The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-08-12
C. 0. P. IS SOLID.
FOR RATIFICATION;
PLAYING POLITICS
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against, In other words a majority Of
the Democrats went against suffrage
and the Republicans went almost solidly
for y. The result was a record the
Republicans have been skitmiShtnC to
make. They are no more for suffrage
than the Demo rats but they are took-
ing TO the political effect and no soon
er had the vote been cast than they
began proving 10 the sNomcn voters
with unerring figures the discrepancy
in the percentage Of votes furnished by
the respective parties. Since Miss
Williams took charge Of the work for
,fHtificattO sentiment has grown iOr the
success Of the suffrage resolution,
Working along with MIR Riddles in the
house and with Senator Ernest HHston,
leader in the senate, Miss Williams has
been able TO drive the cause forward
by driving some of the women back
ward. One Of the first things sGu did
was 20 put the ban on buttonhule can
y4sses. She told the women fr.ukly
thai the members Of the legislature
Were tired Of being held up on the
streets, in hotels and in the capitol and
being pleaded with, and asked Them
for dine to turn the work over u
the friendly members themselves.
T. X. Riddick Speaks.
The vote in the house Wednesday
showed how much progress had been
made in three days under her direction
by turning a hostile body into tIieud-
~ one and stlll the work goes ou TX
cept for the work of the governor,
the house would have made "a record
against suffrage. The resolution pre-
sehted by Bond and others would not
have passed the senate. They did not
expect to make IL actual Their idea
Nlru 10 limo Int NH
OF the Suffragists by adopting a hostile
resolution. The fight started with the
Introduction of the resolution by MI.
Bond and others. Bond was the first
speaker. He had a good word TO say
for the constitution al Tennessee. He
declared that the provision requiring
legislators TO vote on amendments sub
mitted before their election was in
tended TO give the people an opportu
nifty 10 express their sentiment. He
cited the ratification of the Fourteenth
amendment in 1866 as the direct cause
OF the adoption of the provision in the
constitution Of 1870 He said that the
people stu think well OF the Consti-
tuition, notwithstanding II is old, be-
cause twice during the past five years
they have refused to call a cpnstitu-
tional convention. He made a splendid
argument. The motion to table, made
by Miller. OF Hamilton, cut off debate,
and then Miller wanted 10 speak, Fin
ally he was made to understand what
was in the way and on advice OF Speak
er Walker, who explained TO him that
IL he wanted 10 speak he must first
withdraw his motion TO table, did so
and spoke at length, Mr., Riddick de-
clared that in substance and effect
the result of favorable action on the
resolution would be to impugn the wis
dom OF the supreme court of the United
States. Hall, of Dixon county, contnu-
ed to make points Of order against
Mr. Rlddick in order to hold him TO n
consideration OF pending amendment
10 the resolution, but Mr.. Riddick said
he knew nothing Of parliamentary pro-
cedure, had not looked into a book nf
rules since he left college, which he
admitted was many years ago, but he
said he knew what was fair and what
was unfair and what was right and
whn, was wrong. He said he wanted
TO see the house do the fair thing and
the right thing, and made strong APP
peal for reflections.
Odle Has Change of Heart.
Speaker Walker did what he said he
would do. He went on the floor OF the
house and made n strong appeal to the
members TO support Bonds resolution.
He said he wanted to see the members
Of the legislature uphold the provision
OF the constitution that was put there
as a robuke to those who wrote pro-
vision In the organic law in 1866, say
ing that men, like Skidmore and Old
ham, Confederate veterans, should new
err hold office in Tennessee.
Inf the lall that followed Representa-
tive ode. OF Camden county, showed
symptoms of wanting to make speech.
He spoke for the Bond resolution for
awhile and then he spoke against II Tor
awhile: he spoke for woman suffrage
awhile, and he spoke against 1t for
awhile. He seemed TO be laboring under
q pressure of some sort.
He said sinister influences were at
work against suffrage and then the
representa- tive from Overton asked II
he didn't draw the resolution and sign
IL and confer with the authorities until
late Tuesday night. Thereupon repre-
sentative ode explained that since he
wrote signed and became the joint in
dorser Of the resolution, he had had a
change of conscience. Ha said he had
read again the Democratic state plat
form and his views concerning the le-
Eality OF the question had undergone
= complete change He said in effect
that no one could study the state plat
form and ever again doubt the legal
right under the constitution to ratify
suffrage amendment. But the thing
that caused MIR. ode to weaken, aC-
cording to those with whom he con-
ferred In opposition to the amendment
WAS that GOV. Roberts was on the
thing The governor was there TO see
how his appointees voted and behaved
themselves generally, He wanted a
close up view. He looked Odle in the
face and Odle wilted, Ode holds some
kind Of a job as an appontee OF the
governor.
The governor is vitaiiy concerned
with the ratification Of the suffrage
amendment. Stories are being told
about his being lukewarm and how he
regards the question az two edged
sword, But the governor Is not trim
ming. He declares that the Legislature
might as well defect him as to de
feat the suffrage amendment He be
I, lleves his fate 10 linked with that Of
suffrage, Not all the pressure that
3 can be brought TO bear has been felt
vet on the suffrage question. Mr. Rid
dick has a few cards up his sleeve.
He has intmation OF opposition from
outside sources which. II exposed. viii
further confound the opposition.
More Messages Come.