NAWSA Gen. Corresp. Arkansas Suffrage Assocs. '"FOR GOD, AND HOME, AND NATIVE LAND" ARKANSAS Time of Prayer---Noontide Badge---a Knot of White Ribbon [*President Recording Secretary MRS. MINNIE U. RUTHERFORD MRS. EUGENA A HINEMON Magazine, Arkansas Arkedelphia Arkansas Vice-President Treasurer MRS. JEANNIE CARR PITTMAN MRS. ELIZA F. FURRY Prescott, Arkansas Van Buren, Arkansas Corresponding Secretary MRS. WINNIE D. SIMPSON Corning, Arkansas*] Magazine, Arkansas, April, 16/13 Miss Mary ware Dennett, New York, Dear Miss Ware:- I am in receipt of the credentials for the suffrage meeting. I am anxious to know just when we sail, from where, with what vessel and if staterooms have been engaged. This for the Journal party, if that party is to be included in the special train, notice of which I received some time ago from Rev. Anna Shaw and Mrs. Catt. I have been away from home and may have failed to receive much of my mail. Please let me know at once, if possible. I suppose some advance fee should be paid to hold berth. I am willing to share a stateroom with one other woman. I have been trying to induce a young lady, leader of one of our suffrage clubs, to join us and I think she will, but we cannot include her at this moment, as she has not said positively that she will go. It would mean much to us, if she would go, especially among the girls of the State. Most sincerely yours, Minnie U. Rutherford We had seen good work done for suffrage at the meeting of the State Federation Clubs, last week, at Hot Springs. '"FOR GOD, AND HOME, AND NATIVE LAND" ARKANSAS Time of Prayer---Noontide Badge---a Knot of White Ribbon Mrs. Minnie U. Rutherford, President [*ANSWERED, Return to FEB 28 1913*] H. B. [*Return to H.B.S. c/g*] MAGAZINE, ARKANSAS Feb.24/13 Miss Agnes E. Ryan, Boston, Mass., My dear Miss Ryan:- Yours concerning the Journal trip to Budapest just received. I wrote yesterday to headquarters concerning it and am glad to let you know direct. I would like to go with your party as far as Budapest. My plans for the remainder of the summer are already made, to visit relatives over there. Please write me what the terms for that part of the trip would be, if you care to have me for only a part. Being an "editor" myself, I am sure I should find it delightful. If it were possible to leave here just now, I would go to Washington for the parade. Our suffrage resolution was defeated in the lower House, last week, but we had already introduced it in the Senate and expect to pass it there and refer it again to the House. Then, if they defeat it again, we shall insist upon the passage of the school suffrage bill which is pending in the lower House. A bill providing for the admission of women to the bar, is pending in the Senate, and a bill to permit women to act as notaries public passed the Senate and failed in the House by a vote of 36 to 37. We are not at all dismayed. The vote in the House two years ago was only sixteen in favor and, if we are defeated this time, we shall just wait two years, if we have no opportunity to initiate, since our courts have ruled that we may not submit more than "FOR GOD, AND HOME, AND NATIVE LAND" ARKANSAS Time of Prayer--Noontide Badge--A Knot of White Ribbon Mrs. Minnie U. Rutherford, President MAGAZINE, ARKANSAS three constitutional amendments at any one election and we expect the legislature to furnish all three, of course. Most sincerely yours, Minnie U. Rutherford [*Arkansas*] [*History*] Little Rock, Ark. May June 2, 1916. Mrs. Mary Sumner Boyd, New York, N.Y. Dear Mrs. Boyd:- Yours under date of May 31st. just received. It gives me much pleasure to tell you our Democratic Convention endorsed, by a vote of 283 for 173 against, a resolution calling upon the 1917 legislature to refere the woman Suffrage amendment to the people. They have gone on record at a time when RECORDS count, I hope this will be useful to you. 10 of our degegates to the National have written me they are in favor of woman Suffrage. Mr. Jerry South, one of our delegates at large, who resides in Washington and is clerk of the House, will probably be the Ark. spokesman. With best wishes for our success, and yours, I am, Very sincerely yours, o Alice S. Ellington Pres. Ark. Woman Suffrage Assn. Little Rock Ark Apr 24, 1916 Dear Mrs Boyd, Enclosed please find copy of 1915 endorsement by Republican Party of Ark. This party has requested very short plank this year & I have submitted the following - "We believe in Woman Suffrage" 1917 Convention in June. Your other correspondence will be answered when I am able. Am just out of the hands of a Dr. & nurse, but hope to be back on the job in a few days. Very sincerely yours Alice S. Ellington NATIONAL AMERICAN WOMAN SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION Branch of International Woman Suffrage Alliance and of National Council of Women HONORARY PRESIDENT - Dr. Anna Howard Shaw, 171 Madison Avenue, New York President - Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, 171 Madison Avenue, New York 1st Vice-President - Mrs. Frank M. Roessing, Munsey Building, Washington, D. C. 2nd Vice-President - Mrs. Stanley McCormick, 171 Madison Avenue, New York 3rd Vice-President - Miss Esther G. Ogden, 171 Madison Avenue, New York Treasurer - Mrs. Henry Wade Rogers, 171 Madison Avenue, New York Corresponding Secretary - Miss Hannah J. Patterson, 171 Madison Avenue, New York Recording Secretary - Mrs. James W. Morrisson, 719 Rush Street, Chicago, Ill. 1st Auditor - Mrs. Walter McNab Miller, Columbia, Missouri 2nd Auditor - Mrs. Pattie Ruffner Jacobs Altamont Road, Birmingham, Ala. NATIONAL WOMAN SUFFRAGE PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC. President - Miss Esther G. Ogden, 171 Madison Avenue, New York NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS, 171 MADISON AVENUE, NEW YORK Telephone, 4818 Murray Hill CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE Chairman - Mrs. Frank M. Roessing Headquarters - Munsey Building, Washington, D. C. Washington, D. C., May 4, 1916. My dear Mrs. Boyd: Thank you for the data enclosed in your letter of May 3. I am very glad to have it. I am sorry to hear that there are so few state party planks. I suppose you have received the republican plank from Arkansas. Don't trouble to send these state endorsements to me. I now expect to be in New York the first of next week and will go over them with you there. Sincerely yours, Jennie Bradley Roessing (Mrs. Frank M. Roessing) JBR-LA Mrs. Mary Sumner Boyd, 171 Madison Avenue, New York City. Southern Democrats Declare [*6/18/16?*]For Plank[s] in Three States Within Last Three Weeks Arkansas, Tennessee and South Carolina Parties Come Out for Submission of Amendment for First Time in History Within the last three weeks in three Southern States the Democratic party has gone on record for the submission of equal suffrage. No more significant indication of the drift of opinion in the party toward a national plank favoring suffrage is possible than the recent approval of the Tennessee, South Carolina and Arkansas Democrats. The latest victory came last week in Arkansas, when by a vote of the entire convention the party enthusiastically adopted the suffrage resolution. Mrs. O. F. Ellington, president of the Arkansas Woman Suffrage Association, writes The Woman's Journal that ten out of the eighteen Arkansas delegates elected to the national Democratic convention are in favor of suffrage, with the other eight not heard from. The resolution went through the State convention at Little Rock by a vote of 283 to 173. It had been urged by J. V. Walker of Fayetteville, temporary chairman. The The Little Rock Gazette describes the scene when J. T. Costin, a delegate from Mississippi county, moved that "FLAG SPEAKS OF EQUAL RIGHTS" the resolution recommending to the next Legislature the submission of the suffrage amendment be stricken from the report of the committee. "He took the platform in defense of his motion amid cheers mingled with cries of 'Let 'em vote.' Mr. Costin (Continued on page 192.) argued against the suffrage question along the usual lines. When he said he didn't believe the women of the State wanted the ballot, confusion resulted. " 'You're right,' shouted a part of the delegates. " 'You're wrong,' shouted a larger number. "other cries of 'Let 'em vote,' 'Sit down,' and 'Question' continued for several seconds until J. D. Head, chairman, succeeded in obtaining order. When Mr. Costin finished, Mr. Head asked if anyone wished to champion the resolution. Senator George W. Garrett took the stand to the delight of a party of suffragists who had attended the convention. Senator Garrett paid a tribute to the women, said that suffrage is coming sooner or later, and ended with a plea that the convention adopt the