not at
liberty to urge upon Congress in messages policies which have not
had the organic consideration of those for whom I am spokesman.
In other words I have not yet presented to any Legislature my
private views on any subject and I never shall, because I
conceive it to be part of the whole process of government that I
shall be spokesman for somebody, not for myself. To speak for
myself would be an impertinence. When I speak for myself I am an
individual; when I am spokesman of an organic body, I am a
representative. For that reason, you see, I am by my own
principles shut out, in the language of the street, from
"starting anything." I have to confine myself to those things
which have been embodied as promises to the people at an
election. That is the strict rule I set for myself.

I want to say that with regard to all other matters I am not only
glad to be consulted by my colleagues in the two Houses but I
hope they will often pay me the compliment of consulting me when
they want to know my opinion on any subject. One member of the
Rules Committee did come to me and ask me what I thought about
this suggestion of yours of appointing a Special Committee for
the consideration of woman suffrage and I told him that I thought
it was a proper thing to do. So that, so far as my personal
advice has been asked by a single member of the committee it has
been given to that effect. I wanted to tell you this to show that
I am strictly living up to my principles. When my private opinion
is asked by those who are cooperating with me, I am most glad to
give it, but I am not at liberty until I speak for somebody
besides myself to urge legislation upon the Congress.

The following conversation then took place: "May I ask you a
question?" said Dr. Shaw. "Since we are not members of any political
party, who is going to speak for us--there is no one to speak for
us----" "I realize that," interjected the President, "----unless we
speak for ourselves?" "And you do that very admirably," rejoined Mr.
Wilson. A general laugh broke up the somewhat solemn occasion and as
the delegates went away Dr. Shaw said exultingly: "He is in favor of a
House Woman Suffrage Committee and that was our chief object in coming
to see him."

An interesting evening's program had been prepared under the auspices
of the National