Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-12-09

Teduy Deen asked MS opinion aDOut the
organization of a standing committee
In the House of Representatives to
consider woman suffrage, he had ex-
pressed himself in favor Of such
committee
Some of the members of the delega-
| ton were disappointed, some felt en-
couraged, others were non-committal
DR.. Anna Howard Shaw expressed the
view that the Presidents endorsement
Of the idea of a special committee in
the House was all that could have
been expected under the circum-
stances.
1t was quiet earnest group of SUI
fragists who stood in a circle with
the President in its center in the
White House offices. Most of them
had walked in defiance of a freezing
gale, enthusiastic about their mission
and determined to get definite ex-
preston from the Chief Executive.
They constituted the special commit
tee appointed by the convention of the
national organization to await the
Presidents recovery from his illness
and they marched confidently to the
White House to plead their cause.
The President nodded pleasantly to the
women as they formed In circle around
him and DR.. Shaw stepped forward. She
told in straight forward, simple way,
how unavailing had been the frequent
pilgrimages of the women to Washing
ton heretofore, and of how committees
of Congress had listened courteously but
had buried their case" She appealed
to the President Gin the spirit of JUS
tice" to urge upon Congress by message
to pass an amendment to the federal
constitution to be submitted to the states
that would give women the right to vote
throughout the land.
She suggested three days for the Pres
ident to help the cause of suffrage-by
special message on the subject; by ref
erence to it in any general message he
might send, or the use of his influence to
obtain the appointment of standing
committee in the House of Representa-
tives to consider the subject as the SEN
ate had done
The President listened in silence. He
had not been asked for his own views on
woman suffrage, so he did not give them
On the proposal to send a message to
Congress he cited his rule of adhering to
party policies, intimating that when con-
suited by members of Congress he might
give his views
There was a pause after the President
finished speaking. an air of not having
quite been satisfied and Dr. Shaw re-
sumed:
Il want you ladies, II possible" said
the President to the delegation. eff can
make II clear to you, to realize Just what
my present situation is
@Whenayer 7 walk abroad raa1;1o
am not free man, am under arrest
am so carefully and admirably guarded
that I have not even the privilege of
walking the streets. That is, as it were,
typical of my present transference from
being an individual with his mind on any
and every subject to being an official
of a great government, and incidentally,
or so 1T follows out under our system
of government, the spokesman of a par
ty.
Il set myself this very strict rule when
l was governor of New Jersey and shall
follow 1t as President-that l am not at |
liberty to urge upon Congress in mes
sages policies which have not had the
organic consideration of those for whom
/ am spokesman
In other words, l have not yet pre-
sented to any legislature my private
views on any subject and I never snail
1T would be an impertinence When
] speak for myself, 1 am an individual;
when l am spokesman for an organic
body, am representative.
For that reason, you see, I am by
my own principles shut out, in the lam
guage of the street, from starting any
thing l have to confine myself to those
things which have been embodied as
promises to the people at an election
That is the strict rule I set for my
self"
Il want to say that with regard to all
other matters l am not only glad to be
consulted by my colleagues in the TWO
Houses but / hope they will often pay
me the compliment of consulting me
when they want to know my opinion on
any subject. One member of the rules
committee did come to me and ask me
what / thought about this suggestion Of
yours of appointing a special committee
of the House as the Senate has already
appointed a special committee for the
consideration Of womans suffrage, and
told him that thought it was proper
thing to do. So that, so far as my per.
sonal advice has been asked by a single
member of the committee, 1t has been
given to that effect. I wanted to tell
you that to show that I am strictly living
up to my principles. When my private
opinion is asked by those who are CO.
operating with me, I am most glad to
give it, but I am not at liberty, until
speak for somebody beside myself to
urge legislation upon the Congress-"
"Since we are not members of any po-
litical party" she asked, who is going
to speak for us-there Is no one to speak
for US"
Il realize that" interjected the Presi-
dent.
Unless we speak for ourselves
And you do that very admirably" re-
Joined Mr.. Wilson, and general laugh
broke the solemnity Of the occasion.
Il should like to shake hands with as
many of you as want added the Pres
ident smilingly and several women STEP
per forward. Others hung back and drift
ed out of the office. The women filed out
and posed for picture and went forth
into the teeth of the gale again in