The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1920-02-24
SUFFRAGISTS LAND
IN POLITICAL RING
SERVE NOTICE ON DEMOCRATIC
AND REPUBLICAN PARTIES
THEY CANNOT BE CONSIDER
ED AS A LADIES AUXILIARY"

CHICAGO.-Suffragists of Ameri-
ca took a long jump and landed to-
night in the middle of the political
ring with both feet. They served
notice on the democratic and repub-
lican parties that the suffragists can
not be considered as a "ladies' aux
iliary" They declared they had been
knocking at the door" for sixty
years and now they are going to go
on the inside.
The outline of the future policies
of the suffrage workers of the coun-
try was made by Mrs. Carrie Chap
man Gait here at the first congress
of the league of women voters. The
national suffragists association voted
! to dissolve now that it's objects were
practically accomplished, and merge
it's membership with the Woman Vot-
ers' League.
Mrs. Gait, named temporary chair
man of the league, in declaration
of policies announced the women
were going to be something more
than ''me too" organization in the
political world. Her statements met
with vociferous approval from the
! 600 delegates. Women jumped on
chairs, threw their hats and coats
| into the air and yelled themselves
/ hoarse when she said: eve are not
going to remain on the outside and
make application to the political par
ties for their favor. What would be
the use of getting the vote if we
should do so? The only way to get
things in this country is to get them
on the inside of political party"
Cites Instance.
Mrs. Gait cited as an instance of
the useIessness of the vote if not eX-
ercised through party organization
the efforts to obtain ratification of
the suffrage amendment in some
western states where women were al
lowed to vote.
''The women in these states had
not become allied with a political
party" she said. GAS a result when
we attempted to induce governors
of these states to call special ses-
sions of the legislature to ratify the
federal amendment we had no ma
chinery with which to work. We
could not force calling of the special
session. This will happen in the fu-
ture unless women get into the parti-
san political game"
The speaker asserted that women
must now prove their capacity in
political work, and "you will not
prove it if you simply o. k. the pro-
gram prepared by the men," i.
No CUTTERS.
''We are not going to be cutters
: and stay on the outside and let the
reactionaries have it their own way
on the inside, where the men are,
but that is the place we are going. !"
Mrs. Gait told the women they
should be progressive.
} If we are going to trail five years
behind the parties we might as well
Quit now. We must be five years
ahead"
Mrs. Cats address was made at
the conclusion of a session in which
efforts were made to outline new
constitution for the organization. At
tempts by several delegates to get, a
motion through that it would De
"non-partisan" failed.
The convention was on Its 'pollCi-
cal high horse" following an out
break started when Mrs. Richard Ed
wards, of Indiana, introduced res
olution thanking Will H. Hays, re-
publican national chairman, for his
work in the interest of suffrage.
The democrats protested strenu-
ousIy until Mrs. Edwards, in order
to keep peace in the convention, IN
PRODUCED another resolution thank
ing Homer H. Cummings, democrat
ic chairman.
The republican leaders claimed
victory tonight, however, due to the
fact that the Hays resolution was
long and flowery, while the Cum
mings resolution consisted of about
three lines.