NAWSA General Correspondence Rogers, Emma W. NATIONAL AMERICAN WOMAN SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION Branch of International Woman Suffrage Alliance and of National Council of Women President 3rd Vice-President Recording Secretary Dr. Anna Howard Shaw Miss Katharine Bement Davis Mrs. Richard Y. FitzGerald 505 Fifth Avenue, New York 145 East 35th Street, New York 7 Greenough Ave., Jamaica Plain, Mass. 1st Vice-President Mrs. Stanley McCormick Treasurer 1st Auditor 505 Fifth Avenue, New York Mrs. Henry Wade Rogers Mrs. Walter McNab Miller 2nd Vice-President 505 Fifth Avenue, New York Columbia, Missouri Mrs. Nellie N. Somerville Greenville, Miss. Corresponding Secretary 2nd Auditor Mrs. Orten H. Clark Mrs. Medill McCormick Kalamazoo, Michigan 500 Diversey Parkway, Chicago, Ill. NATIONAL AFFILIATED SOCIETIES CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE College Equal Suffrage League Chairman, Mrs. Medill McCormick Miss. M. Carey Thomas, President Vice-Chairman, Mrs. Antoinette Funk Bryn Mawr, Pa. Headquarters Men's League for Woman Suffrage Munsey Building, Washington, D.C. James Lees Laidlaw, President Publicity Department Chairman, Charles T. Hallinan Press Bureau, Miss Clara Savage 26 Broadway, New York NATIONAL WOMAN SUFFRAGE 505 Fifth Avenue, New York PUBLISHING COMPANY, Inc. President, Mrs. Cyrus W. Field Executive Secretary Mrs. Charles Forster Camp NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS Telephone, 4818 Murray Hill 505 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK 505 Fifth Avenue, New York 1913 Alaska White states, full suffrage; shaded states. partial suffrage; dotted state, presidential, municipal and partial county suffrage; Dark states, no suffrage 317 Allied printing Trade Union Label Council New York City December 27th, 1915 Dear Mrs. Catt: Miss Shaw requests that her resignation as a member or trustee of the Publishing Company be accepted to date from today She feels that it will be impossible for her to continue as trustee and thinks that a person should be appointed at once in her place. The message was conveyed to me verbally by her neice, Miss Green. Very truly yours, Emma Winner Rogers.- [(Mrs. Henry Wade Rogers) Treasurer] Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, 303 Fifth Avenue, New York City. Federal Suffrage Association President, Rev. Olympia Brown, Racine, Wisconsin. Corresponding Secretary, Clara Bewick Colby, Ph. B., Portland, Oregon. Office Address, 522 6th St. N. W., Washington, D.C. Vice-Presidents, Mrs. Charles Morton. Washington, D.C. Mrs. B. H. Ransom. Washington, D.C. Recording Secretaries, Martha Mitchell Hoyt, Washington, D.C. Mary MacCartee, Hyattsville, Md. Treasurer, Clara W. MacNaughton, Washington, D.C. Assistant Treasurer, Anna Harmon, Washington, D.C. Auditors. Dr. Elnora C. Folkman, Washington, D.C. Mrs. H. K. Prosser, Washington, D.C. HEADQUARTERS: 522 6TH STREET N. W. WASHINGTON, D.C. Honorary President Belva A. Lockwood. LL. D. Advisory Council Mrs. Miles Poindexter, Washington. Mrs. Abigail Scott Duniway, Oregon. Mrs. Alice Park, California. Mrs. Philenda Spencer. California. Mrs. Burton French, Idaho. Mrs. Frank W. Mondell, Wyoming. Mrs. Mary Smith Hayward, Nebraska. Mrs. Sarah Clay Bennett, Kentucky. Miss Emily Howland, New York. Mrs. May Wright Sewall, Indiana. Mrs. Virginia Johnston, Maryland. Mrs. Dora B. F. Mitchell, Kansas. H. Parker Willis, New York. Mrs. Anson Mills, Washington, D.C. Mrs. Mary S. Lockwood. Mrs. W. T. Hancock. Mrs. F. Carl Smith. Mrs. W. D. Bigelow. Mrs. Jennie L. Monroe. Mrs. Charlotte Emerson Main. Wm. C. Lee. Honorary Vice-Presidents (Representing the free states) Wyoming: Senator Clarence D. Clark. Hon. Frank W. Mondell. Colorado: Senator John F. Shafroth. Hon. H. H. Seldomridge. Idaho: Senator James H. Brady. Hon. Burton L. French. Utah: Hon. Jacob Johnson. Washington: Senator Miles Poindexter. Hon. Wm. L. Lafollette. California: Senator John D. Works. Hon. John E. Raker. Oregon: Senator Geo. E. Chamberlain. Hon. A. W. Lafferty. Kansas: Senator W. H. Thompson. Hon. P. P. Campbell. Arizona: Senator H. F. Ashurst. Hon. Carl Hayden. Alaska: Hon. James Wickersham. Illinois: Hon. W. H. Himebaugh. PRESIDENT'S OFFICE: 941 LAKE AVE. Rarine, Wisconsin, _______________________ 1914 304 Indiana Ave. Washington, D.C. Feb, 7, 1916 Mrs. Henry Wade Rogers, Treasurer N-A.W.S.A, New