Evening journal., 1920-02-07
ON
SUFFRAGEURGED
contInned ION Flrst pnse

Continued from First Page.
eral Assembly acts. on the ground that
the question was not an issue when the
present members Of the Legislature
were elected. lie opposes a special ses-
sion OF the Legislature to act on the
question. Senator Gormley's letter
follows:
Wilmington. Delaware,
february 9TH, 1920
Henry r. Issacs, Chairman.
Democratic State Central Committee,
$40 Ford Bids,
City.
My dear Sir;-I am in receipt OF
yours OF the 2nd inst. with inclOsure
OF a copy OF a resolution adopted by
the Democratic State Committee at a
meeting held recently at Dover urging
the Democratic members Of the Legs-
lature 10 vote for the ratification Of
the amendment to the Federal Consti-
tuition granting suffrage. to women. in
The event OF the Governor calling a spe-
cial SESSION Of the Legislature for that
purpose.
Replying TO your communication
permit me TO say that as member OF
the present Legislature and as a Demo-
crat, ! am very sorry, indeed, that !
cannot for various reasons, see my
way clear 10 grant the request Of the
committee.
"NIay ask why such great haste
In the ratification OF the proposed
Amendment? Does any sane man, or
woman either, believe that II women
are not permitted TO vote at the next
election that the country will suffer
any serious inconvenience thereby?
why not have a Statewide refer
endum on this question? As Demo-
Gratis, we should be at all times ready
and willing 10 trust the people. and
we should be unwilling 20 allow a
question Of such great importance to
be decided without first giving to the
people an opportunity 90 express them
selves on the question at issue. And
further, we should not attempt TO
stampede the members OF the Legis-
lature into adopting the women suf-
frage amendment. in view Of the fact
that in the elections held I'm 1916 and
1918, when the members OF the present
Legislature were elected, the question
Of votes for women had not been sub
mllted % the States by Congress. and
was not an issue before the voters OF
this State at that time.
ION, but you say that it Is bound TO
come. and why not get on the band
wagon? I believe in these days, that
Is called expediency, but / submit that
we should not for eXpediency's sake
inflict suffrage upon the women OF this
State. the majority OF whom, / am con-
WINGED. are opposed TO it.
I'VE are al the present time eating
an apple out OF that same barrel, the
proh. b ton amendment adopted and
made a part OF our fundamental law
during the period OF the war, and there
/ Is grave doubt in the minds of many as
TO whether that law meets the approv-
al Of a majority Of the people in this
country.
MANY Democrats with whom ! have
talked wonder whether your committee
decided 10 ignore altogether the doc
trlne Of States rights. Surely, as Dem-
ocrats. we have always been taught TO
believe that 70 was the right OF state
| 10 determine for itself by the vote Of
IFS own people who shall vote at its
own State, county and municipal cleo
tions. irrespective Of what may be the
law in some other State which may be
thousand miles distant. and where
conditions are entirely different When
we surrender to any outside power the
right 10 say who shall vote at our
elections, we surrender the right TO de-
termine who shall govern the state. and
without the right OF local sef-govern-
ment. we cease to be a State, and be-
come a mere province or possession.
Moreover. the granting Of suffrage
to women must lead 10 a lack Of re-
spect for the marriage ties, the in
crease Of divorce. and the gradual
breaking up Of the home. The entrance
Of woman into politics VIII withdraw
/ her from those obligations which prop
erly belong TO her sex and fill her with
ambition 10 surp positions for which
neither God nor nature ever intended
/ her.
"In closing, IL Is my earnest wish
that the Governor will not call the Leg
islsiure in special session for the above
mentioned purpose. so that the question