History of Dakota Territory, volume III, Part 110

Author: Kingsbury, George Washington, 1837-; Smith, George Martin, 1847-1920
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1146


USA > South Dakota > History of Dakota Territory, volume III > Part 110


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At its fourteenth session the State Federation passed resolutions urging the promotion of the gospel of peace; disfavoring the upper and lower houses of the General Federation; favoring the teaching of home economics in every school of the state where women were being educated ; urging the setting apart of a certain


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fund to be devoted to extension work in home economics for the direct benefit of the rural women and girls of the state; favored free text books in the public schools; asking for the enforcement of the state anti-cigarette law and the pre- vention of its use among small boys; requesting the State Legislature to provide better and needed equipment for the State Sanitarium at Custer; recommending that the clubs of the federation do their best to encourage the use of Red Cross Christmas seals during the holiday season; commending the Sioux Falls club for its stand against the objectionable and immoral features of the recent street carnival in that city; asking for the enforcement of all laws intended to protect and improve the moral condition of the state; commending the objects of the Christmas ship which was designed to aid the orphaned children of the warring countries in Europe; endorsing the proposed educational exhibit at the Panama- Pacific Exposition; inviting the city federations of the state to join the State Federation in order to widen their influence.


In her annual address Mrs. Zillah E. Wilson stated that the state endowment fund was on a firm basis, there being on hand about $300; that each club should prepare a few lessons on each of the topics given; that the federation stood for the home as the center of all their efforts of education in every line; that about thirty new clubs had joined during the past year; that closer touch between the urban and rural clubs should be maintained; that domestic science should be on the public school curriculum; that manual training should take on more of a vocational phase ; that mother's clubs would find systematic child study of great value; that the State Federation should own and operate its own official organ ; that all club women should talk, think, and act "peace;" that the wearing of peace pins would help to disseminate the gospel of peace; that the federation should become incorporated in order to safeguard the increasing endowment fund ; that schools and churches should be social centers; that free kindergartens should be connected with every school; that conservation of time, energy and material should be the watchword; that the time had come for wonderful advancement in club work; and that all members should work for the great common uplift of womankind.


In 1915 the fact that five of the largest organizations of women in Sioux Falls overlapped in their work of reform caused considerable comment and criticism. It was argued that each should be the medium through which the central organi- zation or amalgamation could perform a special duty within its own field of work, but in co-operation with the other four. These organizations were as follows: Benevolent Association, Woman's Alliance, Rescue Mission, House- wives League, and City Federation of Woman's Clubs. All assembled upon call at the residence of Bishop Biller for the purpose of securing along co-operative lines greater unity of action and better service as organizations. Bishop Biller in opening the meeting greatly encouraged the work or movement contemplated by this amalgamation. He believed the plan for co-operation of the different organizations necessary, because of the advisability of co-ordination in the work to promote the physical, moral, economical and social welfare of the people of Sioux Falls. Mrs. F. E. Briggs addressed the meeting on the possibilities of co-operation and briefly summed up her ideas of the value of unity of action. She declared that a central organization would serve as a clearing house for the five organizations and permit all to accomplish successful work, each within


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its own sphere of action. The following resolution was passed : "That the presi- dent of the Federation of Women's Clubs be empowered to call a meeting of the officers of the organizations represented here to further discuss and formu- late plans for closer co-operation." In speaking from the standpoint of the Housewives' League, Mrs. M. H. Egan answered criticisms which had been made against the league, to the effect that the organization was working with the retail liquor dealers rather than against them. She declared such criticisms were unfounded. Mrs. Lundquist, on behalf of the Federation of Clubs, told what had been accomplished in securing the passage of the new state drugs act then before the Legislature. She said: "I believe that a violation of the law is a violation regardless of the rank of society in which it occurs. Recently cigarettes and liquor had been purchased and passed at social gatherings in this city. That is as clear a violation of the law as though done by a derelict from the rescue and elsewhere in South Dakota of the motion picture 'A Fool There Was.'" Generally it was denounced and a more rigid censorship on such scenes was demanded. Upon motion of Mrs. Seals the following resolution was passed : "That this meeting, representing as it does a thousand Sioux Falls women, voice a protest against certain pictures recently shown and certain vaudeville per- formances recently given at Sioux Falls. Knowing that we represent a large and efficient body of women we ask the support of outside women in the state in the moral uplift of Sioux Falls and its public entertainments." This resolution was called out partly by the escapade of eight boys of the senior class in one of the schools of Sioux Falls who during one afternoon left school to witness one of these performances. This action led to their suspension by Prin. W. I. Early of the high school in February, 1915. After being reprimanded the boys were reinstated. Action on the proposed campaign for uniting work by the above five organizations was taken later.


