New-York tribune., 1915-12-07
No Talk of State Rights
After He Sees Petition
of 4,OOO,OOO Voters.
pAGEANT STARTS
CONGRESS MOVE
o.,,hsrland and Mondell Greet
suffragists in a Blaze of
Color at Capitol Steps.
BY EMMA BUGBEE.

washington, Dec. 6.-President Will
90, looked on the petition Of 100000
wonen voters to-day and decided that
,nH,sge was q matter worthy Of his
,os. serious consideration" Sufra-
lists hailed this statement as one more
.,.r forward in the conversion OF
woodrow Wilson TO their cause, be-
..rss always before this ne had told
,,sn he could do nothing about 1T,
.,,.. Il was a matter for the states
n. said nothing about state rights to-
day.
"oh. he's wlgglins along" said Mrs.
1oh, Winters Brannan, cheerfully, as
IN. women stood rejoicing on the lawn
!, front Of the White House after tho
reception.
10 one seemed particularly depressed
~ the act that President Wilson re-
fys.d 70 incorporate their prayers into
Ma annual message to Congress on the
Ground that il was already completed
The celebrated suffrage petition, 49,
oo0 feet long and bearing 00,0O0 name5
~ voters in the Western suffrage
states. which was brought across the
continent in an automobile by Mrs.
Sara Bard Field. of Oregon. and Miss
Frances Joliffe, of California, was lost
between here and Wilmington, Del, by
the express company intrusted with
the last few miles of its long journey.
The women had another petition with
them. however, and, although less pre-
tentious. il was presented to Represent
alive Mendell, Republican, of Wyo-
ming. on the steps of the Capitol.
Pageantry Ends Pilgrimage.
The envoys who had brought the ia
nous petition, with the prayers-end
tbreats-of 1000 900 women 5000 miles
declared that they felt repaid for all
their trouble. Their pilgrimage ended
with pomp worthy so exalted mission
From the Capitol steps they wound
triumphant course, cleaning with pur-
ple and gold. and jubilant with bras,
bands. down Pennsylvania Avenue 10
the White House. The petition was
wound in a great, fat scroll around q
long. golden pole carried by women
from New jersey, the Presidents own
state.
In the East Room they furled their
banners and put all their yellow gew--
gaws in their muffs. They were stirred
almost to religious fervor.
The President entered quickly from a
aide door. and smiled as he saw the
circle of earnest faces looking into his.
Then Miss Anne Martin, Of Nevada,
stepped forward and introduced Miss
Jolife. first of the Western ENJOYS.
"Mr President, ! speak as Demo
erat," said Miss Joliffe. 81 worked for
YOU and talked for you in 1912. This is
the first request ! have made Of the
Democratic administration-tha you
put this matter of justice TO women
ahead Of all other political considera-
tons. We want 10 help you, but you
must first help US. There will be a
fund Of gratitude from 100000 women
waiting for the political party which
frees our enslayed sisters"
Mrs. Sara Bard Field reminded the
President that the greatest Of men
sometimes changed their minds, and TO
prove it she quoted from his own e1-
perienee with the question Of prepared
ness. Nr. Wilson smiled.
Miss Martin and ladies'" he said,
stepping forward to look at the petit
ton a second, 81 did not come here an
tieipating the necessity of making an
address Of any kind As you have just
heard, hope IL is true that | am not
man set stif1y beyond the possibility