Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1918-01-16
Constitutional Amendment Wins
by Bare Majority.
SENATE TO ACT NEXT MONTH
Rep. Mann, Supposed to Be III in Bal
timore Hospital, Cheered by Wom-
en- When He Appears to
Cast Ballot.

passed the house last night, PA TO l36.
The victors had not single vote to
spare. Two-thirds of 40 votes (the
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 third or any
fraction.
Early passage by the senate is pre-
dicted.
South Nearly Defeats Bill.
Some southern Democrats voiced bit
fer opposition to the presidents action.
During the day this antagonism stead
lily increased until it seemed for time
in the first roll call that the amend
ment had been defeated.
Galleries crowded with women burst
into a 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
I'll 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 r. Mann of Chicago, Repub-
lican leader, and Thetus w. Sims,
chairman of the interstate commerce
committee, were cheered as they cast
the deciding votes. Mr.. Mann had
been i'll in q hospital in Baltimore and
Mr.. Sims, a Democrat, fell on the ice
two days ago and injured himself.
Both left their beds to 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.
It was a day of triumph for Miss
jeanette Rankin of Montana. She
was acting floor leader for the Re
Ipublicans 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 a spectacular
scene. The house was in a happy
mood and heard the arguments with
applause and laughter. 1t was 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
was a tie, in which ease he would vote
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
Gait, Mrs. Helen II. Gardiner, Mrs.
Maud Woodpark aud Miss Rose
Young.
Scattered through the crowded gal
leries were suffragists of both fac
tons 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
mercy on the president, the cabinet,
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-
tcial rule which fixed four hours for
general debate.
woman suffrage is here, and here
TO stay" declared Representative Gal
Iagher 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
lsachusetts and Powers of Kentucky
also favored the amendment.
Miss Rankin Speaks.
Miss Rankin said:
1--WE are facing question of politi-
cal solution, question forced to an is
sue now by international circum-
stances.
Every great woman who stands out
in history has asked the government
TO permit women TO serve more effec-
lively the national welfare. Today as
never before the nation needs its
women"
Representative Raker, in charge of
the resolution, declared the amend
ment franks 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-suffragists, asked to
predict the outcome, said:
What can you expect when con-
gress is run by the preachers and the
iwomenf'