Taft To Avoid Suffrage.

New York Times 100 years ago today, August 19, 1912:
Not to Take Up Women's Cause as a Counter Move to Bull Moose.
Special to The New York Times.
    WASHINGTON, Aug. 18.— Contrary to expectations in certain quarters, neither President Taft personally nor, any important number of his followers will take up woman suffrage, as a counter move to Col. Roosevelt's campaign in that direction. A week or two ago the regular Republican Gubernatorial nominee in Ohio expressed sympathy with the woman's movement, and the impression at once spread that, while no National issue would be made by the Taft sympathizers, in States where the question is at issue the party would indorse woman suffrage, and so gain feminine good-will for the National ticket
    Gov. Wilson's expressions on the subject yesterday have no effect on the Taft managers. The Governor was most friendly in what he said of the feminist movement, and Mrs. Harriman afterward expressed the opinion that the Governor. who is now studying the question, might come out for it openly after the election.
    The opinion here is that in years past States have remained Republican or Democratic regardless of woman suffrage and that the granting of this suffrage in particular States did not change the political complexion in these States one whit. As the men had voted before, so the women voted afterward. It is thought that will be the case in November. In suffrage States the vote, it is anticipated, will be multiplied by two, but the ratio between Taftites, Bull Moosers, and Democrats will not be shifted by the addition of the women's vote.
    In some large cities in States like California, where there is an independent vote, It is thought Col. Roosevelt will undoubtedly gain strength by his declaration. That State, however, is conceded to the Colonel, so that it does not make much difference.
    It will probably be a long time. before the Democracy, takes up the suffrage. In the Southern States there is positive hostility to the movement, and this hostility is sharpest among women. Men think of the subject there, if at all, merely as an academic one of remote interest. The women seem to take it as an attack upon their assured position.