The seventeenth annual convention of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union met at Sioux Falls in September, 1915. There was a large attendance and the women were given a cordial welcome by the city. They were formally received and during the session considered many important subjects vital to their organization. One of the subjects discussed was the divorce problem. The dele- gates did not hesitate to sharply criticise Sioux Falls for its attitude on the divorce question. This caused the Huronite to observe "Sioux Falls wants a match factory, probably to offset its divorce factory." The establishment of a inatch factory at the penitentiary had been proposed for some time.


SUFFRAGE


The demand for woman suffrage has been one of the standing problems before both territory and state since the first settlement and still remains to be solved although the solution is now ( 1915) believed to be not far distant. The early movements for this right or privilege were as vigorous and interesting as those of recent years.


In January, 1889, the question of woman suffrage came to a climax in the Legislature at Bismarck amid much confusion and excitement. The campaign of the previous year had been conducted with much ability, but there was stub- born opposition, and it was realized that the Legislature in all probability would Vol. III-50


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defeat the measure. It was found when the members assembled that the Senate could probably be influenced to support suffrage, but when it came to a test vote in the House the measure was defeated by a decisive vote. This defeat, in a large measure, took the spirit out of those who warmly favored and had vigorously supported the measure. However, as the territory was about to be divided and as the new State of South Dakota would soon be under different management, control and influence, it was determined to continue the fight. Suf- frage advocates prepared at once for a vigorous campaign during the rest of 1889 and all of 1890.


This campaign for woman suffrage in 1889 was spirited and able. Several prominent suffrage women from abroad addressed large audiences throughout the state. Mrs. Anna B. Simmons took the field late in September, and attracted large audiences with her arguments, enthusiasm and logic. Mrs. Emma A. Cran- mer, of Aberdeen, lectured throughout the state on almost every evening during October. She was an attractive speaker and drew large audiences. Mrs. Bal- lard, president of the Iowa Suffrage Association, was brought here and delivered several addresses in the leading cities. She spoke at the Grand Opera House, Sioux Falls, to an audience estimated at three thousand. Other prominent speakers during October were Miss Mary E. Cowlson, Mrs. George W. King, Mrs. Osgood, Mrs. Clara Richey and Rev. G. M. House. Mrs. Ida Crouch- Hazlett was organizer for the association. She traveled to all parts of the state, sent out many circulars, called numerous meetings, delivered scores of addresses and in every way endeavored to stir up sentiment in favor of suffrage. In spite of all they could do, however, opponents of the movement were found everywhere and did not hesitate to speak their sentiments. Mrs. Crouch-Hazlett said in one of her circulars that active opposition to suffrage in South Dakota had ceased except from certain classes who had everything to fear from suffrage success. She announced that a campaign of education was being conducted to inform men of the meaning of the proposed amendments and of the nature of the movement as a whole in the commonwealth. As the burden of government was born by such a large percentage of women it seemed nothing less than brutal to deny to that class an opportunity of expressing their opinion regarding the sort of government they should be under. It was purely non-partisan, non- sectarian, non-everything except pure justice alone, she said.


