The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-01-12


the galleries called forth a rebuke
from Speaker Clark.
The gentlemen on the floor must
preserve ORDER" he said. THE spec
tators in the gallery are here by the
courtesy of the house and 1t is in
decorous for them to talk SO loudly
that their conversation can be heard
on the floor. The speaker intends to
enforce order here today. If this dis
turbance does not stop / will order
the galleries cleared
Murdoch Speaks for Amendment. 4
Progressive party support was voiced
by Representative Kelly OF Pennsyl-
vania.
There is no reason" he said. "why
the woman suffrage problem should be
met piecemeal- There is no reason why
it should be decided in 4S different
places. 1t should be decided once for
all here in Washington. The black
scoundrel of every kind, walks up and
casts his ballot, but the American
woman must stand aside
Representative Hobson argued the
resolution did not take any power from
the states. szs x-
Support for the rule but opposition to
the submission Of the amendment was
expressed by Representative LenrOot,
Republican, Of WISCONSIN. He declared
he was not.setisfie t7sxhere was a sufn-
ClG1lL UGIHANOyIOT WI1udu suffrage TO IN
dictate that the proposed amendment
would be speedily ratified.
Representative Murdoch, Progressive,
of Kansas. supported the resolution.
II am against the American woman's
dragging her skirts through the mire
that reason I favor woman suffrage as
a means Of cleaning the mire Of party
politics.
After an hours debate the house
adopted, 2OS to 81, the special rule
for considering the proposed amend
ment and then settled down to six
hours actual debate before voting on
the states for ratification.
Suffragists Expect q Majority.
The overwhelming vote in favor of
the rule was by no means indicative
of the sentiment in the resolution it
self. Many who voted for the rule in
order to bring the question up for a
yea and no vote announced their in
tention Of voting against the resolu-
ton itself. Anti-suffragists claimed
the suffragists would not muster the
necessary two-thirds vote. The suf-
fragists did not predict more than that
the house would register q majority in
favor OF their proposition.
The debate on the rule had been
spirited. bringing support and opposi-
ton from all parties. The real de-
bate, which began at 1 o'clock with
six hours to run. brought out the
heavy artillery of both sides and
promised vote for some time after
seven o'clock this evening.
Representative Webb, chairman of
the judiciary committee, led on in OPP
position to the amendment. He be-
lieved IL the question were voted on
by women more than 80 per cent would
be against suffrage. Debate on the spe-
c1al rule was concluded by the floor
leaders of the Republican and Demo-
cratic sides, Representative Mann sup
porting the amendment, Representa-
tive Underwood opposing it.
THE tendency Of the world every
where is toward aenlarging the grant
Of power to those VINO shall. control the
destinies of the nation" said MT. Mann.
| I'VE may stay the current for mo-
ment, but civilization's progress de-
mands the granting Of the franchise to
those who have the power and knowl-
edge to use it,
The right of the states to control the
franchise was insisted upon by Mr..
Underwood.
This question:" he said. sis the
gravest one this body has had to con-
slider. deny that the exercise OF the
franchise is universal right You do
not believe it is right. Many Of those
who will vote for this amendment here
deny this right to other races because
you believe it would destroy your CIV
ilization. Therefore you recognize that
it is a privilege and not universal
right