BLACKWELL FAMILY GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE Correspondence between ALICE STONE BLACKWELL persons other than Alice Stone BlackwellBOSTON, MASS 3 DEC 31 7-PM 1944 Miss Ruth L.S. Child 226 B. Washington St., Walden. Mass.Data on securing honorary degree for Miss BlackwellI was asked to be chairman of a Committee of five, including me, whom I was to appoint to carry out a project that I had talked over with Dean Franklin In May, single handed & being too late in presenting the name to Dr. Marsh, I had failed. So between Dec. 11 & 26 our Com. had met, we had discussed thepetition we were to present (I had prepared one for our first meeting that was left with me to revise before we presented it to Dean Taylor of C.L.A.) on the 26. We had a very pleasant meeting with the Dean. He approved not only project - but promised the petition (form & matter) and we all felt quite happy when we parted. (Now we await the outcome.) The members of the Committee: Alice Durin 1902 Ethel Aiper Avery 1906 Mrs. Herbert Saul 1917 Alice Springfield Warren 1918 Ruth L. S Child, 1893 ChairmanDear Miss Ryan: Here is the story--such as it is. If you care to write to Mrs. Allen Quacken- bush, Portage, for the outline of the State Suffrage Association's new Education, or Political Science, committee of which she is chairman, it may be something you might make use of--a proposed outline of study in preparation for the ballot, and other things. I am leaving to-morrow for California, where my address will be Hotel Maryland, Pasadena for six or eight weeks. Shall I get anything for you from Mrs. David McCann, who had charge of the publicity work in their campaign; or from Mrs. George Barry--perhaps you have had something already. Faithfully yours, Iona Gale Portage, Wisconsin February 17:The Ladies' Home Journal Philadelphia Editorial Rooms March thirty-first Nineteen hundred and six Dear Madam: Mr. Bok is away so much that most of his mail goes through my hands. This is true so far as your own letter is concerned, but he happened to be here yesterday and I asked him to let me have the facts upon which to base an answer to it. He gave me promptly the sources of some of the information, but after a moment's reflection said in substance: "But I cannot put my hand upon those clippings. I saw the articles soon after the publication of Mr. Cleveland's contribution to the Journal last fall, and although I remember the facts clearly enough,it is not possible to send Mrs. Commander the clippings themselves." He added, what, of course, I knew perfectly well, that the editorial itself was written many months ago; for, you see, everything intended for our April issue is supposed to be put into type about the first of January, and this particular editorial may have been written even as far back as December. If Mr. Bok had supposed that his statements would be brought into question you may be very sure that he would have saved the clippings and would have been happy to send them to you now. Very truly yours, Wm V. Alexander Managing Editor Mrs. L. K. CommanderRosemary Hall, Greenwich, Connecticut Dec 16 Headmistresses' Office Dear Miss Ryan I think the picture quite good! A small matter, but -- if you ever need to refer to me may I be Caroline? I dislike the air of trying to get out of it which Carolyn suggests! Yrs sincerely Caroline Runtz-ReesANSWERED, MAY 29, 1913 Thursday, May 22nd 100 W. 85th St. NY, NY My dear Miss Ryan. - It takes me a long while between times to get in communication with you. I hope now that I can get stuff to you with considerable frequency. I shall still be in school all summer long, but only half a day and tht will enable me to get in a lot more than I have done before. I am sending you two cartoons. One of them you have seen before and sent back for correction of woman's figure. I have added a little hair, but on the advice of two eminent cartoonists and the hilarious approval of several good suffragists I have left the dear homely soul as she was. I feel sure that you will feel as I do when you have considered a bit, that it would be an artistic monstrosity to put any other sort of a woman on this sort of an ark and have it true to life at all. She is typical of the spirit of the cartoon and really the caricature is so slight that there is hardly any at al She has an expression of dismay of course, but really I can't out any other woman up there. If you still feel that she will injure the tender feelings of the very kindly Anti who is so continuously picturing the Suffragist in such pleasant ways, why send it back once more and I'll dispose of it else where. The other cartoon is newspaper in style and get - there. I send it because I should much like to see a broad grim ripple across the Journal's pages occasionally. and still get in the propa gander. I have several others bof a serious import under way to send one most done. I am also sending you under a separate cover a copy of Cartoons containing an article on me and the work I am trying to do thro the cartoon . I think you will be interested, especially in what I have said about the application of the cartoon to the Woman's Movement. It is partly taken from an interview I gave to the New York Evening Post in the middle of the winter. The main article from which that little press clipping you sent was taken. I certainly hope there will be no objection to either of these