New-York tribune., 1912-08-17
Should Stay Non.Partissn'

Mr.. Roosevelt in his letter 10 state anu
county chsirmen advising them TO place
women on their committees TO "orh 81
the campaign said: Women should 'aohe
the fight for woman suffrage WITHIN the
Progressive party" This is precisely "hat
they should not do. In Pennsylvania ana
Iowa both Republican and Democratic
state conventions declared FOR the en-
franchisement of women. In Nevada thc
Democratic state convention took similar
action. and last week the Republicans D.
Indiana gave their official indorseih'h''
In Illinois, Massachusetts and varloIs
other states one or the other OF tls o''
ORGANIZATIONS has recently favored woiH-
an suffrage. With two national partcs
bosides Mr.. Roosevet's standing Tor H.
and with the progressive elements among
both Democrats and Republicans IN al
parts Of the country putting 1t in their
state platforms, there never was a ume
when it was so much the part OF "l'-
dom FOR sufiragists 10 remain strictly non
partisan and 10 seek for support IRON
the most advanced men OF all parties. This
they never can receive II they afiliate
with any one political organization ara
allow It's exclusive Official stamp 10 ne
placed on their measure.
Suppose the Progressive party shoud d
succeed in making Roosevelt and John
son President and Nicc-President; how
would that secure equal suffrage, walc1
the party pledges Itself 70 accomplish Z
Mr.. Roosevelt could recommend TO Con
gr.ss the submission Of an amendment
to the national Constitution (Which he
consDicuously failed 10 do In his Former
administration, but IL would need no
conseut Of tWo-thirds of both houses; AMI
all Mr. Johnson could do would ue 10
give his vote I'm case OF H. in the
Senate As II would bear the Progrca-
sivc party brand. its adoption would re-
quire "A Progressive majority In Congr' s~.
The proposed amendment would then ave
10 be ratified ny tlrce-fOurths ot TIE t4-
lslatures and as II would he very lWp"'-
able that thrce-fOurths would be Pro-
rressive. the women would Ind them
selves appealing Z Republicans and DEM
ocrats. fatally handicapped by having A.
lied themselves with another party ard
worried FOR It's success. Suppose. on the
other hand. that there should be etths:
Il Democratic epublcan admnlS-
tration. what influence then could tn,
suffragists exert who had given their
faith and their EFFORT 10 another party?
But Congress is not going 10 propose An
amendment for woman suffrage TO the
national Constitution until II prevails IN
many more states. For years 10 come
women will have 20 appeal to state leSls-
lntur for the submission Of their meas
ure. and then to the voters for It's accept
ance II they go To Legislators wearing
the abel OF the Progressive party .hcy
will meet with a partisan opposition which
thus far tn y never have encountered.
and this will be far more pronounced
Uh they carry their case 10 the vote IS.
In every campaign heretofore they have
been able 10 make their appeals from an
entirely non-partisan standpoint; in the
six states where they have been sue
ccssful no one party can claim the credit
for the victory, ! therefore the women
are free TO vote In a spirit Of complete
independence. Thr mistake made by 4
few suffrnGists at the recent Progressive
convention cannot be undone. but Il
should be the paramount duty OF all
others 10 see that II is not repeated In any
state &c unbroken policy u absolute
non -partsanship for more than forty
years has brought the movement Tor
woman suffrage TO It's present advanced
position. where II is rapidly gaining .he
support OF men In all psrties-of the labor
organizations. the churches. the oranges,
the press and representative public senti-
ment among all classes This policy
should be risldly adhered TO till the con-
test Is ended.
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