Secretary’s Book of The Moneka Womans Rights Association
Moneka Feb 2nd 1858
After one of Mr. J. O. Wattles lectures a proposition was made to
organize
a Women’s Rights Society. Mrs. Esther Wattles was chosen President.
A
committee to form a Constitution was chosen. The meeting then adjourned
to
meet here Feb 13th.
Monika Feb 13th
Meeting was called to order by Mr. J. O. Wattles. A President and
Secretary
pro-tem were elected. The report of a committee on a constitution was
called
for read and accepted. The Constitution was then read and discussed, and
adopted
article by article.
Preamble and Constitution
of the
Moneka Women’s Rights Association.
Because, Woman is constitud of body and mind and has all the common
wants
of the one and the natural powers of the other
Because she is a social being and has all the relations of life to
sustain
which belong to an Associated condition of existence – and
Because she is a progressive being ever out-growing the past and
demanding
a higher and greater Future – or in other words,
Because she is a Human Being and as such is endowed by her Creator with
the
full measure of human rights whether educational, social or political;
and
Because by the present arrangement of the world she is shut out of
Colleges
and the higher order of educational institutions, thereby deprived of
great
opportunities for intellectual improvement
- shut out from most of the lucrative professions and the mechanic
arts, thereby
deprived of the facilities for the accumulation of wealth and enjoyment
of
social life, - made subject to laws which she has no voice in making and
which
deprive her of the ownership of property & of herself, and give even
her
daily earnings to the control of others; dragged before courts to answer
for
crimes, against laws to which she has never given her assent, to be tried
as
a criminal in Halls where she can neither sit as judge or juror, or
officiate
as counsel: and
Because, from the Pulpit and the Rostrum woman is called upon to give
character
to the rising generation and charged with the responsibility of shaping
the
destiny of the race,
Because she is demanded to make statesmen to wield the fate of Nations,
and
divines to wake the wor[l]d to glory,
We therefore form ourselves into an Association to be governed by the
following
Constitution
Article First
This association shall be called The Moneka Women’s Rights Society
Article Second
It shall be the object of the Society to secure to woman her natural
rights
and to advance her educational interests. In furtherance of these
objects
the Soc. shall consider what womans natural rights are, and the means
best
calculated to secure them. It shall also encourage lectures on this
subject
in the Society and elsewhere; and give its support to some paper
devoted
to the elevation of Woman
Article Third
The officers of the Society shall be a President. Vice Pres. Secretary
Corresponding
Sec. and Treasurer who shall perform the duties usually ascribed to
such
offices. Officers shall be elected quarterly by ballot, a
majority of votes constituting a choice
Article 4th
The regular meetings of the Society shall be held Monthly. And other
meetings
may be held as often as the wishes of the Society require it. At the
regular
meetings an address shall be given by some member of the society
appointed
at a previous regular meeting, After which some question previously
agreed
upon shall be discussed by the members
Article Fifth
The first Anniversary shall be on the last Wednesday in Sept. At which
time
addresses lectures and discussions on the various subjects connected
with
the rights of women and of progression in general shall be given.
Article Sixth
Terms of membership shall be a mutual agreement in the objects of the
Society,
the signing of the Constitution and paying twenty five cents into the
Treasury
Article Seventh.
The Constitution may be altered or amended by a vote of two thirds of the
members
present at any regular meeting, notice having been given at a previous
regular
meeting
Elvira Andrews
Esther Wattles
Elizabeth S. Denison
Mollie A. McGrath
Emma Wattles
Pamelia Doy
Sarah G. Wattles
Susan E. Wattles
Lima S. H. Ober
Angeline P. Crystal
Rebecca E. Hulbert
Mary P. T. Snyder
Ann Schooley
Huldah A. Goodwin
Matilda S. Gibbons
R. W. Gibbons
Joseph Addis
Permelia [?] Knox
Charlotte Smith
Rhoda W. Ransom
Geo E Denison
John O. Wattles
Hannah Strong
H. P. Danforth
J. H. Stearns
U. E. Morse
C. E. Shearer
Emma L. Burritt
John C. Anderson
R. A. Frazell
John Morrison
E. L. Taylor
Thomas J. Addis jr.
Lyman Strand
Hamilton Schooley
J. S. Craig
Thom. J. Addis sr.
Timothy Hullbert
P. Fissell
Charlotte S. Anderson
Aggie Lefker
Hatty Addis [?]