In February, 1890, the National Suffrage Convention was held at Wash- ington and every encouragement possible was given to the suffrage movement throughout all the states. This convention appropriated $3,000 and presented it to the South Dakota delegation to be used for the cause of suffrage during the campaign of 1890. Late in February the suffrage advocates in South Dakota rcorganized and began active preliminary work. Later they conducted one of the most spirited, brilliant, yet confused campaigns ever carried on in this por- tion of the country up to that time. They met again in March and became known as the State Suffrage Association. The executive committee, in the meantime, prepared a program for the campaign, and planned to bring here from outside prominent and able speakers and workers to help in the local movement. Among those who were invited and who promised to come were: Miss Lottie Hindman, of Pittsburg; Mrs. Helen M. Gouger, of Indiana; Mrs. Nelson, and others. The $3,000 which had been appropriated by the National


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Association for South Dakota was placed in the hands of Susan B. Anthony to be expended by her according to her best judgment. In June, 1890, Mrs. Helen M. Gouger sent the following communication to the Union Signal, the organ of the suffrage advocates. "Miss Susan B. Anthony has secured about $3,000 for the work. She does not place this at the disposal of the State Suf- frage Committee and refuses to allow them to dictate its distribution with the exception of $300 which she has given them. She is badly out of touch with these home workers, and being strange to the people she cannot get her speak-


ers before sufficient audiences and much desultory work is the result.


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She is a free lance, doing what she can. Miss Anna Shaw has given seventeen addresses under her pay. Mrs. Howells, of New York, is with Miss Anthony holding conventions and speaking. Mrs. DeVoe, of Dakota, is also under her employment doing efficient organizing. This seems to be the extent of visible work being done by the fund placed in Miss Anthony's hands."


At a conference of the leading suffrage women of the state held at Huron in June, 1890, all with much emphasis, favored the campaign to attain the object of equal rights at the polls. It was decided to call a mass convention to be held July 8th, to promote the movement. Forty of the most prominent woman suffrage advocates of the state signed this call and thus identified themselves with the movement. The meeting was called on that date because on the fol- lowing day the state convention of the independent party was to be held in the same city, and the plan of the suffrage movement was to secure a plank in the platform of that party favorable to the woman suffrage movement. On July 8th pursuant to call the South Dakota Equal Suffrage Convention duly assem- bled at Huron. They were warmly received by the citizens and entertained largely at private homes. There were present 130 delegates from twenty-eight counties representing the more enlightened and progressive portions of South Dakota. The call for the Woman's Suffrage Convention was prepared and ciriculated by Libby A. Wardall, Emma S. DeVoe, Philena E. Johnson, Alice M. Pickler and Mary Bonham. At this convention of July 8th, H. S. Monser, of Hitchcock, was chosen chairman and Mrs. Johnson, of Highmore, secretary. Full reports from over thirty counties showed that the state was well organized already for the suffrage campaign. This convention was the most important suffrage movement ever held in what is now South Dakota up to that date. Among the leading speakers were Miss Anthony, Mrs. Nelson, Miss Hindman, Mrs. DeVoe and Mrs. Howells, of Pennsylvania. The latter delivered an elabor- ate address to a large crowd in the evening. She declared that the object of the movement was to prepare to wage a strenuous war for success at the polls. This convention was very successful. They remained in session until the following day and their influence with the independent convention was so strong that they secured high favor from that body, a plank in the platform recognizing the right and justice of woman suffrage. Late in the fall of 1890 another suffrage convention was held at Huron for the purpose of stimulating and strengthen- ing the efforts in a final blast just before the November election. A reorgani- zation was effected, a considerable sum of money was raised and the name adopted was Equal Suffrage Association of South Dakota.


During the campaign Henry B. Blackwell, of Boston, spoke at several places throughout the state in favor of woman suffrage. His lecture was one of great


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beauty and power and revealed the ups and downs of the suffrage movement throughout the Union. The burden of its argument was for equal political rights for men and women. God had made men and women equal, but man had deprived her of her rights. He mentioned Deborah's rule over Israel and declared that Jesus in all his addresses had spoken well of women. He spoke also of the reigns of Queen Elizabeth and Victoria and referred in elo- quent terms to the many splendid women who had made themselves famous already in this country for the cause of suffrage.


