The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-03-03
VAST PAGEANT
OF SUFFRACISTS
Ten Thousand Women
in Demonstration at
Washington
Unique Features Mark Memor-
able Procession Before Wis.,
itOrS at National CAPITOL


Washington, March3-Ten thousand
n1archers today joined in the demand
for votes for women in the most
elaborate suffrage demonstration in
the worlds history Sufragettes
literally captured the Capitol today.
They all but overshadowed- From
all parts of the country and from
distant lands, every conceivable class
Of women was epresented-eVery
type, every profession, every age
of the former chief chemist and being
early educated in equal suffrage by
his parents, to Miss H. NJ. Young, the
eighty y-seven-year-old pioneer in the
equal rights movement.
1t was the overwhelming cu1nina-
ton OF ffty-fve-year battle for bal
lots in the United States It was
both protest against d1sfranchise-
ment and vivid, dignified, elaborate
demand for equal rights at the polls
There were three distinct features
to the deLnonstration-tt7e parade, q
Department steps, and, tonight, a
series of mass meetings.
That today's demonstration was dis
tinct1y for and by women was the
keynote forced home to all observers.
The women evinced that theirs was
no part or the inaugural cST01nOn1oS
Complete divorce-as a theme and idea
from the inaugural was emphasized.
Flower of American womanhood
joined in the celebration. Society
leaders in hundreds from all cities
trudged sturdily beside humble house
wives. Actresses, opera singers and
professional women whose Sname8 are
known in every country Joined with
enthusiasm. Senators, Congr ressmen
and leaders Of civic and political life
of the nation marched with the wo-
men.
Pennsylvania avenue, from the Capt.
toI to the White House was seething
with denseIy packed humanity. Grand
=stands erected for the Inauguration.
scerern onies tomorrow were jann1ed
with spectators.
Flags. penEaz1ts, buttons, handbil1s.
posters and banners of myriad colors,
combined with the costumes of the
marchers gave THE Avenue kaIei-
doscopic appearance. Tons of suffrage
literature were distributed. Streets
and sidewalks were trampled with
printed appeal for the ballot Lusty
lunged women held impronptu suf-
frage speeches at street corners.
The city was in gala attire not only
for the women but for the inaugural
parade Buildings were abIaze with
color Intertwined with the guidons
and pennants for Wilson and Marshall
Women" National and international
colors of the suffragists were 1avishly
used.
Women "hikers'' came from New
York, Baltimore. Richmond and other
nearby cities The largest was Gen.
Rosalie Jones and her footsore fer1i-
nine starmy" which completed its trip
from New York, begun February II.
Homefolks and visitors here aban-
doned everything to view the pageant
today. The only desertion-in num-
bers or thought-fre-n the women was
the citizens reception at the Union
Station to President-eIect Wilson and
his party. But this crowd, masse1
at the depot plaza FOR the arrival of
Wilson's special train swept down in
to the Avenue in wild rush for a
view of the wonan's pageant as soon
as the incoming executive had arriv-
ed.
BY noon the vanguard of the women
paraders formed near the Peace Mon
ument, at the base Of the Capitol
the eastern extremity of Pennsylvania
avenue.
Women and girls, in dazzling, white
flowing robes on horse and afoot,
unarshaIed the forces Of equal rights.
Mounted on an immense White charger
in a. long loose ye4-ow tunic, carrying
a gilded trumpet, was Miss 1nez Mil
holland, the celebrated New York suf-
frage leader She was the herald.
On the crack cavalry horse of the
army, Mrs. r. C. Burleson, wife of
Lieutenant Burleson of the army, act
ed as grand marshal. A score Of
women of Virginia and Maryland,
W ere assistant mounted marshals.
While the parade was forming tab
Ieaux at the south front of the Treas
ury was being enacted The signal
of the start of the parade was relay
81 Txyh hIncI< from the Peace
Monument by heralds. Their mega
phones were gilded in imitation of
hera1d's bugles and alal were dress
ed in costume
AS the procession slowly swept up
Pennsylvania avenue, Miss Milho1-
land frequently sounded the triun-
phant militant one of Progress"
purple and yellow banner was sus-
pended from her trumpet
Hundreds of the marchers were
uniformed, but the greater part don
ned Citizens clothes. The uniforms
of every color, were long <tPortia"
capes, full and flowing, with a single
button at the breast. ''Portia" caps
were the uniform headpieces.
Behind Miss Milholland marched
ten ushers, carrying yellow and blue
pennants, and wearing light blue and
gold caps and gowns.
A womans band of fifty pieces fol-
lowed. They received a tremendous
ovation at every step Behind march
ed fifty more uniformed women ush-
ers Then came Capitol women
marchers-over 5oO-clad in golden
tan caps.~
The first mounted brigade, headed
by Mrs BurIeson, the grand marshal.
were next.
Then came floats denoting the
countries in which women have whole
or partial suffrage. Before them
was carried banner labeled WON