resolution. He was cheered repeatedly." On a viva voce vote the motion to strike out the resolution was declared lost. A hundred delegates shouted ford a roll call. The roll call resulted 283 to 173 for the amendment. The eight States in which alien men over 21 may vote at any election by merely declaring their intention to become citizens are Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Texas. The New York State Woman Suffrage Party has just received a bronze medal and honorable mention for its safety and sanitation exhibit at the recent exposition held under the auspices of the American Museum of Safety. Headquarters State and Pulaski County Equal Suffrage Central Committees 427 Southern Trust Bldg. [* D Ack *] Little Rock, Ark. April 25, 1917 Dear Miss White We greatly appreciate your offer of assistance in our efforts to stimulate the women to pay their poll taxes. The news story you suggest would not help us. Mrs Faucette was extremely unpopular in Argenta. Her husband is no longer a mayor and I believe they have left the state. I am enclosing a resolution adopted by the Pulaski County Democratic Central Committee which might be used in working up a story. The women in this county have paid their poll taxes in such large numbers that they promise to be an important factor in any election; hence the invitation. The small towns and rural districts are hard to awaken. The latest decision of the Attorney General is that the poll tax must be paid. We also believe we will be allowed to vote in the city primaries next Autumn. I find in going over the state that there has been no penalty added to the poll tax in many counties. It may still be receipted for $1.00. In Pulaski the penalty since April 10th has been 25 cts. Thank you so much for your cooperation. Very cordially Florence B. C[?????] Chairman Finances Telephone 8860 Chelsea Intended for: Wm Suff "O wad some power the giftie gi'e us To see oursel's as ithers see us." HENRY ROMEIKE, Inc. 106-110 Seventh Ave. N. Y. City New York Cable Address: 'Romeike" New York" The First Established and Most Complete Newspaper Cutting Bureau in the World. From: Gazette Address: Little Rock Ark Date Mar 18 1917 Established [covered] 1884 TO PERMIT WOMEN TO PAY POLL TAX Action Follows Opinion by Attorney General John D. Arbuckle. PAYMENT IS VOLUNTARY Is of Little Benefit Because Act Not Effective Until After Only Primary Slated is Held. That women are not specifically required to pay poll tax under the Riggs act authorizing women to vote in primary elections, but that there is nothing in the law barring them from paying poll tax and they may do so voluntarily; and also that they will not be allowed to vote in the April primaries for the nomination of candidates for delegate to the constitutional convention, is the opinion of Attorney John D. Arbuckle given to M. E. Dunaway, prosecuting attorney, yesterday. Opinion Sought by Quinn. Mr. Dunaway asked the attorney general's opinion at the request of Dan Quinn, county clerk, who did not know whether he was authorized to assess women for poll tax under the new law. In an opinion given March 8 to residents of Texarkana who desired information as to whether women would be allowed to vote in the city primary March 14, Mr. Arbuckle gave as his opinion that they could not. Basing his opinion on the requirements that demand a poll tax receipt of the year next preceding the year in which the election is held, Mr. Arbuckle indicated that no women would be allowed to vote legally until 1918 for the reason that they could not properly acquire poll tax entitling them to vote earlier. Henry Rector, assistant United States district attorney, recently submitted an opinion in which he said that women who pay poll tax before June 30, 1917, will be allowed to vote in any primary this year. Mr. Rector said, however, that the law authorizing women to vote does not become effective until after June 7. With the exception of possible city primaries, and the constitutional convention primary th [?] Telephone 8860 Chelsea Intended for : off Wm Suff 'O wad some power the giftie gi'e us To see oursel's as ithers see us." Henry Romeike, Inc. 106-110 Seventh Ave. N. Y. City New York Cable Address: "Romeike" New York" The First Established and Most Complete Newspaper Cutting Bureau in the World. From GAZETTE Address: Little Rock, ARK Date March 21 1917 Established Argenta First Women to Pay Poll Taxes Mrs. Faucette and the Misses Scruggs Qualify as Primary Voters. Mrs. James P. Faucette, wife of Mayor Faucette, and the Misses Lulu and Addie Scruggs, were the first Argenta women to file their assessments and to pay their poll tax to Sheriff W. G. Hutton, which entitles them to vote in any primary after June 2. Several other Argenta women, members of the Argenta branch of the Pulaski County Suffrage Central Committee, will pay their poll taxes today. To Organize All Wards. The permanent organization of the Argenta branch of the Pulaski County Suffrage Central Committee was completed at a meeting at the city hall yesterday afternoon when the temporary officers chosen at the first meeting last Tuesday afternoon were made permanent. Plans for organizing branches of the committee in each of] the five wards were made by the election of the following ward chairmen: First ward, Miss Clara Howell; Second ward, Mrs. J. B. Ray; Third ward, Mrs. T. B. Ivy; Fourth ward, Mrs. Harvey Brown; Fifth ward, Mrs. J. G. Spurgeon. The Fifth ward branch has been organized and the women expect to organize the other four wards within the next two weeks. A committee from the Argenta branch was appointed to confer with members of the Argenta School Board relative to holding meetings in the schools. This concession has been granted members of the Pulaski County Suffrage Central Committee by the Little Rock School Board. A fund was raised at the meeting with which to purchase suffrage literature, which will be distributed in Argenta. The meeting was largely attended. Several members of the county committee were present and assisted in the permanent organization and made short talks. Telephone 8860 Chelsea Intended for : Woman Suffrage 'O wad some power the giftie gi'e us To see oursel's as ithers see us." Henry Romeike, Inc. 106-110 Seventh Ave. N. Y. City New York Cable Address: 'Romeike" New York" The First Established and Most Complete Newspaper Cutting Bureau in the World. From NEW ERA Address: Hot Springs Ark Date Mar 15 1917 Local Suffragists Apply for Poll Tax Miss Adele Johnson, a Hot Springs Suffragist Leader, Makes First Application-- Collector Holds Application for a Ruling. Local suffragists were early to take advantage of any opportunity the passage of the Riggs primary sufrage bill afforded them and three applications have already been made to Collector Erickson for poll tax. Miss Adele Johnson, a local suffragist leader, made the first application to pay her poll tax, being followed very soon afterwards by Miss Mary O. Cartwright and Mrs. Jessie T. Connell. Collector Erickson received the applications of the suffragists but up to this time has not received their poll tax, being as yet undecided, under the recent ruling of the attorney general, as to whether or not the collector can collect such tax and issue receipts therefore The "early bird" suffragists, however, have left their applications on andthetaoishrd andthedahtseta file, and when the proper time comes they will receive the first poll tax receipts issued to women in Garland county. Telephone 8860 Chelsea Intended for : Wom Suff 'O wad some power the giftie gi'e us To see oursel's as ithers see us." Henry Romeike, Inc. 106-110 Seventh Ave. N. Y. City New York Cable Address: 'Romeike" New York" The First Established and Most Complete Newspaper Cutting Bureau in the World. From NEWS Address: Indianapolis, Ind. Date Mar 3, 1917 Woman is Appointed to Primary Election Board Miss Julia Landers First in Indiana to Serve. Sheriff in Eighth Ward Miss Julia Landers is to have the honor of being the first woman in Indiana to serve on an election board. Bloor Schleppey, Democratic committeeman for the Second precinct of the Eighth ward, has appointed Miss Landers one of his election officials for the primaries next Tuesday. Although the women do not have the privilege of voting for the candidates at the primary, Mr. Schleppey said he had been looking over the election laws and was convinced that there is no reason why a woman might not serve on the election board at this time. Mr Schleppey anticipated that a number of women would receive such appointments in the fall, when the women will be voting in the city elections, but he decided that it was not necessary to wait until that time, as such appointment legally may be made. The office of election sheriff was