Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1919-03-07


still lacking. Their canvass Of the
senators showed their supporters firm
in their stand, even to the much dis
puted Borah, who disregarded the
mandate Of his home legislature to
maintain his opposition. But the de-
o.re to make assurance doubly sure.
to deprive the suffragists of a vote
regarded as a special victory since 1t
emanated from the south, as we'll as
the wish to make a legislature feel the
weight Of their political resentment,
urged them to bold attempt to force
the hand Of their adversary.
Senator Pollock for Suffrage.
Senator William P. Pollock OF South
Carolina had broken the traditions of
the solid south, had turned q deaf ear
to the "black belt menace" and comes
out for votes for women.
Mrs. Wadsworth determined to re
construct" Senator Pollock, who had
admitted to anti suffragists that he
knew the women of South Carolina
did not desire the vote; that If the
amendment were put up to the south
ern states for ratification he felt sure
comprehended the racial problem in
volved. But, he protested, he con-
sidered woman suffrage in the line Of
human progress and meant to vote for
1t.
In his own district in South Caro-
lima Senator Pollock carries great In
fluence as the man who was willing
to make a campaign against Cole
Blease, and won a victory. Pollock
was elected to the senate for short
term-just long enough to effect a
southern revolution for the suffs.
The fact that some Of the women Of
his family are leaders in the votes
for women movement in South Caro-
lima was taken by the antis as no ex-
cuse for his attitude, though Senator
Wadsworth's espousal Of the anti side,
championed by his wife, has never
varied through the thunders Of state
which has emancipated its women.
Mrs. Wadsworth selected as ennis
sary a member Of the women voters
and anti-suffrase party Of New York
state, the political machine Of those
opposed, which is now in acknowl-
edged. command Of the movement, and
sent her to the principal cities of
South Carolina to secure signatures
to a petition to Senator Pollock from
the most prominent women in his state
to heed their protest against his vote
for the suffrage amendment.
While the wealthy and influential
men Of old Carolina stock in Charles
ton, Columbia and other cities were
Mortified at the suggestion that the
representative Of their state should
thus signify their tacit consent to the
looming menace Of the vote In COM
munity where all colored women. who,
greatly outnumber the white ones.
were eager to secure the right of the
franchise. The form Of the petition
framed. by Mrs. Wadsworth proved q
beomerans.ssIt Il notified Senator Pol
lock that the connection Of his name
with rumored appointment by the
president to a post which carried an an
nual salary of $4,000 for five years
was regarded in some quarters as the
plausible result of upholding the pres
ident's policies.
Southern blood was at once fired by
this apparent discourtesy to president
Wilson, the great leader" and the
Charleston antis at once refused to
affix their names. It was only when
the petition was robbed Of all such
political significance and narrowed
down to an appeal that the vote
against the amendment "for the pro-
lection Of the women and children" Of
the south that the southern antis con-
sented to sign.
Senator Pollock's speech advocating
votes for women" during the debate
was regarded as triumph by the
suffs, the antis admitting that after
the vote was taken one enthusiastic
young suffragette rushed up to Sen
ator Jones, chairman Of the suffrage
committee, and thanked him effusively
for breaking the solid south and let
iDo IN tho Papuhlicans