Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-07-30

Barton, Green, Harding, Kenagy,
Miller, Jacobson and John Larsen
of Douglas county. Representative
Hunt, another absentee, has died
since the last session. Larsen re-
Gently was appointed factory inspec-
tor to the state labor commissioner.
Representative Brosdsaw had moved
out of the district.
Governor Addresses Body.
Governor McKelvie addressed the
joint session at 2:30 o'clock. Urg-
ing a speedy vote on the suffrage
amendment, the chief executive said ::
Gentlemen OF the Legislature in
Extraordinary Session Assembled !:
you are here in response to the
call which it was my pleasure to is
sue for an extraordinary session
of the Legislature, to be assembled
upon this date. l included in that
call only the subject of ratfying an
amendment to the federal constitu-
ton which extends the right of suf-
frage to women, and the appropria-
ton of the necessary funds to defray
the expenses OF this extraordinary
session.
II included no other subjects in
the call for the reason that l know
you are very busy. and l desire to
leave you free to act upon these sub
jects most expeditiously. 1t is for
you to decide whether you desire to
act upon the amendment to the fed
eral constitution in the shortest pos
sible time, and leave it to the next
regular session of the legislature to
appropriate the expenses of this ses-
sion, or you may take the customary
three days in each house in which
to act.
Two Questions Involved.
I'm calling this extraordinary ses-
sion, two questions were involved;
first, ratification of the federal equal
suffrage amendment at the earliest
possible date, and, second, timing
the session so that members of the
present delegation may serve with
out prejudicing their opportunity to
become members of the constitu-
tlonal convention.
Il cannot but feel that you are
in hearty accord with the idea that
Nebraska should be among the first
states to join in the enfranchisemen
of the women of the nation
Furthermore, it is altogether prob
able that enough other states will
have approved the federal amend
ment to give the women the right
to vote before the next general cleo
ton, and from the opinions cleaned
from members, take it that there
is no more convenient time for Ne
braska to hold a special session than
now.
In calling the session now, the
members of the present body will be
given an opportunity to register
their votes upon this question.
Whereas, if the cali were delayed,
those who become members of the
constitutional convention could not
serve as members of the legislature,
and that would deprive them of the
opportunity to vote upon this ques-
ton, to say nothing of the equally
important fact that it would necessi-
tate the calling of great many spe-
cial elections in the state to fill the
vacancies thus created.
Hopes for Unanimous Vote.
II shall not enter upon a further
discussion of this very important
subject. For me to do so would sim
ply mean that | had unnecessarily
imposed upon your time. l know
that you are very favorably disposed
toward this question, and | shall be
disappointed if the vote is not unani-
nous.
"The first opportunity that was
given ME to register an expression
upon the question of equal suffrage
was in these halls in the year 1911
as member of the house of repre-
sentatives. My vote at that time
was in the affirmative, and it has
been so ever since. Not only have
| always felt that the judgment, the
wisdom and the sincerity of pur.
pose of women as voters could be
thoroughly depended upon, but l
have always felt just as keenly that
it is a right that should have long
since been granted them.
Il deem it rare honor to be
privileged to serve the state at
time when the vote is to be given
to the women of our nation, and I
congratulate you upon the oppor-
ity that is afforded you now to
write your names high in the his
tory of our nation through the vote
you will cast upon this question"
Il