History of Colorado; Volume I, Part 77

Author: Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 954

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The site that was selected is located about a mile and a half from the city limits of Denver in the adjoining county of Jefferson. It is in the shadow of the foothills and commands a magnificent view of the Rocky Mountains. On this piece of ground a small frame building was erected at a cost of $300. This wooden shack, some time since converted to the baser use of a barn, originally served as office, library, medical room, dining room and kitchen. Around this

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executive structure eight tents were pitched. Thus was inaugurated the work of the Jewish Consumptives' Relief Society.

The sanatorium was formally dedicated September 4, 1904, and opened for the reception of patients a few days later.

On January 1, 1918, the J. C. R. S. had expended $142,997.77 on buildings and equipment, the institution occupying fifty-seven acres. Its capacity was 150. Its income for 1917 was $174,284. Its total income from 1904 to 1917 was $1,091,537.63, practically all of which had been expended on building en- largements, and in the care of patients. It has its own dairy and farm. Its library to-day contains 4,000 volumnes. Total cases admitted since 1904. 2,974.

Dr. Philip Hillkowitz is president of the society, and Dr. C. D. Spivak is secretary, positions which they have occupied continuously since the organiza- tion of the J. C. R. S.

The Denver Sheltering House for Jewish children was founded in 1909, its first officers being: President, Mrs. J. N. Lorber; vice presidents, Milton M. Schayer, Hermann Strauss, S. R. Zwetow; treasurer, Meyer Friedman; record- ing secretary, I. H. Mendelssohn. It now (1918) shelters forty children and owns a block of ground with two modern structures. Its principal officials in 1918 are: President, Mrs. J. N. Lorber : vice presidents, Mrs. B. Willens, Mrs. S. Friedenthal, Mrs. S. Francis ; treasurer, Sig. Strauss ; financial secretary, Sam- uel Isaacson; secretary, Max S. Schayer.

CHAPTER XXXV

WHAT SUFFRAGE HAS ACCOMPLISHED

THE FIRST EFFORTS FOR WOMAN SUFFRAGE IN TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE-GOVERNOR MC COOK URGES ADOPTION-ADVOCATES BECOME ACTIVE IN STATEHOOD YEAR- FIRST ORGANIZATION-APPEAL TO CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION-CONCESSIONS OBTAINED- EASTERN WOMEN TAKE PART IN FIRST CAMPAIGN-THE PROPOSITION DEFEATED-ORGANIZING FOR VICTORY IN 1893-CAUSE LOOKED HOPELESS-MEN AND WOMEN WHO HELPED-FIRST VICTORY IN SCHOOL ELECTION-THE WORK CROWNED BY DECISIVE FAVORABLE VOTE-WAITE ISSUES PROCLAMATION-WOMEN WHO HAVE HELPED AS LAW MAKERS-MEASURES PASSED THROUGH THE INFLU- ENCE OF WOMEN-LONG HONOR ROLL.

Colorado was not easily won over to the cause of woman suffrage. The struggle which began in the first decade of its history was marked by many, and to begin with, almost constant defeats. There was first of all a heterogeneous population the worst element of which, fortunately, soon disappeared, leaving the solid pioneers to carve out the destiny of the country.

In the southern part of the state there was a large Mexican population, which could not understand the problems that agitated the better educated classes of the territory. There was, moreover, a strong opposing saloon element, which finally had to be caught napping.

In the Territorial Legislature, 1868, the first effort was made by former Gov- ernor John Evans and D. M. Richards, of Denver, to bring the matter of equal suffrage in Colorado to a test vote. It found few friends at this early stage.

On January 3, 1870, Gen. Edward McCook, then governor of the territory, in his annual message to the Legislature used the following language, recommend- ing the granting of the franchise to women: "Before dismissing the subject of franchise, I desire to call your attention to one question connected with it, which you may deem of sufficient importance to demand some consideration at your hands before the close of the session. Our higher civilization has recognized woman's equality with man in all other respects save one-suffrage. It has been said that no great reform was ever made without passing through three stages -ridicule, argument and adoption. It rests with you to say whether Colorado will accept this reform in its first stage, as our sister territory of Wyoming has done, or in the last ; whether she will be a leader in the movement or a follower ; for the logic of a progressive civilization leads to the inevitable result of a uni- versal suffrage."