the only vacancy left on his board, and it is in this capacity that Miss Landers is to serve. Director of Franchise League. Miss Landers is a director of the Indianapolis Franchise League, and was one of the most earnest workers of the league seeking passage of the part suffrage bill. The appointment by Mr. Schleppey came as a surprise to her, and at first she was inclined to refuse it. Her friends, however, urged her to accept, as election board service is one of the first evidences of citizenship in most equal suffrage states, and is a perfectly possible bit of service for the average woman. It is understood that Miss Landers is in no danger of having to make arrests, and as the precinct in question is a residence district, the position of sheriff ought not to be an arduous one. Accordingly the woman heartily approved the appointment of a woman to the position. No Objection. Miss Landers, however, consulted with a number of politicians of her acquaintance before giving an answer. She said that they all assured her that there was no objection to her acceptance, and that they were sure she would find nothing unpleasant about serving. In view of the fact that the election board is supposed to go to work at 6 a. m., Miss Landers was inclined to doubt this last assurance. Miss Landers will receive $2 for her day's work. She does not have an eight- hour day--for which all of the women are supposed to be working, but being sheriff she has the advantage of no night work, as the sheriff is the only official on the board who does not have to stay and work after the polls are clossed. LUCE'S PRESSCLIPPING BUREAU NEW YORK 88 PARK PLACE BOSTON 62 DEVONSHIRE ST. ALLIED WITH OFFICES IN CHICAGO.MINNEAPOLIS DENVER, SAN FRANCISCO AND LONDON CABLE ADDRESS CLIPBURO CLIPPING FROM APRIL 11, 1917 [?T] (ARK.) INDEPENDENT WOMEN MAY VOTE AFTER JAN- UARY 15. Special to Independent Little Rock, April 12.-Inquiries are still being received by the attorney general as to the qualification of women to vote in the primary election Saturday for members of the Constitutional Convention. In answer to one of these letters, Mr. Arbuckle writes: "The bill allowing women to vote, not having the emergency clause, would not go into effect until ninety days from the time of the adjournment of the legislature, which would mean on or about the 10th of January, provided no referendum is had." The attorney general further cites the case of White vs. McHughes in the 97th Arkansas, in which Justice Kirby held: "All primary elections for the nomination of candidates for office are now legal elections and only qualified electors can vote thereat, and if such primary election should be held the second Monday in January only those persons who paid a poll tax after the beginning of time for collecting taxes the first Monday and before the election, or during the first week in January, could legally vote. It follows that persons required to pay a poll tax, not having done so and obtained a receipt therefore during the time for collecting taxes, the said period, between the first Monday in January and the Saturday preceding the first Monday in July of the year 1909, were not qualified electors and not Eligible to vote nor eligible to hold office at the election held in May, 1910, and this is true notwithstanding they may have paid a poll tax during the ime for collecting taxes in 1910, efore said election in May, prior to he expiration of said time for collecting taxes, since this was not a payment within the meaning of the Constitution, at the time of collecting preceding such election." NATIONAL AMERICAN WOMAN SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION Branch of International Woman Suffrage Alliance and of National Council of Women Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, President Dr. Anna Howard Shaw,Honorary-President NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS 171 MADISON AVENUE NEW YORK Telephone, 4818 Murray Hill 1st Vice-President Mrs. Stanley McCormick, Mass. 2nd Vice President Miss Mary Garrett Hay, New York 3rd Vice-President Mrs. Guilford Dudley, Tenn 4th Vice-President Mrs. Raymond Brown, New York 5th Vice-President Mrs. Helen Gardener Washington, D.C. Treasurer Mrs. Henry Wade Rogers, Conn. Corresponding Secretary Mrs. Frank J. Shuler, New York Recording Secretary Mrs. Halsey W. Wilson, New York Directors Mrs. Charles H. Brooks, Kansas Mrs. T. T. Cotnam, Arkansas Mrs. James Lees Laidlaw, New York Mrs. Arthur L. Livermore, New York Mrs. Nonie B. Mahoney, Texas Miss Esther G. Ogden, New York Dr. Mary Safford, Florida Mrs. Horace C. Stilwell, Indiana NATIONAL WOMAN SUFFRAGE PUBLISHING COMPANY, Inc. Miss Esther G. Ogden, President 171 Madison Avenue, New York PRESS DEPARTMENT Miss Rose Young, Chairman 171 Madison Avenue, New York CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE Mrs. Maud Wood Park, Chairman Headquarters 1626 Rhode Island Ave., Washington, D. C. January 9, 1919. To the Congressional District Chairman of the Arkansas Equal Suffrage Central Committee- I have had a letter from Mrs. Cotnam asking me to write a letter to the members of her board and the Congressional District Chairman, stating why the National Association wishes at this time to avoid state referendum campaigns. The National Convention, composed of duly elected delegates from all the states, in 1916, on the recommendation of the National Board voted that no state auxiliary should lead its state into a suffrage referendum without the consent of the convention or in the interim of conventions, the National Board; that the National Association, (that is the federation of all state associations) should give its utmost assistance to those states which should be selected for referendum, but should not be bound to give assistance to those which entered upon a referendum without the consent of the National Association. The reasons for this seeming interference with the independence of the states were these: 1. Four things are imperative to a successful referendum. (a) A constitution capable of being amended, (b) an election law which extends its protection to non-partisan measures, (c) organization and trained workers, (d) money. It was discovered that associations without organization or experience, with no knowledge of where money could be secured, with constitutions impossible to amend, or election laws which connived at the counting out of amendments instead of granting them protection, would naively beg a Legislature for a referendum and often secured it by the votes of men who knew the handicaps to be too great to permit of victory In one year seven states had referenda, no one of them being prepared for a campaign. Each appealed to the National for help. The National Board gathered what money and workers it could for the seven battles, but they were not sufficient to meet the situation and five of them were lost. The movement suffered a severe slump in consequence. The action of the convention was taken with the intent of limiting the annual number of campaigns and of placing them where constitutions and election laws -2- made amendments most easily successful. 2. Experience in many state campaigns taught us that when a majority of the people seemed to be favorable to the amendment, such resuls did not always issue from the ballot box. The wets always the enemies of woman suffrage, by purchasable and controlled voted, would by intrigue outcount the respectable people and victory would be drunk around the bar in the saloons instead of the homes of the state. Women, shocked and humiliated by the lines of drunken loafers, illiterates, foreigners, etc. mobilized against them, feel that they have the right to appeal to a higher and more intelligent authority - Congress and the Legislatures, hence the experienced suffragist avoids further referenda, but is willing to wade through flames of living fire for the federal amendment. 