Evening journal., 1915-11-27
Thinks States Should
Pass on Suffrage Issue

though / said more IN the Nt9 N- q"
exclamation both before and after.
realize that some of these statements
are at variance or are opposed to
the opinions you hold, but as have
tried to make plain, this is a question
of national Importance and so recog-
nized by people in the forty-eight I
States, although / must admit That II
we're a male or female worker in
the suffrage cause, it would look
rather dubious to me, especially in
view of the vote that has been re-
ceived in the recent elections in four
of the large States of the Union. They
are making an aggressive night, as
they have a right to do.
"In the next Congress the enabling
resolution will be voted on. In the
way I feel about it today [ cannot
but vote to put the enabling resolu-
tion up to the people of the forty
eight States. Though I do not mean
to imply that you do not know clearly
what this enabling resolution is, I
4
the suffrage organization, that this
is a resolution which Is introduced
in Congress. and which must be pass
ed by two-thirds vote in order to
put up to the forty-eight States the
question as to whether they will rat
ify or reject an amendment to the
Federal Constitution on the suffrage
question. In other words the sena-
tors and representatives do not have
the final voice. They simply vote as
to whether the question is to be put
up to their constituents Of the sew
eral States.
Feeling as I do about this from
the standpoint Of a national issue,
cannot but feel that it is important
enough to put up to the forty-eight
States for their ratification or reiec-
tion If my position is not plain,
want you to ask me about it,"
BOmbarded With Questions.
Following his address, Congressman
Miller was the nucleus for an open
discussion.
! He was asked for which amendment
he proposed voting
7 Il do not know" said Mr.. Miller. cas-
/ | do not as yet know which will come
up. | only know I shall vote for an en-
abling resolution"
Miss Emily p BisselI then rose and
asked the Congressman about the in
creased State expenses that we're
bound to come when woman's suffrage
came.
IL stand for the tax paying women
OF Delaware" said Miss Bssell, "whO
don't want to vote. In California I'm
! 1911 before women voted the State ex-
penses were S1S.O0O.000. in 1915 after
women voted the expenses in that
same State we're S36,0O0,O00. Aus
tralia woman's suffrage is bankrupt.
in New Zealand woman's suffrage per
capita is many times that OF the
United States. In every State in the
Union w0man's suffrage had increas-
ed State expenses, and taxpayer Of
Delaware ] protest against anything
that will increase State expenses as
Delaware is a poor State"
Congressman Miller. in replying to
this. stated that he had not given
this phase of the suffrage question
much thought, and added that he
would rather be better informed on
it before he expressed himself re-
garding il.
! Mrs. Thompson asked Mr.. Miller to
explain about how the amendment
would be voted upon. wEich Mr.. Mil
b lef proceeded to do. In reference to
! the smaller States not having as
many votes as the larger States. Con-
gressman Miller explained that the
; Constitution Of the United States COW
cred that feature wherein the mi
nority States are credited with an
equal number OF votes.
Mrs. Thompson then asked the con-
gresham whether, If she or their or
ganization got up petition with
enough Delaware names to prove that
/ sentiment is against suffrage. he
would vote for it.
Mr. Miller said. mo. he wouldn't
as anybody could get up petitions"
Then, what about the Legislature 9p
asked Mrs. Thompson. MIR. Miller had
10 CONFESS chat II downed the suffrage
amendmenteby two to one, upon which
! Mrs. Thompson asked:
Wen, Congressman Miller. do Won
reel that. with the Legislature voting
Two to one against this movement
you are properly representing tbe
it?" ." "o' opposing
! certainly do" answered Mr.. Nil
ler as every man has a right 10 HE
own opinion" "' ~ MS
mrs. Ferdinand L. Gilpin then rose
ana asked Mr.. Miller il he was goin !,
10 vote for what the suffragists want
ca from this Congress. Mr.. Miller "a
pied that he was.
The first annual MEETING ~ A.. n,
aware Association of Women onna'.., ],
~ Womans Suffrage was held durinp
sne morning in the rose room OF the
Iolel auPont. The following officers
pere elected; President. Mrs. Henry
-, thompson; recording secretary
,,smporary), Mrs. Harrison w How
eni corresponding secretary. Miss
Emily ?. Bissell; treasurer. Ar. FIN
gene DUPONT. Jr. Mrs. David T Rein
ndrut resigned as recording secretary
ana Mrs. Howell was appointed m All
her place temporarily "'i
Nice-cnairmen elected were. Mrs
preston Lea, Mrs. Willard SauIshurv
MRS. James Pennewill of Dovor Mr.
George w. Marshall Of Milford Mrs
Daniel Short of Laurel, Mrs Thomas
r Bayard. Mrs. George r. Hoaec[er
Mrs. Ferdinand L. Gilpin. Mrs lanes
A. Draper, Mrs. Christopher 4, Ward
and Mrs. Harrison w. Howell
Announcement was made bv Mic.
Emily P. Bissell of the national meet
ing to be held in Washington On ne.
cemoer lS. Mrs. Thompson Mrs VIII.
lard salisbury and Miss Bissell were
elected delegates 10 the ,,,o..i...