The following officers were then elected
Pres. Mrs. Elizabeth S. Denison
Vice Pres. Mrs Esther Wattles
Sec. Sarah G. Wattles
The following resolutions were then offered and adopted.
1st Resolved That we will exert whatever influence we can over the public
sentiment
of this Territory that the Constitution about to be formed may prohibit
the
distillation of all alcoholic liquors within its boundaries
2nd Res. That we will invite to our Territory such women lecturers as are
accustomed
to public speaking to labor with us in procuring this desirable end and
we
will sustain them when they come.
3rd Resolved That Kansas cannot be truly
free while the words “white” or “male” are
found within
the limits of her constitution.
4th Res. That the Secretary be instructed to correspond with the Editor
of
the Lilly and ascertain what tracts are on hand, if any, that treat of
Women’s
Rights &c and ascertain on what terms they can be obtained
Miss Mollie A. McGrath was then appointed to deliver an address at
the next
meeting. Question for discussion at the next meeting, Resolved. That all
human
beings by virtue of their physical organizations have a right to as much
of
the earth as they can cultivate and no more. On motion the Society
adjourned
to meet at this place two weeks from to day at 2 o’clock P.M.
Sarah G. Wattles Sec.
Moneka Feb 27th 1858
The Society met according to previous adjournment. Meeting was called
to order,
Minutes of preceeding meeting were called for read and adopted. The
Constitution
was called for and read. Corresponding Sec. & Treasurer were then
elected,
Susan E. Wattles Cor. Sec.
Pamelia Doy Treasurer
The following was offered and adopted
Whereas women can not vote and yet feel the necessity of just laws,
therefore
Res. That every woman in Kansas who believes that equal rights belong
to
women should consider herself a committee of one whose duty it is to do
all
in her power to convert to her views at least one legal voter.
The following forms of petition were then presented.
To the Constitutional Convention
We the undersigned citizens of Kansas respectfully petition the
Convention
now assembled to frame the organic law of the State of Kansas for the
citizens
without any invidious distinctions
To the Legislature of Kansas,
We the undersigned citizens of Kansas respectfully petition your
honorable
body to enact such laws
1st As will secure to woman the property which she possesses before
marriage
2nd Also a just proportion of the joint property of the husband &
wife
acquired during marriage
3rd Also at the death of the husband or wife that the same laws shall
govern
the widow or widower in the possession and disposal of the estate and
children
belonging to them jointly.
4th That no bond or security given for another shall be valid without the
signature of the wife
After some discussion it was
Res. That we accept & adopt these forms of petition for circulation
Res. That we respectfully ask the cooperation of other ladies of Kansas
in
circulating these petitions
Res. That these forms of petition and the resolutions be sent to the
“Herald
of Freedom,” Lawre[n]ce Republican” & “Topeka
Tribune” with
the request that they publish them and that other papers copy them.
Miss Mollie McGrath then read an address. Her subject was “Why
should
woman seek to change her present condition” The question, Resolved
That
all human beings by virtue of their physical organization have a right to
as
much of the earth as they can cultivate and no more, was discussed
Question
chosen for next meeting, ‘That women should seek to enter into more
lucrative
employments or prepare themselves for professional life. Mrs. L. C.
Ober was
appointed to deliver an address at the next meeting. On motion the Soc.
adjourned
to meet here two weeks from to day
Sarah G. Wattles Sec
Moneka March 13th 1858
Soc. met according to adjournment. Sec. report read and adopted The
Constitution
was read
On motion it was,
Res. That the President and Recording Sec constitute a committee to
receive
the petitions to the Constitutional Convention and forward it to some
member
of that body. The address was delivered by Mrs. L. C. Ober. Mrs. Lucy
Stone’s
lecture on taxation was read by Mrs Susan E Wattles
On motion the discussion was postponed to the next meeting Mrs S. E
Wattles
was appointed to address the Society at the next meeting. Soc. adjourned
to
meet here four weeks from to day at 2 P.M.
Sarah G. Wattles Sec.
Moneka April 10th 1858
Soc. met according to adjournment Minutes of previous meeting read
and adopted
The address was read by Mrs Susan E Wattles. The Subject, Deficienc[i]es
in
woman’s Education. Question was then discussed. Esther Wattles
appointed
to address Soc. at next meeting. Adjourned for 4 weeks
S. G. Wattles Sec
Moneka May 8th
Soc. met per adjournment Sec. report was called for read and
adopted.
