New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-02-09
Ants" Now Can Defeat
Opponents in Any State
Contest. She Says.
SEES DEATH BLOW IN
DEMOCRATIC ACTION
Senate to Take UP Resolution To-
day, but Vote Will BE
Delayed.

Washington. Feb. S.--That the woman
suffrage movement received fatal blow
when tho Democratic party refused last
week To indorse 1T in any way ana that
hencoforth the anti-suffragsts can beat
the suffragists in any state in when Il
contest may be started are the salient
assertions contained in a statement gwen
out here this afternoon by Mrs. Arthur
". Dodge. Of New York. president OF inc
National Association Opposed TO Woman
Suffrage.
Mrs Dodge foresees the ultimate de-
feat OF woman suffrage because, she de-
clares. the politicians of the country have
awakened TO a realization Of the fact that
the boosted strength OF the suffraSists is
largely mythical. The "antis," she says
will make fight in every state. in her
statement she continues:
The National Association Opposed to
Woman Suffrage is now i'm a position to
fight the equal franchise propaganda On
clear cut definite lines. The suffragsts,
deprived of their forlorn hope of federal
interference, must meet US I'm the indl-
yidual states, which is exactly what they
have not wanted TO do. They fear the
result Of having the issue decided by CON
tests i'm which the wishes Of all the Won-
en- Of all this country will finally prevail
During the last week the Democratic
party, speaking on three distinct. separate
occasions-once from the White House.
once from the floor OF the House OF Rep
resentatives and once in the Democratic
caucus OF the House-has voiced its maj
20
Sramme OF the suffragists to make the
equal franchise a national issue. rms
makes il certain that neither OF the two
great parties in national politics Will take
up the burden OF woman suffrage.
THE weakness Of the suffraSists in real
politics is shown in particularly clear
manner by the fact that the Democrats
took this attitude Immediately after the
advocates of votes for women had de-
clared that they would defeat at the polls
any member of Congress who opposed the
woman suffrage doctrine. This, we be-
lieve. is final proof that the statesmen
and real politicians of the country esu-
mate at it's true value-or lack OF value
the strength OF woman suffrage
I'VE who are familiar with this stu
alton know that the anxiety of the SUI
fragists to get federal interference with
the celebrates of the states comes from
their fear that they will not be able 10
win over any more states to the equal
franchise Failing in this, they are con-
fronted with the practical certainty that
they have reached the limit Of spreading
their principles and that hence forward
their movement will be backward.
However. If they believe that more
than 10 per cent OF the women or TINS
country who are Of voting age are In
favor Of the equal franchise. they have
certain and speedy way Of determining
this fact. Let them submit to the women
OF each state the question whether or not
those women want the franchise. IL
seems certain that no legislature will re-
fuse TO permit the women or a state 10
say in a legal manner whether they Wish
TO assume the burden and responsibility
Of political duties"
THE suffrage resolution will be before
the Senate Tomorrow" said Senator Ash
urst tonight, "but I don't think 1t VIII
lie voted on. as several Senators wish TO
debate IL If they give notice tomorrow
that they want time TO prepare their
sneeches the resolution will so over. |
am quite certain. however. that the Senate
will vote on it before long-some time TINS
session, at any rate