Suffragists Meet in Olympia as the Ballot Fight Goes to the Supreme Court
The Washington Equal Suffrage Association gathers at Tacoma Hall to choose national delegates—and to find new lawyers for a case that could decide whether women vote.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The Washington Equal Suffrage Association convened in Tacoma Hall this afternoon, with the Hon. Edward Eldridge, of Whatcom, as president, and Bessie J. Savage as secretary. Miss Kennedy represented the association at Seattle; the balance of those present, about ten in number, were from Olympia. The principal work of the association this afternoon is the election of delegates to the national convention, to be held in Washington City on January 17th.
The right of women is now before the United States Supreme Court, although those opposing woman suffrage are making vigorous efforts to have the case dismissed.
The association will endeavor to secure new attorneys in Washington to represent them before the Supreme Court, it being thought that Mr. Austin is not in a condition to handle the case.
Mrs. A. H. H. Stuart, Miss Kennedy and Mrs. Stork were appointed a committee on resolutions.
“The right of women is now before the United States Supreme Court, although those opposing woman suffrage are making vigorous efforts to have the case dismissed.”
Washington Territory gave women the vote in 1883, then the courts took it away in 1887; this 1891 meeting shows the long legal and organizing fight that continued for decades. The question of who gets to vote—and which court has the final word—remains the substance of American democracy.
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