New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-03
Defeat i'm East Stimulates
Movement for National
EnfranChiSement.
Stately STATE
FIGHTS TOO COSTLY
Suffragists to Concentrate Ef.
forts to Win Federal
Amendment

Washington. Nov. 2.-Determineticn
10 concentrate all efforts in behalf Of
the cause Of woman suffrage behind
the amendment TO the Constitution, IN
stead OF ighting the battle out in
each state, as urged by President Will
son. was expressed by suffrage leaders
in Washington tonight on hearing the
returns from New York, Massachusetts
and Pennsylvania.
Miss Constance Drexel and Miss
Alice Paul. Of the Congressional Union,
both declared tonight that the defeats
just sustained would show the futility
and wastefulness of the state by state
campaigns, and would result in suf-
frage workers bringing all the pressure
possible 10 bear on Congress to obtain
the passage of the amendment to the
Constitution.
"Whiie / am much disappointed Al
the defeat of suffrage in New York,
Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania" said
Miss Drexel, 81 am not at all dlscour-
aged about the progress Of the cause.
| am afraid that some of the Repre-
sentatives from these states will use
this election as an excuse for not vot-
ing for the national suffrage amend
ment, but the suffrage workers
throughout the country will come TO
realize the futility Of fighting in the
individual states, and will unite IN
working for amendment 10 the Federal
Constitution which will permit women
to vote everywhere.
"The very large vote that was cast
for suffrage, however, despite the de-
feat, indicates clearly that the educa-
tional campaign which has been made
for woman suffrage has not been IN
vain. and that we are constantly win
ming more recruits These campaigns
will give women experience in politics
which will be invaluable when the vote
is obtained.
at will not be any more Of an argu-
ment against the adoption of the ma
tional amendment TO point out that the
states of New York, Pennsylvania and
Massachusetts voted against 1t than TO
say we should not have bsthtubs in all
houses in New York City because some
of the immigrants who have not been
forced TO realize the benefits Of fire.
quent washing use the bathtubs in their
tenements as potato bins. A campaign
Of education eventually induces the i'm
migrant to put mis- potatoes in a box
and use the bathtub for washing him
self Similarly If the women In these
states that have just gone against suf
frage are given the ballot by national
amendment they will learn to use it
properly"
"The defeat Of suffrage in Massachu
setts. New York and Pennsylvania will
greatly stimulate the movement for an
amendment TO the national Constitu-
ton enfranchising women" said Miss
Paul. For over sixty years women
have been trying to win suffrage by
the 'state-by-state' refere 1dum method
advocated by President Wilson. his
has meant the expenditure of an enor-
nous amount Of energy, OF time, and
Of money.
women are now beginning to feel
that the state referendum campaigns
in which the question of women's po-
litical freedom is left in the hands Of
the most ignorant men voters in the
state are too wasteful and indirect TO
be much longer continued. They are
turning TO the national government,
asking enfranchisement by The United
States Congress.
I'VE approach the next session of
Congress full of hope that the leverage
which the suffrage movement possesses
in Congress as a result of the fact that