The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1920-08-13
GOVERNOR ROBERTS
ASKS RATIFICATION
SENDS SPECIAL MESSAGE TO
TENNESSEE LEGISLATURE
Parlev Christensen Slams Republi-
cans for Action Regarding
Question.


Nashville, Aug. 9.-Prompt ratifi-
cation of the federal woman suffrage
amendment in order that the women
of the country might "share in shap-
inp the destiny of the republic was
urged by Governor Roberts today in
his message to the Tennessee legis-
lature which met in extraordinary
session to act upon the measure.
Citing declarations of the Repub-
lican and Democratic national and
state platforms in favor of woman
suffrage and declaring that plat
forms adopted are accepted as par
tv law and are so regarded as sacred
pledges by members of those parties
elected upon such platforms the
governor said that "no party man IS
without party law to support his ae-
tion in voting favorably upon this
amendment
The senate and house both ad-
iourned until tomorrow after an
hours session and without the intro
duction of the ratification resolu-
tions. Leaders said these probably
would be offered tomorrow and would
be referred to the judiciary commit
tees which, if inclined to DO so, would
conduct hearings.
A vote in either house was not re-
earded as probable before the end
of the week at the earliest.
Republicans Hold Caucus.
Republican members of the senate
and house held caucus at: which
the leaders were said to have told
the caucus that political expcdlency
demanded that the Republicans sup
port ratification.
Farley F. Christensen, presidential
nominee of the Far mer-l.abol party,
in a formal statement tonight de-
clared that failure of the Republi-
cans to endorse the amendment was
ga direct betrayal by the Republican
party's platform pledge for woman
suffrage and Senator Harding, Will
Hays and their associated Republl-
can leaders must plead guilty to the
betrayal.
"Among the secret influences rep
resented here are Senators Brande-
gee of Connecticut and Moses of Ne"
Hampshire Mr.. Christensen charg-
ed.
"These gentlemen had lot to say
in the Blackstone hotel conference
that picked Senator Harding as the
Republican nominee at Chicago
Ratification by the Tennessee legls-
lature would mean that the women
of New Hampshire and Connecticut
would vote in November and Brande-
gee and Moses have excellent reason
to fear that they would suffer there
by, inasmuch as both Of them, can
didates for reelection, have constant
ly opposed woman suffrage. Sena-
tor Harding will not be the means of
defeating these friends of his if he
can avoid it.
Harding Could Assist.
Senator Harding could save the
situation for suffrage by coming
here, taking his coat off and pushing
the amendment through his party
caucus in accordance with his party
pledge and his own personal utter
ances. The Democrats could not af-
ford to kill the amendment if Hard
ing showed the Republicans to be
solid for it. Governor Cox would be
forced to remove the instructions.
Claims and counter claims flew
thick and fast tonight with the suf-
fragists declaring the amendment
would be ratified and the ants claim
ing it would be defeated. Seventeen
votes in the senate are necessary for
ratification. In the house, however,
the membership of SO includes 20
Republicans. Fifty votes will be
necessary for ratification by the
house.