NORTH CAROLINA.[134]
Previous to 1913 interest in woman suffrage in North Carolina was
still dormant and no attempt had been made at organization. This year,
without any outside pressure, a handful of awakening women met on July
10 at the home of Dr. Isaac M. Taylor of Morgantown to arrange for
gathering into a club those in sympathy with the woman suffrage
movement. Those present were Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. Hosfeldt, Mrs. Hughson,
Miss Allen, Miss Riddell, Miss Julia Erwin and Miss Kate Pearsall, who
was elected secretary. Mrs. Hosfeldt was chosen for president and Miss
Mamie Collett for vice-president. Mrs. Hughson, Mrs. Taylor and Miss
Erwin were appointed to formulate the purposes of the society which it
was agreed to call the Morgantown Equal Suffrage Association.
At the next meeting in Miss Erwin's home July 14 Miss Coffey acted as
recording secretary and the organization was completed. Societies were
formed in Greenville and Charlotte and through the efforts of Miss
Susanne Bynum and Miss Anna Forbes Liddell of Charlotte a meeting was
called in that city in November to form a State Association. The
following officers were chosen: President, Mrs. Archibald Henderson,
Chapel Hill; vice presidents, Mrs. Eugene Reilley, Charlotte; Miss
Gertrude Weil, Goldsboro; Mrs. Malcolm Platt, Asheville; corresponding
secretary, Miss Bynum; recording secretary, Miss Liddell; treasurer,
Mrs. David Stern, Greensboro. Mrs. Lila Meade Valentine, president of
the Virginia Equal Suffrage League, was the principal speaker. A
charter was subsequently obtained for the Equal Suffrage League of
North Carolina, Inc., the charter members numbering about 200 men and
women, representing every class and section in the State. The League
became auxiliary to the National Association. At this time, when it
was far from popular to stand for this cause, Judge Walter Clark,
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; Gen. Julian S. Carr, Archibald
Henderson, Wade Harris and E. K. Graham acted as Advisory Committee
and gave freely of their time and money to help the new league.
The first annual State convention was held in Charlotte, Nov. 9-10,
1914, Mrs. Henderson presiding. During this first year Mrs. Medill
McCormick, chairman of the Congressional Committee of the National
Association, was of the greatest assistance in many ways. She sent an
organizer, Miss Lavinia Engle, who, with Mrs. Henderson, distributed
literature throughout the State and organized a number of branches.
The State League recorded itself as opposed to "militancy" in any form
and as desiring "to gain the vote by appeal to reason and fair play."
The Charlotte _Observer_ carried a four-page suffrage section
advertising the convention. Keener interest throughout the State,
together with the existence of fourteen leagues, represented the net
result of this first year's work. The officers were re-elected except
that Mrs. Palmer Jerman of Raleigh was made recording secretary and
Miss Mary Shuford of Hickory corresponding secretary. Delegates
appointed to the national convention at Nashville, Tenn., were: Misses
Bynum, Liddell and Mary Henderson.
The second annual convention met at the Battery Park Hotel, Asheville,
Oct. 29, 1915. Mrs. Nellie Nugent Somerville of Mississippi, a
vice-president of the National Association, gave an address. During
the year Mrs. Desha Breckinridge of Kentucky, also a national
vice-president, spoke several times in the State. Mrs. Henderson had
sent a vigorous protest in the name of the league to Miss Alice Paul,
chairman of the Congressional Union, against her coming into North
Carolina to organize branches, saying that its policy was
diametrically opposed to that of the State Suffrage League, whose
arduous work of the past year would be undone. The outstanding feature
of the year's work was the special hearing in the Legislature on the
Act to Amend the Constitution so as to Give Woman Suffrage. In
November, 1914, the legislators had been polled on the suffrage
question, A few did not answer; fifteen were flatly opposed; twelve
were in favor; the majority declared themselves open to argument. At
the hearing held in the hall of the House with a large audience
present Dr. Anna Howard Shaw, president of the National Association,
was the chief speaker. Others included Mrs. Henderson, Mrs. Reilley,
Mrs. Adelaide Goodno, president of the Woman's Christian Temperance
Union; Mrs. Al Fairbrother and Mrs. Thomas W. Lingle. Miss Henderson,
Legislative Committee chairman, presided. The measure was defeated.
