"Equal Suffrage Leaders Speak," Oregon Journal, July 29, 1912, 8.

 

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Transcription

EQUAL SUFFRAGE LEADERS SPEAK

Enthusiastic Session Is Held; 100 Men and Women Attend Luncheon.

An even hundred women and men attended the luncheon of the College Equal Suffrage association at the Imperial hotel this afternoon. The program was made up largely of speakers from the local newspapers and the speakers were not selected with the idea of their being suffrage supporters.

Miss Emma Wold, president of the league, presided and first introduced C. S. Jackson, publisher of The Journal. Mr. Jackson said in part that he had not quite decided upon which side of the question he really stood but that whenever he heard an argument against suffrage he was inclined toward the cause, but that whenever he heard arguments for his inclination was against.

He declared that at any rate he intended to vote for equal suffrage and that he was sure the cause would carry.

Alfred D. Cridge of the Labor Press declared that working women need the right of the vote and that they are going to have it. He said that when they clasp hands with the workingman they will be able to do a great deal more toward the betterment of the home.

He said that he did not believe that any woman would vote for a man who would allow the little children to work in the coal breakers with bleeding hands, as he had seen them do.

Mrs. L. M. Roberts of the Daily News told of the struggle which the suffragists had waged in Oklahoma, whence she had come to Oregon, and said that women had gained greatly in the esteem of their opponents by the way in which they had carried on their campaign.

A. W. Lawrence, editor of the Labor Press, said that labor unions had gone a long way ahead of all other organizations in supporting equal suffrage because they recognized the rights of women.

C. E. S. Wood closed the speaking by a wonderful appeal for the cause, declaring that men placed the women ahead in little things but denied them the real important thing. He appealed to the members and friends for funds with which to carry on the work and said that “Bill” Hanley had authorized him to subscribe $100 to the cause in his behalf.


1912 July Permalink

"3500 Thrilled by Labor Chief’s Plea Part 2," Oregonian, July 21, 1912, 6.

 

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Transcription

3500 THRILLED BY LABOR CHIEF’S PLEA

John Mitchell Tells of Purposes, Ideals and Philosophy of Unions.

SPEAKER IS CONSERVATIVE

Aims of Laboring Organizations Are Said to Be Primarily to Better Conditions of Living of Those Employed

GLADSTONE PARK, Or., July 20.—(Special.)—John Mitchell, noted labor leader and characterized as the “most modest big man in the United States,” thrilled a sympathetic audience of 3500 persons at the Chautauqua session today in his lecture, “The Philosophy, Purposes and Ideals of the Trades Union Movement.” The labor champion created a wave of sympathy that was remarkable for an audience consisting of comparatively few union men.

Whether it was forcible delivery, or his argument in favor of trade unionism, or his modesty in excluding from his talk any reference to his own achievements for labor, that enabled his hearers to see the labor movement from a new viewpoint, is difficult to say. Only once did Mr. Mitchell mention his own career and that was after the introductory speech of Secretary Young, of the Oregon Federation.

“Experience has taught me one thing,” said Mr. Mitchell. “Keep your eyes on the stars—but your feet on the gravel.”

Suffrage is Favored.

Only once did Mr. Mitchell digress from his subject—that was to congratulate the women of Oregon on their work for the cause of equal suffrage. The sentiment of unionism was for suffrage, said Mr. Mitchell, “primarily for its benefit to the 5,000,000 women who are at work in our American factories and are subject to the same factory regulations as the men, and secondarily, because women in general use the ballot for the moral welfare of this country.” Commenting on the talk of Dr. Clarence True Wilson at the Chautauqua last Tuesday when the Portland man argued that “woman’s sphere is the home—not the ballot,” Mr. Mitchell called the attention of his hearers to the “narrow home sphere” of the American working women of today.

Summarizing a history of the industrial revolution and the growth of the factory system from which the unions sprang, Mr. Mitchell set forth the disadvantage through lack of bargaining skill which the individual laborer must meet in “selling” his work to the skilled employer who has hired thousands, and this, according to Mr. Mitchell, very naturally brought about an approach to the ideal condition wherein employes [sic] must deal collectively, rather than individually with the buyers of labor.

“Our purposes are simple,” said the speaker. “To secure a minimum wage that we may live in accordance with the rightful standard of living in America, to insist on education of our and your children; to provide against a poverty-stricken old age; to secure the eight-hour day; to legislate against child labor; to provide for workmen’s compensation acts, and to secure sanitary housing of our families. These are the things we are working for.”

