Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-09-07
National Meeting Brings
Out Some Stirring
Debates.
DELEGATES OF MANY
STATES ON THE FLOOR
Some Believe it Is for State,
Some National, But Old
Fight Will Go On.

N Il.AFllt CITY, y. j., sept. b. -
4 n The National American Woman
Suffrage association by an over
vhelming vote today decided to con-
tinue it's present policy of working
for equal rights through both national
ard state legislation. The vote was
taken after a long debate and no
sooner had the applause that greeted
the announcement of the action ceased
than 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 non
partisan efforts of the association to
bring about equal suffrage through
out the United States.
Women from every state in the
union are attending the forty-eighth
annual convention of the association,
which was called two rionths in ad-
vance of the regular meeting because
Of the national presidential campaign.
Two Amendments.
The question Of policy came before
the convention in the form OF two
proposed amendments to the organi-
zation's constitution. one proposed
that the association drop work on
state legislation and concentrate on
the proposed amendment to the fed
cral constitution. The other provided
that the association cease It's efforts
in behalf of the federal amendment
and confine its activities to getting
woman's suffrage by states. The
amendments were defeated by a viva
vocc vote in whicn few affirmative
voices were heard. Then Mrs. Carrie
Chapman Gait, president of the asso-
citation, presented the following reso-
luton:
That the forty-eighth annual con-
vention of the National Suffrage as
sociation interpret article OF the con-
stitution which pledges our auxiliaries
to secure the vote for women by ap-
propriate national and state action as
meaning that the federal amendment
Is our immediate and principal aim
and that all state campaigns whether
legislative or referendum are prepara-
tory to this end"
Action Is Attacked.
Miss Laura Clay Of Lexington, KY,
staunch advocate of states rights,
Immediately attacked the resolution
as undemocratic and as nullifying the
action Just taken by the convention.
The resolution stirred up opposition
among other delegates and there was
every evidence of "A stormy session.
A motion by Miss Clay that the resO-
luton be laid on the table was de-
feated and then further debate was
shut off by the carrying of a motion
made by Miss Hannah j. Patterson of
Pittsburgh, Pa, corresponding secre-
tary, that the resolution be made
special for IL a, m. tomorrow.
Afpu I'att pH pth in, he,
administration anticipate a lively de-
bate, but expressed confidence that
the resolution will be adopted.
Three Corncred Fight.
There was a three-cornered debate
on the policy question. Miss Clay
led the forces who favored exclusive
state action; Mrs Ida Hustled Harper
New York, was the principal speaker
for concentration on the federal
and Mrs. Raymond
Brown. New York, made the principal
address in favor of no change in
policy.
Mrs Gait opened the discussion and
amused the delegates by stating that
Charles f. Hughes, the Republican
presidential nominee. had told her
that the Republicans platform came
nearer to what the suffragists want
than that of the Democratic party,
snd that on the other hand President
Wilson told her the Democratic plat
form was nearer 10 woman suffrage
than the Republican platform.
She said both presidential candi-
dates were far ahead Of their respect
i've parties i'm their views on tie suf-
frage question.
Miss Kate Gordon. Louisipna. sec
onded the speech made by Miss Clay
nNa1nc4Nn II u-nrks Mra (Tian-
dcwer Evans, Massachusetts,. seconded
the address Of Mrs. Harper for fed
cral amendment work, and Mrs. Flor
pnce Allen. Ohio. seconded the speech
of Mrs Brown advocating no change
in policy.
tll Favor No Change.
Delegates from Colorado. Oregon.
Texas. Georgia. Alabama, Massachu-
sctts. Virginia Illinois. Miohigsn. Ar
kansas. New York. Missouri. Tonnes
see. New Jersey, PennsylTanil, Rhode
Island. West Virginia. Maryland and
lorida spoke briefly in favor Of con-
0nuirg tho present policy. The delc-
gHtion f'om Texas said that when
VI xiy8n bandits invaded Texas the
INoulc I'm that state did not stand or
state rights, hut quickly called for
federal aid
pr Anna Howard shaw. former
president Of the association. in closing
the debate said that II she werc 70 he
horn again she would give the same
amount of time 20 the cause above
everything else in the word
TO Prison for Life.
Special to The World
OKLAHOMA CITY, Sept. 6-York
NcGowan. negro, pleaded guilty today
for the murder Of Jack Hodge. August
20. and was given a life sentence In
tho penitentiary one judge refused
10 hear the plea of guilty provided the
negro would be given a life sentence.
The negro was taken to another Judge.