York City Dear Mrs. Rogers, I have taken time to look through all the reports and data I have with me here, and I do not find any Secretaries' Reports covering the dates you mention. Within those dates I have the Senate Committee Reports of 1884, and 1890. It ispossible that when I get to the main bulk of my papers which are stored in Oregon I may find something else, and I will bear your wish in mind. Of course there is sure to be some report in the WOMAN'S TRIBUNE. I have not a complete file here, and I doubt that there is one in existence outside of the Congressional Library here, and possibly the New York Public Library. They used to be very paeticular about having every copy. Prof BJerregaard of the Readers' Division could tell you whther they had been kept. I should be glad to furnish for preservation a file which would be almost complete. Miss Anthony I know had a set bound, but I do not know what became of them. I am sending you at this time two reports of Hearings given on the Federal Suffrage Bill: one of 1904, and one of 1913. These offer conclusive evidence that such a measure is constitutional. We have had other hearings which have been printed with those of other societies and I am sure you will have those in your files. This Federal Suffrage measure was a favorite idea with Mrs. Stanton and Miss Anthony, and I have been connected with the work even before they took it up in 1892. Miss Anthony's last letter to me written just before the Baltimore Convention–the last she attended expressed her continued interest in this. I consider it o[i]f the greatest importance to all forms of suffrage work that we should always maintain that our rights as citizens of this Republic inhere in our national constitution. It is humiliating to have to ask for what is our own, but we can do even this with a better grace when we know our rights, and knowing dare maintain. Cordially yours, Clara Bewick Colby Federal Suffrage Association President, Rev. Olympia Brown, Racine, Wisconsin. Corresponding Secretary, Clara Bewick Colby, Ph. B., Portland, Oregon. Office Address, 522 6th St. N. W., Washington, D.C. Vice-Presidents, Mrs. Charles Morton. Washington, D.C. Mrs. B. H. Ransom. Washington, D.C. Recording Secretaries, Martha Mitchell Hoyt, Washington, D.C. Mary MacCartee, Hyattsville, Md. Treasurer, Clara W. MacNaughton, Washington, D.C. Assistant Treasurer, Anna Harmon, Washington, D.C. Auditors. Dr. Elnora C. Folkman, Washington, D.C. Mrs. H. K. Prosser, Washington, D.C. HEADQUARTERS: 522 6TH STREET N. W. PHONE, MAIN 5426 Honorary President Belva A. Lockwood. LL. D. Advisory Council Mrs. Miles Poindexter, Washington. Mrs. Abigail Scott Duniway, Oregon. Mrs. Alice Park, California. Mrs. Philenda Spencer. California. Mrs. Burton French, Idaho. Mrs. Frank W. Mondell, Wyoming. Mrs. Mary Smith Hayward, Nebraska. Mrs. Sarah Clay Bennett, Kentucky. Miss Emily Howland, New York. Mrs. May Wright Sewall, Indiana. Mrs. Virginia Johnston, Maryland. Mrs. Dora B. F. Mitchell, Kansas. H. Parker Willis, New York. Mrs. Anson Mills, Washington, D.C. Mrs. Mary S. Lockwood. Mrs. W. T. Hancock. Mrs. F. Carl Smith. Mrs. W. D. Bigelow. Mrs. Jennie L. Monroe. Mrs. Charlotte Emerson Main. Wm. C. Lee. Honorary Vice-Presidents (Representing the free states) Wyoming: Senator Clarence D. Clark. Hon. Frank W. Mondell. Colorado: Senator John F. Shafroth. Hon. H. H. Seldomridge. Idaho: Senator James H. Brady. Hon. Burton L. French. Utah: Hon. Jacob Johnson. Washington: Senator Miles Poindexter. Hon. Wm. L. Lafollette. California: Senator John D. Works. Hon. John E. Raker. Oregon: Senator Geo. E. Chamberlain. Hon. A. W. Lafferty. Kansas: Senator W. H. Thompson. Hon. P. P. Campbell. Arizona: Senator H. F. Ashurst. Hon. Carl Hayden. Alaska: Hon. James Wickersham. Illinois: Hon. W. H. Himebaugh. Rarine, Wisconsin, _______________________ 1914 Dear Members and Friends: The Federal Suffrage Association was formed in 1902, as the Federal Woman's Equality Association to continue the effort to obtain Federal Suffrage for women, which had been initiated by Mrs. Stanton, Miss Anthony, and others, ten years before. By change of name, March 25, 1914, it related itself to the former work of the Federal Suffrage Association of the United States. BILLS IN CONGRESS. As chairman of the Federal Suffrage Committee of the National Suffrage Association, Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby