The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-09-26
LABOR STOOD
FOR SUFFRAGE
BY BIG VOTE

The State Federation voted in favor
Of equal suffrage this afternoon after
q lengthy debate. An overwhelming
majority favored granting woman the
ballot.
The minority report of the resolu-
lions committee opposing equal suff-
rage was voted down So to So, and the
majority report was accepted.
A majority and minority report on
the proposition of advocating an equal
suffrage resolution to go before the
legislature was presented to the Fed
Grafton of Labor convention today.
Three members of the resolutions COM
mittee approved of equal suffrage, two
opposed it.
J. w Lackey, of Terre Haute. said:
II have never before met such sur
prise as this. Why men who have plea
ded for the economic uplift of human
ity, who this very day permitted wom-
en- to vote on all questions in the
State Federation, and then to say that
they have not the right and abality
to vote for political officers surprises
me. There is no consistency in this
stand believe that women must help
In politics as they have done in the
Industrial world. These women, can
vote in this convention on laws gov
erning US, why not on laws to govern
society?
LET The Women Vote"
Let these women go to The polls.
Let us not put stigma on this con-
vention that it is prejudiced against
women. l am not afraid of them. Any
thing the women do not want. ought
not be in this country. Every labor or
ganization has endorsed the suffrage
movement, and shall we stand back?
1T is not political question, but
human question. If we deny them the
rights we have, we will soon loose the
privileges we have. The thing to do is
; to give the women the right to vote"
William New. Indianapolis repre-
eenting the brewery workers, maintain
ed it is political uestion. Equal
Suffrage means political alignment.
Certain politicians are waiting to use
platforms
Mrs. Field Speaks.
Mrs. Anna Field, of Elwood, said:
-Four of us ladies introduced the res
olution. We did not introduce it to
further political party, but to fur
ther woranhood We are not in poll
tics, wait till we get the strings and
we will show you something. Your
federation has gone on record four
tines Defore fayoring it,, SO has the
American Federation of Labor. | can
not vote, bit the ignorant foreigner
can, am not politician, but hope to
be. | want you to give us the right.
If have no better right to vote than
law breaker, | must be shown
Mrs Fileds insisted that woman has
the ability to vote to p rotect her chill
dren
William Houston, mine worker of
Terre Haute. pleaded for equal suf-
frage. Six states have done so. We
boast Of being progressive, and yet we
deny woman, the center of progress,
the right to vote"
Delegates then maintained again
but a political question. Speakers
claimed that the State Federation
should not take action on political
questions,
Delegate Van Horn. member of the
committee on resolutions, pleaded for
equal suffrage, arguing that women
should enjoy all the rights of men. He
repeated the argument of Mr.. Houston
that if the women must go into the
factory to vote. then they must have
the right to protect themselves by
voting for protective laws. Women
have progressed" said he, "and the
nation should grant them suffrage"
Barry In Opposition.
Ed Barry, Indianapolis, signer of
the minority report against equal suff-
rage said: 81 yield to no man in my
respect for woman. The. hand that
has rocked the cradle rulr >. }a world.
and it will do so even. ii =, omen can
vote"
not more but less voters. II will go
to the ballot and vote against equal
suffrage. know that aliens are per-
mitted to vote, but am opposed to
the influx of ignorant foreigners"
Delegate Carl OFT wanted to table
the minority report. but President
Perkins said this would mean in eff
feet that the whole question be tabled.
Delegate Parry reviewed the action
favoring and opposing woman's suff-
rage in the history of the Federation.
He said that the proposition is not a
political but an industrial question.
The trades union should go on record
now favoring it.
Delegate Hawley put the issue on
an ethical basis. He expressed the
belief that Providence did not intend
woman to work. IF women have the
right to vote there will be more NOR
ality. If women have voice in making
laws, the laws will be good. The val
ne of women voting to organized la
Dor is great.
Delegate Wiley questioned the sim
cerity of the delegates who maintain
ed that it was a political question. It
would hate to think that my wife and
mother has not the knowledge and
sincirety to vote for political princi-
pies.
Delegate Burns of Logansport, said
the best educated women in Cass