NEW HAMPSHIRE.[115]
There has been a woman suffrage association in New Hampshire since
1868 with some of the State's most eminent men and women among its
members. In 1900 it took on new life when the New England Association,
with headquarters in Boston, sent Mrs. Susan S. Fessenden to speak and
organize. In 1901 Miss Mary N. Chase of Andover spent a month forming
societies and a conference was held at Manchester in December,
addressed by Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt, president of the National
American Woman Suffrage Association, and Henry B. and Miss Alice Stone
Blackwell, editors of the _Woman's Journal_.
In 1902 the National Board engaged Miss Chase as organizer for a
month. A State Suffrage Association was formed with seven auxiliary
clubs and the following officers were elected: President, Miss Chase,
honorary president, Mrs. Armenia S. White, Concord; honorary
vice-presidents, ex-U. S. Senator Henry W. Blair, U. S. Senator Jacob
H. Gallinger; vice-president, Miss Elizabeth S. Hunt, Manchester;
secretary, Miss Mary E. Quimby, Concord; treasurer, the Rev. Angelo
Hall, Andover; auditors, Miss Caroline R. Wendell, Dover; Sherman E.
Burroughs (afterwards member of Congress), Manchester.
A convention met in Concord December 2 to revise the State
constitution and on the 4th Captain Arthur Thompson of Warner offered
an amendment which struck out the word "male" from the suffrage
clause. A hearing on it was granted on the 9th and Mrs. Catt and Mr.
and Miss Blackwell addressed the convention. After long discussion by
the delegates it was voted on the 11th, by 145 to 92 that this
amendment should be submitted to the voters with the revised
constitution in March, 1903. The State suffrage convention was held in
December at the time the hearing took place. The officers of the
State association did a great deal of work before the constitutional
convention met to influence its action. Miss Chase spoke 103 times
before the local Granges, an important factor in State politics. Miss
Quimby circularized the delegates, prepared a leaflet of opinions from
prominent citizens and aided in securing a petition of 2,582.
In January, 1903, Mrs. Catt came and took charge of the campaign,
remaining until the vote was taken in March. Others from outside who
gave their services without pay, speaking throughout the State, were
Dr. Anna Howard Shaw, vice-president of the National Association; Mrs.
J. Ellen Foster, Mrs. Harriot Stanton Blatch, Mrs. Mary D. Fiske, Mrs.
Priscilla D. Hackstaff, Mrs. Maud Wood Park and Mrs. Mary E. Craigie.
The National Association contributed $3,255 to the campaign and
various States sent generous donations. Among the New Hampshire
speakers were Captain Arthur Thompson, the Rev. Charles W. Casson
(Unitarian) of Milford; the Hon. Oliver E. Branch of Manchester; the
Hon. Clarence E. Carr of Andover. Miss Chase continued her work among
the Granges, addressing thirty-seven. Miss Quimby circularized 87,000
voters. Mrs. White gave the headquarters in Concord. Seventy-five
ministers preached sermons in favor of the amendment.
So much interest was aroused that the opponents wrote for Dr. Lyman
Abbott of New York to come to Concord. Among the signers of the letter
were former Governor Nahum Batchelder of Andover; Judge Edgar Aldrich
of the district court of Littleton; Winston Churchill of Cornish;
Irving W. Drew of Lancaster and George H. Moses of Concord.[116] On
March 4 Representatives' Hall was packed to hear addresses against the
amendment by Miss Emily P. Bissell of Delaware; Mrs. A. J. George of
Brookline, Mass.; Judge David Cross of Manchester and Dr. Abbott. The
Concord _Monitor_ of that date in a leading editorial said: "Through a
maudlin sense of false sentiment the constitutional convention sent
this question to the people ... and the people will deal with it as it
deserves." On March 5 came the speeches of the suffragists.
Representatives' Hall was even more crowded than before and scores
were turned away. The Hon. James O. Lyford of Concord presided and the
speakers were Mrs. Catt, Mr. Branch, one of the ablest lawyers in the
State, and Henry H. Metcalf of Concord, founder and editor of the
_Granite Monthly_. The amendment was submitted to the voters March 10
with the constitution. The votes in favor were 14,162; against,
21,788, lost by 7,626.
