what does "suffering" mean in the following? Does it mean eager?

Question

Will the new candidate for Governor deign to explain to certain of his fellow-citizens (who are suffering to vote for him!) the little circumstance of his cabin-mates in Montana losing small valuables from time to time, until at last, these things having been invariably found on Mr. Twain's person or in his "trunk" (newspaper he rolled his traps in), they felt compelled to give him a friendly admonition for his own good, and so tarred and feathered him and rode him on a rail, and then advised him to leave a permanent vacuum in the place he usually occupied in the camp. Will he do this?

Bilbo · Accepted Answer

Struggling (with their consciences).
 They want to vote for him but he seems to be a crook.

Ms. Worth · Answer

It means "permitted, allowed."

Other uses of the word "suffer" to mean "permit"
But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 19:14) 
(allow the children to come to me and don't forbid them)
This phrase is frequently misquoted to mean that the little children are suffering.

It is the same word as in "Women's Suffrage," which meant "giving women the right to vote; permission to vote."

LC Instructor · Answer

The archaic meaning of suffer is "to permit."  It's awkward in this sentence because we don't use it this way today.

? · Answer

In a way. They want to vote for him, but they are unsure because of his petty thefts which he won't explain.

what does "suffering" mean in the following? Does it mean eager?

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