The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1915-01-19
WOMEN SUFFRAGISTS
WERE BADLY DEFEATED
BY 2O4 TO 174 LOWER HOUSE OF
CONGRESS REFUSES TO SUB.
NIT QUESTION TO STATES.
NO GEORGIAN VOTED FOR IT


Also Went ON Record as Opposed
to Amendment. Galleries Throng-
ed During Heated Debate.
WASHINGTON house of
representatives tonight, by vote of
204 to ia, refused to submit to the
states an amendment to the federal
constitution to enfranchise women.
Anti-suffragists claimed the suffra-
gists would not muster the necessary
two-thirds vote; the suffragists did
not predict more than that the house
would register a majority for their
proposition.
Record Breaking Crowd.
A driving rain storm failed to dis
courage a record-breaking crowd. An
hour before the session opened prac-
tically all the unreserved seats for
women were filed with suffragists
and anti-suffragists. In the mems
gallery, however, there were vacant
seats plenty. When the women doff-
ed their coats the purple and yellow
banners and sashes of the suffragists
filled the galleries with a wave of
color. Many brought their knitting
and needle work
The gallery to the left of Speaker
Clarks desk was occupied by the suf-
fragists. On the right the anti-suf-
fragists, each wearing a red rose,
knitted and sewed as they waited.
Separating the hostile camps was the
mems gallery.
In the suffrage gallery DR.. Anna
Howard Shaw, Mrs. Carrie Chapman
Gait, Mrs. o. H. P. Belmont and the
congressional committee of the ma
tional association were in charge.
Across the way were Mrs. Arthur NJ.
Dodge, president of the National AS
ISOLATION Opposed to Woman's Suf-
frage; Mrs. A. ]. George, Mrs. Daniel
A. Markham and the legislative COM
mittee of that association.
Debate Was Spirited.
Debate on the rule was spirited,
bringing support and opposition from
all parties. 1t was concluded by floor
leaders of the republicans and DEM
ocrats, Representative Mann support
ing the amendment and Representa-
tive Underwood opposing it,
CT believe the time has come in
this country" said Mr.. Mann, when
we may safely say to those with
whom we are intimately associated
throughout our lives: We ask you
to help us in the management Of our
affairs of this great nation in the
hope that we may make even greater
progress in the future than in the
past"
The right of the states to control
the franchise was insisted upon by
Mr.. Underwood.
Underwood Speaks.
"The question that confronts us
here today he said, lis the gravest
question that this body has had to
consider deny that the exercise Of
the franchise is universal right.
''You do not believe it is right.
For many@of those who will vote for
this amendment here today are from
states which would deny this right
to- other races because you believe it
would destroy your civilization.
Therefore, you recognize that it is q
privilege and not a universal right.
There is no question more funda-
mental in the history Of the demo-
cratic parf2 than tbs "istg u each
state to govern its own franchise"
Representative Henry after the
speakers gavel fell, presented the
special rule upon which it was agreed
to allow one and one-half hours Of
debate, exclusive Of the six hours on
the resolution.
Il shall support the rule because I
believe a vote should be given on any
proposal which has become q national
issue" said Mr. Henry.
Matter For the States.
But I believe this is purely mat
ter of state Jurisdiction If there are
any two questions that should be left
to the states, without interference
of the federal government, they are
the question of police powers and
the question of suffrage