FEDERAL AMENDMENT FOR WOMAN SUFFRAGE 63! Amendment but many members were absent and a vote was not deemed advisable. The planks in the Republican and Democratic national platforms demanding woman suffrage by State action de- prived it of political support. The Judiciary Committee of the House, Edwin Y. Webb (N. C), chairman, added to its unpleasant reputation. Resolu- tions for the amendment were introduced in December, 1915, by live members Representatives Mondell, Raker, Taylor, Keating of Colorado and Hayden of Arizona. They were referred to a sub-committee which on Feb. 9, 1916, reported one of them to the main committee "without recommendation." On the I5th it sent the resolution back to the sub-committee to hold until the next December by a vote of 9, all Democrats, to 7, three Democrats and four Republicans. As this was done when many were absent the Congressional Committee undertook to have the Judiciary take up the resolution again when the full committee could be present. It finally agreed to do so on March 14. Twenty of the twenty-one members were present, nine opr>o- ncnts and eleven friends, Hunter H. Moss of West Virginia among the latter coming from a sick bed. A motion was made to reconsider the action of February 15, which Chairman Webb ruled out of order. A debate of an hour and a half followed and to relieve the parliamentary tangle unanimous consent was given to act on the amendment resolution March 28 at 10:30 a.m. Four members of the National Association's Congressional Committee were on hand at that time but the Judiciary went at once into executive session, which barred them out. Instead of nting the amendment resolution for consideration, which lie chairman's duty when there was a special order of busi-
- . lie permitted a motion to postpone all constitutional amend-
u-iits indefinitely! Ten of the members present were pledged to !< for a favorable report but Representative Leonidas C. Dyer if Missouri defaulted and voted with the nine opponents and further action in 1916 was possible. With the whole country now aroii-c| to the importance of the )tes of women in the election idcnt the suffrage leaders iw the opportune time for pushing a measure which they had