cartoons I send. Every body I have shown them to likes them However send them back if they wont do and I'll get rid of them some where else. Yours sincerely Lou Rogers over If it is not too much trouble,.., could you send these back anyhow after you have used them. [W]e have a scheme here of putting the originals of the cartoons in the window of stores favorable to the Cause with literature under them to emphasize the thing in [o]red to attract notice. So we like to have all the originals we can get hold of. Yours L. R----Alveston Manor Private Hotel. Proprietors: Mr. & Mrs. A. Smithin. Stratford-on Avon, Warwickshire. June 1st, 1935 Dear Mrs Brown I am sending Mrs Miller(?) to-day a small check for the Alice Stone Blackwell Fund in response to your letter of May 10th. I am sorry there should have been this delay, but, as you see, I am travelling in England instead of being at Bellport. It is indeed tragic that such a woman as Miss Blackwell should be in need and I do hope that the sum raised will provide for her adequately.Alveston Manor Private Hotel. Proprietors: Mr & Mrs. A. SMITHIN. Ans. June 21 Telephone: 506 Stratford-on-Avon. STRATFORD-ON-AVON, WARWICKSHIRE. June 1st, 1935 Dear Mrs Brown I am sending Mrs. Miller today a small check for the Alice Stone Blackwell Fund in response to your letter February 10th. I am sorry there should have been this delay, but as you see, I am travelling in England instead of being at Bellport. It is indeed tragic that such a woman as Miss Blackwell should be in need and I do hope that the sum raised will provide for her adequately.With kind regard and best wishes to you, believe me. Sincerely yours, Ethel B. Ketcham Clifton, Mass. June 23, 1913. My dear Mrs. Spear. Thank you very much for your account of the meeting, which I was so sorry not to be able to attend. I should think you would write to Mr. King soon if he is abroad, because it may take a long while for a letter to reach him, and men like that have to make their plans so far ahead. As for the political "light" - I think Governor Long is charming, but I have no idea about his attitude toward suffrage; I even fear that it is adverse, because I know his sister-in-law who is an "anti." Yet if one could find out definitely, it would really be very nice to have him, because he is an ideal speaker for such an occasion. His address is Hingham, Mass. There is another man who would serve as a contrast to an academic speaker, although he is not exactly a political light; but I heard a very good speech of his at the College Club with a powerful suffrage appeal in it. I mean Mr. Frank Palmer Speare, who established the Boston Y.M.C.A. His summer home, according to "Who's Who" is Hingham, Mass. too. About banquet halls and prices I am too ignorantto be able to give any suggestion, especially as I do not know how much we can have from the Treasury for it. As for the other entertainment - are they merely suggestions, or are they final, if passed on by the Directors? I am in general not much in favor of plays, because I think that Boston and Cambridge is flooded with plays and the work they cost seems to me very often out of proportion, because the audience is usually one who goes from a sense of duty. The idea of a garden party appeals to me; Miss Balch and a luncheon also ought to attract; a theatre party I cannot quite imagine. Thanking you very much for your information, yours cordially, Margarete Munsterberg. Mrs. Edmund B. Spear, Remington Gables, Cambridge. Clifton, Mass. June 25, 1913. My dear Mrs. Spear, I am glad to hear that you think Mr. Long favors suffrage. It would be well if you would offer his name and Mr. Frank Spear's to the officers of the League, if there is noone whom you would rather have speak. If we are in no hurry about the place for the banquet, we do not need to worry over it now. The Author's Club has a very pleasant dinner in the Art Club, and I think it makes an effective background. You ask about hotels in Clifton. There are no real hotels in Clifton itself; the nearest is the Preston House, a large summer hotel in Beach Bluff, the railroad stop before Clifton. There are, however, two boarding houses in Clifton, which might take week-end guests if they are not already full; one of them is Mrs. Drew's boarding-house, the other is called the "Clifton House". I can recommend a charming place where we have once spent a week-end earlier in the season; that is the "New Fountain Inn" run by a Mr. Unverhau, a German, who used to be a school teacher. It is in Marblehead, the town itself, but directly on the harbor. If you should come somewhere in the neighborhood, I should be glad to see you. It is very petty here, everywhere on this coast. We are going to Maine for the end of this week. With best regards to you and Mr. Spear, cordially yours, Margarete Munsterberg. August 23, 1913. Clifton, Mass. My dear Mrs. Spear, Thank you very much for your letter which was sent after me to the Adironcacks where I was spending a week, and then sent back because I had left Keene Valley before the letter arrived. All you write deserves no comment at all, except thanks for doing all the work. I shall be here till the twenty-second of September, but I can come to town for a meeting. I am glad that you have found a house in Cambridge, and Walker Street is a pleasant part of the town. Hoping to see something of you in the fall, yours very sincerely, Margarete Munsterberg401 Grand Ave Brooklyn. New York N.Y. [*Nov 28 1913*] November 2" '13. My dear Miss Ryan- Do you know when yellow was chosen as the color of the Suffragists- was it not yellow & white - & do they not symbolize wisdom & purity? The Antis have red & black flags, - red stands for danger- blood & other things to avoid- & black - piracy - death I want to know who thought of this.symbol color - yellow- I am an old woman - have been out of the city, in the country caring for sick & old people, for 14 years- now am home again in Brooklyn and, tho' not any action member, shall be with the woman, at least in spirit. If I want to speak of these colors to undecided people, I want to know I am right, so ask information of you - Miss Black- well will know if her mother chose the color - Dear Lucy Stone. I knew her & knew the sainted Susan B. & have been for 3 years with the daughter (in law) of Frances Dana Gage- who died (Sarah Sanborn Gage) suddenly last February - Sincerely yours - Mrs Anna Louise Thompson 401 Grand Ave Brooklyn-N.Y.14 Holborn St - Roxbury- March 1st 1909 Dear Miss Richards, Your dicernment is certainly remarkable and amused me very much - You must have had a bit of experience in reading letters. I have a confession to make, - I am not tremendously interested in Suffrage except in a mild way. In face I am not much interested in anything, but I believe in it enough to give my name and obtained a few others so as to help fill the paper. Mrs. Wellington who heads it, sent it to me from New York - & then asked me to mail to your address - If you wish I will try to fill it for you - but I have to be honest, and say I do not care very much about it. I have worked hard all my life as a school teacher, and am now retired from inability of a physical nature, and perhaps being dissatisfied with most things I see about me have grown indifferent. People who are well, and have aspirations or those who are tax payers look with different eyes upon the world than those who have given their best years to hard and exhausting work, and I find nothing left but a bare living, and an inability to enjoy much of anything - This is doubtless of little interest to you, but I felt called upon to explain why I did not take more interest in the movement - but you send the paper & I'll try to fill it - Yours truly, Isabel ThacherDear Miss Fisher, The paper recv'd this a.m. and I was much interested in the accompanying letter. There is a clause in it, that makes me feel as if you thought me selfish who would not sacrifice herself for "universal good" and if so I plead guilty to the charge. I am not willing. I only ask for quiet and rest and enough to live on in a humble way. I know well enough the misery, and suffering and injustice that surrounds us everywhere - (and/excuse me) but personally, I do notfeel that suffrage for women is going to alter the conditions of things- My mind has lost the enthusiasm of youth, and also the hope of amounting to much of anything in the world - and my life is so narrowed that I depend almost wholly upon the mind for interest of any kind- I have a good and satisfactory record as a teacher for 33 yrs. in the Boston Publ. Sch - & now am left as hundreds of others, disabled to do work of any other kind - and physically unfit for a schoolroom- I am better off than many, for I have a good home; and a dear friend to live with- whereas some of the poor things who have taught for 35 to 45 yrs. are barely able to keep soul & body together- one poor thing is suffering for the necessities of life even, and the ex-teachers have to help her - the City of Boston will not- Whatever energy I have left is spent in trying to interest people to have the ex-teachers entitled to the pension of $180. per year - that was passed by the Legislature last June - but including those only who were working for the City. Those who resigned before June 1908 - do not get the pension - which is unjust and unfair - many having resigned but a few mos. before it was passed- About 108 teachers have a pension from the Teach. Retire. Fund but have to pay $540. into the treasuryof Boston by instalments, before they are entitled to a dollar. The other pension passed in June is free to all in office then- Had I been able to stay in school six mos. longer myself, I could have secured it. So as far as my strength allows I am working to secure this amendment to the original bill, but its slow work and perhaps hopeless. We ought to have it, and these old weak women should be looked after- the younger ones do not need it so much- I will not ask you to pardon my little cry of dissatisfaction at the way things are conducted - I think, judging from your letters, you are quite board enough to take an interest in anything that savors of injustice- If I were a younger woman, i.e. in feelings & body - I might still find pleasure in styding the great problems of the day- but as it is - I rather am drawn into a shell, and have no desire to wander- I will fill the petition for you if I do not have to hurry- and even if I am selfish about many things I should care for, I like to do a friend a favor- Believe me, yours very truly- Isabel Thacher(?) - March 5-1909 14 Holborn St- Roxbury-Mass-1335 Robeson Street Fall River, Mass September 12, 1920 Mrs Eleanor Gregg 3 Monadnock Street Boston, Mass My dear Mrs. Gregg: - I was away from home when I read in the transcript