Evening journal., 1914-02-23

cOmmlttee, anu sne urged him TO see
that this was done. -
This ended the speech-making by
the suffragists, and Congressman
Broclson gravely took q typewritten
statement from his pocket and put on
his glasses.
ooh, speak It, don't read it." sew
eral OF the suffragists in the rear ex-
claimed in audible tones, and the
Congressman explained that having
had imposed upon him the duty OF
representing every man, woman and
child in the State, he believed It was
necessary to speak with chosen
words first, especially as the subject
was OF such Importance. and then to
answer all questions afterwards. He
said he hoped his actions at all times
would prove him worthy of the trust
reposed IN him by the people. who
sent him to Washington to represent
them.
Congressman Balks.
1 Il am sorry / must differ with Won
women he said before reading tbe
statement, but ] cannot conscientious
ly ask the judiciary committee to re-
port out favorahly the amendment YOU
asked for, as ] am opposed to it,
/ Congressman Brockson then read the
following statement;
Il am opposed TO the amendment.
am opposed TO amending the constitu-
tion of the United States to provide for
woman suffrage. because such an amend
ment is unnecessary and its adoption
and enforcement would result in federal
control Of elections. Suffrage is a right
conferred upon the citizens By the State
and not by the federal government. The
State should have the power and the
right to determine what persons may
vote, and how the elections shall be
conducted aud controlled 1his power
and right should not be taken from the
State and transferred TO the federal cov.
ernment. Therefore. the question OF
woman suffrage is question that should
be decided by each State and not by
the federal government.
Woman Suffrage should be de-
termined largely by the women OF
this State. believe the State of
Delaware should give the right or
suffrage TO the woman when a ma
jorify OF the intelligent women OF
this State want IT,
After reading the statement Con-
7 gresemen Brockson mentioned that
the women Of the West who were
now enjoying suffrage we're enjoying
the right by laws of those states.
and not by virtue Of the laws of the
United States
In reply 20 a question asked by
Mrs. Hilles, Congressman Brockson
said that his reference TO a majority
of the intelligent women Of this
State" did not mean that he would
ralu ali ~ aff u
upon women voters. II am Just as
we'll satisfied for illiterate women 10
vote as for illiterate men, he de-
clared, which remark was greeted
with hand claps and suppressed
cheers by the suffragists.
Mrs. Cranston declared that she be
; lieved that woman's suffrage was o
chance Tor some man TO immortalize
himself and put himself in the class oI
men who have done great deeds such a.
George Washington. who liberated th'
American colonies and Abraham Lincoln
who liberated the negroes. She sale
that IL was an excellent chance for som'
go 20 attain greatness by liberatinl
, women.
Congressman RrocSson replied tina
he believed the subject TO BE- one tha
could be best handled by the citizenf
( OF the states themselves and not b,
citizens OF other states. He quoted az
example that the representatives of Del
aware in Congress were not familia
with conditions existing in California
! where the residents are having trouble
with the Asatics. and were therefore
not qualified 10 vote upon a question
= concerning the elections in that state.
Mr.. Brockson said he believed the
question Of woman's suffrage was
one that the people OF the State coulc
best handle. He pointed out that
IL was not necessary for the women
to get the amendment to the Federal
: constitution in order TO vote as th'
State already had the right to give
them the franchise. and he declared
that If anything had existed in th'
constitution preventing the States
. from giving them this right he woulC
be glad 10 vote to have II removed
He took exception TO the statement
made that women we're classed al
criminals. insane persons, idiots an'
children. and said this was not so
! He explained this by stating that tn
constitution provided that the abov'
mentioned class Of persons could no
vote whereas they did not refer 4
! women at all.
Where do women stand in th'
! constitutions" asked one OF the sui
I fragists.
: "They don't stand at all. they ar
simply omitted" replied the Con
gresham with a laugh.
Miss Vernon drew the Congress
mans attention to the fact that eve
, after the Federal amendment wa
! adopted by Congress that thirty-si
States had to ratify IT, She admitte
that the other twelve States would
compelled to accept II, but pointe
> out that If thirty-slx States rattle
It 1t must be good thing. She sal
that the States would also have tn
right to qualify the electorate of tn
State and added that the Fedora
amendment simply provided tha
there be no sex discrimination made
She declared that II was simply
! matter of justice that has been Ion
/. delayed.
= The Congressman then declare
= himself on the. suffrage question, stat
= ing that he would grant franchis
!. to Just what women we're in the ROOF
2. and to no more, as he did not thin
F. a majority of Delaware women war
4 the suffrage.
y Miss Vernon remarked that III
i women who did not want it coul
\ stay at home like some OF the me
o do. as they would not be compelle
3 10 vote.
The suffragists then thanked Cor