The Washington herald., 1914-03-10
SUFFRAGE ISSUE
DIVIDES SENATE
Date for Vote on Amend
ment Rock that
Splits.
BALLOT EXPECTED SOON
Women of Rival Organizations Be-
siege Legislators with Their
Demands.
BALLOT EXPECTED SOON

Suffrage Senators are split into two
factions by the division of woman suf-
fragists on the question of taking vote
In the Senate on the suffrase resolution
providing for an amendment to the Con-
stitution.
Senator Ashurst. of Arizona, author of
y the resolution, has been trying for
Senator Thomas. of Colorado, another
suffrage leader of the Upper House, is
confident that vote at this time would
be disastrous. He said on the floor of
the Senate a few days ago that a two
thirds majority could not be obtained
at present.
The appeal OF DR.. Anna Howard Shaw.
president of the National American Suf-
frage Association, to Senator Thomas
urging him to stave OF the vote for
the present, seems to have greatly an
noyed Senator Ashurst, but evidently
has not altered his determination to go
ahead with his plans The two Senators
are still fighting, one for and the other
against taking a vote, and each has
a following. The outcome is problematic.
Replying to DR.. Anna Howard Shaw
Yesterday. Miss Alice Paul, leader of the
Congressional Union, urged Senator
Ashurst to yield to the wishes OF Mrs
o. II. p. Belmont, first to ask for q
postponement of the vote While Con-
gressional Union leaders here are doing
their utmost to stave on the vote, the
Congressional committee, headed by Mrs
Medill Mccormick, is working might and
main to force a vote on the resolution
as soon as possible
Difference In Views.
There is no prospect of any compro-
mise between these rival suffrage camps
The Union believes the time has not
come for a vote, that there may be
better chance after the big national dem
onstration on May and the one here
May 9. Congressional committee leaders
are satisfied that the time is ripe for
a vote.
Politics evidently is playing a large
part in the rivalry between the two suf-
frage camps. Union leaders are relying
largely on the notice they recently served
on the Democratic party that they will
'gc after" every member of Congress
who does not listen to reason" The
Congressional committee is working
along different lines to accomplish equal
suffrage They lost no time impress
sing on Congress that their methods are
very different, and hold that by SO do
ing they made a hit, and they believe
in striking while the iron is hot.
One Senator .'redicted yesterday that
the resolution will be voted on in less
than a week.
Mrs. Belmont wired to Senator Ashurst
Friday that she would regard him as an
enemy of the cause il he yielded 10 the
women urging the passage of the resolu-
ton. Mrs. McCormick's reply to Mrs
Record yesterday by Senator Thomas.
also the letter he received from DR..
Shaw. The latter is as follows:
The National Congressional Unien in
Washington, under the direction of Miss
Paul, is largely made up Of local people
and a few in other parts OF the country,
while the National Association is an Or
GaniZed group of suffragists throughout
the United States.
Warning to Congress.
while fully recognize that individual
women and local societies have an equal
right with all others to be heard, I also
feel il my duty to state that none of
these represent organized suffragists of
the country. So that whenever any indi-
vidual or any representative of the Con-
gressional Union in Washington makes
an appeal to the Senate it is not to pe
understood as an appeal from organized
suffragists of the nation. Nor when any
threat is made of an attack upon the
party, is it to be considered
as coming from the organized sunragists
Of the nation
That Mrs. Belr ont had a perfect right |
10 speak for woman suffragists every
where, regardless of Affiliations. was the |
position taken yesterday by Mrs. Jes- |
sic Hardy Stubs. of the Congressional |
Union. TT is narrow to assert that a |
move not inspired by the officers Of any |
association is unauthorized by organized |
suffragists.' said Mr. Stubbs. Il SIM
ply wish to say that this tack was made
In the interest of every woman in the
country interested in the equal suffrage !
causer Mrs Belmont thinks it wise to
wait little while longer before taking