The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-08-13

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. Aug l5-The
Tennessee senate today ratified the
woman suffrage amendment. The vote
was, yes 25, no four.
. The North Carolina senate voted ratf-
flcation only a short time before the
vote was taken In the upper house of
the Tennessee legislature.
the lower house Of the Tennessee leg
lslature viii not vote on the amend
ment before Monday, the COMMITTEES
having decided not TO report on the
resolution until then
Not an inch OF available space in the
galleries or on the floor was unoc-
cupied. Suffrage workers and OPP.
ponents scrambled and jostled one au-
other as they tried to force their way
into the hall already packed an hour
before the session was called to order.
Prosuffrage members Of the body had
arranged for the seating of prom-
nent suffrage worker with them at each
desk.
Senator Haston. floor leader Of the
suffragfsts. moved immediate adoption
OF the resolution
A point OF order that the legislature
had no authority TO act under the Ten
nessee constitution was promptly made
| by the opposition and was oVerruled
by the speaker, An appeal to the house
on a motion TO sustain the speaker was
| carried "a to 5.
A motion to table a minority report
| urging no action on the resolution and
| offered as substitute for the favor
able majority report which recommend
cd adoption. was carried, % TO 10. It
was the first definite indication OF the
strength of the opposing forces. Sew
enteen votes are necessary for rattff-
| cation by the senate.
On all sides today was discussed the
probable effect upon the Republican
members Of letter from Senator Hard
1 zoe n Ira
read At the committee hearing by Judge
l q. N. Tillman, in which the senator
declared that members OF the general
assembly. can not ignore the state COM
| stitution."
Senator Harding's letter was in reply
to communication from Judge TiiI-
man, Republican and former Republi-
can nominee for governor Of Tennea-
see. who explained in detail the con-
tention of those declaring that the con-
stitutlon prohibited action by the legis-
lature. Judge Tillman is one OF the
leaders Of those opposing ratification on
this ground. Senator Harding was
asked II he had been quoted c0rteetly
methhsrs OF the Legislature would vote
J Tor ratification, only II they should Zee
they could rightly do so.
II had heard something about Thu
constitutional inhibition against youl
legislature acting upon the fedora
l did not know Of the explicit provision
to which you make reference. ] quite
agree with you that members OF the
general assembly can not ignore the
state constitution.
II did say and I stu believe II would
be a fortunate thing for Republicans
to play their full part in bringing about
ratification. | should be very unfatr
to you and should very much Tnisrepre-
sent my own convictions II | urged you
to vote for ratification when you hold
TO a very conscientious belief that there
is constitutional inhibition which
prevents your doing so until after an
election has been held.
II do not want you to have any doubt
about my belief in the desirability OF
ratification" the senator concluded.
but | am Just as earnest about ex-
pressing myself in favor of fidelity TO
conscience in the performance OF a pub
lie service"
Senator Harding's letter was dated
Aug. 10 and was read only after Judge
Tiliman had received Geographic per-
mission from the nominee. A majority
OF the Republican membership OF the
legislature Is conceded to favor ratifi-
cation.