an appeal for clothes to be sent abroad to the poor sufferers. I am at home now, and if it is not too late, I should like to send some old suits of good material but somewhat worn. These suits could be made over for children or for older people If you need them, kindly tell me how you would like me to send them, and if you expect me to pay the expressage and any thing else of interest. Sincerely yours, (Miss) Margaret L. HurleyEllis Dear Mrs. S E. Gregg I asked for information in reference to sending packages to Uzhorod for Catherine Breshkoosky's school a week ago not hearing from you, I still have the packages - I can send by Parcel Post to you, as Miss A S. Blackwell advised - but could not send - abroad fearing you did not receive my letter. I ask again for information - If I send direct to you is it so arranged, for you to do the rest - oblige Hastily Mrs. A. E. Ellis Mason N. H R F D Sept 11thFisk University, Nashville, Tenn. Feb. 11 - 1905 - My dear Miss Beedy; Your letter was received and I was oh, so very glad to hear from you and to have your advice once more. How often I think of the kindly talks we would have together in your room at Berea. I did not know then as I do now how much they meant to me - and the high ideals that you inspired within me at Berea have ever been before me drawing me onward. Often here when I am perplexed and doubtful I wish thatI could come to your room as I used to for advice and help. Last summer as, I think you know, I made a four year certificate and taught for two months and a half. You asked about my marks last year they were Latin 98-95. Algebra 96 - Greek 93-92 Geometry 93. Rhetoric 96. Last fall term my marks were: American Literature 95 Psychology 93 - Elocution 96. The last Saturday in January all of the Junior Normal class had to take an English examination in Arithmetic, Spelling, Grammar, History and Geography. There were nearly twenty who took examinations and five or six only passed in everything. Happily, I was among that number who passed in all subjects. Last week a Mrss Huff from a normal school in Illinois was here studying the Jubilee songs. She was a very intelligent and charming lady - had studied music in Europe for three years. She seemed very much pleased with Fisk. Lottie Carman, the girl I roomed withMiss Beedy's colored girl at Berea, came here last week. She has been teaching and her school closed only a short time ago. I have been tutoring a young lady in Algebra this term - and I gave her an examination Thursday. Last term I had two girls to tutor in Algebra and one in Latin. I like tutoring for I think the experience will help me in teaching later on. I was very sorry to give up my Latin for I had read one book in Vergil and it was so interesting but as you say - perhaps I can hand that in after years; I hear from home often. Bessie (her sister) took sick again and had to give up her school but Edna another sister is finishing it for her. I am trying to improve all opportunities and to make myself worthy of my noble friends. Lovingly, Sophie Overstreet Sophy Overstreet 5135 Washington Ave Chicago March 17th / 06 To the Editors of the Woman's Journal - The enclosed letter was handed me to read this morning by Miss Mary E Beedy. - and it seemed to me it should be published in the Journal as a most encouraging sign to other girls of her race of what a colored girl can accomplish under the tuition of an able and devoted teacher - The editors of the Journal probably know of Miss Beedy as a co-worker with Mrs. Hauzard, Mrs. Allen & others in St Louis in Suffrage work for women, many years ago as well as of her great ability as a teacher - also as a pupil and friend of Horace Mann - Her last work as a teacher was done at Berea College, where she gave special attention to the young colored girl who writes this - She is now a hopeless, though a most cheerful, invalid, with the keenest interest in all the great questions of the day, including Educational movements. This affectionate tribute to her splendid work as a teacher is only one among others which come to her bedside to brighten the evening of her life. To know Miss Beedy well is a privelege & an honor. and a liberal education - K.E.T. overTuesday Dear Sir You are a perfect magician to have conjured my little tract into types on ten minutes notice! I never was more surprised than when it arrived + most agreeably so. Pray accept the thanks of a most grateful author, as my story under the sanction of your recommendation, will now do any good it may be capable of With kind regards your's very truly Catherine Sinclair I am obliged to the publisher for sending the 100 copies ordered + shall send him a post office check to-morrowDear Mrs. Park; You cannot know how much pleasure you gave me by writing that lovely birthday greeting. It was especially welcome because my mind had been turned backward toward suffrage days by Judge Barron's little speech at my birthday dinner and my seeing so many of the old friends. We have come a long way since then but I hope that the same spirit has been kept alive as that which you and Mrs. Catt had in such abundance - faith and courage and true patriotism. I learned much through my association with you -especially in legislative work and it has stood me in good stead! With renewed thanks for your letter and for your message Katharine. Cordially yours, Helen Rotch[*Beedy*] 8 West 3rd