DELAWARE.[27]
During the past twenty years the advocates of woman suffrage have
continued to suffer from the handicap peculiar to Delaware--no
referendum to the voters possible on constitutional amendments--and
therefore it never has had the advantage of a State-wide educational
campaign. An amendment must be passed by two-thirds of each branch of
the Legislature at two successive sessions and it then becomes a part
of the constitution. However, the State Equal Suffrage Association has
held conventions every year. Many distinguished advocates from outside
the State, including Miss Susan B. Anthony, Dr. Anna Howard Shaw, Mrs.
Carrie Chapman Catt, Miss Mary Garrett Hay, Mrs. Beatrice Forbes
Robertson Hale, Mrs. Maud Wood Park, Mrs. Frank A. Vanderlip and Mrs.
Borden Harriman, have been among the speakers. Prominent endorsers of
woman suffrage have been the State Grange, Grand Army of the Republic,
Ministerial Union, Central Labor Union and Woman's Christian
Temperance Union. The last is the only leading woman's organization to
give official sanction.
The annual State convention was held Nov. 6, 1901, at Newport, with
three clubs--Wilmington, Newport and New Castle--under the presidency
of Mrs. Martha S. Cranston. Dr. Shaw, vice-president-at-large of the
National Association, was the speaker and the presence of reporters
was an encouraging feature.
The convention of 1902 took place November 8 in Wilmington. Miss Jane
Campbell, president of the large Philadelphia county society, and
Henry W. Wilbur of the Friends' society, New York, were the speakers
from outside the State. During this year the W. C. T. U. and the
Wilmington District Epworth League passed suffrage resolutions. The
Life and Work of Susan B. Anthony was placed in travelling libraries.
Women were urged to pay their taxes "under protest." The Newport Club
petitioned that the word "male" be omitted from the new town charter
but without success. Governor John Hunn in his Message to the
Legislature said: "The time is coming when the participation of women
in all our civil affairs will be voluntarily sought as an infusion of
indispensable new elements into our citizenship."
The convention of 1903 was held November 28 at Newport, with Miss
Harriet May Mills of New York as the chief speaker. The master of the
State Grange declared his belief this year in the equality of the
sexes and urged that some provisions be made for the higher education
of Delaware women. The convention of 1904 was held November 22 in
Wilmington with an address by Dr. Shaw and $25 were pledged to the
National Association. In 1905 the convention was held November 4 in
New Castle, with Dr. Shaw the speaker. A pledge of $25 was again made
to the National Association and Delaware's quota to the Oregon
campaign was subscribed. The State convention took place at Newport on
Nov. 6, 1906. This year the G. A. R. endorsed both State and national
suffrage.
The convention held Oct. 2, 1907, in Wilmington, arranged to send the
State president to the congressional suffrage hearing at Washington.
The outside speaker was Mrs. Susan S. Fessenden of Massachusetts. A
chairman of church work was appointed. Reports showed that much
suffrage sentiment was now manifested in the State.
The convention of Nov. 12, 1908, at Newport, was addressed by Mrs.
Rachel Foster Avery and Miss Lucy E. Anthony, the latter describing
the great suffrage parade in London in which she had taken part. A
memorial to David Ferris, a prominent friend of woman suffrage, was
read by Miss Emma Worrell. The Higher Education of the Young Women of
Delaware was discussed by Professor H. H. Hayward, dean of Agriculture
in Delaware College.
The convention of Nov. 29, 1909, in Wilmington, was addressed by Miss
Campbell and Miss Mary Winsor of Haverford, Penn. Memorials to Henry
B. Blackwell and William Lloyd Garrison were read by Mrs. Gertrude W.
Nields. The national petition work for a Federal Amendment was
undertaken in Wilmington with Miss Mary R. de Vou and Mrs. Don P.
Jones in charge; in the rest of the State by Mrs. Cranston.
Legislators and the State at large were deluged with literature. Miss
Perle Penfield, a national organizer, was sent for one week by
courtesy of Mrs. Avery, president of the Pennsylvania association. A
hearing was arranged by Professor Hayward before a Senate committee in
the interest of the higher education of women in Delaware, without
result.[28] A telegram and a letter were sent by the State president
and corresponding secretary to President Theodore Roosevelt, asking
him to remember woman suffrage in his message to Congress.
The annual convention held Nov. 10, 1910, in Wilmington, was addressed
by Miss Lida Stokes Adams of Philadelphia and Frank Stephens of the
Arden Colony near by. A fine tribute to Mrs. Julia Ward Howe, who had
recently passed away, was given by Miss Worrell. The Newport and other
clubs sent $30 for the Susan B. Anthony Memorial Fund and a
contribution was made to the South Dakota campaign.