3. All the arguments which led to the action of 1916 are as forceful in 1918, but one which overshadows them all has been added. When Great Britain and Canada gave their women the vote by set of their national parliaments and Italy, Sweden and France promised it shortly to their women, the question of woman suffrage became a national issue in this country. Either this question must be treated by Congress and the Legislatures or the greatest of Republics will lag behind the chief nations of the world in its own applied principles. A big majority of the Democrats and the Republicans in both Houses of Congress see this necessity and are earnestly anxious to see woman suffrage an established fact. We believe the federal amendment will pass this Congress before the middle of January; if failing there it is bound to pass the 66th Congress, where we have votes to spare in both Houses. If, as we hope, it will pass within a few days, the obvious program for all the states is ratification. We believe we shall have the necessary number of ratifications before Spring. Other states will have their opportunity to grant consent in 1920 and we believe the amendment can be proclaimed by May 1920 as a part of the constitution. If this Congress declines to act, the 66th Congress will act. In that event or in the event that the Senate of the 65th Congress acts tardily, we cannot complete the campaign before the Spring of 1921. The reason is that forty-two Legislatures meet in 1919, but only ten in 1920. Surely, if the federal amendment goes through before the middle of January or there is a definite promise that it will go through shortly after, no suffragist in any state should insist upon a referendum, for the vote will come to all women through ratification. If, however, there is no prospect of the passing of the amendment in the present Congress, groups of suffragists in several states losing confidence in the certainty of suffrage by the federal route are going to be insistent upon referenda in their respective states. A successful referendum in 1919 would give the women of any state a vote in the presidential election of 1920. If our present program is carried out, they will have a vote in that election by federal action. If, however, this Congress fails to act, they will not secure the vote, except by state referendum, in time for that election. The question then narrows itself down to the query: is it wise to precipitate a referendum in order to secure the vote for women one year earlier than may be the case if suffragists wait for federal action? The answer is that if the state can carry on its campaign without outside help, and can make certain of a victory at the polls, no harm is done and the women have won their victory a year sooner. Under these circumstances, the National Association could make no objection. If, however, a referendum is to be followed by an appeal to the National Association for workers and for money, -3- the National Association must in consequence appeal to the states not to enter into referends. In the year 1916, every trained worker at our command was engaged in the campaign states. Twenty-five organizers were so employed. $35,000 of National money was so expended. The results were three states won, but it crippled the federal amendment campaign to such a degree that the National Board cannot countenance a repitition of it. By following the same policy another year, we might win three or even more states, but what does it profit the women of the nation to win a few states and lose suffrage in the whole country? Again, in the event that there should be several defeats in consequence of illy supported campaigns, it might lead to such a reaction against suffrage as to delay the national program. The National Board, therefore, begs all states to desist from referenda while the federal amendment is pending. It begs suffragists to support the strategy of national suffrage and the National Board takes this stand with the sincere conviction that all the women of our country will be enfranchised much sooner than will be the case when some insist on suffrage by the state route. For several years the National Board has taken careful note of the expenditures for state campaigns and are therefore able to make a fairly correct budget of the needs of states entering into campaigns. We have learned that many campaigns have been lost because there was not money enough to properly support them and the workers were not sufficiently intelligent and well trained concerning the work in hand. In the last four successful campaigns, one trained organizer has been placed in charge of each six rural counties and more in proportion in the urban sections. They have been in charge for at least six months and in most cases nearly a year. The maintenance of these organizers, if moderate salaries are paid, would not cost less than $1,000 per organizer, provided they remain for six months in charge of a post. You must remember that as soon as a campaign is on the anti-suffragists begin their work. They issue plate matter to the newspapers and run a lively campaign of press material. They send workers into the state who do little in the way of organization, but who do succeed in getting hearings before men's clubs, etc. They always are able to find some women who will lend their names to an anti-suffrage organization. These local women are provided with letters which they sign as though they were their own and get them into the newspapers. Literature which is circulated in every state is reprinted with the imprint of this local association. You have that influence to combat and sometimes it is more of an opposition then you probably realize. It would be necessary to maintain a press department and to have a good deal of literature, meetings, etc. The campaign in Oklahoma was conducted very cheaply and had not the oppositions which would have been true had they dreamed that the amendment could carry. The campaign fund there was extremely small for the size of the state and the work; it was about $25,000. You have had the primary suffrage and have had a campaign this year. Consequently you might be able to conduct your campaign for even less and you might not be obliged to conduct so thorough going a campaign as I have outlined. But I do not think at the very minimum you could get on with less than $15,000. This year we have been able to make a contribution to your constitutional convention campaign, but I doubt if another year the National could help you with a single dollar. If you go into campaign, you must do so with the knowledge that we are now up to forty-eight simultaneous campaigns of preparation for ratification -4- and that every worker and every dollar we can command nationally will be needed in those campaigns. Let me repeat that if the federal amendment is not through by January 20th and we can give you no assurance that it will go through in this Congress and if the Arkansas Association feels equal to the management of its own campaign, without calling upon the National for help, the National can certainly make no objection to such action. I sincerely hope that the federal suffrage amendment will go through at once and thus put out of mind all thoughts of anything but ratification. Yours cordially, President Carrie Chapman Catt President: MRS. H.C. GIBSON, 1302 Lincoln Ave., Little Rock First Vice President–Red Cross Recorder MRS. A.W. TROUPE, Fifth Street, Pine Bluff Second Vice President–Council of Defense Recorder MRS. J.S. HOLT, 1723 Grand Ave., Fort Smith Recording Secretary: MRS. C.L. MOORE, Jr., Osceola Corresponding Secretary: MRS. J.E. WILLIAMS Little Rock Treasurer: MRS. ED. GRAVES, Arkadelphia Auditor: MISS STEELA HARDY, Batesville Information Bureau: MISS LILLIAN BLAISDELL, Little Rock Chairman of Publicity: MRS. J.J. READ, Fayetteville Parliamentarian: MRS. C.A. DERBY, Warren Arkansas Federation of Women's Clubs General Federation Director: MRS. JOSEPH FRAUENTHAL, Conway General Federation Secretary: MRS. JOHN IKE MOORE, Helena DISTRICT PRESIDENTS Batesville: MRS. ROSS MATHIS, Cotton Plant Camden: MRS. L.K. McKINNEY, El Dorado Forrest City: MRS. W.W. SHAVER, Wynne Fort Smith: MISS CLARE ENO, Van Buren Harrison: MRS. J.M. JELKS, Searcy Little Rock: MRS. R.Y. PHILLIPS, Malvern Pine Bluff: MRS. JACK BERNHARDT, Pine Bluff DEPARTMENTS: Art: Education: Literature and Library Extension: MRS. H.R. WEBSTER, Texarkana MRS. B. FORD, Dermott MRS. H.D. TOMLINSON, Butler Civics: Health: Music: MRS. J.H. BROOKS, Blytheville MRS. C.W. GARRISON, El Dorado MRS. WALTER WRIGHT, Helena Civil Services: Home Economics: Press: MRS. S.H. HOHES, Murfreesboro MRS. R.N. GARRETT, El Dorado MRS. C.E. WHITNEY, Little Rock Conservation: Legislation: Social-Industrial: MRS. W.F. MASSEY Hot Springs MRS. RUTHERFORD-FULLER, Little Rock MISS HELEN RIDDICK, Pine Bluff Ludington, Michigan. July 22, 1918. Dear Mrs. Schuler:- Your letter to my home address reached me to-day. I am sending to my chairman of information and she can send the resolution as passed and I send herewith the other date. Resolution passed in the spring of 1915 at Fayetteville Arkansas. Hoping the delay of the other request may not inconvenience you, I am, cordially, Lettie Dodge Gibson 1. The list of connection appointments would be very valuable to use if we had a larger organization. We hope it will be more useful every year. 2 & 3. School suffrage [*for women*] endorsed by The State Federation of Women's Clubs, and "Woman Suffrage when the women want it" by the Republican State Convention. [*unlisted*] Mary Fletcher, Pres. Political Equality