N.C. Press Association Embarrassed When Female Member Asks Group If They Oppose or Support Votes for Women, Jan. 10, 1920

From The Daily Times, Wilson, N.C., January 10, 1920

Suffrage Question Raises Breeze in Press Convention Meeting Over Resolution by Mrs. Al Fairbrother

Greensboro, Jan. 9—A simple little resolution endorsing woman suffrage, presented by Mrs. Al Fairbrother, brought storm and confusion to the closing session of the mid-winter convention of the North Carolina Press Association this afternoon, and because the association tabled this resolution on the ground that the remnant present could not commit the absent brethren, another tardy resolution pledging support to the Governor in the revaluation program likewise failed of passage. In the latter case, however, the editors present responded to a motion to show their positon, and the measure had no opposition.

It was in the midst of the question box feature of the program that Mrs. Fairbrother threw the bomb. She explained that the suffrage resolution, turned down by the Press Association in its Asheville meeting a year and a half ago, was not the expression of the North Carolina Suffrage League. She also bespoke the non-partisan nature of suffrage and maintained the propriety of an endorsement by the association. She stated frankly that what the women wanted was to know their friends and their opponents. She wanted a show down.

Mrs. Fairbrother had barely concluded before the storm broke. H.B. Varner was against suffrage completely. W.C. Hammer, who admitted seeing the handwriting on the wall, declared that, practically, he was for suffrage, and saw no moral objection to it. Both he and Varner were united in the contention that an undue advantage would be taken of the absent members by the handful present should the rump convention take a vote.

About this time it ceased to be a debate. Everybody appeared anxious to get in a word at once. The question became mixed and several votes were started on the motion table. When it was over President Sharpe announced that the motion to table had prevailed by 6 to 5.

“I am very sorry,” said Mrs. Fairbrother. “I merely wanted to find out how you gentlemen stood. I thought surely there would be no member of the press association unwilling to commit himself on one side or the other. I didn’t mean to embarrass you, gentlemen.”

‘Well, you did,” commented Varner, apparently relived that it was over for one meeting, at least.