Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1920-08-27
SIGNATURE PUT
At EARLY HOUR
WITHOUT P0MP;
FIGHT IS DONE
Nineteenth Amendment Now
a Part of Constitution of
United States, Says State
Department Head
TASK FINISHED BEFORE
NEW VOTERS ARE AWAKE
Leaders Disappointed in Not
Witnessing Signing; Colby
Explains He Pursued His
"SimpIe Duty"

tsF hoNNiNo JOURNAL SPECIAL WlRE1
Washington. Aug. 26.--Without
pomp or ceremony Secretary Colby
today signed the proclamation de-
claring the woman suffrage
amendment "to all intents and pur-
poses part of the constitution of
tho United States"
The secretary's signature was
affixed to the proclamation at his
home at a. m, few hours after
he had received from Governor
Roberts of Tennessee the certifi-
cate that final favorable action on
the amendment had been taken by
the legislature of that state. The
quiet manner in which Mr. Colby
acted was disappointment to
some suffrage workers who had
hoped to make a ceremony of his
act but they contented themselves
with their own jubilation cere-
monies, including mass meeting
tonight. They united in statements
that nothing now can be done to
prevent the women from voting in
November.
Now a Part of Our Law.
1.-THE seal of the United States
has been duly affixed to the GER
tificate and the suffrage amend
ment is now the nineteenth amend
ment to the constitution" Secre-
tary Colby announced on reaching
his office.
A desire to avoid the limelight
and to prevent arousing the feel
ing among suffrage workers as to
whom should be present. prompted
the quiet setting. Mr.. Colby ex-
planned also that his "only pur-
pose was to pursue a simple duty"
Mr. Colby was awakened at 8: As
a. m. by state department en-
ploye, who notified him that the
Tennessee certification had ar
rived. The secretary then called
+. II. Nielsen. department solicitor
to examine the Tennessee papers
also instructing the solicitor to
bring the proclamation to the sec
retary's home at o'clock.
Avoided Wee Hour Signing.
"While it was my thought" the
secretary explained later. "to avoid
undue eagerness in signing the
proclamation, ! found no reason tc
conspicuously loiter. | had an aver
sion TO sign in the wee small hours
of the night. and a. m. ! thought
was the earliest hour / would begin
the function"
When he reached the depart
ment, the secretary found severa
mem bers of the national Woman's
party, headed by its chairman
Alice Paul, awaiting to witness the
signing Their disappointment
was not concealed when it was
learned that he had acted and the
secretary's later invitation tha
they hear a statement was de-
declined. Mrs. Carrie Chapman
Gait, president of the Nationa
American Woman's Suffrage asso
cition. and some other suffrage
workers, however, accepted the in
vitation.
Confident Fight Is Won.
1--WE are confident that the sig
nature of Secretary Colby com
pletes the suffrage struggles in thl
country" Miss Paul said. I'll
spite of every obstacle that our op
ponents could put in our way
women have won the right to al
equal voice in the affairs of th'
government. The woman's part.
will not relax its vigilance, how
ever. until it is satisfied that NJ
further attempts will be made t
wrest from the women of the Unit
ed States the political equality
which they have won."