League, Little Rock, Arkansas- THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS ONLY LITTLE ROCK, AHM 2 ---- PM OCT 26 - 12 Mary Ware Dennett 505 Fifth Avenue, New York ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION FAVORS FULL SUFFRAGE FOR WOMEN The Arkansas Constitutional Convention celebrated the nation's birthday on July 4 at Little Rock by including in its draft of the proposed new constitution an article granting to the women of the state the rights of full suffrage. Under this constitutional act, which was adopted with but one dissenting vote, the women of the state will be granted the right to vote at all elections and to hold office, as soon as the constitution is adopted. An effort to deny the women the right to hold office was defeated by a vote of 63 to 3, which shows the decisive stand taken for full suffrage by the framers of the new constitution. The section of the proposed constitution granting suffrage to women is as follows: "The rights of citizens of this state to vote and hold office shall not be denied or abridged on account of sex. Both male and female citizens of this state shall enjoy equally, all civil political and religious right sand privileges; provided that no women shall be compelled to serve on any jury." Mrs Thomas T. Cotnam Chairman Little Rock Mrs. Frank W. Gibb Pulaski County Chairman, State Secretary Little Rock Mrs. R. W. Walker Treasurer Little Rock Arkansas Equal Suffrage Central Committee PULASKI COUNTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE 417 Southern Trust Building Mrs. Chas. T. Drennen 1st Vice Chairman Hot Springs Mrs. Stella Brizzolara 2nd Vice Chairman Fort Smith Mrs. Olin F. Ellington Honorary Chairman Dallas, Texas Little Rock, Ark. October 21st, 1918. Mrs. Mary Ogden White, 171 Madison Ave., New York City. Dear Mrs. White: - I will be sure to keep you posted inregard to our campaign for the adoption of the new Constitution. Our plans now are to have a special leaflet printed, which will be modeled on our famous "Twelve Reasons Why Women Should Vote." This will set forth reasons "Why Men Should Vote For The New Constitution." We will make a canvas of the voters and put this leaflet into the hands of each one of them. We will also have large posters made, using very much the same material and these will be put all over the state in the towns and in the country. We will run slides at all picture shows during the last two weeks of the campaign, quoting extracts from President Wilson's speeches in favor of Woman Suffrage. In every country where the women are not conducting the canvas in the proper way, we will send an organizer to look after the work. Congressional district Chairmen will keep in constant touch with the countries of their several districts, and altogether the women's work for the adoption of the Constitution will aid very materially. The bulletins from your office are still directed to Alice Ellington. Mrs. Ellington left Arkansas August 1st, 1917, and the mail directed to her frequently goes on to Dallas, Texas. I have called attention to this several times before but I suppose it is difficult to make corrections on your list. Cordially, Florence B. Cotnam Chairman. Little Rock, Arkansas April 10, 1917 Mrs. Mary Sumner Boyd New York, N. Y. Dear Mrs. Boyd: - Your letter received several days ago, pardon my seeming neglect. You have requested the latest and full endorsements for suffrage in Arkansas. I will give you this to the best of my knowledge. They are as follows: Arkansas DEmocratic Convention 1916 " Republican " 1916 State Federation of Labor Arkansas Bar Association Arkansas Press Association Arkansas Nurses Association Arkansas Federation of Womens CLubs Arkansas Council of Jewish Women Arkansas W. C. T. U. Hoping this information will be of service, I am Very cordially yours, Alice S. Ellington Chairman Equal Suffrage Central Committee. [*Arkansas*] Political Equality League Little Rock, Arkansas Officers Mrs. O. F. Ellington, President Mrs. T. T. Cotnam, First Vice President Miss Gertrude Watkins, Second Vice Pres. Mrs. Clarence E. Rose, Recording Sec'y Mrs. Ches. Jennings, Corresponding Sec'y Mrs. John P. Almand, Treasurer March 2. 1915. Miss Clara Savage, 505 Fifth Ave, New York. Dear Miss Savage;- Yours of recent date rec, beg to advise we are in every way a campaign state, and by [the] ways we do not deem wise to discuss just at this time , hope to get to the people of Ark. in the next two years. I believe we can carry our state should we succeed in getting on the ticket, and for these reasons. First Ark. has become a very progressive state, perhaps ranking first in progress along the scientific farming line that shows progress where we naturally would expect opposition, or lack of interest I should say, If our farmers wives are as interested in our cause as they have been in the school improvment assn. we have gained a great victory there, I believe we could reasonably expect them to be. The first thing we need MONEY, of course, that is always the hue and cry, but we need speakers, and literature too. In regard to the speakers we could get better results with southern women, the interior towns people also the country folks have not forgotten the days of reconstruction , some of them think any one born north of the Mason and Dixon line in a carpet bagger,we are going to find this prejudice and might as well prepare to ofset it in the beginning. I am sorry such a condition exists but such is the case, . Next we need literature as we hope to placard the state with the Votes for Women fliers, before we even attempt to send speakers. We have just about decided not to join the National on account of lack of funds, both the state and the several City League treasuries are practically without funds. Political Equality League Little Rock, Arkansas Officers Mrs. O. F. Ellington, President Mrs. T. T. Cotnam, First Vice President Miss Gertrude Watkins, Second Vice Pres. Mrs. Clarence E. Rose, Recording Sec'y Mrs. Ches. Jennings, Corresponding Sec'y Mrs. John P. Almand, Treasurer 2. We are launching here in the Little Rock Lrague a scheme to get campaign funds , and hope the other Leagues will follow suit, this is the plan, the whole league has been organized into committees of about 20 members each , who have pledged themselves to raise at least one hundred dol. this year and more next year. if all the leagues will do the same we will have enough to make a good campaign. We calculate we can campaign this state for 5 or 7 thousand dol. It is estimated it costs 30 thousand dol. for a Gov. race so we know it can be done much cheaper as so musc of the work will be done by free workers leaving only the publicity bills, of any great consequence. All the political parties have indorced suffrage, that is the Ark. Republican party, the Socialists, Prohibitionists, and the present legislature, which we consider is the Democratic endorsment, as there is only 3 Republican members in the 40 General Assembly. I would also appreciate suggestions on raising money too, as that perhaps is the greatest importance. I hope you can read between the lines and be able to make out at least a short story for your paper, some of the things I have said perhaps would not be wise to print, especially about the Ark. feeling about northern workers. Thanking you for your assistance, also the publicity, I am Very sincerely yours. Alice S. Ellington Pres. Ark. Woman Suffrage Assn. Mrs. O. F. E. Copy of Gazette's story. The Ark. Gazette's reporter in Arkadelphia came to our hotel tonight & we gave him an account of our meeting this afternoon. He has just sent us this notice which will appear in tomorrow's Gazette. Arkadelphia-Ark-April-11-1916---The popularity of Woman Suffrage in Arkadelphia was tried and proved this afternoon when more than fifty of the representative women of the city assembled in the auditorium of the Women's Library Association, and there effected an organization. It was the crowning success of the splendid efforts of Misses Josephine Miller and Gertrude Watkins, of Little Rock, who, as advance agents of the State suffrage society, are touring South Arkansas. They arrived here Monday and made a score of calls on women most interested in equal suffrage, and published the fact that today a meeting would be held for the purpose of organizing. An enthusiastic assemblage greeted the Misses Miller and Watkins. After a program of speeches the following officers were elected: Chairman Mrs. J. H. Crawford; Vice-Chairman Mrs P. F. Cleaver; Secretary Mrs. S. M. Butts; Treasurer Miss Annie R. Storts, Dean of Women, Ouachita College. Miss Watkins announced that Mrs. T. T. Cotnam, president of the Little Rock Political Equality League, and Mrs. O. F. Ellington, president of the