The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1917-01-14

| The suffragettes have resorted to this
form of punishment because President
| wilson at their suggestion politely de-
clined Ito change his mind
AS might be recalled notable band
of these political women obtained an
audience with the President for the pur-
pose of presenting a memorial dedicated
to Mrs. Tnez Milholland Boissevain, a
woman who was known as the only
American connected with the cause
who possessed the faintest resemblance
to beauty.
| Having presented the memorial, one of
the boldest of the group, irreIevently
and to the shock of the chief executive,
insisted on knowing what Mr.. Wilson
intended to do for woman suffrage. The
President expressed surprise that in that
very sacred moment, advantage should
have been taken of an opportunity to
indulge in political gossip. But, pressed
into a corner, he answered. He declared
that he believed in equal suffrage-hor-
party had not committed itself, he, also
must continue to refrain
To which an astute woman from Bos-
ton replied: But, Mr. President. your
party said nothing about child labor
Yet, just before the election, you drove
child labor bill through an unwilling
Congress-
1t was a staggering blow. The Presi-
dent took hasty refuge behind one of his
NEST alluring smiles.
WOMEN WERE OUTRAGED
The suffragettes retired to their BALI
wick and prepared for battle. They
resisted the temptation to throw bricks
1t was agreed that the time had NOT
yet come when it would prove efficacious
to scratch faces and pull hair But If
would be entirely proper, they argued
10 subject the plying eyes of the Presi-
cent, every hour of the day, to sight
OF poor women, standing in the cold
or rain or snow, standing dying for a
cause, standing crying with each breath .
'Mr. President, when will you give us
liberty; when will you strike the CALLING
shackles which bind us hand and foot?"
And so organization for that purpose
was erected. Instantly the rich who
had inaugurated and equipped with
maids and poodles the notorious golden
special drew out their formidable check
DOCKS. Three thousand dollars were sub
scr1bed On a military basis the pro-
poganda was then placed. There was to
be commandment. an officer of the day,
a sergeant Of the guard and innumerable
privates to succeed each other hourly on
the watch. The following morning. the
guard was mounted. 1t will continue
mounted, their press agents say, until
March A.
When weather storms, with the des-
perate intrepidity of King Lear they
will exclaim, Blow winds, crack your
teeth; blow your belly full" For have
they not combined for their cause a
fanatical devotion even unto death with
a worldly and Hobsonesque militarism?
And with such a combination, did not
the roundheards of Cromwell destroy
the flower of English chivalry?
THE FIRST DAY
News of their fell intention from the
| prodigal press of the suffrage associa-
ton was soon bruited abroad. So early
the next morning when the martyrs were
| marched to their posts, were chained like
Prometheus to his rock, the crowd--or to
perfect the smile, the ravens-stalked
Iabout.
! Of the spectators gathered, sympathiz-
| ers and antagonists were apparently
equally divided. The former encouraged
with cries: GO to it," Stand your
ground" BE brave LET US die for
liberty" and fervent "God bless yous."
The other, however was to lesser de-
gree imbued with the sacredness of the
situation. Familiarity was breeding con-
tempt. There was harsh laughter and
cat-calls and cruel jibes. One with ref
| erence to the youngest of the martyrs
| suggestively quoted:
Her lips both bent like Cupid's BOW
With sweet ecstatic passion quiver'
| But the police did not interfere. The