Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-07-01
Mr.. WILSON is RUFFLED

President Much chasrined by Pointed
Questions Put Up TO Him by suffrag-
ist DeIes Displeased
Women Disappointed.
Washington, July 1.-Five hundred
! members Of the General Federation OF
women's Clubs marched to the White
House late yesterday and drew from
President Wilson final refusal to ac-
cede to demands that he support the
NOV ement for woman suffrage
amendment to the federal constitu-
ton. The president reiterated his
statement to previous delegations that
his party had rot embodied this ques-
tion in its platform and then for the
first time announced his personal con-
yiction that the suffrage issue was one
for settlement by the states and not
by the federal government.
The women went away plainly dis
appointed. Headed by such leaders as
Mrs Ellis Logan, Mrs. Harvey w.
Wiley. Mrs. Rheta Chile 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, unusual scene by
cooling or crying accompaniment to
the speeches.
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 Harts his
military aide. in full dress uniform.
Mrs. Ellis Logan. president of the
District OF Columbia Federation Of
Women's Clubs, introduced Mrs. Wiley
and Mrs. Dorr. The latter spoke Of the
strength Of the sunragist movement
and said that the situation had
changed materially since the Balti-
more convention. There was a short
pause and then the president stepped
forward and addressed his callers.
No one could fail to be impressed
by this great company of thoughtful
women" said the president.
~ haxetsstAtsd once before the po-
/ giti0n which sAs the leader Of ! party
feel obliged TO take and am sure
that you viii not wish me to stats
II again. Perhaps 1t would be more
serviceable II I ventured upon the
confident conjecture that the Balti-
more convention did not embody this
very important question in the plat
form which it adopted because Of its
conviction that thep rinciples Of the
conviction that the principles Of the
tions to the states were well consid-
cred principles from which they did
not wish to depart
States Problem.
"You have asked me to state my
personal position with regard to the
pending measure. 1t Is my conviction
that this Is a matter for settlement by
the states and not by the federal gov
ernment and, therefore, that being
my personal conviction and 1t being
obvious that there are no grounds
on your part for disbursement in
the progress YOU are making and
my passoin being for local self-gov-
ernment and the determination by
the great communities into which this
nation Is organized of their own pol
icy and life, can only say that since
you turned away from me as a leader
of party and asked me my position
as a man, am obliged to state II
very frankly, and l believe that in
stating 1t l am probably in agree
ment with those who framed the plat
form to which alluso;n has been
made.
II think that. very few persons
perhaps. realize the difficulty Of the
dual duty that must be exercised
whether he will or not. by presi-
dent OF the United States. He is the
choice of party az leader in pol
icy. The policy is determined by the
party or else upon unusual and new
circumstances by the determination
Of those who lead this party; This is
my situation as an individual. 1 have
told you that believed that the best
way Of settling this thing is that il
should be settled by the states. am
very obliged to YOU"
us it not fact that we have very
good precedents existing for altering
the electorate by the constitution OF
the United States ~ asked Mrs. Dorr
II do not think that that has any
thing to do with my conviction as to
the best way 1t can be DONE" returned
the president.
Mrs. Wiley asked II It were state
matter would 1t not give the move
ment an impetus II the resolution
pending before congress was passed
''But that resolution is for an
amendment to the constitution" the
president said. ...ss...,
"The states would have to pass upon
it before 1t became. an amendment
Would It not be a state matter then p
persisted Mrs. Wiley.