Arkansas Suffragette Association, will come here on April the 24th, and Mrs. Cotnam will make an address to the local organization. On Tuesday the young ladies of Ouachita and Henderson-Brown Colleges will be visited and probably organized into leagues. Misses Watkins and Miller will go from here to Camden where the club women of that city will be enlisted in the work of organization. The organizers expressed themselves as highly pleased with the interest manifested here. "We have been most cordially received, and have met with more success than we anticipated. You have a splendid little city," said the spokesman of these disciples of equal suffrage. Arkadelphia's impression of the young women was such that equal suffrage received a great impetus here. Received May 9 1916 Little Rock, Ark. May 6, 1916. Miss Hannah J. Patterson, 171 Madison Ave. New York, N.Y. Dear Miss Patterson:-- Yours of May 3rd. with inclosures received. We now have 23 league in the state, if you will send me that no. I'll forward to them and try to interest them in the contests. [*given Miss Addington*] Would also like to have several pieces of Convention literature to send too. I am doing my best to arrouse interest in these Conventions but it does seem slow. I often feel discouraged, they will not write and they will not work. Up to the present time I have been unable to get any one to go to Chicago, with the possible exception of myself, am afraid Ark. will not be represented; and I an only a possibility, on account of a lack of strength. I am afraid I will not be equel to both Conventions and I could do my state more good at the Democratic Convention. Mrs. Cotnam, Miss Watkins, Miss Miller, Mrs? Sloat and myself are the only ones promised from Little Rock up to date, Mrs. Burleigh from Dermott, Ark. will be in St. Louis but surely we can get more later on, they are slow to promise, I wish we had a law compeling people to know their minds. We depend entirely on the free publicity, so I hardly think I could get this published just as you have it, however I'll try and fasten it on to a local feature and do my best to get it in our paper. Our state news service will not handle this free unless it has a state news value. Just as soon as we can see our way clear we are going to make arrangements with these people to handle our stuff. When we have secured more organization the demand weill [will] have been created, and they will take it. I have sent out articled again and 2 again, but the country papers will not use them, thinking it is not of interest in their cumunity, and not being strong enough in the faih [faith] to try and create interest. Money is all we need to win Ark. At present we are working on our delegates to the National Conventions, I shall be disappointed if we are not able to make a good showing, and will do so if they keep their word. If this war condition continues, and the situation unchanged Teddy is going to be the Republican nominee, sure as you are living and I thank goodness he will have nerve enough to say out and out what he is going to do about suffrage, in the mean time I hope we can get favorable action from both parties, In the mean time if you need me call on me, I am, Very sincerely yours, Alice S Ellington Political Equality League LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS Mrs. Thomas T. Cotnam President Miss Gertrude Watkins First Vice President Mrs. Albert Cohn Second Vice President Mrs. Clarence E. Rose Recording Secretary Mrs. Rolland F. Darnall Treasurer Miss Emma DeNeler Corresponding Secretary RECEIVED MAY 18 [?] [April] May 8– Dear Miss Patterson I had a very successful trip - I believe all the organizations will remain permanent. The purpose in all the towns gave us valuable assistance. We could get no one in Helena to lead the organization - This is the home of Mrs. J. I. Moore the Pres of the State Federation of Clubs- She is not favorable to suffrage and has never quite forgiven me for getting an endorsement through the convention a year ago. She has selected the strongest asst's in the Federation for organizer and is sending her through for the state. This is what she says. "I believe in suffrage, but am afraid to have any part in the movement, as it might antagonize some of the clubs." Helena has about twelve thousand people. Will you send some literature to Mrs. Greenfield [?] Helena Ark. She is really interested and we are going to make a further effort to get her to be our chairman. Much interest was shown in the other towns. We have our meeting in Ft Smith tomorrow night and I will close this letter there. I leave for Keokuk the morning of the 10th and arrive next morning. I have written Mrs. Emma Reeves. I have accepted an invitation to speak in Monteagle Tenn the second week in August. This is a very large and well established Chautauqua Assembly. They will pay any expenses and $28.00. I have a telegram from Texas asking me to speak in Dallas on May 11th and Tyler the 12th. Ft Louis. May 10th. I could not finish this letter in Ft. Smith as I was as pressed for time. I had to get up at five this morning to catch a train. I am writing here in the Union Station for my Pullman to open. The Ft. Smith meeting was very small. We ran into a big mass meeting in connection with the schools. We sent sixteen women for membership and I believe there will be a number of others. The girls expected to organize to day- I visited twelve towns, had twelve evening meetings and spoke to seven schools. I am sure a great amount of good will result from our activities. We are deeply grateful to the National for helping us so much. I enclose expense account. I am not sure whether this expense account to Iowa should go to you or not so am making it out on a separate sheet. Very cordially Florence B. Cotnam MRS. THOMAS T. COTNAM MRS. FRANK W. GIBB MRS. R.W. WALKER Chairman Pulaski County Chairman, State Secretary Treasurer Little Rock Little Rock Little Rock Arkansas Equal Suffrage Central Committee PULASKI COUNTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE 417 Southern Trust Building MRS. CHAS. T. DENNEN 1st Vice Chairman Hot Springs MRS. STELLA BRIZZOLARA 2nd Vice Chairman MRS. OLIN F. ELLINGTON Honorary Chairman Dallas, Texas LITTLE ROCK, ARK. October 17th, 1918. Mrs. Mary Sumner Boyd, 171 Madison Ave., New York City. Dear Mrs. Boyd:- [*copy*] You will find names and addresses of our Officers on this letter head. Our organization is by Congressional districts, and the Chairmen of the several districts are as follows: 1st Congr. Dist.-Mrs. C.E. Daggett, Marianna; 2nd Congr.Dist.- Mrs. R.F. Milwee, Clarendon; 3rd Congr.Dist. -Mrs. W.M. Briscoe, Fayetteville; 4th Cong.Dist.- (Northern Half) - Mrs. Stella Brizzolara, Fort Smith; 4th Congr. Dist. (Southern half) Mrs. J.D. Head, Texarkana; 5th Congr. Dist. -Mrs. W.M. Moose, Morrilton; 6th Congr. Dist.-Mrs. C.T. Drennen, Hot Springs; 7th Congr. Dist.-Mrs. M.C. Burleigh, Dermott. We have affiliation of 125 organizations. The name of each is uniform with the name of the state organization, that is the County organizations are called County Central Committees and the town organizations are called Town Committees. We are not a dues-paying organization in any department and it is almost impossible to give the number of members. We may easily claim two thousand. Very few regular meetings are held by our organizations but they respond to special calls for work. It was very easy to raise $1000 for the Overseas Hospital and $888.00 was recently raised toward the erection of a Girl's Industrial Home. We have concentrated our attention this year upon securing an Equal Suffrage clause in our new Constitution, and have succeeded admirably. The clause is as liberal as we could possibly hope for. We also began a campaign for the submission of the Constitution en bloc as soon as the Convention met in Little Rock. The majority of the members and some very influential ones were very much opposed to this idea, but it was finally adopted, and the vote will be taken upon the whole Constitution on December the 14th. Women voted for the first time under the new primary law in Arkansas, on May 28th. Between forty and fifty thousand votes were cast. It would have been easy to greatly enlarge this vote "2" by putting on a fight for some special candidate. There was no occasion to do this in the state election and the women in the several counties were advised to avoid it and keep a neutral attitude as nearly as possible. This plan was pursued in order to prevent the primary law being called into question. Some County Judges gave the opinion that the law was not Constitutional and should a case in connection with it ever come into Court, it would be thrown out. In Sebastian County, of which Fort Smith our second