St, Maysville, KY June 26-1924 My dear Mrs Lund: Yours of June 9 awaited me upon my return after a weeks absence. I had learned of your absence from the states and so in part understand why you had not written sooner, First, let me disabuse your mind of the impression that I had any part in the printing and distribution of the pamphlet referred to. This work was done by the Associated Industries of Kentucky. My name is on their mailing list and a copy of the pamphlet was sent to me. If I remember correctly (I have not a copy of my letter) my purpose in mailing you was to learn what were thefindings of the committee appointed at Decatur. The pamphlet stimulated me to make some little inquiry. I got a copy of the Governmental publication and found that the information concerning Russia was collected before the war and was accompanied with a foot note saying that since the overthrow of the Czarist regime the information had "historic value only." I second also the official report of the Decatur Convention. I was impressed with the almost worshipful reverence paid the flag. The debate seemed to be well- balanced and the findings certainly in harmony with - our constitution and institutions. I second also reports of the 1915=1919 and 1921 sessions of the International League of Peace and Freedom. Some of the utterances in these reports are wild and revolutionary. I am so far inland here in Peaceful Valley that I can not believe any considerable number of our women will be influenced by such utterances. I shall be exceedingly grateful for "the carbons of your letters to some of the women mentioned in the article". I am exceedinglyanxious to be "brought up to date about the controversy." I shall be very glad to view a copy of the report you refer to "when it goes to Mrs. Moore, For copies of the pamphlet I refer you to Ms. C.C. Ousley, Secretary, Associated Industries of Kentucky 76-77 Kenyon Building, Louisville Ky I hope very much to get a copy of your article, "Aftermath," and the ??? you propose to write on the International Council meetings at London and Copenhagen. In this turbulent period of re- construction we must all move cautiously and after deliberate thought. But I have confidence in 2 our women's organizations once they are convinced that it is necessary to think as well as to feel. I have just had a wonderful account of an experiment made in Cincinnati by Mr. Arthur Nash to conduct a business by the Golden Rule. It reads like a fairy story. If I can get another copy I will send it to you. The best way to fight all these destructive issues is with the constructive teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Without respect to Virgin Birth, Miracles orbodily resurrective, the teachings of Jesus are the true Social Philosophy - the law of right human relations. What is the Institute of Govern- ment - Washington D.C.? and what is your relation to it? As to whom I am - I am simply an American woman in the ranks, intensely interested in all that affects my country and the human family. I have worked with and through the Federated Women's Clubs, the League of Women Voters and the W.C.T.U. I shall be glad to hear from you when you have time to write. I am sending this to Washington - thinking you may not be at the London address. Sincerely, Alice Lloyd Mrs. Catt please return I meant to enclose this with my letter to you & with Mrs. Lund's letter. 3 Kentucky the 9th District and called over the Counties, using a pointer. Moreover, this woman was for many year a teacher and is this summer acting dean in three of the State Normal Schools. Not to place all the responsibility on women, I should say that this woman from the 9th Dist. who sat throughout the 8th Dist. conven- tion without knowing that she was not in the 9th Dist convention, was accompanied by a man delegate from a county in the 9th Dist. that adjoins ours. When do you suppose they thought all the people they found in the 9th Dist men? The Chairman of the 8th Dist Convention was the Chairman of the present Highway Commission and his name has been in the final page of every paper for eight months andthis woman delegate in answer to my ques- tion: 'who was elected chairman of the 8th Dist Committee?" replied: "I do not know. Some man with white hair. I believe his name was____." You are wonderering why I take your time to read and nay even write such stuff as this only to show you how far we are in Kentucky from active, intelligent participation in public affairs. I hope it is better in other States. At the State Convention I met before the Commmittee on Organization and asked that women be given equal representation and equal voting power on all City, County and State Committees. The Chairman said: "We will do the best we can". You see we are a long way from equal participation in party government when there are no women on either the Resolutations Committee or the Committee on Organization. It is still by your leave, Sir. We got equal representation and equal voting power on the State Executive Committee and on the State Central Committee. But the Committee on Organi- zation did not include City and County Committees in this report of the Committees. To us privately they said, "To double the number in the City and County Committees makes the Committees too large and unwieldy. Women are eligible to election in those Committees. Let them stand for election in their