New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-02-23
New Referendum Bill Fa-
vorably Reported by AS
sembIy Committee.
SPEAKER THREATENS
DEFEAT ON FLOOR
Women to Concentrate Efforts
on Lower House-Result There
to Govern Senators.

ported from the Assembly Judiciary
Committee to-day, much TO the JOY OF
throng OF suffragists. who had come
here to attend hearing on the Slater
bill in the Senate. The vote in COM
mittee was IL to /, Assemblyman
Schimmel, Of Manhattan, voting in the
negative.
Speaker Sweet tried hard TO keep the
amendment from coming out Of the
committee, and when Chairman Knight
told him that the committee was over
whelmingly in its favor he declared
he would have it defeated on the floor
of the Assembly.
The suffragists' luck was not quite
so good in the Senate. Cheered by
their success in the Assembly, Mrs.
Norman de r. Whtehouse and Mr..
Whitehouse. Mrs. James Lees Laidlaw
and a score Of workers stormed the
Judiciary Committee room in the Sen
ate. After many assaults they ex-
tracted a promise from Senator Wal
tiers, chairman, that definite action on
the suffrage amendment would be
taken by the committee in TWO weeks.
Senator Walters delighted the suf-
fragists by telling them there was q
disposition on the part OF the commit
tee to report the bill. but that it had
/ been decided to wait two weeks to give
sentiment either for OF against it an
opportunity TO crystalline. II, in the
meantime, the amendment is passed by
the Assembly, favorable action will be
taken by the Senate committee. II it
is defeated in the Assembly that will
end it so far as the Senate is con-
cerned.
To Concentrate on Assembly.
The suffragists seemed pleased with
the statement Of Senator Walters and
went home determined TO bring about
passage OF the amendment by the As
semb,y. From now on their efforts
will be concentrated on the lower
house, because if it is successful there
1t is practically certain to be success
ful in the Senate. So pleased were the
women at the action Of the Assembly
/ judiciary Committee that they held a
meeting in its room and adopted vote
Of thanks 10 Chairman knight.
Earlier in the day Senator Walters
had made a decidedly had impression
on the suFrsgists by asking II the
women were willing 10 accept the
Slater bill in preference to the Whit
ney-Brereton amendment. This was
during a hearing on the Slater bill,
which gives women the right to vote
for Presidential Electors. Mrs. Harrio.
Stanton Blatch had just finished a
strong argument for the Slater bill,
which, she said, represented what she
felt like characterizing as change
OF venue" when Senator Walters said;
"Will you accept this bill as a change
7 Of venue for the other bill?"
Mrs. Blatch hesitated and suggested
that Mrs. Norman de r. Whitehouse.
chairman of the State Woman Suffrage
Association, was best qualified to
answer.
Whitney Brereton Bill Preferred.
81 am chairman of the New York
State Woman Suffrage Association"
Mrs. Whitehouse said. Last year we
had $500 officers and 100000 workers,
all voluntary for the suffrage amend
ment to the constitution. On behalf
of them ! will answer the Senator'S
question by saying No, we will not sc-
cept this bill in preference to the
Whitney Brereton bill
The question of Senator Walters
caused much concern to the sufragists.
Lest there be any understanding as
10 the attitude OF the members OF the
State Suffrage Association, Hrs. White
house, after the hearing. said:
when Senator Walters asked il the
New York State Woman Suffrage party
would accept the Slater bill for Presi-
Dental suffrage in place Of the Whit
ney-Brereton bill, which we have beer
supporting for resubmission of the
question 10 the electorate, | was forced
to say, No.
ave are, however, unreservedly in
favor of the bill for Presidential suf-
frage, although our first and greatest
interest is in new referendum for
complete suffrage. No suffragists
would refuse any shade or degree OF
suffrage. On that question all organ
izations agree"
Mrs. Laidlaw was incensed at Sena-
tor Walters's question, which she de-
clared to be "a disingenuous act TO
play one bill against the other
Other Sudragists Angered.
The other suffragists, who filled the
Senate chamber. were equally irate.
Senator Walters explained that his
question was prompted by desire TO
prevent a misunderstanding of Mrs.
Blatch's statement.
Mrs. Harriet Stanton Blstch and j.
Hampden Dougherty were the speakers
in behalf Of the Slater bill. Mrs. Blatch
aid il was new method of approach,
mainly because il will help New YORK
20 hiring into more immediate discus
sion the whole question OF suffrage.
Mr.. Dougherty's argument was on le-
GA points. He declared that the Leg
islature could authorize women to vote
for Presidential electors.
Miss Alice Hill Chittenden. Miss Lucy
Price and Everett ?. Wheeler spoke for
Tho snti-sufFragists. Miss Chlttenden
and Miss Price declared that the re.
suits of the election last year showed
that the voters of the state were OPP
,osad 10 xrouan suffrage. Mr.. Wheeler