Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-08-08
Tho States Rights Hypocrisy.

President Wilson has not changed his
position that the woman suffrage ques-
tion should be dealt with by the States, it
was announced to-day at the White
House. The announcement was brought
forth by the declaration yesterday Of
Charles e. Hughes. the Republican Presi-
amendment to the Federal constitution
giving the vote to women. 1t was indi-
Gated today's announcement was final.
A delegation Of suffragists saw the
dictated they believed he would make a
new announcement on the question be-
fore the convention Of the National Amer
lean Woman Suffrage Association in Sep
pursued in tho Presidential campaign will
be determined by the National Suffrage
Organization.
To-day Secretary Tumulty discussed the
question with the President. and after
ward announced that Mr.. Wilson's posi-
zion on the subject was unchanged. This.
As outlined several times to sunragist
delegations within the last three years. is
that while he favors votes for women, he
as opposed to Federal action.
The President voted for woman suff-
rage IN New Jersey last year.-Washing-
ton dispatch dated Aug. 2.
1t cannot be ignorance. but II not
ignorance it must be hypocrisy. this
rullen resort to the states. rights
dodge because the President is bound
by the platform Of his party" Who
wrote that platform?
II Mr.. Bryan forgot the suffragists
In the Baltimore platform, as Mr..
Wilson told them three years ago. Mr..
Wilson himself need not have written
y platform for the st. Louis convcn-
Aion that would bind himself to
"watchful waiting on suffrage.
One might almost think from the
Presidents words, that the states
would have nothing to do with 1t. If
federal amendment were adopted.
. iYet even that is a long process re-
curing a two-thirds vote Of each
house Of Congress, followed by ratifi-
cation by three-fourths Of the states.
Why the subterfuge of states rights
when the party Of the President
'favors' suftrage-just far enough
to ask for votes?
Separate state action has estab-
lished equal suffrage irrespective Of
sex in eleven states and partial sui
frage in 20 more. In twelve states
woman will vote for Presidential cleo
tors next November. These are
Wyoming. Colorado. Utah. Idaho
washington. Califoria, Arizona, Kan
sas. Oregon, Nevada, Montana and
Illinois.
The Republican party declares that
Justice demands the enfranchisemen,
OF women" ana the judicial candidate
Of that party throws the bomb. OF
open advocacy Of the federal amend.
ment as the only Just plan, because
tho most direct course to the Justice
OF enfranchisement.
The pretense Of states rights inter.
ference with the direct attainment OF
equal suffrage which both great par.
ties now profess to desire. is an insul,
to the intelligence Of the womanhood
Of America.
The Democratic party Is now II
power and has repeatedly refused. ant
brazenly made use OF its bewhiskeret
states rights dodge. to pass tn,
Anthony amendment or even to rec.
ommend its consideration by Con
gress. The President has repeated,
placed his party against the progress
Of suffrage. II he 10 reelected
Democracy will, for four years more
head of the suffrage movement. Tit
President win continue to claim to in
telligent suffragists that he is "bount
by the party platform" (Which HI
wrote himsslf) and cannot 90 beyond
its expressions; that the rights o.
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