Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1918-01-16
SUFFRAGE PASSED
BY THE HOUSE;
VOTE. ETA TO 1856
Cons ,itutionaI Amendment Wins
by Bare Majority.
SENATE TO ACT NEXT MONTH
Rep. Mann, Supposed to Be III in Bal
timore Hospital, Cheered by WON.
en- When He Appears to
Cast Ballot.


Washington. Jan. 1.-THE woman
suffrage constitutional amendment bill
passed the house last night, pa to 136.
The victOrs had not a single vote to
spare. Two-thirds of 40 votes tine
total of 274 ayes and 1876 nays) makes
273 1-3. But the house parliamentary
an ruled that the tally clerks could
mot split a man" into a third or any
fraction.
Early passage by the senate is pre-
dicted.
South Nearly Defeats Bill.
Some southern Democrats voiced bit
ter opposition TO the presidents action.
During the day this antagonism stead
lily increased until it seemed for time
ii the first roll call that the amend
ment had been defeated
Galleries crowded with women burst
into salvo of applause such as the
chamber has not heard in years.
The loudest applause in the day
long debate was given Representative
Decker of Missouri. After citing wom-
ems work and sacrifice in the war, he
shouted:
"Pll tell you why women should be
given a hand nOw-because they have
more courage. more grit more sheer.
determined bravery than men. The
world knows IT,"
Mann Leaves Hospital to Vote.
James II. Mann of Chicago. Repub-
lican leader. and Thetus w. Sims,
chairman of the interstate commerce
committee. We're cheered as they cast
the deciding votes. Mr.. Mann had
been i'll in hospital in Baltimore and
Mr.. Sims, a Democrat, fell on the Ice
two days ago and injured himself.
Both left their beds 10 vote. without
them suffrage would have been lost.
Sims daughter, Mrs Louise Brown
low. is president Of the local suffrage
organization
Triumph for Miss Rankin.
1t was day of triumph for Miss
Jeanette Rankin of Montana. She
was acting floor leader for the Re-
publicans favoring the amendment,
and as such decided debate and as
signed the time To be allowed to each
speaker. On her desk was bank of
flowers.
When she voted aye galleries and
floor rang with applause.
The debate furnished Il spectacular
scene. The house was in a happy
Bs. to,
applause and laughter. Ii was Il field
day for the suffragistS, and buOyant
with the expectation of victory, they
made the most Of the occasion
Speaker Clark announced he would
not vote from the chair unless there
for the amendment.
The speaker reserved his bench In
the gallery for officers of the National
American Woman Suffrage associa-
ton. These guests included DR.. Anna
Howard Shaw. Mrs. Carrie Chapman
Maud WoOdpark and Miss Rose
Young.
Scattered through the crowded gall
leries were suffragists of both fac
lions from all parts of the country
and many members of the anti-suf-
frage ranks. Leaders of the woman's
party were there in force.
Sunday Opens Session.
The session was opened with prayer
by Billy Sunday, who invoked Divine
Y,o,o., op tbo nraefdonf tha oohina+
the allies and American soldiers. He
referred to the world as "sin-cursed,"
denounced the Germans as a "wolfish
pack of Huns" and prayed for peace.
Representative Foster of Illinois
opened the fight by offering the spe-
cial rule which fixed four hours for
genera! debate.
"WOman suffrage is here, and here
to stay" declared Representative Gal
lagher of Illinois, "and the only ques-
ton we need concern ourselves with
is what we are going TO do about It,"
Representative Treadway of Mas
sachusetts and Powers of Kentucky
also favored the amendment.
Miss Rankin Speaks.
Miss Rankin said:
We are facing a question of pOliti-
cal solution. a question forced to an is
sue now by international clrcum-
stances.
Every great woman who stands out
in history has asked the government
to permit women to serve more effec-
lively the M. ional welfare. Today as
never before the nation needs its
women"
Representative Raker, in charge of
the resolution, declared the amend
ment ranks in importance with the
Declaration of Independence"
Representative Gordon of Ohio de-
nounced it as IAN impudent" repudia-
ton of the platforms of both the lead
Ing parties.
Representative Meeker of Missouri,
who led the anti-sirfIragiSt asked to
predict the outcome. said:
what can you expect when con-
gress is run by the preachers and the
wOmen?"