The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1914-03-06
We WANT SUFFRAGE!
HOWL MANY WOMEN
Cheers and Kisses When Sub iect
Comes Before Committee.
WOMEN IN TROUSERS.
man Suffrage Becomes Para
mount Issue.

mount Issue.
of the woman suffrage question were !
presented to the House Judiciary |
Committee today, accompanied by
cheers, jeers. Kisses and applause |
DESERVING sentimental phases OF the
suffrage argument, Mrs. Crystal Feast
man Benedict and Mrs Mary Beard, !
New York lawyers threw down the
gauntlet to the Democratic party in
no uncertain terms, warning the COM
mittee that the political wrath OF the
100000 women in suffrage States
would be visited upon the party, un-
less favorable consideration were
given the constitutional amendment
for woman suffrage
Anti-suffragists told the committee
that woman suffrage would be harm
full. mot only to women but to the
country" At the conclusion Of the
hearings. Doctor Walker, trOusered
and silk-hatted, presented to the com
mitteo what she called "the Growing
constitutional argument" to show that
women already have the right to vote
under the Constitution
In the meanwhile debate on the
suffrage amendment was continuing
In the Senate.
The suffragists who appeared be-
fore the committee were divided. Mrs.
Antoenette Funk. Mrs. Medil McCor-
mick and Mrs. William Kent. repre-
senting the Nationla Woman Suffrage
Association urged that II the com
mittee would not report the proposed
! 'dment, II report an amendment
to all OF the suffrage question 10 he
decided by referendum in the various
States instead OF by the Legislatures
YRS. Benedict Mrs. Beard, Mrs. Glen
dover Evans OF Boston and DR.. Cora
Smith King, for the Congressional
Union. declared that the two had
come to make the suffrage question
one OF political eXpedieacy.
/ at Is because I have the interests
OF this administration at heart" said
Mrs Evans. chat I hone the Demo-
cratic majority in the House will see
its way clear to reconsider what af-
ter all was a somewhat unconsidered
action OF the Democratic caucus Mrs.
Evans and Mrs. Benedict warned the
Democrats not to dodge the issue"
and declared that action on the suf-
frage question must be taken at this
session OF Congress.
Gentlemen" said Mrs Beard, you
cannot answer us by shaking in our
faces that tatterdemniiOn Of states
rights scareCrow and then expect us
not to read the newspapers when YOU
repudiate your platform and violate
express States rights in the matter Of
a presidential primary. You cannot
tell us that the platform will not al
low this suffrage discussion because II
is silent regarding IL. but will permit
the rcpeal OF the canal tolls oXecp-
ton which II expressly fOrhids. II is
Understanding our resources 10 sun
pose that we can't Dut those facts into
the hands OF 100000 voters in
cluding over ? 900 600 free women.
"The political party which will en-
ter into possession OF the Federal
Government on March 4. 1917, will
believe that woman suffrage is a mat
ter OF National concern and trans
cendent National Importance"
The representatives of the National
Woman Suffrage Association dis
claimed participation in the political
warning OF the Congressional Union
and for some time the committee
room was in confusion with half a
dozen women trying to explain things
At times during the hearing the
spectators who crowded the room
gave vent to their feelings. Repre-
sentative Heflin OF Alabama who
spoke against suffrage frequently was
hissed Mrs. Arthur NJ. Dodge, presi.
dent OF the National Association Op.
, posed to Woman Suffrage, conducted
the opposition to the amendment
/, Mrs Henry White of Boston declared
that woman has succeeded in getting
all OF her legal rights without the bal
lot and that the ballot was unneces
sary.
, 1.-The wise State recognizes thai
; women must be preserved for the
work she only can do for the State
, said Miss Alice II. Chittenden OF New
York when woman attempts tC
fight with the weapons OF man she
is playing a losing game"
. Miss Margery Dorman OF the Wag,
: Farmers Anti-Suffrage League OF New
York, said that working women die
, not need the ballot She said tha
women in the labor world wer'
! "transitory and accidental" and coulC
not have the experience necessary Il
/ cope with Government problems.
! During the debate in the Senate
! Senator Clamp declared that all tn,
! sinister influences OF the countr!
) were lined up against woman suf
: frage. He said he regretted that goot
peOple III oppOslnB suHIdBe' dliOWe'
themselves to be used as a mask 70
these evil influences.
Senator Bryan OF Florida made tn
nrst extended speech against tn
amendment. He contended first o
- all that the States should be allowe,
I to deal with the question, saying tina
e California had no more right to sa,
4 whether the negro women OF Florid
j should vote, than Florida had to sa
= that the Japanese should vote II
California.