Woman's World Column - Nov. 5, 1885

Carrie Chapman Catt (Carrie Lane at the time) retired from teaching after the end of the 1884 school year and married Leo Chapman, publisher and editor of the Mason City Republican newspaper, in February 1885. In the March 5 issue of The Republican, Catt’s name appeared in the masthead as co-editor of the paper with Chapman, and on March 19, the first installment of her new column, “Woman’s World,” was published.

The Mason City Public Library has microfilm of every issue of The Republican from 1885 except one, and Catt’s column appears nearly weekly through early November. The Chapmans sold the newspaper in April 1886, and there are no extant copies of the paper from that year.

Fore-Mother’s Hymn.

My country, ‘tis to thee,
Whose boast is “Liberty,”
Our plea we bring.
Land where we stand and wait,
Like supplicants at the gate,
Debarred by laws of State
Thy praise to sing.

For how can we prolong
The glad, exultant song
That Freeman voice?
Not while we feel the chain—
Not while our gyves remain;
Not while we plead in vain
Can we rejoice.

Our ensign of the free
Floats but in mockery
With us in thrall.
O, man, so true and brave,
This is the boon we crave;
That Stars and Stripes shall wave
Alike o’er all.

Our mother’s God to thee,
Thou fount of Liberty,
To thee be praised.
O, hear our earnest call;
Let not our foes spall
But give to each and all
Thy help and stay.
—New Era.

A strange story is related by the Woman’s Journal illustrative of the peculiarities of the law:

A man died childless and without a will. His heirs grudged the widow her “thirds.” They hunted up a flaw in the marriage, which she had never suspected, but which sufficed to invalidate the ceremony. They proved that she was not legally the man’s widow, and therefore not entitled to the “widow’s thirds.” The judge advised her to bring in a bill for her services. She had done the dead man’s housework for many years, without pay. She made out her bill accordingly, claiming wages at the ordinary wages paid to a domestic servant. The court allowed her claim. It took all the property to pay it, and the greedy heirs got nothing. Such poetical justice is as rare as it is refreshing.

**

The State Woman’s Suffrage Association met at Cedar Rapids, Oct. 20 and 21, with about sixty-five delegates present from different parts of the State. All the first day was consumed in attending to the business of the Association and in listening to the reports of the subordinate organizations presented by their delegates. In the evening, Mrs. Lucy Stone delivered one of her matchless addresses, full of convincing argument and sound philosophy. It contained several sharp sallies, but they were spoken in so sweet and winning a way as to lose all bitterness. Mrs. Stone is a quaint-appearing little old woman with a round face wreathed in smiles and a demeanor so motherly and attractive, as to win the hears of all at a glance.

The morning of the second day was spent in finishing up the business of the association; and the afternoon was occupied by the ministers of Cedar Rapids, who addressed the association giving their various view upon woman’s suffrage. All spoke earnestly and unqualifiedly in its favor, which “shows which way the wind blows.” In the evening Henry B. Blackwell, followed by short addresses from Margaret Campbell and Clara Colby.

The following resolutions were adopted by the association:

WHEREAS, In the natural order of the universe, men and women are placed together; and are equally interested in the affairs of life; therefore

RESOLVED, That as this government is based upon the principle that self-government is the inherent right of intelligent human beings, this great fundamental principle is grossly violated in depriving women of self-government as expressed in the use of the ballot.

1. That the essence of republican liberty is the principle that no class shall be compelled to depend for its rights upon the justice of any other class.

2. That we believe the time has come when the influences of women should be felt through the ballot box to aid in electing worthy representatives and deciding right these living issues which are of importance to the welfare of our homes, of the community and of the State.

3. That the ballot, alike to women and men means protection; protection of property, home and personal rights. That it also means equal wages for equal work, and that secures to all free access to skilled labor, the professions and to every avenue of advantage and preferment. For these reasons it is the duty of every man and woman to work for the success of this movement.

That while we will in the future as in the past, maintain a strictly nonpartisan position, we will work for the election of men who are favorable to and will work for the enfranchisement of the women of the State.

A plan of work for the coming year was adopted wherein it was agreed to circulate through the state for signatures, three petitions, which will be presented to the legislature next winter; one asking for a statute giving women municipal suffrage, one for a statue giving presidential suffrage to women; and one for an amendment removing all political disabilities from women.

Chapman, Carrie Lane. 1885. “Woman’s World.” Mason City Republican, November 5.

PDF version, courtesy of Mason City Public Library