The election of officers resulted as follows
Pres. Mrs. Mary P. T. Snyder
Vice Pres. Miss Mollie A McGrath
Treas. Mrs. Esther Wattles
Sec. Mrs. Lima C. Ober
Cor. Sec. Mrs. Susan E. Wattles
The address was read by Mrs. Esther Wattles Subject The formation of
character
Question discussed Cor. Sec read a letter from Mrs C. I. H. Nichols of
Quindaro
concerning a state organization of the woman’s movement, also
her reply
to it. Sarah G. Wattles was appointed to read the address at the next
meeting.
Soc then adjourned for four weeks
Sarah G. Wattles Sec.
Moneka June 5th 1858
Our Hall being occupied by a protracted meeting the Soc. adjourned.
S. G.
W. Sec.
July 3 The celebration of the 4th to day (tomorrow being Sunday)
causes us
to adjourn one week.
S. G. Wattles Sec.
Moneka July 10th
Soc. met according to adjournment Vice Pres. in the chair. Sec. report
called
for read and adopted, but few present. Society adjourned to meet on
Wednesday
Sept 29th the time for the anual meeting
Sarah G. Wattles Sec.
In consequence of sickness the Society did not meet at the time of
adjournment.
Moneka, Apr. 17 1859
Society met & organized by choosing Mrs. Dennison President pro.
tem.
A letter was read from Mrs C. I. H. Nichols, in which she expressed her
interest
in the cause of Woman’s Rights in Kan. & the necessity of of
[sic]
having an agent to speak before the Constitutional Convention.
Res. To send to Mrs. N. for the forms of petition she would like to
present
to Con. Con.
Res.- That we request the Cor. Sec. to write to Wendall Phillips asking
him
to appropriate a part of the fund in his hands to sustain lecturers &
advance
the cause of Women’s Rights in Kansas.
Read the constitution. Mrs. Strong joined the Society.
Res.- That J. O. Wattles be requested to address the Society at the next
meeting
Question—Shall we petition for special rights or shall we ask
for,
equal rights for all. Adjourned subject to call of members.
Moneka May 13th 1859
Society Met & organized by appointing Mrs Dennison President
pro-tem Minutes
of the preceding meeting read & adopted- George E Denison & John
O.
Wattles joined the society The Sec then read the following form of
petition
prepared by Mrs. Nichols of Qunindaro
Petition
To the Constitutional Convention of Kansas
Greeting We the undersigned citizens
of Kansas Territory do respectfully represent to your Honorable Body
that,
whereas - the women of the state have individually an evident common
interest
with its men in the protection of fife [sic], liberty property and
intelligent
culture; and whereas by inherent laws and the “universal concent of
mankind” their
inalienable relations to humanity do involve them in greater and more
complicated
responsibilities; and whereas, in virtue of these common interests and
responsibilities,
they have pressing need of all the Legal and Constitutional guarantees
enjoyed
by any class of citizens - and whereas the enjoyment of these guarantees
involves
the possession of equal political rights –
Therefore we the undersigned being of full age, do respectfully petition
and
protest against any constitutional distinctions based on differense of
sex – To this end your petitioners will ever pray
Res That we will circulate this petition and request Mrs. Nichols to
present
the same to the Constitutional Convention
Res That we most earnestly invite and urge the friends of progress in the
Territory
to co-operate with us in circulating petitions; requesting that they also
will
forward them to Mrs C. I.. H. Nichols of Quindaro, that she may receive
them
by the 25 of June without fail
Res That an abstract of the proceedings of this meeting be published in
the
Linn County Herald and that other Kansas papers be requested to copy
Res That we adjourn to meet on Saturday the 21st at 9 o’clock A.M.
& that
the lecture which was expected today be delivered at that time
Esther Wattles Sec Pro-tem
Moneka May 21st
There not being a quorem present the meeting adjourned to the call of
the
officers
Cottage Hill July 3rd 1859
The Meeting was organised by appointing J. H. Stearns President
Pro-tem & E
Wattles secretary Pro-tem J. O. Wattles then gave a full &
satisfactory
report of his labors for the elevation of women & his success in
procuring
names to our petition Susan E. Wattles then presented the following
resolution
which was read & accepted
Res- That we request John O. Wattles to act as our agent in southern
Kansas & also
to attend the Con. Convention and to operate with Mrs Nichols in
advancing
the cause of Womans rights. Adj to meet at the call of the officers
E. Wattles sec
Moneka. July 22nd 1859.