During August the suffrage campaign was probably at its best, because at this time it lacked the confusion which resulted later. Rev. Mr. Haire of Aber- deen was one of the strong supporters of the movement. His great influence had much to do with giving the measure force and dignity. At the republican state convention, held at Mitchell in August, the State Suffrage Association met the party conjointly for the purposes of securing a plank favorable to suffrage in the platform. There were present on this occasion, Susan B. Anthony, Rev. Anna Shaw, Olympia Brown, Matilda Hindman, Carrie L. Chapman and Alice M. A. Pickler, all of whom upon special request delivered addresses and were conspicuous in the proceedings. The people of Mitchell entertained the ladies royally while in the city. The ladies brought all the pressure possible to bear on the republican convention to secure a suitable plank and were partially suc- cessful. During the campaign the following verse by Kate Field went the round of the press of this state:


They talk about a woman's sphere, As though it had a limit ; There's not a place in earth or heaven; There's not a task to mankind given; There's not a blessing or a woe; There's not a whisper yes or no; There's not a life or death or birth,


That has a feather's weight or worth, Without a woman in it.


In the fall of 1890 the anti-prohibitionists were united and solid against woman suffrage, and this opposition developed as the campaign of that year progressed. People instinctively or concertedly grouped the two movements together. Thus usually those who favored prohibition also favored woman suf- frage and vice versa.


The question submitted in November, 1890, was whether the word "male" should be stricken from the article of the constitution which related to elections and suffrage. The Legislature liad placed the subject squarely before the people. It must be stated as a matter of history, that while the suffrage campaign of 1890 was intensely spirited and enthusiastic, there existed much confusion owing to lack of unity and system in planning and conducting the campaign. The equal suffrage supporters of the state secured a number of able women from outside, without concert of plan or action. There was thus great variance in views con- cerning whether the movement should be non-partisan or otherwise and whether the temperance question and politics should be blended with the suffrage move- ment. The result was that chaos reigned during the latter part of the campaign. There were differences, contradictions, jealousies and soon near November. Ist


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the distress and confusion became so pronounced that all the women of the state suffrage organization resigned and left the subject to its fate. Thus the suffrage leaders had not succeeded in kindling admiration and support for the movement, nor in establishing the belief that it was a wise measure for the young state. By the date of the election the women themselves had practically withdrawn from the campaign, and many newspapers commented with some severity on the want of wisdom shown in the movement and more than one particularly pronounced the movement undesirable at that time.


At the November election woman suffrage was badly defeated. Its advocates had not succeeded in convincing the voters that women as a whole wanted the change or that there would be any particular gain to the state, or society or women by its adoption. This was at first a crushing blow to the suffrage advo- cates. They realized that it would require much time for them to recover from the blow, and for them to change or mold public opinion in South Dakota so that later the movement would succeed. Though beaten and disheartened, they soon met again, reorganized, paid their bills, laid their plans for the future and began hard work the following spring to carry the municipal elections in favor of the movement. Mrs. P. E. Johnson was president of the Woman Suffrage Association in 1891. In September, 1893, the annual meeting of the Equal Suf- frage Association was held in Aberdeen. It was determined to renew the fight for equal suffrage, and a considerable sum was pledged to cover the expenses of the movement. Mrs. May Crosback, of Watertown, was elected president of the association and Mrs. O. J. Ward, of Huron, secretary and treasurer. But it became the belief a little later that a movement again for suffrage would not suc- ceed, because enough time had not elapsed since 1890 to cause a change in the opinions of the voters, and accordingly the suffrage advocates concluded not to bring the question before the Legislature until 1895.


