Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-12-08
WILSON FAVORS
SUFFRAG|STS, HE
TELLS VISITORS
Assures Delegation Headed by
DR.. Anna Shaw His Heart
Is With Them.
REGRETS HE CANNOT ASK
CONGRESS TO SHARE VIEW
Says 1t Would Be Impertinence
to Urge Private Opinions
in Message.

WASHINGTON, Dee. S.-PreSldent
Wilson today told a delegation from
the National American Woman's Suf-
frage Association that he favored a
standing womans suffrage committee
in the House of Representatives, but
he denied their request that he send
this reform.
Marching by twos and fours, with
banners afoat, the suffragists braved
chill winds of raw day to storm the
White House offices. They We're soon
ushered into the Presidents private
office, and formed a circle about Mr.
Wilson.
DIR. Anna Howard Shaw, president
of the association, summarized briefly
their appeal to the President to assist
the movement either by sending a
special message to Congress. by in
cluding reference to suffrage in any
general message he might deliver OF
by using his influence to have q
special committee of the House APP
pointed to consider the subject.
II want you ladies, If possible" saio
the President to the delegation, ''if
can make it clear to you, to realize
just what my present situation is.
"Pm Under Arrest" Says Wilson.
Whenever | walk abroad | realize
that I am not free man; l am under
arrest / am so carefully and ad-
mirably guarded that | 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 ano
every subject to being an official of 8
great government and, incidentally
or so it falls out under our system OF
government, 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 ii as President
that | am not at liberty to urge upor
Congress in messages policies which
have not had the organic considera.
ton of those for whom | am spokes
man.
I'm other words,aI have not yet pre-
sented to any Legislature my privat,
views on any subject, and l never
shall, because | conceive that to b,
part of the whole process of govern
ment, that l shall be spokesman foi
somebody. not for myself. 1t would
be an impertinence When | speak
for myself / am an individual; when
| am spokesman for an organic body
am a representative.
Shut Out from "Starting Anything
For that reason, you see, ] am by
my own principles shut out, in the
language of the street, from Starting
anything l 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 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 appoint
ing a special committee of the House,
as the Senate has already appointed
a special committee for the consider
alton of woman's suffrage, and | told
him | thought 1t was a proper thing
to do.
Personally Sides with Suffragists.
, so, that so far as my personal ad-
vice has been asked by a. single MEM
Der of the committee, it has been
given to that effect. l 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, l am most
glad to give it, but I am not at lib
erty until | speak for somebody be-
side myself, to urge legislation upon
the congress"
There was a. pause and DR.. Anna
Shaw spoke up
May | ask you question" said
she. 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 admirably" 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. DIR. Shaw
thanked the President for his cour-
tesy in receiving the delegation, and
the members filed by the President.
Hubby for Il. r.. She for Wilson.
II come from Salt Lake City" Mrs.
Lulu l.. Sheppard told the President,
"and though my husband voted for
Roosevelt, | and my daughter voted
for you, so you see what woman suf-
frage can do
Il hope you will make him con
vert" laughed the President.
Conflicting comments were forth
coming from the delegates when they
lined up in front of the executive Of
fees to have their pictures taken,
after the reception.
DIR. Shaw expressed the view that
the Presidents interview was verS
satisfactory.
1T was all that We could ask for"
she said. HE is in favor of a COM
mittee of the House; that was our
chief purpose in coming to see him. -
Mrs Shaw added she was much
encouraged and expected action by
Congress.
Someone asked Mrs. Medill McCor-
mick If she had any comment to
make on the Presidents reply.
No" said Mrs. Mccormick. II
want to think