Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-09-13
CUSTOMS OFFICIAL
RESIGNS HIS POST
Collector of New York Quits as
Protest to Wilson's Suf.
frage Policy.

washington. Sept. 7.-Dudley Field
Malone, customs collector at New York
to day rendered his resignation to Pres
ident Wilson in protest against the fail.
ure OF the President to advocate pass
age OF the federal suffrage amendment
and because he permitted the imprison-
ment of women who have been picket
ing the White House.
Mr.. Malone, who as counsel defended
the nrst OF the militants arraigned in
police court here. told the President in
his letter of resignation that inasmuch
as he had promised the women Of the
suffrage States that he would exert all
his energy to have the national demo-
cratic administration endorse suffrage
by constitutional amendment. he felt
obliged to resign and devote himself to
redeeming that promise
In quitting the office of collector Of the
port of New York Mr.. Malone leaves ono
Of the best paid places In the government
service. He Is a son-in-law Of former Sem
ator O'Gorman. His letter of resignation
in part is as follows:
LETTER TO PRESIDENT.
Dear Mr.. President:
Last autumn, as the representative of
our administration went into the woman
suffrage States to urge your reelection.
The most difficult argument to meet
among the seven million women voters
was the failure of the Democratic party,
throughout four years Of power, to pass
the federal suffrage amendment looking
toward the enfranchisement of all the
women Of the country. Throughout those
States. and particularly in California,
which ultimately decided the election by
the votes of women, the women voters
were urged to support you even though
Judge Hughes had already declared for
the federal suffrage amendment, because
you and your party, through liberal lead.
ership were more likely nationally to en-.
franchise the rest of the women of the
country than were your opponents. And
II the women of the West voted to re-
elect you promised them would spend
all my energy. at any sacrifice to myself
to get the present democratic administra-
ton to pass the federal suffrage amend.
ment. But the present policy Of the ad.
ministration. in permitting splendid Amer.
lean women to be sent to Jail in Washing.
ton. not for carrying offensive banners
nor for picketing. but on the technical
charge OF obstructing traffic is a dnial
even Of their constitutional rights to petit
ton for. and demand the passage Of the
federal suffrage amendment. 1t therefore
now becomes my profound obligation &C.
lively to keep my promise to the women
Of the West.
1T seems long seven years, Mr..
President. since I first campaigned with
you when you were running for Governor
Of New Jersey. In every circumstance
throughout those years I have served
you with the most respectful affection
and tnshadowed devotion. It is no small
sacrifice now for me- as a member of
your administration, to sever our politi-
cal relationship. But I think 1t is high
time that men in this generation, at some
cost to themselves, stood up to battle
for the national Acknowledgement of
American women. So. in order effect
lively to keep my promise made in the
West. and moro freely to go into this
! larger field of democratic effort. hereby