Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-08
"WOMEN ASSURED OF
VOTE IN THIS STATE


Continued from Page One
| men" commented Senator Penrose, 'and
| thew will be found I'm States where equal
/ suffrage has been granted TO weigh all
questions carefully and to vote in the
| best interests of the people and the
nation"
The failure of some to appreciate his
motive in declaring for woman suffrage,
however, has in no wise interfered with
the suffragists appreciation of the tre-
nendous influence which Will react from
the word of the leader of the Republican
Organization in Pennsylvania. Senators
McNichol and Crow, they feel, Will not
have the assurance to work openly for
votes against them no matter how they
may cast their votes when the question
comes before the Senate
Suffragists declared that the remarks
of Senator Penrose proved he had made
a thorough study Of the situation and
had been converted to the cause While
frequently pressed to declare his views
the Senator had previously side-stepped
and for this reason the opposition OF
Senators McNichol and Crow was felt to
be Indicative of the real stand of the
Organization.
TO FORCE FIGHT IN OPEN.
Convinced that this is not the case, and
that full responsibility for the opposition
to the cause Of woman suffrage may be
laid directly upon the shoulders OF Sena-
tors McNicho and Crow, the delegates
declare their chances have immeasureably
increased
Supported by Senator Ware they are
laying their plans to make the best use
of Senator Penrose's position either as a
wedge to force McNichol and Crow to
come out against the senior Senator or
compel them to abandon their position.
The professed belief of Senator Penrose
that with women voting the Republican
majority in Philadelphia would be in
creased, the delegates here regard as the
most hopeful sign in the Senator's change
OF front Tho Organization. despite the
landslide last November, is not overcon-
fdent as to the outcome of the mayoralty
fight in Philadelphia this fall
If II believes that its hopes of winning
will be increased by ballots in the hands
Of the women, women will get the vote.
This Is the consensus Of opinion among
the women at the conference and 1t is
the most significant Interpretation of the
Senator's motive in coming to their sup
port
CHICAGO ELECTION A FACTOR,
The overwhelming Republican victory in
Chicago this week with the ballot in the
hands of the women, is generally believed
to have influenced Senator Penrose in his
view. What women can do for the party
in Chicago they can do in Philadelphia;
this seems to be the thought of the
Senator
The women here today are not making
any promises of party allegiance, but they
are happy to grasp the opportunity of
forshadowing an early victory through
the influence of the most potent leader in
Organization politics In the State.
Shown the Senator's declaration, Miss
Hannah j. Patterson, chairman of the
Woman Suffrage party, and next to Mrs.
Frank NJ. Roessing the most important
personality in the association, made no
attempt to conceal the fact that she con-
sidered the chances for victory immeas-
urably strengthened by his stand.
"Of course" she said, I'VE have been
confident of victory all along, but Sena-
tor Penrose's position makes his state
ment of unusual Importance, and without
question he will add great strength"
Asked what she thought might be the
meaning of the Senator's sudden turn in
their favor Miss Patterson replied, Per
haps the justice of the movement has at
last been made plain to him"
Mrs. George A. Piersol, chairman of the
Woman Suffrage Party of Philadelphia
County, said that "the biggest power in
the whole State" was the Senator, and "if
his forces are thrown our way victory
will be easy"
Mrs. Anna NJ. Orme, leader of the First
Division of the Woman Suffrage Party,
declared that in her belief Penrose had
been in sympathy with suffrage for the
last so years
II understand" said she, that when
the first woman suffrage bill was intro
duced in the State Senate three decades
ago, Penrose voted for it. If he's kept
quiet latterly, it's because he's had his
but l consider it very significant
of our coming victory that he should come
out at this time"
Mrs Richard La Donis. prominent
suffrage worker of Chester County, was
perhaps the most Outspoken in her Ella
ton over the Penrose statement.
Liquor interest or no liquor interest"
she said I'VE can't afford to spurn PEN
rose. His action is the most vital thing
that has happened to us in many moons
and I'm so glad of his support, if it's
really true that were going to get it,
that I an scarcely express myself"