Mistakes Are Admitted.

Conservatism characterized his remarks. He admitted that the union made mistakes. Even as the church, sometimes the state, or any other great movements err,” he said. “Our unions are neither revolutionary nor destructive; our purpose is constructive, rather; our work evolutionary.

“Thank God our radical element is in the minority.” Then he read the pledge which is exacted of the laboring man when he joins the Federation. “There are not many men,” concluded the labor chieftain, “that could blow up buildings on a diet like that.”

He championed the eight-hour law on the argument that the man earns more in eight hours than he will earn in a ten-hour day. Reduction in the hours of labor he declared, means an improvement in the whole moral tone of the laboring community, a greater self-respect and an improved mental status. He disputed the argument of labor union opponents that shorter hours increased opportunity for dissipation, asserting that the rule worked the other way.

Mr. Mitchell said strikes were necessary, but suggested it as a remedy only when all other efforts to bring together employers and empoyes [sic], have failed.

“The strike is an evil. I willingly admit,” he continued, “and still it is not so great an evil as child labor, depraved manhood, or deprived womanhood. Our principles should not be assailed because of occasional acts of violence.

Accomplishments Are Cited.

“Our work has resulted in increased efficiency. We have raised the moral tone of our communities, we have defended the weak against the strong; we have uplifted the ignorant immigrant; we have protected the women and children of our factories; we have considered man rather than the dollar, and even with our ideals partly realized we have unquestionably committed error. Our work, however, is upward movement.

“We are working earnestly for the uplift of our workmen, and we are proud of some three million of our brothers who are striving to assist their fellow men.”

Mr. Mitchell’s concluding remarks were received with enthusiastic applause. Mr. Mitchell has a powerful stage presence, but he avoids the climax.

Tonight’s concert was a treat for Chautauqua patrons. The chorus was under the direction of Professor Chapman, and his assistant, Miss Thomson, of Portland. Soloists who were on the programme were: Mrs. Pauline Miller Chapman, mezzo-soprano; J. Ross Fargo, tenor; Francis Walker, baritone; Mr. Aue, ‘oellist.

The fireworks display by Professor Kelling was a feature of the closing festivities after the concert tonight, and the pyrotechnics were witnessed by more than 3000 persons.

Two sermons will complete the 1912 assembly tomorrow, one by Dr. Spurgeon, who has been here for two weeks in charge of the Sunday school work. Dr. Spurgeon, will preach on “Moses, the Hero of the Desert.” At night Dr. McGaw will speak. Other features of tomorrow’s programme are: 10:30 A. M.—Sunday school, Rev. C. A. Phipps, president of the State Sunday School Association, superintendent; 2 P. M.—Chautauqua chorus, soloist, Pauline Miller-Chapman; sermon. 4 P. M.—Sacred concert, Chapman’s Orchestra. 5 P. M.—Chautauqua chorus, Professor F. T. Chapman, director.


1912 July Permalink

"3500 Thrilled by Labor Chief’s Plea Part 1," Oregonian, July 21, 1912, 6.

 

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Transcription

3500 THRILLED BY LABOR CHIEF’S PLEA

John Mitchell Tells of Purposes, Ideals and Philosophy of Unions.

SPEAKER IS CONSERVATIVE

Aims of Laboring Organizations Are Said to Be Primarily to Better Conditions of Living of Those Employed

GLADSTONE PARK, Or., July 20.—(Special.)—John Mitchell, noted labor leader and characterized as the “most modest big man in the United States,” thrilled a sympathetic audience of 3500 persons at the Chautauqua session today in his lecture, “The Philosophy, Purposes and Ideals of the Trades Union Movement.” The labor champion created a wave of sympathy that was remarkable for an audience consisting of comparatively few union men.

Whether it was forcible delivery, or his argument in favor of trade unionism, or his modesty in excluding from his talk any reference to his own achievements for labor, that enabled his hearers to see the labor movement from a new viewpoint, is difficult to say. Only once did Mr. Mitchell mention his own career and that was after the introductory speech of Secretary Young, of the Oregon Federation.

“Experience has taught me one thing,” said Mr. Mitchell. “Keep your eyes on the stars—but your feet on the gravel.”

Suffrage is Favored.

