of work, to take an office. Heretofore all work had been carried on in the home of the secretary. From this office has gone all the literature, demands for which come from all parts of the Union, letters to legislators and inquirers, and from this office the various auxiliaries have been organized. The work of the organization is entirely voluntary, only absolutely necessary clerical assistance being provided. In that respect it is a great contrast to the suffragist associations, with their list of salaried workers.

The aim of the association is to increase general interest in the subject which its name indicates, and to educate and stimulate public opinion to an intelligent opposition.

The policy is to present an unwavering opposition to the suffrage for women; to hold no public conventions; to avoid needless discussions; to advocate the duty of women towards the State through appointive office; to impress upon the public the belief that women without a vote exert upon the government the best influence in their power, and that such influence would be limited by the affiliation with parties made necessary by the use of the ballot.

The method of work is to disseminate the literature which the discussion of the subject calls forth; to encourage the writing of articles stating the reasons for opposing woman suffrage, and the testifying to legislative committees

and through the medium of the public press that the opposition to woman suffrage is based upon "the intelligent conviction of representative women in all lines of social, industrial, educational and domestic progress."

While the association believes that it represents the great majority of women who neither desire the ballot nor regard it as expedient that it should be thrust upon them, it believes that women whose training and experience fit them for the task should take as active a part in public life as shall be compatible with their other duties. Most of the women actively connected with the association are well known in philanthropic and sociological work. On January 30 it was decided that we should make a public declaration of what has always been one of our principles and in pursuance of this plan letters were sent to the Governor of the State and to the Mayor of New York as follows:

"Earnestly believing that the serious purpose, ability and experience, to be found among women in many walks of life, should be used for the benefit of the community, and that the public service can be rendered more effective and economical by the appointment of women of judgment and energy as members of such educational, charitable, sanitary and reformatory boards, commissions and committees, as deal directly with the needs of both sexes, we respectfully ask that as soon as may be you will make such appointments of women as are possible at the present time under the laws. We believe this to be the safest method of utilizing at the present time the capacities of women and their interest in the public welfare, without exposing our civic institutions to the risks attendant upon granting to women unrestricted suffrage."

It is with much gratification that we record the fact that, since these letters were sent, Governor Hughes has appointed fifteen women on State boards and Mayor McClellan has appointed four women on the Board of Education, this being the first instance of women so being appointed since the administration of Mayor Strong in 1895.

From all parts of the country demands for literature have poured in. These have been met by sending out the

following pamphlets: "What is an Anti-Suffragist?" Mrs. Robert McVickar; "Wages and the Ballot," Miss Mary Dean 'Adams; "Address Before Constitutional Convention, 1894,' Hon. Elihu Root; "Real Opponents to Woman Suffrage Movement," Edward W. Bok; "First Legislative Address, 1895," Mrs. Francis M. Scott; "A Talk to Women on the Subject of Woman Suffrage," Miss Emily P. Bissell; "Do Working Women Need the Ballot?" Adeline Knapp; "Woman's Progress versus Woman Suffrage," Helen Kendrick Johnson; "Should We Ask for the Suffrage," Mrs. Schuyler Van Rensselaer; "How Women Can Best Serve the State," Mrs. Barclay Hazard; "The Blank Cartridge Ballot," Rossiter Johnson; "Woman's Rights in America," Mrs. Caroline F. Corbin; "Statement in Regard to the Suffrage,” Abram S. Hewitt; "Woman and the Law," Francis M. Scott; "Taxation and Suffrage," Frederick Dwight.

The only meetings that have been held during the past year have been parlor meetings in private houses, with the one exception of a meeting at the Colony Club, where Mrs. Arthur M. Dodge addressed the members; the Rev. Anna Garlin Spencer speaking in opposition. The response to the parlor meetings has been most gratifying and the association looks forward to a year of quiet work along these lines. The work carried on by the auxiliary associations in the State has been as usual most thorough and capable. The Anti-Suffragist, published by the Albany auxiliary, has met with much approval and has stimulated great interest.

During the past summer, Mrs. Otto Kiliani, a member of the executive committee, most generously took upon herself the mission of a visit to England to investigate antisuffrage conditions there. Her report was unexpectedly encouraging, and the association feels it to be of great value that it has come so closely in contact with the able women who are nobly resisting the disorganizing forces in England. In pursuance of a request from English friends an international secretary has been appointed, Mrs. Kiliani kindly filling the position.