Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-31
RIGHTS OF THE FAIR SEX
Woman's Arguments Indorsed by
Representatives in Congress.
SUPPORT OF THE FRENCH BILL
Gives All Qualified Residents of
States Right to Vote for Ma
tional Lawmakers.

Four hundred advocates Of equal suf-
frage, of both sexes. stormed the Cap
itOl today and argued before the House
committee on elections in an effort to
get favorable report on the bill OF
Representative Burton French of Idaho
giving women the right to vote for
representatives in Congress. Many Of
the delegation. arrayed in attractive
gowns and millinery, which caught the
eye Of congressman who passed the
open doorway Of the big committee
room. cheered Representatives MOndell.
Raker and Hayden as these statesmen
told the listening judiciary committee
that nothing better could happen to
the United States than to allow univer-
sal suffrage.
Most Of the advocates were of the
gentler sex, but wedged in between
stern faced petitioners sat gentle
faced old grandfather who applauded
automatically and with genial smile
on his face as some one would wind up
sentence with an oratorlcal flourish
Tax Capacity of Committee Room.
Gray-haired grandmothers, matrons and
maids, husbands, sweethearts, brothers and
others interested, crowded into the big
rest committee room of the House office
build;ng-the one in which the money
trust inquiry was held-and taxed its
great capacity. Not only We're the woman
suffragists present. but the sight or
them attracted a hundred woman clerks
from the neighboring office rooms. and a
scattering Of congressman dropped IN 10
hear the speaking.
Rev. Olympia Brown Of Racine. Wis.
president of the Federated woman
presided and led the battle for ballots. A
dozen congressman were lined up to sup
port her and nine suffrage" states were
represented.
There were seats for about three-quar-
ters of the fair pleaders and the re-
mainder either stood around near the
walls of the room or sat upon the moor,
from which position they could hear. but
could not see, yet which tnterfered not
at all with the ardor of their applause.
Mrs. Clara B. Colby Of Portland. Ore.
a prominent worker for the cause, opened
the hearing with a plea for the enactment
Of constitutional amendment prohibit
ing states from disfranchiSing citizens be-
cause of sex.
'Where there are but few veterans to
lead our fight" she said. there are
myriads equally determined and devoted
followers.
..Our efforts are lasting record of the
delay and futility Of congressional com.
mittees." Mrs. Colby continued. that
have made a days sport OF the earness
their political freedom. We shall con-
tinue as long as is necessary.
Presents the Issue.
1.-THE Constitution says that representa-
tiyes shall be chosen by the people OF
the several states Are women people =?
| Are women citizens? Those are the
questions for you to decide"
Representative Mondell of Wyoming de-
clared that "state legislatures may very
properly consider disenfranchisement OF
bachelors
Representative Hayden of Arizona told
how women are the conservative - not
radical-voters of that state.
Representatives Baker OF California.
Iafferty of Oregon and a half dozen
other congressman also cited the success
of equal suffrage in their states.
Other speakers were DR.. Belva A. Lock-
wood, honorary president Of the Equality
League, and Clara w. MacNaughton Of
Washington.