[*NAWSA*] [*Gen. Corresp. MississippI Suffrage Assocs.*] Mississippi Woman Suffrage Association LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ANSWERED APR 18 1913 CHAIRMAN MRS NELLIE NUGENT SOMERVILLE MRS MONROE McCLURG, Greenwood. MRS. ANNIE KINKEAD DENT, Yazoo City. MRS. F. R. STREATER, Minter City. MRS. J. M. JAYNE, Greenville MISS ALLEE DUNN, Greenville GREENVILLE, MISS.. Mch 17 191_ My dear Miss Taylor, Yours received - In regard to your methods let me say my attitude is not that of an agent or of one who is looking out for a profit personally. I hope I may be pardoned for saying the if you lived on this side of Mason + Dixon's line you would understand this. My personal feeling is that any woman holding a responsible office in the work should be regarded as a friend of the Journal The few times I have ever retained a commission the money has gone for additional Mississippi Woman Suffrage Association LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN MRS NELLIE NUGENT SOMERVILLE MRS MONROE McCLURG, Greenwood. MRS. ANNIE KINKEAD DENT, Yazoo City. MRS. F. R. STREATER, Minter City. MRS. J. M. JAYNE, Greenville MISS ALLEE DUNN, Greenville GREENVILLE, MISS.. ____ 191_ subscriptions. On the other hand, your highly valued billing method does not work down here. Of the many subscribers I have secured I am sure scarcely one has renewed. It appears to me a short sighted policy to leave the renewal without any inducement. I think a commission of ten cents on both new subs + renewals would secure you permanent agents + give a more secure basis. A church paper for women in my church was put on a paying basis with sub. of 60 cts + commission of ten cents Mississippi Woman Suffrage Association LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN MRS NELLIE NUGENT SOMERVILLE MRS MONROE McCLURG, Greenwood. MRS. ANNIE KINKEAD DENT, Yazoo City. MRS. F. R. STREATER, Minter City. MRS. J. M. JAYNE, Greenville MISS ALLEE DUNN, Greenville GREENVILLE, MISS.. ____ 191_ on both new subs + renewals. I ask that you submit this letter to Miss Blackwell herself as I feel that she will at least appreciate my motives. Your policy completely discourages me from getting subscribers + I am ready to quit because I like to give my time to work which promises to be permanent. I will remit for extra copies in a few days, will be away from home part of this week + may not be able to send the order until last of week. Yours truly Nellie N. Somerville States Cor. Yazoo City, Miss., Mich. 9, 1907. Mississippi [Dear Mr. Blackwell, You will be happy to know that I am in the field for] Miss Belle Kearney is organizing for woman suffrage in Mississippi and [that I am succeeding] magnificently. I left home one week ago. Since then I have organized four suffrage clubs, which we are to call Progress Clubs. I enclose [?here?] a [*Belle Kearsey*] 6 to send those leaflets on the Negro question and shall be glad for you to do so. However, the question arises in Miss.; "How will this state be benefitted, as there are more negroes here than white people?" I am sorry that, at our Memphis Conference, we did not say that we would ask for the ballot to be given to the women 4 along the line of Presidential suffrage and "Objections Answered," by Miss Blackwell, and all else that will be helpful in educating the people up to the idea of securing the ballot for women. Do not send Mrs. Catt's leaflet on "Do You Know?," for she makes a slight reference in that to the Negro race that would irritate the 9 and send those to us? I spoke in Clinton, Miss., on Mich. 4, in the college chapel, of the largest Baptist educational institution in Miss. [the south] At the close of my address, the President of the College, Dr. W. T. Lowry, one of the most famous and best loved men in the state, arose and made a speech, in 5 people in this section profoundly, and oh! [?] how to be so careful. I am giving of my best down here now - of brain, body, time and spirit, and it must count. Do not send those great leaflets about presidential suffrage, in reference to the Mich. case, for The women would not read [it] them. Send short leaflets. I thank you for [see] wanting 10 which he strongly endorsed woman suffrage. I organized a Progress Club that evening, with Prof. G. H. Brunson. as President. He is Prof. of Political Economy in the College, and