Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-26
PRESIDENT WANTS
SUFFRAGE MADE
IMMEDIATE ISSUE
Thinks It Is Time for States
of Union to Take
Action.
ADVOCACY NOT AFFECTED
BY TACTICS OF MlLITANTS
Declares 1t One of Fundamental
Questions of Democracy Which
Must Be Settled.
GIVES HIS FULL ENDORSEMENT
New York Delegation Confident of
Good Effect at Election on
November g.
tBy Associated pres,1

WASHINGTON, October 25.-Presi-
dent Wilson to-day gave full indorse-
ment to woman suffrage as an inn
mediate issue in every State.
Addressing n delegation OF 100 Lead
ers OF the New York State woman
Suffrage party, who called at tho
White House to obtain an expression
in support OF the campaign in that
state. the President in emphatic terms
declared that woman suffrage Is ono
of the fundamental questions Of democ-
racy whose proper settlement Is de-
manded by the issues of the war He
praised the spirit. capacity and vision
of American women in the war.
Il believe" no said. that just be-
cause we are quickened by the ques-
tions Of this war. we ought to be
quickcned to give this question OF
woman suffrage our immediate con-
sidcration."
of a great party" the President pledged
his hearty support. and added:
II want to speak fc- myself and
say that 1t seems to me that this is
the time for the States Of this Union
to take this action"
THINKS 1T STATE RATHER
ATNtN AoNhh
Explaining his leaning toward suf-
frage as state rather than national
issue. he said:
Il perhaps may be touched little
too much by the traditions of our poli-
tics-traditions which lay such uues-
tions almost entirely upon the States
but want to see communities declare
themselves quickened at this time and
show "a
| ening." @
The addresses were delivered in the
East Room OF the White House, in re.
sponse to remarks by Mrs Norman
de r. Whitehouse.
The suffrage delegation returned to
New York tonight confident that the
Presidents enthusiastic indorsement
would have it's effect at the election
OH November g.
Special significance was placed by
many OF the New York delegation on
the fact that the Presidents advocacy
OF suffrage had not been affected by
the tactics OF militant suffra gists Of
the Woman's Party. The recent defeat
Of suffrage in Maine was ascribcd by
some workers As due to untavorable
| impressions created by the so-called
"pckets."
Officials OF the National American
Woman Suffrage Association declared
tonight their future plans will be de-
termned largely by the New York re-
suits. If suffrage carries. they said,
suffrage campaigns would be started
within the next year in many States It
New York and Ohio. where there also Is
to be vote next month. defeat suf-
frase. efforts may be centercd on tho
Federal amendment pending before
Congress. a program will be deter
mined at the convention here December
IL.
NO REASON TO NEGLECT
SETTLEMENT OF QUESTION
The President sand:
Mrs. Warehouse and Ladies': II is
with great pleasure that 1 receive you
| esteem 1t a privilege TO do So. l know
the difficulties which you have been la
boring under in New York State, SO
clearly set forth by Mrs. Whitehouse
but in my Judgment those difficulties
cannot be USED as an excuse by the
leaders OF any party for ne.leciing the
question which you are pressing upon
them. Because, after all, the whole
world now is Witnessing a struggle be-
/ siIugs!e which goes deeper and
touches more OF the foundations of the 4
organized IKE oil men than any struggle
mat has ever taken place before, and
no settlement OF the questions that lia
On the surface can satisfy situation
which requires that the questions
which lie underneath and at the foun-
dation should also be settled and set
tied right. l am free 10 say that I
think the question of woman suffrage
is one OF these questions which lie At
the foundation.
"rhc world has witnessed slow po-
litical reconstruction. and men have
with the slowness OF the process In
sense II Is wholesome that II should be
slow. because then it is solid and sure;
but l believe that this war is going to
quicken the convictions and the con-
seriousness OF mankind with regard to-
political questions that the speed of
reconstruction will be greatly In.
creased. And | believe that just be-.
cause we are quIckened by the ques- (
tions OF this war we ought to- be quick-s 4
ened to give this question of woman
suffrage our Immediate considerable
WANTS COMMITTEE TO g.
DECLARE THEMSELVES
"As one OF the spokesmen OF great 4
party would be doing nothing less
than obeying the mandates OF that
party E gave my hearty support 70 81