The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-07-04
Strong Argument Against It Is Poor Record in Suf-
 frage States
BUT BOTH PARTIES
 ARE GETTING BUSY
Democrats Will Probably Take Atti- tude That It Is Question for the States to Settle
 Individually
By c. E. STEWART

Washington, July 3--tSpeciai Ut is be- coming more apparent to politicians of all parties in Washington that the National Woman Suffrage association is to become powerful factor in the next national campaign. Recognizing this the leaders of the different parties are considering just what is to be done about it. Women are voting in 10 states of the union, and according to the best Judgment of the leaders by 1916 will be voting in two or three more. They must be reckoned with.
 It is believed by the leading democrats that their party will not put itself on rec ord in it's national convention as advocat- ing a federal law enfranchsing women. It is doubtful-if not impossible--for such thing to be pu tower In a national dem ocratic convention. At the same time the party leaders, at least some of them, be- leve that the party will have to make some kind of declaration on the subject; they do not believe that it is the part of wisdom to ignore them. The women voters of the country now cut some figure in the election of S4 members of the cleo toral college.
 It is more than likely that the next democratic national convention will fol- low the lead of President Wilson and de- clare that suffrage is a question which must be left entirely to the states How far they will commit the party nation ally toward favorlng woman suffrage by lending the support of the national party to the question will be decided by the fight in the convention on the subject ITnd0i1hf ad up to the convention to recommend to the several states that they--the states extend the ballot to women. The strength and vigor of the language adopted by the platform in indorsing suffrage for women and recommendin git to the states. if it Is adopted at all, will be the meat of the entire stand taken by the democratic party. One thing seems certain-that is that it will be an issue before the conven- ton.
 Republicans Have no Advantage
 So far as party declarations are con cerred, the republican party has no ad- vantage over their democratic rivals but the republican convention in 1916. follow ing long established precedents will meet prior to the democratic convention and it is quite certain that the republican party Is going to make some kind of bid for the two or three million women votes in the country. In the recent visit to the President by over 600 women, from all parts of the country. seeking his aid in the matter Of the Mendell- Bristow amend ment now pending in the House and lam gushing because the rules committee has not put it on the calendar, the fine Spen- cerian hand of the republican authors of the amendment is believed by many to be observed in some of the hectoring ques- tions put to tn echief executive by Mrs. Harvey w. Wiley and, Mrs. Rhetta Child Dorr. There are many democrats in Washington who believe that these ques- lions were inspired to a considerable ex- tent by republican leaders who are seek ing in every way possible to embarrass the administration.
 In the meantime the National Woman's Suffrage association as body has not made any declaration as to what political party it will throw it's influence "The Congressional union." which is a sepa- rate organization, and entirely out of the fold of the National Woman Suffrage or ganization, has made some vigorous and emphatic statements that it wil fight the party in power because of the admnistra- tion's unfavorable attitude toward their pet amendment The Congressional union, however, cut little ice. It has. in way, been repudiated by the parent organization. It Is composed of suffra- gettes of the vigorous and mflitantly in- clined type who believe threats and brow beating more effective than the gentler persuadng arguments of the more conservative.
 Poor Record in Suffrage States
 One of the weaknesses of the women's position is the record of the states where they have voted. In those states where they have had the franchise for years they have not brought about the reforms for which they demand the ballot. In fact things in these states. politically seem to be rocking along just about as they were before. Colorado and Oregon have saloons and very hberally con- structed laws in such matters. far more so than some of the states where the women do not vote. In California and other western states the women are not exercising their rights in any considerable numbers Also the votes of the women have not changed the political complexion of any state, showing conclusively that they are voting the political convictions of the men-at least this is the conclusion of those who oppose votes for women under any consideration.
 At the same time 1t is not likely that any national party from this time for ward is going to "slap them in the face As one of the leaders expressed It. ..they've got to be jollied a little," and ft will be up to the conventions to make good.