Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-27
PLEAD FOR VOTES
ON CAPITOL HILL
Suffragists See Speaker Clark,
Vice President Marshall
and Members.
DEMAND THAT CONGRESS
LEAD STATES IN ACTION
National Leaders Take Part in Dem
onstration Which Is Wholly
Non-Partisan.

NOA.x al LkSdA.
"Womans suffrage is inevitable as the
rising of tomorrow's sum-" Speaker Clark
this morning told delegation that was
composed of national officers of the
American Womans Suffrage Association
and District leaders. They took to the
Capitol more than 900 petitions to
congressman asking that they give sup
port to the suffrage legislation before
July 8. These petitions were adopted
at thirty-eight state mass meetings dur
ing the nationwide celebration of Suf-
frage day, May g
For one thousand years." said the
Speaker, men have been trying to run
the world, and some think they have
made bad mess of it. 1 hope that
when you women run it you'll improve
on it. 1 think woman suffrage is in
evitable. The only question you folks
have to consider is how most ex-
peditiously to get what you are after.
You can get it quicker by the states
than by Congress.
'fIn some places there is a great prejr-
dice against woman suffrage You want
to remember one thing, that If you lose
the fight you are out for years. When
ever the subject comes up for a vote in
Missouri / am going to vote for woman
suffrage. This is not because all women
are fitted to vote, and l may add that
are fitted to vote. If you ever do vote,
and l think it is coming certainly hope
you will vote for the best principles and
the best men,"
Appeal to Vice President.
Vice President Marshall was more
non-committal Mrs. Desha Breckin-
ridge of Kentucky made an earnest ap-
peal to him and asked why, if he be-
lieved woman suffrage to be a good
thing, as she believed he really did,
woman should not be granted the bal
lot without further delay. She urged
that the men in Congress get away
from the usual masculine calm and
deliberate methods in this case.
But, my dear Mrs. Breckenridge.
said the Vice President. smilingly. 81
can't get away from my wife" refer
ring to the fact that Mrs. Marshall is
want to-" he added, quickly:
"Of course. not" said Mrs. Breckin
ridge She said that the Vice President
tshould use his persuasive powers to
convert his wife to woman suffrage.
DIR. Anna Howard Shaw, president Of
the National Woman Suffrage Assoc
citation. and Miss Jane adams, first
vice president, also made brief appeals
to the Vice President for his support
of the cause DR.. Shaw told Of her at
tendance upon the international con-
vention Of women in Rome recently.
where women Of all nations united in
favor of woman suffrage. Miss Adams
said that gradually the government was
taking over work which has been done
by women in lettering civic and sani-
tary conditions. She urged that women
be given the ballot that they might
continue to work for lettering condi-
tions.
DR.. Shaw Urges Cause.
DIR. Shaw told Speaker Clark that she
who are seeking the ballot and regu-
larly organized. She said that women
come to Congress because the states
need Congress as much as Congress
needs the states in securing favorable
legislation. She said that the national
suffrage organization was still work
ing in the states and had campaigned
in six states where suffrage would lee
submitted to the voters this fall She
said she confidently expected that the
cause would be carried at the POLLS IN
all these six states. A. the same time
she added. they sought favorable con-
<: essjonal action which would at once
BE- recognition Of the suffrage move
inert.
Jane Adams spoke particularly of the
suffrage movement in Illinois, where par
tial suffrage is in force. She told what
had been done since women began voting
for municipal Offices and judges of cleo
tions. She said it was surprising to
learn how the foreign women conducted
themselves and to see the knowledge
they showed regarding election condi-
tons. She said the women in the suf-
frage movement were among those who
were doing the great work of women
along professional and philanthropic
lines for the advancement of mankind.
She called attention to the recent action
of the General Federation Of Women g
Clubs at Chicago in indorsing suffrage,
as showing the trend toward the emanci-
patton of women.
Difficulties in the States.
Mrs. Breckenridge asked why it was
that congressional action could not be
FASTENED in view of the facts that suf-
frage is sure to come. She spoke of the
constitutional difficulties Of securing
action in the state legislatures.
DIR. Shaw called Speaker Clark's atten-
ton to the fact that under the initiative
and referendum the suffrage question
was to be submitted to the voters of
Missouri today. A telegram was sent to
suffrage leaders in Missouri informing
them of the position the Speaker had
taken.
One suffragist who wandered away from
the throng about the Vice Presidents Of
flee fell in with Secretary of State Bryan,
on his way to the Senate foreign relations
committee. She almost embraced the Sec
rotary in the earnestness of her argu-
ments, and Mr.. Bryan had to use some
vigorous methods to extricate himself.
He finally broke away, got into an ele-
vator and shot upstairs, while the SUI
fragists shouted arguments after him.
When the Senate met. numerous petit
tons, presented by the suffrage dele
cations were filed by Senators Smoot,
Lewis, Oliver, Catron. Townsend, Hoke
Smith, Bristow and Lfppitt.
Members of Delegation.
The suffrage delegation from the nation
al body was composed Of:
DR.. Anna Howard Shaw, president OF
the association: Miss Jane Adams and
Mrs. Desha Breckenridge, vice presi-
dents. with Mrs. Medill McCormick, a
director.
They were accompanied by Mrs An
toinette Funk and Mrs. Helen Gardener
of the congressional committee, and
Mrs. Glenna Smith Tinnin and Mrs. Ray
mond b. Morgan of the Washington
Woman's Suffrage Council.
All Parties Represented.
Speaker Clark and committee or rep
resentatives from all three parties re-
Continued on Second Page.)
+