The Story of the Woman's PartyGillmore, Inez Haynes
History
The Story of the Woman's Party
Gillmore, Inez Haynes
National Woman's Party; Paul, Alice, 1885-1977; Women -- Suffrage -- United States
Two days seemed like years. At daybreak—five—I climbed in a Ford and
arrived at the Press Conference at ten. Goolsby was the only one I knew.
He introduced me to the Resolutions Committee. I sat through speeches
and speeches. At noon came a luncheon. The Chairman of the Resolutions
Committee took me to that. Then an auto ride all through the orange
groves—we got out and picked them, talking Suffrage all the while. Only
the Resolutions Committee and I were in the car. The Chairman of the
Committee finally said out of a clear sky to the elderly gentleman at my
left—a strong anti—“I believe we ought to pass a resolution or
something, don’t you, thanking Miss Pollitzer for coming?”—all in joke.
I said: “No, but you ought to pass a resolution urging your own Florida
Senators to stand behind President Wilson. They’re not.” He said, “They
should.” I said, “Well, let’s pass it.” So in the car, speeding along,
thanks to the marvelously smooth roads and my luncheon friend—we wrote
the resolution. The old editor said, “What? Suffrage!” My young one
said, “Yes; Suffrage; standing back of President Wilson.” When we got
back, my old editor said: “Say, let’s make that strong—we’ve got to go
on record unmistakably for Wilson.” He worked—Goolsby worked—of course
the young one worked. I sat and ate oranges. It was all done—in less
than fifteen minutes. The Resolutions Committee reported out a glorious
resolution, calling on Senators Trammell and Fletcher to support the
Susan B. Anthony Amendment, and it passed unanimously. The Resolution
read: “Be it resolved that we stand with President Wilson in his
advocacy of Woman Suffrage, and we urge our Representatives in Congress
to vote for the enfranchisement of women!!!”
The most exciting adventure of my life was “holding up the Florida
legislature” till midnight so Governor Catts could send a resolution in
asking Trammell and Fletcher (Senators) to vote for Suffrage. I saw
Senator Trammell in Washington, and he said he had not decided how he
would vote on the Amendment. That his vote would represent “the
people”—I asked him if in our government a State legislature didn’t
represent “the will of the people.” He said, “Yes, but I don’t intend to
instruct my legislature.” I said: “No, but maybe your legislature will
instruct you.” I came home and told Miss Paul, who said, “Will you go
down to Florida tonight?” and Bertha Arnold and I went. Helen Hunt, a
capable young Jacksonville lawyer, joined us, and the campaign began.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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