In March the society of Wilmington, the largest branch, began holding
monthly meetings. In response to a letter from the National
Association, Miss Mary H. Askew Mather, Miss de Vou and Miss Emma Lore
were appointed to investigate the laws of Delaware affecting the
status of women in regard to their property rights and the
guardianship of their children. A committee was appointed to support
the candidacy of Dr. Josephine M. R. White deLacour for membership on
the school board of Wilmington, where women had school suffrage. This
year woman suffrage in Delaware lost another friend by the death of
former Chief Justice Charles B. Lore, who framed the petition to the
State constitutional convention in 1897 and who stood unfailingly for
the equality of men and women before the law. The State convention met
Nov. 9, 1911, at Newport.
At the State convention held Nov. 20, 1912, in Wilmington, addresses
were made by Mrs. Harriet Taylor Upton, State president of Ohio, and
Miss Harriet May Mills State president of New York; and on the subject
Why Delaware Needs a College for Women by Mrs. Emalea P. Warner and
Dr. Hayward. It was decided to have a bill presented to the
Legislature of 1913 for striking the word "male" from the constitution
of the State. A branch club had been formed at the Arden Single Tax
Colony. The State association had held 22 meetings.
On Jan. 4, 1913, a delegation from the Wilmington club was granted a
hearing before the Charter Commission and asked for a clause in the
proposed new city charter giving Municipal suffrage to women. Nine of
the ten commissioners were present and arguments were presented by
Miss Worrell, Mrs. Margaret H. Kent, Mrs. Cranston, Arthur R. Spaid,
county superintendent of schools; George B. Miller, president of the
board of education; Miss Grace B. Tounsend and Miss de Vou. This was
refused and the charter was defeated by an overwhelming majority with
no suffrage clause to handicap it. In February the club held a large
public meeting at the New Century Club with the Rev. Dr. George Edward
Reed, former president of Dickinson College, as the speaker. The club
organized a municipal section to study the work of the city boards and
to offer assistance in forwarding civic improvement, which was
addressed by the Mayor and heads of departments. The State association
was represented in the great suffrage parade in New York City on May 4
by Mrs. J. R. Milligan and Miss Tounsend.
At the State convention in Wilmington Nov. 6, 1913, fraternal
delegates were present from the W. C. T. U., Consumers' League and
Juvenile Court Association. Addresses were made by Irving Warner, Mrs.
Mary Ware Dennett, corresponding secretary of the National
Association, and Miss Mabel Vernon, of the Congressional Union. The
music was generously furnished as usual by the treasurer, Miss Lore.
There were now 174 dues-paying members and 560 registered
sympathizers; 12 executive sessions had been held and 35 meetings, 18
outdoors, and 10,000 fliers and leaflets distributed. On February
18-20, the association was sponsor for "General" Rosalie Jones and her
Pilgrim Band en route from New York to Washington, D. C. Mayor Howell
of Wilmington welcomed them in the City Hall and they were guests at
the Garrick Theater, where they spoke between acts to an overcrowded
house. The State association was well represented in the famous parade
in Washington, D. C., on March 3, and again on April 7 when 531 women
from various States marched to the Capitol bearing special messages to
members of Congress, urging their support of the Federal Amendment. A
tent was established at the State Fair in September, realizing a long
cherished desire of the president, with Miss Ella W. Johnson in
charge. The two organizations joined forces and opened headquarters in
Wilmington, from which petitions to Congress were circulated and much
literature sent out.
The annual convention was held Oct. 30, 1914, at Dover, the State
capital but with no suffrage club. Secretary of State James H. Hughes
welcomed the convention for vice-Mayor McGee, who refused to do so.
The speakers were Mrs. Helen Hoy Greeley of New York, Samuel H. Derby
of Kent county and Mrs. Florence Bayard Hilles, Delaware chairman of
the Congressional Union. In Wilmington a meeting was held February 15
in honor of Miss Anthony's birthday, with Miss Anna Maxwell Jones of
New York as the speaker. In April on Arbor Day a "suffrage oak" was
planted, Mayor Howell presiding. In May a successful parade, the
first, was given in Wilmington with Mrs. Hilles in command. In
September both political State conventions were asked to endorse woman
suffrage but refused. Two rooms were furnished by and named in honor
of the State association, one at the Industrial School for Girls in
Claymont and one at the College for Women in Newark. It again had a
tent at the State Fair; prizes were given in the schools for the best
essays on woman suffrage; Lucy Stone's birthday was honored in August
13; members were enrolled by the hundreds and fifteen executive
meetings were held. The City Council's invitation was accepted to
march in the Old Home Week parade.