secured the introduction of bills to enable women to vote for members of the House of Representatives in 1892 and 1894, and hearings were given upon these bills. Since 1902 this Association has had bills in each Congress. In 1904 hearings were given by the Senate Committee on Woman Suffrage, and by the House Committee on Election of President, Vice-President and Members of the House of Representatives. This latter have a hearing on our bill in January, 1913. A sub-committee was ordered to prepare a report on it, but this failed through adjournment of Congress. In this Congress the bill introduced by Hon. Burton L. French and Senator Shafroth includes the vote, for United States Senators. The House Committee gave a hearing on this March 24, 1914. Ten members of the Committee were present, and a favorable report is expected. NATIONAL AMENDMENT WORK. We have not, so far, in this Congress asked for a Senate hearing on the Federal Suffrage bill, as we wished to focus our efforts on the passage of Joint Resolution No. 1: Senator Chamberlain and Hon. Frank W. Mondell, at the request of our Association introduced this bill with such management that it became No. 1 in both Senate and House. On this measure the Federal Suffrage Association has a hearing before the Senate Committee April 21, 1913, and before the House Judiciary Committee, March 3, 1914. During the past year several rallies have been held in the interest of Joint Resolution No. 1 including a Lawn Fete with all-day speaking to celebrate the favorable report of the Senate Committee. A Committee of our Association secured at the Gettysburg Anniversary several thousand names to petitions for the passage of Joint Resolution No. 1, which, with many others, secured elsewhere, were presented to the Senate to the Senate on February 6, 1914, by Senator George E. Chamberlain who had them given to 84 Senators according to the States from which they had come. This presentation and the Memorial from theCommittee, Mrs. C. W. MacNaughton and Mrs. Anna Harmon, were printed in the Record. STATE CAMPAIGNS. This Association aided its Corresponding Secretary to speak in the campaigns on 1912 in Oregon, Kansas, and Wisconsin, and bore the full expense of one month's work in Michigan in 1913. It is now raising a fund to aid the five State campaigns now pending. Since it is expected there will be eight in all, the situation calls for every effort that can possibly contribute to success. Contributions for this fund are earnestly solicited. ANNUAL MEETING. A special session was held in the interest of the State campaigns March 23; March 24, the hearing and an evening reception to Rev. Olympia Brown; March 25, Members meeting, officers were elected and Constitution adopted as here given. A PERSONAL APPEAL. With this showing of work accomplished we ask memberships, contributions and co-operation in this distinctive line of suffrage agitation. Our statement in this Constitution of the Association has good argument to back it. If told the courts have decided against us, you must be able to explain that the celebrated cases of women voting and the arguments and decisions in those cases were all based on the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments which do not concern our claim. Members will be supplied with hearing and other explanatory matter. Send memorials of organizations and meetings asked the Committee to make a favorable report on House Roll 9393. While we must work along all lines until full Suffrage is secured for all women, this claim based on the Constitution adds dignity to our movement and lays upon men the responsibility not to give but to secure to women their inheritance of liberty according to the foundation principles of our Government. CLARA BEWICK COLBY, Corresponding Secretary. CONSTITUTION OF FEDERAL SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION Women as citizens have the right to vote under the Constitution of the United States as originally adopted. Congress has the power by direct Act to protect this right and bring it into activity as far as it relates to members of Congress. This Association is named THE FEDERAL SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION. Its objects are: To obtain such forms of suffrage as Congress can give; and to work for the general enfranchisement of women. Membership