The Washington times., 1918-01-11
.SUFFRAGISTS co TO
SENATE, CONFIDENT
OF MORE SUCCESS

/ The battle of the nations women
for full suffrage swung into the SEN
ate today. Fresh from a complete
victory in the House last night,
where the suffrage amendment to the
Constitution passed by a vote of 274
to 1876, leaders today were demand
ing immediate action IN the upper
| branch.
| With the aid OF President Wilson's
influence. the psychological effect OF
the House victory, and the growing
strength OF the movement throughout
the country. the suffragists predict a
close but winning vote in the Senate.
They admit, however. the certainty
OF a hard fight. A poll OF the Senate
recently showed that suffrage lacked
eleven votes to get the necessary two
thirds. March. u, 1o1+the last time
vote was actually taken on the
| smendment-it was beaten thirty-five
to thirty-four. with twenty-six Sena-
tors not voting
War Brings Changes.
But war has come upon the United
States since 1914. and with It great
changes. The appeal OF the women
for suffrage as a war measure, and
| reward for working side by side
with the men in the struggle, is hav-
ing its effect. 1t has been sponsored
by President Wilson and members Of
his cabinet
Not for a minute would we con-
cede that this Congress- would. lag
behind the parliannents OF Europe in
making democratic history" Mrs. Car
RE Chapman Gait, president of the
National American Woman's Suffrage
Association. said today. at is with
supreme confidence, therefore, that
we now turn to the Senate, and ex-
pect passage of the amendment by
that body within a very short time"
Prompt Action sure.
The House resolution was reported
in the Senate today. and a Senate suf.
frage amendment resolution Is now
on the calendar. There will be no |
trouble about getting prompt action |
on either IL the Senators are so dis |
posed. A conference was planned to- |
day at which decision will be reached |
on when TO push the amendment to
a vote.
The power OF the woman's vote in |
States already suffrage and the ''in-
evitableness" OF their eventually get
ting what they want IL the note be-
hind their confidence in the senate
outcome, Mrs. Maud Wood Park,
leader of the Congressional forces, to-
day said It was gripping how the
men OF both parties suddenly and
with faeile grace" rose to the suf-
frage appeal. They showed them
selves past masters OF the gentle art |
Of conservation OF time and energy, |
and secured to each party some OF the
advantages bound to accrue TO those
through whose votes the amendment
was passed"
One hundred and sfxty-fve Repub-
licans voted for the amendment and
1o4 Democrats. in the House.
Miscellaneous votes added five
more, making a total OF 274. .-
Plan State Fight.
Already the women are planning
their fight TO have the Amendment
ratified by the States. OF thirty-six
States they are certain, Mrs. Gait
said today-and included New York. :,
1--WE expect that most of the 1918
legislatures-there are only a few In
session this year-will dispose OF the
amendment favorably at an early
date. The legislatures OF forty-one
States convene next year. A few OF
these STATES will need additional time
for suffrtEe education, but we are
confdenth majority will ratify be
fore the close OF 1919
The voting scene last night was
unique.
"Hurrsh for everything said Miss
Mary Garrett Hay, who led the wo-
men's fight in New York STATE. as the
final vote WAS announced last night.
Then pandemonium broke loose in the
House chamber. There were shouts,
screaming. hand clappins and the
women fell over each other embrace
ing.
All Claim Credit.
Today every one is claiming credit
for the House victory. The Woman's
party militGnts say they did IT by
picketing, "to show what sacrifices
we could make for the cause" the
association leaders say they
did II by refraining from picketing,
and working State by state until the
moment came to press
tor an amendment; Republicans claim
credit. and point TO their superior
vote favOring the amendment and to
the vote Of lO2 Democrats and only :
50 Republicans against II: the Demo
Gratis claim the credit. saying that IL
il hadn't been for President WILSON,
the amendment couldn't have passed.
But all feel good about il. and the
suffra gists already have said there Is
a measure OF reward due I" the men,
bers Of each party who helped push
the resolution through.
VICTORY and BIRTHDAY