“Yes,” the President interrupted, “but by a very different process, for by that process it would be forced upon the minority; they would have to accept it.” “They could reject it if they wished to,” said Mrs. Dorr. “Three-fourths of the States would have to pass it.” “Yes,” the President said, with distinct annoyance, “but the other fourth could not reject it.” “Mr. President,” said Mrs. Dorr, “don’t you think that when the Constitution was framed it was agreed that when three-fourths of the States wanted a reform, the other fourth should accept it also?” The President was plainly disconcerted. He stepped back. “I cannot say,” he replied frigidly, “what was agreed upon. I can only say that I have tried to answer your question, and I do not think it is quite proper that I submit myself to cross-examination.” “Very well,” Mrs. Dorr said quietly. “We will not cross-examine you further.” “Thank you, Mr. President,” said Mrs. Wiley, “for your courtesy in receiving us.” The President bowed. “I am very much obliged to you,” he said. “It has been a very pleasant occasion.” In the _Suffragist_ Lucy Burns said editorially: The President has told a deputation of club women that they must win political freedom from State Legislatures; but not from him, not from Congress. This position is obvious pretense. The national government has the power, granted it by the constitution, to enfranchise women. It has, therefore, the duty of doing so, if women’s claim to enfranchisement is just. The President knows as well as we do the enormous difficulty of winning the vote by amending the Constitution of thirty-nine different States. It is amazing that a man can be found who will calmly direct women to take up this great burden when men are responsible for their need. Men alone, in all but ten States, have the power to change our laws. The good or evil of these laws is their praise or blame. It is a public injustice today that men deny to women in the ballot a means of self-protection which they are glad to possess themselves. Men are ethically on the defensive—particularly the men, or group of men, who from time to time monopolize political power. For the President of the United States, who incorporates in himself the power of the whole nation, and who is, therefore, more responsible than any other person today for the subjugation of women, to declare that he washes his hands of their whole case, is to presume upon greater ignorance among women than he will find they possess. Nevertheless, we are specifically informed by the President that it is “not proper” for us to “cross-examine” him on the grounds of his refusal to help us. Only fitfully do women realize the astounding arrogance of their rulers. And later: