CHAPTER LXV.
TEXAS.[437]
The first addresses in favor of woman suffrage in Texas are believed to have been given by Mrs. Mariana T. Folsom in 1885. The first attempt at organization was made on May 10, 1893, when Mrs. Rebecca Henry Hayes called a meeting in the parlors of the Grand Windsor Hotel at Dallas for the purpose of forming a State association. Fifty-two names were enrolled; Mrs. Hayes was made president, Dr. Lawson Dabbs corresponding secretary, and Margaret L. Watrous, recording secretary.[438] Mrs. Sarah S. Trumbull was elected State organizer and auxiliary associations were formed in various towns. Mrs. Hayes traveled 9,000 miles in the interest of this cause during the next two years, but as Texas has 360 counties and a scattered and widely separated population, organized work is very difficult.
In 1896 Mrs. Elizabeth Good Houston became president. Mrs. Alice McAnulty served a number of years most efficiently as corresponding secretary. Dr. Grace Danforth also did effective work. Mrs. L. A. Craig presented the question to the Democratic State Convention of 1894, but without any practical result. Mrs. McAnulty and Mrs. Elizabeth Fry attended the Populist State Convention the same year, but no action was taken.
Since 1887 the State W. C. T. U. has been pledged to woman suffrage. The president, Mrs. S. C. Acheson, under whose management it was adopted, was an enthusiast upon the subject. Mrs. Fry was the first State superintendent of franchise, and, through both the W. C. T. U. and the W. S. A., has rendered valuable service. Later, Mrs. Mary E. Prendergast filled this position, distributing much literature and speaking in many cities. Judge Davis McGee Prendergast became a convert before his wife and convinced her of the righteousness of woman suffrage. These two ladies are southern-born and life-long Texans.
Legislative Action and Laws: In 1891, through the efforts of the W. C. T. U., the "age of protection" for girls was raised from 10 to 12 years. In 1895 it was raised to 15 years. The penalty is death or imprisonment in the penitentiary from not less than five years to life.
No attempt ever has been made to secure the franchise, but at this time (1895) the women learned that thirty of the legislators believed in woman suffrage, one of them declaring: "If some of these seats were occupied by women, we men would do better work."
Neither dower nor curtesy obtains. If there are any lineal descendants a surviving husband or wife is entitled to a life interest in one-third of the real estate and to one-third of the personal estate absolutely; if none, to all the personal property and a life interest in one-half the real estate. If there are neither father, mother, brothers, sisters nor their descendants, the surviving husband or wife is entitled to the whole estate, both real and personal, as to separate property.