The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1915-07-04
NATIONAL SUFFRAGE

uso usuoM eqa lsFl sSs4usAps assIS
force a referendum when they please. |
They are no longer at the mercy Of
the legislature.
By its provisions, the women need
to poll only majority of those vot-
ing on the question, and that is
vast gain in itself.
In February, 1916, after the Susan
B. Anthony, or Bristow Mondel
amendment had failed of passage and
was dead for the session-the Ma
tional American Suffrage Association
introduced into Congress the Sha-
froth resolution, announcing at the
time that it was in no sense a sub
stitute for the Anthony or Bristow-
Mondel amednment, but pathfinder,
calculated to make possible the older
and broader amendment.
The Difference of Views.
The Congressional Union is in favor
of concentrating every effort on the
passage of the Bristow-M ondel
amendment. The Congressional Com,
mittee of the American National
Woman Suffrage Association is in
favor of working for both amendments
and other measure, affecting suf-
frage.
Tabloid Statement.
Laying all technical phrases aside,
and with as much brevity as possible,
we find the strength of the Shafroth
amendment to lie in these two main
facts: Che Shafroth resolution makes
it possible for the states to govern
in the matter of their electorate. It
does not compel the people in any
state to vote upon suffrage, but it
gives them the right to do so when
they are ready. It thus avoids the
objections raised upon states rights
plus the race question. It was es-
pecially designed to test the sincerity
of those congressman who professed
to be in favor of suffrage but who
hid behind the Estates right" doctrine,
for this measure leaves the question
to the states.
The second and greater object was
to hasten the securing of suffrage
states until we get enough of them
to cut the whole long process short by
the passage and ratification of a fed
eral amendment. From this it viii
be readily seen that the ShafrotI
amendment is mainly to clear the way
for the Bristow- Mondel amendment.
Disagreement.
The Congressional Union not only
believes in concentrating on the
Bristow-Mondel amendment, but it,
policy is diametrically opposed to tina
of the national congressional commit
; tee. 1t must be remembered tina
there are congressional district or
CARNATIONS in forty-one states. TIL,
Congressional Union, which we mus
always keep separated from the ma
tional congressional committee, hai
been interfering in the state cam
: paigns in New York, Massachu
sets, and Pennsylvania. 1t does no
/ seem to realize that our nationa
: strength comes because of ou
{ strength in the states, and member
, of the Congressional Union hav
been urging men not to vote for suf
frage in the state election. The gen
eral sentiment of the conference wa
!. against the Congressional Union.
resolution was passed authorizing tn
' national board to draw up the arti
j cles of belief and the findings of tn
!. conference and its tactics.
: What Was Suggested.
81 It was suggested that the state
. ment contain the following provisions
A RECOMMENDATION that n
official of the national association O
q of any of its auxiliaries be allowed t
y remain in or to join the Congressions
a Union.
: A CLAUSE emphasizing the fax
/ that the national association is not j
sympathy with militant tactics.
A STATEBENT deprecating tn
f heckling of President Wilson by men
. bers of the Congressional Union.
i AN ARTICLE regarding the a
# legged interference in the state can
paigns for suffrage.
e Other Measures.