During the year the membership of the association more than doubled.
The annual meeting was held in the Unitarian Church, Milford, November
18, 19. In 1904 the National Association engaged Miss Chase to do
three months' organization work and the membership increased 137 per
cent. The annual meeting was held in the Christian Church at Franklin
November 14, 15, with addresses by the Rev. Nancy W. Paine Smith
(Universalist) of Newfields and other State speakers. On Oct. 30, 31,
1905, the State convention was held at Claremont with Dr. Shaw as the
principal speaker. The most important work of the year had been the
effort to secure a Municipal suffrage bill. Mrs. Mary I. Wood of
Portsmouth, president of the State Federation of Women's Clubs, had
been the chief speaker at the hearing.
In 1906 the convention was held at Concord, October 30, 31, with
addresses by Dr. Shaw, Mrs. Wood, vice-president, and Mrs. Fannie J.
Fernald of Old Orchard, president of the Maine Suffrage Association.
Mrs. White, now 89 years old, gave reminiscences of the early days of
the suffrage movement. Among the clergymen taking part were the
Reverends Edwin W. Bishop (Congregationalist); John Vannevar, D.D.
(Universalist); Daniel C. Roberts, D.D. (Episcopalian); L. H.
Buckshorn (Unitarian); E. C. Strout (Methodist); John B. Wilson
(Baptist), all of Concord; and the Rev. Olive M. Kimball
(Universalist) of Marlboro.
In 1907 the convention was held in Manchester October 25 with Dr.
Shaw, national president, as the inspiring speaker. The State
Federation of Labor had unanimously endorsed woman suffrage. On
January 2 at Washington, D. C., had occurred the death of Mrs. Henry
W. Blair of Plymouth and Manchester, whose husband, U. S. Senator
Henry W. Blair, had secured the first vote in the Senate on the
Federal Suffrage Amendment. Both were lifelong friends of the cause.
In 1908 prizes were offered in the State Granges for the best essays
in favor of Woman Suffrage and excellent ones were sent in. A lecture
bureau had been organized and eighteen men and women were speaking at
public meetings. On October 23 Mrs. Mary Hutchinson Page of Boston
addressed a meeting at the home of Agnes M. (Mrs. Barton P.) Jenks,
president of the Concord society. The State convention was held in
Portsmouth November 11, 12, where Dr. Shaw as usual made the principal
address and Miss Aina Johanssen, a visitor from Finland, gave an
interesting account of woman suffrage there.
By 1909 there was considerable advance in favorable sentiment and
people of influence were seeing the justice of the cause. Governor
Henry B. Quinby and his wife gave their support. The Rev. Henry G.
Ives (Unitarian) of Andover and his wife were strong advocates.
Intensive work had been done in the 275 Granges, their State lecturer
sending out instructions to discuss woman suffrage at April meetings.
Fifty-four Grange essays were submitted for the prizes by the State
association. Resolutions in favor of woman suffrage were passed by the
State Woman's Christian Temperance Union and the Universalist State
Convention. The annual convention was held in Manchester November 11,
addressed by Mrs. Fernald and the Rev. Ida C. Hultin (Unitarian),
Sudbury, Mass.
In February, 1910, Miss Ethel M. Arnold of England lectured for the
Concord society in the Parish House (Episcopalian). The annual meeting
was held in the Free Baptist Church at Franklin November 15, 16. Among
the speakers was the Rev. Florence Kollock Crooker (Universalist) of
Roslindale, Mass. Miss Chase had given addresses in thirty-one towns
and cities and organized nine new committees.