largest city is the county seat, there was rather a sharp fight between the Labor element and some others. The women took sides against the Labor parties and were able to elect their candidate, but the case was immediately brought into court. By some technicality it was thrown out and we were able to avoid getting into the Supreme Court. I have consistently declined to give a written endorsement, even to those men who were our best friends. Of course, had their opponents been opposed to Suffrage, we would have at once gone [publicily] publicly into the fight. This neutral attitude has been good politics for the Woman Suffrage cause and I can safely say we have the friendship of all classes of men, and we also have enough poll tax receipts in nearly every county in the state to hold the balance of power. There is no question that we can elect or reject any state officer, and all of the candidates know it. We propose to get out a special leaflet in connection with the adoption of the Constitution and I will send you a copy when it is published. Cordially, Florence B. Cotnam Chairman. Many of our County Chairmen are Liberty [L??n] Chairmen and several are W.S.S. Vice Chrmn. I am directing the state work among the women for the W.S.S. and have a very complete and efficient organization. Ark - H Headquarters State and Pulaski County Equal Suffrage Central Committees 427 Southern Trust Bldg. LITTLE ROCK, ARK. May 21, 1917 Mrs. M.S. Boyd 171 Madison Ave. New York. N. Y. Dear Mrs. Boyd:- Your letter of May 17th to hand. I feel so flattered with your follow up compliment. I am inclined to drop everything and write out the history you are asking for, but I must tend to more urgent business today and will send you this in the next few days. I am sorry that I can not send you Press stories etc. for the very good reason that we went through the Legislature so quietly that the Press hardly knew we were a about to pull off this stunt. You know my idea of effective lobying is not with fife and drum but rather following the quiet business methods of other successful lobyists. Undoubtedly in this particular case it was the thing to do so that accounts for our meager publicity. I will write you something of the history in the next few days. Very sincerely, Alice S. Ellington CHAIRMAN EQUAL SUFFRAGE STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE. Headquarters State and Pulaski County Equal Suffrage Central Committee 427 Southern Trust Bldg. LITTLE ROCK, ARK. May 25, 1917 SUPPLEMENT TO ARKANSAS HISTORY. Until the Rigg's Primary Bill became a law, Arkansas was a Black State and had not been given any form of Suffrage, but the general laws for women and children were perhaps the best in this section of the country, so this Practical Suffrage was a continuation of the progressive legislation already enacted. This is a unique form of enfranchisement and one likely to gain favor in states where there is a DOMINANT PARTY, many of which are in the south. Presuming the women are approximately the same number as men, the Primary Suffrage gives 6/7 of the Arkansas Democratic women practical Suffrage, the other 1/7 are Republicans and Socialists and cannot vote in Democratic Primaries. In states where there is one dominant party the election is a FORMALITY, the real issue is settled in the PRIMARY, so Arkansas women have as full suffrage, for all practical purposes, as the women of Wyoming, with the exception that ours might be taken away in the same method in which it was granted viz by act of Legislature, and Wyoming would necessitate a change of Constitution. The same Legislature that granted Suffrage to women passed a Bill calling for a Constitutional Convention, November 19, 1917, which forces us into an active campaign for Full Suffrage. We have seventy five counties and will have an organization in each before the Convention convenes. If War conditions do not prevent the Convention sitting we will write Full Suffrage therein and then ratify same and forever establish the fact that Southern women want to vote. In conclusion the legislative work was a strictly business affair, I being the only active lobyist at the Capitol. The opposition didn't realize our strength until we were safely through. Since however, they have tried to organize the Anti's but it doesn't attract our intelligent men and women when we have such a form of enfranchisement and the Politicians are openly and honestly our friends as is evidenced by the fact that the women of Pulaski County, the County in which Little Rock is located, have affiliated, with the County Central Committee and we are now using their office for our headquarters. Alice S. Ellington. [*Legis History*] Headquarters State and Pulaski County Equal Suffrage Central Committees 427 Southern Trust Bldg. Little Rock, Ark. July 9, 1917 Miss Alice B. Curtis 171 Madison Ave. New York, N.Y. Dear Miss Curtis:- Your letter of June 14th has been on my desk for many days and I have been trying to go out to the State House for this information. To-day I have succeeded in getting the same and am sending you under separate cover a copy of the suffrage amendment which was withdrawn by request, also a copy of the Constitutional Convention Bill. I am sorry not to have been able to have forwarded you this information sooner and I hope there has been no haste for these bills. Our work is moving along nicely at this time. Very sincerely yours, Alice S. Ellington Chairman Equal Suffrage State Central Committee. [*Bills filed*] [*1917*] A BILL FOR AN ACT TO BE ENTITLED "AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT WOMEN MAY VOTE IN ALL PRIMARY ELECTIONS IN ARKANSAS, PRESCRIBING QUALIFICATIONS AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY." ********** BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS SECTION 1. From and after the passage of this Act, and subject to all the provisions of the laws of this State as to age, residence, citizenship, payment of poll taxes, and otherwise regulating the manner and form of holding same; but specially exempt from every disqualification, direct or indirect, on account of sex, every woman in this State shall have the right to vote at any primary elections held under the laws of this State. SECTION 2. All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are hereby repealed and this Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is hereby declared to exist and this Act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage. RIGGS OF GARLAND Passed House 70 for 19 against Little Rock, Arkansas April 18, 1917 Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt 171 Madison Ave. New York, N. Y. Dear Mrs. Catt:- I am enclosing a resolution passed by the Pulaski County Democratic Central Committee April 18, 1917. This shows you the tendency of our politicians to give us all the assistance possible. Miss Watkins, Miss Miller and Mrs. Cotnam are all out in the State and doing splendid work. I congratulate you on the victory in Rhode Island. Very Sincerely, Alice S. Ellington PRESIDENT EQUAL SUFFRAGE ASSO. CENTRAL COMMITTEE. [From] GRAPHIC [Address]:[Pine Bluff Ark] JAN 25 [1912] SUFFRAGISTS TO WORK FOR NEW CONSTITUTION - Believe That Convention Would Acknowledge Right of Women to Vote. - TWO MEETINGS WILL BE HELD IN CITY - Miss Josephine Miller of Little Rock Arranges for Discussion of Plans to Organize for Cooperative Effort. - That the women of Arkansas are centering all their energies in behalf of a constitutional convention and a new constitution for Arkansas, in the confident belief that the new constitution will grant suffrage to women, is the statement made last night by Miss Josephine Miller of Little Rock, national organizer for the American Woman's Suffrage association, who is spending several days in Pine Bluff to strengthen the forces of the organization here, preliminary to the campaign in behalf of the constitutional convention and for woman suffrage Miss Miller has her headquarters at the Hotel Pines, and will remain here until Saturday, when she will go to Stuttgart, to continue her activities along the same lines. She has already arranged for two big meetings here, one tonight at 8 o'clock, at the chamber of commerce assembly hall and the other tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 o'clock, also at the assembly hall. The meeting tonight will be for all persons interested, men and women alike. Miss Miller will make a talk - and she can make a most interesting, entertaining and instructive talk - and in addition there will be talks, it was announced, by C. S. Alexander, president of the Merchants and Planters bank, C. H. Triplett, president of the National Bank of Arkansas; Sam Levine and R. M. Galbraith. As presiding officer of the meeting, T G. Parham