New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-07-17
Attitude Called Sop for
President Wilson's
Rebuff.
PROMISES TO VOTE
FOR AMENDMENT
Will Ask No Political Rights for
Himself He Is Not Willing
TO Grant Wife.

Washington, July l6. William Jen-
nings Bryan is for woman suffrage. He
supports it unequivocally. announcing
MS intention 10 vote for the amend
mont extending suffrage to women.
which will be voted on in the Nebraska
election in November. He makes the
announcement of his position in an
editorial in THE Commoner." an adj
vance copy OF which he has given out
here. Mr.. Bryan says that he has de
layed announcing his position on this
question, partly because his time has
been occupied with national questions
upon which the entire country was
waiting; but now that the issue is pre-
seDted in my state | take my position
There Is feeling IN some quarters
that perhaps the Secretary of State is
cndeavOring 10 counteract the bad i'm
preston created among the sufrragettes
by the rebuff accorded them when they
recently saw the President.
AS man and woman are co-tenants
of the earth and must work out their
destiny together" says Mr.. Bryan. "the
presumption is on the side Of equality
of treatment in all that pertains TO
their joint life and opportunities. The
burden of proof IS on those who claim
Tor one an advantage over the other in
determining the conditions under which
both shall live. This claim has not
been established in the matter OF suf-
trage. On the contrary, the objections
raised to woman suffrage appear to me
TO be invalid. while the arguments ad-
yanced in support Of the proposition
are, in my judgment, convincing"
In another sentence Mr.. Bryan de-
clares: 81 shall ask no political rights
for myself that ! am not willing to
grant to my wife"
Secretary Answers Objections.
Mr.. Bryan then goes on to argue for
the position he has taken. He re-
counts objections he has heard TO WON
an suffrage and replies to them. He
says that the first objection he re
members hearing was that woman
should not have a voice in deciding
questions that might lead to war be
cause she could not bear arms. He
says this argument is seldom offered
now because "as civilization advances
laws are obeyed because they are an
expression of public opinion, not mere
ly because they have powder and lead
behind them"
Instead of the addition of suffrage
increasing the cares Of life Of woman
MIR. Bryan thinks that the exercise Of
the franchise might result in a change
of thought and occupation which would
relieve the monotony Of woman's work
and give her a rest. He points out that
the home will not suffer because the
woman, under the new order of things.
will be able to discuss with her family
CT succe ssfully administering t.
Mr.. Bryan says that another Objec-
ton advanced is that suffrage would
harm woman by lessening the respect
in which she is held. He says this ar
gUment would have more weight If 1t
had not been applied against every
proposition for the advancement of
woman. "This objection" he says, "was
once raised to the higher education Of
woman. but it is no longer heard
"These objections says Mr.. Bryan,
in review, "however honestly advanced,
have proved impotent to retard wom-
ans progress. May not the fears, sin
cerely entertained by the opponents OF
woman suffrage. be found to be as
groundless as those that once forced the
widow in Eastern India to ascend the
funeral pyre or as those that now eX-
clude Mahometan women from the social
BENEFITS and sponsibilities which the
women of the Christian world share !"
Emphasizes Rights of Mothers.
Mr.. Bryan points out that in the
c.ates where suffrage has already beer
granted there is no agitation for re-
turn to the system Of letting man alone
vote. Mr. Bryan says that the organ
ization and enthusiasm of the SUI
fragists show which side should be
taken. and that he places the emphasis
on the mothers right to voice in
moulding the environment which affects
the future of her children.
politics" says Mr.. Bryan, twill not
suffer by woman's entrance into it. II
the political world has grown more
pure in spite of the evil influences that
have operated to debase it, it will not
be polluted by the presence and par
ticipation of woman. Neither should
We doubt that woman can be truste
with the ballot. She has proved her
self equal to every responsibility I'M
posed upon her; she will not fail so
cie:y in this emergency. Let her vote!
And may that discernment which has
throughout the ages, ever enabled hei
10 quickly grasp great truths made
her the last at the cross and the first
At the sepulchre' so direct her in the
discharge Of her political duties as &c
add new glores 10 her and through hei