The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-05-04

have already signed such a petition
to congress and a joint resolution to
| that end has been introduced but not
acted upon, or If they pass g direct
resolution to amend the federal con-
stitution such a resolution must pass
the senate and house of representa-
tiVes by a two-thirds vote Of those
present. The resolution must then be
presented to the legislatures of the
several states for ratification; and
when ratified by two-thirds Of the
states 1t becomes the law of the land.
MANY Of the closest students Of the
constitution believe our national
progress will be hampered and delayed
until a more elastic constitution is
provided. One that will meet the de-
mands Of the new progress and re-
move constitutional barriers from our
path.
1T is within the power of congress
by these methods with the consent Of
the states to enfranchise all women,
and it is to the federal congress, the
supreme legislature. that women have
always turned for final Justice. AT the
time the 18th amendment was adopted
the women of America asked for rec
ognition, and it was denied them. The
governme refused to recognize the
highest moral element in the country
and the most intelligent, but bestowed
full suffrage on her least intelligent
male citizens. Women have been ex-
pected to love this government and to
praise II, and stand by II, even after
this affront has been offered them. And
it speaks we'll for American woman.
hood that they did retain their loyalty
and their patriotism.
Started Fifty Years Ago.
"A resolution for full suffrage has
been in congress for over fifty years
and is called the Susan 3. Anthony
amendment, and for fifty. years the
national organization of which you
are a part, The National American
brought all possible pressure upon
congress in it's behalf. 1t has ever
directed the unfranchised women to
turn their eyes to it as their goal,
which when won would end the first
great leap on the path of modern
progress.
From corporaTs guard in con
gTess who favored suffrage twenty
years ago, a majority of the senate
voted for it this session, and while its
has not been tested in the
house of representatives it Is conceded
that q. majority. more than majority
of the number are Suffragists, but IN
both branches of congress many good
and honest suffragiStS are opposed to
congress establishing equal rights for
women, claiming that it is question
for the states. II is the old conflict
raised by the states rights doctrine,
and Four national organization,
through its congressional committee
maintained at Washington, has de
vised a plan endorsed by the best pO-
litical minds, the most experienced
friends of suffrage and calculated to
advance the cause nationally and in
the states-recognizing that national
strength makeh for strength in the
states, and suffrage in the states
strengthens the cause in the nation
p ior
the other.
The resolution introduced into the
senate by Senator Shafroth of Colo
RADIO, and into the house of representa-
tives by Representative Palmer of !
Pennsylvania, known as the Shafroth- |
Palmer amendment in no meaner SUI
persedes or replaces the Anthony f!
mend ment. but is in aid Of II (cal-
culated to open the door for its final /
pa ssage, to build a path up to il, q j
path that will lead around and away /
from tAe present insurmountabl bar /
rier OF states rights. AS a matter !
Of truth. states rights as applied 10 /
suffrage means the race problem.
so far can we go and no further. !
When We find a man. a congressman |
wiz is opposed TO suffrage because of !
prejudice he may be won over or re- /
plac but when he comes from q !
section of the country where there is /
deep and bitter and abiding feeling /
ana CONVICTION that II would be a ma |
-ional sin for three-fourths Of the !
states 10 force suffrage upon them |
without their consent we have reached !
/ barrier that cannot be surmounted /
until a way is found The Shafroth- |
Palmer amendment points 10 that way. |
The state constitutions all Contem-
plate that, in it's last analysis, the /
people Of the states shall pass upon /
suffrage. but the legislative barriers
lullify that intention. They say this |
s the peoples question for them to /
decide as they wish. The constitution
# the United States itself leaves this |
question to the states, but did not in
lid no intend that these constitutions /
should be so drawn by one generation !
hat another generation would forever
,e denied the rights presumed to be
occurred to them.
Leaves Matter to the States.
1.-The SEafroth- Palmer amendment /
provides that when eight per cent of
he number of legal voters a the last
general election sign q proper petit
ion, the people may vote directly upon /
he proposition of suffrage
TT is not an invasion Of states