Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-11
SUFFRAGISTS
Confident
Of VICTORY
Presidents Endorsement
and Republican Caucus
Stand Are Expected to
Garry Constitutions !
Amendment in House.
SMALL SENATE MARGIN
IS AGAINST MEASURE

Washington, D. c., Jan. 10.-One of
the long and hard fought campaigns
of the woman suffrage cause seemed
the house took up debate on the con
stitutional amendment.
Backed by the approval Of Presi
dent Wilson, suffragists were sure the
Susan B. Anthony amendment would
thirds when the house should begin
voting at 5 o'clock this afternoon. So
certain were the suffragists of success
in the house that they already have
turned their attention to the senate
where the amendment waits on the
calendar but without such favorable
prospects. ~
HOPE FOR FINAL VICTORY.
They are hopeful, however, that
with the presidents aid they will
break down the opposition. Then the
question would be ready for submis-
sion to the states and the aim through
years of effort would become reality.
Today's debate furnished spectac.
ular scene. The house was in happy
mood and heard the arguments with
applause and laughter. Women packed
the galleries. 1t was a field day for
the suffragists and buoyant with ex-
pectation of victory, they made the
most of the occasion.
OPPONENT is DiGUSTE0.
AS the debate progressed, Repre-
sentative Raker. in charge OF the
amendment, said his prediction Of
adoption with Is to 25 votes to spare
stood unchanged. Representative
sLenroot Of Wisconsin. one Of the fe.s
publican lesders, declared adoptioY q
the aneeSnsaptsi rtasRs .s,.e-ssy
For the antf-suffragists.s RepreSelna-
tive Meeker of Missouri. who has leAd
their fight, gave only this estimate OF
the result:
What can you expect when CON,
gress is run by the preachers and the
women?'
MISS RANKIN TALKS.
Representative Jeanette Rankin Of
Montana. spoke for the resolution.
I'VE are facing question of polit.
ical solution, a question forced to an
issue now by International questions.
said she. Every great woman who
stands out in history has asked the
government to permit women to serve
more effectively the national welfare.
Today, as never before the nation
needs it's women
ANTS TAKE COURAGE.
AS the debate wore on the anti.
seemed to be getting up fresh courage
over a new poll of the house. Some
Of the leaders of the opposition de
clared that on basis of 40S members
present they thought they had
chance to beat the resolution by four
and five votes.
The suffragists, however. were lit
tie disturbed and remained confident.
The presidents stand in favor OF
the amendment was announced las,
night after twelve democratic mem.
bers of the house called at the white
house for advice The president ad
vised the congressman to vote for
the amendment as an act OF right and
justice to the women Of the country
and the world"
G. o. p. CAUCUS APPROVES.
A few hours later house republicans
in conference unanimously adopted
resolution urging republican members
to support the amendment.
AS the house met, among those op'
frank admission that the presidents
declaration probably had changed
enough votes to insure adoption, al
though some of the opposition still
contendad it would be hard to break
the alignment against the measure in
the south.
VOTE LATE IN SESSION..
Speaker Clark announced he would
not vote from the chair unless there
was a tie, in which case he would vote
for the amendment. He said he ex-
pected the vote TO come between
and o'clock.
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 H. Gardiner, Mrs
Maud Woodpark and Miss Rose
Young.
SUNDAY OFFERS PRAYER.
Scattered through the crowded gal.
leries were suffragist of both factions
from all parts Of the country and
many members of the anti-suffrage
ranks. Leaders of the woman's part.
were there in force, hailing the occa
sion as a victory for the white house
pickets.
The session of the house was open
ed with prayer by Billy Sunday, the
evangelist. who invoked divine mercy
on the president. the cabinet, the al
lies and American soldiers. He re
ferred to the world as "sin-cursed,
denounced the Germans as "wolfisf
pack of Huns and prayed for peace
ANTS LEAD IN SENATE
In the senate. where a similar reso
luton. fa.vorabiy reported is on the
calendar awaiting action, an earl.