Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-02
BENSON KISSED IN GALLERY
Bill Indefinitely Postponed by Vote
of 81 to "a.
COMMITTEE IN FAVOR OF BILL
Lively Discussion Follows Report
Principle and Constitutionality
Under Debate.

Under Debate.
ANNAPOLIS, Nd, March 1.-The wom-
ans suffrage bill for Baltimore city re-
ceived a death blow yesterday afternoon
closely following its favorable report by
the committee on elections.
During the course of an address against
the bill by Mr.. Benson Kisses from the
gallery in the rear of Speaker Peoples
were audible. The Kisses we're directed
against Mr.. Benson, who was attacking
the bill. and 1t Is believed in some quar-
tiers that that action, at least. caused
such a big vote to be rolled up against it.
The motion which killed the bill was
made by Mr.. Benson. who moved that the
favorable report of the committee be
indefinitely postponed. 1t was carried by
a vote of 81 to "a. Mr.. Benson made
his motion prior to taking the floor
against the measure.
Carr Speaks for Suffrage.
AS soon as the bill had been reported
favorably Mr.. Carr took the floor and
briefly recounted the hearings held in be-
half of the measure. the effect of which
was to convince the members of the
committee that the measure is a wise
one and deserving OF success. He was
himself a convert to the idea that women
are capable of exercising the franchise
and that they would not be guided by
sentiment rather than by logic.
When they invest their money in
other corporations they have the right to
vote in such corporations" he said,
why should they not be accorded the
in
I'm which they hold vested property
rights?
Man no longer bears the burden of
representing the family of which he is
opportunity to express their views upon
matters in which they are vitality inter
ested unless they have husband, and
husband she can control.
1.-The bill limits the experiment to Bal
timore city. II 1t be found that a mistake
has been made 1t could readily be Cor
rected two years hence by repeating the
law. The time to recognize the rights Of
women has arrived, and the bill be -.
the house is a step in that direction"
Benson Moves Postponement.
Mr.. Benson here moved to indefinitely
postpone the further consideration Of the
bill, which is a parliamentary method OF
killing 1t, as. under the rules OF the
house. the adoption OF the motion would
preclude the introduction of a similar
measure during the present session.
Mr.. Girdwood seconded the motion. and
Mr.. Benson, in support of his proposition.
said that the subject was one which could
not be treated lightly.
THE arguments that have been adj
vanced in it's favor are both plausible
and ingenious he said, but they show
ed no real reason for change which
reaches the fundamental principles OF
our government.
II would hesitate a long time before
comforting the right to vote upon negro
ladies and other kinds of ladies. such as
none would care to have brought into
contact with their wives even at the
polls. 1t has been urged by advocates of
favor should be compelled to vote.
God forbid" he exclaimed, that our
women should be compelled TO take their
places side by side with the scum of the
earth. !. for one. shall do all in my
power to protect my wife from it.
Il don't believe" he said, that even
the republicans are prepared to carry the
colored lady along with them by adopting
such a mea sure"
Mr.. Pairo's Address.
Mr.. Pairo followed Mr.. Benson with a
speech in favor of the bill. He said:
1.-THE women of today are crying out
against the injustice Of our times with
as much vehemence and courage as did
the old Venetian Jew OF long ago. The
same false spirit of injustice that then
controlled the commercial institutions of
those times is in control of our organic
law today and has been so since the foun-
dation of politics.
Women, slaves and mechanics were
placed in one class by jealous politicians
in their efforts to retain the power and
q rfh n h,,t l.
ened civilization says this Is wrong, and.
one by one, the shackles have been struck
from those who were formerly held In po-
litical serfdom, so that only women now
remain, standing alone on this black page
of political history.
Il believe there is a new and a better
day coming for all Of us who dwell In the
political world, and the time will soon
come when slavery of no kindly the
use OF which term, slavery, we mean a
denial Of the right to govern ones self
will exist throughout the length and
breadth of our broad. great country"
Further Discussion.
Mr.. Girdwood declared that the ques-
ton of representation because OF owner
ship Of property had nothing to do with
the question.
"A man with million dollars worth OF
property has no greater rights than a
man with but a thousand" he said.
Mr.. Cummings paid a tribute to the
women who stay at home, and asserted
that the proper way for women to obtain
representation, if they want it, is to train
their children to be good citizens and in
telligent voters.
Mr. Hammond took the ground that the
bill is unconstitutional. and read from the
code to show that the right TO vote is
conferred upon males only.
Mr.. DiggS took the floor for the sole
purpose of making it clear that he voted
against the measure not upon constitu-
tional grounds. but because he is opposed
TO it upon principle. believing that in OPP
posing it he was acting for the best in
terests of the women of Maryland
Mr.. Carr followed with a reply to Mr..
Hammond claim that the bill was un-
constitutional and closed by sending up
to the speakers desk a petition for its
passage. which. he declared. represented
10000 people.
Mr.. Rose closed the debate by declaring
himself in favor Of the measure. and
reading from documents to show the
progress being made by the movement In
England and other countries.
Here Mr.. Mcguire moved 1.-The previous
question: which, being carried. shut off
further discussion, and Mr. Benson's mo-