Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1918-01-17

republicans, applause rang over the
House. members from all sides rushed
over to him and Speaker Clark broke a
precedent by announcing from the rostrum
that he was sure everybody in the House
welcomed him back.
MISS RANKIN OPENS DEBATE.
There were two women on the floor dur
ing the contest, Miss Jeanette Rankin Of
Montana, who as representative Of a suf-
fragist State. was accorded the courtesy
of not only controlling one fourth of the
time of debate, but of making the opening
speech. and Miss May Ofterdnger of this
city, who as clerk of the woman suffrage
committee. sat beside its chairman, Repre-
sentative Raker of California. The House
met at eleven this morning, an hour
earlier than usual and began consideration
of the resolution under an agreement to
close general debate and begin voting on
amendments at five o'clock in the after
noon. 1t was 6:25 o'clock when the final
roll call began. and just As minutes later
when Speaker Clark announced the re-
suit.
President Wilson's support is credited
with changing many democratic votes
The party divided almost evenly with a
margin Of two ayes. Until yesterday it had
been assumed that large majority Of
the democrats would oppose the resolu-
ton.
MRS. Gait NOT SURPRISED.
Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait. president of
the National American Woman associa-
ton said tonight:
1T is an Incompatible victory, which
tremendously gratifies though it does not
surprise us. We have felt all along that
the House could be relied on to vindicate
itself as the forward looking exponent
of democratic progress. which America
has the right to expect it's great law
making body to be- Not for a minute
did we concede that the American Con-
gress would lag behind the Parliaments
Of Europe in making Of democratic his
| tory. We turn now to the Senate with
complete confidence that our measure will
be passed by that body within a very
short time. From the Senate we shall
start upon our campaign of ratihcations
hoping that every State in the Union
will ratify and knowing that SO will, New
York among them. We expect that most
OF the 1918 OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES are only
few in session this year-will dispose
| OF the measure favorably at an early
date. The Legislatures of Al States con-
vene next year."
FORWARD STEP, SAYS DIR. SHAW.
DR.. Anna Howard Shaw. honorary pres
ident Of the association, said:
when the name of Lincoln is men,
toned to-day the first thought that en-
ters the mind of the world is that he
was the emancipation of the slaves. In
future generations when the name of
Wilson is mentioned the thought of the
| vurn r11 ruvf1l h.
United States enfranchised during his
administration and largely through his
assistance. People forget wars and the
incidents of war, but never will forget q
great forward step in human freedom
WE REJOICE" SAYS MISS PAUL.
Miss Alice Paul, the leader of the
Woman's party. made this statement:
I'VE rejoice-and for the moment
| that is all we do. With tomorrow we
will begin to press for the Immediate
passage of the amendment through the
Senate Four years ago we lacked only
IL votes in the Senate. Our strength
meanwhile has grown enormously and
victory should be easy. 1t Is not now
n question of victory or defeat, but of
how quickly we can secure the sub
mission of the amendment to the States
and begin our campaign of ratification
| With the official support of every po-
litical party we believe that ratifica-
ton Will not require more than two
years"
THANKS THOSE WHO OPPOSED 1T
| Mrs. James w. Wadsworth, Jr., presi.
dent of the National Association OPP
posed to Woman Suffrage. issued this
statement:
We thank the men who stood by the
principle of local self government,
against the policy Of surrendering SUI.
frage threats and we are proud tina,
there are still some American men who
vote according to their convictions ant
not according to command.
I'VE consider the result very close Ar
view OF the pressure brought to bea,
on the members
Our hope now is that the Senate
will stand Arm in defense of our Amer.
lean traditions of true democracy"
to his accustomed place as leader OF tn,