The committee recommended that future efforts be concentrated on
Presidential and Municipal suffrage bills. Mrs. Charlotte Malcolm of
Asheville was elected president.[135]
There was no convention in 1916 but two were held in 1917. The first
met in the auditorium of the Carnegie Library, Greensboro, Jan. 12,
13. Mrs. Walter McNab Miller, first vice-president of the National
Association, was the principal speaker, addressing a mass meeting of
representative people in the Opera House. Mrs. J. S. Cunningham was
elected president. During 1916 Mrs. Pattie Ruffner Jacobs of Alabama
made addresses in the State and Miss Gertrude Watkins and Miss Stokes,
national organizers, assisted in forming clubs.
The second convention for 1917 met in the Wayne county Court House,
Goldsboro, Oct. 30, 31, Mrs. Cunningham presiding and speaking.
Colonel Joseph E. Robinson and J. F. Barrett made addresses. The
principal speaker was Mrs. Jacobs, then auditor of the National
Association. A fine collection of suffrage literature was presented
from Chief Justice Clark. During the year Mrs. Miller had spoken
several times in the State and delivered the commencement address at
the North Carolina College for Women. Mrs. Jerman cautioned the
various leagues against affiliation with the Congressional Union, now
called the Woman's Party, whose representatives were then at work in
the State. Mrs. Cunningham was re-elected president.
At the annual convention in the Woman's Club Building, Raleigh, Jan.
10, 1919, Miss Gertrude Weil was elected president and Mrs. Josephus
Daniels honorary president. The chief speaker was the Hon. William
Jennings Bryan, who addressed in the city auditorium an immense
gathering of all classes. The past year had been a busy one. On April
9, 1918, the State Republican convention included a suffrage plank in
its platform. On the 10th representative suffragists appeared at the
Democratic State convention urging one but the plea fell upon dull
ears and unresponsive hearts. The latter part of May the State
Federation of Women's Clubs with 8,000 members endorsed equal suffrage
with but two dissenting votes. In June the State Trained Nurses
Association unanimously endorsed it. During September petitions signed
by hundreds of college students and letters and telegrams representing
hundreds of individuals were dispatched to U. S. Senators Simmons and
Overman in Washington urging them to vote for the Federal Suffrage
Amendment. On the petition from one college the names represented 107
cities and towns in the State. The one from the State Normal College
carried the signatures of 576 out of the 650 women students. The
petition of citizens from Raleigh bore the names of two daughters of
Senator Simmons. The Senators were not moved. In all that memorable
struggle only one North Carolina Representative, Zebulon Weaver, a
Democrat of Asheville, voted "aye." Edwin C. Webb of Cleveland county,
as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, was a powerful foe.
Attempts were made to form suffrage leagues in different women's
colleges, where the students were eager to be organized, but in no
case would the trustees permit it. In November the State League
telegraphed President Wilson urging the appointment of Mrs. Carrie
Chapman Catt, national president, on the Peace Commission. In December
the Farmers' Union, representing 17,000 farmers, endorsed equal
suffrage. During the year the cause was advanced by the addresses of
Dr. Shaw and Miss Jeannette Rankin, the first woman Representative in
Congress. At this time the State League carried on its letterhead an
Advisory Committee of Men such as never had been formed in any other
State. The list of ninety-six names included Secretary of the Navy
Josephus Daniels, Mr. Bryan, Chief Justice Clark, the most eminent
members of the legal, medical and clerical professions, public
officials and business men.
The annual convention met in the O. Henry Hotel, Greensboro, Jan. 27,
28, 1920, Miss Weil presiding. A brilliant banquet was attended by a
large number of representative men and women. The honorary president,
Mrs. Daniels, made a brief speech and Miss Marjorie Shuler, national
director of publicity, was a speaker. Mrs. Raymond Brown,
vice-president of the National Association, and Miss Shuler addressed
the convention and the public meeting in the evening, over which Mrs.
Daniels presided. Twenty-four leagues were reported, largely the fruit
of the organization work done during the year by Mrs. Mary O. Cowper
of Durham, who had the assistance of Miss Mary E. Pidgeon, a national
organizer. During the year a series of related suffrage papers were
prepared by members of the Greensboro league and distributed by the
State league among the different branches. Miss Weil was continued as
president. Reports of all committees and of the work in general
throughout the State, were so encouraging that Miss Shuler frequently
voiced the common feeling, "North Carolina will ratify."