precincts and take their chances with men. I replied: "Thatis just Democratic theory and is what I worked for before we got suffrage. But it does not work. Both men and women appear to think that men are more valuable as committee members than are women. This may be true, and that in the interests of the public good, the num- ber of men on these committees should not be lessened. But likewise it is in the interests of the public good that women should be on these committees also. And for the present I believe we would better make the committees consist by party law of an equal number of men and women." I am sending you two articles written by me - I secured permission of our club. I have the first we printed xxx the name of the club - It is with the greatest diffi- culty that our women can be induced to give attention to questions such as these. [next page] 4 There is as much and more in my mind unwritten as I have written. I wish I might be present with the privi- lege of taking part when a group of women of the first caliber seriously discuss the plan and work of the present-day woman - I am wondering if Mrs. Gifford Pinchot ever forwarded to you a lot of material that I sent her some weeks ago. Have you definite ideas about a proper law for the good of children born out of wedlock? If so, will you kindly let me have the benefit of them? Fraternally yours, Alice Lloyd2 No, I am not a pessimist. I believe in the ultimate triumph of righteousness, but I shall not be surprised if there are some pretty painful repercussions before the right finally emerges triumphant. In my own state we lack leadership both among men and among women -- the women can no more be depended upon to take the moral side of a question than can the men, which fail greatly distresses and disappoints the class of men who looked to the enfranchisement of women as a great aid to civic betterment. Of course your know the "wet" record of our Senator - A.A. Stanley, who is seeking the Democratic nomination to succeed himself.The leading woman in the Baptist Church here and the leading woman in the Presbyterian Church each told me that she would support Mr. Stanley in the August Primary because of personal friendship and respect for his ability. I told them that debts of personal friendship were to be paid with private not with public coin and that [arrayed?] on the wrong side, the more ability he had the more [wrong] harm he could do. They then professed to believe the prohibition question settled forever and class was an issue. Facts make no impression upon them. They have more than local leadership. One of them is a member of the Democratic State Budget Committee. She did not know until I told her and barely convinced her after much evidence that from 1920 until our women judges legal standing in the Democratic Committees, that they win present by courtesy and tolerance and that on moot questions after balloting with the women, the men took a separate ballot of men only and that if the men only ballot had changed the majority to the other side, the women ballot would have been set aside. This woman did not go to the County Convention on May 10 nor to the State Convention on May 14, and was selecting by the 9th Dist. Committee on the morning of May 14 as woman member [for this 9th Dist] the State Cultural Committee because our County Chairman said: "She does not give us any trouble." This is the Presbyterian. She finally says she knows nothingabout the machinery of politics, but she saw the work assigned her in the State Central Committee and supports the party nominee. The Baptist was one of two women who went from Mason County to the State Convention. I asked her wy she was not present at the 9th Dist Convention in the morning. She admitted that she attended the 8th Dist Convention and did not know until it was over that she was not at the 9th Dist Convention. I asked her if she did not know when she heard the roll call of the Counties that she was not in the 9th Dist. She said she did not know what Counties composed the 9th Dist though she is fifty-years old and has lived all her life in the 9th District. Beside at a Club meeting this winter - I marked off with heavy black crayon on a large map of [*Hope you can pick somebody to see to this Republican business*] Deerfield Mass November 27 Mrs H. B. Eager Boston My dear Mrs Eager I know no reason, now, why the suffrage meeting may not be postponed to the first week of March and unless I hear from you I will plan for that date. Will you, however, send me the list of Deerfield members at your early convenience that I may collect the [*This part has been attended to*]So you see it is not available for her column, though she will be glad to print whatever is sufficiently general in character to make it of wider interest. Perhaps if you should get a Sunday or Thursday Republican to look at my sister's department, "Woman's Work," you would see the nature of the items she is able to use. They are on file at the Pub Library and doubtless at the office of the Woman's Journal- Yours very sincerely - Margaret C. Whiting fees before Xmas according to your wishes. My sister would like fresh news of [whatever] meetings, items of general interest, plans, legislative work etc. for the Republicans. The note you send has already been published in the paper in the local news, where the Conn. Val. Asso. was first formed; and the paper