The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-31
PEOPLES FORUM

To the Editor OF The Ricahrn ond vir-
ginian:
Dear sir,-In view Of the many ar
ncles discussing the supposed policies
OF the different suffrage organizations
and the suggestions that the National
was considering the adoption of mill
tant methods and the abandonment
or It's non-partisan attitude, | shall ap-
preClate your courtesy in printing in
your columns the following extract
from a letter written by Mrs Carrie
Chapman Gait. president Of the Ma
| Aon@4 American Woman Suffrage As
sociation, with which the Virginia Lea
que les affiliated
4. The National American Woman
Suffrage Association was the BODY
which caused the introduction Of a
! Federal suffrage amendment in Con-
Rress in 1878. and has support ed It
! from that date There ia little, If any,
difference Of opinion among our mem
hers that Federal action is not only
constitutional for the nation but also
tardN acknowledgme nt Of the wrong
the nation has done women in its per-
SlStent policy of keeping them in a
state OF Acknowledgement.
q. Our association DOES not he-
lieve in militant methods, and is not
IKeIN 10 aNOpt them.
3, During the forty eight years Of
IT'S existence It has maintained strict
! ~ non-partisan policy It cannot
change that policy without action by
the annual convention composed of
Delegates from the several States Tn
/ ie'ss the National Association should
i change ITS non partisan policy which
4 IN my judgment IL is not likely to do
1t could not work against any presi-
/ dentlal candidate nor aRainsf candi-
dates for Congress of any one party
Consistently with our policies. how
ever, 1t may campaign against mem
bers OF Congress OF all or any political
parties who are unwilling to vote to
! submit the Federal amendment
Whether It will vote to assume this
| policy depends upon the action of the
delegates to the convention
-. The Executive Board has called
an emergency convention at Atlantic
| City September 6 to 10, inclusive. be-
cause we consider that a crisis has
! been created In suffrage affairs BY the
fact that both OF the dominant parties
while indorsinS woman suffrage, seem
to indicate preference for It's estab-
lishment through State referenda
That this opinion Is not general in
, either party has been sufficiently dem
,
with delegates of the Republican and
Dem oCrattC conventions since their ad-
tournment
IS. Al the CogiDg convention the
question Will be thoroughly debated as
to whether the National Association
shall drop its State work and concen-
trate solely upon the Federal amend
ment; whether II shall drop work for
the Federal amendment and concen-
trate on State referenda, or whether
II shall continue TO work in the flu
Tue. as in the past for the enfrunchise-
1nent OF women by both methods.
g The advisability Of participat-
ing in the fall political campaigns may
be brought forward in that conven-
uon. If so, the subject will be thor
oughly discussed from every point of
view, and whatever policy may be
adopted will be the result of the ma
jority vote of the delegates present"
The above is a clear statement of
The situation as all members OF the
National Association understand 1t.
Very truly yours
NORA HOUSTON.