Milford chronicle., 1919-06-13
3 STATES RATTFY
WOMAN SUFFRAGE
LEGISLATURES OF ILLINOIS, WISCONSIN
AND MICHIGAN VOTE FOR C0NSTI-
TUTI0NAL AMENDMENT.
GOVERNOR TOWNSEND HAS
BEEN ASKED TO CALL A SPECIAL SEES
SION OF The DELAWARE LEGISLA-
TURE AT AN EARLY DATE.

The Senate followed the action of the
House of Representatives last week
and passed the Woman Suffrage
Amendment to the Constitution of the
United States by large majorities, and
ii now goes to the various State legis-
iatures for ratification.
Three States have already ratified
the amendment by legislative action,
the legislatures of Illinois, Wisconsin
and Michigan adopting it by almost
unanimous votes of these bodies.
New York Calls Special Session
The Legislature of New York has
been called into extra session for next
Monday to act upon this measure by
Governor Smith, and as the State of
New York already has given the wo-
men the franchise by legislative laws
it is a certainty that the amendment
will be approved. In his proclamation
Governor Smith SAYS
1T is important that action should
be taken upon this measure before the
next regular session of the legislature
for several reasons.
New York should be in the forefront
in the advocacy and adoption of all
measures of a beneficial, progressive
character, in the support of which it
has too often Jagged.
But, furthermore, if this privilege
is to be extended to women in such
form as to entitle them to full partici-
patton in the next ensuing Presidential
election, early action is necessary.
1t would not be sufficient to per-
nit them only to choose between can
didates selected and principles approv-
ed by others, but they should be en-
franchised at a date so early that they
may take part in the primaries, which
VIII De held next spring to select del
egates to the national party conven-
ions, and thus be cO-wOrkers from the
very start in the selection of candf-
dates and the declaration of party
In order to secure this early ac-
ton by at least thirty-six of the States.
It Will be necessary to call special
sessions of the legislatures of many
1t them, where regular sessions will
not under their constitutions be con-
gened until 1921.
L know of no greater stimulus IN
prompt and energetic action through
)ut the nation than would follow the
immediate and decisive approval of the
amendment by this, the most
)opulous of the Commonwealths.
If it receives the approval of New
York at an early date, 1 believe her
good example would be far-reaching
md forceful and be followed bv a
number of her sister States
It a'date so near that full association
n the steps leading up to selection
Il our next President would be enioyed
" the newly enfranchised voters"
The women of Delaware will ask
Governor Townsend to call an extra
ession of the legislature to ratifv the
Amendment-if it is believed to be
ossible to have the legislators favor
bly, inclined. Otherwise it would he
waste of time and money.
Illinois First to Ratify
Illinois was the first State to ratifv
lie woman suffrage Constitutional
mendment. The General Assembly
pproyed the measure. The vote in
lie Senate was unanimous, while in
ie House the vote was 1872 to 3.
Wisconsin Second in Line
The Wisconsin legislature on Tues
" ratified the Amendment bv almost
luminous vote.
Michigan ratified by a unanimous
tie.