The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-10-01
THE RICHMOND v1RGIN1AN-TUEsDAY OCTOBER l. 1918

uation tonight Is due entirely to the
appeal OF the president today. If his
address to the senate, with his frank
avowal of the strength that he would
feel in the passa &c of the amendment
and of the weakening Of his position.
at home and before The world. that
would follow a failure of the senate
10 adopt the measure at this time in
tiuences enough votes to pass the
measure, it will be one of The greatest
personal and political triumphants OF
his career.
But even If his appeal shall fail,
and the senate vote down the amend
ment, he has kept true alignment
with his great principles of democracy
and has performed n wonderful and
lasting service for bis party.
Interest in the suffrage question has
filled the galleries of the senate daily
since debate began hut the news that
the president was 10 address that
body spread quickly throughout the
city and automobiles be gan to roll up
10 the senate entrance of the capitol
in constant procession. bringing
men and women prominent in official
diplomatic and social circles OF Wash
ington, aud soon -the galleries We're
crowded to the ir utmost ca pacty with
a distinguished company.
Senate Chamber Thronged
Members of the house OF represen-
tatives thronged 10 the senate cham
Der till standing room was al n prem
ium. Several members OF the cabinet
including Secretary Nc*rfUo of-tftc
treasury department and Daniels OF
the navy departm ent. were given seats
in front of the vice president desk
on the floor of the chamber.
The president was receive Wit h
hand clappngs when he entered the
senate chamber. Almost every sena-
tor in the city was in his scat, and
those who had not received word in
time before the president had conclu-
ded his address.
President Wilson entered at once
into the subject which claimed his al
tention and that Of the senate and
was not long in reaching the vital is
sue Of the suffrage as a war measure
and of the effect Of the passage or re
lection of the amendment upon his
part in the conduct OF the war
His address was listened 10 wit
rapt attention. Senator Nardaman Of
Mississippi. an ardent supporter OF
suffrage applauded NJ one stage of the
address. hut as applause is not custo-
mary ~ any time IN the senate cham
Der there was no further response of
this kind until the president had con
Guided his address. Then senators.
the visitors on the floor and in the
gallery Joined in the hearty applause
and all but a few menbt RS of the SEN
ate arose during the applause and
remained standing until the president
left the chamber
Underwood Opposes
The president was hardly ont Of
the chamber before Senator Under
wood Of Alabama. one Of the ablest
speakers of the body. arose and be
gan speech in opposition TO the
measure. based largely on the ground
thet ii would interrupt with the SOW
erign rights of the states TO Judge the
qualifications OF its electorate
Senator Underwood warned his col
leagues against being swept off their
feet by war arguments and in every
sentence his speech directly com bat
ed the address of the president
In the meantime there was given
an exhibition of activity ON the part
of the senate leaders seldom witness
ed in the history of the chamber.
Senator Naryin the democratic lead
er and Senator Lodge. the republican
leader. both opposed to the measure,
went from group to group a bout the
ctfstrn Der holding conferences here,
and there in an endeavor to hold their
forces in line and pre- vent a stampede
They remained on the alert during
the remainder of the session and as a
result of a number OF cauyassas made
on the floor and in the cloak rooms.
il was announced that the situation
stood exactly as it had before the
president addressed the senate, sixty
one votes for the amendment. thirty
four against it and one doubtful