New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-01

stated last Tuesday that II New York
votes suffrage down NEXT November the
suffragists of this STATE must turn
their energies to the federal amend
ment was regarded as most slgnlhcent'
The conference began with a lunch
con a. the Peg Wellington Cofee
House, at II East Forty-fourth Street
NJ which there were speeches by MIS-
Harvey Wiley, Of Washington; Mrs
Marie Jerney Howe, leader in the Wo-
man Suffrage Party; Mrs. Helen HOY
Greeley, and Mrs. Inez Milholland
Boissevain, who urged her hearers to
cease regarding the Constitution as
sacred"
at is time" she declared, "for US
women TO rewrite the Constitution OF
this country. II is time for US to re-
adjust if not repudiate the government.
The Constitution has been a fetch.
Constitution Is Censured.
"As a matter of fact it is a most un-
democratic instrument, designed not to
help but 10 hinder the people from
governing themselves. We have the
word of President Wilson for it that
the beginnings of the government were
most undemocratic. the work OF COM
mercial bodies of men. II Is for US
women to alter the government, and to
make the Constitution anew"
IL was at the afternoon business
meeting that Miss Paul struck the first
note Of antagonism TO the national
association of which, In the first place,
the Congressional Union was the child.
Miss Paul was answering questions
from the audience.
"Isn't the Shafroth amendment, in
troduced in Congress, at the desire OF
the National Woman Suffrage Associa-
ton, a ruse Of politicians TO confuse
the issue and sidetrack the suffrage
movement called out ono woman.
at is" said Miss Paul. ut gives
Congressman the chance 20 vote against
the Susan b. Anthony amendment,
which we have consistently pushed, on
the plea that they have already voted
for q suffrage amendment
81 could tell you of several who did
this"
What can we do to aid In the fed
eral work" asked another womS1.
Resign from the National Woman
Suffrage Association unless it will
withdraw the Shafroth amendment"
exclaimed Miss Paul, and her advice
brought out enthusiastic applause.
Cant we bring pressure on the Ma
tionsl TO drop that measure" demand
ed several voices.
Trap Is Revealed.
"That would be useless. 1t would
be simpler to resign" said Miss Paul.
1.-THE Shafroth amendment" she went
on, ais such a foolish measure. II
would make US do all the work of get
ting suffrage before the state legis-
! latures, and when the work was done
we would still have thirty-seven refer
endums on our hands. But II we get
the Susan B. Anthony amendment rati-
/ fed by three-fourths of the states we
have the vote. Why should we do all
that work in Washington just to get
! thirty-seven referendums
The important proceeding Of the
afternoon was the making of a consti-
tuition. II is the acceptance of this
constitution which makes the Congress
sonal Union a national body, the young
giant which many believe will over
shadow the National Woman Suffrage
Association.
The membership clause Of the con-
stitution was the thing which provoked
the slogan, Beware of the menl" Be
fore this clause was finally drafted the
male sex had been the target of fierce
and deadly fire. Mrs. Rheta Chi.de
Dorr led the attack, ably backed by
Mrs. Belmont, Miss Paul and Mrs. John
Rogers, also by a man, name unknown,
who declared that his sex was very
treacherous." Mrs. Boissevain rallied
to the defence of the assaled ones,
but hers was the only voice that was
raised.
The clause read: Membership shall
be open 70 all women who regard suf-
frsge as the foremost political issue,
and will work for IL irrespective OF
political parties, and to all leagues in
sympathy with this object"
81 object" cried Mrs. Dorr. "These
leagues may contain men, and the man
who can put woman suffrage before his
party doesn't exist. II you admit men
you invite trouble. have seen il again
and again H. the Social and Political
Union In England. Men won't work for
suffrage when 1t is question Of in
juring their political party"
The clause Was referred back 70 the
board, OF which Mrs. Donald Hooker
was chairman. At the evening meet
ing. also held at Mrs. Belmont's. the
fight opened. Mrs. Dorr declared that
the political work the Congressional
Union hopes TO do in the West, 20 force
the parties TO recognize woman suf
frage. would be foiled II men were ad-
mitted 70 the organization. Mrs. Bots
seyain jumped 10 her feet to protest.
What" asked Mrs. Kelley. "is the
psychology OF this suspicion? Do we
think men will scuttle the ship"
They would" said Mrs. Belmont.
"Why should We admit our apparent
enemies TO the trenches"
Miss Paul backed Mrs. Dorr by de
clsring that the work the union bad
done In the West would have been
fviisd N men nod hssr rsrt Of the or
I..a. H.. =~l.lx