The convention for 1915 took place on November 11, in Wilmington, with
speakers, Dr. Shaw, Miss Worrell on Elizabeth Cady Stanton's 100th
Birthday; Miss Ethel Smith of Washington, D. C., on National Work.
Mrs. Cranston, "the Susan B. Anthony of Delaware," the association's
first and only president since January, 1896, retired and was made
honorary president. Mrs. Mary Clare Brassington was elected her
successor. This year connection was severed with the Congressional
Union, which unexpectedly announced its purpose of forming another
State society, while the old association continued its affiliation
with the National American. Three mass meetings were held with Miss
Janet Richards, Mrs. Beatrice Forbes Robertson Hale and Mrs. Bayard
Hilles the speakers. The association was represented in May in the
parade of the Woman Suffrage Party in Philadelphia, under the auspices
of the National Association.
The annual convention met Nov. 10, 1916, in Wilmington, with Chas. A.
Wagner, State Commissioner of Education; Chas. W. Bush and Dr. Shaw as
speakers. Mrs. Brassington had been appointed to take part in the
suffrage demonstrations at the Republican and Democratic national
conventions in Chicago and St. Louis. The State Central Committees
were again petitioned in vain for an endorsement of woman suffrage.
At the State convention held in Newport, Nov. 22, 1917, a $500 pledge
was made to the National Association. A telegram of congratulation had
been sent to Governor John G. Townsend, Jr., upon the declaration for
woman suffrage in his inaugural address. Miss Lola Trax, a national
organizer, was in the State five weeks, forming centers, and many
meetings were held. Federal Amendment Day was observed by tableaux on
the Court House steps in Wilmington, with Mrs. Florence Updegraff,
national organizer, and Miss Ospina, local congressional chairman, in
charge, Mrs. Brassington presiding, to whom a farewell luncheon was
given, as she was removing from the State. She was succeeded by Miss
Agnes Y. Downey, first vice-president.
The annual convention in Wilmington Nov. 29, 1918, was addressed by
Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, president and Mrs. Halsey W. Wilson,
recording secretary of the National Association. Mrs. Albert Robin was
elected president. In May a congressional petition campaign was
launched at a large subscription luncheon given in Hotel DuPont,
Wilmington, with Mrs. Catt, Mrs. Frank Vanderlip, Mrs. Maud Wood Park
and Mrs. J. Borden Harriman guests of honor and speakers. Mrs. J.
Frank Ball, State vice-president, presided. Miss Mabel Willard,
acting for the National Association, conducted the petition "drive"
and secured 175 volunteer workers, who enrolled 11,118 names to
influence the votes of Delaware's U. S. Senators on the Federal
Amendment. Mrs. Robin being absent from the State, Mrs. Ball became
acting president. A conference with U. S. Senator Josiah O. Wolcott
was held at her home in June, a large number of prominent persons
being present, at which the Senator declared himself open to
conviction. Mrs. Halsey Wilson gave a week in September to work in the
State. An active educational campaign was carried on until the
November elections and suffrage literature was distributed at the
polls.
The State convention took place in November, 1919, at Dover, with Mrs.
Raymond Brown, national vice-president, as the principal speaker. A
memorial address for Dr. Anna Howard Shaw was presented by Mrs.
Cranston. At the reception given in the State House by Governor
Townsend and Secretary of State Everett C. Johnson the Governor said
in his welcome: "I feel more than ever since the war that women should
have the ballot. I will be glad at any time to use my influence toward
giving those of Delaware the right of suffrage." A luncheon followed
at the Hotel Richardson, attended by the Governor, Secretary of State
and other officials. All of the legislators were invited. The guests
were welcomed by Mrs. Roswell P. Hammond, president of the Dover
society, and James H. Hughes. Mrs. Robin, who presided, spoke of
ratification as the one goal of their efforts and Secretary Johnson
endorsed it. The Opera House was crowded in the evening to hear the
address of Mrs. Brown.
