Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-12-08

q.
tion of women sufrragists marched on
the White House at noon today to ask
the president for q definite expressing
Of his views on votes for women.
In a cold, biting wind that whipped
their banners and played havoc with
feminine fnery, about 100 leaders Of
the cause assembled at suffrage head
quarters near the treasury for the
march to the White House.
Between lines Of police. and banners
representing nearly every state, the wo-
men tramped of. headed by Dr.. Anna
Howard Shaw, Mrs. Medill McCor-
mick, Mrs. Susan w. Fitzgerald and
others appointed to the committee Of
fifty -f,ve by the convention to arrange
for the meeting with the president.
Women Arc Persistent.
The march on the White House was
caused principally by Presidents Will
sons omission in his annual message
OF any reference to the suffrage ques-
ton. Last week the president was suf-
fering from bad cold and could not
see the suffragists, and after two at
tempts to make an engagement the
suffrage leaders were instructed to
wait in Washington until the president
could see them.
The White House engagement list
was cleared for the reception Of the
women.
Denies Women's Request.
President Wilson today told the dele
cation that he favored a standing wo-
mans suffrage committee in the house
Of Representatives, but he denied the
request that he send a special message
to congress urging the reform.
DR.. Anna Howard Shaw, president OF
the association. summarized briefly
their appeal to the president to assist
the movement either by sending a spe-
cial message to congress- or including
reference to suffrage in any special
message he might deliver, or by using
his influence by having special COM
mittee of the house to consider the
subject.
Not a Free Agent.
II want you ladies, II possible" said
the president, "f I can make 1t clear to
you, to realize what my present stu
alton is. Whenever I walk abroad
realize that am not free man. ! am
under arrest. I am so carefully and
admirably guarded that have not
even the privilege of walking the
streets That Is, as 1t were, typical OF
NV transference from being an indi-
vidual with his mind on any and every
subject to be an official Of great gov
ernment and incidentally. or so 1t falls
out under our system Of government
the spokesman Of a party.
81 set myself this very strict rule
when I was governor Of New jersey
and have followed It as president and
shall follow it as president-that I am
not at liberty to urge on congress In
message policies which have not had
the organic consideration Of those Tor
whom I am spokesman.
Private Views Don't Count.
TN other words. have not yet pre-
sented to any legislature my private
Views on any subjects. and I never
shall, because I conceive that to Dc
part of the whole process Of govern
ment that I shall be spokesman foT
somebody. not for myself. 1t would
be an impertinence. When speak fol-
myself am an Individual: when I am
SpORSSiIlsiil VI Stii Va GeI11iN ''S'S ~--. =
representative.
For that reason you see I am by
my own principles shut out. in the
language Of the streets. from Starting
anything" have to confine myself to
those things which have been embodied
In promises to the people at an elec-
ton.
Glad to Be Consulted.
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
often pay the compliment Of consulting
me when they want to know my opin-
ion. One member Of the rules commit.
tee did come to me and asked what
thought of this suggestion OF yours
that the house appoint q special COM
mittee, as the senate has already ap.
pointed a special committee for the
!, consideration OF women's suffrage. ant
told him that I thought 1t was 9
proper thing to do. so that as far as
my personal advice has been asked by
single member Of the committee II
has been given to that effect. I want
to toll Won that to show Won that I an