The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-06-16
Governor Ferguson of Texas
Champions 1.-The Cause"
OPPOSES PLATFORM DRAFT
Many Delegates Missing When
Fight Starts.
Suffrage Plank Adopted Not
Satisfactory to Suffragists.

ST. Louis. June I6.-After an un-
successful fight to throw out the sut-
frage plank in the Democratic plat
form as approved by President Will
son. the Democratic national conven-
ton at 3:O9 o'clock this afternoon
adopted the whole platform. includ-
ing the planks on suffrage and Amer
icanism by acclamation.
The fight on the suffrage plank was
the first row to ripple the harmony
of the convention. The fight on it
was led by Governor Ferguson OF
Texas. and it seemed to have some
chance until Senator Walsh of Mon
tana told the convention that Presi-
dent Wilson considered the suffrage
plank as written necessary to the sue
cess of the party.
The majority plank is not the be-
lief. not the conviction of the Demo-
cratic party" said Governor Ferguson
in his speech. "and in the desire to
secure a little political advantage, this
fatal surrender of Democratic prin-
ciples is made
While the argument was going on,
William J. Bryan. fearful that one of
interrupt the business of the conven-
the recurrent demonstrations might
interrupt the business of the conYel-
ton left mis- seat and took a position
under the speakers stand where he
could not be seen by the crowd bat
still could hear the discussion.
The Texas governor pleaded elo-
quently TOR the convention not to lay
aside old and honored principles of
the Democratic party regarding state
rights.
Agitation for equal suffrage" Gov
ernOr Ferguson said. was sweeping
over the country when the women
should be performing the functions for
which God Almighty intended her
Mingled applause and kissing fol-
lowed his conclusion. Senator Stone
followed. supporting the majority re-
port
\ roll call of the states was forced
and only ISL Z votes could be mus
tered for the substitutes; SS2JA were
cast against it. The plank itself and
thr whole platform were adopted by
roaring chorus of approval
Kansas cast her twenty votes
against the minority report.
After some formality the convention
then adjourned at 3:11 o'clock. 1t was
all over.
\ Big Scrap Breaks.
ST. Louis, June 16.-That the DEM
ONld lihAlOiidi COHhcullOH- pldClQ DIS d
sunny sky today is not to pass without
real scrap. became apparent this
afternoon when the minority of the
resolutions committee submitted a re-
port on woman suffrage. opposing the
plank adopted by the full committee
this morning. The vote on the suf-
frage plank was 25 to 20, favoring the
state supervision of the enfranchise-
ment of women The tentative plank
demanding national amendment for
suffrage was lost by a majority of
three votes.
After the reading of the platform,
before the convention, Governor Fer
guson of Texas took the platform and
offered a minority report on the suf-
frage plank. The champion of the
suffrage cause was heralded with
much cheering.
Apparently desiring to sidestep the
direct vote on the suffrage cause
many of the delegates deserted, having
gone home.
\ Weary Bunch.
Coliseum, st. Louis, June 16.-Tired
hoarse. happy-eyed, bedraggled-bui
TCOntinued on mage II