Reports showed that in January the National Association sent an
organizer, Mrs. Maria McMahon, and with the financial assistance of
the Wilmington society she opened headquarters in Dover, organized a
number of towns and won many friends for the cause. Later Mrs. Halsey
Wilson gave another week to the State. About 600 telegrams were sent
in February to the Delaware Senators urging them to vote for the
submission of the Federal Suffrage Amendment but Senator Wolcott and
Senator Willard Saulsbury both voted "no" on February 10, when it went
to defeat. In May Mrs. Robin circularized the Delaware representatives
in Congress and on the 21st, when the amendment was passed by the
Lower House, Caleb R. Layton, Delaware's one member, voted "aye." In
the Senate, the newly elected Senator, L. Heisler Ball, was paired in
favor, Senator Wolcott again voting "no." At a meeting of the State
Board a resolution was passed rejoicing over the success and calling
for a special session of the Legislature to ratify the amendment. A
Ratification Committee was appointed with Mrs. Robin chairman for
Wilmington and the State; Mrs. Cranston for rural New Castle county;
Mrs. Henry Ridgely for Kent county; Mrs. Robert G. Houston for Sussex
county; Miss Leah Burton, legislative chairman; Miss deVou, press
chairman and Mrs. Brassington chairman of literature. Mrs. Ridgely of
Dover was elected president and activities for the campaign were soon
centralized.
RATIFICATION.[29] When it became evident that the Federal Suffrage
Amendment would be submitted by the next Congress, the presidents of
State associations began to plan for ratification and many asked help
from the National American Association. In response to a request from
the president of Delaware Mrs. McMahon was sent, arriving the last of
June, 1919, and beginning an active campaign of organization. T.
Coleman du Pont placed a motor at the disposal of the suffragists and
in a few weeks Newcastle county had been covered with the assistance
of Miss Downey and Mrs. J. W. Pennewell. Working out from Rehoboth
with the assistance of Mrs. Robin, Mrs. Ridgely, Mrs. Houston, Mrs.
John Eskridge and others, Sussex county was organized and later Kent
with the help of Mrs. James H. Hughes, Mrs. Roswell Hammond, Mrs. Emma
Burnett, Miss Winifred Morris and others. The interviewing of
influential men was carried on with the organizing through the autumn.
Headquarters were opened in Dover in January, 1920, and effort from
that time was for a special session. Resolutions endorsing
ratification were secured from State and local Granges, from the State
Federation of Women's Clubs, State Methodist convention, State
Federation of Labor, State committees of Republican and Democratic
parties, and the Wilmington City Republican Committee, the largest in
the State. No opposition was expressed by any organization. Each of
the fifty-two legislators was interviewed either by Miss Leah Burton,
Mrs. Ridgely or members of the Legislative Committee, Mrs. Harmon
Reynolds, Mrs. Cummins Speakman, Mrs. Hughes or Miss Morris, and by
Mrs. McMahon. Assurances were given by the majority in both parties
that their votes would be cast in favor of ratification. Governor
Townsend and Secretary Johnson were constantly helpful. The Republican
National Committee, through its chairman, Will Hays, and the
Congressional Committee, through its chairman, Simeon D. Fess,
rendered every possible assistance and the latter sent a
representative to work in Dover. On January 15 a delegation headed by
Mrs. George Bass, chairman of the Woman's Division of the National
Democratic Committee, appealed to this committee to take some action
toward ratification and it gave its endorsement. Mr. Isaacs, chairman
of the State Democratic Committee, asked the women to appear before it
and on January 22, after an address by Mrs. Ridgely and full
discussion, it endorsed ratification. The Republican State Committee
endorsed it after Governor Townsend had called the special session for
March 22. Only one Legislature was now needed to give the 36th and
final ratification.
All looked so favorable that the women were little prepared for the
weeks of intrigue and double dealing into which they were thrust
immediately upon the convening of the Legislature. Personal and
factional fights entered into the question, while the School Code
played a prominent part and complicated the situation. It was briefly
this. A very large sum had been offered to the State by Pierre du Pont
for the much needed extension of Delaware's public school facilities
contingent upon the raising of a like sum by the State. The gift was
accepted by the Legislature and the people must raise the State's
share of the fund. This meant taxes and taxes meant opposition. Those
who wanted the School Code repealed or modified were inclined to try
to make terms on the suffrage measure. The men of Sussex, the most
southern county, were particularly hostile and at a meeting in
Georgetown hundreds of them protested not only against the School Code
but also against prohibition and woman suffrage. It was the
representatives of these men who eventually blocked ratification in
the House and it was their two leaders, Daniel Layton, chairman of the
State Central Committee, and former Governor Simeon S. Pennewell,
whose influence caused much of the opposition. Governor Townsend, who
aimed to raise Delaware from thirty-second place in educational ranks
by the new code had aroused the personal antagonism of some of the
leaders, but when it became apparent that Delaware was vitally needed
to complete ratification he laid aside his fears that the code would
be repealed and called a special session.
