New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-28
An Open Forum for
Public Debate.
The WOMAN SUFFRAGE BILL
Mrs. Batch Explains the Situation as
TO the nstitutional Amendments.

TO the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir May / ask the favor Of space
In The Tribune to explain the difficulty
in regard 10 the woman suffrage bill
IN tho Legislature, because there has
arisen some Misunderstanding in re-
gard 10 the situation? There was no
difference of opinion between the legis-
lators and the sutfragists, but merely
desire 10 gain time 20 consider a
technicality.
When our bill went through the
Legislature Of 1918 the holding Of a
constitutional convention had not been
decided upon, but now that there Will
be constitutional convention. begin
ming its sittings in April, the point had
20 be decided: Shall our bill continue
its course through the Legislature or
shall the whole question of woman
suffrage amendment be postponed for
the constitutional convention 10 deal
with? The only reason there was
doubt in the matter was because in
the constitution of the State of New
York as il now stands there is a pro-
vision in Article Il, Section 3, that II
a subject which is dealt with by an
amendment coming by way Of the Leg
islature goes 10 the voters at the time
that an amendment dealing with the
same subject reaches the voters by
way of a constitutional convention,
and both these amendments meet with
me approval of the voters az the polls,
then the constitutional convention
form takes precedence over the legls-
iative form. Our difficulty was that
the woman suffrage Legislative amend.
ment would strike the word male"
from the constitution, while the gem
eral clause dealing with the qualllca-
ton Of voters submitted by the con-
etitutional convention would retain the
word male" Would our amendment
then, although 10 might carry, fall 70
the ground. while the constitutional
convention amendment with male IN
its provisions prevailed?
In my conference with Senator Root
on Wednesday, January l3, IN Wash
ingtou, | received assurances that the
constitutional convention, by special
resolution. would meet the difficulty
and that il would be absolutely safe
and best for US to have the Legislature
complete its work and pass the woman
suffrage amendment in the session OF
1915. In this interview Senator Root
gave most emphatic assurances, and, as
he said, spoke for at least one hun
urea members OF MS parry III NhN WI
stitutional convention, that II was the
desire Of the Republican party to give
the sutfragists a frank and unequivocal
referendum on woman suffrage at the
general election in November.
There has been no contention be-
tween the Legislature and the suf-
fragists, and there have been no dis
agreements among the legislators them
selves. or among the sutfragists. Ger
tain persons have asked why We con-
ferred with such arch enemies of our
movement as Senator Root, Senator
Wagner and Mr.. Barnes instead of con-
sulting friendly lawyers. We tried 10
make il clear that we did not consult
Senator Root and others because they
were friends or foes, but because they
were dominant forces in the political
situation We felt the opinions OF
friendly lawyers would not be of the
slightest benefit 70 Us. while assurances
20 arrange for perfectly frank refer
endum on woman suffrage from the po-
litical leaders would be Of che very
greatest value 70 US. We have such as
surances, and are confident that the
woman suffrage question will not only
90 before the voters IN frank and
straightforward form, but that u Will
be carried by the men of New York at
the November election.
HARRIOT STANTON BLArCH.
New York, Jan. 20, 1915.