In 1911 an attractive booth at the Rochester Agricultural fair, made
possible by Miss Martha S. Kimball of Portsmouth, drew crowds and
10,000 leaflets were distributed and hundreds of buttons and pennants
sold. The Free Baptist convention passed a resolution favoring
suffrage. Mrs. Jenks attended the congress of the International Woman
Suffrage Alliance at Stockholm, Sweden, as delegate. At a meeting of
the Concord society where the special guest was the Woman's Club,
addresses were made by Judge Charles R. Corning, Mrs. Winston
Churchill and Mrs. Jenks. The noted English suffragist, Miss Sylvia
Pankhurst, spoke there on March 30. In 1912 the convention was held in
Portsmouth December 4, 5 in the chapel of the old North Congregational
Church. The Rev. Lucius Thayer, pastor since 1890, and his wife were
strong suffragists. Mrs. Maud Wood Park of Boston made the principal
address. Miss Chase after having held the presidency ten years
declined re-election and was succeeded by Miss Kimball, who was
re-elected for the next seven years.[117]
In 1913 a brilliant suffrage banquet, the first of its kind, was given
at the Eagle Hotel, Concord, on February 28, attended by notables from
all parts of the State. Mrs. Wood was toast mistress. Among the
speakers were Governor Samuel D. Felker, Mrs. Josiah N. Woodward,
president of the State Federation of Women's Clubs, and William J.
Britton, Speaker of the House. On May 9 a debate was held in the
Woman's Club of Newport, between Miss Frances M. Abbott of Concord,
press agent of the State association, and Mrs. Albertus T. Dudley of
Exeter, president of the State Society Opposed to Woman Suffrage. The
large audience voted in favor of woman suffrage. The convention was
held at Concord, December 10, 11, with addresses by Mrs. Katherine
Houghton Hepburn, president of the Connecticut association; Witter
Bynner of Cornish, the poet and playwright, and Senator Helen Ring
Robinson of Colorado. Miss Kimball subscribed $600, the largest
individual contribution yet received. Mrs. Jenks gave a report of the
meeting of the International Suffrage Alliance at Budapest, which she
attended. This year the charters of Manchester and Nashua were changed
by the Legislature to give School suffrage to women.
In 1914 the convention was held in the Y. M. C. A. Hall, Manchester,
November 11, 12, with able State speakers. Major Frank Knox, head of
the Manchester _Union_, always strong for suffrage, presided in the
evening. Ten county chairmen were appointed. The association
cooperated with that of Vermont in a booth at the State fair at White
River Junction.
In 1915 State headquarters in charge of Miss Abbott were opened in
Concord and continued five months during the legislative session.
Public meetings were addressed by Mrs. Marion Booth Kelley and Mrs.
Park of Boston; Mrs. Antoinette Funk of Chicago, member of the
National Congressional Committee; Mrs. Deborah Knox Livingston of
Bangor and U. S. Senator Hollis of New Hampshire. Miss Jeannette
Rankin of Montana made a few addresses. A large illuminated "suffrage
map" was framed and put in the State House and other public places.
Quantities of suffrage literature were sent out, including 400
suffrage valentines and tickets for the suffrage film Your Girl and
Mine to the legislators. At the 150th anniversary celebration of the
naming of Concord on June 8 an elaborate suffrage float and several
decorated motor cars filled with suffragists, two of college women in
caps and gowns, were in the procession. Many members marched in the
parade in Boston October 6. Through Miss Kimball's generosity Mrs.
Mary I. Post of California was sent for six months' work in the New
Jersey campaign. Later she took charge of headquarters in Manchester
and in Concord. The State convention was held at Nashua December 2, 3.
Among the speakers were Miss Zona Gale, the novelist; U. S. Senator
Moses E. Clapp of Minnesota, and John R. McLane, son of former
Governor McLane of New Hampshire.
On May 7, 1916, Mrs. Armenia S. White passed away at the age of 98. To
her more than to any one person was the suffrage cause in New
Hampshire indebted. With her husband, Nathaniel White, she had been
from the first identified with the unpopular reforms, anti-slavery,
temperance and equal suffrage. More men and women of national
prominence had been entertained under their roof than in any other
home in the State. A successful conference was held in Manchester
February 28, addressed by Mrs. Catt, president again of the National
Association, and Mrs. Susan Walker Fitzgerald of Massachusetts. The
State convention was held at Concord November 9, 10, with Dr. Effie
McCollum Jones of Iowa as the chief speaker.