Suffrage mass meetings were held in all parts of the State and the
week before the Legislature met Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, addressed
large audiences in Wilmington and Dover. The Ratification Committee
appealed for more help and Miss Marjorie Shuler, national director of
field publicity, was sent and later Miss Betsy Edwards for political
work. When the special session opened not one of the three daily
papers was supporting ratification, public meetings were being held by
the "antis," their publicity was being sent broadcast to the
metropolitan press of the country and the impression was created that
the whole State was opposed to ratifying. To counteract this situation
required weeks of hard work by the suffragists. Outside correspondents
were secured who would send out the true story of the political
intrigue underlying the failure to ratify. The Wilmington _Morning
News_, under the ownership of Alfred I. du Pont, came out for
ratification and made a strong fight for it to the end.
In his message to the two Houses in joint session the Governor said:
"Woman suffrage has been a subject of public discussion for over half
a century. It is not an agitation of the moment, it is a world wide
question of right and wrong. Your supreme duty is to think and act for
the good of your State and nation." Separate resolutions were
introduced in Senate and House, the former by a Republican, John M.
Walker of Hockessin, the latter by Walter E. Hart, Democrat, of
Townsend, the only one of eleven Democrats in the House who favored
it.
On March 25 there was a hearing before the General Assembly. The
opponents had rushed into town every farmer and small politician they
could secure and the women "antis" pinned a red rose in his
buttonhole. The suffragists had given a yellow jonquil to every
friend. Behind the Speaker's desk hung a huge yellow banner inscribed
"Votes for Women," and so crowded was the room with determined men and
eager women that the sergeant-at-arms had to clear a space for the
Senate. The suffragists had two hours in the morning and the "antis"
the same amount of time in the afternoon, with thirty minutes each for
rebuttal. Mrs. Catt, at the earnest request of the State association,
spoke at this hearing, and its president, Mrs. Ridgely; also Mrs.
Florence Bayard Hilles, president of the Delaware branch of the
National Woman's Party (Congressional Union), United States Senators
McKellar of Tennessee and Stirling of South Dakota came from
Washington to urge ratification. People crowded into Dover from over
the State and hot arguments took place in hotel lobbies and on the
streets. The State anti-suffrage association was represented by Miss
Charlotte Rowe of Yonkers, N. Y., employed by their national
organization. Mrs. Catt closed the argument and her speech was
considered by the hundreds who heard it, according to the staff
correspondent of the Wilmington _Evening Journal_, "one of the
clearest, strongest and most reasonable arguments for votes for women
ever heard in Delaware."
From this time until the vote was taken telegrams from outside the
State urging ratification were poured into the Legislature. They came
from the President of the United States; from Attorney General Palmer
and Secretaries Daniels, Houston and Meredith of his Cabinet; from
Republican Governors, State chairmen and party leaders throughout the
country, urging Daniel Layton to see that enough votes be given by the
Republican legislators to assure a majority in both Houses. In the
Senate all but five of the seventeen members were Republicans; in the
House, all but twelve of thirty-five. If they had adhered to the
expressed policy of their party the amendment could have been ratified
the first day of the session. On March 30 word was received that the
Mississippi Senate had ratified the Federal Amendment. This was
followed by a telegram from Mississippi to the anti-ratificationists
in Delaware that this Senate vote was only "a flash in the pan" and
would be reconsidered. A meeting of the Republican opponents
telegraphed to the Speaker of the House in Mississippi: "Stand firm
against ratification. Delaware Legislature still firm for State's
rights and will not ratify." A hasty call was made for a meeting of
all the Republican members of the Senate and House favorable to
ratification. This was addressed by the Governor, by United States
Senator Ball, and by Congressman Layton, father of "Dan" Layton, who
had always heretofore favored woman suffrage. By this time, however,
the whole question had narrowed to his personal fight against Governor
Townsend and at this conference he publicly announced that he would
oppose ratification.
The Governor did everything possible to make it easy for the leaders
of the southern part of the State to bring over its representatives to
the amendment. In a noble speech he offered to withdraw his candidacy
for delegate to the National Democratic convention if the Sussex
county members would vote for it. John E. McNabb, the Democratic floor
leader, boldly repudiated the telegrams from President Wilson, his
Cabinet, Homer Cummings, chairman of the Democratic National
Committee, and other party leaders. He said that not twenty-five
persons in his district favored ratification and in two days a
petition from five hundred was handed to him by Mrs. F. E. Bach and
Mrs. Pennewell of Wilmington. Alexander P. Corbitt, Speaker of the
House, was indirectly connected with the Pennsylvania railroad and to
him was due a large share of the responsibility of its defeat.