now can give space to a list of names of purely local people who are not well- known to the public. Springfield Rep. Meeting Margaret C.4-2-06 8 Grand Pre Geneva My darling Isabel, You need not be sorry, for your 8 dollars will be most welcome and I feel that they are perhaps a "beginning" to some thing better. When first I started my work in the U.S.A. I did indeed think I should reap thousands of £, but since then, I have had to clip the wings of such wild hopes and dreams, and every dollar that comes to me is a source of great delight. By this same post, I have written to all the kind donors, forwarding at the same time a copy of Emily Hobhouse's booklet, which might excite some interest among other friends. You see, I am very hopeful, though I supposemany would have been discouraged on this. The truth is, I begin to feel, that the whole thing was never properly brought before the American public; the had no idea of the utter desolation of S. Africa, of the despair of the bravest of the Boers, of the absolute ruin of the country, both material and moral. Perhaps, as there was a strong party in favor of the English during the war, the Americans never heard the details of the burnings of over 30,000 farms and of the horrors of the concentration camps through which Emily Hobhouse passed as a comforting Angel. The beauty of her present work in the Transvaal lies perhaps in that fact. Not she alone, among the English who protested, had the courage to visit the scene of war and to give a helping hand to hundreds of bereaved mothers and orphans. It is with this knowledge of the real fact, that we realize the vastness and the necessity of this proud work of hers; not only does she enable mothers and girls to rebuild their broken houses, but she is saving hundred of desperate young things from an evil life. These unfortunate young girls, motherless and fatherless through the war, have come to Johannesburg and other corrupt places in the great desire to find work: there is no work for them and they have to choose between starvation and degradation. This is one of the most awful consequences of war -- in a country so far away, where there are no industries and no careers opened to the former well-to-do. You see, darling, I feel convinced that if the Americans only knew all this, money would flow to us; but who will speak for us? My son isvery French and, until now I have not been able to make other hearts throb with mine for this proud, humanitarian and 'brotherly' enterprise. -- Perhaps you understand -- because you understand me and because our hearts are linked together. And I must say that if I am hopeful, it is greatly because I have met -- and I love -- Isabel Barrows. I have not heard from Miss Blackwell for a long time; she did not quite like our "Anonymous" Report and felt, I suppose, it was a difficult thing to work on such material. Still she has done much to create empathy -- and I shall try and be hopeful "in that direction" also. As you know, we have been extremely busy here with the sending of our German booklet; we know not yet what it will bring us, but as we have knocked at the doors of those who always sympathised with us, we may rejoice before hand. If it is a failure, well, we shall have known some "joy in expectation" -- which will give us new courage to try something else. I greatly enjoyed your splendid article on the Economic future of the Negro; this is a problem which must be dealt also in S. Africa, though the circumstances are somewhat different; but, I shall pass your "outlook" to a dear friend of mine, E. Molteno, daughter of one of Cape's [first] Prime Ministers, who has taken the Kaffir question much to heart. She has been deeply impressed by DuBois' book on theSoul of the Black Folk." You are kind to shower over me all these delightful articles, cuttings of newspapers, etc. As to your child's poem, it is a gem, exquisite in the wording and charming in its development. I understand why you are so proud of her! God bless her and restore her to health. Once more, many, many thanks for those 8 dollars, which will certainly come tomorrow. I have not yet received Malcolm's bill for the last bit of the journey in S. Africa, but hope it will reach me before the middle of February; I want to publish details and lists of donations very badly. Such important things ought to be done without delay. With kindest regard to Uncle [Jim?] and with a warm kiss to yourself. Always your most affectionate friend, Evelyn (Asinelli)Evelyn Asinelli16 Pine St. Hamilton Dec. 17th 1930 My dear Dimi:- I am happy to receive the announcement of your book with the sweetest picture or rather the picture of a very sweet and loyal woman - I hadn't realized before how much you look like her. I am happy to tell you that my husband has ordered the book for my Christmas present, and I can think of no other thing that I would rather have than that. It is wonderful that you with your poor eyes could put it across - If you hadn't so much of your mother in you, you never could have done it. You too have accomplished things and I'm proud of your achievementsI hope you'll have the finest kind of a Christmas. I know it will be full of the Christmas spirit and Christmas deeds for others. In a few days we are leaving Hamilton, perhaps for the winter and perhaps to return later. We spend Christmas with our son in White Plains, and New Year's and perhaps the