By 1893 the suffrage movement throughout the United States had gained much headway and here and there had succeeded in securing a firm foothold. In twenty-one states women had been given the right of suffrage in all educational matters. They were thus empowered in South Dakota, but they were not satis- fied because they wanted no limit placed upon their voting privileges. Particu- larly in this state in 1893 they wanted the right to vote in order to assist in set- tling the liquor question, to determine whether it should be license, local option, or prohibition. The question of suffrage came up again mildly in the Legislature of 1893. There was present a strong lobby of able women who favored the measure. They finally succeeded after hard work in securing the passage of the bill in the Senate. They then brought their entire force to bear upon the House, but when the test came the measure was defeated. This contest was too soon after the decisive defeat of 1890, but it served to encourage the friends of suf- frage. The defeat of 1893 served to organize them for the fight at the legislative session of 1895.


After this defeat they kept up the fight, although from time to time declared a truce and waited for a more favorable opportunity. At the legislative session of 1895 the Black Hills favored both suffrage and prohibition. This gave great encouragement to the movement, because the Black Hills possessed much influ- ence and power in the state and had the high regard and good will of the Legis- lature. The Hills not only favored suffrage and prohibition, but they advocated


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a far more stringent law concerning divorces. It was declared by members from the Black Hills, during the contentions in this Legislature, that South Dakota had been unwisely formed because the sentiment of the Hills and of .South East Dakota were widely different. It was also declared by the press that, in order to secure the passage of bills desired, the two sections combined against all the rest of the state and passed measures which were not wanted. At the session of 1895 the woman suffrage bill passed the Senate after a severe contest and then went to the House. Here it was fought for many days and gallantly sustained by its friends, but in the end was again defeated by a close vote of 42 to 36. It was declared afterwards that the measure was defeated in the House by a trick of the clerk who falsely reported the vote thus inducing several of the members to change sides at the last minute.


The defeat of the suffrage movement in the Legislature of 1895 did not dis- hearten its advocates in this state, and accordingly they reorganized and during the remainder of 1895 and all of 1896 conducted a campagin of education and were assisted by able speakers from other states.


The seventh annual convention of the executive committee of South Dakota Equal Rights Association assembled at Salem on December 3 and 4, 1896, pur- suant to call. The stirring address sent out was signed by Anna R. Simmons, of Huron, Eva C. Myers, of Canistota, Hanna V. Best, of Miner, Rev. Henrietta Lyman, of Pierre, M. J. Sheldon, of Sioux Falls, and Alice M. Pickler, of Faulk- ton. The call stated in part as follows: "The mission of South Dakota Equal Rights Association is to awaken public opinion to the necessity of bringing the practice of our state government into harmony with its professed principals. Professing itself a government of the people when it is actually an oligarchy of the preferred class; professing that the citizens of the state shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities, and saying in the bills of rights, section 27, that the blessing of a free government can only be maintained by a firm adherence to justice, and yet it deliberately permits one-half its people (the women) to be deprived of the only legitimate means of taking part in the Government, the use of the ballot. We seek to bring to the notice of the people such gross incon- sistencies between profession and practice and as such are to be condemned in the interest of public morality. In laboring for enfranchisement, women work therefore not only for themselves, but for the establishment of state honor and the elevation of the whole human race." This convention was composed of nearly all political equality clubs of the state that sent delegations. Every Woman's Relief Corps, Woman's Christian Temperance Union, lodges of the Eastern Star, the Rebekahs, Degrees of Honor and Royal Neighbors had been requested to send fraternal delegations.


During the fall of 1896 the suffrage campaign was well conducted, concerted and effective. Thus its advocates appeared before the Legislature of 1897 with greater prestige and influence than they had ever exhibited before. Their lobby was strong and in a measure was directed by Mrs. Simmons and Mrs. Cranmer who were present to battle also on the resubmission question. The bill was re- ported favorably by the committee of the House and finally, on February 25th, passed that body by the vote of forty-five for to thirty-three against. It had previously passed the Senate. It was soon signed by Governor Lee and became a law. It provided for the submission of the question to the voters in November,




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