was converted to the idea of woman's enfranchisement through my speech. In Vicksburg, Miss, M'ch. 7, I held a meeting in the home of my hostess, Mrs. Robt. McLaurin, 11 who is a daughter of Ex Gov. McLaurin who is now in the U.S. Senate from Miss. Forty prominent ladies came out to greet me and I organized a Suffrage Club, with Mrs. O. S. Robbins as Treas. She is a member of the elegant, old Vick family who founded Vicksburg. In McComb City I organized a most enthusiastic club, of the thinking women of the place, M'ch. 2, 12 In Yazoo City, I formed a Suffrage Club M'ch. 8, of the representative women of this progressive place. [Many] several of them wealthy. I would be glad for you to write an article and state all the facts contained in this letter, but, please do not mention that I sent mine to you. I was in Brookhaven Sunday, M'ch. 3, and 13 lectured twice to great audiences - one at the 11 o'clock hour on Sunday morning and in the evening. At [the night] both services, the whole student body of Whitworth Girl's College was present. Please send the sample copies (to the officers of our clubs) of the Woman's Journal. I am to be in Miss. for a month - 14 that is, until April 1. I am much gratified over the beautiful reception that my own people are giving me everywhere. I [was] am introduced in each place by the ministers. The legislature of Miss. does not meet until the winter of 1907 - 1908. I am now paving the way for work to be done there. Yours Cordially, Belle Kearney. Address: Flora, Miss. P.S. I am sorry to send you such a hastily written letter with the pages so confused; but you can imagine how driven I am with work. John Temple Graves, editor of the "Georgian," and one of the most noted lecturers in the South has declared himself to be a woman suffragist and advocates it on the platform. I find that many ministers and other prominent men in Miss. are believers in woman suffrage. B.K. [Mississippi Woman Suffrage Association letterhead] 503 Fortification St. Jackson, Miss Jan 10, 1913 My dear Miss Ryan:- I have been so swamped with work of various kinds that your letter with many others has had to wait. Pardon the delay, and do not regard it due to indifference or discourtesy. Our state convention will be held in April, the exact date and the place to be decided upon. We will be sure to send you notice ahead of time, and report of the convention after it is held. At our convention here last April I urged the women to subscribe to the journal and I think we secured some new subscribers at that time. I never attend a suffrage meeting that I do not urge the importance of taking the journal and occasionally I secure subscribers. Mrs. J. W. Tucker, Jefferson St., this city, is president of the Equity League, (our local suffrage club) and I think it would be well for you to write to her urging her to appoint an agent for the journal from the League. It is an old story from me, and perhaps a world from a new source would be stimulating. Of course we will push the journal at the convention in the spring. As you may know the As'sn is sending the journal to every member of the legislature now in session. You will see from the letterhead of this that I am superintendent of the Press department. Several papers in the state publish suffrage columns, edited either by local clubs or individuals I will be glad to furnish you or have some one do so, with news of our work in Miss. I asked Mrs [Blunt?] to send you a full report of the Convention here last spring, a splendid and encouraging event, and she advised me that she did so, and that it was never published. She also sent you a report of the State Fair [held?] here in November. We are [?] now to the exclusion of every other phase of our work, by our legislative work. Our bill for a constitutional amendment giving full suffrage to women was introduced to the House of Representatives, yesterday afternoon, by Hon. N. A. Mott of [Yazov?] County. It will be introduced in the Senate by Senator Hall Sanders. Several of the leaders from different parts of the State are here, among them Mrs Nellie Nugent Somerville, and Miss Belle Kearne ex presidents of the Association. A majority of the prominent men in Jackson have openly declared in favor of woman suffrage and the bill has some strong supporters in both houses, but we can not tell