The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-02-22
WOMEN PERFORM


publicans out of the wilderness,
Murphy declared in opening the con-
ventio1. American people, MURPHY
said, must choose between the VIII
son policy of peace or the Roosevelt
policy of war.
But if it must be war" declared
Murphy, ''let us not say there goes my
German or my French or my English
boy, but let us all say there goes my
American boyi' "
Murphy's speech was loudly re-
ceived and there was much applause.
Miss Vernon Before Them.
Immediately following the reading
of the roll, Chairman Murphy an
nounced that Miss Vernon would be
extended the courtesy of the floor for
Right away Andrew Shearer started
something. Shearer is representing
Marshall county in the meeting.
DO you know what you're about to
do?" demanded Shearer. This is the
congressional union which demands ad-
mittance- Do you know that this or
ganization is paid by the Republican
national organization %
Il don't know anything about that"
replied Murphy. "All L know is that
the Democratic party is courteous to
the ladies and is able to take care of
itself"
Democrats applarded loudly when
Murphy replied to Shearer
Miss Vernon was introduced. She
pleaded with the state committee to
get behind national suffrage. She
urged a resolution asking congress to
adopt the Susan B. Anthony reso1u-
ton She asked further that the COM
mittee urge some member from Kan
sas to read the resolution of the state
committee into the record.
DIR. Harding There.
AS Miss Vernon left the platform
DR.. Eva Harding of Topeka started a
new brand of trouble and drove the
women suffra gists further apart.
Il want to ask a question" said DR..
Harding. why did you send that tel
egram stating an untruth? Why the
untruth that President Wilson had in
suited the women of Kansas"
AS Dr. Harding sat down there was
wild applause among the Democrats.
She Denied 1t.
Miss Vernon returned to the front
of the hall. Her face was pale, but
there was a smile on her face as she
looked at DIR. Harding and turned TO
face the convention.
Il want to make just one correc-
ton to that telegram" said Miss Yer
non. II did not send an absolute un-
truth, as DR.. Harding intimates. 1t
was my true understanding that facts
were as l stated them"
/ Miss Vernon then reviewed the
wording of her telegram which caused
nationwide concern as to the presi-
! dents attitude toward Kansas women.
/ Maybe l was too economical" said
Miss Vernon. Maybe 1 should have
said 1t is said Have | answered
/ your question:
| DR.. Harding was not satisfied. Far.
far from it.
No" she declared. You said
President Wilson had insulted the
women of Kansas. / would like to
know who told you so. You said Gov
ernOr Capper wanted the ladies to en-
ter the house and that President Will
son and Secretary Tumulty did not
want them. What was your au-
thority?"
Il presume" Miss Vernon came back
that there is honor even among suf-
fraSists. / do not care TO say further
! than that the information was COM
municated to me by person in whom
1 had confidence.
The crowd was not satisfied. Neith-
er was DR.. Harding
who told your"
Man or woman
Cries From Convention
Tell us"
These were some of the cries from
the convention.
Miss Vernon was obdurate. She had
been told in confidence She would
not reveal her authority. As Miss
Vernon yielded the floor Shearer NOV
ed that the privilege of the floor be
extended to DIR. Harding
DIR. Harding's Hit.
'All 1 want to say is that President
Wilson did not insult the women of
Kansas" said DIR. Harding, amidst a
volley of applause. II have good au-
thority for it. But if Miss Vernon did
make a mistake, will she send another
telegram correcting it? viii she Sc
cure publication of her statement in
Governor Capper's paper? That is
what / want to know"
Miss vernon did not agree to admit
she had erred, nor to send another
telegram.