Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-09-08
Collector of Port of New York
Writes Letter in Which He
Charges Bad Faith Toward
Women Of Country.
ASSERTS PROMISES OF
CAMPAIGN NOT KEPT
viii Devote Freedom From Of
flee to Making Good Pledges
of 1916 Contest in Western
States,

Washington Sept, dudley Field
Malone, customs collector at New
York, rendered his resignation to
President Wilson today in protest
against the failure of the president to
advocate passage OF the federal suf-
frage amendment, and because he per-
mitted the Imprisonment of women
who pcketed the White House.
Mr.. Malonel who as counsel, defend
ed the first of the miltants arraigned
in police court here, told the presi-
dent in his letter of resignation that
inasmuch as he had promised the
women of the suffrage states that he
would exert all his energy to have the
national democratic administration in
dorse suffrage by constitutional
amendment, he felt obliged to resign
and devote himself to, redeeming that
promise.
In quitting the office of the col
lector of the port of New York, Mr..
Malone leaves one of the best paid
places in the government service. He
is a son-in-law of former Senator
O'Gorman. His letter of resignation
follows:
Letters to President.
Dear Mr. President:
Last autumn as the representative
OF your administration / went into the
woman suffrage states to urge your
reelection. The most difficult argu-
ment to meet among the 1000, 600
women voters was the failure of the
democratic party throughout four
years of power to pass the federal
suffrage amendment looking toward
The acknowledgements Of all the women
/. 1ases-siire- jS.s.4iitIy. fnfoustlcut tlIoae
re ,lar II, IN, California
which ultimately decided the election
by the votes of women, the women
voters were urged to support You even
though Judge Hughes had already de-
clared for the federal suffrage amend
ment, because you and your party,
through liberal leadership, were more
likely nationally to enfranchise the
rest of the women of the country than
were your opponents. And If the wom-
en- of the west voted to re-elect you,
/ promised I would spend all my en-
ergy. at any sacrifice to myself, to get
the present democratic administration
to pass the federal suffrage amend
ment.
Present Policy Bad.
But the present policy of the ad-
ministration in permitting splendid
American women to be sent to Jail in
Washington not for carrying offensive
banners not for picketng, but on the
technical charge of obstruction of traf-
fic els denial even of their constitu.
tional right to. petition for and de-
mand the passage of the federal suf-
frage amendment 1t, therefore, now
becomes my profound obligation ac-
lively to keep my promise to the
women OF the west In more than
twenty states it is practical impossi-
bIlity to amend the state constitutions;
so the women of those states can only
be enfranchised by the passage of the
federal suffrage amendment.
Since England and Russia in the
midst OF the great war have assured
the national enfranchisement of their
women. should we not be Jealous to
maintain our democratic leadership in
the world by the speedy national en-
reimbursement of American women
To me, Mr.. President. as | urged upon
you in Washington, two months ago.
this Is not only a measure of justice
and democracy; it is also an urgent
war measure, The women of the ma
ton are, and always will be, loyal to
the country and the passage of the
suffrage amendment is only the first
step toward their national emancipa-
ton.
Should Do justice.
But unless the government takes
at least this first step toward their en-
Reimbursement, how can the govern-
ment ask millions of American women
educated in our schools and colleges,
and millions of American women in
our homes or toiling for economic in
dependence in every line Of industry
to give up by conscription their men
and happiness to war for democracy
in Europe, while these women citi-
zens are denied the right to vote on
the policies Of the government which
demands Of them such sacrifice?
Is War Measure.
For this reason, many of your ar
dent friends and supporters feel that
the passage of the federal suffrage
amendment is war measure, which
could appropriately be urged by you
at this session of congress. 1t is true
that this amendment would. have to
come from congress. But the present
congress shows no earnest desire to
enact this legislation for the simple
reason that you as the leader of the
party in power have not yet suggested
it. For the whole country gladly ac-
knowledges, Mr.. President, that nc
vital piece Of legislation has come
through congress these five years ex-
cepC ny yuuf cAtTdoTuIHdTy ana DTll-
liant leadership. And millions of men
and women today hope that you will
give the federal suffrage amendment
to the country by the valor of your
leadership now. 1t will hearten the
mothers of the nation, eliminate Just
grievance, and turn the devoted ener-
gies of brilliant women to more
hearty support of the government In
this crisis.
Has Supported War Policies0
Ill fx, u1