New-York tribune., 1920-08-09
Republicans in
Tennessee Aid
Suffrage Fight
Caucus Called for To-day
TO Pledge All Members
of the Legislature to
Support the Amendment
One Senate Vote Needed
Ballot Not Expected Until
End of Week; Governor
Promises Special Plea

NASHVILLE, Tenn, Aug. S.-A de-
termined effort will be made to pledge
the solid Republican vote in the Ten
nessce Legislature to ratification OF
the Susan b. Anthony amendment at a
caucus of the party's members Of the
General Assembly here tomorrow
morning.
Suffrage leaders believe that upon
the result depends the fate of ratifica-
ton by Tennessee. The extraordinary
session of the General Assembly will
open at noon tomorrow.
The feature of the minority caucus
Will be q speech by Mrs Harriet Tay-
lor Upton, vice-cha oman of the Repub-
hcan National Committee. She bears
message from Chairman Will H. HAYS
to the Republicans in the Legislature.
The caucus was called by Senator
Harry Chandler, the most bitter oppo-
nent OF suffrage in the Legislature. He
issued il by virtue of his position as
chairman OF the joint Republican forces
in House and Senate. His position
however. viii be determined by the eau
Gus, as will that Of several other Re-
pubhcans who are, so far, non-commit-
tai on ratification.
Fear for Senate Seats
Mrs. Upton has come to Nashville
the bearer OF the wish OF Senator
Harding and Chairman Hays that all
members OF their party in the Legis-
lature aid ratification. 1t is known,
however. that emissaries Of the states
Republican leaders are also on the
ground, attempting to block ratifica-
tion. Men who are believed to be
close friends of Senator's Wadsworth
Moses and Brandegee are said to be
in Nashville aiding the suffrage op-
ponents. Their arguments, it is said,
IS that If women vote in the Novem-
ter election Republicans may lose
seats in the United States Senate from
New York Connecticut and New
Hampshire.
Duo largely to the infusion of the
bitterness Of the Democratic guberna-
torial primary into the ratification
fight. the majority Of the Legislature
pledged TO ratification has melted
somewhat, so that ono vote, and that a
Republican, is looked to to decide the
issue. This is in the Senate. where
there We're nineteen pledged and only
seventeen necessary fer ratification.
Local jealousies and burnings in the
Democratic ranks, assiducusly cult
waited and famed by anti-sufrage prop
aganda, has made the loss of two Of the
Democratic votes likely, thus reducing
tlN Atl t-i--lNl " tlAt tetit 44A44DNl i4tO~
essary 10 ratify One Senator, Re
publican and labor leader and trade
union official, holds the balance Of
power in the view of suffrage leaders
He is Senator Finney Carter, of Ham
ilton County.
Carter's Promise
On July he pledged II will vote in
favor of ratifying the amendment TO
the United States Constitution extend
ing the right of suffrage to women
when it comes before the Legislature
Of my state
His present attitude is that of con-
scientious objector, who Will not vote
for ratification because Of "the consti-
tutiona question" Suffrage leaders
have appealed to national labor lead
crs to use their influence with Carter
Labor officials in Chattanooga, his
home, are up in arms over Carter's
attitude, declaring that if his refusal
10 vote defeats suffrage labor will be