The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-01-10
EQUAL SUFFRAGE
IN FEW YEARS
Question Up In House Today
and Women Are to Push
Senate for Vote
Immediately.
VICTORY IS EXPECTED
Constitutional Amendment Asked
With Ratification by All
States by Year
OF 1920.
[By l. G. Martin, United Press Staff
CnrraS0ondeuf

[By L. G. Martin, United Press Staff
Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10.-Woman's s
war work is winning them the right
to vote.
The first trench in the battle for
suffrage extending over many years
in this country, is expected to fail
late today when the house votes OH
constitutional amendment granting
equal franchise rights Of women.
with President Wilson supporting
the suffrage ranks and republicans
almost solidly for the amendment, 1t
is expected to get the necessary two
thirds vote.
Already the battle to carry the SEN
ate has been started by the suffrag-
lists. They will press for an immed-
late vote in the upper branch and ex-
pect a complete victory within two
months.
Suffrage leaders. happy today at
the sudden and tremendous tmpetus
ification OF the amendment by all the
states by 1890. In twelve states they
already have full suffrage and in
five enjoy partial suffrage.
A complete suffrage victory would
mark the second great constitutional
amendment brought about by the war.
Prohibition came as a war measure.
Then the women of the country, sac
rificing their sons, knitting, making
bandgaes, working tirelessly for the
Red Cross, and in Liberty bond cam
paigns, won the right to demand equal
recognition with the men. They
brought from President Wilson at a
PSYCHOLOGICAL moment the declaration
that democrats in congress should
vote for suffrage on grounds OF JUS
tice and right"
It was many years ago that susan
B. Anthony started her movement for
suffrage. Then during trip she
made south with Mrs. Carrie Chap
man Gait, now president Of the Ma
tional American Woman Suffrage
association. Miss Anthony said:
eve must work along by states for
a long time. When we have got
enough states the women Of the
country will know the time has come
to press for a constitutional amend
ment and it will win"
Twelve states are already theirs
California. Washington, Oregon, Ne
vada, Kansas, New York, Idaho,
Wyoming, Utah. Montana, Arizona
and Colorado. Five others enjoy par
tial suffrage Nebraska, Illinois
Rhode Island. North Dakota and Mich
igan.
The hardest ratification fights are
expected in the southern states
with the exception Of Florida. Ten
nessee, Arkansas, Missouri, Texas
and West Virginia. These states,
suffrage leaders today declared, would
come in quickly and easily
The fight in the senate is expected
to be hard and close, but with the
presidents aid, suffrage leaders are
confident they will win the neces-
sary two-thirds there.
Suffrage leaders planned great
demonstration in the house this aft
ernoon, when the vote is taken.
Seats in the galleries were at prem
ium early. Many sat through the en-.
tire day to witness the first great
victory anticipated after years Of ef-
fort
Miss Rankin Starts Debate.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10.-A woman
Rankin-pleading the
cause of equal rights for her sex
as a war measure, today began the
debate in the house, expected to re-
suit in passage before night OF the
suffrage amendment to the conSt1tu-
ton. Cheered by hundreds of women
who packed the galleries and APP
plauded by enthusiasts on the hoor
Miss Rankin proceeded in calm,
clear voice and declared that votes
against suffrage would lead the world
to challenge Americas creed of de-
Hers was the first speech of de-
bate which promised to continue un-
til six o'clock. 1t was preceded by
one Of the most unusual scenes in
the house chambers history. Early
this morning long lines of women
were before the gallery doors. Thou
sands were turned away when the
galleries and corridors became
packed. Miss Rankin's appearance,
as leader of the republican suffrage
.rces, brought an ovation. But it
failed to confuse her.
"How can we explain to the
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