The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-09-07
SUFFRAG|STS VOTE
TO CONTINUE IN
PRESENT METHOD
Will Not Abandon Work in
Various States for United
Effort for Federal
Amendment

4 The National American Woman Suf-
frage association, by an overwhelmin &
vote today, decided to continue it's
| present policy of working for equal
| rights through both national and state
| legislation. The vote was taken after
a long debate and no sooner had the
applause that greeted the announce
| ment of the action taken ceased than
| a resolution was presented which
| threatens to again open the whole
| question tomorrow.
Virtually all the speakers declared
for strict neutrality in the presidential
campaign and to continue the nonpar-
tisan efforts of the association to bring
about equal suffrage throughout the
| United States.
| Women from every state in the union
arc attending the forty-eighth annual
convention of the association, which
was called two months in advance of
its regular meeting because of the ma
tional political campaign. The ques-
| ton of continuing the present policy
| came before the convention in the form
| of two proposed amendments to the
| organizations constitution. One pro-
posed that the association drop work
| on the proposed amendment to the
| federal constitution. The other pro-
| vided that the association cease its
| efforts in behalf of the federal amend
ment and confine its activities to get
| ting woman's suffrage by states. The
amendments were defeated by a viva
| voce vote in which few affirmative
voices were heard. Then Mr.. Carrie
Chapman Gait, president of the asso-
cd he foll I'M
luton:
MRS. CATS RESOLUTION
That the forty-eighth annual con-
vention of the National American
Woman Suffrage association interpret
article of the constitution, which
pledges our auxiliaries to secure the
vote for women by appropriate nation
al and state action, as meaning that
the federal amendment is our imme-
diate and principal aim; and that all
state campaigns. whether legislative or
referendum, are preparatory TO this
end"
| staunch advocate of states rights. imme-
diately attacked the resolution as undem-
ocratic and as multiplying the action just
taken by the convention. The resolution
also stirred up opposition among other
delegates and there was every evidence
or stormy session. A motion by Miss
Clay that the resolution be laid on the
table was defeated and then further de-
bate was shut off by the carrying Of a
motion that the resolution be made spe-
clal order for IL a. m. tomorrow.
Mrs. Gait and other leaders anticipate
a lively debate, but expressed confidence
| that the resolution would be adopted.
There was three-cornered debate on
the policy question. Miss Clay ed the
vyh fay al St a a Of
Mrs. Ida Hustled Harper, New York, was
the principal speaker for concentration on
the federal amendment, and Mrs. Ray
mond Brown, New York, made the prin-
cipal address in favor of no change in
policy.
Mrs Gait opened the discussion and
amused the delegates by stating that
Charles E. Hughes, the republican presi-
Dental nominee, had told her that tho
republican platform came nearer to what
the suffragists want than that of the DEM
ocratic party and that on the other hand
President Wilson told her the democratic
platform was nearer to woman suffrage
than the republican platform
CANDIDATES SINCERE
She said, however, that she believed
both presidential candidates were sincere
and honest and declared that both were
far ahead of their respective parties in
tnolr views on the suffrage question.
Miss Kate Gordon, Louisiana, seconded
the speech made by Miss Clay for exclu-
sive state work; Mrs Glendower Evans.
Mississippi seconded the address of Mrs.
Harper for federal amendment work and
Miss Florence Allen, Ohio, seconded the
speech of Mrs. Brown advocating no
change in policy.
, Miss Allen said that if state work was
taken up exclusively it would look as If
the suffragists had been captured by the
democrats who are strong for states
rights, and if the convention decided to
concentrate on the federal amendment it
would appear as If the association had
made a deal with the republicans. The
suffragsts, she said, would follow strict
neutrality among the political parties.
The association should ask help of all
men regardless of their party affiliation
and that no man or party should be an
tagonized, she said.
VIEW OF SOUTHERN DELEGAT
Delegates from Texas Georgia, Ala
bama, Tennessee, Florida Virginia, Mas
sachusetts. Illinois, Colorado, Michigan,
Oregon, Arkansas, New York, Missouri
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode ISL
and, West Virginia and Maryland,
spoke briefly in favor of continuing the
present policy. The delegate from Texas
said that when Mexican bandits invaded
Texas the people in that state did not
stand on the state rights. but quickly
called for federal aid.
DR.. Anna Shaw, former president of the
association, was loudly applauded when
she was called upon to close the debate
The veteran worker for equal suffrage
said that if she were to be born again
she would give the same amount of time
to the cause above everything else in the
world The nonpartisan campaign for
equal rights the association has waged
for so many years, she said. had brought
the suffrage question up to where it is
today. Education of men, rather than
partisan political action upon the part
of the association, she said, was the best
method to bring about universal sui
frage.
! The announcement of the delegates that
President Wilson will speak at the con-
vention Friday night was greeted with