The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-12-09
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS.

Washington, Dec S-President Will
son today told a delegation from the
National Woman's Suffrage Association
that he favored standing woman's s
suffrage committee in the house of rep
resentatives, but he denied their re-
quest that he send a special message
to congress urging the reform.
Marching by twos and fours with
banners af1oat, the sufragists were
ushered into Nhe presidents private Of
fee and formed in a circle about Mr..
Wilson.
DR. Anna Howard Shaw. president OF
the association, presented their appeal
to the president to assist the move
nent either by sending a special mes
sage to congress, or by using his in
Huence to have a special committee Of
the house appointed to consider the
subject
Il want you ladies, If possible" said
the president to the delegation, eff I
can make 1t clear to you, to realize just
what my present situation is.
NOT a FREE MAN.
Whenever / walk abroad, / realize
4 am not free man: am under ar
rest. I am so carefully and admirably
guarded that have not even the priv
ilege OF walking the streets. That is,
as tt were. typical Of my present trans
terence. from being an individual, with
his naind on any and every subject 20
z1a ~ q 80 i 59sfsns Il falis
"a "a sovernmerit.
Easz1. was governor q New Jersey
ana have followed It as President, and
shall follow it as president-that I am
not at liberty to urge upon congress,
in messages, policies which have not
have had the organic consideration Of
those for whom T am spokesman.
In other words, I have not vet pre-
sented to any legislature my private
views on any subject, and never
shall, because conceive that to be
part OF the whole process of governs
ment that / shall be spokesman for
somebody. not for myself 1T would be
an impertinence. When l speak for
myself, am an individual: WI i
am a representative
For that reason, you see, am by
my own principles shut out, in the lam
guage or the street, from Starting any
rning have to confine myself to
those things which have been embodied
as promises to the people at an elec-
ron- That Is the strict rule set for
myself.
II want to say that with regard to
all other matters am not only glad
TO be consulted by my colleagues in
the two houses. but / hope they will
orten pay me the compliment of con-
sulting me when they want to know
my opinion on any subject. One mem
TO me and ask me what I thought
about this suggestion of yours of ap
pointing a special committee of the
house. as the senate has already ap-
pointed special committees for gtNe
consideration of woman's suffrage. and
told him that l thought il was !.
proper thing to do. So that so far as
my personal advice has been a ed nv
q single member OF the COMMITTEES. il
has been given to that effect. / want
20 tell you that to show that an,
strictly living ND to my principles.
When my private opinion is asked by
those who are cooperating with me
am most glad to give it, but I am
not at liberty until speak for some
body beside myself, to urge 1egfsla-
Clon upon the congress"
There was pause and DIR. Anna
shaw. spoke up:
May ] ask you a question? ?ss said
she. The president nodded assent. ,
Since we are members of no politi !
cal party, who is to speak for as. If
we do not speak for ourselves?
Speak For Themselves.
You do that very admirabiv.s re- |
marked the president and the entire |
assemblage Joined in a laugh.
The president thanked his visitors /
Tor calling and said he would like r.
shake hands with them. DR.. shaw
thanked the president for his courtesy
fContinua7 or osea 1-u-oN