The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-07
PASSAGE 0F EQUAL
 SUFFRAGE MEASURE
 IS ALMOST ASSURED
Dr. Anna Shaw Made Good Impression on the State Legislature-Ladies
 Working

Montgomery, February 6.-(Special) ) Passage of<the equal suffrage amend ment is practically assured. This Is the prediction of a large number of the leaders of the two legislative bodies However, 1t is not exepcted that the measure will pass during the present session. But in July when the legisla- ture reconvenes, the question of equal suffrage will be one of the first issues under consideration. Moreover, it will be winning fight for the women of the state, insofar as legislative action is concerned. The real fight, of course, will come later, when the electors of the state goes to the polls and casts their vote for or against the right of women to hold equal suffrage.
 There Is every indication of the growth of legislative sentiment in favor of submitting the amendment to the people. When the legislature first con- vened it was thought that the measure did not have a remote chance of passing . In fact, the subject was more or less ridiculed
 But during the past two weeks there
 as been a complete reversal of senti- nent. Members of the legislature who were at first bitterly opposed to the movement are now converts to the cause. Certainly they are unwilling to assume the responsibility of deciding by their own action an issue of such stupendous magnitude Therefore. while they may vote against the amend ment when the question is voted on at the polls, they will not vote against It In the legislature. At least, the ma Jority of the legislators will not.
 Created Fine Impression
 pr. Anna Howard Shaw, president or the National Equal Suffrage society. made a deep impression on the members or the legislature when she addressed .hat pody yesterday. It might be said tnat sne convinced many of the members that the cause was a righteous one
 warm words of praise for the intrepid leader of the cause have been heard on all sides, and members have frank S admitted change of viewpoint since nearing her speech. Dr. Shaw won her audience as much by her sincerely and eafnestness as by her brilliant presenta- uon of her cause.
 But others have also had a part in changing legislative sentiment. As IS well Known, the equal suffrage cause was ably presented to the two legislative bodies two weeks ago by prominent sui iaSists of Alabama. At that meeting. which was public and held in the house or representatives, Mrs. Solon Jacobs of Birmingham, president of the Alabama Equal suffrage society: Mrs. Oscar Hund- Icy Of Birmingham, vice president of the state association, and other able leaders addressed a joint session of the com mittees on privilege and elections of the two houses. The house committee, how ever, agreed to postpone the equal sui frag bill indefinitely.
 Not satisfied with the committees &C., ton' the state leaders began :heir fight anew with the result that the foremost champion of the cause in America was invited to come to Alabama.
 Fight Thought to Be Won
 And now the fight is thought to be won If the bill Is not acted upon favor ably during the present session, which is unlikely, it will certainly pass during the next session, according to the opinion oe many of the members.
 The question will then be fought out at the polls two years hence when the next general election will be held. What will be the result of that contest is not known, and probably will no. be until the ballots are counted. Many of the legislators think the people will not SUD- port the amendment, but they are unwill- ing that the electorate should not be IA