Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-10-01
URGES
WOMAN SUFFRAGE
Makes Earnest Appeal in Senate
Chamber for Adoption of
Amendment.
EFFECT REMAINS IN DOUBT
Success Depends Upon Change
of at Least Two
Votes.
EFFECT REMAINS IN DOUB7
tBv Associated Press.l

though President Wilson, in "A personal
address to day to the Senate. asked for
passage OF the woman suffrage Federal
amendment resolution as Il vital war
measure. the Senate again failed TO
reach a vote. Leaders generally hoped
for final roll call tomorrow. but
the outcome admittedly was in doubt
Under the weight Of the Presidents
influence. advocates of the resolution
were hopeful tonight of mastering the
necessary two-thirds majority, hut
leading opponents were insistent that
there would be no detection from their
ranks.
After the Presidents address. the
Senate resumes debate while leaders
effect OF the Presidents Intervention.
Champions of the resolution said they
can safely count on sixtytwo of the
Senate's ninety-siX votes. or two less
than the required two-thirds majority.
Opposition leaders declared that de-
spite the Presidents action none of the
as opposed to the resolution has given
any indication OF voting for il. With
nine Senators absent and pared-six
for and three against the resolution
The Senate was said 10 stand 81 TO 81.
respectively. with change Of two
senators necessary to carry the amend
Jones. or the Suffrage committee,
planned 10 press for final vote
Before the President lett the Capitol
tSedaS iSe a6task on & the resoIution from
Underwood. of Alabama, told the SEN
ate that the ;esolution's adoption could
the war proba hly would be over before
the proposed constitutional amendment
would become effective.
DEBATE is expected to close early
tomorrow as only few Senators have
inc,,as indheased Ia a desire to speak. They
disclosed his position on the resolu-
opposition leaders as among their
forces. With the debate ended. Senate
leaders plan TO begin disposition OF
amendments and hope TO reach the final
roll H., call before adjournment.
me freSident began his address at
1 O'clock this afternoon.
The President said:
Gentlemen Of the Senatc.-The ,un-
SisN o,is5 Our 6%a bsopls and Sia
s.I onr eWh Gpnsciences, but also in the
| hone, justify. in your thought, as *
DOES a., Ii ~ IN nine, the message have come
20 10 Drbtng ,bs you; l regard , the concurrence
ameHdmeitt proposing the extension of
the sunage,to women as ritally essen
great war of humanity In which we are are
engaged. have come to urge upon
you the considera tions which have led
'bSl tpEkiifl CoHtiuSlOl. II IS not OnlN
my privilege, il is also my duty, Ito
appr,se you Of every circumstance and
element involved in this momentous
its very processes and its outcome. III II
is my duty to win the war and to ask
you TO remove every obstacle that
had assumed that the Senate
would concur in the amendment be-
cause no disputable principle is in
method by which the suffrage is TO be
extended to women. There is and can
Of our great national parties "a tie are are
pledged. explicitly pledged. TO equality
OF suffrage for the women OF the coun-
to me. can justify hesitation as to the
methods of obtaining it. can rightfully
hesitate TO substitute Federal initia-
tive for State initiative. IL the early
adoption OF this measure is necessary
to the successful prosecution of the
war and II the method of State action
proposed in the party platforms OF 1916
is impracticable within any reasonable
length of time. il practical at ali.
ADOPTION DECLARED
"And it's adoption is, in my judg-
ment, clearly necessary TO the success
full prosecution of the war and the sue
cessful realization OF tho objects for
That Judgment | take the liberty of
urging upon you with solemn earnest
ness for reasons, whicn snali state
will seem as conclusive TO you as they
seem to me.
This is a peoples war and the peo-
ple's thinking constitute its atmos-
phere and morale. not the predictions
Of the drawing room or the political
considerations of the caucus. If W.
be indeed democrats and wish to lead
the world to democracy. we can. ask
other people 70 accept in proof OF our
sincerity and our ability TO lead them
whittier they wish To be led nothing
less persuasive and convincing than
our actions. Our professions. will not
suffice. Vcrification must be forthcom-
ing when verification is asked for. Ana
in this case vcrijcation Is asked for
asked for in this particular matter.
You ask by whom? Not through dip
listers, not by. the iniimations of par
liaments. 1t is asked for by the anx-
ious. expectant. suffering peoples with
whom we are dealing and who are will
ing to put their destinieS In some meas
ure in our hands. il they are sure that
we wish the same things that they do.
do not speak OF conjecture. 1t Is not
alone the voices OF statesmen and OF
newspapers that reach me and the
voices OF foolish and Incorporate aRi-
CONTINUED on Second Page.)