The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-11-10
PEOPLES FORUM.
Congressman Watson and Suffrage.

Congressman Watson and Suffrage.
Editor yirginian:
sir,--T am sending the account Of
our interview with Congressman Wal
ter A. Watson. representative OF the
Fourth District Of Virginia, on No
vember 6. 1915. at the Hastings Court
house, Petersburg. Va. Representa-
tive Watson received a deputation OF
women from the Virginia Branch of
the Congre ssional Union, who are In
terested in the immediate passage of
the Susan r. Anthony amendment
through Congress Mrs. Chas. V.
Meredith. of Richmond, leader of the
deputation. and chairman OF the Con-
gressiona1 Union of Virginia. said:
We do not ask you to vote for suf-
frage: we ask your help in Congress
to bring about the submission of the
Federal Suffrage amendment to the
State Legtslatu res" We know, and
Senator Thos. s. Martin 1.-THE senior
senator of Nirginial agreed with as,
that the Anthony amendment would
not be an invasion of states Rights;
that Federal amendment became
Law by consent of three-fourths of the
States 1t was the Southern States
who favored this very clause. includ
ing Washington and Madison, who
represented Virginia Only few
Northern delegates supported the pro-
poaal that the consent OF All the States
should be necessary" Throughout the
presentation Judge Watson made fire.
ouent inquiries. and at the close said;
II have no fear of the practical re-
suit of the ballot in the hands of wo-
men" lie agreed with those who
felt that Virginia by herself would
be long time coming to woman sur
frage," and further said: II think you
suffragists are wise to get 1T through
the national" however 1t Is hard for
me to get rid of traditions. and at
present could not promsie to vote for
it, but would keep an open mind"
NO public man should close his mind
to change on the public questions to
be agitated, and would consider care
fully the question as presented" Miss
Hill spoke on the defeat OF woman suf-
frage In New York. Massachusetts and
Pennsylvania, and said: I'm those
States there had been more votes cast
against President Wilson in 1912 than
We're cast against woman suffrage in
1875. Among those who took part
In the deputation were Mrs. Chas. v.
Meredith. OF Richmond. MISS Elsie
Hill. of Washington, d. c.; Mrs Geo.
Mead. of Petersburg; Mrs. William
Harrison, OF Petersburg; Miss Jen-
nings. of Richmond: Miss Ethel
Crowder. OF Petersburg; Mrs, Percy s.
Read, of Highland Springs, and DR..
Helen Love Bossienx. of Richmond.
Honorable w. A. Jones, representative
of the First District of Virginia. will
receive a deputation of the Virginia
Branch of the Congressional Gnien ON
November 10, 1915. at WASHINGTON,
D. G.. Our last report from suffrage
leaders OF the National American Wo-
man Suffrage Association, of which
DR.. Anna Howard Shaw Is president.
is that they will drop the Shafroth
measure, and instead of dividing
forces have decided to concentrate
their energies on the Susan r.. An
thony amendment to the United States
which will be introduced
in the Sixty-fourth Congress 1t pro-
yides that no person shall be denied
the right to vote in any of the States
on account of sex.
HELEN LOVE BOISSIEUX. NJ. D.,
Third vice-chairman and press
chairman Virginia Branch Congress
sonai Union, Richmond. Va, Mo-
yember s. 1915.
5l2 East Franklin Street. city.
phorA.AGadiaon a2A7-L.