Prominent among the lobbyists were Henry B. Thompson of Wilmington,
husband of the president of the Anti-Suffrage Association; Major
Edmund Mitchell, former Republican State chairman; George Gray, former
Federal Judge; George A. Elliott, Mifflin Wilson, George W. Sparks and
Henry P. Scott of Wilmington, chairman of the State Republican Ways
and Means Committee. His argument, widely circulated, was as follows:
"If the Legislature will refuse to ratify the proposed amendment and
thus prevent the hysterical rout of the politicians of the country to
make shreds and patches of our sacred Constitution, the State of
Delaware will receive in the near future the greatest possible glory."
Governor Townsend went to New York and laid the danger of the
situation before T. Coleman du Pont, whose influence in the State was
very great. He came to Wilmington, interviewed various men, wrote
letters and then went to Dover where he worked for the amendment.
Gradually there was a weakening in the opposition with the gain of a
vote here and there, but the southern part of the State remained
solidly opposed. On March 23 Senator Thomas F. Gormley (a "wet"
Democrat) introduced a bill providing for the submission of every
constitutional amendment to the electorate before ratification or
rejection by the Legislature, which was defeated by 9 noes and 5 ayes.
The date for the vote was finally fixed for March 31 and as its defeat
seemed certain, Assemblyman Hart, who, according to the rules, must
agree to have it brought up, held off heroically under political
threats and intimidations of every kind and at last left the Capitol
for home. After a conference with "anti" members, Representative Lloyd
introduced an exact copy of the Hart resolution. Mr. Hart then brought
up his resolution the next day, April 1, and it was defeated by 23
noes to 9 ayes, with 2 not voting. Meanwhile the lobbying went madly
on. Much of the opposition came from notable "wets"; and many of the
opponents were connected with the Pennsylvania railroad.
The Republican State convention met in Dover April 20 and the Equal
Suffrage Association made one of the most remarkable demonstrations
the State had ever seen. Every road was ablaze with decorated
automobiles and hundreds of suffragists arrived on every train. They
marched and they talked and in themselves they constituted the best
argument that could be made for ratification. American flags and
suffrage banners were used all over the town. With Mrs. Ridgely
presiding, speeches were made all day on the green in front of the
State House, and from an automobile in front of the Republican
convention hall Miss Shuler and others spoke. Long petition sheets
with the names of 20,000 Delaware women asking for ratification were
exhibited. The crowning feature of the day was a parade of "suffrage
children"--the children of suffragists--a long line mounted on ponies
and bicycles down to the babies in the "go carts."
The speech of the permanent chairman of the convention, a staunch
suffragist, Robert Houston of Georgetown, Sussex county, was a strong
appeal for ratification and it called out the greatest outburst of
enthusiasm of the day. The convention unanimously passed a resolution
calling on the Legislature to ratify the amendment. On the table was a
vase of jonquils, and when the president of the anti-suffrage
association rushed to the platform and demanded that they be removed
or that red roses be added she was met by the chairman of arrangements
with the quiet answer, "We are not complimenting the 'antis' today, we
are using the Republican color and that is the suffrage color." The
jonquils largely outnumbered the roses on the coats of the delegates.
While no Republican could now vote against ratification without
repudiating his party it was plainly evident that the majority of
Democrats were opposed to it and on the day of their State convention
their party leaders, including United States Senator Wolcott and the
chairman, Josiah Marvel, blossomed in red, the "anti" color. Former
United States Senator Saulsbury's paper printed editorials of violent
opposition throughout the struggle.
The resolution to ratify the Federal Suffrage Amendment was called up
in the Senate by Senator Walker Wednesday, May 5. Senator Gormley,
Democratic leader, offered as a substitute a referendum to the voters,
which was defeated by a solid Republican vote of 13 to 4. The roll was
called on the resolution to ratify and it was adopted by 11 ayes, 6
noes--ten Republicans and one Democrat voting for and two Republicans
and four Democrats against it. The House had adjourned when the vote
was taken and the plan was to send the resolution to it Thursday
morning and attempt action Friday, but Thursday morning revealed a
clear intention to defeat it and it was therefore placed under lock
and key in the Senate. Senator Gormley attempted to offer a motion
ordering its delivery to the House but was ruled out of order by the
president pro tem. J. D. Short, whose recent accession to the suffrage
ranks had made the Senate victory sure.
