New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-07
Jersey LEADERS
ON WOMEN'S SIDE
Thomas A. Edison Heads
List of IA Who Declare
for Suffrage.
FOLLOW EXAMPLE
OF PRESIDENT WILSON
Colonel Harvey, Ex-Governor
Fort and Other Prominent Men
Pledge Votes for Amendment.

Fourteen OF the best known men in
New Jersey from all walks Of life,
following the examples set By Presi-
dent Wilson, Secretary Of War Garri-
son and Joseph Tumulty, President
Wilson'S secretary. announced yester-
day that they would support the suf-
frage amendment which comes before
the voters Of the state on October 49,.
Headed By Thomas A. Edison. the men
issued a statement at the request OF
four suffrage organizations, telling
why they would vote for the amend
uent. and answering the issues pre-
sented by Senator MARITIME and others
who are opposed TO II.
The statement was signed by Mr..
Edison. Colonel George Harvey. editor
OF The North American Review; sen
stor William Hughes. Attorney Cen
eral John ". Westcott. Ex-Governor
John Franklin Fort. Richard Y. Linda
Jury. counsellor for the Public Service
Corporation and the United states
Steel Corporation Judge Robert
Carey, Of Jersey City; Seymour Crom-
we'll. president Of the State Charities
Aid and Prison Reform Association;
Cornelius J. Ford labor leader; Rich
ard Stevens. Of Castle Point. Hoboken;
Frank II. Sommer. former counsellor OF
the Public Utilities Commission; Sena
tor Charles O'Connor Hennessey. Of
bergen County; Fillmore Condit, pres
ident Of the Union Oil COMPANY OF
California and Judge Thomas a. Davis,
Of Orange.
Principles Set Forth.
The undersigned" says the state
ment of the fourteen, have agreed 20
set forth what they believe 10 be the
real principles involved IN the issue,
to recite briefly the controlling factors
that lead them to support this change
IN the organic Jaw, and TO separate the
material from the immatcrial evidence
that has been presented during the
campaign, both by those who faycr
and those who oppose the adoption OF
the amendment"
1t is explained that the men believe
il to be IN violation of the principle OF
democracy to deprive one-half OF the
citizens of the state Of voice IN the
government, the burdens of which they
are by law compelled to share.
We do not refer alone to the injus-
tice of taxing those who have no say
as to the method by which the tax shall
be imposed, but also to the obvious in
Justice of social order that forces
women into all the activities OF tn
state in competition with men and then
refuses 20 place them on an equal FOOT
ing with their competitors. We believe
that not only justice but eXpedlency
dictates that the amendment be adopt
ed During the last thIrty-ilve or forty
years marked change has taken place
in the attitude OF the people as to the
true functions Of government. Now
il is called upon 10 regulate in some
measure the cost Of living, 20 guaran-
tee a pure supply Of food and to guard
the health and morals Of the young
MARITIME Arguments Disputed.
The statement concludes with refu-
tation of the MARITIME arguments. de-
claring that they are not supported by
fact. The number of women demand
ing the ballot. it is o.nted out. IS now
greater than the number OF men VINO
ever asked for anything IN the coun-
trv's history. II is also shown mat
suffrage has done no harm IN the states
which have adopted it, and that legisla-
ton dealing with matters OF special
interest to women is obtained more
promptly in states where the right 70
vote is given to both sexes.
THE fact that in our churches - per
CEN Of the members are women ana
that in our prisons - per cent Of the
inmates are men, continues the state
ment, would seem 10 dispose Of the