South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-09-08
MALONE RESIGNS
POSITION To AID
WOMAN s CAUSE
Writes Long Letter in Which
He Says He VIII Devote
All Energies to Help
Women Get Vote.

his resignation TO PreS't Wilson
Friday in protest against the
failure of the president to advO-
cate passage Of the federal Suf-
frage amendment and because
he permitted the Imprisonment
of women who have been pick
citing the white house.
Mr.. Malone, who, as counsel,
defended the first of the mill
tantS arraigned in police court
here, told the president in his
letter of resignation that mas
much as he had promised the
women of the suffrage states
that he would exert all his en-
ergy to have the national dem
Ocratic administration grant Suf-
frage by constitutional amend
ment, he felt obliged to resign
and give himself to redeeming
that promise.
In quitting the office of collector
Of the port of New York, Mr.. Ma
lone leaves one of the best paid
places in the government services.
He is a son-in-law of former Sen.
O'Gorman. His letter of resigna-
ton follows;
Details Campaign of 1916.
Dear Mr. President:
Last autumn, as the representa-
tive Of your administration, l went
into the woman suffrage states to
urge your reelection. The most diff
ficult argument to be met among the
100000 women voters was the fail
ure of the democratic party,
throughout four years of power, to
pass the federal suffrage amendment
looking toward the acknowledgements
of all the women of the country.
Throughout those states, and par
ticularly in California, which ulti-
mately 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 leadership,
were more likely nationally To en-
franchise the rest of the women of
the country than were your oppon-
ents. And If the women of the west
voted TO reflect you, ] promised
them l would spend all my energy.
at any sacrifice TO myself TO get the
present democratic administration
TO pass the federal suffrage amend
ment But the present policy Of the
administration in permitting splen
did American women to be sent to
jail in Washington, not for carrying
offensive banners. nor for picketing,
but on the technical charge of OBJ
structing traffic, is a denial even of
their constitutional right to petition
for, and demand the passage of the
federal suffrage amendment. It
therefore now becomes my profound
obligation actively to keep my prom
Use to the women of the west.
Sees No Hope in States.
"In more than 20 states il is a
practical impossibility to amend the
those states can only be enfran-
chised by the passage of the federal
suffrage amendment. Since Eng
land and Russia in the middle of
the great war have assured the ma
tional acknowledgements of their
women, should we not be jealous to
maintain our democratic leadership
in the world by the speedy national
enfranchisement of American WOm-
en-. To me Mr.. President, as
urged upon you in Washington two
months ago, this is not only a meas
ure OF justice and democracy, il is
also an urgent war measure. The
women Of the nation are. and al
ways will be, loyal to the country.
and the passage of the suffrage
amendment is only the first step to-
wards their national emancipation.
But unless the government takes az
least this first step towards their en-
franciscan ent, how can the govern
ment ask millions Of American WON
en-, educated in our schools and col
leges, and millions of American
women in our homes, or working
for economic independence in every
line Of industry, TO give up by con-
oNAA PtAOl AAACAl men anu happiness
10 a war for democracy in Europe.
while these women citizens are de-
MED the right 10 vote on the poll
cies OF the government which de-
mands of them such sacrifice?
Urges President to Act
For this reason. many Of your
ardent friends and supporters feel
that the passage Of the federal suf-
frage amendment is a war measure
which could appropriately be urged
by you at this session Of congress.
L is true that this amendment
would have 70 come from congress
but the present congress shows no
earnest desire TO enact this legisla-
ton for the simple reason that YOU
as the leader Of the party in power
have not yet suggested il. For the
whole country gladly Acknowledges
Mr.. President, that no vital piece
OF legislation has come through con
gress these five years. except by your
extraordinary and brilliant leader
ship. And millions OF men and
women today hope that you will
give the federal suffrage amend
ment 10 the women OF the country
by the valor Of your leadership now
IL will hearten the mothers OF the
nation. eliminate a just grievance
and turn the devoted energies OF
brilliant women 10 a more hearty