New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-07-11
y omen ( Compare
Harding and Cox
Suffrage Il ords

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WASHINGTON, July lo.The Ma
tional Wcman'a Party to-day issued the
following comparison Of the two Presi-
dental candidates regarding their suf-
frage history:
Since their nomination both SEN
ator Harding, Republican Presidential
candidate. and Governor Cox, Demo
Cratic Presidential candidate, have
taken . stand favoring suffrage.
Their records and the various steps
that have finally led them to take this
favorable stand are to~be found at the
"oman's Farty headquarters.
Senator Harding's suffrage record
was varied, evasive and non-committal
until the autumn Of 1918, when, on Oc-
tober l, he cast his first vote for the
Amendment.
AS early as June "a, 1915, deputa-
lions from the Woman's Party began
calling on him to ask his stand on the
question Of political freedom for
women. Then he said:
Believing as do In political
parties, had much rather that the
party to which lifelong should, in it's
conference, make declaration than to
assume leadership or take an indi-
vldual position on the question:
On January 20, 1915, when asked q
similar question, he said he did not
see how he could vote for suffrage and
against prohibition. He thought he
would vote against the amendment.
Issue Omitted in Keynote
I'm June, 1916, Senator Harding mad
the keynote speech at the Republican
National Convention In Chicago. Be.
lore ne spoke he was interviewed by
members OF the Woman's Party and
asked to mention suffrage In his ad-
DRESS. recognizing it as one Of the
most important issues before the coun-
Try. He said he had not decided upon
everything. in his speech, that there
would be time to add the suffrage issue
TO his address, and that he would con-
slider it. But the speech made no men.
ton of suffrage.
"On November IL. 1915. when inter.
viewed by member Of the Woman's
Party, he said he was inclined to leave
the solution of the question to his
party. He thought it would be pre-
sumptuous for him to dictate to his
party. He was not interested.
ION April 26, 1917, he declared him.
self favorable to the amendment. but
1T did not appeal to him as q wal
measure.
"On July 10 of the same year he
said he did not approve of falling the
suffragists; that the President could
put through the measure if he would
and that he might vote for the amend.
ment.
son August 2, 1917, he said he could
not do anything to support the amend
ment, but he sympathized with those
working for it.
February 10, 1918, he said he sdep.
recated a too rapid advance of democ-
racy and consequently would hold back
on woman's suffrage
Voted for Ratification
"But on October i, 1918, Senate,
Harding had emerged from the midst
of non-committal atmosphere ane
voted for the amendment. He also
voted for it In February and in June
of the next year, when 1t passed Con-
gress.
"Since his nomination he has re.
fused to take a decisive stand tt
enforce final ratification when inter.
viewed by a delegation of the Woman's
Party.
Dissatisfaction also was the result
of the non-committal statements given
out following a conference between
Senator Harding and Governor Clement
relative to calling special session in
Vermont to ratify the amendment.
Governor Cox, who has three times
been Governor of his state, had left
Congress when the National Woman's
Party was organized in 1918.
Consequently his part in the pass
age of the amendment could not be SC
active, since he had no vote to cast
But his influence in gaining the Sena-
torial votes of his state and in legisla-
tive measures was consequently sought
'Fro1n the first he has shown a
favorable attitude and has been willing
to meet the suggestions made by the
women to whom he has given audience
on the subject.
Cox Urged Amendments Approval
"June 10, 1917, he gave an interview
to a representative OF the Woman's
Party and discussed in detail with her
the militant movement Of suffrage,
showing q marked interest and speak
ing fayorably Of the amendment.
cat the time Of the Democratic con-
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