The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1916-11-02

women.
Realizing that the political enfran-
chisement of women is a pressing
world issue. we ask ourselves the
practical questions: Who is the chief
| enemy in cur path? What weapon
can We use to overcome that enemy?
In 1912 the Democratic party had
an overwhelming victory. Its choice
for President sat in the White House.
its representatives were in command
of Congress. Not for decade mad
any party been SO completely domi-
nant. Soon after its ascendency 10
power, the Democratic party was
caiied upon to live up to its principle
that all Just governments derive their
power from the consent of the govern
ed. by passing on to the States for
ratification Woman's Suffrage
Amendment to the United States
constitution.
By every peaceable means, the JUS
tice of the cause was urged upon the
dominant party. Raasan was appeal
TO thru arguments at hearings. The
vigor and the wide extent OF our de-
mands was demonstrated in great
parades. Delegations representative
of every class of women urged the
need OF self government for their
Nl1So anu lL4C hNNtHSAAs vi bt-
ing written into the National Con-
stitutiol as are men. The NatioaI
Amendment became a living thing.
but the Democratic Party could not
face the new spirit.
When we spoke OF the great army
of working women in our day and
their need as laborers of the protec-
tiol of the ballot. the representatives
If the Democratic Party prattled to
us about Southern chivalry: when We
spoke of the necessity OF protecting
all United States citizens in their in
alienable right to self-goyernment.
the Democratic party chattered about
petty provincialism in tine form Of
States rights. In the questions they
asked. in the speeches they made,
we found Democratic Congressman
were, so far as women are concern
ed in the era of smelling salts aad
crinolines. As they are incapable of
moving forward. we want them TO
move out.
Nor can we permit them to shift
responsibility. The Democratic Party
has been in complete control since
1912. They dominate every commit
ee in House and Senate Democrat
ic apologists urge. "Oh. but il takes
two-thirds vote to pass an amend
ment and the Democrats have not
that majority" The defence lis weak.
In 1918 the Democrats did have a
two-thirds majority in the House OF
Representatives and they used that
power to block the Suffrage measure.
And when a vote was finally taken.
two thirds Of the Democrats voted
against and two thirds OF the Repub-
licans voted for the bill.
The DannrrztE nv n atTfrf ma rtv
vote in the Rules Committee. defeat
ed on January 18th. and January "a.
resolution proposing TO create a
committee on Woman Suffrage. The
Democratic Members of the Rules
Committee also blocked all thru 1913
and until the November election in
1914. the Suffrage Amendment
In 1916 the House Judiciary Com
mittee with its Democratic majority
adopted tho unusual procedure of
Jumping all constitutional amend
ments. including those dealing with
suffrage and prohibition. In one mo
ton and postponed consideration of
all until December. 1916. II was sf-
ter achieving this petty trick that
Congressman Charles Carlin OF Vir-
ginia. on leaving the committee.room
said saeeringly. in regard TO the suf-,
frage bill; well. we've Killed
Cock-robin." Perhaps he will hnd
they killed a larger animal-the Dem
ocratic Donkey.
The Democratic party has declared
for suffrage state by state. but what
has their party. what have It's lead
ers done to achieve a victory in any
one state? What did Mr.. Bryan do TO
help Nebraska? Nothing. What did
,'Gormaa do in New York? Nothing. |
Put one little ballot in a box and fur |
ther Champ Clark in Missouri did
nothing. What did President Wilson
do in New Jersey? Nothing. The
Democratic machine rose in its might |
in that state putting out its entire
force against the suffrage amendment
and Mr. Wilson did nothing to check
the Vaccinations of the bosses when
experience had taught him how TO
control New Jersey. He says he put
one ballot In the ballot box in our
favor and that was the extent of the
aid given TO us by that all-powerful
Democrat. complete master OF his
party.
President Wilson said at Atlantic |
ty in September that he was fight !
ing with u.s." | challenge the Presi- |
dent to name the day and the place
where Re fought for the political free
dom of women All this Democratic
passion for settling woman suffrage
state by state is hypocrisy. No one
knows better than the gentleman
who advises get suffrage state by
state" that Il lis the way not to get
Il at all First and foremost the
great power of the voting woman. her
political leverage, cannot be used in
states. The individual
woman voter can go into referen'
dunn state and give the testimony as
to the good suffrage has done in her
own state. but her political Efficiency
is waste product. she cannot bring
il to bear on the situation.