In February, 1917, ten newspapers issued special suffrage editions
with plate matter furnished by the National Association and 3,000
extra copies were mailed, besides thousands of suffrage speeches and
circulars. In March and April 371 Protestant, 81 Catholic and four
Jewish clergymen were circularized. The services of Mrs. Post were
given to Maine for two weeks' and to New York for six weeks' campaign
work. Money also was sent to the Maine campaign. The State convention
was held at Portsmouth, November 8, 9, with addresses by Mrs. Park,
Mrs. Post, Mrs. Wood, Congressman Burroughs and Huntley L. Spaulding
of Rochester, Government Food Administrator.
In 1918 as chairmen of committees, the State officers were almost
submerged in war work, as were the other members of the association,
but although no State convention was held they did not cease their
suffrage duties. Mrs. Halsey W. Wilson, national recording secretary,
addressed a number of the leagues, urging them to keep alive their
interest and be ready for the next step, which would be the
ratification of the Federal Amendment. On August 17 occurred the death
of U. S. Senator Jacob H. Gallinger. A staunch friend of woman
suffrage for fifty years, much of the time vice-president of the State
association, it seemed the irony of fate that death intervened when
his vote and influence as Republican leader would have carried the
Federal Suffrage Amendment without delay. Senator Hollis and
Representatives Mason and Burroughs were in favor of it.
Irving W. Drew of Lancaster, an avowed "anti," was appointed by
Governor Henry W. Keyes as Senator until the fall election. It was
said that he was urged to appoint an opponent by Senator Henry Cabot
Lodge when he came to Concord to deliver Senator Gallinger's funeral
address. The situation was tense at the November election. Senator
Hollis (Democrat) declined to stand for another term and Governor
Keyes (Republican) was elected in his place. The two candidates for
Senator Gallinger's unexpired term were George H. Moses (Republican)
and John B. Jameson (Democrat). Mr. Moses was known as an
uncompromising opponent while Mr. Jameson was a sincere suffragist.
The prospects were good for Mr. Jameson's election when President
Wilson issued an appeal for the election of a Democratic Congress,
which had the effect of stiffening the Republican ranks and Mr. Moses
was elected by a small majority. After his election the National
Association sent a representative to interview him. He told her that
he was not interested in the question but that if the Legislature
should instruct him by resolution to vote for the Federal Amendment he
would do so. It would not sit for some time and therefore Mrs. Anna
Tillinghast of Boston, Miss Eva S. Potter and Mrs. Arthur L. Livermore
of New York were sent by the National Association, and in cooperation
with the State association, secured a petition from more than
two-thirds of the Legislature, which numbered 426 members, asking
Senator Moses to vote for the amendment. When it was presented he said
that he must insist on a resolution.
When the Legislature convened in 1919 Senator Moses made a trip to
Concord, took a room in a hotel and made it his office, where he was
visited by members of the Legislature. It was current opinion that he
was using his influence against a resolution and the results bore out
the conclusion. The resolution was introduced in the House January 8
by Robert M. Wright of Sanbornton and on the 9th in Committee of the
Whole it granted a hearing. The galleries were crowded with people
from all parts of the State and many women were invited to sit with
the legislators. The speakers urging the resolution were: Mrs. Catt,
Mrs. Wood, Mrs. Winfield L. Shaw of Manchester, also Miss Doris
Stevens representing the National Woman's Party. Those opposing it
were Mrs. Albertus T. Dudley of Exeter, president of the State
Anti-Suffrage Association; James R. Jackson of Littleton; Mrs. John
Balch of Milton, Mass., and Miss Charlotte Rowe of Yonkers, N. Y.,
representing the National Anti-Suffrage Association. The resolution
was carried by 210 to 135 votes.
It was now most important to win the Senate. The twenty-four members
were again interviewed by the suffragists and seventeen declared their
intention to vote for the resolution. On January 14 it was introduced
by Senator John J. Donahue of Manchester and six Senators voted for
it, fifteen against it!
