Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-07-20
IS MILITANT SUFFS
DECLINE PARDON Of
PRESIDENT WILSON
No Statement viii Be Issued
From the White House Civ
ing Reasons for Executive
CIemenCy

WASHINGTON, July 19-The six
teen suffrage crusaders at Occouuan
workhouse fatty refused this afternoon
to accept President wilson's pardon.
That the women will remain in the
workhouse was indicated by a state
ment from Corporation Counsel Syme
quoting a supreme court decision that
a pardon is not effective until accept
ed by the person pardoned.
Under these circumstances" said
Syme, "the district commissioners have
no alternative but to extend the hospi-
tality of the workhouse to the suffra-
gettes for their full sixty day SEN
tence."
WASHINGTON, July 19.-President
Wilson today issued pardons for the
sixteen sufrragists who are serving a
sixty-day science in the worlShouse for
picketing in front Of the White House
Secretary Tumulty said the pardon
must speak for itself, and that the
White House would have no statement
to make Of the presidents reasons for
his action.
At headquarters Of the woman's
party it was stated by Miss Lucy Burns.
acting chairman. that the militants
would be glad to got out so they may
continue their activities"
Dudley Field Malone. who has inter
ested himself in the militarists' plight.
declined to comment on the presidents
action, but said he would have some
thing to say later.
Although the women held out stead
lastly against the payment Of fines or
acceptance of pardons, the husbands of
half dozen of them have been active
In trying to bring about the releases of
their wives Several Of the women have
small children at home.
Upon the issuance of pardons, liberty
was no longer a matter Of choice. Ar
rangements were made by the authori-
ties to turn all the prisoners out of the
workhouse as soon as the necessary
documents could be dispatched from the
department of Justice to the workhouse.
twenty miles outside Of the city.
The women's party headquarters pre-
pared to bring the freed women to town
in automobiles and give them a demon
stration Of appreciation.
Miss Burns declared emphadcally the
presidents pardon must not be consid-
cred as of any Importance
1--WE are not yet familiar with the de-
tails OF the presidents action. II he
placed any conditions on the pardon, Of
course we could not accept it," she said.
"The sixteen women at Occoquan do
not ask freedom from Jail. They seek
freedom to act in the same capacities
as men.
This situation was created by the
administration, therefore the presidents
action in relieving the situation is not
important Nevertheless the women will
be glad to be out so that they may con-
tinue the activities We have decided to
pursue until we get Justice"
The president attached no condition
to his pardon.
]. A. H Hopkins, former New Jer-
sey committeeman, whose wife is a
picket prisoner, is polling congress to
ascertain sentiment on suffrage
amendment now. Should that body be
found more receptive than in the past.
the president may lend his aid to the
cause-otherwise probably not.
Leaders admit that recent spectacular
doipRs of the militant branch are done
to gete publicity, though they claim
they seek publicity only as stepping
stone to requirement Of votes for
women.