is open to all persons. Fee, One dollar annually; sustaining membership, ten dollars annually; life membership, fifty dollars. Elected Officers are: Honorary President, President, two Vice-Presidents, Corresponding Secretary, two Recording Secretaries, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, and two Auditors. These form a Governing Board. Officers appointed by the Governing Board: Honorary Vice-Presidents in Congress from the free States. An Advisory Council (no name shall be used with the persons consent). Headquarters shall be in Washington where the annual meeting shall be held during session of Congress. Other meetings may be held by order of the Governing Board. This Constitution may be amended by a majority vote at any annual meeting. NATIONAL AMERICAN WOMAN SUFFRAGE ASSOCIATION HONORARY PRESIDENT DR. ANNA HOWARD SHAW, 171 MADISON AVENUE, NEW YORK Mrs. Henry Wade Rogers, 171 Madison Avenue, Washington, D.C. New York City. June 28, 1916. My dear Mrs. Rogers: - I have just received your letter and make haste to reply. As a matter of fact I have had you on my mind day and night since I returned to New York. I was in the city only two days, and was disappointed not to find you at the office. Inasmuch as you were not there it was my intention to write you before leaving. The two days, however, were so filled that it did not get done. After you left St. Louis the remnants of the Board met. We had a majority but our council was broken up so soon afterwards that I fear no arrangements were properly made for minutes of that meeting to be presented to those not present. We decided to do two things: 1. To secure a vote, if possible, on the federal amendment this session; 2. To call the convention in August, if possible, in order that we might consider there what to do in the coming elections. I have tried to put this as briefly and plainly as I could in my letter to the presidents, so I will not repeat here. I am sorry that the letter was not edited to [state] stet the date which was sent to New York from Atlantic City. I am, however, going to send another letter back to the office to be duplicated, and I will make the readjustment. In St. Louis the Board had just listened to the debate upon the question of the minority report, and the debate, I may say, made us all furious, for it seemed to develop Mrs. Rogers -2 6-28-16. that the intention was to put some words in the platform that would appease the women, but which would really mean nothing. We have had time to recover from our indignation now and probably will not see things quite so red as we did. I do not know what was in the minds of the other members of the Board at the time, but for myself I can say that it never was my thought for a moment that we should fight either the Democratic party or President Wilson. I am taking the precaution to write Dr. Shaw today, and I enclose a copy of that letter. I am doing it merely to quiet any tendency she may have to come out against the Democrats. I am glad you mentioned the matter to me. As soon as I return, which may not be before Saturday, we will have a headquarters committee meeting and settle all the minor matters which can properly come before a minority of our Board. Miss Bates has given the girls Monday as a holiday, and so we cannot get together before Wednesday. I shall be full of duties that day in an effort to catch up with my correspondence, but on Thursday we ought to have our headquarters committee meeting. I thank you most heartily for your letter. I note the two questions which are troubling you, and I think it is advisable for them to wait until our headquarters committee meeting. I think your presentation of our duty is extremely clear and your point well taken. You may be assured that my point of view is exactly like yours, and I do not think any other members of the Board will give out any interviews in contradiction to the expressed views of all. The convention headquarters will be at the Marlborough-Blenheim. The reason is that the proprietors are very much interested in our cause and will help financially to support the meeting in Atlantic City. The wife of the manager or owner of the Chalfonte is the president of the anti-suffragists, so we don't go there! Most cordially yours, /s/ Carrie Chapman Catt President. CCC-LA Enclosures Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.