The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1922-11-24
MRS. FELTON, FIRST
WOMAN U. S. SENATOR
Victory Rewards Efforts Of
81 Year-old Ceor-
gia Lady.

Washington, Nov. 21.-Mrs. w. ii.
FELTON,. of Georgia. took the oath OF
office today as the first woman Unit
cd States senator
]; was true that her term proba-
bly will only be for day, but the
ceremony crowned with success the
efforts the eighty-seven year old lazy
had made to blaze the path for
American womanhood" in the senate
ard II was indicated. that she would
he content to step aside tomorrow In
favor of Walter F. George, who was
elected Now mber Z as her successor
10 fiji the unexpred term of tbs late
Senator Watson.
I, was to the vacancy caused by MS
death that Mrs FELTON, was appoint
ed last September TO serve until the
November elections.
The seating of Mrs. FELTON, at
a crowd to the senate which
rlvalled that which had greeted
President Harding short time be-
fore at the house where he addressed
congress in Joint session, and she was
al once showered with congratula-
tlons upon the signal honor.
when she was directed to pro-
coed TO the rostrum for the admins
ing of the oath of office her face
broke into a smile. On the arm OF
Senator Harris, of Georgia, and lift
ing her gown dainty, she walked
down the center aisle and up to the
vice presidents desk. where Senator
Cummins. OF Iowa. president pro tenn
pore. was presiding in the absence
from the city OF Vice President
Coolidge.
As Senator Cummins motioned for
her to raise her right hand she ex-
hihited her only sign of unfamiliari-
" with the proceedings, waving her
hand to MIR. Cummins and smiling as
If receiving a similar salute. Sena-
tor Harris nudged her arm, however,
and she then raised 1t, gazing Intent
" at Senator Cummins as the oath
WIS delivered and giving her re-
Spouse in a low voice. The seating
of Mrs. FELTON, had been expected in
view of the tacit agreement OF sena-
tors to interpose no objection in the
face of possible technical presidents
as to her status after the election on
November 7th of her successor. But
for a time today II appeared as tho
such objection might be offered and
definite assurance that the oath
would be administered was not
reached until delay Of two hours In
fact II was not until after President
Harding had delivered his address
to the joint session that Mrs. Fell
ton was given her seat.
The. principal delay was due to
an address of Senator Walsh, Demo-
crat, Montana. in support OF her
claim to the senate seat. This ad-
dress was not on the program of the
leaders. and went into the precedents
involved in the proposed course and
at first gave the impression that the
Montana senator was opposing Mrs.
Felton's claims. But later Mr. Walsh
swung into strong support OF her
position. declaring that her title was
clear and that granting II should not
be considered a favor or chivalrous
act.
The address of Senator Walsh was
broken by the joint session for the
presidents message which Mrs. Eel
ton attended
After receiving the oath. she re- !
turned to her seat on the floor and
watched the routine proceedings with |
"a keen eye until the senate adjournd.
Before going to the capitol today
Mrs. FELTON, Mt to the White House
and paid her respects to President
Harding. She is expected to be in
her seat in the senate tomorrow, but
II Il understood Senator-elect George
win present his claim to the seat az q
ter Mrs. FELTON, has answered one roll
call and perhaps delivered brief
address Then IL is understood she 7
will retire without objection in fla {
yor of Mr.. George whose delay in pre-
senting his election credentials made
possible the seating OF the first wo-
man senator. 4