Volume III Part 114 (1/2)

The central figure in the seal of California is the presiding G.o.ddess of that State, her spear in one hand, the other resting on her s.h.i.+eld, the cabalistic word ”Eureka” over her head and a bear crouching quietly at her feet. She seems to be calmly contemplating the magnificent harbor within the Golden Gate. The shadows on the distant mountains, the richly-laden vessels and the floating clouds indicate the peaceful sunset hour, and the G.o.ddess, in harmony with the scene is seated at her ease, as if after many weary wanderings in search of an earthly Paradise she had found at last the land of perennial summers, fruits and flowers--a land of wonders, with its mammoth trees, majestic mountain-ranges and that miracle of grandeur and beauty, the Yosemite Valley. Verily it seems as if bounteous Nature in finis.h.i.+ng the Pacific Slope did her best to inspire the citizens of that young civilization with love and reverence for the beautiful and grand.

California, admitted to the Union in 1850, owing to the erratic character of her early population, has pa.s.sed through more vicissitudes than any other State, but she secured at last social order, justice in her courts and a somewhat liberal const.i.tution, as far as the personal and property rights of the ”white male citizen” were concerned. By its provisions--

All legal distinctions between individuals on religious grounds are prohibited; the utmost freedom of a.s.sembling, of speech and of the press is allowed, subject only to restraint for abuse; there is no imprisonment for debt, except where fraud can be proved; slavery and involuntary servitude, except for crime, are prohibited; wives are secured in their separate rights of property; the exemption of a part of the homestead and other property of heads of families from forced sale is recognized.

So far so good; but while the const.i.tution limits the franchise to every ”white male citizen” over twenty-one, who has been a resident of the State six months, and thus makes outlaws and pariahs of all the n.o.ble women who endured the hards.h.i.+ps of the journey by land or by sea to that country in the early days, who helped to make it all that it is, that instrument cannot be said to secure justice, equality and liberty to all its citizens. The position in the const.i.tution and laws of that vast territory, of the real woman who shares the every-day trials and hards.h.i.+ps of her sires and sons inspires no corresponding admiration and respect, with the ideal one who gilds and glorifies the great seal of the State.

For the main facts of this chapter we are indebted to Elizabeth T.

Schenck.[496] She says:

Out of the stirring scenes and tragical events characterizing the early days of California one can well understand that there came of necessity many brave and adventurous argonauts and many women of superior mental force, from among whom in after years the woman suffrage cause might receive most devoted adherents. For nearly a score of years after the great incursion of gold-seekers into this newly-acquired State no word was uttered by tongue or pen demanding political equality for women--none at least which reached the public ear. There were no preceding causes, as in the older States, to stimulate the discussion of the question, and even that mental amazon, Eliza W. Farnham who was one of the distinguished pioneers of California, gathered her inspiration from afar, and thought and wrote for the whole world of women without once sounding the tocsin for woman's political emanc.i.p.ation. Many of the women who braved the perils of the treacherous deep, or still more terrible dangers of the weary march over broad deserts, inhospitable mountains, and through the fastnesses of hostile and merciless Indians, to reach California in the early times, entertained broad views upon the intellectual capacity and political rights of women, but their efforts were confined to fields of literature. While this advanced guard of progressive women was moulding into form a social system out of the turbulent and disorganized ma.s.ses thrown together by the rapidly-increasing population from all parts of the globe, the elements were aggregating which in after years produced powerful, outspoken thought and earnest action in behalf of disfranchised women.

Here as elsewhere women took the lead in school matters and were the most capable and efficient educators from the days of ”'49.”

One of our permanent State inst.i.tutions, Mills' Seminary, was founded by a woman whose name it bears, and who, a.s.sisted by her husband, Rev. Mr. Mills, conducted the school for nearly a quarter of a century, until by an act of the legislature, she conveyed it to the State. Several princ.i.p.als of the public schools in San Francisco have held their positions for over twenty consecutive years. Mrs. Jeanne Carr, deputy state superintendent of public instruction from 1871 to 1875, was succeeded by Mrs. Kate M. Campbell, who served most efficiently for the full term. During Mrs. Carr's public service she visited nearly every county in the State, attending teachers' inst.i.tutes, and lecturing upon educational topics with great ability. For many years women have been eligible to school offices in California and there is not a county in the State where women have not filled positions as trustees or been elected to the office of county superintendent.[497] Mrs. Coleman has been reelected to that office in Shasta county, and Mrs. E. W.

Sullivan in Mono county has served for several terms.

The first attempt to awaken the public mind to the question of suffrage for woman was a lecture given by Laura De Force Gordon in Platt's Hall, San Francisco, February 19, 1868. Although the attendance was small, a few earnest women were there[498] who formed the nucleus of what followed. Soon after Mrs. Gordon addressed the legislature in the senate-chamber at Sacramento, and made an eloquent appeal for the political rights of women.

Among the audience were many members of the legislature who became very deeply impressed with the justice of her demand, including the subsequent governor of the State, George C.

Perkins, then senator from b.u.t.te county. Soon afterwards Mrs.

