The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-21
LOCAL SUFFRAG|STS
APPEAL To WILSON
ENDORSE PROPOSED AMENDMENT
TO CONSTITUTION GIVING
WOMEN THE VOTE.
URGE STATE ACTION
ALL LEAGUES IN VIRGINIA WILL
BIC ASKED TO ENDORSE RE-
SOLUTIONS ADOPTED HERE
YESTERDAY.

A statewide movement for the en-
dorsement of the proposed constftu-
tional amendment giving the ballot to
women of all the States of the Union
was started here today, when resolu-
tions calling upon President Wilson
to urge the amendment in his mes
sage converting the special session of
congress was adopted by the local
branch OF the Equal Suffrage League
of Virginia yesterday afternoon.
Mrs e. B. Valentine. State presi-
dent, introduced the resolution, which
was adopted unanimously with little
debate. 1t will be sent to all of the
twenty-six leagues in Virginia with
the request that each league endorse
1t and send draft to President Will
son. The resolution reads:
-. The Resolution.
Resolved. That the Equal Suffrage
League OF Richmond calls upon Presi-
dent Wilson to urge in his message
converting the extra session or con-
Eress the passage of an amendment to
the United States constitution giving
the suffrage to women on equal terms
with men"
There are about fifteen hundred
members OF the suffrage league in this
State, Of which good proportion are
men. 1t is hoped that each league
will adopt similar resolution and
forward 1t to the president before the
presidents message is sent to con-
gress. AS time is short before the
message to congress will be sent, quick
action In necessary and State Presi-
dent Valentine will take the matter
In hand at once and Will notify the
various leagues of Richmond's action
This action by the local league Is
In lire with the prophecy made here
by Mrs. James Lees Laidlaw, Of New
York. in her speech at the jefferson
hotel ON March LIST, when she said
that If failure resulted from the at
tempt to introduce equal suffrage
state by State, an effort would he
made 10 secure the adoption of an
amendment TO the federal constitu-
ton.
Some of the Virginia suffragists are
preparing TO back up their resolu-
tions asking for constitutional amend
ment by taking part in the equal SUI
frage parade which will be held in
Washington when the extra session
Of congress convenes.
The Amendment.
The constitutional amendment which
was endorsed by the local league yes
teraay and which will be introduced
in the senate and house soon after the
extra session opens has been drawn
up hy the suffragists. and approved
by Senator Thomas, Of Colorado,
chairman Of the senate committee on
woman suffrage. The amendment Is
as follows:
THE right of citizens of the United
~ nv
abridged by the United States or by
any State thereof on account OF SEES"
Hearings in both the senate and
house will be begun soon after the
opening of the extra session, accord
ing to the present plans, and the suf-
fragists and anti-suffragists VIII be
given an opportunity To present their
arguments. Both sides are already
busy marshaling their facts.
There will be no effort TO make the
parade April eth either long or elah-
crate. say the leaders 1t will be
composed of the national officers Of
the National American Woman Suf-
frage association. II is announced.
and Of 5sl women representing each
congressional district in the United
States, and each state.
All of the women marching in the
parade will be dressed in white, and
IL liz planned to make ii effective and
artistic Headed by a band they will
march to the capitol and one woman
will give to each senator and each
representative a petition from home"
asking for constitutional amendment
giving nationwide equal suffrage
Considerable business other than
the adoption of this resolution was
transacted by the league yesterday
afternoon. The program committee
reported on the meetings for the next
month or six weeks. Monday night q
meeting in the Unitarian church on
Grove avenue will he addressed by
Miss Johnston and Mrs. Valentine,
Or. Bowser, the pastor of the church.
will preside.
The Weekly Meetings.
For the regular Thursday afternoon
meetings of the league Mayor George
Ainslie, DR.. Mcneil. of Richmond
college: Miss Mamie Minor. of the
Visiting Nurses association. and Miss
Elizabeth Cooke have been secured.
DR.. MCNEIL speaks next Thursday
afternoon at o'clock on the tariff,
The hour is changed in order TO give
men an opportunity TO hear DR.. Nc
Neilf. Mayor Ainsie will speak some
time in April on "Richmond's Needs
From the Mayors Standpoint" and
Miss Cooke will tell OF conditions OF
immigrants in New York city. Miss
Minor will tell OF the work of the
visiting nurses.