Page:History of Woman Suffrage Volume 4.djvu/983

 "whatever may be said for it, the measure has the fatal defect of being premature and impolitic." The opposition of the "Telegram" was more aggressive and even of a scurrilous type. To offset this hostility if possible the suffrage association hired a column of space in the "Journal" and half a column in the "Telegram" and kept this daily filled with suffrage arguments; toward the end of the campaign securing space also in the "Daily Republican". The papers of the State generally were opposed to the measure, but the Woonsocket "Daily Reporter", Newport "Daily News", Hope Valley "Sentinel-Advertiser", Pawtuxet Valley "Gleaner", Providence "People", Bristol "Phenix", Central Falls "Visitor" and a few others gave effective assistance. The association distributed about 39,000 packages of literature to the voters.

In the Providence "Journal" of April 4 the names of over ninety prominent voters were signed to this announcement: "We, the undersigned, being opposed to the adoption of the proposed Woman Suffrage Amendment to the Constitution, respectfully urge all citizens (!) to vote against it at the coming election."

The next day the "Journal" contained in the space paid for by the association the signatures of about the same number of equally prominent men appended to this statement: "We favor the passage of the Woman Suffrage Amendment which has been submitted to the voters of Rhode Island for action at the coming election."" The same issue contained a list of many of the most distinguished men and women in this and other countries, beginning with Phillips Brooks and Clara Barton, and headed, "Some Other People of Weight Who Have Indorsed Woman Suffrage. Match This if You Can."

The election was held April 6, 1887, and at the sixty-two polling places men and women were on hand to urge the electors to vote for the amendment. The result was 6,889 ayes, 21,957 noes — the largest defeat woman suffrage ever received.

Many of the ablest lawyers having decided that no extension of franchise, not even a school vote, could be secured in Rhode Island through the Legislature (except possibly Presidential Suffrage) and the amendment to the constitution having been defeated by so heavy a vote, it was deemed best not to ask for another submission of the question for a term of years. Therefore"whatever may be said for it, the measure has the fatal defect of being premature and impolitic." The opposition of the "Telegram" was more aggressive and even of a scurrilous type. To offset this hostility if possible the suffrage association hired a column of space in the "Journal" and half a column in the "Telegram" and kept this daily filled with suffrage arguments; toward the end of the campaign securing space also in the "Daily Republican". The papers of the State generally were opposed to the measure, but the Woonsocket "Daily Reporter", Newport "Daily News", Hope Valley "Sentinel-Advertiser", Pawtuxet Valley "Gleaner", Providence "People", Bristol "Phenix", Central Falls "Visitor" and a few others gave effective assistance. The association distributed about 39,000 packages of literature to the voters.

In the Providence "Journal" of April 4 the names of over ninety prominent voters were signed to this announcement: "We, the undersigned, being opposed to the adoption of the proposed Woman Suffrage Amendment to the Constitution, respectfully urge all citizens (!) to vote against it at the coming election."

The next day the "Journal" contained in the space paid for by the association the signatures of about the same number of equally prominent men appended to this statement: "We favor the passage of the Woman Suffrage Amendment which has been submitted to the voters of Rhode Island for action at the coming election."" The same issue contained a list of many of the most distinguished men and women in this and other countries, beginning with Phillips Brooks and Clara Barton, and headed, "Some Other People of Weight Who Have Indorsed Woman Suffrage. Match This if You Can."

The election was held April 6, 1887, and at the sixty-two polling places men and women were on hand to urge the electors to vote for the amendment. The result was 6,889 ayes, 21,957 noes — the largest defeat woman suffrage ever received.

Many of the ablest lawyers having decided that no extension of franchise, not even a school vote, could be secured in Rhode Island through the Legislature (except possibly Presidential Suffrage) and the amendment to the constitution having been defeated by so heavy a vote, it was deemed best not to ask for another submission of the question for a term of years. Therefore