SUFFRAGE CANVASS SUCCESS
Local Committee Secures 1,835 Signatures for Equal Voting Rights
In conjunction with all other woman suffrage associations in Massachusetts,
the women of the Second Franklin Suffrage association, the local branch of the
State organization, has conducted a canvass among the women of the town to secure
the signatures of those who favor equal voting rights. The results of their
labors locally are highly gratifying, 1,835 signatures having been secured.
The quota assigned to this town was 1,391 and this was exceeded by about 40
per cent., a better record than was made in a number of other cities and towns
in Western Massachusetts, although in practically all these communities, where
the canvasses have been completed, the quotas were exceeded.
The canvass in Greenfield was made from house to house, and no difficulty whatever
was experienced in securing the required number of names, and no particular
pains were taken to reach every woman in town.
Every woman who signed was first questioned regarding her citizenship and age.
One hundred prominent local men have signed their names to a petition to further
the passage and ratification of the federal suffrage amendment also.
Mrs. William F. Aiken, chairman of the local district, had in charge the work
of canvassing the town and she will forward the petitions, the signatures affixed,
to the State headquarters at Boston. There the petitions from all over the State
will be used in exerting influence on politiical leaders by showing the sentiments
of the great majority of women in Massachusetts, regarding equal suffrage.
Owing to the defeat of the suffrage bill in 1915, the Massachusetts leaders
of the suffrage movement believe that a new political background must be formed
in this State by the plan now being successfully worked out and which has been
a big factor in securing suffrage rights in other States. From the entire State,
266,000 names must be forthcoming, and the quotas assigned to the various districts
were figured on a basis of 60 per cent of the presidential vote of 1916. Judging
from the ease with which the quotas in the various districts have been fulfilled,
there is no doubt but that the State quota will be far exceeded. |