Putnam patriot., 1917-09-14

J
received from Mrs. W. j. Bartlett of
Putnam, who is one of the Suffragists
now serving sixty days sentence for
the crime of picketing-technically for
breaking the police ordinance OF the
District of Coum bia against blocking
traffic. The information was scrubbed
on The backs of old envelopes, ana on
any kind of scraps of paper that Mrs.
Bartlett could find, and was forwarded
from the District Jail to Mrs. George
II. Day of Hartford. Mrs. Bartlett
writes:
This is the end of Draft Day in
Washington. We are all packed ready
to go to Occoquan. | just wish you
could see The tiny bundle we have to
take with us, and they tell US that
they take everything, nearly. away
not quite right. We stood up today
Draft Dsy-were counted, and sent TO
the police station, and went before the
pector-realy volunteered TO fight
for democracy here in America.
While our best young men marched
down Pennsylvania Avenue to inspir-
ing bands of music, we were sent TO
the police station for quietly holding
banner which said: "Mr President,
it is unjust that etc.
| really had not got on the other side
of the street with my banner-Just
crossing-when an officer came up to
me and exclaimed: "Y GU cannot march
in this parade" | replied: 81 don't
want TO march in this parade" He
then said: "Well you cannot stand
here" replied; 81 don't want to
stand here" He then said: "Well
you We got to move on, you are under
arrest Right there was an automobile
to take us to the station. This was be-
fore the parade, and he allowed others,
not suffragists, to walk across the
street, and men were allowed TO march
with banners flying. AS one was up
holders of Democracy" while women
were arrested for pleading silently for
y
it?
am so glad that | had the courage
to leave myefamily for little while
and volunteer to stand in the picket
line today. That is what picketing
means to me, just to have the courage
to stand outside the gate and ask our
President to live up to his promise on
Draft Day for Democracy in America.
I'm sick of promises that don't mean
ANYTHING, tand the Lord knows we
don't want sympathy. Results are
what counts. It's sick cat that
wants sympathy.
Lster-after the trial. It's all over
but the shouting, and the way we
shouted was the singing of America
on entering the patrol wagon on our
way to the United states Jail. The
great Dig officer was surly at first, then
he thawed out little. | never in my
life could believe that there was so
little Justice. The fact that the police
officer held me up when / was walk
ing-sianding- used against me
at the trial. | was standing because L
had stopped to hear what he had 10
say. He told me twice TO move on,
which was exactly what | was doing
when he stopped me. lie also said |
was under the rope. The fact was |
had not even reached the rope, but was
crossing the street with other people.
| demanded trial by jury which was
promptly refused me. There were
thirteen OF US, some were told that
their offence was standing in front of
the " hite House gates, and refusing
TO move on, instead of walking with
the crowd. Question: How could they
try me for an offence, If picketing is an
offence of which / am not guilty?
/ conducted my own defence, and
told The judge exactly, absolutely
what happened. | was immediately
sent TO the dock. and am now in the
L. ;. Jail to be sent To Occoquan to-
morrow
Dorothy Bartlett.