The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1912-11-23
SEEK TO AMEND
CONSTITUTION
Three Vital Amendments Be-
fore Suttragists.
IS A REAL CONVENTION
National Gathering In Philadelphia
Gets Down to Work, With All Sorts
of Rows on Its Hands.

National Gathering In Philadelphia
Gets Down to Work, With All Sorts
of Rows on Its Hands.
Philadelphia, Nov. %. - Any mis-
guided man that fears political con
ventions might degenerate into mandy
pamby affairs just wants to take the
first train to Philadelphia and see the
suttragists-don't call them suf1ra
ge.tes or there will be row.
They got right down to real work
In the national convention. It's a real
convention, too. for there are all sor,s
of rows. The women don't use qui>e
such hard words as the men might
use, but they are able to call each
other falsi6ers in the most ladyilke
manner.
The convention hall in which the
battle is being held is beautifully dec
Grated with flags. Madam Chairman
is the way DR.. Anna Shaw is being
addressed.
Underlying the discussion was sec
uonal fight which bids fair to wax
warm and warmer. 1t developed that
the headquarters Of the association
will no longer remain in New YORK
without protest Of most vigorous
nature from the delegates west OF the
Rockies. The unit rule was invoked
to prevent the passage Of amendments
to the constitution prohibiting officers
of the association from participating
in partisan politics, and it was limited
that the rule is expected to have Its
effect in the election of officers.
When the reports had been made
and adopted, the corresponding secre
tary read a printed list of proposed
amendments to the bylaws and con
stitution. Among these were three OF
vital impor ,ance. In substance they
weer that the headquarters should not
be permanently located in New York
or anywhere else; that officers or even
members of the association should not
take sides in partisan litics, except
in states where the ri: Mt of suffrage
exists, and finally, that a secret bal
lot for officers should be cast, each
delegate exercising her individual
preference.
In the constitution of the associa
ton there is a clause which permits
the un rule to be effective when five
states have so requested. Quietly Miss
Harriet Mills, of New York, had circu
lated among the delegations and got
ten what purported 10 be the support
of that number of states.
Delegates were on their feet by the
half dozen in protest. The chair ruled
that Miss Mills had obtained the re
Quisite number of states. A motion
was made to override the decision OF
the chair 1t was viva voce vote and
the chair was sustained.
Miss Evans, of Rhode Island, sub
mitted a suggestion for law to be
submitted by the women suffragists
to all of the state legisla ures in which
women now have no right to vote. II
follows:
"That in any election hereafter held
in this state for the election of presi
Dental electors, the right of any citi
zen to vote shall not be abridged on
account of sex; woman may vote al
such elections the same as men, under
like restrictions and qualifications.
Miss Thomas, president of Bryn
Mawr college, introduced resolution
in the form of an amendment that ex.
ira funds be raised by taxing subsi,
diary state organizations $50 each a
year and 10 cents apiece for every
member up to 5000. These organiza
items would be allowed more delegates
in return, the resolution pointed out.
Miss Clay, niece of the great Hen
ry Clay and a leader in the southern
suffrage movement, protested to this