New-York tribune., 1920-08-19
Suffragists
Here See New
Opportunity
Leaders Echo the Opinion
of Mrs. Gait That Vic
tory Means Increased
Responsibility for Sex
Jubilant Over Ratification
Mrs. Vanderlip Says Blow
to Machine Rule Will
Be One Result of Change

New York women leaders in the suf-
frage movement were jubilant over
Tennessec's ratification Their COM
ments in general reflected the opinion
of Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait, presi-
dent of the National American Woman
Suffrage Association, who in a message
to the association headquarters here
suggested that the victory "means op-
portunity for more work and added re-
sponsibility" for women in national
service.
Mrs. Gait asked: "What are the
women going to do with the vote? Are
they going to draw back their skirts in
disdain from all interest in politics on
the ground that it is corrupt, or are
they going to be of those who will
help swell Americas army of voters
who put conscience and thought into
the scales with party politics and party
candidates ?"
The women, Mrs. Gait added, were
ready for the work before them. but
the National League of Women Voters.
with state branches formed from the
old suffrage organizations, was being
formed to help them find their way
through "the maze of these besettine
questions"
The league, she explained is mot
partisan, but pan-partisan, all parti
san" woman can be q member of
IL and yet be a member of any politi-
cal party she may choose, she asserted.
1T Is through the political parties
that we must work." Mrs. Gait con-
tinued. They furnish US with the
machinery through which we are en-
abied to reach the public, keep the
public informed, through which public
consciousness is created. Neither
the problems of government before
them"
Lynchlngs, compelling kissing of the
flag and deportations, the suffrage
leader SAID, were not meeting the stu
alton. She urged the women to set
their shoulders against intolerance.
which, she affirmed, twill cause the
crumbling of any foundation"
Are the American women" Mrs.
Gait asked, going to join the army of
kld-g gloved men slackers whom I have
not touch politics with a ten-foot
pole ?"
Mrs. Vanderlip Places Credit
Mrs. Frank A. Vanderlip, who repre-
sents the state suffrage movement as
chairman of the New York State Wom-
an Suffrage Association, like other
local leaders, had already learned of
the Tennessee result when she was
asked for statement. Asked to whom
she thought the chief credit for the
triumDh Nrac dine cbo ro,1;oI.
Credit is due to the thousands of
hard working, intelligent women who
have been willing to make every sacri-
flee for this cause"
"The relief and joy of the suffrage
victory to-day" Mrs. Vanderlip said,
us like that of Armistice Day. Both
mean the victory of righteousness.
Both mean the end of long, hard
struggle. Both mean lives sacrificed to
great cause.-the cause of democracy.
We with uncovered heads salute the
silent dead
The granting of the vote to the
women Of America means to US who
have longed to see them enfranchised
q sVdden great recognition of the
dignity of all women. | cannot help
thinking of all those little, humble.
hard working women the country over
who have longed and sacrificed for
suffrage; who to-day received the re-
ward and glory of the full rights Of
citizenship"
Miss Mary Garrett Hay, who as
chairman of the New York section of
the League of Women Voters, vice
president Of the National Association
and chairman of the executive commit
tee of the women's division of the Re-
publican National Committee, has
played large part in advancing the
woman's cause, declared her gratifica-
tlon that Tennessee should have elect
ed to cast the deciding vote.
Il rejoice in the action of the Ten
nessee Legislature" said Miss Hay. "I
rejoice, too, in Tennessee. felt verv
sure that we would get that state
Il am glad indeed that ratification
by the State of Tennessee will give the
vote to the women of Connecticut and |
Vermont
at is great victory and comes after
a hard-fought battle of more than fifty
years" ~
Mrs Frank J. shuler, corresponding
secretary of the National American
Woman Suffrage Association. said:
we have always known that when
Doth parties got busy the Federal
suffrage amendment could be pushed
through at once. The ratification in
tennessee was signal instance of
work IN two-party state"
Mrs. John Blair, secretary of the
Women's City Club, speaking. she said
as an individual suffrage worker and
as wee chairman of the 18th Assembly
District of the League of Women Vot-
Declared hoN fire