Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-15
BALLOT FOR WOMAN both ARE BLUFFlNG
State Federation of Labor Neither Side in New York Is
Favors Equal Suffrage Certain Of Control.
FOUR MAJORITY ON VOTE MADE MAD BY ROOSEVELT
Delegates Have Lively Debate Goes Meriy Ahead
the Subject the Only Say
VARIOUS VIEWS EXPRESSED BETTER BUFFER, MAYBE
Labelling Regulars Relying That
made Goods Also Is They Have
Up at Session in Charge
State Federation of Labor
Favors Equal Suffrage.
FOUR MAJORITY ON VOTE
Delegates Have a Lively Debate on
the Subject.
VARIOUS VIEWS EXPRESSED
Question Of Labelling Of Convict
made Goods Also Is Taken
Up at Session.

Following the lead Of the American
Federation OF Labor. the Maryland and
the District OF Columbia State Fedora
ton. which is in convention at the Eagles
Clubhouse, 9th and L streets northwest,
today went on record as favoring the
proposition of equal suffrage for both
sexes. But the victory OF the woman
suffrage advocates was not a sweeping
one by any means. Their majority on a
rising vote was only four and the ar
suments pro and con that preceded the
test occupied most of the morning ses-
sion
Resolutions having to do with the la
beIing of cinvict-made goods were re-
jected. the convention not desiring to
recognize the sale Of such goods, even
under the stringent conditions proposed.
and a resolution offered by delegates OF
the Beer Drivers and Stablemen's Local
No. 234 Of this city protesting against
any change in the present liquor laws in
the direction Of prohibition was adopted.
The equal suffrage argument began soon
after the convention was called to order
bv President William A. Bryan at 10
u
resolutions laid before the convention.
with favorable Recommendation, two
resolutions, both Of the same trend, 70 :
citing that the American Federation VI
Labor had committed itself to the propo-
sition Of equal suffrage, and proposing
that the Maryland and District of Cclum-
bia State Federation, which already has
indorsed the action Of the parent body.
reaffirm its opinions on tl,A subject and
declare for the privilege Of the ballot for
women as we'll as men.
-, Debate Is Started.
The report OF the committee was about
to be concurred in without argument Of
any kind, when Sam De Nedrey. one Of
delegates Of the Central Labor Union of
this city, who has taken a prominent
part in the proceedings of the federation,
suggested that the subject was OF the
gravest Importance and urged that 1t be
discussed. q
Il indorse that view said Delegate
P. J. Ryan, also Of the Central Labor
Union Of this city, land 1 don't think
considering it. In my opinion women are
already well represented at the polls.
I'm fact, all a woman has to do is to say
what she wants. and she gets it every
time. Her place Is in the household.
forming the character of her children.
SO as TO make them good and pure citf-
Zens. Moreover, women are not united on
the subject of equal suffrage. When they
do become united in favor Of votes for
women, then the success of the movement
is assured"
Mr.. Ryan suggested that the fact that
the American Federation of Labor had
gone on record for equal suffrage consti
tuted no reason why the state federation
should not discuss the proposition and
take vhafeyer indenendent action II de-
sired.
.'The American Federation of Labor"
said Mr.. Ryan. 'is like all other human
institutions and occasionally makes mis-
takes 1t is only through mistakes that
we may determine the right way to pro-
ceed. / should like to hear this matter
discussed. 1 change my mind occasion
ally. Perhaps I can be convinced on this
occasion
Many Opinions Expressed.
A lively discussion followed. 1t was
suggested by several Of the delegates that
if the state federation were to labor for
reform Of the ballot it would be well to
take up the case Of tho disfranchised citi-
zens of the District of Columbia and
leave the votes-for-women movement un
til later day.
Mr.. De Nedfrey favored the resolutions
offered by the committee and argued that
the state federation should follow the
lead Of the parent body.
There was never q great question: he
said, that did not develop opposition
Women have made the greatest fight for
organized labor, and they didn't do it in
the kitchen washing dishes. We recognize
them in the trades. In my own trade
they get equal pay with. men. We talk
of fighting to take the children out of the
factories. Give women the ballot and
they will help us do that. When a wom-
on owns property she pays equal taxes
Usually she hasn't the nerve that some
men have to swear them off. Some Of the
noblest characters this country has ever
produced have been women Placed in
positions of public trust they are never
found guilty of grating or Of other NAL
feasance in Office. but are always on the
side of good government. 1 am anxious
to see the time when I can walk to the
polls with my wife and each Of us cast
a ballot. This is an age of progress
Brother Ryan. I believe. will live long
enough to see equal suffrage throughout
this country"
Mr.. Ryan jumped to his feet with
smile How would you like to live with
your mother-in-law If she had different
political views from your OWN" he in
quired.
Mr.. Roemer's Opinion.
Delegate Roemer Of the Allegheny
Trades Council, said it had been sug-
gested that If women were given the bal
lot they would hang over the back fence
discussing politics instead Of attending
10 their household duties.
women who would do that he de-
clared, "hang over the back fence now.
gossiping."
Edward j. Brosnahan. delegate of
Painters Union, 1868, of this city, favored
the equal suffrage resolution.
THE hand that rocks the cradle rules
The world" hes cried. Women go into
things heart and soul. There are few I'M !
stances where a woman has failed in |
,osition Of trust, while thousands OF men !,
nave gone wrong.
How would you like to be pinched by a |
woman cop?" yelled delegate.
Fine" responded Mr.. Brosnahan, 'for |
would have the manhood to go quietly. |
while If IT was a man and / had littleS
iouor in me I'd probably put up fight"
Delegate Warfield thought woman suf: |
rage was ''all to the merry because the |
average man didn't know how to vote |
Ie mentioned that he had been the social
st candidate for alderman in the eight
zenith ward of Baltimore at the last cleo
ion, and had declared that he would |
ather be defeated on the socialist |
icket than elected either as a republican
,r democrat. when President Bryan called
i'm to order. declaring that a political
discussion was out of order, and made
i'm take his seat.
Opposes the Resolution.
Delegate Robert E. Lee of the BaIti-