When the subject was brought before the House and council it found its champions far more numerous than when the first effort was made, and it became evident immediately that Colorado had jumped from the stage of "ridicule" to

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that of reasonable argument. Advocates of the measure then introduced but not passed by the Legislature were Judge Amos Steck, Judge M. De France, D. M. Richards and Willard Teller. Both Judges Steck and De France in presenting committee reports to the House and council made elaborate arguments favoring the proposition. Woman suffrage was lost in the council chamber by a majority of one, and in the House by practically a two-thirds vote against it. But it must be remembered that any measure publicly approved by Governor McCook at this time was bound to meet with opposition in the House, which showed its un- friendliness to him in various ways; the anti-McCook faction being always strong enough to defeat any pet measure advocated by the governor.

Nothing further was accomplished for woman suffrage until 1876, state- hood year, and on January 10th, anticipating admission to statehood, a Terri- torial Woman's Suffrage Society was organized and an enthusiastic meeting held in Unity Church, Denver. Its first officers were as follows: President, Alida C. Avery, M. D., Denver; vice presidents, Reverend Mr. Hosford of Denver, J. E. Washburn of Big Thompson, Mrs. H. M. Lee of Longmont, Mrs. M. M. Sheetz of Canon City, Mrs. L. S. Ruhn of Del Norte, Mrs. N. C. Meeker of Greeley, Willard Teller of Central, D. M. Richards of Denver, J. B. Harrington of Lit- tleton, A. E. Lee of Boulder, Rev. William Shepard of Canon City; recording secretary, Mrs. Eunice D. Sewall of Denver; corresponding secretary, Mrs. A. L. Washburn of Big Thompson; treasurer, Mrs. Ione T. Hanna of Denver; executive committee, Mrs. W. F. Shields of Colorado Springs, A. L. Ellis of Boulder, M. E. Hale of Denver, Mrs. W. A. Wilkes of Colorado Springs, J. K. Hanna of Denver, Mrs. S. C. Wilber of Greeley, Reverend Doctor Crary of Pueblo.

The organization lost no time in making its appeal to the constitutional con- vention. The petition presented was signed by a thousand citizens of Colorado, and other states also memorialized the convention, particularly the suffrage as- sociation of Missouri, asking that the new constitution make no distinction on account of sex. Judge H. P. H. Bromwell and Agapita Vigil were the only two members of the constitutional convention who signed a report favoring the grant- ing of the voting privilege to women. It is but just to add that more than a majority of the men in this convention were inclined to favor suffrage but felt that it was a matter that should be referred to the voters to decide. But .a con- cession was made in granting women the right to vote for school district officers.

When the matter came to a vote in the constitutional convention, equal suf- frage was lost by twenty-four to eight, but Judge Bromwell had the satisfaction of securing the adoption of the following section to Article 7: "The General As- sembly may at any time extend by law the right of suffrage to persons not herein enumerated, but no such law shall take effect or be in force until the same shall have been submitted to a vote of the people at a general election and approved by a majority of all the votes cast for or against such law."

This was the opening wedge, and it was an easy matter for the few staunch adherents to the cause to bring about the adoption in the convention of a reso- lution instructing the First General Assembly of the State of Colorado, which was to meet in 1877, to provide a law whereby the question of woman suffrage be submitted to a vote of the electors. This was a victory worth achieving, for it meant that the matter would be before the people of the state within a year.

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When the Woman Suffrage Association held its annual convention on Feb- ruary 18, 1877, it at once arranged for an active campaign, and in order to make sure that the cause would be properly presented elected its strongest ad- herents to office. The new list of men and women who had charge of this cam- paign was as follows: President, Alida C. Avery; vice presidents, D. Howe, Mrs. M. B. Hart, J. E. Washburn, Mrs. Emma Moody, Willard Teller, J. B. Harrington, A. Lee and N. C. Meeker; recording secretary, Birks Cornforth of Denver ; corresponding secretary, Mrs. T. M. Patterson; treasurer, Mrs. H. C. Lawson of Denver; executive committee, D. M. Richards, Mrs. M. F. Shields, Mrs. M. E. Hale, H. McAllister, Mrs. Birks Cornforth, J. A. Dresser, A. J. Wilber, B. F. Crary, Miss Annie Figg, H. Logan, J. R. Eads, F. M. Ellis, C. Roby, Judge Jones, Gen. R. A. Cameron, B. H. Eaton, Agapita Vigil, W. B. Felton, S. C. Charles, J. B. Campbell.

The question, "Shall the right of suffrage be extended to the women of Colorado?" was a puzzling problem to many people. The proposition was novel and vexing, and was the dominating source of contention throughout the cam- paign. The pulpit and press were divided on the measure and the weight of influence was against the women. Among the leading champions of the cause were Lucy Stone, Henry B. Blackwell and Susan B. Anthony, who came to the aid of the Colorado women and wielded a mighty power in the field, while among the home leaders were Dr. Alida C. Avery, Mrs. W. W. Campbell, Mrs. M. F. Shields, D. M. Richards, Henry C. Dillon, Rev. B. F. Crary, Mrs. T. M. Patter- son, Col. Henry Logan, Governor John Evans, David Boyd, Miss Laura Hanna, Hon. J. B. Belford, S. C. Charles, J. A. Dresser, J. R. Eads, Judge H. P. H. Bromwell, Mrs. H. S. Mendenhall, Reverend Doctor Ellis, Mary and Lafayette Nichols, Alexander and Emmeline Rooney and others. Miss Matilda Hindman the noted Eastern advocate, and Miss Lelia Partridge of Philadelphia, were also efficient aids in the movement, Miss Hindman having made a thorough tour of the state at her own expense.

From January to October the question of woman suffrage was a prominent topic of discussion throughout the state. On Wednesday, August 15th, an equal rights mass meeting was held in Denver for the purpose of organizing a county central committee and for an informal discussion of the plans for the campaign. The main speakers were Judge H. P. H. Bromwell, H. C. Dillon and Governor John Evans. From this meeting the following committee of seventeen was appointed to district the territory and send out speakers assigned to their re- spective stations : Dr. R. G. Buckingham, chairman ; Hon. John Evans, Judge C. W. Miller, Benjamin D. Spencer, A. J. Williams, Capt. Richard Sopris, E. B. Sluth, John Armor, John Walker, J. W. Marlow, Col. W. H. Bright, John G. Lilly, John S. McCool, J. W. Nesmith, Henry O. Wagoner and Doctor Mortimer.

October 1, 1877, a mass meeting was held at Lawrence Street Methodist Church, in Denver, and the overflowing audience was addressed by Lucy Stone, Miss Matilda Hindman, Mrs. Campbell and Doctor Avery. The next day (Sun- day) a Presbyterian minister preached a sermon on "Woman Suffrage and the Model Wife and Mother," in which he said, "God intended woman to be a wife and mother and the eternal fitness of things forbade her to be anything else. If women could vote, those who were wives now would live in endless bickerings

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with their husbands over politics, and those who were not wives would not marry."

At that time Mrs. Mary Grafton Campbell was the editor of a column in the Rocky Mountain News, which space had been donated by W. N. Byers for the daily use of the women. On Monday morning Mrs. Campbell answered the Reverend Speaker with a most gracefully written article which was at the same time a withering rebuke for the affront and an accomplished refutation of his vagaries concerning the instability of the tender passion in the heart of woman. In concluding her argument she quoted thus from "floating literature of the day":

"Motherhood is the natural vocation of woman; is, indeed, an instinct so mighty, even if unconscious, that it draws women toward matrimony with a yearning as irresistible as that which pulls the great sea upon the land in blind response to the moon."

"If this be true," Mrs. Campbell concluded, "society is safe and women will still be wives, no matter how much they may exult in political freedom ; no mat- ter how alluringly individual careers may open before them nor how accessible the tempting prizes of human ambition may become."

The women and thair masculine allies continued to work with unfaltering energy and faith to the end of the campaign. At last election day came and their measure was defeated by a vote of 10,000 for and 20,000 against. Discouraged, though not vanquished, the women discontinued their organization and associated work for suffrage, but, maintaining their individual convictions and their pur- pose until passing years and the progress of events should again ripen the field of their endeavor.

While the City of Denver was from first to last the central source of activity in the suffrage cause, many active advocates of equal rights were found among the leading men and women in other sections of the state. In the earlier stages of the movement, people of the pioneer Town of Greeley were among the more advanced co-workers in the cause.

In April, 1890, Miss Matilda Hindman again came to Colorado to lecture and raise funds in behalf of the Equal Rights Campaign then pending in South Dakota. The admission of South Dakota into the Union of States was to be an event of that year. The effort of the women was to have the word "male" ex- punged from the constitution, so that woman suffrage become a constitutional right. At the time of Miss Hindman's visit to Denver there was no organiza- tion of the women and but little interest taken in her mission except by a few persons. However, the women by whom she was received made up in enthusi- asm what they lacked in numbers. A public meeting and a substantial subscrip- tion list headed by Mrs. T. M. Patterson, were the first signs of a reawakening interest in the cause of woman's suffrage. It was a part of Miss Hindman's mission to urge the organization of societies as the nucleus of a State Suffrage Association.

The first meeting was held at Miss Hindman's room at the Richelieu Hotel. The results were a pledge of $100 to the women of South Dakota and the organi- zation of the Colorado Equal Suffrage Association, with a membership of only six persons. These were Miss Georgiana E. Watson, president ; Mrs. Mary P. Nichols, treasurer; Mrs. Sharman, secretary. Other ladies, Jennie P. Root,

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Amy K. Cornwall and Mrs. Laverna C. Dwelle. Mrs. Nichols collected the $100 pledged, besides giving $10 as her part. It was Mrs. Sharman's endeavor to have regular meetings of this small association as a study club and in various ways encourage a deeper interest in all matters pertaining to woman's political rights.

In this way the association was maintained so far as its membership was concerned, but it had no constitution or by-laws, nor was there a membership fee, so that for a time its existence was of little force. In May of the same year, Mrs. Louisa M. Tyler of Boston came to make Denver her home, bringing with her a letter from Lucy Stone, urging the women of Colorado to form a state organization as an auxiliary to the National Association. Mrs. Tyler first called upon Mrs. John R. Hanna, by whom she was directed to the new associa- tion in Denver. Mrs. Tyler thereupon attended one of the regular meetings, ac- companied by Mrs. Elizabeth P. Ensley, both at once becoming members. Soon after this time the association was regularly organized, with constitution and by- laws, and by vote attached itself as an auxiliary to the national body. Miss Watson continued as president and held the office until Mrs. Tyler was elected president. She held the office until April, 1892, when Mrs. A. W. Hogle became her successor. In 1893, Miss Martha A. Pease was elected president and ad- ministered the affairs of the campaign of that year. In July, 1890, Mrs. H. S. Stansbury and her mother, Mrs. Emily Meredith, became members of the asso- ciation and were among the foremost workers. Mrs. Ella C. Adams was also a prominent worker. The first candidate endorsed by the association was Mrs. Harriet Scott Saxton, who was nominated for the East Denver High School Board in the spring of 1892, but not elected.

At the session of the Ninth General Assembly (1893), a bill providing that the question of woman suffrage be submitted to a vote of the people at the next general election was drawn by J. Warner Mills, who gave his services free of charge, and this was presented in the House by Representative J. T. Heath. Mrs. Louise M. Tyler, as chairman of the legislative work, gave her time for nearly three months, watching over the destiny of the bill as it took its course among the committees of the House, while Miss Minnie J. Reynolds gave the same devoted attention to the measure in the Senate, where her constant pres- ence was of great value. Near the close of the session the bill passed the House by a small majority and the Senate by a two-thirds majority, and re- ceived Governor Waite's signature without delay. It is worthy of note as a singular coincidence that four bills for woman suffrage were introduced at that session of the Legislature by different organizations and without the knowledge of the Suffrage Association. Three of these were held in abeyance until the fate of the Suffrage Association bill should be decided.

Thus, the year 1893 being the year of a general election, the women of Colo- rado, upon the passage of their bill, found themselves upon the eve of their first political campaign, though it was to be a campaign without the use of the ballot by them. The association entered the campaign with only twenty-eight members and $25 in the treasury. These facts, however, showed all the more favorably the force and cleverness of their work in the political field. The foundation of their work was laid within their society organization, which was so powerful a factor in the splendid conduct of the campaign. Auxiliary societies were or-

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ganized all over the state, and were in constant communication with the state association.

At its annual election of 1893 the State Suffrage Association, then changed in name to that of the Non-Partisan Equal Suffrage Association of Colorado. Miss Martha A. Pease of Denver, was elected president; Mrs. H. S. Stansbury, vice president; Mrs. E. P. Ensley, treasurer; Mrs. C. A. Bradley, secretary ; Mrs. Louise M. Tyler, chairman of the executive committee. At the annual school election in Denver for that year, Mrs. Ione T. Hanna was placed in nomination for director and elected by a large majority in the face of bitter op- position. The women for the first time exercised their one right of franchise in full force and it was their votes that elected Mrs. Hanna. This fact stimu- lated them to the more vigorous efforts for their enfranchisement at the Novem- ber election, and as a result of their activity it was noticed that the stale argument -that women would not vote if they could-was not once heard during their en- tire campaign.

