Iowa Equal Suffrage Association [IESA]

The thirty seventh annual convention of the Iowa Equal Suffrage Association met in the Universalist Church at Boone at 1:30 P.M., Oct 27, 1908. Called to order by the President Rev. Eleanor E. Gordon. After a few moments spent in silent prayer, the roll call of officers was responded to by Honorary President, Mrs. Mary J. Coggeshall; President, Rev. Eleanor Gordon; Vice President, Mrs Julia Clark Hallam; Cor. Sec., Dr Nina Wilson-Dewey; Rec. Sec., Miss Minnie Littell; Treasurer, Mrs Mary Ensley Adams; Auditor, Miss Caroline Burghardt. A vocal solo by Ruth Bacus and a piano solo by Miss Bonnard was very much enjoyed. The minutes of the executive committees were read by Dr Dewey. The reports of the state officers were called for. Dr Dewey, Cor. Sec., gave a very full report of the work done during the year, of the victory which had been gained in Des Moines through the D.M.Club which secured from the Supreme Court a decision most favorable to the cause of Equal Suffrage. The Treasurer reported as to the financial condition of the association, reporting a balance in the treasury of $469.00. Mrs Adams then read a paper which was received with much applause.

The President appointed the following as a Committee on Credentials

• Mrs Mary Ensley Adams -- Sioux City
• Dr Nina Wilson-Dewey -- Des Moines
• Mrs. Mary Chambers -- Boone
• Dr. Pauline Townsend -- Marshalltown
• Mrs Etta C. McMannus -- Sioux City

and asked more time for the selection of the other committees. Miss Neely of Linden was appointed as Auditor to take the place of Miss Maud Elenore who was not present.

The Question Box was very ably conducted by Miss Gordon, after which the convention adjourned to meet at 7:30 P.M.

Wednesday morning session opened with prayer by Rev. S. M. Wilcox. The minutes of Tuesday were read and approved. The President appointed the following committees:

The report of Com. on Peace and Arbitration work was given by Mrs Brunner - Chariton. On motion the report was accepted and Com. continued.

Report of Ex. Com. was read by Dr Dewey. Motion that we change program and have the report on Township work and after the discussion of the recommendations of the Ex. Com. until more delegates were presented. Carried.

Miss Coggeshall then gave the report on Township work which gave encouragement for future work in this direction.

The report of Miss Alice Parish, Press Supt., was read by the secretary. Time was then given to club reports. Report of Ottumwa Club was given by Mrs Reck. Report of Linden League, which has become a club through the efforts of Mrs Neely, was read by Mrs Neely. Mrs Littels gave the report of the Boone Club and Mrs Brunner for the Chariton Club. Corydon Club report was read by Miss Littell. Ranking next to Des Moines in membership, pledges, copies of Standard taken & [not legible_ed.]. Sioux City Club report ready by Mrs McMamcaus. No delegate being present from Sheldon, Mrs Hallam gave the report of Sheldon Club.

The recommendation of the Ex. Com. concerning the Standard was then presented. After the report [by] J. A. Stevenson, Editor, some time was given to a very spirited discussion on ways and means to provide funds for continuing the Standard. On motion of Mrs Hallam, the discussion was to be continued at the afternoon session. Convention then adjourned to meet at 1:30 P.M.

At the Wednesday afternoon session, the President first called for the reports of the credentials com. who reported 29 delegates present entitled to 62 votes.

Mrs Ruby Eckerson of Des Moines reported on the legislative work. Her report being in the form of letters from candidates to the legislature in answer to a letter from the Cor. Sec. asking their position on the suffrage question. From 60 to 66 percent of answers received were favorable to the political equality cause.

A fraternal greeting was read from Mrs Adelaide Ballard of California. It was moved that a letter of greeting in reply be sent to Mrs Ballard. Also a telegram of greeting and sympathy be sent Mrs Margaret Campbell, a former president of the association, who is very ill.

An excellent violin solo by Miss Shellie Bollinger and a piano solo by Mrs R. F. Dale was very much enjoyed by the convention. Mrs Hattie Evens of Corydon gave a paper on the "Financial Independence of Women" which was well received by the convention.

The convention then returned to the consideration of the continuance and support of the Standard. On motion of Mrs Stevens, the convention pledged itself to the support of the Standard the following year.

The following pledges were taken for the Standard to be paid either in subscriptions or money.

Other recommendations of the Executive Com. were adopted by the Convention as follows.

That all clubs push the petition work with vigor.