will introduce the speakers The meeting tomorrow afternoon will be for women only, and there will be full and free discussion of the plans of the campaign, and especially of the ways and means of strengthening the organization for the approaching campaign. Sentiment Is Favorable. In an interesting interview last night, Miss Miller stated that the sentiment in Arkansas on woman suffrage has shown a most wonderful and most gratifying change in the past year. Prominent men and women in all parts of the state, in the cities and in the rural communities as well, are actively engaged in furthering the cause, and everywhere there are most favorable indications. "We have the hearty co-operation of Gov. Brough in our efforts," said Miss Miller, "and the governor very kindly gave me authority to say so." Miss Miller explained that a bill granting the presidential suffrage to the women of this state had been introduced in the general assembly, but later it had been withdrawn after it had been decided the better plan would be to have the women unite in their efforts for a new constitution, and to have written in that constitution the right of suffrage for women. "I am satisfied there will be a constitution," said the suffrage leader, "and it is a fact of general knowledge that all the recently adopted constitutions contain clauses granting the ballot to women, hence I am satisfied Arkansas women will soon be voting with their fathers, brothers and husbands." ARKANSAS Jan12, Amendment Bill introduced into Legislature ; read twice in House ; referred to Committee on Constitutional Amendments. Jan.24, Rep. John A. Riggs withdrew his res. for Const. Amend. From NEW [?] Address: Hot Springs Sta Date JAN 12 1916 Provides Poll Tax And Vote - LITTLE ROCK, Jan. 12 - Equal suffrage in Arkansas was given its start today when Representative John A. Riggs of Garland county, offered his bill for suffrage for women in the house of representatives today. The bill was read twice and referred to the committee on constitutional amendments. The equal suffrage bill has been carefully drawn and has been passed upon by a number of prominent attorneys. It provides for the payment of poll tax by women and the right of full suffrage the same as now enjoyed by the men of the state. In his efforts to put the bill through, Mr. Riggs has been joined by three other newspaper men who are members of the lgislature and the suffragists feel that the proposed constitutional amendment has been well started. The measure for suffrage for the women of Arkansas is one of the most sweeping of its kind yet proposed, since it gives the women of the state every right that it gives men, and places them on an equality wih the sterner sex so fas as a voice in the government of the state is concerned. An effort will be made to get an early and favorable report on the bill in order that it may be brought up for final passage at as early a date as possile. GAZETTE LITTLE ROCK, ARK JAN 12 1917 BILL TO ABOLISH BOARD OF CONTROL - Two Women Would Be Among Members of Proposed State Board of Charities. - SUFFRAGE BILL OFFERED - Bills Offered for Pulaski County Depository and for Statue of Late United States Senator Clarke. - The equal suffrage amendment to the constitution made its biennial appearance in the house Friday afternoon. It is sponsored by Representative Riggs of Garland. [Ark] RESOLUTION. Whereas this will be the last meeting of this committee before the law enfranchising women in primary elections goes into effect, and Whereas women will have complied with the provisions of that law before another meeting of this committee and before the holding of another Democratic primary election; therefore, Be it resolved that all women who qualify under the law and are desirous of being identified with the Democratic Party, that all such women be and are hereby invited to membership in the party and to full participation in party affairs under the rules, regulations and laws of organized Democracy. [W. G. Harkey] Passed by Co. Dem. [Ant.] Com. Apr. 18, 1917 Pulaski County (Arkansa) - Democratic Committee has passed the following RESOLUTION: Whereas this will be the last meeting of this committee before the law enfranchising women in primary elections goes into effect, and Whereas women will have complied with the provisions of that law before another meeting of this committee and before the holding of another Democratic primary election; therefore, Be it resolved that all women who qualify under the law and are desirous of being identified with the Democratic Party, that all such women be and are invited to membership in the party and to full participation in party affairs under the rules, regulations and laws of organized Democracy. (Signed) W. G. Harkey Headquarters State and Pulaski County Equal Suffrage Central Committees 427 Southern Trust Bldg. Little Rock, Ark. Dec 4 - 1917 Dear Mrs Boyd Your letter of October in regard to the history of the passage of the Arkansas Primary bill, has just come to my desk. It was addressed to Mrs Ellington who left Arkansas August 1st. I notified the National at that time of her change of residence but all mail has continued to be addressed to her, and the Post Office forwards it to Dallas Texas. I am enclosing history of the bill. I hope it is not too late for your purpose. [* See in calendar -The envelope*] Cordially Florence B. Cotnam Chairman 1917 ARKANSAS A BILL For an act to be entitled "AnAct to Provide that Women May vote in all Primary Elections in Arkansas, prescribing qualifications and declaring an Emergency ." BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS. Section 1.--- From and after the passage of this act, and subject to all the provisions of the laws of this state as to age, residence, citizenship, payment of poll taxes, and otherwise regulating the manner and form of holding same; but specially exempt from every disqualification, direct or indirect, on account of sex, every woman in this state shall have the right to vote at any primary elections held under the laws of this state. Section 2.--- All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are hereby repealed and this Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is hereby declared to exist and this Act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage. Headquarters State and Pulaski County Equal Suffrage Central Committees 427 Southern Trust Bldg. Little Rock, Ark. The Arkansas Primary Bill permits women to vote in all primaries, which is equivalent to Full Suffrage for Democratic women. Republican and Socalist parties select their candidate for an election in c Convention, their Convention is not legalized, therefor, the Legislature had no authority to say who should participate in those Conventions since they are subject only to party rules. The Democrats hold primaries. Several years ago they asked the Legislature to legalize their primaries for the purpose of settling contests etc., therefore, the Legislature has the right to say who shall vote therein. The last registration shows 350,000 registered voters, 300,000 of which are Democrats, 40,000 Republicans and 10,000 Socalists, you will see 6/7 of the voters are Democrats. The presumption is that about the same number of women are Democrats, Republicans and Socalists. The same General Assembly passed a bill calling for a Constitutional Convention to convene in Little Rock November 19, 1917, the vote to come two months after adjournment. The best informed men believe the Convention will sit two months, that will bring the vote about March or April. We are now in a most intensive campaign and one that came quite unexpectedly and found us almost wholly un-prepared from the fact that we had heretofore featured the political side of our work, the wisdom of which is shown in our primary law. Our hobbying was a strictly business affair and carried on as any other large business would have managed its interest, which is to say that we were not heralded by drum and fife, ours was a quiet dignified, and I might say a Gum Shoe Campaign with very little publicity, in fact we didn't give the Anti's sufficient notice for their work. Now if we can secure Full Suffrage in Arkansas the solid South will have broken forever. and neighboring states will soon catch the contagion. A primary in Arkansas settles the candidate for the election, therefore a vote in an Arkansas primary is really Full Suffrage. I have a polly tax and expect to Headquarters State and Pulaski County Equal Suffrage Central Committees 427 Southern Trust Bldg. Little Rock, Ark. vote for every office next Spring, within the gift of the people. Surely Arkansas is a law unto itself. Copy to Miss. Valley Conference Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.