NAWSA           Gen. Corresp.          Hollis, Henry F.

UNITED STATES LIQUIDATION COMMISSION 
WAR DEPARTMENT 
PARIS 
103 Avenue Des Champs Elysees 
Elysee Palace Hotel 

Edwin B. Parker, Chairman 
Brig. Gen. Chas. G. Dawes 
Homer H. Johnson                               13 June, 1919 
Henry F. Hollis   

Mrs. Maude Woods Park, 
National Woman's Suffrage Association, 
Rhode Island Avenue, N. W., 
Washington, D. C.

Dear Mrs. Park : - 

The spirit moves me to write you a note of congratulation 
on the passage of the woman's suffrage amendment. I was 
particularly interested to see that the margin was exactly as you 
figured it when I saw you last in February. Mrs. Funk wrote me 
that Senator Moses was going to vote for suffrage, and I shall be 
interested to know whether he really did. The vote indicates that 
he did not, but perhaps some one else disappointed you. 

The United States Senate has certainly upheld its tradition 
of being ultra-conservative. It stood to its guns in a truly 
remarkable fashion. It is a great pity its attitude was not more 
commendable. I expect to see the various States rush the amendment 
through. Gov. Smith of New York has certainly done his duty by 
calling a special session of the New York Legislature for that 
express purpose. I am quite sure that other governors will follow 
his custom, and that the amendment will be ratified by a sufficient 
number of States not later than next February. That will give 
Congress a chance to pass the necessary laws and the States to 
provide the machinery so that all women in the United States will vote 
in the campaign of 1920. 

The narrow margin of two votes gives you a right to feel that 
you personally are a tremendous factor in the final result. If the 
margin had been large, no one person could have claimed much credit. 
But those two votes certainly represent the results of your 
individual efforts. 

I have said many times to your associates that you have handled 
the suffrage campaign in Washington with most remarkable tact, 
intelligence and perseverence. I do not recall a single mistake that 
you have made, and numerous instances come to my mind where you 
secured the vote of a doubtful Senator and clinch the allegiance of   
a wavering one. 

Moreover, you were always so considerate and deferential that 
no one could take the least umbrage at your persistence. It was 
always a great pleasure to confer with you and follow your suggestions, 
and you enlisted the cordial support and sympathy of my office force. 
Mrs. Clapp is here in Paris with me now, and I am dictating your 
letter to her, If she writes this part of it, you will know that she 
sends her cordial regards. If she omits it, you will never be the 
wiser.

Henry F. Hollis - page 2. Paris, June 13, 1919.      
  
Remember me most cordially to your associates in the 
suffrage work, particularly Dr. Shaw and Mrs. Catt, who have 
stood up in bold relief in this campaign which has been 
finally successful. 

My work here is interesting and brings me in touch with 
many interesting and intelligent people of various races. A 
large part of my work has been to sell relief supplies to the 
so-called liberated nations. It is impossible to state now when the 
work will be finished. Meanwhile I shall watch with the greatest 
interest the progress of ratification in the United States. If I 
were in your place, I should not assume much responsibility or 
undertake much hard work so far as ratification is concerned. It 
will follow speedily and inevitably. 

Sincerely yours,    
(signed) HENRY F. HOLLIS

H/C  

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