The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1918-01-11
SUFFRAGE BILL
Wins IN HOUSE
Woman Suffrage Constitutional
Amendment Measure Passed
by Vote of 274 to 1856.
SOUTH ALMOST DEFEATS BILL
Unexpected Opposition to Amendment
DeveIops-Rep. Mann Leaves Bal
timore Hospital and Is Cheered
When He Casts Ballot.

Washington, Jan. 1.-THE woman
suffrage constitutional amendment bill
passed the house last night, 274 to 136.
The victors had not a single vote TO
spare. Two-thirds of 40 votes (tne
total of 274 ayes and 1876 nays) makes
273 1-3. But the house parliamentari-
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 a 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.
Speaker Clark made no effort to re-
strain it.
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:
'Pl tell you why women should be
given 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 a 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.
1t was a 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 a bank OF
flowers.
When she voted aye galleries and
floor rang with applause.
Debate Spectacular Scene.
Il lolo
scene. The house was in 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 soe occasion.
Speaker Clark announced he would
not vote from the chair unless there
was a tie, in which case 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 81. Gardiner, Mrs
Maud Woodpark and Miss Rose
Young.
Scattered through the crowded gal.
leries were suffragists of both fac
tions 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.
Tho session uac opopad with rrova,
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 "Wolfist
pack of Huns" and prayed for peace
Representative Foster of Illinois
opened the fight by offering the spe
cial rule which fixed four hours fol
general 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:
1--WE are facing a question of politi
cal solution, question forced to an is
sue now by international circum
stances.
Every great woman who stands ou
In history has asked the government
to permit women to serve more effec
lively the national welfare. Today al
never before the nation needs it.
women"
Representative Raker, in charge O.
the resolution, declared the amend