It was generally believed and freely charged that Senator Moses,
astounded at the vote in the House, had used all the influence he
possessed to prevent the Senate from concurring. It was publicly
stated that Senator Lodge and other Republican U. S. Senators urged
the members not to vote for the resolution. When the vote was to be
taken three men, Merrill Shurtleff of Lancaster, alleged to be the
personal representative of U. S. Senator John W. Weeks of
Massachusetts, and the best lobbyist in the State, assisted by Burns
P. Hodgman, clerk of the District Court, and John Brown of Governor
Bartlett's Council, appeared to confer with the legislators. At this
time U. S. Senators Dillingham of Vermont and Wadsworth of New York
published a letter in the papers of the State protesting against the
action of the Republican National Committee in favor of the Federal
Suffrage Amendment. Nothing was left undone to secure an adverse vote
in the New Hampshire Senate. Mrs. Catt issued to the press a detailed
record of each State Senator, showing that 11 of the 15 who voted
against the resolution had signed the petition to Senator Moses asking
him to vote for the Federal Amendment. The adverse vote stood 12
Republicans, 3 Democrats; the Republican president of the Senate not
voting.
Senator Moses returned to Washington and voted against the Federal
Suffrage Amendment every time it came before the Senate; in February,
1919, when it lacked only one vote, he disregarded an urgent appeal
from Theodore Roosevelt made a few days before his death.
* * * * *
In March, 1919, the National Association sent one of its best
organizers, Miss Edna Wright, to interest the leagues in ratification
and the State Association retained her for the remainder of the year.
Invitations for a Citizenship School at Durham, July 8-12, were sent
out by the association and President Hetzel of the State College, the
first time in history that a State College had cooperated with women
in such an undertaking. The school was organized by Miss Wright and
presided over by Mrs. Wood, with the publicity and press conference in
charge of Miss Marjorie Shuler, sent by the National Association.
RATIFICATION. The Federal Suffrage Amendment had been submitted by
Congress to the Legislatures in June and the vital question now was
ratification. A mass meeting was held in Manchester at which Governor
Bartlett announced that he was willing to call a special session to
ratify. Realizing from past experience that the association could have
little influence with it, the board appointed Huntley N. Spaulding, a
prominent citizen, chairman of a Men's Committee for Ratification, and
he called to his aid Dwight Hall, chairman of the State Republican
Committee, and Alexander Murchie, chairman of the State Democratic
Committee. The Governor can not call a session without the consent of
his Council, which consists of five men. It met on August 13 and the
Governor arranged to have a hearing for the women. Mrs. Olive Rand
Clarke, Mrs. Winfield Shaw of Manchester, Mrs. Charles Bancroft of
Concord and Mrs. Vida Chase Webb of Lisbon made short speeches. After
the hearing the Council voted to call a special session for September
9.
Mr. Hall and Mr. Murchie immediately got in touch with the members of
the Legislature belonging to their respective parties. Under the
direction of Mr. Spaulding a remarkable publicity campaign was
inaugurated and the leading men of the State, many of whom had been
extremely opposed to woman suffrage, gave interviews in favor of
ratification. The Manchester _Union_ devoted its front pages to these
interviews for three weeks. Marked copies were sent not only to
members of the Legislature but to the 750 committeemen of each of the
parties. James O. Lyford, dean of the Republicans, put his political
knowledge at the disposal of the committee. Miss Betsy Jewett Edwards
came from the National Woman's Republican Committee and did splendid
work among the Republicans, who made up a large majority of both
Houses. Miss Kimball, State president, gave devoted service and much
financial assistance. Miss Wright had entire charge of the office
work, publicity, organization, etc.
The special session met on September 9 and the Governor sent a strong
message calling for ratification. The House voted on the opening day,
212 ayes to 143 noes. The real test was in the Senate, which on
September 10 gave forty minutes to outside speakers. Mrs. Mary I. Wood
spoke for the suffragists and Mrs. F. S. Streeter of Concord, Miss
Charlotte Rowe and two Senators for the opponents. The Senate
ratified by 14 to 10 and Governor Bartlett signed the bill without
delay.
The last meeting of the State Association, its work accomplished, took
place in Manchester, November 21, 22, 1919. Mrs. Nettie Rogers Shuler,
national corresponding secretary, described the aims of the League of
Women Voters, and, after discussion, it was decided to merge the
association into a State League. Miss Kimball was elected chairman.
The National Association had contributed to New Hampshire during the
last year about $3,000.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION: 1905. A bill for Municipal suffrage was introduced
in the House by William F. Whitcher of Haverhill, a hearing granted
and it was reported out of the Judiciary Committee by a vote of 7 to 2
but got no farther.