Among the North Carolina women who have made addresses for suffrage in
the State are: Dr. Delia Dixon-Carroll, Miss Louise Alexander, Miss
Clara B. Byrd, Mrs. Cunningham, Miss Harriet Elliott, Mrs.
Fairbrother, Mrs. Henderson, Mrs. Jerman, Mrs. Lingle, Mrs. T. D.
Jones, Mrs. Platt, Miss Weil.
When the State Equal Suffrage League was organized in 1913 many of the
newspapers refused to carry stories about it or assist in advertising
it in any way. Gradually, however, they have been won over almost
without exception, not only to the publishing of news but many of the
most influential papers contained during 1920 convincing editorials in
behalf of equal suffrage, so that the women who are working for it
regard the newspapers as among their strongest allies. Special mention
should be made of the vigorous support of ratification of the Federal
Suffrage Amendment by the Raleigh _News and Observer_, the Greensboro
_Daily News_ and the Charlotte _Observer_.
The workers are greatly indebted to Chief Justice Clark, who for years
has been an unfailing champion of equal suffrage and real democracy.
Deep indebtedness is acknowledged to Dr. Shaw, who a number of times
came to speak and whose memory is held in deep affection by North
Carolina suffragists. Her last visit was made when she gave the
commencement address at the College for Women at Greensboro in May,
1919, wearing the medal for distinguished service given by Secretary
of War Baker the preceding day. A few years ago a beautiful residence
for the women students was erected on the college grounds. She had
spoken several times to the students, who were devoted to her, and
after her death on July 2 the alumnæ officially requested that the
residence be named the Anna Howard Shaw building, which was done.[136]
On Oct. 7, 1920, after the Federal Amendment had been proclaimed, the
State League held its last meeting and was merged into the League of
Women Voters, with Miss Gertrude Weil chairman. Mrs. Maud Wood Park,
chairman of the National League, addressed a large and appreciative
audience.
RATIFICATION. The Legislature of 1919 had instructed Governor Thomas
W. Bickett to call a special session in 1920 to consider matters
connected with taxation and it was understood that the ratification of
the Federal Woman Suffrage Amendment would be considered at that time.
By March, 1920, it had been ratified by 35 States and it was evident
that North Carolina might be the one to give the final affirmative
vote. This did not seem impossible, as the most prominent men in the
State were favorable, including the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker
of the House, several members of Congress, the Secretary of State and
other officials; the presidents of most of the colleges and of various
organizations; Judges, Mayors and many others. The Republican State
convention in March seated two women delegates for the first time and
put a woman on the ticket for State Superintendent of Public
Instruction, Mrs. Mary Settle Sharpe of the North Carolina College for
Women, who was on two State Republican Committees. The Democrats at
their State convention, April 8, seated about forty women delegates.
Before the convention U. S. Senator Simmons, always a strong opponent
of woman suffrage, announced himself in favor of ratification on the
ground of political expediency. Governor Bickett issued a similar
statement and A. W. McLean, member of the Democratic National
Committee, declared publicly for it. Clyde Hoey, member of Congress,
temporary chairman of the convention, made the key-note speech in
regard to State issues, in which he said: "I hope to see our General
Assembly at its special session ratify the Federal Suffrage Amendment.
There is no one thing you can do here that will be worth so much to
the party in the nation as to recommend to the Legislature the
ratification of this amendment." It was supposed that U. S. Senator
Overman would fall in line but in his speech he said: "I have been and
still am opposed to woman suffrage. It is fundamental with me, deep
and inborn ... but I recognize the fact that it seems inevitable."
The plank in the platform, as it came from the committee, recommended
that the amendment should not be ratified but a State amendment should
be submitted to the voters. A minority report called for the
submission to the convention of the question whether the platform
should contain a plank for ratification. A second minority report was
offered to eliminate all reference to woman suffrage. Never in the
history of the party was there such a fight over the platform. Colonel
A. D. Watts and Cameron Morrison led the opposition to ratification;
W. P. Glidewell and John D. Bellamy the affirmative. Finally F. P.
Hobgood, Jr., one of the earliest champions of woman suffrage, after a
fiery speech, presented the following substitute for all the reports:
"This convention recommends to the Democratic members of the General
Assembly that at the approaching special session they vote in favor of
the ratification of the proposed 19th Amendment to the Federal
Constitution." This was carried by a vote of 585 to 428. Mrs. John S.
