The Hartford republican., 1914-02-06
COOL RECEPTION
FOR SUFFRAGIS7s
President Reiterates His
Position on Question.
Executive Cannot Speak for His
Party as to Votes for .,i
Women.

Washington, Feb. 2.-Pres. Wilson
gave no encouragement today 70 q,
delegation Of three hundred working
women who marched on the Wh6te
House with a brass band and fly
ing colors, to ask his support for o,
constitutional amendment enfranchds-
ing women. yfe
Twenty-Five of the women were re-
ceived by the President and five; n
short speeches, presented their ar
gument. The President reiterated tnat
as leader Of the Democratic pagty
he was limited only to recommend-
ing those things on which the pasty
had made up its mind. .
Eve don't want you to break wdkh
your party, but we would like you
to influence them." said Mrs. Glea-
dover Evans, of Boston, after tAe
President LII finished speaking.
1T isn't a question of breahing
with the party" returned the PTesd-
dent; 1T is a question of speaking
for H." 81.
The President did not continue ~
discussion. but expressed q wish 70
meet the women who we're waitaag
outside. ~ z
"But they told us we couldn't nj
Come In" remarked Mrs. Evans.
ut must be a misunderstanding"
said the President and he ssnt
word ont that he would like to have
the delegation come in. They came
in, single .Sise. passing IN one Aons
and out another. Some of the wo-
men declined to shake hands with
the President, marching indifferent
ly by. refusing to take his profbeaed
hand.
At their exit, DR.. Mary Walker, In
male attire, argued with the women
that suffrage was a State dssue.
She was not permitted to enter with
the delegation.
The pleas, of the working womeu
were phrased eloquently and with q
touch Of pathos and emotion. as they
the hardships of women
workers.
Mrs. Evans referred. in closing, 70
the fact that she had visited AGr.
Wilson at Sea Girt. when he wRs .
for President, and cla&msd
to have gotten some encourasenent
for the cause of suffrage.
"Why, we worked our finger-nAflS
off to get you elected" said Mrs. Nv
ans. II thought from what you I'D
that you were in favor Of cur
cause. You were shnMing" for wcises .
then
81 was much freer to express my
opinion then than ! am now," smfi-
cd the President.
There are 800 working women
outside awaiting your answer" sadd
Mrs. Evans. tf. -a
81 want to say just this" return
ed the President: 81 need not tell
you what you have said makes a pro-
found impression upon me. but /
have already explained my hmita-
tions. Until party as such has TAX
en- a position on question, | am
not at liberty to speak for it. 1 am
limited in expressing my opinions no
matter what my individual thoughts
may be. l have no doubt that your
visit will make profound impression.
The President himself hastened the
ceremony, thereby end
ing the discussion, though Mrs. Ev-
ans remarked that only ten minutes
Of the allotted fifteen had been hscd
up. The President began shaking
hands, however, cutting off further
Tho delegation left the White
House in groups in animated con-
,ersation. some pleased, others dis
appointed, and some even saying
hey were angry. The bands departed
Without playing any more, and thu
oresidant and Secretary Tumufty
rossed over 10, the White House
luietly for luncheon,
The word was issued from nhe .
White House that the Prcsdtsnt
would take similar position on all
lelegations for woman's suffrae~
lereafter. and that. until the Demo
ratio party had taken a stand on
he subject. ho would not try 10 force
NY opinion on ".