Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-07-26
PRESIDENT PAROONS.
IS SUFFRAG|STS
Are Received as Martyrs at
Headquarters Of Women's
Party.
NO LET.UP IN PICKETING.
Plans Made for More Demonstrations
in Front Of white House-Wom-
en- Issue DEFIANT Statement.

Washington, July 1s.-Sixteen women
sent to the workhouse for their part In the
tumultuous suffrage demonstration Satur-
day at the White House accepted pardons
from President Wilson to-day and we're
released after serving two days of their
60 day terms.
The prisoners left the workhouse appar-
emily without regret despite their previous
declarations that they desired to serve,
out their time without appeal or clemency.
These assertions had led to an announce
ment by the department of Justice point
ing out that a pardon need not be accepted
unless the prisoners desire II. When the
time for departure came, however, the
women's only protest was against the
trials they underwent during their deten-
ton.
At headquarters of the Women's party
the 16 were received as martyrs and at
dinner given there In their honor plans
were made for continuing the White House
picketing Of which Saturdays demonstra-
ton was a part. A defiant statement is
sued at the headquarters said the cam
paign to impress President Wilson and the
country by parading before the White
House gates would 30 on without change.
The President acted after the husbands
of several Of the prisoners had inter-
coded in their favor and after he had
been told that some Of them had small
children at home needing their care.
Some of Mr.. Wilson'S friends declared
this element undoubtedly had been the
| determining influence with him. Others
suggested that he acted in the hope that
pardons would minimize publicity, an
| avowed part Of the women's campaign
ing. The suffragists insisted he had be-
come convinced that the country was
q ood fho rlrI,0
Every party to the incident, however.
was left to its own speculations on the
| subject. Secretary Tumulty said issu-
ance of the pardons would have to speak
for itself, and all other officials in a
| position to know the Presidents thoughts
on the subject were silent.
THE Presidents action In no way
affects the general suffrage situation"
said the Woman's party statement.
THE only difference It makes. as we see
1t, Is that the women are out Of Jail.
That is a matter of little concern to US
compared with the concern we feel over
the great vital issue for which we are
fighting. Picketing will be resumed very
soon and with the utmost vigor.''
| No date has been set for the next
demonstration. but it probably will be
Saturday. The suffragist leaders say
they fully expect that the next body of
pickets will be arrested and sentenced to
| the workhouse.
The department Of justice statement
settled a point which had been warmly
discussed at suffrage headquarters.
III the suffragists now serving a 60-day
sentence at Occoquan decline to accept
the pardon offered by President Wilson. u
1t said, they will serve out their SEN
tence. The government cannot compel
i rSa
pardon"
Dudley Field Malone. collector of Gus.
toms at New York. who has acted al
counsel for the women. temporarily re-
tired from the fight tonight. but 1t IL
understood he will be retained again Il
further arrests are made. Meantime hi
will continue his efforts to persuade this
President to declare for a federal suf
frage amendment.