Daily Kennebec journal., 1918-09-27
SUFFRAGE IS
IN THE SENATE
Senate Fails to Reach
Vote on House
Resolution
HOPE TO
REACH VOTE
SATURDAY
Absence of Senators Favoring
Measure, Reported Defec-
tions Among it's Advocates
and Protracted Debates Con-
tribute to Postponement

and PrOtracted Debates Con-
tribute to Postponement
Washington, Sept. 2e-The Senate
failed again today to reach vote on
the House resolution proposing sub
mission to the states of the Susan
B. Anthony woman suffrage amend
nent to the Constitution. After a day
Of conferences and Of debate before
crowded galleries adjournment was
taken until tomorrow to continue the
discussion. but with little likelihood
Of vote before Saturday if then.
Absence of senators favoring the res
olueion. reported detection among its
advocates and unexpected protrac-
tion of debate contributed TO post
ponement Of action and to the dis
appointment of the imense throng Of
spectacle which gathered in the
early morning and remained through
out the day. Uncertainty as to dis
position OF the resolution was in
creased as result Of todaY's de-
Velopments.
Senator Jones of New Mexico,
chairman Of the woman suffrage
committee. said tonight that a vote
before Saturday was Extremely un-
likely" while leading opponents of
the resolution said the vote might be
delayed Indefinitely. The close line
up of the resolution was an admit
ted factor in today's action. Chair
man Jones announced that before
pressing a vote managers of the
resolution desired to await the re-
turn of Senator Lafollette of Wis
consin. who favors the resolution
and who was mot paired" Senator
send of Michigan, another absent
supporter of the resolution, but who
is Paired decided to vote and
could arrive by Saturday.
With these votes Senator Jones
and other champions of the resolu-
ton believed the necessary two
thirds majority would be mustered
on final roll call. Opponents how
ever, were confident of having the
votes to insure it's defeat, even with
ahsentees present.
Some senators supporting the res
olution admitted tonight privately
that, without further change. the res
oluion would be defeated by one vote.
They said the latest private roll call
showed that the Senate stood 63 to
80 in favor Of the resolution, Just
one short of wo-thirds majority.
Almost the entire membership of the
Senate was present when Senator Jones
called up the resolution. many senators
having come long distances. The GAL
leres were crowded. principally by wo-
men representing national organizations
favoring or opposing the amendment
for which suffrage 'orces have fought
for half century.
After many petitions for and against
the resolution. including one from the
woman's party bearing 5000 names, had
been presented, debate began and It con-
tinued late in the day, when the Senate
went into executive session to consider
other matters.
Discussion centered principally on
questions of race and states right.
Senator Williams of Mississippi intro
duced an amendment proposing to en-
franchise only white women. declaring
that adoption q it would remove most
Of the objection and permit the Senate
70 dispose of the resolution and give its
attention to prosecuting the war.
Before adjournirg tonight the Senate
ordered a roll call on the Williams
amendment as the first order of business
tomorrow. Defeat of the amendmens
was expected Senator Hardwlck OF
Georgia also opposed giving the vote 10
negro women. declaring that 1t would
ada 70 the white mans burden IN the
eorth because negro soldiers under con-
stitutions Of most southern states IAN
vote after the war Senator Mckellar
of Tennessee declared that the fear Of
senator's that the suffrage amendment
uo,,,d disturb the racial franchise situa-
zion in the south was unfounded.
While debate proceeded, often with
<or se,ators present and with the wo-
mon spectators knitting ard at times
conversine so loudly that the presiding
oficers had to call for order, animated
conferences by and between leaders OF
,he opposing factions were held on the
eoor. ir cloak rooms and lobties. Last
minute polls were taken by the resolu-
.,on,s friends. and leaders said these
,-ononted the decision TO defer vote
until Saturday.