Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-01-15
SUFFRAGIsTS WAGING
CAMPAIGN IN SENATE
"VoteS for Women" Battle
Shifts From House to Up
per Branch

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-THE battle
OF the nations women for full suffrage
swung into the senate today. Fresh from
complete victory in the house last
night, where the suffrage amendment
10 the constitution passed by a vote
Of ga 10 1876. leaders today were de-
manding immediate action in the upper
branch.
With the aid of President Wilson's
influence. the psychological effect of
the house victory and the growing
strength of the movement throughout
the country, the suffragists predict a
close but winning vote in the senate.
They admit, however, the certainty Of
! hard fight. A poll of the senate re-
Gently showed that suffrage lacked
eleven votes to get the necessary two
thirds. March II, I914-the last time
I vote was actually taken on the
amendment--it was beaten 80 to 81, with
20 senators not voting.
But war has come upon the United
states since 1914 and with it great
changes. The appeal OF the women for
suffrage as a war measure and re-
ward for working side by SIDE with
the men in the struggle is having it's
effect. II has been sponsored by Presi-
dent Wilson and members of his cabinet.
Not for minute would we concede
that this congress would lag behind
the parliaments of Europe I'm making
history" said Mrs. Carrie
Chapman Gait, president of the National
American Woman's Suffrage association.
1T is with supreme confidence, there
fore. that we now turn to the senate
ar nf no
by that body within a very short time"
On Senate Calendar
The house resolution was reported in
the senate today and senate suffrage
am endment resolution is now on the
calendar. There will be no trouble about
getting prompt action on either if the
senator's are so disposed. a conference
was planned today at which decision
will be reached on when to push the
to vote.
The power of the woman's vote IN
states already suffrage and the 'inevi-
of their eventually getting
what they want is the note behind their
confidence in the senate outcome. Mrs.
Maud Wood Park, leader of the con-
gressional forces, today said 1t was
gripping how the men of both parties
suddenly and with facile grace" rose
TO the suffrage appeal. They showed
themselves past masters of the gentle
art of conservation Of time and energy
and secured to each party some of the
advantages bound to accrue TO those
through whose votes the amendment
was passed"
One hundred and sixty-hve Republ:
cans voted for the amendment and lO4
Democrats in the house.
Already the women are planning their
-
By the senate. or thirty-six states, they
are certain, Mrs. Gait said today-and
included New York.
we expect that most of the 1918
egislatures-there are only a few in
session this year-will dispose of the
amendment favorably at an early date.
The legislatures OF forty-one states con-
vene next year. a few of these states
will need additional time for suffrage
education but we are confident a ma
,ority will ratify before the close of
gI9," she added.
Scene in House
The voting scene last night was
unique.
"Hurrah for everything!" said Miss
Mary Garrett Hay, who led the women's
light in New York state, as the final
vote was announced last night. Then
broke loose in the house
chamber There were shouts, screaming,
hand-clapping and the women fell over
each other embracing.
Today every one is claiming credit
for the house victory. The woman's
party m.litants say they did il by pick
citing ito show what sacrifices We could
make for the cause" the national asso-
citation leaders say they did ii by re-
framing from picketing and working
state by state until the psychological
moment came to press for an amend
ment; Republicans claim credit and
point to their superior vote favoring
the amendment and to the vote of 102
Democrats and only 33 Republicans
against IT; the Democrats claim the
credit. saying that If it hadn't beer for
President Wilson the amend nent
couldn't have passed. But all feel rood
about il and the suffragists already rave
said there is measure of reward due
TO the members of each party who
halned uush the resolution through.