The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-02-11
FIGHT FOR HEAD OF. EQUAL SUFFRAG|STS. FEATURE OF MEETING
Mrs. Hundley Issues State
 ment Denying Undue Lobbying in Her Behalf
DECLINE TO SEAT
 ATTALLA DELEGATES

l Regarded as Point Against LOca
 Woman-Vote Is fl to 31-Reports
 of Activities of Local Associations Presented to the Convention | Gadsden, February 10.-(Special )-Shal Mrs. Bessie O'Brien Hundley of Birming- ham or Mrs. Julien B. Parke of Selma be elected president of the Alabama Equal Suffrage association for 1916? That is the all interesting question now before the convention. Lobbying in be- half of each candidate has been done day and night by friends of each, both inside and outside the association. The lineup was seen in at least one vote of the convention taken thus far. This came when, by vote of 31 to fl, the convention declined to seat the Attalla delegation. It was commonly reported that, if seated, the Attalla delegation would have been as a unit for Mrs. Hundley. The Attalla women remained in the hall, but were not allowed to vote.
 One of the developments of the day came in a signed statement from Mrs. Bessie O'Brien Hundley, who did not mince matters in denying reports that undue lobbying was going on in her behalf. She said
 NO PAID LOBBY
 Amy statement that there is a paid lobby working for my election as state president of the Alabama Equal Suffrage associa ton, no matter from whom eman- ating. is a slander.''
 Senator Helen Ring Robinson of Colo rado was greeted tonight with a crowd larger even than Wednesday night. She was introduced by Mrs Solon Jacobs, who took occasion to express the suf- fragettes gratitude for Gadsden's hos pitality.
 Senator Robinson referred to her recent visit to the war zone. Men bear arms, women bear armies" she said. "Over there men do not say that the women are not bearing the hardships of war It is a fight of machine against ma chine with men only as parts of the machine. Sixty per cent of England s women are making munitions. A Ger man leader has said that the country will "
 NO ATTACK ON MAN
 To the argument that woman is not constituted for voting, she replied Do you mean to say that the delicate na- ture of a woman which can stand being married to a man cannot stand to voter" She appealed to women who prefer the dish rag as flag of their union" to allow other women to work for the ballot. She refrained from alta cking man. Man is needed to make perfect home; wom- ans place is in the home, mans place is there, too.' she said. Senator Robin son also gave a review of the success of woman suffrage in Colorado and the reforms it brought about.
 After spirited debate of more than an hour tEis morning, the convention, by vote of 31 to fl, refused to seat the Attalla delegation on the ground that it was delinquent in paying dues. The fight in behalf of the Attala delegates was led by Mrs. Shell and Mrs. Hundley. while Miss Mary Partridge of Selma, treasurer, defended her action in declar- ing Attalla delinquent. and was support ed by Mrs. Angus Taylor. Mrs. Murdoch, Mrs. Bowron, Mrs. Losey. and Miss Worthington.
 After reporting that the voting strength of the convention is 75, and that the pos sible voting strength is 123 Miss Part rluSe, dS CHdlTIldH or the CTeOentldlS committee. recommended that the At talla delegation be not seated. and that the question be decided by the chair or by the convention. By vote of 51 to 5 it was decided to place the matter before the convention.
 MRS. SMELL OPENS DEBATE
 Opening the debate, Mrs. Shell insisted that the dues were received IA days, or two weeks, before the meeting of the convention. She declared that the law holds that, unless a place of payment is specified, payment is counted when the check is mailed, and that the check was mailed from Attalla January 26. Mrs. Taylor insisted that the convention is law unto itself, and that the ques- tion was not one of construction of state or federal law. Mrs. Murdoch in sisted that 1t was question of whether the Attalla delegation had a right to vote after being delinquent. Mrs. Hund- ley quoted the precedent of the courts to the effect that question of hours is taken into account for purposes of promoting justice. but never for the pur- pose of defeating it. Applause greeted this. Miss Partridge explained her con- struction of the constitution on the point. Following Mrs. Balldridge and Miss Worthington, Mrs. A. J. Bowron quoted a precedent in which Coal City was barred TOT the same reason last year. Mrs. Losey told how the rule had affected Tuscaloosa, and Miss Keith and Mss Dry of Anniston told of the affect on the Anniston association, by which they might have secured additional rep reSentation.
 The previous question then was called, but it was found there was no motion before the house. Mrs. Shell moved to add the names of the AtNlla delegates to the credentials committee report. The previous question then prevailed, 49 to 16, and on the vote on the main question Attalla lost, 3l to Al.
 REPORTS ARE HEARD
 Roll call followed. Miss Warrington then made her annual report as cor res bonding secretary. The report of the tr easurer, Miss Mary Partridge of Selma showed a wonderful increase in the finan- cjal affairs of the association. From receipts and expenditures of about $75 reported to the convention four years ago, the amount handled last year amounted to S2000 more.
 Mrs Frederick D. Losey of Tuscaloosa, as recording secretary. reported that the executive committee had held four meet ings during the year. She also read to the convention the resolution adopted indorsing the national suffrage amend 1 l,ancr