The Society met as per call, and organized by the appointment of
Susan E Wattles
as President & J H Stearns, Secretary. Minutes of the last meeting
read
and approved. The Constitution was read and circulated for signatures: J.
O.
Wattles made some remarks with regard to it, its objects and designs, and
gave
a report of his mission and success at the Constitutional Convention. The
following
resolutions were then offered and adopted.
1rst Res – That we cordially invite Mrs. C. I. H. Nichols to attend
the
Womans Rights Convention, to be held at this place, Sept 7th/59 -& -
that
we
take into consideration the propriety of holding several conventions
in Southern
Kansas immediately after that time.
2nd. Res. That the frivolous objections offered by the opponents of
Women’s
Rights, show that such objections are not based upon reason, and are
therefore
of no avail, and that we gather courage therefrom to hope and expect the
speedy
triumph of Justice and the Right.
3rd. Res. That the corresponding Secretary be instructed to open a
correspondence
with the friends of our cause at the East and elsewhere for the purpose
of
securing moneyed funds for the purchase of a press: for the use of Mrs C.
I
H. Nichols to be established at Moneka or some other suitable point in
the
Territory.
Mrs Pierpont was requested to lecture before the Society, four weeks
from
date. The subject of, “How can Woman increase her sphere of
usfulness
or productive industry was selected for investigation by the Society at
the
same date. Adj. to meet Friday Aug-19th.
J H Stearns.
Sec. Pro. Tem.
Moneka Aug 19th/59
Society met as per adjournment and organized by the appointment of
Mrs. E.
S. Burritt, Pres and J. H. Stearns, secretary Pro Tem On motion adjourned
to
Sep 7th.
J. H. Stearns.
Sec Pro Tem
Moneka Dec [XX] 1859
The Society met at the call of the officers and organized electing
Mrs Susan
E Wattles Pres’t. and Emma Wattles Sec. Pro-Tem The following forms
of
petition were then presented
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the State of
Kansas
We the undersigned, Petitioners, inhabitants of Kansas male and female
having
attained the age of legal majority believing that Woman both married
and
single should enjoy the same rights as men, in regard to the holding,
conveying,
and devising of real and personal property, and the guardian-ship of
children,
do earnestly request
your Honorable Boddies to frame the Laws of the State of Kansas in
these particulars
so as to fully establish the legal equality of Women with men -
To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the State of
Kansas
Whereas Governments derive their just power from the consent of the
Governed,
we your Petitioners male and female inhabitants of Kansas do earnestly
request
of your Honorable Boddies to propose to the people of the State such
amendments
of the Constitution of the State as will secure to Females an equal
right
to the Elective Franchise with males
After some discussion it was
Res That we accept and adopt these forms of petition for circulation The
Society
then adjourned to meet at the Accademy in Moneka on Saturday the 7th
day
of Jan. 1860
Emma Wattles Sec Pro-Tem
S. E. Wattles Prest. Pro. Tem
Moneka Jan 7th 1860
Society met per adjournment, making Geo. E. Denison Presdt. Pro Tem.
and E.
S. Denison Sec Pro. Tem. Proceedings of the previous meeting presented
and
approved. Reading of the Constitution was followed by an Election of
officers
resulting
for President Mrs. E. S. Denison
vice President Mrs. M. A. Taylor
Secretary Miss Emma Wattles
Cor. Secretary Mrs S. E. Wattles
Treasurer Mrs Esther Wattles
A Resolution was offered and accepted
that Mrs. C. I. H. Nichols be requested to attend the Ter Leg. for
the purpose
of advancing our cause as far as practicable- The usual discussion was
laid
over to next meeting- Treasurer’s report called for and approved by
Society-
motion made and sustained for adjournment- subject to the call of the
officers
subsequent to close of the Ter Legislature.
Elizabeth L. Denison Sec Pro Tem
Moneka May 25th 1860
Society met at call of the officers. Called to order by the
President. Minutes
of previous meeting called for read and approved. Constitution was then
read
and circulated for signatures. The following resolution was then offered
and
adopted
Res. That we wish to employ Mrs C. I H. Nichols to lecture on Womans
Rights
in Kansas and we authorize our Cor. Sec. to employ her and pay her out of
the
funds in our Treas-
ury. The Soc. then adjourned to meet at the call of the officers.
Emma Wattles Sec
Mrs E. S. Denison Pres.
http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/1894/text
