Evening journal., 1918-08-10
BAIRD WON'T VOTE
AS wilson ASKED
Senator Refuses to Support
the Federal Suffrage
Amendment
NOT VITAL" TO
THE WAR, HE SAYS

WASHINGTON. Aug. iO-5enator
David Baird OF New Jersey has refused
10 grant the recent request Of Presl-
dent Wilson that he vote for womans
suffrage. In answer TO the Presidents
letter, senator Baird mas written say
lng he cannot agree that the passage Of
the Federal suffrage amendment Ia
vital" 10 the winning OF the war.
The letter was made public here yes
terday together with a resolution pass
ed by the Board Of Directors OF The Ma
tiond Association Opposed TO Womana
Suffrage thanking Senttor Baird FOR his
strong decision based on sound inde-
pendent conviction and rightly placing
the welfare Of the State above cOnsld-
erations OF political expediency." In
refusing 20 vote for the suffrage
amentment, Senator Baird's letter "a
the President Is as follows
My Dear Mr.. President. beg
leave 10 acknowledge the receipt OF
your esteemed favor OF July "a re-
gardlng my attitude on the ques-
tion Of woman suffrage. which
came 10 hand today. While
have the greatest respect for your
opinion on any question, and deep
admiration for your patriotism.
and am pledged 10 support you
throughout my short term as a
United States Senator IN your pro-
gram for the conduct Of the war.
as has been proven my my vote on
several occasions. still cannot
agree with your present view that
the adoption Of the woman suffrage
amendment at this time is vital 20
the winning OF the great struggle
for the supremacy Of democracy
throughout the worlr.
Would Il not be better 20 leave
the settlement Of this eXtraneous
question 10 calm and clear minds
when the war Is Over2 May Il not
be disposed OF with better judgment
then than now when we are en-
crossed IN the tremendous task Of
raising armies Of millions Of men
and borrowing billions Of dollars 30
finance the greatest conflict Of all
times? The disputed question az 10
whether women should be enfran-
chised by Federal amendment or by
State legislation may properly be
deferred. Il seems 10 me. until after
we have freed the world OF the
terror OF the Hun.
My State and your State rejected
woman suffrage by 5000 majority
don't know that the people OF New
Jersey have since changed their
minds on this subject As many
have petitioned me against woman
suffrage as have favored Il, and I
can frankly say my mind Is still
open, although from principle
should be against II according to
the vote In my State-I being a be-
. lever In the good republican prin-
ciple Of the rule Of the majority.
I still insist that your letter 10
me does not clearly state that the
enactment OF the Woman Suffrage
amendment Is necessary 10 win
ming the war. However, 70 is not
my purpose 90 attempt 20 get into
any controversy with you on this
question, which may not be de-
cided during my brief term. In
my judgment. further consideration
OF this subject and other like 10
destroy the unity Of the nation
should be postponed until after the
war
am, with greatest respect
Sincerely yours.
DAVID BAIRD.
The suffragists have been very desir'
Gus Of swinging Senator Baird 10 their
ranks. and they were much pleased
when the President wrote TO the New
Jersey Senator.