Page:History of Woman Suffrage Volume 5.djvu/677

FEDERAL AMENDMENT FOR WOMAN SUFFRAGE 639 (N. H.), who had died, and it passed the following resolution: "We shall insist upon the consideration of the Federal Suffrage Amendment immediately after the disposition of the pending un- finished business and upon a final vote at the earliest possible mo- ment, provided that this resolution shall not be construed as in any way binding the action or vote of any member of the Senate upon the merits of said suffrage amendment" ! The friends of the measure could have had "immediate con- sideration" at almost any time during the past year. They could have had a vote on May 10 had they considered that time favor- able. Even on June 27 some way might have been found to obtain it had there been a very great desire to have it taken then. This conference resolution called upon the Senate to vote on it and get it out of the way, no matter whether it should be carried or de- feated, and did not even give it the prestige of a favorable en- dorsement. Here, as in the State's rights plank put into the Re- publican national platform in 1916, one could easily see the fine hand of Senator Henry Cabot Lodge of Massachusetts. The way was now wide open for President Wilson to secure for the Democratic party the credit for submitting the amendment, which the suffrage leaders were quick to take advantage of. On September 18 a delegation of Democratic women, members of the National American Suffrage Association, had a conference with him to ask his help, which he willingly promised. A few of the newly elected or appointed Senators held out some hope and Chairman Jones gave notice that he would call up the amendment on September 26, as it was most important to get it through at this session, so as not to have it go back to the House. On August 26 a five days' debate in the Senate began and the report of it in the Congressional Record is a historic document which will take its place with the debates on slavery before the Civil War. It was soon apparent that three of the new Senators, who there was reason to hope would vote in favor Drew of New 1 lampshire, Baird of New Jersey and Benet of South ( 'arolina were among the opponents and there would he two less than a two-thirds majority. Every minute was filled with the efforts to obtain tlu-M- votes and finally an appeal was a^ain made to 1'resi dent Wilson. There was the greatest anxiety until it was learned