The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-06-06
Governor ASKS
SPECIAL SESSION
OF LEGISLATURE
Tentative Call Issued TO Ratify
Suff Amendment.
SolOns Asked To Come Here
for a One-Day Session.
JUNE 16 IS The DATE SET
Members Asked To Come for
Actual Expenses.
Cost VIII Be Between $4,000
and $4,000.
SolOns Asked To Come Here
for a One-Day Session.
JUNE 16 IS THE DATE ser
Cost VIII Be Between $4,000
and $4,000.

Gov. Henry ]. Allen today issued =
tentative call for special session Of
the state legislature to be held in To-
peka Monday, June 16. to ratify ma
ti.nal suffrage. If two-thirds of the
members of both houses are willing
to come to Topeka for their actual ex-
penses, a formal call will be issued
early next week.
In a letter addressed to 125 MEM
bers of the house and forty state sem
ators, the governor asks for a one-day
session. He would limit the work OF
the session to the formal ratification
of the national suffrage amendment
This action is necessary, the governor
states. in order that the women OF
America may vote for a president in
1920. He asks the Kansas legislators
to meet in special session that they
may extend to women of sister states
the privilege which was given TO the
women of this state in 1912.
Early reports this afternoon indi-
Gated that the special session would
be called. There is little doubt in
the minds of administration leaders
that sufficient number of the law
makers will approve Governor Aliens
action to insure the issuance of a
formal call
Stuff Leaders Urge 1t.
Action was taken by the Kansas
governor today following a conference
with several suffrage leaders of this
state. He also counseled with H. II.
Motter, Republican state chairman.
and several members of the state ex-
ecutfve council Several legislators
now holding state positions are said
| to have endorsed the special session
plan. They include Senator Walter E.
Wilson. state bank commissioner;
REPRESENTATIVES Winfield Freeman,
Wyandotte county. assistant attorney
general; r. L. Barrier Greenwood
county newly appointed member of
the state board of administration, and
Frank McIvor, Sheridan county, as
sistant state fire marshal
Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait and 9TH
er national leaders in the suffrage
/ tight wired Governor Allen asking for
| a special session of the Kansas iegis-
lature. They are directing a fight for
| ratification Immediately by the neces-
sary thirty-six states that the women
| of the nation may have a vote in the
national election in November. 1920.
1t is necessary. Governor Allen de-
\ clares, that Kansas take action If the
ballot is to be given women next year
While Governor Allen asks that the
purpose of the legislature be limited
to ratification of the suffrage amend :
ment. the legislature is it's own Judge
as to business to be transacted. 1t has
the power to adjourn at any time IL
! desires. or it may stay in Topeka as
long as 1t desires. 1t may also consid-
I er such measures as it regards of i'm
portance.
number of the legislators. how
ever. believe that the session would
merely ratify suffrage and go home.
In this manner the session would be
concluded in one or two days
Cost More Than $4,000.
Expense Of the session under Gov
ernor Aliens plan might be limited to
$4,000 or $4,000 for one day. The
mileage and per diem expense for a
103.50. 1t is the governors belief. tho,
that the members will come to Topeka
for actual expenses.
Il think we ought to have the spe-
cial session and am willing to serve
without pay" said Frank McIvor of
Sheridan county.
Kansas has been a leader in the
suffrage movement" said Representa-
tive Z. L. Barrier of Greenwood
county, land think we ought to have
a special session to ratify the national
amendment. 1 believe the legislature
would limit its work to the purpose
set forth in the call"
In his letter the governor urged that
a session be held and disposed of with
out interfering with work in the
wheat harvest 1t is the belief OF adj
ministration leaders that the demands
of the harvest fields would at this
and would block introduction OF USE
less bills
Not since 1908 has Kansas had .
special session of the legislature.
That year the legislature was called
to Topeka by Governor Z. w. Hoch
to enact the statewide primary law.
Governor w. r. Stubbs considered q
special session to provide money for
a fight on diseases among horses in
, western Kansas. Governor George II.
, Hodges considered a call for rebuild
ing the state penitentiary folIowins z
the fire of 1913. Governor Arthur
Capper was asked to call a special ses-
sion for the ratification of national
| prohibition. Now Governor Allen will
) probably take the bit in his mouth and
/ call a special session for the ratifica-
tion of suffrage.
Governors Letter.
The letter which Governor Allen
: sent to members of the legislature fol-
, lows:
More than a half century Of effort and
, discussion has resulted In the congress OF
the United States recognizing the political
equality Of women by submitting an
2 amendment to the constitution extending
full political suffrage to them. TO bs
" rDoor