The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1919-07-11
JEFFERSON CITY LETTER
(By Means Ray.)

The extra session of the Legisla
ture called by Governor Gardner fol-
:: the purpose of ratifying the Susar
b. Anthony amendment to the Fed.
eral constitution extending suffrage tc
women, adopted the amendment with
out delay.
There were total of only seven
votes in both the Senate and House
against the resolution.
Predictions that some might oppose
the resolution were without the least
foundation for no sooner was the
question brought up in either branch
than was it adopted. The House re-
CURED Is minutes and the Senate four.
One OF the great surprises of the
extra session was the continued fight
against the League of Nations head
ed by Speaker Sam O'Fallon, of Holt
county and Representative Hackett, of
Pettis county, both Republicans.
Their opposition came at a dinner
given by the suffrage leaders and de-
Veloped when movement was start
ed TO send a message endorsing the
plan of League of Nations to Pres
ldent Wilson and asking that he speak
In Missouri on his return to this coun-
try. r.
During the regular session of the
Legislature the Republicans spent
much time fighting the League of Ma
tions.
Democratic leaders here state that
for the Republicans to try and longer
claim that the eLague of Nations is
not party issue, when they are op-
posing it as party issue, is useless
and the belief is stated that the next
campaign will be made on such an is
sue.
The Democrats insist that Republi-
cans should offer some plan of world
peace, If they can't get behind the
League covenant, or stop fighting what
is offered.
Senator Seldom P. Spencer is coming
in for his share of criticism among the
Republican members of the general
assembly. They claim that it is hard
to tell where he stands on any of the
great questions confronting the people |
of the nation. Another complaint
against Senator Spencer is because of |
the appointment of a negro on the |
clerical force of the United States
Senate. This complaint does not |
come alone from party members here
but is being voiced by other clerks in
the Senate who are of that party.
Rumors are going the rounds that
lire insurance companies who asked
an increase of 10 per cent which
meant the collection of an additional
81 100000 taking an appeal to the su-
preme court of the United States. At
torney General McAllister and Super
lntendent A. L. Harry of the Insurance
Department say they will fight the
increase to the bitter end. The Mis-
souri, Supreme Court held the increase
could not be made.
On resolution passed by the Sem ,
lite and House guaranteeing that res
,oration of capital punishment would
De considered and acted upon without
additional time of the ex-
ra session Governor Gardner sent a !
special message including this in the :.
all. House members numbering "a
pledged themselves to remain for the | 3
estoration of the death penalty in the !
State. The Senate did likewise and
here are to be legal executions in the
state again for the following crimes:
first degree murder, rape, train rob-
'ery, kidnapping, treason, and su-
orning testimony in capital cases.
Members of the suffrage organiza-
ion and other women here passed
trong resolutions endorsing Govern
r Gardner in his action calling an ex-
ra session for the ratification of the
uffrage amendment. Praise of the
Governor for this is not confined to
he women but is heard on all sides.
n his address to the women, Govern
r Gardner said in part:
"The world is at the feet of the wo-
len at the present time," he said, "if
he will do three things-frst, she
lust make herself beautiful in char
cter, heart and soul; Second, she
lust be educated to converse and vote
ltelligently; Third, she must be a
ousekeeper and homemaker and
ood mother to her children, the flu
ire citizens of the world. called the
,ecial session because it was right
I'd Just and merited,"