Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-05-06
SUFFRAG|STS HAND
POSER TO CLEMENT
He Is Asked If He Will Call
Special Session If Assured
Legislature will Submit Rati-
ficati0n to People

Latest developments In connection with
the movement in favor Of special SEES
sion of the Legislature for the ratIfica-
ton Of the federal amendment providing
for woman suffrage seem TO have reach
ed a point where II will be a difficult
matter for Governor Clement to avoid
action in that direction.
Mrs. Lillian II. Olzendam. chairman of
ratification for Vermont, recently sent
Governor Clement document bearing the
national suffrage amendment at the head
signed by majority of the members of
both branches Of the Legislature saying
that they desired an opportunity to vote
on the amendment in question.
In the meantime. she received let
ter from Governor Clement declining TO
call a special session on the ground that
he had no assurance the present Legisla-
ture would submit the question to the
people. Last evening she sent message
to Governor Clement, asking him If he
would call special session, provided the
suffragists submitted statement signed
by senators and representatives that they
will vote to have referendum on the
matter OF ratification.
The correspondence In full is as fol-
lows:
GOVERNOR CLEMENTS LETTER
State of Vermont, Executive Department,
Montpelier
April 26. 1920
Mrs. Lillian II. Olzendam.
Chairman Committee on Ratification,
Vermont Equal Suffrage Association.
Burlington. VT.
My dear Mrs Olzendam:
I wish to commend the manner in
which the arrangements were planned
and executed with reference to the dele
cations which appeared at the State
House Wednesday. April q, TO express
their reasons for requesting the calling
of the Vermont Legislature in special
session to consider the ratification of the
10th amendment to the federal constitu-
ton.
Our State constitution Is based upon
the fact that all power and authority
emanate from the sovereign people. The
Legislature has no other right for it's
| existence and has no authority except
that bestowed upon it by the constitu-
ton. The federal constitution provides
that the State Legislatures shall be the
| organizations which shall approve or re-
1ect for the States, amendments proposed
to the federal constitution. Our State
constitution also provides that the Legis-
lature of Vermont Is the organization
authorized to make amendments to the
state constitution. but requires that such
action shall be exercised only within GER
| tain limitations. both in regard to time
and mode of approval; and the federal
constitution IL not in conflict with our
State constitution in this particular.
believe that our legislators in tho
mast have on occasion violated their
| oaths of office bv ratifyinp amendments
to the Federal Constitution without a
referendum 10 the people. II il true tina
they acted within the strict letter of their
authority under the Federal Constitu
ton. but in effect they altered and in
frnged the Constitution of Veromnt in
contrayention of it's express terms. there
| by voting away rights of Vermonters
which have been held sacred for more
than ono hundred and twenty five wears
/ resent that action and believe a feel
ing of resentment is general in Vermont