Gordon removed to Nevada, and no more lectures on woman suffrage were given until the visit of Anna d.i.c.kinson in the summer of 1869.

The way was being prepared however, for further agitation by the appearance of _The Revolution_ in 1868 in New York, which was hailed by the women of California (as elsewhere) as the harbinger of a brighter and better era. Its well filled pages were eagerly read and pa.s.sed from hand to hand, and the effect of its startling a.s.sertions was soon apparent. Mrs. Pitts Stevens had about that time secured a proprietary interest in the _San Francisco Mercury_, and was gradually educating her readers up to a degree of liberality to endorse suffrage. Early in 1869 she became sole proprietor, changing the name to _Pioneer_, and threw the woman suffrage banner to the breeze in an editorial of marked ability.

The organization of the National Woman Suffrage a.s.sociation in New York, May, 1869, gave fresh impetus to the movement, and the appointment of Mrs. Elizabeth T. Schenck as vice-president for California by that a.s.sociation, met with the approval of all those interested in the movement. Soon after this Mrs. Schenck with her gifted ally, Mrs. Stevens, decided to organize a suffrage society, and at an impromptu meeting of some of the friends at the residence of Mrs. Nellie Hutchinson, July 27, 1869, the first a.s.sociation for this purpose on the Pacific coast was formed. There were just a sufficient number of members[499]

to fill the offices. This society grew rapidly and within a month the parlors were found inadequate to the constantly increasing numbers. Through the courtesy of the Mercantile Library a.s.sociation their commodious apartments were secured.

The advent of Anna d.i.c.kinson afforded the ladies an opportunity to attest their admiration for her as a representative woman, which they did, giving her a public breakfast, September 14.

Their honored guest appreciated the compliment; and in an earnest and eloquent speech referred to it, saying that although she had received many demonstrations of the kind, this was the first ever given her exclusively by her own s.e.x.[500]

Soon after Miss d.i.c.kinson's departure, Mrs. Schenck, much to the regret of the society, resigned the chair, and Mrs. J. W. Stow was appointed to fill the vacancy. The ladies having for some time considered the organizing of a State Society of great importance, it was decided to hold a grand ma.s.s convention for that purpose. There was need of funds to carry forward the work, and a course of three lectures was suggested as a means to raise money. This carried, on motion of Mrs. Stow, and her offer to deliver the first lecture of the course was accepted. All the members of the society devoted their energies to secure the success of the undertaking. Many of them engaged in selling tickets for the two weeks intervening, and on November 2, Mrs.

Stow gave her lecture to a large and interested audience, taking for her theme, ”Woman's Work.” The Rev. Mr. Hamilton followed, November 9, with ”The Parlor and the Harem,” and the Rev. C. G.

Ames concluded the course, November 18, with ”What Does it Mean?”

The lectures were well received, and though not particularly directed to the right of suffrage for women, succeeded in attracting attention to the society under whose auspices they were given, and helped it financially. About this time Mrs.

Gordon returned from the East and took an active part in canva.s.sing the State, lecturing and forming county societies preparatory to securing as large a representation as possible at the coming convention. The following report of the proceedings is taken from the San Francisco dailies:

[Ill.u.s.tration: Laura deForce Gordon]

The convention to form a State Woman Suffrage Society, held its first meeting in Dashaway Hall, Wednesday afternoon, January 26, 1870. The hall was well filled. Mrs. E. T.

Schenck, vice-president of the National a.s.sociation, was chosen president, _pro. tem._, and Miss Kate Atkinson, Secretary. A committee on credentials was appointed by the chair, consisting of one member from each organization.[501]

During the absence of the committee quite an animated discussion arose as to the admission of delegates. Mrs.

Gordon said the greatest possible liberality should be exercised in admitting persons to the right to speak and vote; that all who signed the roll, paid the fee, and expressed themselves in sympathy with the movement, should be admitted. After some discussion, Mrs. Gordon's views prevailed, and the names of those who chose to qualify themselves were enrolled. About 120 delegates were thus chosen from nine suffrage societies in different parts of the State. Many counties were represented in which no organizations had yet been formed. Some rather humorous discussion was had as to whether the president should be called Mrs. Chairman or Mrs. Chairwoman. The venerable Mr.

Spear arose and suggested the t.i.tle be Mrs. President, which was adopted. Mrs. Gordon said she had noticed that when questions were put to the meeting not more than a dozen timid voices could be heard saying ”aye,” or ”no.” The ladies must not sit like mummies, but open their mouths and vote audibly. This disinclination to do business in a business-like way, is discreditable. (Cheers). Mrs. Gordon's hint was taken, and unequivocal demonstration of voices was made thereafter upon the taking of each vote. Long before the time arrived for the evening session, the hall in every part, platform, floor and gallery, was crowded, and large numbers were unable to gain entrance.

The Committee on Permanent Organization presented the following names for officers of the convention: President, Mrs. Wallis of Mayfield; Vice-Presidents, J. A. Collins, C.

G. Ames, Mrs. Mary W. Coggins; Secretaries, Mrs. McKee, Mrs.