ator William J. Stone of Missouri, chairman of the
Resolutions Committee, brought forward the platform but confessed that
he was too tired to read it, so Senators Hollis and Walsh took turns
at it and when the suffrage plank was reached it was greeted with
applause and cheers. Senator Stone moved the adoption of the platform
and Governor Ferguson was given thirty minutes to present the minority
report, which finally was signed by himself, Nugent, Bartlett and
Fleming. The resolution was supported by the chairman. The young
Nevada Senator, Key Pittman, handled the signers of the minority
report without gloves, showed up their unsavory records and stirred
the convention to a frenzy. Yells and catcalls on the floor were met
with the cheers of the women who filled the gallery and waved their
banners and yellow parasols. Again and again he was forced to stop
until Senator John Sharp Williams took the gavel and restored a
semblance of order. Senator Walsh of Montana made a powerful speech
from the standpoint of political expediency and pointed out that the
minority report was signed by only four of the fifty members of the
Resolutions Committee. Attempts were made to howl him down and in the
midst of the turmoil a terrific storm broke and flashes of lightning
and roars of thunder added to the excitement. At last the vote was
taken on the minority report and stood 888 noes, 181 ayes. That ended
the opposition.

Senator Stone had said to the delegates: "I may say that President
Wilson knows of this plank and deems it imperative to his success in
November that it be inserted in the platform." The plank, which was
adopted by a viva voce vote read as follows: "We favor the extension
of the franchise to the women of this country, State by State, on the
same terms as to the men." It transpired afterwards that President
Wilson had written it.

As soon as the convention adjourned Mrs. Catt, president of the
National Suffrage Association, who with the board of officers was
present, sent the following telegram to President Wilson: "Inasmuch as
Governor Ferguson of Texas and Senator Walsh of Montana made
diametrically opposite statements in the Democratic convention today
with regard to your attitude toward the suffrage plank adopted, we
apply to you directly to state your position on the plank and give
your precise interpretation of its meaning." To this message the
President replied on June 22: "I am very glad to make my position
ab