The Washington times., 1915-10-28

%s what the Congresslonal Union Irankiy
Tha National Association wants TO
keep the question as much as possible
out OF partisan politics. The congres..
sional Union would use AZ the political
power that can be brought to bear. and
would be as partisan as might be nee
cssary to win. 1t Is calculated that the
suffragists now count twelve states in
their column. with twenty-four Sena-
tors. which Is one-fourth the upper
body: with seventy-two members OF the
Home. and with Jog votes In the Elcc-
toral College, or one-fifth CT that body.
This political force is proposed to be
used. That Il can be used is indicated
by the fact that the Senators and Con-
gressmen from the suffrage states are
generally for suffrage. and that many
Of them have been in the East this
fall campaigning In the States where
the vote Is to be taken.
Straw In the Wind.
A straw in the wind was noted In
the action OF New Jersey suffrage lead
ers. who. as soon as they had been
defeated. asked the Congressional
| Union to come to that State and or
ganize II for cooperation with this or
| ganization. This is claimed by the Con-
! Eressional Union to be recognition that
| political action Is necessary to force the
! issue. There IL no threat to try utlli2a-
| ton OF the political power OF the West
crn suffrage States to defeat one party
or support another. in the coming ma.
tional campaign. but individual can
didates are none the less being forced
to declare just how they stand as be-
! tween the Anthony and the Shafroth
| resolutions.
' troduce in the new Congress the An
thony resolution. and Congressman
, Mondell. who hhs heretofore fathered
| II In the House. will again be its spon.
sor there. II has been observed re-
Gently that n number % the Western
| Senators who are candidates for re-
election are taking keen interest in the
| suffrage views OF possible nominees fol
| President on the Republican ticket
| They consider that their prospects o.
election will ne decidedly better n they
can be sure that their party'3 leader |!
| known rs suffragist.
May Shape Party Policy.
These strictly local conditions IN tn
suffrage States are beginning to b,
recognized rs likely to exercise an I'm
portant Influence in the Republican
nomination campaign next year. J
number OF Western Senator'S are name,
who are standpatters o: the most dis
tinct type in affairs generally. but who
nevertheless. are ANXIOUS for a Ropub
lean OF progressive type to be nUmi
mated because ONLY those of this typ
can command confidence that they wi
stand fer 'he women's cause. In hi
way II is quito possibc-and the fact ha
only recently been demanding attcnt!o
that the suffrage issue. through tn
rpower of the wcrnCn voters in the Wes
may exert q deCdcd influence In shay
ing the policy OF the Republican part
. next wear. President Wilson. by declar
ing himself in favor Of woman suftrag,
made this situation the more striking
despite that Il Is not vet known whcth
er he Will support the Sutherland
: Mondcll measure. which represents tn
Congressional Union. or the Sha.rot
, plan: or whether. for that matter,
will keen hands Off and let Congress
settle the issue ms between these tw
, proposals to suit Itself.