Document 15: Eliza J. Patrick, letter to the Editors of the Woman’s Journal, printed as “Colorado Women Moving,” Woman’s Journal, 24 (2 September 1893), p. 276.

Document 15: Eliza J. Patrick, letter to the Editors of the Woman’s Journal, printed as “Colorado Women Moving,” Woman’s Journal, 24 (2 September 1893), p. 276.

Introduction

       In reporting on the progress of the Colorado campaign for women movement during the summer of 1893, Eliza J. Patrick, a temperance activist turned suffragist, stressed the ways in which the economic crisis shaped the suffrage campaign. She also highlighted the importance of grassroots organizing, the strategic use of the door-to-door canvass, and the support of nearly half the newspapers in the state for woman suffrage.

COLORADO WOMEN MOVING. ________

       Editors Woman’s Journal:

        A meeting of the Colorado Equal Suffrage Association was held on Saturday evening, August 12, at the residence of Doctor Love[A], 1673 Broadway, Denver.

        The meeting was held to perfect arrangements for a mass meeting of the women of Colorado. There was a very full attendance, including many strangers and several gentlemen. Among them was Judge Mills[B] , one of our delegates to the Chicago Convention. The dark financial cloud which now hangs over our beloved country, and especially over our own and sister mining States, emphasizes the necessity for such a call. Now, as in the ages of the past, women are the most acute sufferers from dishonest legislation. Thousands of mothers in the mining States are to-day without bread for their children.

        An encouraging letter was read from suffrage friends in Nebraska offering material aid. They will send a speaker, whose expenses they will defray, who will help us for one month. Another cheering letter was read from our suffrage sisters in Can~on City, announcing their compete organization, and defining their methods. They will make a house to house canvass and will see every voter in Fremont County. They also propose to organize leagues in all the small towns.[C]

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       In this connection it is encouraging to record the almost universal courtesy of the press throughout the State. Of the 125 papers printed in the State, sixty have offered space for suffrage matter each week.

       An increased attendance, and a marked and outspoken interest in our cause among the masses are encouraging features of our work. This is the “silver lining” of the financial cloud, now so ominously hanging over us. Our women are organizing “all along the line,” and are mapping out the work in order to be fully equipped for the November election, which will give a direct vote upon the question of equal suffrage for the women of Colorado.

E. J. P.                     

A. Beginning in early 1893, Dr. Minnie C. T. Love hosted the Colorado Equal Suffrage Association.
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B. This reference may have referred to Jared Warner Mills, attorney who drafted the 1893 suffrage bill.
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C. As it turned out, Fremont County passed the 1893 woman suffrage referendum with a 56% majority.
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