The Washington times., 1912-04-01
PLEAS FOR VOTES
MADE AT LARGELY
ATTENDED MEETING
Suffragists Fill Columbia
Theater to Hear Speak
ers in Cause.

votes for women were demanded In
many voices and with many arguments
IN mass meeting held at the Columbia
'Iheater last night in the interest of the
pending constitutional amendments for
sunrage In Wisconsin, Kansas, Oregon,
ana Ohio. The meeting was probably the
largest that has been held in the Dis
ttrict FOR this purpose. Suffragists and
ianti-suffragists OF both sexes. as well
as many of the curious, filled the seats
and overfiowed into the aisles.
/ AZ was asserted that women have a
purifying influence in politics, that they
are not revolutIonists, but sane pro-
gressives, that they should vote because
men do not and can not understand
women, that they now have the right 70
vote II the Constitution were strictly
adhered to, and that in those States
where equal suffrage now obtains con-
ditions are generally much better than
IN those States where men alone rule
politics.
Senator Poindexter Presides.
John Barrett, who was to act as tenn
porary chairman, was not present. and
the object of the meeting was stated
oy MRS. Clara Bewick Colby. who intro
duced Senator Miles Poindexter as
chairman of the meeting.
MRS. Colby referred to Senator La
toilette and Senator Stephenson as ex-
amples OF the men who favor women's
suffrage. Senator Warren of wyoming
was spoken Of as the dean of woman 8
suftragists.
senator Poindexter inveighed against
conditions of ventilation that exist in
public buildings in Washington, notably
She Capitol and the Treasury building.
ana said that the manner in which
dumb animals are treated here is a
disgrace. He thought such conditions
lot ''o'O 'He oHi-
Mrs. Edward T. Taylor, wife Of Con-
Sressman Taylor OF Colorado, said that
IN practice equal suffrage brought hus-
pand ana wife closer together instead
OF tending to separate them. She
tnought the benefits derived from equal
sunrage In Colorado were sufficient 10
commend the extension Of the plan to
other States.
Belva Lockwood Present.
Two OF the most prominent figures
at the meeting were Mrs. Belva I,ock-
wood and Mrs. Clara Colby, both OF
them veteran campaigners for wonan's
Suffrage. In the opinion of both of
decisions give woman the right to vote.
citizenship having been conferred upon
her In number of decisions
Congressman Frank w. Mondell of
wyoming said that the entrance of
women into the political field produced
cleaner . politics. He asserted that
women are even more conservative than
men and that their votes meant any
thing but revolution. In wyoming, he
saio, women are usually satisfied to
take the offices where the hardest work
is to be done, and where the salaries
are smallest.
The benehcent influence of women's
votes In ID politics was touched
upon by Congressman Burton I. French.
Miss Laura Burleson daughter OF Con-
gressman Burleson, laughed at the
chivalry of those men who wish to |
retain the ballot so that they may pro- |
tect women"
Speeches Were Earnest.
There was no suggestion of approval |
In any of the speeches Of the militant |
tactics Of English suffragettes. AL |
though speeches were earnest there
was little malice manifested toward the |
opponents of suffrage. many of whom
were In the audience
However, no argument against suf-
rage to which reference was made
was admitted to have any real force.
Everywhere stress was laid upon the
beneficial effects Of women's ballots In
those States where equal suffrage now
nxists.
Coincident with this meeting came
ne announcement from New York that
lad turned suffragist Her husband is
! great-grandnephew of Susan b. An
:hony: While in Washington this win
.er Mrs. Anthony caused a sensation |
With her diamond studded slippers and |
elaborate toilettes. Along with her an
aeuncement of conversion to suffrage
Mrs: Anthony told the New York news
papers that she expected to have a
IVenue.