The patriot. [volume] (Indiana, Pa.) 1914-1955, 1917-03-10
Ware, SUFFRAGE
SENATE LEADER
Chosen by Big WOmen's Organ.
iZatiOn to Guide EnfranCh-
izing Amendment


Suffrage strategists have announced
G political coup, which even their OPP
ponents have admitted will go far to-
ward lining up all factions in the pres
snt Legislature in support of the wo-
man suffrage amendment bill. This
is revealed in their announcement that
in the upper branch their leader and
champion will be Senator Edwin Fl.
Ware.
The full significance Of this revela-
ton is appreciated, when 1t is recalled
that Representative Samuel A. Whit
aker Of Chester county, Penrose lieu
tenant, is sponsor of the suffrage
amendment in the House, and suffra-
gists declare that the Ware leadership
carries with it the full strength OF
Governor Martin G. Brumbaugh, who,
in fact, suffragists aver has promised
personally, to do all he can to have
his entire following in both House and
Senate vote to pass bills which will
authorize a woman suffrage amend
ment in 1920.
Repeats Promise
Upon the other hand, although op-
ponents of suffrage say that the suf-
fragists are basing their hopes of Sen
ator Penrose's support upon state
ments made by him last fall, the suf-
fragists also reveal for the first time
that they have had recent reiteration
of the senator's promise Of aid.
Thus, the suffrage forces declare
that any who oppose them in the
Legislature, not only will be repudiat-
ing their National party platform,
but will be repudiating their leaders,
under whatever factional division
they may come, and in most cases
will be basing their opposition upon
allegiance to some force, which they
will not openly admit.
When the alignment on the amend
ment comes, the suffragists declare
they are prepared to show how oppo-
nents have stood upon other progress
sive legislation.
Apart from their strategy in choos-
ing their House and Senate leaders,
the suffragists are known to consider
as their best weapon the s5O,000.0O0
good roads amendment, which person
ally they do not oppose, but which
they declare in all it's phases parallels
the woman suffrage amendment. This
amendment was defeated at the polls
in 1913, was re-introduced and passed
in 1915 and must pass again this ses,
sion to secure a vote again in 1918.
Senator Ware, who is chosen by the
women as their Senate leader, has
been a constant friend of suffrage, and
was a valuable asset in their last fight
in the 1913 and 1915 sessions Of the
legislature
Young Tactician
In contrast to the seasoned cam
paigner. who will direct the progress
of their amendment bill in the Senate
Senator Ware, suffragists have chosen
as their House leader, young tao
tician, Samuel A Whitaker of Chester
County.
When last elected to the Legisla
ture. Mr. Whitaker was serving on the
Mexican border with the Phoenixville
Battery, the oldest organization of its
kind in the state. Mr.. Whitaker was
graduated from the law department Of
the University of Pennsylvania in 1895
and practices in Philadelphia. He has
been president of the State Institute
for the Feeble Minded at Spring City
and has been interested in public
libraries and other activities in his
home county and in the Eastern par
of the state.