New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-16
Suffrage night Holds
Inquiry Mass Meeting

Ihere VIII be mass meeting OF in
quiry tonight a. Cooper Union. Hun
dreds Of men and women from all over
the state will assemble there, impres-
sively representing half million
organized suffrsgists. and more than
half a million voters, who are puzzled
over the fifth postponement Of the
Whitney bill, at Albany.
This will be the chief inquiry made
al the meeting-how IL is that two or
three members Of the Senate judiciary
Committee can so long oppose 'he
wishes Of the people by refusing to
pass upon a bill that has aroused more
popular interest than any other matter
now being discussed at Albany. The
purpose Of the meeting is TO determine
whether the electorate can do anything
when the committee. with more than
threefourths Of its members desiring
immediate action, is forced TO postpone
ment by the request OF less than one
fourth.
Men Of various political beliefs and
women Of the state will discuss the
matter in ten-minute speeches, and
there will be an auxiliary uptown
meeting at l42 West l25th Street.
The Speakers.
At Cooper Union these speakers will
talk: Mrs Norman de r. Whitehouse,
who Will open the meeting with
summary Of the committees position;
Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait, national
president OF the American Woman
Suffrage Association; Mrs. James Lees
Laidlaw, who will discuss public onn-
ion with reference 10 the present situa-
ton; Mrs. Raymond Brown; Mise
Maggie Hinchey, who will speak from
the point Of view of the lsboring
woman; Mrs. Raymond Aldrich; Her
bert Parsons; John Boyle, secretary
of the Central Labor Committee, and
William A. Prendergast-
ave are absolute clouds Of bewilder-
ment," declared Mrs. James Lees Laid
law yesterday. I'VE were going 20
have e victory meeting 10 celebrate
the straight forward, clear-cut, frank
action OF the Assemblymen. But IL
will be turned into one of inquiry.
"Three times the Senate judiciary
Committee has freely. courteously. and
of its own accord categorcally set
date upon which IL was promised that
the bill would be reported. Thousands
of people are asking us questions
about the situation. We are frank 20
say that we are nebulous about II. L
is not only beyond our comprehen-
sion. but We believe. OF the laity in gen
eral."
Mrs Lsidlaw said that in spite Of
the five postponementS the suffrage
leaders were still relying upon the re-
Il 90
ably ten, members Of the Judiciary
Committee that they will vote for the
Whitney BrerotOn bill.
Believes Time Is Now Ripe.
As We took the o'clock train last
night. several Senators said there were
good reasons why the bill could aot
be acted upon yesterday. but at least
two OF them assured US that our
apprehension was unnecessary. and IN
fact. chided US for our Impotence,
telling us the bill would come out OF
committee in due time.
zone Senator said that certain mem"
bers were irritated at having our
organized people waiting around out
side so long and patiently. We
assured them that the deputations that
had come up 70 Albany were not side
play Of any sort, but that they had
happened naturally. Women came
from all parts Of the state because Of
their interest in the bill, once when
they thought that it was coming upon
the floor and it didn't, once for the
anti-suffragist public hearing IN the
Assembly chamber, and yesterday for
the great day in the Assembly chamber
"Most weeks not many women are
there Next week there will not be
large number Of women, as there is
nothing in particular TO call them
there. But many Of them are tax-pay-
ers. and large taxpayers in New York
state. and if they decide that they
want to come 10 the Capitol and wait
in the corridors, suppose they feel
that they have the right 20 DO so.
Certainly, men would do the same II
they had any such a burning issue at
stake a. this But there is 10 question
Of such vital importance now being
discussed at Albany