Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-07
ner 1t had all the appearance of a po-

q
and objects of the demonstration. and
then introduced Mrs. Beatrice Forbes
Robertson Hale, niece of Forbes Rob
ertson, the English actor. Mrs Hale
delivered thrilling suffrage speech and
was frequently applauded.
Miss Janet Richards, we'll known In
Washington as a lecturer, was the next
speaker. She spoke of the political as
pect of the woman movement and of the
things women are striving for. She urged
the women to be tireless in their efforts
for the ballot, and to keep on pressing
for the constitutional amendment.
Miss Richards declared that two months
ago she favored gaining suffrage by
states, but that she had become con-
sinced that because of the opposition of
fhe liquor and other interests In some
states, and because of the "trickery and
dishonesty resorted to sometimes, the
light should be carried on for a federal
Constitutional amendment.
= DR.. Mary Walker occupied a box seat at
the meeting and was an interested spec
fator at all that occurred.
= Great Demand for Suffrage.
Mrs. James Leeds Laidlaw of New
York, auditor of the National American
Woman Suffrage Association. was the
last speaker. She said that great deal
of attention has been paid to conserva-
ton of forests and waterways. but too
little to conservation OF childhood and
human life. The woman suffrage move
ment Will relieve this want, she de-
clared.
Never before in the history of the
world has so organized. so persistent. so
massive. so undertaking a demand been
made for one thing as has been made.
and is being made, for woman suffrage,
she continued.
No class in the modern history of the
extension of the franchise has had to
Gu haE 10 cuff fyic CT
And in no country Is the constitutional
method Of obtaining the franchise so
burdensome as in the method of get
ting it state by state. In European
countries the question is decided by the
parliament. while in the states women
are compelled to go before the electorate
in many cities an increasingly difficult
electorate.
The present campaign in Washington.
d. c., Is plea that this great country
settle this thing in a big way. In the
name of the tremendous demand in all
the states for equal suffrage; In the name
of the unequal status of women poiti-
scally in different states of this country;
SH the name of good economy, of the
conservation of the time, energy. re-
sources and valuable social service of
great body of American women who are
diverting their efforts into this great
Seral government. In justice to both men
and women, for the welfare and efficiency
of this country, to regard this question
of woman suffrage as the greatest ma
,tional question for It's consideration to-
day, and act accordingly"
AT the conclusion of the meeting, a
resolution was unanimously passed call
ing Ion Congress to pass at the present
session a constitutional amendment en-
franchising women"
March From Theater to Capitol.
Marching out of the theater under the
leadership of Miss Paul. Mrs. Laidlaw
and Mrs. Mary Ware bennett, secretary
of the National American Woman Suf-
frage Association, the 5s1 messengers
from home formed in line on F street
and then marched to 18th street and then
10 Pennsylvania avenue They were pre-
needed by two bands.
3 The state delegations marched in alpha
Jbetical order. Leading was huge ban
zner, with the motto Nationwide Suffrage
by a Constitutional Amendment" Each
state delegation carried it's state banner,
and each marcher bore a small yellow
pennant. The majority of the delegates
Were dressed in white.
: Parading as far as the Peace monu-
sment. the band halted, and then the
swomen walked up the west steps and
divided into two sections in front of the
west door. The two sections marched to
the north and south, and Joined again at
the east door Then all entered, not in
marching order, but still together in
compact form.
An unexpected incident of the occasion
was the warm reception accorded to the
large. delegation by several senators and
representatives who came down to the
retunda to welcome the visitors and as
sure them of their interest in the cause
for which they are working.
Senator Thomas of Colorado, chairman
OF the senate committee on womans sui
frage. congratulated Miss Paul upon the
orderly and business-like manner in
which the women, under her leadership.
st is my opinion that the effect of this
demonstration will be to facilitate the
work of my committee" he said.
Senator Brady Promises Support.
Mrs. Laidlaw was assured by Senator
James H. Brady of Idaho: Il will sup
port the federal suffrage bill by my voice
and vote" 1t was he who In 1910 called
upon the governors of the other suffrage
states to aid in the organization of the
National Council of Women Voters.
which later held its first meeting at Ia
coma. Wash.
The greetings OF Senator Ashurst Of
Arizona were especially cordial, and he
was introduced on all sides.
Miss Richards asked Delegate Wick
ersham of Alaska his opinion of
suffrage. With frankness Mr.. Wicker
sham responded: I'VE men of the west
are not afraid of our women. and it is
beyond my comprehension why eastern
men should be. The first act of the first
Legislature of the erritory of Alaska was
TO extend the franchise to women. 1t was
done by a unanimous vote in both houses
I would like to see the rest of the thirty
nine states follow that TRAIL.
Miss Paul was informed by Representa-
tive Bryan, progressive from the state
of Washington, that she could count on
the support of the progressive party for
the amendment. Mr.. Bryan was proud of
the fact that he was in Congress by vir-
tue of the votes of women well as men
Il am proud to be member of the pro-
gressive party he told her. which Is
pledged to your cause and shall add all
can to my record of service in the cause
of equal suffrage. Today, as your brothers
and sisters are winning the fight in Mich
igan, you are planting the flag OF equal
tty and justice at the National Capital.
here are men enough in Congress by the
flag will never be hauled down till the
slogan Votes for women becomes obso-
lete"
Those in Charge of Reception.
The reception at the Capitol was under
the direction of the following committee:
DR.. Cora Smith King and Miss Ida Evan
geline Prouty, representing the suffrag-
lists: Senators Thomas of Colorado, Ash
urst of Arizona, Brady of Idaho, Clapp of
Minnesota, Sutherland of Colorado and