In the House "Bull" McNabb launched an attack on those who were
withholding the resolution, using freely the words "bribery,"
"cajoling," "threats" and much profanity. Mrs. Thompson, the
anti-suffrage president, kept calling out encouragement to him until
the Republican floor leader, William Lyons, had to ask her to stop.
The Senate refused to send the resolution to the House and finally the
Republicans succeeded in forcing an adjournment of the Legislature
until May 17, hoping to bring about a change of sentiment. Some of
those who were interested in the ratification were asked to meet at
the capital that day. Among those who responded were Alfred I., T.
Coleman and Pierre S. du Pont, Governor Townsend, Senator Ball,
Representative Layton, former United States Senator J. F. Allee,
Secretary of State Johnson, Charles Warner, former Congressman Hiram
R. Burton, Speaker Charles Grantland and others. These men argued and
pleaded with the Republican legislators to give the 36th and final
ratification of the 19th Amendment but without effect.
On May 28, twenty-three days after the resolution had passed the
Senate, it was sent to the Lower House. In the interval the Labor
Union of Wilmington passed resolutions unanimously calling upon their
three Representatives, McNabb, Mulvena and Mulrine, to vote for
ratification. President Wilson was assured that only three Democratic
votes were needed and he, therefore, telegraphed these three: "May I
not as a Democrat express my deep interest in the suffrage amendment
and my judgment that it would be of the greatest service to the party
if every Democrat in the Delaware Legislature should vote for it?"
Speaker Corbit was interviewed by members of the Republican National
Committee and Republican leaders from within and without the State and
strongly urged to stand with his party, but to no avail. The
resolution was read twice and a motion was unanimously carried that
the House resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole. Representative
Lyons here offered a motion to vote on the resolution, which was
defeated by 24 noes, 10 ayes. A motion was then put to adjourn until
12.30, June 2, on which day it had been previously voted to adjourn
sine die at noon, and it was carried! The House thus again placed
itself on record against ratification and ended all further
legislative action.
The causes that led to the defeat were briefly: 1. Factional
differences in the Republican party; antagonism toward Governor
Townsend; half-hearted interest and even treachery on the part of
certain Republican leaders. 2. Democratic opposition either because of
the negro question or for national political reasons. 3. Influence of
the liquor interests. The cost of the campaign to the National
American Suffrage Association was approximately $4,500. The financial
cost to the suffragists of the State could not be estimated and even
more impossible would be an estimate of time and labor during many
months. [Long list of names of workers omitted for lack of space.]
Following the final ratification of the Federal Amendment by the
Tennessee Legislature the Executive Board, which was in session at
Rehoboth, on August 27, 1920, merged the State Equal Suffrage
Association into the League of Women Voters and elected Mrs. Ridgely
chairman. This action was confirmed at a State convention held in
Wilmington September 29, 30.
Among men and women not elsewhere mentioned who have been helpful to
woman suffrage are Mrs. Mary T. Challenger, Lea Pusey, George B.
Miller, Lewis W. Brosius, Mrs. J. R. Milligan; the Reverends Frederick
A. Hinckley, Thomas P. Holloway, Adam Stengle, Alexander T. Bowser,
Joel S. Gilfillan; Mrs. John F. Thomas, Congressman Thomas W. Miller,
George Carter, editor _Evening Journal_; Mrs. Samuel H. Derby, Frank
C. Bancroft, master of the State Grange; Mrs. Samuel Bancroft, Mrs.
Francis I. du Pont, Mrs. Victoria du Pont, Sr., Mrs. Philip Burnett,
Sr., and others mentioned in the chapter.
State officers not named otherwise were Mrs. William L. Duggin, Mrs.
Alfred D. Warner, Mrs. Willard Morse, Mrs. Mary H. Thatcher, Miss
Elizabeth S. Gawthorp, Mrs. Mary Price Phillips, Mrs. Frederick L.
Steinlein, Mrs. R. Barclay Spicer, Mrs. Harry Hayward, Mrs. George
Newcombe, Miss Willabelle Shurter.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION, 1913. A bill to strike from the suffrage clause of
the State constitution the word "male" was for the first time
presented to the Legislature. It was introduced in the Senate January
7, by David J. Reinhardt; in the House by Albert I. Swan. The members
had been previously circularized by the corresponding secretary, Miss
Mary R. de Vou, announcing this action in the spirit of the age, in
the name of justice and democracy and for the credit of the State. On
February 26 a hearing was granted at a joint session, with the House
chamber crowded. Mrs. Cranston introduced the speakers, headed by Dr.
