1915-05-08-New York Sun-Women Weep over Polygamy Speech
Women Weep over Polygamy Speech
- New York Sun, 8 May 1915, page 9
Federation of Clubs Stirred by Former Senator Cannon's Address.
MORMON BOOK ATTACKED
Polygamy and the right of a man to have more than one wife were discussed at the thirty-seventh convention of the New York City Federation of Women's Clubs in the Hotel Astor yesterday afternoon. Many of the large audience wept during the address of Frank J. Cannon, former United States Senator from Utah.
"I have been trying for fifteen years," Mr. Cannon said, "to pass an amendment to the United States Constitution prohibiting the practice of polygamy in America. Thirty-four State Legislatures have already passed laws on the subject. I have been warned against attacking the Mormon Church, so I will not do so, but I do attack polygamy, and if Mormonism means polygamy it ought to be attacked. The book of the Mormon commandments ought not to be allowed to pass the United States mails--it is so evil--and I hope the Federal Government will wake up to Ite danger before it is too late."
Twenty-one new clubs were ushered into the fold yesterday and about $600 was received in pledges and cash donations. The convention lasted from 10 A. M. to 5 P. M., with Mrs. Eugene J. Grant, the recently elected president, in the chair. Others on the platform were Mrs. Belle de Rivera, Mrs. Thomas S1ack, Mra. Charles H. Griffin. Mrs. Elmer Black, Mrs. Harry Lilly, Mrs. C. Donnellon, Mrs. John H. Parker and Mrs. Haryot Holt Dey.
Miss Florence Marshall, director of the Manhattan Trade School for Girls, read a report of her work and advocated business training for girls. "It is practically useless to encourage city girls in domestic science," she said. "A business training is infinitely more valuable in New York and it is essential that every girl should have something she is really qualified to do in order to keep her head above water in the terrible stress and strain of New York city life.
"For the girls who must go to work immediately and have no time to acquire an education, I advise dressmaking. You would be surprised to know how many of the Fifth avenue modistas with ten thousand dollar salaries started as little sewing girls. There is a tremendous field there for the girl who has ability, and much book learning is not essential."
Other speakers were Mrs. F. S. Wardwell. Mrs. Robert Francis Cartwright, Mrs. Emile Glogau, Mrs. Elmer Ellsworth Black and Mrs. Roy Emory Fletcher and the Rev Charles E Jefferson of the Broadway Tabernacle.
