The Nonpartisan Leader Newspaper, January 5, 1920, Page 7

2 i A A Y PN s 5 L) R A SR T O SO P A B G S DI Natlonal Federation of League Women Equal Suffrage Means That Farmers’ Wives Must Assume New ELCOME the National Federation of League Women’s Clubs. This is the name decided upon for the new national organiza- tion of League women, author- ized by the national committee of the Nonpartisan league at its recent annual meeting. { It will carry on, in the natlonal field, the splendld work started by the Woman’s aumhary in North Dakota, and go farther than it was possible for the Auxiliary to do. In the first place the new organization will be national in character. The Auxiliary was practical- ly entirely confined to North Dakota. In the second place the new organization will stand entirely on its own feet. It will not be a mere auxiliary, to play second fiddle to any other organization. It will be an independent organiza- tion of the women, by the women and for the women. It will have its own finances and its own officers. Women will be eligible to membership, whether they are farm women or city women, provided they believe in the principles that actuate the League men—justice for all producers. Plans adopted for the new -organization at the recent Nonpartisan league convention were as fol- lows: National headquarters will be established at St. Paul. A national secretary will take general charge of organization work. There will also be state and local organizations. Five or more women, in any local- ity, may organize a club. Member- ship dues are to be $1 per year, of which 50 cents will remain in the club treasury and 50 cents be sent to the Federation offices in St. Paul. Women interested in the new or- ganization should write for applica- tion blanks to “National Secretary, Federation of League Women’s Clubs, Box 495, St. Paul, Minn.” As soon as five apphcatxons are received from a locality a club, charter will be granted. Members of each club are to adopt their own plans for work, elect their own officers and arrange their meet- ing dates. The work of the national office will be to assist the individual clubs in any way that they may de- sire, by furnishing organization sup- plies, suggesting programs or other activities, supplying speakers or by giving any other form of assistance that may be required. WHAT THE AUXILIARY HAS DONE IN NORTH DAKOTA The Federation will start with a splendid membership of the 65 clubs affiliated with the former Auxiliary. Organized less than a year ago, the Auxiliary grew almost spontaneous- ly in North Dakota until it took in 1,255 paid-up members, in 62 sep- arate clubs. It was impossible, un- der the Auxiliary plan of organiza- tion, to encourage the work in states outside of North Dakota, but in spite of this fact three other clubs had been established in Minnesota, with 48 members, and Nebraska, South Dakota and other states-were ready 4o start organization-work when the . broader new plan was adopted. 1In all there are now 1,632 members- of the Auxiliary, though all are not organized in local clubs. The Auxiliary clubs in North Dakota have been among the livest organizations ever formed in the state. Besides meeting regularly to discuss eco- nomic questions and keep posted on state affairs, the clubs have taken an interest in educational work.. When M. K. Bowen, a League farmer of Golden Valley county, was murdered at the end of a series of persecutions which he had suffered because of his advocacy of the League, the Auxil- iary clubs got behind a campaign to raise relief funds for his widow. To date more than $3,000 has been collected. Minnesota club No. 2 undertook beneficial ‘work places. Equal suffrage is no longer a theory. It is a condition that ‘will prevail throughout the United States before the next election. Equal suffrage does not mean merely “equal rights.” It means “equal duties” as well. In most League states thus far the voting laws have made the men responsible for the conditions that have existed. Now the women are to be equally responsible. Whether a woman is in favor of suf- frage or opposed to it makes no dif- ference. It is her duty in either case, as a good citizen, to inform herself so that she can vote intelligently. The collective influence of the women of the state can work important reforms along many lines. Such influence is made possible in the organization of the federation of League women. for a number of poor families in its neighborhood at Christmas. Many of the clubs have sent in ap- plications for speakers and as soon as organiza- tion can be perfected under the new plans arrange- THE HELPING HAND %, —Drawn expressly for the Leader by W. C. Morris. ments undoubtedly can be made in this direction. Organization of the progressive women of the United States is more important than ever today as it is practically certain that women will' vote in the 1920 elections. In more than half of the states in which the League is organized the legis- latures already have ratified the federal consti- tutional amendment. Interests hostile to the League ah'eady are tak- ing steps to organize the women in the cities and towns. It is practically certain that the women in these centers’ of population will cast almost a 100 per cent vote at the next election. .It will be more difficult for the farm women to vote, as nearly all will have to travel several miles to their polhng Unless they are thoroughly organized in PAGE SEVEN Duties as Good Citizens and Good Leaguers every country precinct to see that all women in the precinct go to the polls the country districts under the new system will not have!the strength to which they are entitled. The recent special session of the North Dakota legislature, at the same time that it ratified the suffrage amendment, took steps to see that the farm woman is given the same chance to vote as her city sister. Provisions were made by which women unable to go to the polls on election day can apply in advance of the election to the county au- ditor for an “absent voter’s” ballot, fill it out and vote by mail. Farm women in states in which the League has notfiyet secured legislative control can make no such arrangements, but will have to use their best efforts to get to the polls in person. FARM WOMEN PROMISE TO CAST BIG VOTE In many country sections opposition to woman suffrage has been reported and politicians opposed to the League have been hoping that the woman vote in these districts will be light, so that they can defeat-the League. There is little prospect of anything of this kind happening, however. If John Brown and his wife are both opposed to suf- frage they will be only hurting themselves if Mrs. Brown does not vote on election day. The Brown family will be entitled to two votes, the same as the Smith family. If only Mr. Brown votes the Brown family will get only one vote, while Mr. and Mrs. Smith, both voting, will get two votes. There is another duty that de- volves upon League women, equally as important as voting at the pri- maries and general election. This is the duty of participating in League caucuses and conventions. _ The wife of every League member is also a member of the League, en- titled to equal voting privileges with her husband at all League meetings. In all cases in which the organizer’s report indicates that a farmer is married a separate membership cer- tificate is made out for the wife. In some cases, however,. organizers’ reports have not been made complete in this regard and the membership certificate has not been issued to the wife. But whether she holds a cer- tificate or not she is a member and is entitled to participate in all League caucuses and to vote, and it is her duty to do so. Prospects for the new National Federation of League Women’s Clubs are most brilliant. Because of the splendid record that the farmers’ ad- ministration in North Dakota has made, especially along lines in which women are primarily interested, League candidates are sure of strong support from women everywhere, whether in the city or country. These are a few of the reasons why North Dakota women, who first organized to help the League, are anxious to see the League in power in every state: The North Dakota farmer admin- istration has done more than any other influence to improve the school system, especially in the rural dis- tricts. North Dakota has more con- solidated country schools than any state in the Union. The North Dakota legislature has enacted the most modern laws for the protection of working girls and women, among these being the 48-hour week law and the minimum wage law to guarantee every working woman a living wage. The North Dakota legislature has enacted the first law in the Union to allow farm women equal chances with city women in casting their votes. There are plenty of other reasons why North Dakota women are “strong” for the League. The women in other states who organize clubs and af- - filiate with the National Federation of League Women’s Clubs will learn these reasons. They will be able to decide, too, what new laws will be need- ed in their own states when the League comes into power. ccccccc s