The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-17
Legislature Requires But 3
Hours to Approve Consti-
tutiOnal Amendment.
FOUR HOUSING BILLS ALSO
Immediately Upon Conclusion
of These Matters Body Ad-
journs-Cost Is $4,000.
Special Despatch 10 THE srS.

ALBANY, June 16.-In record time
New York was added tonight to the
list of States that have ratified the
woman suffrage amendment to the
Federal Constitution. Only three hours
of fast work composed the special ses-
sion Of the Legislature called by Gov.
Smith for the purpose Of ratifying the
amendment and adopting legislation
intended to relieve housing conditions
throughout the state. The Governors
programme went through without a
hitch or even a sign Of delay.
There was scarcely any opposition
at all to the ratification proceedings.
The vote In the Assembly was 1877 for
and none against, while in the Senate
forty-four members were recorded for
ratification. One Senator. Henry NJ.
Sage Of Albany. was excused from
voting after he had uttered severe
criticism Of Gov. Smith. whom he ac-
cused Of playing politics in calling the
extra session. He questioned whether
tho Governor had acted through gal
lantry or gratitude"
SO swift was the legislative action that
the Assembly had finished UP its busi-
ness and adjourned by two minutes be-
fore midnight At that hour the suffrage
amendment was being voted upon by the
Senator's, and a few minutes after IL the
final d,ournment wab taken. The hous-
ing legislation. unchanged from the form
in which 1t was submitted by the legisla-
tive leaders after conference and agree
ment with Gov. Smith, had been passed
by both houses before the ratification
vote was taken.
Women a. C0mmftteemen.
Gov Smith sat in the Speakers room
OF the Assembly while his emergency
measures were being acted upon.
Laughter and cheers resounded IN the
Senate when, following legislative Gus
tom. q committee of Assemblymen ap-
peared In the upper house to announce
that the other branch Of the Legisla-
ture was ready TO adjourn. The reason
for the uproar was that the Assembly
committee consisted of Mrs Ida b.
Sammis of Suffolk and Mrs. Mary Lilly
OF New York, the only two women men,
bers OF the Legislature.
During the voting in both the Assem-
bly, and the Senate the galleries were
filled almost entirely by women Many
of them were ardent champions of the
suffrage cause who had spent many
years fighting for tho action which the
Legislature accomplished so swiftly and
<lswk-N t,, ,LaN a.
considered to have been the shortest spe-
cial session OF the Legislature ever held
in this State.
There was no opposition in either
house to the Governors programme for
housing legislation. In fact, the passage
of all of these messages had been agreed
upon before the Governor sent his spe-
cial message to the legislators. How
ever, Speaker Sweet. in the Assembly
had to put his foot down hard to pre-
vent an attempt at a Bolshevik inquiry.
The incident occurred just after the
adoption OF the suffrage amendment. AS
semblyman Solomon asked II Mr.
Stevenson was a member OF the Boil
shevik investigating committee. which
the Legislature appointed and which now
Is at work In New York city.
mot that know Of" replied tho
Speaker.
Then what right had he to take par
in n certain raidr' asked Mr.. Solomon
Down came tho Speakers gavel, and
he warned Mr.. Solomon not TO bring
Bolshevism or anything else not men
toned In ths Governors urgency mes
sage into ;he session.
Building Pledges Now S35.OOO,OOG
Immediately after the Senate haC
approved the housing bills, OF wh!cl
there were four. Senator lockwood o
the Legislative Housing Committee re
| ceived a telegram from the Metropolitan
Life Insurance Company pledglng So
| 00O, 900 for building loans. making a tota
OF $35. 100000 In sucS pledges that al
ready have been received by the com
mitee.
The Assembly adopted disqualification
resolution at 10 :5b p. NJ. by a unanimou
| vote without a roll call and It was son
to the Senate.
Republican Lender Adler, who intro
duced the resolution in the Assembly
said the country should remember ,ha
the Republican party gave women u,
| vote.
! Charles d. Donohoe Of the Bronx
| Democratic leader. said II was not
party matter and that neither par:
should get credit for IT,
! Mrs. Sammis (Republican) said "Thi
| Is an historic occasion. Behind this eve
nings session Is a line OF people stretch
ing backward for sixty years-brav
women who had the vision OF the equal
| ity OF rights between the sexes and brav
men who dared to espouse a despise,
| cause. These people gave all that the,
L