The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-05-21
SUFFRAGE BILL
PASSES HOUSE
Woman's Rights Measure, Be-
fore Congress for 90 Years,
Taken Up Today.
p As S GE ASSURE D
New Senators Bring in Neces-
sary Votes to Make the
Needed Two Thirds.

NCOhOo i WV AAA oo'
Washington, May 2t.-(A.PN--The
W man suffrage constitutional
amendment resolution was passed to-
day by the house after less than three
hours debate.
The vote was 30i to SO, or AZ moro
than the necessary two thirds ma
iority, The resolution now goes to
the senate where supporters plan to
urge speedy action. Final enactment
OF the measure within two weeks was
predicted by some suffrage leaders.
Champ Clark was given a long ova-
ton from both sides of the chamber
when he spoke in favor of the amend
ment.
81 do not believe that woman suf-
frage is going to preciptate the mil
lennium," the former speaker said,
NOR do | believe it is going to dam
age the American institutions to such
an extent as some of its opponents
believe it will. believe that my wife
and daughters are as fit to vote as
any man. and | would be ashamed to
raise a daughter that wasn't"
Representative Mann, who has en-
gineered the present drive for suf-
lidSC, SpOhS Dut iSW minutes
Washington, May 21.-(A. P.)-The
woman suffrage resolution, before
congress more than forty years, was
taken up in the house today as the
first real work of the extra session.
Four hours of debate and adoption of
the resolution before adjournment
were planned.
The resolution is the historic Susan
b. Anthony draft. proposing submis-
sion to the states of an equal fran
chise amendment to the Constitution.
1t was adopted by the last house 274
to 1856 on Jan. 10, 1918, but twice
failed in the senate, first by two votes
and then by one.
Representative Mondeli, floor lead
er, republican party in the house,
. promised that the resolution provid-
ing suffrage would be brought up in
! the house today and suffrage leaders
were confident that it would he
passed before the end of the week.
Under the skillful leadership of Rep
resentative Mann, of Illinois, the suf-
frage resolution was rushed through
committee proceedings and was given
first position on the calendar of the
house.
Wilson's Urge a Great Aid.
Suffrage leaders have been active
during the interim of congress and
they declare that for the first time
since the fight for suffrage was
started, success is absolutely assured
In the senate, where the suffrage
resolution has twice before been de-
feated suffrage leaders declared they
| now have the necessary sixty five
votes to carry 1t, New senators have
changed the complexion of the senate
and according to suffrage leaders
have brought in the necessary votes
to make the needed two thirds vote.
President Wilson's urge in the mes
sage of yesterday is counted on by
suffrage cohorts to swing a vote on
the democratic side of the chamber
and pass the resolution with more
than the needed sixty-tive votes.
Tireless Woman Workers.
Corridors and offices are still the
hunting ground of tireless woman
workers, who now are known ny
every senator and representative. One
leader in congress expressed the ap-
parent sentiment of the majority
when he said: Lets pass it and get
free Of these women. II you are for
suffrage they continually ask you to
do things for them, and If you arc
against them they are after you
every minute until they convert you.'
Evidence of the thoroughness Of the
suffrage workers is shown by the
fact that there were twelve senators
who were pledged to introduce the
resolution providing for the suffrage
amendment in the senate.
Debate Ends at pm.
Washington. May decentralization
of tho equal suffrage constitutional
amendment resolution began in the
house shortly after noon today under
an agreement to close general debate
in two hours and with leaders expect
ing vote Immediately afterwards.
In calling UP the resolution. Repre-
sentative Mann, republican, of Illinois,
chairman of the woman suffrage COM
lnittec, asked unanimous consent 10
extend the time for debate to O'Clock,
hut Representative Ferris, democrat,
of Oklahoma, refused to agree. Repre-
sentative Little. republican, of Kansas,
opcned the debate with an address in
support of the resolution.
War Proved Woman's Equality.
"Tf this war has shown MS anything,
it has shown us that woman Is the
equal OF man" said Mr.. Little. "When
our boys were called away the girls
and women left their hresides and
proved for all time that man is not
their superior"
Representative Kitchin, democrat, of
North Carolina, criticized the repuhi-
cpns for having neglected their oppor-
tunity to pass the woman suffrage bill
during the sixteen years they had con-
trol Of the government
REPRESENTATIVE Clark. democrat. OF
Florida. moved to amend the resolution
so II would not become effective unless
ratified by the states within seven
years,
Reviews Kansas Conditions
Representative Little. republican, Of
Kansas opened the debate for those
favorns the amendment with review
OF conditions in Kansas under equal
suffrage
North Carolina, former democratic
leader, charged that the democratic
party had been ignored in the prcsen-
tation Of the resolution but added:
IT want to congratulate the repuhli-
can party for it's quick response to the
presidents message OF YESTERDAY"
Kitchin declared that the republicans
we're In control OF congress for four
teen Years and had failed to adopt
mained "for a democratic congress and
democratic president to give suffrage
its impetus
Representative Clark. OF Florida pro
posed an amendment 10 the resolution
which would make Il necessary for
three fourths Of the states to ratfy the
amendment within seven years after
it's passage.
FIRST Republican Opponent.
Etprcgentativc Focht Of Pcnnsylva
mia. was the first republican to speak
against the resolution, declaring that
deep down in his heart no man from
New York, Pennsylvania or Ohio ia
vorod IT,
Reprcsctative Rakcr democrat, oi
California speaking In support OF the
measure. predicted not only would II
he enacted I'm the house, but that tho
senate would pass II within ton days.
Former Speaker Champ clark spoke
In favor 81 the resolution, When he