Only once did Mr. Mitchell digress from his subject—that was to congratulate the women of Oregon on their work for the cause of equal suffrage. The sentiment of unionism was for suffrage, said Mr. Mitchell, “primarily for its benefit to the 5,000,000 women who are at work in our American factories and are subject to the same factory regulations as the men, and secondarily, because women in general use the ballot for the moral welfare of this country.” Commenting on the talk of Dr. Clarence True Wilson at the Chautauqua last Tuesday when the Portland man argued that “woman’s sphere is the home—not the ballot,” Mr. Mitchell called the attention of his hearers to the “narrow home sphere” of the American working women of today.

Summarizing a history of the industrial revolution and the growth of the factory system from which the unions sprang, Mr. Mitchell set forth the disadvantage through lack of bargaining skill which the individual laborer must meet in “selling” his work to the skilled employer who has hired thousands, and this, according to Mr. Mitchell, very naturally brought about an approach to the ideal condition wherein employes [sic] must deal collectively, rather than individually with the buyers of labor.

“Our purposes are simple,” said the speaker. “To secure a minimum wage that we may live in accordance with the rightful standard of living in America, to insist on education of our and your children; to provide against a poverty-stricken old age; to secure the eight-hour day; to legislate against child labor; to provide for workmen’s compensation acts, and to secure sanitary housing of our families. These are the things we are working for.”

Mistakes Are Admitted.

Conservatism characterized his remarks. He admitted that the union made mistakes. Even as the church, sometimes the state, or any other great movements err,” he said. “Our unions are neither revolutionary nor destructive; our purpose is constructive, rather; our work evolutionary.

“Thank God our radical element is in the minority.” Then he read the pledge which is exacted of the laboring man when he joins the Federation. “There are not many men,” concluded the labor chieftain, “that could blow up buildings on a diet like that.”

He championed the eight-hour law on the argument that the man earns more in eight hours than he will earn in a ten-hour day. Reduction in the hours of labor he declared, means an improvement in the whole moral tone of the laboring community, a greater self-respect and an improved mental status. He disputed the argument of labor union opponents that shorter hours increased opportunity for dissipation, asserting that the rule worked the other way.

Mr. Mitchell said strikes were necessary, but suggested it as a remedy only when all other efforts to bring together employers and empoyes [sic], have failed.

“The strike is an evil. I willingly admit,” he continued, “and still it is not so great an evil as child labor, depraved manhood, or deprived womanhood. Our principles should not be assailed because of occasional acts of violence.

Accomplishments Are Cited.

“Our work has resulted in increased efficiency. We have raised the moral tone of our communities, we have defended the weak against the strong; we have uplifted the ignorant immigrant; we have protected the women and children of our factories; we have considered man rather than the dollar, and even with our ideals partly realized we have unquestionably committed error. Our work, however, is upward movement.

“We are working earnestly for the uplift of our workmen, and we are proud of some three million of our brothers who are striving to assist their fellow men.”

Mr. Mitchell’s concluding remarks were received with enthusiastic applause. Mr. Mitchell has a powerful stage presence, but he avoids the climax.

Tonight’s concert was a treat for Chautauqua patrons. The chorus was under the direction of Professor Chapman, and his assistant, Miss Thomson, of Portland. Soloists who were on the programme were: Mrs. Pauline Miller Chapman, mezzo-soprano; J. Ross Fargo, tenor; Francis Walker, baritone; Mr. Aue, ‘oellist.

The fireworks display by Professor Kelling was a feature of the closing festivities after the concert tonight, and the pyrotechnics were witnessed by more than 3000 persons.

Two sermons will complete the 1912 assembly tomorrow, one by Dr. Spurgeon, who has been here for two weeks in charge of the Sunday school work. Dr. Spurgeon, will preach on “Moses, the Hero of the Desert.” At night Dr. McGaw will speak. Other features of tomorrow’s programme are: 10:30 A. M.—Sunday school, Rev. C. A. Phipps, president of the State Sunday School Association, superintendent; 2 P. M.—Chautauqua chorus, soloist, Pauline Miller-Chapman; sermon. 4 P. M.—Sacred concert, Chapman’s Orchestra. 5 P. M.—Chautauqua chorus, Professor F. T. Chapman, director.


1912 July Permalink

"Shore Talks is Plan," Oregonian, July 20, 1912, 16.

