New-York tribune., 1920-04-02
Plans Made for Reconsid-
Grafton of House Vote
Next Week; Defeat Is
Laid to Local Pique
Big Blow to Cause
Feared i'm Result
Mrs. Cats Remark on the
Snlallness of State Was
Used in Anti CAMPAIGN
From q Staff Correspondcn.

ONER, Del, April 1.-Suffrage was
defeated in the Delaware House of
Delegates this afternoon. 25 to 6,
and Immediately the sutfragists laid
plans for a reconsideration of the vote
next week. They put up brave front
to the Jubilant anti-suffrage crowd but
the fact, of course, is that this defeat
IN Delaware is the most serious blow
suffered by the suffrage cause since it
left the United States Senate.
Suffrage hopes will now dwell with
more intensity upon Connecticut and
Vermont as candidates for the honor
of being the thirty-sixth state to ratify
the Federal amendment. Seventeen
million women in thirty states will
vote for President next fall regardless
OF the Federal amendment, but women
IN the remaining eighteen states will
lose their chance to vote this year un-
less the Federal amendment shall have
been ratified by thirtv-six states before
Election Day. North Carolina has a
Legislative session in June and suffra-
glsts Will work there for ratification.
Local Pride Upheld
The defeat of the suffrage bill in
Dc!aWare was protest on the part Of
local pride against the pressure brought
to bear by national sutfragists and 20
lltical leaders of both parties This
was the burden of the anti suffrage
jubiations in the House chamber. 1t
was voiced by the national organizer
Tor the anti-suifrage association, Miss
Charlotte Rowe, who comes from New
ork. Jumping onto a chair she cried:
The greatest sutfragist in the world,
Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait, came down
here last week and said something
snecrlng about Delaware being a little
state. You have proved to-day that
Delaware is the bravest state in the
Union. To-day you have broken the
back of this suffrage movement. You
have proved there is one place where
its methods fail. We women thank you
from our full hearts.
Henry p. Scott, husband Of a local
antl-sutfragc leader, followed on the
in promptu program.
1T is damnablc,' he cried. chat we
should allow men from outside 10 die
tate to this state how we shall decide
our own affairs. | am not opposed to
suffrage personality but [ do object to
having it forced through at a session
not elected for that purpose"
General James r. Wilson. who is
famous hereabouts as the only survv-
ing corps commander OF the Civil War;
said it was the most glorious day he
ever spent in Delaware.
Representative Walter McNabb, the
Democratic anti suffrage leader de-
clared he was cas- proud Of this day in
Delaware's history as he was of Cesar
Rodney
Legislature Takes Holiday
so with cheers and tears and pres
entations of red roses all around, the
Legislature ad nurncd for over the
Easter holidays. The first vote on the
suffrage bin was % to 9. Three friends
OF the measure changed their votes
from "ayc' to mo in order to prepare
the way for rcconsideration. These
were Representatives Lyons, Hart and
Francis. The anti-sutfrage tactican,
Representative Lloyd. attempted to
force another ballot at once, but this
was voted down unanimously. If it had
been "reconsidcred' and voted on a
second time this afternoon it could not
have been rcconsidercd again next
week Representative Lyons said to-
night that it could be brought up again
any time within three days.
"Many of these men voted against
the measure to-day because Of previous
promises to their constituents said
Mrs. Florence Bayard Hilles, chai. man
of the Delaware branch Of the National
Womcn's party.
I'VE believe that now they have car
ricd out that promise they will feel free
to listen to arguments from our side
1t will be noticed that even anti-suf-
CT to
reconsider the vote o-day. That looks
to me as if they were anxious TO give
themselves chance and make good
with the Republican party next week
He laughs best who laughs last"
There was no action in the Senate
on the suffrage bill to-day. The friends
OF suffrage. however. defeated a propo-
stion to ad journ the session next week
Continued page four)