The women found that they had no speakers of known ability among the women, though later, a number of these arose from their midst; they had little money, no auxiliaries, and as far as they knew, few powerful friends among the men. In view of these disadvantages, they appealed to the National American Woman's Suffrage Association for assistance. It was known to the home as- sociation that Susan B. Anthony, Lucy Stone and other noted champions of woman suffrage would be in attendance upon the Woman's Congress at Chicago in 1893. Mrs. H. S. Stansbury, vice president of the Colorado State Suffrage Association, attended the congress for the purpose of meeting the leaders of the National Association, to lay before them the cause of the Colorado women and ask help in the campaign. But these veterans of equal rights, although they lent the aid which in their judgment would be the most effective, were doubtful of the good results. Remembering the defeat of 1877 in Colorado, they had no hope that the verdict would be changed in 1893. Miss Anthony, unable to realize the great change that had taken place since 1877, kindly, but in a vein of satirical humor, inquired of Mrs. Stansbury if she had "converted all those Mexicans out in the southern counties." However, the appeal of the Colorado women received fair consideration. The National Association having no money for missionary purposes, agreed to send Mrs. Carrie Lane Chapman into the Colorado field. Mrs. Chapman came in the midst of the campaign, and her splendid work con- tributed much to the success of the cause. In the meantime, Miss Minnie J. Reynolds, chairman of press work, had interviewed the editors of the state, and 75 per cent of the newspapers had been enlisted on the side of the woman, while Mrs. Tyler's work in organizing auxiliary leagues was persistent and effective throughout the summer. Late in August, state headquarters were opened in the Tabor Opera House Block, Mrs. Elizabeth Tabor having donated the free use of the rooms for three months. Miss Helen M. Reynolds was employed as correspond- ing secretary and did most effective work throughout the contest, succeeding Dr. Minnie C. T. Love, who had given her time gratuitously, and opened communi- cation with suffragists all over the state. Until the removal to the opera house was necessitated by the increasing numbers in attendance, the association held its meetings at Doctor Love's residence for a number of months.

In the early fall, the City League of Denver was organized, with Mrs. John L.

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Routt as president, and with a membership of over one hundred representative women. A valuable auxiliary society was the Young Women's League, organized by Miss Mary E. Patterson, Miss Margaret Patterson and Miss Isabel Hill, and from this nucleus grew other leagues of a similar nature in the city and state. The ministers preached for the women, while the press, especially the Denver Republican, the National Populist and the Rocky Mountain News wielded a powerful influence in their behalf. The republican, prohibitionist and people's parties endorsed the measure in their county conventions and the cam- paign became a regular crusade for equal suffrage in which the best elements in all parties participated. Mrs. Chapman made speeches throughout the state, organizing leagues wherever she found none, and all these leagues were put in communication with headquarters at Denver. An enormous amount of suf- frage literature was sent out from Denver to all auxiliary branches in advocacy of the cause and giving instructions in the methods of procedure, etc., in prac- tical work. Numerous mass meetings were held in Denver and many prominent lawyers and politicians put aside their own engagements to speak in the women's campaign. A number of the women actively engaged in the work who now bear enviable reputations for their powers of oratory, became fluent and effective speakers during the contest.

Among outside speakers Mrs. Chapman, as we have previously mentioned, was one of the best and most effective workers of the campaign. Late in the fall Mrs. Laura Ormiston Chant of London, added her aid also to the good cause by giving two lectures in Denver (on suffrage) which drew crowded and representative audiences.

Fortunately for the success of the new measure the liquor element of the state did not until nearly the time of election, awaken to the fact that the equal suffrage amendment was really a live issue. The most open evidence of their hostility was a circular, widely scattered abroad, wherein much ridicule and abuse was cast upon the upholders of female suffrage. Whatever influence this may have had was more than offset by a dignified manifesto in favor of suffrage published in some of the leading papers and signed by a long list of prominent and influential men and women.

Mrs. Wrigley, state superintendent of franchise of the W. C. T. U., and Mrs. M. J. Telford, state vice president, did efficient work. The lamented Pa- tience Stapleton labored valiantly in the cause and greatly endeared herself to all the women in Colorado. Mrs. Minnie J. Reynolds, a gifted speaker as well as a fluent writer, was indispensable to the cause; so also was Mrs. H. S. Stans- bury who, both by her pen and by the magnetic influence of her contact with the people, wielded a large influence. It is to the combined might of these three talented women of the press, Mrs. Stapleton writing in the Denver Republican and Miss Reynolds and Mrs. Stansbury in the Rocky Mountain News, that much of the credit for the victory has been accorded.

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History of Colorado; Volume I, Part 77

Author: Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed Publication date: 1918 Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Number of Pages: 954

Author: Stone, Wilbur Fiske, 1833-1920, ed
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 954