 

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Transcription

SHORE TALKS IS PLAN

MRS. L. W. THERKELSEN BACKS NEW SUFFRAGE PROJECT.

Debate Between Dr. Clarence True Wilson and Picked Speaker Will Be Held Next Week.

Through the generosity of Mrs. L. W. Therkelsen, a movement has been started which has for its object the holding of suffrage meetings at the beach resorts. Arrangements are being made to secure a number of expert women lecturers on the subject, and all the various suffrage clubs and societies are being requested to ally themselves in this undertaking.

Already the Oregon State Equal Suffrage Association and the State Central Campaign Committee are in unison on the matter, and the idea has received the approval of Mrs. Sarah A. Evans, of the Woman’s Club. By the time that all the organizations have united and subscriptions been received, it will be possible to pursue an active campaign at the coast resorts.

“The importance of these holiday places cannot be overestimated,” said Mrs. Therkelsen, “for men and women come from all over the state. We can get a hearing from them down there, and the seeds that are sown then will bear fruit in many different parts of the state, for those who listen to our arguments will be advocates for the cause in their home district.”

Mrs. Ehrgott returns today from Woodburn, the last place to be visited on her tour of organization in Marion County. Details are arranged for her next trip, so that after a few local speeches she will again leave to pursue her activities in parts where organization is needed.

A debate that should prove interesting will be held shortly. Dr. Clarence True Wilson has offered to oppose any speaker for women’s suffrage at an open-air meeting some time next week. The Women’s Club campaign committee has accepted the challenge, but has not yet definitely made its choice of a speaker.

Printed slips bearing epigrams of John Mitchell, noted labor speaker, who is a strong believer in equal franchise, and who is to speak today at the Chautauqua, are being distributed around the park grounds. One of the statements he makes is: “I’m in perfect harmony with the declaration of the American Federation of Labor, which has indorsed the demand that woman be given the right to vote.” In another he says: “I have always stood for a square deal, and that’s the only square thing on the woman suffrage question as I see it,” while one more he adds, “I personally believe that it would be for the good of us all for woman to be enfranchised.”

Mrs. W. H. Fear, one of the Oregon delegates to the recent biennial convention of Federated Women’s Clubs, returned to Portland yesterday.


1912 July Permalink

"Suffragists Busy: Campaign Plans," Oregon Journal, July 07, 1912, 7.

 

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Transcription

SUFFRAGISTS BUSY; CAMPAIGN PLANS
Advisory Board Named by the Acting President, Mrs. H. W. Coe.

The new headquarters of the Oregon State Equal Suffrage association at 516 Selling building present a comfortable but businesslike aspect. Visitors are impressed with the fact that an earnest campaign is under way and will be extended from those offices throughout the state. The president, Mrs. Abigail Scott Duniway, while steadily improving in health, is unable to assume her duties, so Mrs. Henry Waldo Coe has taken up the work as acting president. Mrs. Coe is also the treasurer of the association and she has requested that all dues, contributions and monthly subscriptions be sent to her or to the members of the finance committee composed of Mrs. A. E. Clark, chairman, and Mrs. A. E. Borthwick.

Advisory Board Named.
In addition to the former officers comprising the executive board of the association, Mrs. Coe has announced the appointment of an advisory board on which appear the names of Mrs. E. B. Carroll, Mrs. L. W. Therkelsen, Mrs. R. R. Hoge, Mrs. Helen Miller Senn, Mrs. A. C. Newill and Mrs. C. B. Woodruff.

In spite of her heavy responsibilities as president of the association, Mrs. Duniway has also carried the burdens of corresponding secretary, and when the executive board reorganized the work that office was filled by the election of Mrs. A. C. Newill.

Sub-Committee Plans.
Mrs. L. W. Therkelsen, who has charge of the publicity committee, said that she would be ready in a few days to make known the personnel and plans of her sub-committees. The public will be interested to known that Mrs. Clara Bewick Colby has been engaged to organize under the management of the state association.

Mrs. A. E. Borthwick, chairman of the membership committee, and her associates in that work, Mrs. C. U. Gantenbein, Mrs. E. O. Gardner, Mrs. L. Leeser Cohen and Miss Agnes Lane, are actively engaged in multiplying the membership.

The press committee, Mrs. A. C. Newill and Mrs. E. B. Carroll, is planning to reach every section of the state with fresh, live news—not any of the canned variety.


1912 July Permalink
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