1907. The bill was introduced by Mr. Whitcher but the House Judiciary
Committee reported against it 8 to 7. An attempt to have the minority
report substituted was defeated February 20 by a vote for indefinite
postponement of 224 to 77.
1909. The chairman of the Legislative Committee, Mrs. Barton P. Jenks,
conducted an energetic campaign for the bill and a hearing was held
before the Judiciary Committee, which reported 8 to 7 against it, and
in the House on the question of substituting the minority report the
vote was 86 ayes; 115 noes.
1911. Bills for Municipal suffrage were introduced by Mr. Whitcher and
George S. Sibley of Manchester. The large committee room was crowded
for the hearing. The speakers were Mrs. Jenks, the Rev. John Vannevar,
Mrs. Wood and Miss Chase, the latter presenting a petition of 1,100
names headed by Governor and Mrs. Quinby and Clarence E. Carr, recent
candidate for Governor. The committee reported the bill favorably but
on January 26 the House voted to postpone indefinitely by 160 to 121.
1913. The association had two bills, one for Municipal and one for
Presidential and County suffrage. The latter, introduced by Raymond B.
Stevens of Landaff, Congressman-elect, had a hearing February 19, at
which one of the chief affirmative speakers was Dean Walter T. Sumner
of Chicago, later Bishop of Oregon, who was in town for the Conference
of Charities and Corrections. The Judiciary Committee reported the
bill favorably but six out of fifteen members signed an adverse
report. The debate in the House on March 18 was particularly acrid.
Among the speakers in favor were Levin J. Chase of Concord and Edward
C. Bean of Belmont, later Secretary of State. The saloon element as
usual was prominent in the opposition. The roll call showed 98 ayes;
239 noes.
1915. The bill for Municipal suffrage was unfavorably reported by the
Committee on Revision of Statutes. On March 17 when the vote to
substitute the minority report was taken the State House was crowded
with eager throngs from all parts of the State. Mr. Chase, Benjamin W.
Couch and James O. Lyford spoke in favor. Dr. Thomas Manley Dillingham
of Roxbury represented the "antis." The vote was 121 ayes; 230 noes. A
bill for Presidential suffrage had previously been killed in
committee.
1917. Bills for Presidential and for County and Municipal suffrage
were introduced into both Houses. The former was favorably reported by
Joseph P. Perley, Daniel J. Daley and Clarence M. Collins of the
Senate Committee with a minority report by Obe G. Morrison and Michael
H. Shea, which was substituted February 7 by a vote of 16 to 7. The
favorable report of eight of the fifteen members of the House
Committee was submitted by John G. Winant, afterward vice-rector of
St. Paul's School, Concord. The struggle came on March 7 when it was
debated for several hours with galleries crowded and finally defeated
by 205 to 152. On March 16 the bill for Municipal suffrage was
defeated without debate or roll call.
FOOTNOTES:
[115] The History is indebted for this chapter to Miss Frances M.
Abbott, treasurer of the State College Equal Suffrage League, writer
and genealogist.
[116] Mr. Drew and Mr. Moses as U. S. Senators in 1918 were able to
defeat the passage of the Federal Suffrage Amendment, which lacked
just two votes. Mr. Churchill afterwards became an earnest advocate of
woman suffrage.
[117] It has been impossible to obtain a complete list of those who
have served as officers but the following is a partial list of those
not mentioned elsewhere. Vice-presidents: Mrs. Ella H. J. Hill,
Concord; Mrs. Frank Knox, Manchester; secretaries: the Rev. Olive M.
Kimball, Marlboro; Mrs. Henry F. Hollis, Concord; Dr. Alice Harvie,
Concord; Mrs. Edna L. Johnston, Manchester; Mrs. Arthur F. Wheat,
Manchester; treasurers: Henry H. Metcalf, Harry E. Barnard, Frank
Cressy, Miss Harriet L. Huntress, all of Concord; auditors: Mrs.
Charles P. Bancroft, Concord; the Rev. H. G. Ives, Andover; members
National Executive Committee: Mrs. Ida E. Everett and Dr. Sarah J.
Barney, Franklin; Witter Bynner, Cornish; Mrs. Churchill.