Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-03-25
What a Referendum Would Do.


II is not pleasing to sec the good
women of our State arrayed IN two hos
tile bodies, opposing each other de-
tcrmincdly in an effort to secure the favor
Of tho Legislature. Yet that is the spec
taclc afforded at Dover today. On one
side are the women who support the
cause of Equal Suffrage. On the other
are those who do not believe the women
need the ballot and do not want 1T forced
upon them. These opposing parties have
established headquarters at the state
CAPITAL. and each side will earnestly
strive for the success of its cause. Inc
bone of contention is the Equal SUI
fragc Amendment to the Federal Con-
stitution, the suffragists asking the Legs-
lature to ratify it and the antis as de-
terminedly asking that it be repudlated'
With the promise of long and hotly-
contested fight over this issue, which VIII
surely grow bitter as il progresses, 1t may
be imagined what animosities this DIVISION
among the women of our State Will ere
ate, and how these animoslties may
threaten the unity in spirit and IN pur-
Dose which has signahzed their spiendio
work for the success of various good pup
lie causes in the very recent past. Aiso'
IL seems. ut least to old-fashioned minds
decidedly incongruous to have our women
arrayed against each other in tins somc'
what rancorous manner. And so, the
sooner this strained situation at Dover is
ended. and the Legislature relieved oil the
pressure from both sides, the better IL
will be.
There is one sure wav TO relieve TINS
unplcasing and possibly threatening situa-
ton. and that is by referring the question
of ratification or rejection Of the Equal
Suffrage Amendment to the people at
vote to be taken in connection with the
regular election. next November n
Referendum bill could be acted upon
very quickly, and the contest removed
from the halls of the Legislature to the
arena of the entire State In very snort
time. And in this arena the contendine
feminine forces would not be IN such
danger of hostile clashes, with possible
results that might not reflect credit upon
the sex. as would threaten by continuing
the battle now under way within tht
narrow confines Of the State House at
Dover.
Also. there i = conviction among inc
peonle provi stronger all the tune
that tho referendum is tho proper course
to adopt in dealing with this very I'M
portant matter. No member OF the pres
cnt legislature was elected with view
IN his attitude towards woman SUI
fringe That question did not enter into
the State election Of two years ago, AND
there was no test to indicate TO the sight
est extent the wishes of our people IN re-
spect of votes for women.
referendum next November wculo
clearly reveal this sentiment, and the eS
nression would be a guide to the memncF
Of the next Legislature in passing upof
! the NHIlfaIt
/ ioritv of our voters-with the womei
voting as well as the men--declare II
favor of ratification. it would be the dut!
Of the next Legislature TO comply VIII
this mandate And should the paIorl'!
be against ratification, the next Leglsia
ture would consider itself so instructc'
and vote accordingly Thus, the man
date Of the people would be respected
A ratification measure could be enacted
before the end Of the week, and then Tn
LEGISLATURE would bc relieved oi the pres
| sure for and against Equal Suffrage, n
doubt to the great JOY of the members
Then there would be moro time to dc
vote to other business. especially TN
amendment Of the School Code. matte
Of the greatest Importance
Therefore, why not a Suffrage AMEND
rpent referendum? It. would do a grea
deal of good. and it would be in thoroug
accord with sound public policy. Senate
Gormley has introduced Reierend'u
bill. and it should be passed.