The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-04
Gauntlet Thrown Down
to Democrats in No
Uncertain Terms.
URGE AMENDMENT
FOR SUFFRAGE
All Phases of Question Presented
to House Judiciary Committee,
Both Advocates and Oppo-
nents Making Arguments.
Spectators Often Give
Vent to Feelings.

Washington. March 3.-AU phases OF
the woman suffrage question were pro-
sented to the House Judiciary Com
I 'Tittee to-day, accompanied by cheers,
jeers. Kisses and applause. Deserving
I sentimental phases Of the suffrage ar
guuent, Mrs Crystal Eastman Bene-
/ dict and Mrs. Mary Beard New York
| lawyers. threw down the gauntlet to
I the Democratic party IL no uncertain
terms, warning the committee that the
political wrath of the 100000 women
/ in suffrage States would be visited
upon the party unless favorable con-
siderat!on were given the constitu-
tional amendment for woman suffrage.
/ Antisunragists told the committee
\ that woman suffrage would he harm
I full, mot only to women. but to the
country" At the conclusion OF the
hearings. Dr. Walker. trousered and
silk hated. presented to the commit
tee what Hhe called the crowning con-
s'itutional argument" to show that
women already have the right to vote
under the Constitution.
i IN the meanwhile debate on the suf-
+ frage amendment was continuing in
/ the Senate.
Il Sufiraxf.tE Divided.
The suTraetsts who appeared before
I the committee were divided
I Mrs. Antoiuettc Funk Mrs Medill
Mccormick and Mrs. William Kent,
representing the National Woman Suf-
+ frace Association. urged that IL the
committee would not report the pro-
rosed amendment. 1t report nm amend
mcnt to allow the suffrage question
I 10 be decided by referendum In the
various States. instead of BY the Leg
isiaturcs. Mrs. Benedict. Mrs Beard
I Mrs. Glendowcr Evans Of Boston. and
+ br. Cora Smith King. for the Congress
sional Union. declared that the timo
to ty,r
ilon one or political cNpcdency.
IT is because ! have the interests OF
| this administration at heart" said Mrs
I Evans. that ! hope the Democratic
| majority In the House will zee its way
clear to reconsider what, after all, was
Il somewhat unconsidered action of the
4 Democratic caucus"
I Mrs. Evans ana Mrs. Benedict warned
( the Democrats not 10 dodge the issue"
/ and declared that action on tho suf-
7 frase question must be taken az this
session Of Congress.
I Not to he Driven or.
Gentlemen" said Mrs. Eeard. "you
4 cannot answer us by shaking in our
/ faces that tatterdemalion OF states
right scarecrow and then expect us
not 10 read the newspapers when YOU
repudtate Your platforru and violate
express States rights In the matter of
7 Il presidential primary. You cannot
tell us that tho platform will not allow
this suffrage discussion, because ii Is
( silent regarding it, bu; will permit the
repeal or the canal tolls exemption.
I which II expressly forbids II is under
Il estimating our resources to suppose
! that we can't put these facts into tho
i hands OF 1a.n00.000 voters Including
!. over 100000 free women. The politi-
cal party, which will enter into pos
4 session of the Federal government OH
,tyit1 la1i
suffrage is n matter of national con-
/ Germ and transccndcnt national i'm
Z portance"
/ The representatives OF the National
I Woman Suffrage Association disclaimed
| participation IN the political warning
/ OF the Congressional Union, and for
some time the committee-room was In
confusion with half 4 dozen women
trying to explain things, At times.
during the hearing the spectators. who
! crowded the room. gave vent 10 their
/ feelings Representative Henin. OF Ala
hama, who spoke against suffrage. fire.
I quently was h!ssed.
Opponents Have Inning.
| Mrs. Arthur NJ. Dodge. president OF
the National Association Opposed 10
Woman Suffrage. conducted the opposi-
| tion 10 tho amendment. Mrs. Henry
White. OF Roston. declared that woman
has succeeded In getting all of her
/ legal rights without the ballot, and
I that the ballot was unnecessary
The wise state recognizes that worn-
IN must be preserved for the work she
only can do for the State" said Miss
Aiice ". Chittcnden, of New York
When woman attempts 10 fight
with the weapons OF man. she is play
ing a losing game"
Miss Mareciy Dorman. of the Wage
Farmers Antisuffrare League. of New
| York. said that working women did
not need the b;1iot. She said that WON
cn IN the labor world were "transtory
and accidental" and could not have
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