That as many members as possible from each club, personally interview their home representative and senator as to their position on the suffrage question.

That the association petition the legislature at the coming session. First, to submit to the voters of Iowa a constitutional amendment granting the right of suffrage as moved. Second. That at all elections except those held for the choice of officers or for the submission of constitutional amendments, the right to vote shall not be denied or abridged on account of sex.

The discussion of further recommendations was postponed till Thursday afternoon. Convention then adjourned.

Wednesday eve. The convention accepted an invitation to attend a reception held in the Y.M.C.A. rooms at which Dr Anna Shaw accompanied by two young lady English Suffragettes spoke. And which all present enjoyed very much.

Thursday morning session was opened by prayer by Dr Dewey & opening song by convention. Minutes of Wed. read and approved. Miss Costelloe & Miss Rendel, the young English suffragettes, came in and were welcomed by a suffrage song. Each gave a short talk and captured the audience by their pleasant and affable manners and interesting accounts of their personal work in the suffrage movement in England.

The convention then proceeded to the business of the morning. Elections of officers.

The informal ballot for President resulted in 58 votes for Miss Gordon, Mrs Eckerson 1, Mrs Hallam 1. On motion the informal ballot was declared formal and the sec instructed to cast the unanimous vote of the convention for Miss Eleanor Gordon for President. The informal ballot for Vice President resulted in 62 votes for Mrs Hallam, Mrs Robinson 1. On motion Mrs Hallam was declared unanimously elected. Ballot for cor. sec. was unanimously for Dr Nina Wilson-Dewey. Ballot for Rec. Sec. was unanimous for Miss Minnie LIttell. The informal ballot resulted in Mrs Adams receiving 42 votes, Mrs Riker 4, Mrs Keith 7, Miss Balentine 9. Mrs Adams receiving the majority of votes was declared elected. Mrs Coggeshall was nominated from the floor for member of National Com. The vote for members of Executive Com. resulted in the election of Mrs Eckerson, Mrs Robinson of D. M. & Mrs Belle Little of Perry. Mrs Alice White Keith of Sioux City was elected as Supt. of Press work.

Mrs Riker of Boone and Mrs Keely of Linden were elected Auditors.

On motion the office of Supt of contests and debates was dropped.

Mrs Brunner was reelected as member of Com. on Peace and Arbitration and Mrs Gertrude Wilson of Hull as member of Com. on Increase of Membership.

Rev. Jennie Bartholemew - Boone, Mrs Hattie Evans - Corydon, Mrs Hammer - Atlantic, were elected members of Library committee.

A letter from the Commercial Club of Des Moines inviting the convention to meet in Des Moines next year was enthusiastically received, it being the first invitation of the kind ever received by the association.

Rev. Anna Shaw entered the room and was heartily welcomed. Rev. Jennie Bartholomew, pastor of the church, was introduced and gave an impromptu address on "Politics Everywhere". The President of the Boone W.C.T.U. was introduced and thanked the convention for the invitation to march in the parade which she gladly accepted on behalf of the W.C.T.U.

At 12 o'clock the march which had been so ably planned and was so successfully carried out started from the church an account of which is attached to these minutes..[notes not available_ed.]

Thursday afternoon being assembled before the hour assigned for business, the time was given to Dr. Anna Shaw who inspired us with a review of the National Convention at Buffalo and experiences in England. Moved by Dr Shaw, that we express our thanks to Mrs Stevens and the Boone Club for their work and plans for the march and open air meeting which proved so successful. Also our thanks to the W.C.T.U who joined with us in the demonstration. Letter read by Rev. Bartholomew from an old soldier and citizen of Boone, J. A. Hill commending our work and wishing us God-Speed.

The report of the Resolutions Com. as adopted by the convention will be found appended.[notes not available_ed.] Mrs Hattie Evans presented a very concise invitation from the Corydon Club for the convention to meet with them next year. After much discussion the vote taken stood 21 to 22 in favor of D. M. Sec. was instructed to write the letter of acceptance to the Commercial Club of Des Moines and one of thanks and appreciation to the Club at Corydon.

The recommendation of the Ex. Com. as to establishing headquarters in Des Moines during the legislative session and securing funds for same was left to the Com.

In response to the call for pledges for expenses for next year $516.00 was pledged.

At the Thursday eve session after some excellent orchestral music and sever other selections, Dr Anna Howard Shaw closed this noteworthy convention by a brilliant address.

Minnie M. Littell Recording Sec