The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-01
FAILS
IN SUFFRAGE PLEA
Continued from First Page.

prepared address denounclng suffrage
and Senators Shields and overman re-
iterated in private their intention to vote
against the Anthony amendment. Sem
ator Benet early in to-day's session, and
before the arrival of the President, re-
iterated his opposition by an elaborate
or the speech delivered by him Saturday.
president Wilson reached his deternli-
nation to address the Senate on the sub
Ject OF suffrage late yesterday afternoon.
1t was not until after dinner that he
retired to his study and began the COM
position OF what was probably the most
important contribution to pro- suffrage
literature ever penned. and what Is like
wise one OF the most important writings
dealing with a domestic problem to
which the President has set his hand
since the entrance Of America into the
war.
Whether or not any OF the suffra gists
were let into the secret last night Ia not
known at any rate for most Of them the
announcement made at the White House
at 10 o'clock that the President would
appeal In person to the Senate came as
a complete surprise.
The arrival OF the President at the
Senate chamber following OH his visit to
the opening OF the great draft drawing
was the occasion OF much ceremony.
Senators almost TO man were In their
seats throng OF Representatives from
the House filled the open spaces Of the
Senate almost to euffocatIon. A row Of
chairs had been placed for the Cabinet
members in front of the Democratic hank
OF seats. but only Secretaries McAdoo,
Daniels and Wilson were present. Away
back on the Republican side OF the
Chamber. occupying Senator Hale's seat,
was Secretary of the Interior Lane. The
Nice-President announced the presence Of
the Chief Executive and Welded the CEN
tire Of the dais to him for the address.
The Presidents entry was henalized
by handclapping. both from the floor
and In the gallery. which the presiding
officer made no effort to check 1t sub
sided when the President stepped for
ward with his manuscript and began the
reading OF his address,
Opponents Become Active.
The Senators had risen to greet him
They remained seated during the reading
and arose to bow him forth at its con-
clusion. It was almost a fatality that
the committee of four Senators ap-
pointed to escort the Chief Masistrate to
the Senate Chamber should have been
composed of three OF the bitterest op-
ponents of suffrage in the Senate. They
were Senators Martin tVa.), Overman
IN. c. and Lodge tMsss) Only
Senator Poindexter was a suffra gist in
the Executive escort.
The President spoke as follows
Gentlemen OF the Senate:
The unusual circumstances of a
world war in which we stand and are
Judged in the view not only OF our
own people and our own consciences
but also in the view of all nations and
people. will, I hope, justify In your
thought. as II does in mine, the mes
sage l have come to bring you.
/ regard the concurrence of the
Senate in the constitutional amend
ment proposing the extension Of the
suffrage to women as vitality essential |
to the successful prosecution of the
great war of humanity in which we
are engaged. ] have come 70 urge
upon you the considerations which
have led me to that conclusion 1t Is
not only my privilege, ii Is also my
duty, to apprise you OF every circuni-
stance. and element involved in this
momentous struggle which seems to
me to affect Its very processes and It's
outcome. 1t is my duty to- win the I
war and to ask you to remove every |
obstacie> that stands in the way Of !
winning It. ~
i had assumed that the Senate |
would concur in the amendment be-
cause no disputable principle is in
volved. but orly question of the
method by which the suffrage is to be !
extended to women. There Is and can /
be no party issue involved in it, Both
Of our great national parties are
pledged. explicitly pledged, to equality
OF suffrage for the women OF the coun-
try. Neither party. therefore. Il seems /
to me, can Justify hesitation AS to the
method 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
1915 Is impracticable within any rea-
sonable length OF time. IL practical q.
all. And its adoption is. In my judg-
ment. clearly necessary to the success
full prosecution Of the, war and the
successful realization OF the objects
for which The war is being fought.
All Look 90 Democracy.
That judgment ! take the liberty of