Louisville Equal Rights Association Minute book, 1889-1895

17 Minutes of April 20th. [Read?] [May?] 3rd The semi-monthly meeting of the Louisville Equal Rights Asso. was held Saturday, April 20th.

The meeting was opened by scruipture reading and prayer, by the President.

The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as read.

Mrs. Josephine K. Henry's letter which had been read at previous meeting was re-read for further consideration, and the Sec'y was instructed to write in reply that while we are in sympathy with her noble work, we do not feel confident, in our infancy to pledge ourselves to make the Property Rights Bill our chief work of the year; yet it shall be among the foremost of our aims to render her every possible assistance, and co-operate with her just as far as lies within our strength.

The Treasurers report showed $10.00 in the Treasury, and no disbursements.

A discussion followed as to the object of this Association; a member having asked for information as to whether this was solely a Suffrage Asso., saying that "If it had other aims, there were many women who would become members".

It was decided that this is a Suffrage organization, with definite lines of work for the advancement of women, as set forth in Article 2 of our By-Laws.

The proposition was made that we ally ourselves as an organization with the W.C.T.U It was favorably considered by those present, - but the proposition was left open.

The literary exercise followed by the President reading an original article:- "Do women want the Ballot? Will he right of Suffrage increase the discontent of domestic life?"

In answering these questions the writer says:- "So far from seeing how it can disturb home life, we believe it to be the most important factor in securing a fixed abode for woman, and in needing permanent that which now is so often temporary changing and uncertain.

The inate love of home is a quality of woman nature that cannot be suppressed:- that women will always be house-wives as long as these are homes: they will be mothers as long as there are marriages: they are and will be citizens whether recognised as such by law: and will be capable of discharging duties to the public without neglect of home affair as long as time shall last or governments endure. Of the property guise

tion it was shown that in some states the law does not give woman any right to the Husband's property either living or dead. The Wife dies she had no right to make a will:- the law would not recognize it at all during the Husband's life time, not perhaps afterwards. He dies, and she gets one third of what her toil and tact has helped to accumulate. In conclusion, members of the W.C.T.U. were urged to recognize that there is not another question of more vital importance before them today, and to enlist in the cause of universal suffrage.

Extracts were read from:- "The Bible for Woman Suffrage", by Rev. J.W. Bashford, and to conclude the exercise, an article was read: "Why Woman Suffrage should receive the earnest support of every citizen", by Erasmus M. Correll. One of the ten reasons given, being, that "Male Suffrage alone means an aristocracy of sex, while impartial suffrage means a true republic.

Their being no further business before the Asso the meeting adjourned.

Minutes of meeting held May 3rd should have been read on May 17th, but on account of illness of the Sec'y the reading was postponed until next regular meeting on June 7th.

On Friday, May 17th, the date of our last semi-monthly meeting, the regular exercises were omitted and only an informal meeting held, at which matters of interest to the Asso. were discussed, and several interesting articles were read.

The regular semi-monthly meeting of the Louisville Equal Rights Asso. was held Saturday afternoon, May 3rd.

The meeting was opened with devotional exercises: reading of the one hundred and forty sixth Psalm; followed by Prayer.

The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as read.

The Treasurers report showed $12.00 in the Treasury with no disbursements.

Mrs Hibberd was elected chairman of Press Conc. to fill vacancy occasioned by Miss Merker's non-acceptance of the office.

A letter was read from Mrs Munnell, regretting inability to meet with the Asso. on that day, and inclosing membership dues.

an effort was made to elect a 2nd Vice-President of Kentucky Equal Rights Asso. to represent our Asso. in the State Executive Board. Mrs Avery, and Mrs Johnson were named for that office, but each upon nomination, declined to serve. The question was postponed until a later date, Miss Clay to be notified to that effect.

An article was read from the Southern Journal, on "Woman's Property Rights", by Mrs Josephine K. Henry:- After which a motion was made and carrried, that we should circulate a petition in behalf of that cause.

The literary exercises consisted of an original article by Mrs Johnson, written in answer to a recent lecture in this city by Bishop Vincent.

The writer maintained that anything and everything comes within a woman's sphere, which God has given her capacity to do and circumstances seem to require her to do, or seem to point to as the best thing for her to do.

That every human being, man or woman, has the right to choose what he or she shall do; and if they fail, each must go to the wall alike. That there should