The Story of the Woman's PartyGillmore, Inez Haynes
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The Story of the Woman's Party
Gillmore, Inez Haynes
National Woman's Party; Paul, Alice, 1885-1977; Women -- Suffrage -- United States
With a campaign approaching and two national conventions in June, I
do not believe it wise for your cause to crowd this matter on now. I
do not believe that it would get that consideration that you will
get after the election and after these necessary matters—matters of
importance and urgent necessity—are disposed of.
I am opposed to smothering anything in committee. I do not propose
to smother this in committee. I intend, when I think it is the
proper time, to vote the Susan B. Anthony Amendment out and vote for
it in the House. Now that is my intention. I have not said that I
would not do so at this session. I think the strongest that I have
put it is that I would not do so unless the work of the session is
cleared away so that we can get to it.
Now I have said more than that. At any time that you get a full
attendance of the committee, or those absent represented by pairs so
that both sides are represented, and no advantage can be taken and
no criticism made of what takes place, whenever there is what is
equivalent to a full committee present, I am willing that the
committee shall again vote on the question and determine whether
they want it out now.
Miss Younger: Before the conventions will meet in June, Congress
will have been in session six months, and we ask you for only one
day out of the six months. Some of those other questions, such as
preparedness, are not ready to come before Congress.
Mr. Williams: You would not be satisfied with one day.
Miss Martin: That is all we had last time and we were satisfied.
Mrs. Russell: Whatever action Congress takes or does not take on
preparedness, we women will have to stand for it. Any program that
Congress puts through we shall be involved in. Isn’t that just one
more reason why we ought to have a vote promptly?
Mr. Williams: Yes, but you cannot get it in time for the emergency
that is now before us. I believe this: If women had full political
rights everywhere there would not be any war. But that cannot be
brought about in time for this emergency.
“We cannot conceive,” said one member of the delegation at this
juncture, “of any situation which will not permit of three-quarters
of an hour being taken on the floor of the House for a vote.”
Mr. Williams: We have no right to refuse to submit it. I would not
smother it in committee at all, but I believe the committee has a
right to exercise their discretion as to when it shall be
submitted.... How do you take my suggestion? I am willing that a
vote may be had at any time if there is the equivalent of a full
attendance of the committee. Can that be secured?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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