Anna Howard Shaw, national president. Miss Jeannette Rankin of
Montana, a field worker sent by the National Association, spent two
weeks in Dover, canvassing the legislators, assisted by members of the
State association. At the Senate hearing March 14 strong speeches were
made by Senators Reinhardt, John M. Walker, and a number of leading
women. Senators Zachary T. Harris and Dr. George W. Marshall worked
for the bill, which was endorsed by the Woman's Christian Temperance
Union, Ministerial Union, State Grange, Central Labor Union and
Socialist Party, but it was lost the same day by 11 noes, 6 ayes. The
bill was reported favorably by the House committee and Dr. John H.
Hammond declared that it was time to quit playing politics with it and
pass it but on March 19 it was defeated without debate by 23 noes, 8
ayes.
1915. A full suffrage bill was presented jointly by the State
association and the Congressional Union, introduced by Senator Harris
and Representative Frank M. Saulsbury. The Campaign Committee
representing the two associations and headed by Mrs. Florence Bayard
Hilles opened headquarters at Dover with Miss Mabel Vernon in charge.
Expenses of maintenance were paid by Mrs. George Day of Connecticut, a
member of the advisory council of the Union. A suffrage procession
headed by Mrs. Hilles and Mrs. Victor du Pont, Jr., marched to strains
of martial music from the station to headquarters on its opening day
early in January and gave the stately old capital a decided
innovation. Speaking followed from a gaily decorated automobile.
"Suffrage fliers" (motor cars) carrying able speakers and workers,
made whirlwind trips throughout the State. The anti-suffragists
organized as a committee, with Mrs. Henry B. Thompson chairman and
Mrs. David J. Reinhardt secretary.
On January 21, before the Revised Statutes Committee of the House, all
of the Representatives and many of the Senators, a hearing was given
to the suffragists. The speakers were Mrs. Cranston, Miss Leila Aaron
of Dover, Miss Vernon and Mrs. Hilles, whose argument was nearly
flawless. On February 3 the "antis" spoke before practically the same
audience and the enthusiasm equalled that of the suffrage hearing.
Thomas F. Bayard, brother of Mrs. Hilles, opened the hearing and
introduced Mrs. Thompson, Mrs. Grace W. Goodwin of Westfield and Mrs.
Preston Lea, wife of a former Governor. On February 9 the suffragists
were granted a second hearing, all members of the Senate and several
of the House being present. On February 16 the House Committee
reported the bill favorably. On March 8, with an hour's interval
between, the House killed it by a vote of 22 noes to 8 ayes; the
Senate by a vote of 11 noes to 6 ayes. Legislative friends were
Senators Edward Hart, John A. Barnard and Speaker Charles H.
Grantland.
Preceding the vote was a gay and colorful parade of suffragists,
followed by speechmaking outside the State House. Able speakers and
workers from other States had spoken during the campaign, among them
United States Representatives J. A. Falconer of Washington and William
Kent of California; Mrs. Kent, Mrs. Thomas R. Hepburn, president of
the Connecticut Equal Suffrage Association and Miss Anne Martin,
president of the Nevada association. Among local speakers were Dr.
George Edward Reed, D.D., former president of Dickinson College; John
S. Hamilton of Wilmington and Mrs. Cranston. On March 11, three days
after the defeat, at a well-attended luncheon in Hotel du Pont,
Wilmington, was opened the campaign for 1917 in true Bunker Hill
spirit.
1917. A full suffrage bill was presented, the Congressional Union in
charge. The State was canvassed for and against. Before the joint
hearing on February 16 the bill had been reported favorably by
committees of both House and Senate. It went to defeat, however, on
February 23 by a vote in the House of 21 noes to 12 ayes, in the
Senate on February 26 by a vote of 6 noes to 8 ayes. Among the
anti-suffrage leaders were Judge George Gray, General James H. Wilson,
Miss Emily P. Bissell, Mrs. George A. Elliott and Mrs. Henry P.
Scott.
FOOTNOTES:
[27] The History is indebted for this chapter to Miss Mary R. de Vou,
corresponding secretary of the Delaware Equal Suffrage Association
fourteen years; also treasurer and auditor.
[28] The Women's College affiliated with Delaware College at Newark,
the State College for men, was opened in September, 1914.
[29] The History is indebted to Miss Winifred Morris, secretary of the
State Equal Suffrage Association, for much of the material in this
story of the effort for ratification.