The Washington herald., 1914-12-20
~ IDA Hustled HARPER.

The belief OF many experienced suffra-
gists that Congress would not take the
time in the present short session to vote
on their question seems to have been errc-
neous at least as far as the Lower House
Is concerned.
The Democratic majority of the Com
mittee on Rules, who last winter would
not allow even the matter of forming a
committee on woman suffrage t. come
before the House of Representatives., has
now permitted a favorable report on q
resolution to submit an amendment to the
National Constitution and agreed that Il
shall be voted on at an early date, possi-
bly, soon after Christmas.
The reason said to be assigned by
Chairman Henry is gratifying TO the suf-
fragists: I'm my judgment when ques-
tions like the national prohibition and
woman suffrage amendments become
pressing public issuee II is the right and
duty OF the representatives of the people
to vote on them and voice the conviction
Of their CONSTITUENCIES"
This opinion would show considerable
progress, as last winter no sense Of right
and duty prevented Mr.. Henry from vot-
ing in caucus against allowing the ques>
tion to come before the House. but how
can he reconcile 1t with having voted the
same way again last week?
1t is, however, worth all the work the
suffra gists have done the past year to
have their question recognized by this
important comittee as "a passing public
issue" They may look forward with con-
fidence to still greater progress in another
year. as Secretary of State Bryan simply
says in a published statement: THE time
does not seem opportune for the submis-
sion.r
Undoubtedly the time will seem more
''opportune" when woman suffrage has
been established in greater number OF
States, and its advocates will have 10
work to this end. The Democratic lead
ers would not now permit the question to
go to a vote in the House were they not
certain that it would not command the
necessary two-thirds. but they who pre-
dict that it will receive the approval of
only those members who come from equal
suffrage States are likely to find them
selves mistaken.
Such was not the case in the Senate
last winter. when several OF those eight
cen members were absent and one voted
in the negative and yet thirty-five affirma-
tive votes were recorded. The House OF
Representatives never has voted on a
resolution for submitting a national
amendment, and while many of the pres
ent members will retire to private life at
the close of this session. the attitude OF
the "hold-overs' will indicate to the suf-
fragists where missionary work must be
done the coming year.
This probably will be for the most part
not the kind that is done with a club. but
the women will meet the opposing Rep
resentatives with their own weapons
words, words. words.
In casting their votes at the present
session Democratic members should be
fair enough to remember that II was
merely a suffrage committee" which
sent forth its representatives to fight
the party" and that these doughty war
riors consisted of only eighteen women
out of at least 10000 enrolled suf-
fragists. and should not make reprisals
against the whole body.
VIII Consider Original Amendment
1t viii be a satisfaction to doubtless
the large majority of suffragists that
IL is the Bristow- -Mondell rather than
the Shafroth-Palmer amendment that is
reported out Even though defeated.
they would prefer that the recognition
be given to the old standard measure
which the national association was
formed to promote and has stood by
without a shadow OF turning until last
winter.
THE right of citizens of the United
States TO vote shall not be denied or
abridged by the United States or by any
State on account of sex"
When finally submitted it will relieve