Cunningham, former president of the State Equal Suffrage League, was
elected by a large majority as honorary delegate to the Democratic
National convention and Miss Mary O. Graham as delegate. She had
already been made a member of the National Committee.
The attention of the country was focussed on North Carolina. In the
early summer President Wilson telegraphed to Governor Bickett: "I need
not point out to you the critical importance of the action of your
great State in the matter of the suffrage amendment." The Governor
replied in part: "I hope the Tennessee Legislature will meet and
ratify the amendment and thus make immediate action by North Carolina
unnecessary. We have neither the time nor the money and such action on
the part of Tennessee would save this State the feeling of bitterness
that would surely be engendered by debate on the subject that would
come up in the Legislature. I have said all I intend to say on the
subject of ratification. While I will take my medicine I will never
swear that it tastes good, for it doesn't."
Just before the assembling of the Legislature suffrage headquarters
were opened in Raleigh with Miss Gertrude Weil, president of the State
Equal Suffrage League, and Mrs. Palmer Jerman, chairman of its
legislative committee, in charge. Miss Engle and Miss Pidgeon,
national organizers, were also members of the headquarters group. Miss
Martha Haywood did invaluable work as publicity chairman. A booth with
literature, posters, etc., was established in the Yarborough Hotel.
Among the prominent men who during the struggle for ratification
strongly urged it were: Secretary Daniels, Gen. Julian S. Carr; Col.
Wade Harris, editor of the Charlotte _Observer_; J. W. Bailey,
collector of Internal Revenue; Clyde R. Hoey, member of Congress; Max
O. Gardner, Lieutenant Governor; J. C. Pritchard, Judge of the U. S.
Circuit Court of Appeals; Dennis G. Brummitt, Speaker of the House;
ex-Governor Locke Craig, A. W. McAlister and many others. Senator
Simmons, who was asked to come to Raleigh to assist in the fight,
refused to do so but issued another statement that, although he had
always been opposed to suffrage and his position was unchanged, he
realized that its coming was inevitable and believed that it would
help the Democratic party to ratify. Later, in response to a request
from the Raleigh _News and Observer_, he stressed the point that,
since the rest of the country was practically unanimous for
ratification, he feared sectional antagonism might be aroused if North
Carolina did not ratify. Mr. Bryan sent a message urging
ratification. Mrs. Daniels came to Raleigh to assist personally in the
struggle to ratify.
On August 10 the session convened. The outlook was encouraging but the
enemies had been busy and the very next day a "round robin" signed by
63 members of the House was sent to the General Assembly of Tennessee,
where a bitter fight on ratification was in progress, which said: "We,
the undersigned, members of the House of Representatives of the
General Assembly of North Carolina, constituting the majority of said
body, send greetings and assure you that we will not ratify the Susan
B. Anthony amendment interfering with the sovereignty of Tennessee and
other States of the Union. We most respectfully request that this
measure be not forced upon the people of North Carolina."
On August 13 the Governor, accompanied by Mrs. Bickett, Mrs. Daniels
and Mrs. Jerman, appeared in person before the joint assembly in the
hall of the House of Representatives, where the gallery was crowded
with women, and began his address by saying: "From reports in the
public press it seems that sentiment in the General Assembly is
decidedly against the ratification of the amendment. With this
sentiment I am in deepest sympathy and for the gentlemen who entertain
it I cherish the profoundest respect but this does not lessen my
obligation to lay before you a photographic copy of my mind on this
important subject. It is well known that I have never been impressed
with the wisdom of or the necessity for woman suffrage in North
Carolina." After a long speech setting forth the arguments in
opposition and quoting poetry he said: "But in the words of Grover
Cleveland, a condition not a theory confronts us. Woman suffrage is at
hand. It is an absolute moral certainty that inside of six months some
State will open the door and women will enter the political forum. No
great movement in all history has ever gone so near the top and then
failed to go over. The very most this General Assembly can do is to
delay for six months a movement it is powerless to defeat. I am
profoundly convinced that it would be the part of wisdom and grace to
accept the inevitable and ratify the amendment."
On the same day Senator Scales introduced the resolution to ratify,
which was referred to the Committee on Constitutional Amendments.
