The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1910-04-19
GREET TAFT WITH KISSES.
Women Receive His Declaration
Against Them With Outburst Of
Wrath-President's Smile
Resists the Storm.

Washington, April 14.-The presi-
hent Of the United States, the first
chief executive Of the nation ever to
greet a convention of woman suf-
fragists, braved the danger today Of
facing an army of women who want
the ballot, had the courage to CON-
fess his opinion and was Kissed. Sc
great was the throng that sought ad-
mission to the hall that hundreds
were turned away.
President Taft was welcoming to
Washington the delegates to the con-
vention to the National American
Woman Suffrage association. He had
frankly told them that he was not
altogether in sympathy with the suf-
frage movement and was explaining
why he could not subscribe fully to
its principles. He said he thought
one Of the dangers in granting suf-
frage to women was that women as
q whole were not interested In it
and that the power of the ballot as
far as woman is concerned would be
controlled by the ''less desirable
Glass;
Hiss Like Steam.
When these words fell from the
presidents lips the walls Of the con-
vention hall reechoed a chorus Of
misses. 1t was no feeble demonstra-
ton Of protest. The combined hissss
sounded as if a valve on a steam en-
gine had broken.
President Taft stood unmoved on
the platform during the damonstra-
ton of hostility-for the kissing con-
tinued but a moment-and then,
smiling as he spoke, he answered the
unfavorable greeting with this re-
tort:
"Now, my dear ladies, you must
show yourselves capable of suffrage
by exercising that degree of restraint
which is necessary in the conduct Of
government affairs, by not hissing.'
The women who had missed were
rebuked. The presidents reply ap-
parently had taken hold. There were
no more Kisses while the president
continued his address, which he
ehacterized 'Eas my confession" on
the woman suffrage question At the
conclusion Of his talk he was en-
Enthusiastically applauded and some Of
the leaders Of the convention eX-
pressed to him their. sincere regret
over the unpleasant incident.
Feelings Not Hurt.
President Taft assured them that
he had not had his feelings injured in
the least. II am not entirely GER
tain,'' said the president, after he
had been courteously received by
Rachel Foster Avery, viee-president
of the association, ''that ought to
have come here tonight, but your
committee which invited me assured
me that I should be welcomed, even
if I did not support all the views
which are to be advanced in this
convention. But I consider that this !
represents a sufficient
part of the intelligence Of the COM
munity to justify my coming mere
and welcoming you to Washington:
Rachel Foster Avery presented the
representations Of the committee on
petition to congress. The petition
to be handed to the national legas-
Lature within few days advocating
the enfranehisement Of women Will
be the first appeal to congress by this
method, the report stated, for more
than quarter Of century.
Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait, presl-
dent Of the International Woman
Suffrage alliance, said the petition
probably would be presented to con-
gress Monday and the delegates
would be given hearing Tuesday,
Mary Gray Peck, headquarters Sec
retary, read her report for the year.
Wants to be Sure.
eff I could be sure, - the president
continued, "that women as class
would exercise the franchise, L would
be in favor of it. At present there
exists in my mind considerable
doubts. In certain States, which
have tried the experiment, States IN
the Rocky mountains, where there IS
no great congestion Of population to
cope with, equal suffrage has not been
, failure. It has not made, l think,
any difference, though it is possible
10 say that it has shown some I'M
orovement in the conduct Of public
affairs. Permit me to say the task
@I1 :