Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-07-02
Turns Down the General Fed
Grafton in Demand for Suf-
frage Amendment.
800 VISIT WHITE HOUSE
They Leave Humiliated--Talk
of War on Democratic Par
ty-''A Pleasant Occa-
siOn," Says Wilson.

Washington. June 3O.-Fivo hun
dred members of the General Fedora
ton of women's clubs marched to the
White House to-day and drew from
President Wilson final refusal to
accede to demands that he support
the movement for a woman suffrage
amendment to the federal constitu-
ton. The President reiterated his
statement to previous delegations that
his party had not embodied his quos-
ton in its platform and then for the
first time announced his personal con-
viction that the suffrage issue was
one for settlement by the States and
not by the federal government
The women went away plainly disap-
pointed and chagrncd. some of them
talking against the democratic party.
Headed by such leaders as Mrs. Ellis
Logan, Mrs. Harvey w Wiley, Mrs
Rheta Childe Dorr and Miss Alice Paul,
they had marched to the White House
with bands playing and banners flying.
They massed themselves in the historic
east room. many carrying babies who
added their share to the usual scene ny
speeches
NO APPLAUSE FOR PRESIDENT.
Once inside the White House the women
made no demonstrations and allowed
their leaders to do all the talking There
was no applause as the President entered
the east room, accompanied by Colonel
Harris. his military aide, in full dress
~
the District of Columbia Federation OF
Woman Suffrage clubs. told President
of the adoption Of a suffragis resolution
Mt a recent general convention of hel
organization IN Chicago.
She then introduced Mrs. WILEY and
Mrs. Dorr. The latter spoke Of the
strength Of the suffragist movement and
raid that the situation has changed ma
terially since the Baltimore convention
There was a short pause and then the
President stepped forward and announce
his stand on the question.
Is FOR THE STATES TO DECIDE.
1T is my conviction that this is a mat
ter for settlement by the States and not
by the federal government and therefore
that being my personal conviction and i
being obvious that there is no ground or
your part for discoura cement in the prog
ress you are making and my passion he
Ing for local government and the de
termination by the great communitie:
INTO which this nation is organized Of
their own policy and life, ! can only sa,
that since you turned away from mo as :
leader of a party and ask me my posi-
ton as man I am obliged to state j.
very frankly and ] believe that in Stain.
II am probably in agreement with thos
who framed the platform to which allu
zion has been made"
is il not fact that we have yer!
good presidents existing for altern.
ahe electorate by the constitution o
the United States?" asked Mrs. Dorr
CONVICTION TO MEANS.
II do not think that that has any
thing to do with my conviction as t
the best way that it can be done an
ewered the President.
Mr. President, don't YOU think tina
when the constitution was made it wa
agreed that when three-fourths of tn
states wanted a reform that the othe
fourth would receive it ALSO" per
sisted Mrs. Dorr.
II cannot say what was agreed upor
/ can only say that | have tried to an
Ewer your question and | do not thin
It Is quite proper that I submit myse
TO REORGANIZATION" continued I'll
President.
Thank you, Mr., President, for tn
COURTESY replied Mrs. Wiley.
II am very much obliged 10 You.
has been a pleasant occasion" said M
Wilson in parting.