the result, of this the most important and aggressive step the association has ever taken. The Daily News one of the leading news papers here is championing our cause splendidly; the other Jackson daily the Clarion-Ledger is opposing us. I inclose clipping from Daily News. With best wishes for the Journal Sincerely yours Lily Wilkinson Thompson MISSISSIPPI WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION Answered, Jul 18 1913 MRS. HARRIET B. KELLS, PRESIDENT, STARKVILLE MRS. MARION B. LONGINO, VICE-PRESIDENT-AT-LARGE, JACKSON MRS. W. J. HAWKS, CORRESPONDING SECRETARY, TUPELO MRS. CLARA C. COX, RECORDING SECRETARY, CORINTH Biloxi, Miss. 6/19. 1913 121 Beuachi Ave Dear Miss Blackwell: Can you find time or judgment to answer these [nustralo - ?] [meuhs? I am away from home beyond my data, so can't do it. If you think it worthwhile it may do good. This paper is favorable to woman suffrage. Excellent editorial today about the Illinois victory. Cordially Yrs, Harriet B. Kells. (pg 2) Roster, Civic Improvement League, Greenville, Miss. (Suffrage) Anderson, Mrs. W.M, Greenville, Mississippi. Amderson, Mrs. Hattie, " Archer, Mrs. Kate C. " Aardwig, Mrs. J, Arnold, Mrs. Wallace, " Baughman, Mrs. L.H. " Beams, Mrs. Blanche " Boddie, Mrs. A.J. [?] Brickel, Mrs. K " Campbell, Mrs. C.H. " Carson, Mrs. M.B. " Cashin, Mr. J.M. " Claggett Mrs. R.P. " Comfort, Miss Mabel " Cooper, Mrs.Imogene " Crittenden, Mrs. Henry, " Crockett Dr. J.W. " Cowan, Miss Louise " Davidson Rev. Philip " Davidson, Rev. Phillip " Dennis, Mrs. J.W. " Dennis, Mrs. W.E. " Dickson, Miss Pearl " Dickson, Miss Nellie " Dunn, Miss All[ic?]e " Dunn, Miss S.R. " Emmimisor, Mrs. Virginia,, " Eustis Mrs. Lola B., " Everman, Mrs. Grace,, " Fariss, Mrs. T.D. " Ferguson, Miss Sadie W ". Finley, Mrs. Georgia " Francis, Mrs. R.I. " " Geise, Mrs. S.R. " Gordon, Mrs. B.B. " Gray Miss Emma, " Greenly, Mrs. J.C. " Hamblen Miss Rose, " Hamblen, Miss Sera " Hamblen, Miss Lue, " Hamblen, Mr. J.R. " Hasir, Mr. C.L. " Haynes, Mrs. R.F. Haycraft, Mrs. W.A. Greenville, Miss. Hider, Mrs. Arthur, " Hilliar, Mr. T. M. Jr, " Holmes, Mrs. T.H.Holmes " Huston, Mrs. I.L., " Jayne, Mrs. J.M, " Johnson, Mrs. Walter " Johnson, Miss Shirley, " Johnson, Mr. Victor, " Johnson, Mr. W. L. " Jones, Miss Nellie " Lawlwr, Mrs. L. " Lee, Mrs. [?].M. " Leavenworth, Mrs. George, " Lye[??], Mrs. Sallie, " Lyon, Mrs. William " Martin, Mrs. R.C. " McMahon, Mrs. T.P. " Moore, Mrs. T.J. " Noel, Mrs. T.A. " O'Bannon, Mr. Fred, "" O'Bannon, Mrs. J.T. " Offutt, Mrs. W.E. " Osburn. Mr. Chas. " Paxton, Miss Anna, " Payne, Mrs. A.G. " Prewett, Mrs. W.M. " Ramage, Mrs. J.W. " Rippetoo, Mrs. Alice, " Roch Mrs. W.A. " [*No Cards*] Scruggs, Mrs Virginia, " Scruggs, Mrs. J.W. " Shelton Mrs W.P. " (President of Club.) Stockwell, Mrs. J.W. " Stockwell Mrs. Mortis " Soper Mrs. J.P. " (Secretary of Club) Stacy, Mrs. E.A. " St[??]m Miss Willie, " Strum Mrs. S.A. " Tatum Mrs. J.E. " Taylor, Mrs, E.H. " Thomas Mrs. D.S. " Thomas Judge E.N. " Vaughn, Mrs. C.F. Greenville, , Mississippi. Vaughn Miss Mary " Ward Miss Mary " Ward Miss Ida C. " Ward Miss Minnie D, [?] Wi[?]hern Mrs. Chas, " Woodward, Mrs. R.L. " Worthington Mr. Tos, Leota Landing, Miss. Worthington, Miss Theo " Wothington, Miss Mathilda, " Wasson [*No card*] Mrs. C.M. Jackson, Miss. Sent in by Pres. Ms. Am[?]e | [?]in | Lead Dent yazoo, Miss. MISSISSIPPI VALLEY EQUAL SUFFRAGE CONFERENCE FILE Darlington, Wis. Jan. 26/14. Miss Alice Stone Blackwell 585 Boylston St., Boston, Mass. My dear Miss Blackwell:- The Mississippi Valley Conference is to be held this year the last three days of March. It is to be opened with a mass-meeting on Sunday afternoon Mar. 29th. Monday and Tuesday will be given up to discussion of practical ways of carrying on campaign work with a second mass-meeting Monday evening. Will it be possible for you to come to the conference this year? We should so much like to have you come and give a talk at any session that is most convenient for you. If you should not come will there be someone who could especially represent the Journal? Miss Ryan was much enjoyed last year. We hope to get the "Call" out within a week or two and will send one as soon as it is out. Hoping to hear that you can be with us, I am Yours most cordially (signed) Harriet E. Grim. Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.