Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1913-12-16
WILSON SEES WOMEN
PRESIDENT SAYS HE FtVoRS
"HoUsE COMMITTEE ON
SUFFRAGE.
HE CAN'T START ANYTHING
Chief Executive Asserts He Won't
Write Message to congress-TeIIs
Suffrage Leaders Party Principles
Prevent Urging Legislation.

Washington, Dec. 10.-The president
on Monday told a delegation from the
National American Woman's Suffrage
association that he favored a standing
woman's suffrage committee in the
house of representatives, but he re-
fused their request that he send u
special message to congress urging
the reform.
DIR. Anna Howard Shaw, president
of the association, summarized brief
ly their appeal to the president to as
sist the movement either by sending
a special message to congress, by in
'cluding reference to suffrage in any
general message he might deliver or
by using his influence to have a
special committee of the house ap-
pointed to consider the subject.
Il want you, ladies' said the presi-
dent to the delegation, ito realize
Just what my present situation is, if 1
can make it clear to you.
Whenever / walk abroad l real
ize am not free man; l am under
arrest. / am so carefully and admir-
ably guarded that have not even the
privilege of walking the streets.
That is, as it were, typical of my pres
ent transference from being an indi-
vidual with his mind on any and every
subject, to being an official of a great
government and, incidentally, or so it
falls out under our system of govern
ment, the spokesman of a party.
Il set myself this very strict rule
when | was governor of New Jersey.
and have followed it as president and
shall follow it as president-that
am not at liberty to urge upon con-
gress in messages policies which have
not had the organic consideration of
those for whom | am spokesman.
In other words, i have not yet pre-
sented to any legislature my private
views on any Subject, and l never
shall. because conceive that to be
part of the whole process of govern
ment, that l shall be spokesman for
somebody. not for myself 1t would
be an impertinence. When | speak
for myself I am an individual; when I
am spokesman of an organic body
am a representative.
For that reason, you see, l am by
my own principles shut out, in the
language of the street, from starting
anything. ! have to confine myself
to those things which have been en-
bodied as promises to the people at
an election. That is the strict rule /
set for myself.
Il want to say that with regard to
all other matters-I am not only glad
TO be consulted by my colleagues in
the two houses, but l hope they will
often pay me the compliment of con-
sIlting me when they want to know
my opinion on any subject. One mem
Der of the rules committee did come
10 me and ask me what I thought
about the suggestion Of appointing a
special committee of the house, as
the senate already has appointed
special committee for the considera-
tion of woman's suffrage
Il told him l thought it was a
proper thing TO do. So far as my
personal advice has been asked by a
single member of the committee It
has been given to that effect | want
to tell you that to show that | am
strictly living up to my principles.
When my private opinion is asked by
those who are cooperating with me.
/ am most glad to give it, but am not
at liberty, until l speak for somebody
besides myself, to urge legislation
upon the congress.
There was a pause and Doctor
Shaw spoke up.
May | ask you a question:" she
said. The president nodded assent.
Since we are members of no po-
litical party, who is to speak for US,
if we do not speak for ourselves ?"
You do that very admirable" re-
marked the president and the entire
assemblage joined in a laugh.
The president thanked his visitors
for calling and said he would like to
shake hands with them. Doctor Shaw
thanked the president for his cour-
tesy in receiving the delegation and
the members filed by the president.
Doctor Shaw expressed the view
that the presidents interview was
very satisfactory.
1t was all we could ask for" she
asserted. He is in favor of a com
mittee OF the house; that was our
chief purpose in coming to see him"
Mrs. Shaw added that she was much
encouraged.