month of January with our son Allan in Plainfield. On New Year's Day they will have been married fifteen years. They didn't know it till I reminded them. Our daughter Eliza who lives in Newton, came with her family and spent the month of July in her old home. We were her guests for half the time, then went to Springfield, Mass, and visited for two weeks with our oldest son - A. Happy New Year to you. Dimi. Dear Dimi:- Joy to you at this Easter time - that you are still here and happy, not blaming any one for your physical losses - but still exhibiting the resurrection spirit - which you have helped to instill into so many. That is the hope of this distracted world to-day that there are those still left who believe in and pray for a better world which is sure to come. You have done your bit, and it is a good bit toward making the world better. It is your nice thought as well asyour mother's. The Lord be praised for such as you! We think of you often, altho you seldom are made aware of it. "Peace be unto you" Your Dimi Dec. 14th 1920. Ans. My dear Mrs. Gregg Nearly two weeks ago I wrote asking you to advise us about send a box of school supplies and clothing to Catherine Breshkensky's orphanage at Uzhorod. She can send out 11 lbs I believe by parcel fast and have some 60 or 70 lbs collected. They are packed in acardboard or pasteboard box - If you are sending supplies to her would it be better if we sent our box to you to be enclosed in yours? The box is now too late for Xmas but we are anxious to get it off and an answer by return mail would be appreciated. [?] Every Monday Club has been studying Russian for two years and are interested in the people and their needs Sincerely yours (Secy.) Mrs. J.V. W. Miller 79 Prospect St. Gloversville New York.Mrs. J. V. W. Miller Gloversville N.Y. Answered St. Martin Lantosque Aug. 6. Dear Elizabeth I am always interested in your explorations, & wish I could pursue them with you, but I very much fear the result will be as it has been in Nice, & that you will find that anything attractive is beyond your price. If the immediate neighborhood of Hastings were more agreeable there might be a chance, but directly you get out of sight of the sea it is particularly bare & uninteresting. You will of course stay where you are, until you find something that really suits, - but I think from what I hear that you ought not to tie yourself up there. You thought it damp on returning. Kitty said she was not at all sure that it was properly drained - and Anna remarked that it was fearfully windy (she did not think I could stand it evenin summer, & that the rooms were very tiny. It really does seem better to rent than to buy, under those conditions. How is it that we never can see our way clear to settle down as other people do? We just hang on in a state of uncertainty year after year, without the advantages of really belonging to a place, and yet it is not our fault. I have been ready these 5 or 6 years to settle permanently down but have never seen my way to do so, & at present I feel as puzzled as ever, for I think Anna will have to come to advice again this winter; she cannot continue to go on at Iriel. She had really after a world of trouble found a capetalist willing to undertake the digging at his own expense taking the risk of payment from a portion of what could be found - if the old lady would give a deed of sale on the place just at that moment Mme B. wrote that she had found someone that would do it on more advantageous terms - and A. was obliged to break-off with her party - who was excessively indignant & felt as if he had been badly treated & after all [I am most anx] Mme B's man backed out & it came to nothing. I am most anxious that the digging should really be gone through with, because I see that Anne will never resign herself to make the best of circumstances until then. She is so fully convinced that a fortune lies burried there a only needs to be brought to light that she will always be restlessly trying to get help - and as she has such a wonderful power of interesting people and magnetizing them to her belief she will continue to wear herselfout, & make it difficult & painful for her friends. If once the thing were settled in the negative, she has enough good sense to turn her activity in another direction. I have but little to say for myself. The weather has become cooler - which is an advantage. We have had just enough rain to keep everything green and fresh. The great trouble is that these mountain regions you must climb to take a walk & climbing has become very fatiguing to me. I suppose I shall have to descend to the quiet levels of old age, & yet I love height as much as ever - & always feel that I can breathe more freely on high ground with a distant view. I generally go out now about 3 1/2 & if I can find a snug corner on one of the higher terraces overlooking the town - I sit & read, & walk up & down until it is time to return home to tea. I often wish you were with me to enjoy the entire change of view & the picturesque wildness of the place. I am very sorry that you are still troubled so much with your eyes. Do take care of them! but you hardly need to be advised in that matter.We are better off here for fruit than I supposed. It comes every day from Nice. Figs 526 sous the dozen. I always think of you when I see a basket of fair figs, & wish I could send you some. Goodbye Marian