Evening journal., 1916-07-26
SUFFRAGE FIRST
IS AIM OF women
Mrs. HiIles Says Their Cause
is the Essence of
Democracy
CONVENTION TO
BE HELD IN WEST

Delaware suffragists are manifest
ing much interest in the approaching
convention OF the "Woman's Party"
which is 10 be held In Colorado
Springs. Colorado on August 10. II
and ~. This rallying Of the forces
Of the Woman's Party. which was re-
Gently formed under the banner Of the
Congressional Union and which is the
only woman's political party there is,
is being held for the purpose Of de-
Gliding the best methods and plans TO
pursue toward securing the passage
Of the Susan B. Anthony Amendment
around which the Woman's Party Is
centreing all its forces
The convention is OF particular In
terest 10 Delaware, inasmuch as two
OF It's most prominent suffrage work.
ers will participate. They are Mrs.
Florence Bayard Hilles, State chair.
mar of the Congressional Union and
Miss Mabel Vernon, national Con.
gresnional Union orgeniser.
In speaking OF the Womans Party
this morning Mrs. Hilles said:
There seems 10 be a general lack
Of knowledge on the subject OF the
Woman's Party. and as II is essential
ly the determining ractor in the com
ing Presidential election, few words
OF explanation would not be
out OF place. The National Wo-
mans Party is composed OF the vot-
ing women OF the twelve suffrage
States II has but one plank IN It's
platform; the national enfranchiLe-
ment of women; II runs no candi-
dates. II is group OF women vot-
ers who have resolved themselves
into a third party and who hold the
balance OF power TO determine the
next Presidential election. They have
pledged themselves to put suffrage
nrst.
The suffrage States control ol elec
toral votes, with over four millior
women qualified 10 vote for President
the fact that these States control is o.
the electoral College and cast l-3 Of tn,
votes necessary to elect a President
gives women voters the power to deter
mine the election Of the next President
II would be an odd boast to claim W
had got the votes Of four million
women. We have not got them, and d.
not need them. IL is far from neocssar,
20 attempt such prospect, as any poll
tinian must know Elections arc usu
ally won by narrow margins, and oom
paratively small group united on a grea
issue can be counted on 10 alter the re
suit Of the average election. We VIII
arc working for the national enfran
chisenent Of women. can ask with con
fidence for a far fuller measure of sur
port than this from enfranchise
women Of the West. Our cause is III
essence Of democracy. No issue toda
has stronger claim on tho loyalty a
women, and can appeal more stronol,
10 the generous and derAocratic spiri
Of the West We hold the party Il
power---at present the Democratic part,
responsible for the passage OF the ma
tional amendment to enfranchis,
women; and VIC are leaving no stone un
turned tc urge that they seize their op
portunity and pass az this present ses
sion Of Congress this act, that will Civ,
to every American woman her politica
freedom. Should they fail TO do so. tn,
National Noman's Party at their con
ference 10 he held at Colorado Springs
August 10, IL, l2, will meet 10 decid,
on measures to be adopted in the com
ing election to win national suffrage TO
women