New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-10
Suffragists See Pledge
i'm Presidents Words

ITr0m star Correspondent Of The Tribune
Atlantic City. y. j.. Sept. g. Presi-
dent Wilson's suffrage declaration here
last night has had a boomerang effect.
Although he again bade the women "to
wait a little while and repeated MI
declaration i'm substance that he could
not 20 beyond his party, suffrage lead
crs to-day are convinced that he meant
more than he said.
In overcoming their disappointment
last night that the President did not
come out for the Anthony amendment,
they now feel that they have his def
nitc pledge for action i'm Congress al
the December session. Il was the spirit
of the Presidents speech and his recla-
ration that he was there "tO fight with
them" that seem to have accomplished
the change in sentiment.
1t was IS binding promise as
man ever made" declared Dr.. Anna
Howard Shaw to-day. "Of course,
DO not know what is in his mind, but
TO me IL meant that he would take up
the question with Congress in Deem
Der. Under the circumstances ] do not
see what more he could have said.
IF the President had declared for
the Anthony amendment II would have
seemed too much like a bid for votes.
]. for one, would have lost my respec;
for him. Mr.. Hughes's position l. dii-
ferent. He is a candidate and Is not
responsible for a great administrative
machine like the government
SAYS II Mustn't Become Party Issue.
Suffrage. in my opinion, will never
be obtained by making a party issue OF
IL. Personally, ! believe in taking II
L 80 q a N at
ter of Mr.. Hughes or on the pitchfork
of Ben Tillman. II the Republicans are
IN power they will have TO depend upon
the Democrats to help them pass suf-
frage amendment. and it is the same
with the Democrats CondemninS the
uartv in power for its failure TO act. IN
my mind, as only postponing any action
at all"
Similar views were expressed by
many others of the prominent suffrage
leaders, in the convention here. Nearly
oil now that they had thought it over,
Jaw great good in the Presidents
speech. Whether the word had gone
cut to put an end 10 last nights eN-
plossions Of disapproyal or whether
the quiet. diplomatic Influence OF Mrs.
Carrie Chapman Gait had had its way
could not be determined, but certainly
the prevailing note WAS one OF opt-
mism.
"The Presidents very friendly man.
ner." declared Mrs Norman De X.
WhitehOuse, chairman Of the New YORK
State Woman Suffrage party, gave
added significance 10 his expressions
of friendliness. The fact that 1t was
the Forty-eighth Annual Convention of
The National American Woman SUI
rage Association 10 which the PreSi-
cent spoke is a proof that suhragistS
have long had the patience which he
advised. He made PLAN his support OF
on cause when he declared he was
fighting with US. So we feel that with
such support we have every reason TO
look forward to speedy victory
Not All Were Pleased.
That such was not the Interpretation
which the convention as a whole placed
on the Presidents words would seem
10 appear from some G. the proceed
irgs at to-day's sessions Resolutions
had been offered commenting the
Presidents visit and declaring that 1t
would do the cause much good" These
were quickly referred 20 the commit
tee, and when they emerged this after
noon they had been modified to merely
a vote Of thanks Some Of those skilled
in suffrage politics saw in this implied
disapproval of too much emphasis on
the aid given by the President 20 the
cause.
Many other women, known as the
"Progressives" among the SufFragists,
reafirmed their opinion that the Presi-
dent had merely evaded a direct an
swer. They paid tribute TO the skill
fulness Of his reply, but to them 1t
meant merely commentator OF
"watchful waiting" Although they are