Within a quarter of an hour the committee reported favorably by 7 to
1--Senator Cloud. This prompt action was said to be not a tribute to
Governor Bickett but to Lieutenant Governor Gardner. It was introduced
into the House by minority leader H. S. Williams (Republican) and
referred to the Committee on Constitutional Amendments.
Senator Scales, floor leader in the Senate for ratification, and
Senator Lindsay Warren, floor leader for the opposition, agreed that
the resolution to ratify should come up for discussion August 17. So
great was the excitement that by order of the Senate the gallery space
was divided, the east wing being assigned to the ratificationists, the
west wing to the rejectionists. An impassioned debate continued about
five hours, Senator Carr opening for ratification, followed by
Senators Sisk, Long of Halifax, Lovell and Glidewell, with Scales
closing. The opposition was led by Senator Warren, followed by
Senators Beddingfield, Thompson and Conner. When agreement to vote was
reached and the prospect for ratification was favorable, Senator
Warren suddenly interposed a resolution to defer action until the
regular meeting of the Legislature in 1921. Senator Scales had no
intimation that this move would be made until it was too late to
prevent it and the vote stood 25 ayes, 23 noes. Blame for the defeat
was placed to a large extent upon Senator Stacy. Had he remained true,
there would have been a tie and the Lieutenant Governor would have
voted in favor.
Meanwhile it was generally understood that Representative W. W. Neal
had been sent to Tennessee for a conference with the opponents in the
Legislature there to arrange for the defeat of ratification by the
House in each State. Speaker Seth Walker of the Tennessee House
telegraphed Speaker Brummitt: "Have the amendment defeated
overwhelmingly in the Lower House. We are proud of our mother State of
North Carolina. God grant that she stand true to her glorious
tradition and history." All kinds of canards were in circulation and
Governor James M. Cox, Democratic candidate for President, had to send
a personal telegram denying that he was opposed to the ratification.
A Rejection League of Women had been formed with Miss Mary Hilliard
Hinton as chairman, which was very active.
August 16 a resolution to reject was introduced in the House by
Representative Grier. After the unexpected action of the Senate
interest abated in the House. The question was taken up on the 19th
and the resolution to ratify was considered first. Representative
Everett led the ratification forces with Representative Gold and
others giving strong support. Representatives Crisp and Dawson led the
opponents. The vote stood 41 ayes, 71 noes. The rejection resolution
was laid on the table.
In her report on ratification Mrs. Jerman made the significant
statement that, although individual men in both parties had stood true
to their pledges as loyal supporters, yet both parties had repudiated
their State platforms, and, therefore, the women were free so far as
any feeling of allegiance to either for what it may have done for
suffrage was concerned.
LEGISLATIVE ACTION. 1897. The first bill for woman suffrage was
introduced by Senator James L. Hyatt, Republican, of Yancey county.
Referred to Committee on Insane Asylums.
1913. Municipal suffrage bill introduced by David M. Clark of Pitt
county. Tabled. Walter Murphy, Speaker of the House, left his chair to
talk against it.
1915. Constitutional woman suffrage amendment introduced by Senator F.
P. Hobgood, Jr., of Guilford county. Senate vote: 11 for, 37 against.
Introduced in the House by Gallatin Roberts of Buncombe county; 39
for, 68 against.
1917. Bill for Presidential electors, county and city officers,
introduced by Senator H. B. Stevens of Buncombe county; vote, 20 for,
24 against.
State amendment resolution, introduced by G. Ellis Gardner of Yancey
county, an anti-suffragist, was tabled, as desired.
FOOTNOTES:
[134] The History is indebted for this chapter to Miss Clara Booth
Byrd, a member of the faculty of the North Carolina College for Women.
[135] Those besides the presidents who held office during the
subsequent years were: Vice-presidents: Mrs. Lingle, Mrs. Jerman, Mrs.
Taylor, Mrs. Fairbrother, Mrs. C. A. Shore, Miss Weil, Miss Julia
Alexander; corresponding secretaries: Miss Susan Frances Hunter, Miss
Elizabeth Hedrick, Miss Eugenia Clark; recording secretaries: Mrs.
Lalyce D. Buford, Miss Margaret Berry, Miss Exum Clements; treasurers:
Miss Lida Rodman, Mrs. E. J. Parrish, Mrs. Julius W. Cone.
[136] In this college women are at the head of the departments of
mathematics, Latin, chemistry, political science and home economics.
The situation is similar in all colleges for women. The State
University and some others are co-educational.