The Washington times., 1915-10-28
THROUGH FEDERAL ACTION.

The Congressional Union has believed
suffrage must be obtained through
Federal action. The National Asso-
citation has maintained that appeal to
the States. one at time. was the
right procedure. Between the two or
ganizations there has been no too
friendly feeling. despite that they
sought the same end. Each has been
30 devoted to it's own program that II
has leaned. to the idea that the other
was cumming the cards In the great
game. There Is no attempt to conceal
that as this years elections go. so will
go vindcation for one and discourage
ment for the other program.
Just what the quarrel between the two
organizations Is precisely about Is not
generally understood. Yet II can be
stated very simply. The Congressional
Union wants to start with Congress and
work down through the states Tor a
constitutional amendment TO settle the
country. The National Association
would carry on the work through the
States. fighting for one at time.
Simple and Direct.
Tho Congressional Union. headed by
Miss Alice Paul. has headquarters in
W
deals with Congress. II wants to In
duce Congress to pass the Susan B
Anthony resolution first brought for.
ward In 1878. providing that the right
to vote shall not be denied or abridged
! on account of sex. This Is simple. d.
rect. understandable. The argument for
II Is obvious.
citation supports the Shafroth amend
mcnt II provides In effect that when In
any State an initiative petition OF !
per cent of the voters shall be filed
asking a referendum on the suffrage
! question. then the question shall be
referred to the people OF the State at
| the next election.
Vast Difference In Plans.
Between these two proposals there Is
difference. in political effect. as wide
as the distinction between zenith and
| nad!r II the ANTHONY measure should
pass Congress. then every State would
have before Its Legislature the question
Shall be ratify or reject this amend
ment to the Constitution Three
| fourths OF the states must raufy II II
order to make II binding on the whole
country. Ratified. II would give th'
| suffrage 10 the women OF all the state!
as we'll as those that had ratified.
There Is this great difference bctwcer
the two plans. that while the Nationa
.saocia'ion scheme would REQUIRE ref
erence to a popular referendum In al
the states. the Congressional tniol
| program necessitates ratification onl!
by the legislatures In three-f -fourlhs. A
n practical question. say the Congres
sional Union women. 1t is easier to ge
a legislature to vote for suffrage thar
to get a majority of the voters to vot
for It at a general election.
A legislature Is n small group OF mer
on whom argument can be more effect
lively concentrated. They are mon q
the highest intelligence. comprra'ivel
without prejudices. open 10 practice
as we'll as idcalistic appeals. The Con
grcssional Union points out that as
matter OF political history It can b
shown that most OF the extensions c
suffrage have been secured. in this cour
try and in Great Britain. through jus
this kind OF appeal to legislatures an
parliaments; through small bodies {
men on whom could be focused. wit
the expectation that they would ar
preciatc and understand 1t. the best II
tellectual appeal.