Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-02-16
SENATOR GORMLEY VERSUS
DEMOCRATIC COMMITTEE

Editor Every Evening: On February 3
the Star published copy OF letter writ
ten by Senator Gorrulev To Chairman
lsaacs of the State Democratic Central
Committeein which he takes issue with
the committees action in endorsing n
special session of the Delaware Legs
lature to ratify the Suffrage Amendment.
The Senator based his objection on the
ground that woman suffrage was not an
issue when the present Legislature was
elected, hence its members have no right
20 vote upon IT, While this argument has
a certain sound Of plausbility. Il will not
stand the test of uhpreludlced reason and
analysis.
The trainers Of our Federal Constitu-
ton, which ia Justly the pride Of al true
Americans. did not consider the Gormlev
plan necessary or advisable, for otherwise
they would have made it a condition 10
the adoption of amendments 30 that
instrument Is their opinion unworthy oi
our respect
If this unconstitutional condition is
To be tackled on To the Woman Suffrage
Amendment. should IL not be made q re-
qlremcnt Of any change in the Gonsitu-
ton? Why should there be ono require
neut for one amendment and n different
one for another Who should decide when
the Gormley plan should be applied
The strongest criticism which students
have made of our Federal Constitution Il
that il Is too inelastr, too difficult Of
amendment. If the Gormlcy plan were
followed. the Constitution would become
more rgld than ntempcred steel. If #
had been followed IN the past, this country
in the Twentieth Century would be tread
ing on the narrow gauge road OF the
Eighteenth.
Senator Gormley claims that his plan
would show the sentiment of the voters of
the State on woman suffrage. In point Of
fact IT would not do this The next cleo
ton IS a Presidential election. and IN
Delaware a gubernatorial one also. The
political atmosphere will bc literally
charge with issues and the minds OF
MANY male voters swaycd by them. Their
ballots will be cast upon those other
issues, not upon the question of woman
suffrage.
Would Senator Gormlcy expect or wish
Democratic votes 10 be influenced or con-
trolled by the position OF a candidate ON
woman suffrage? Would he expect or
want Democrats who favored woman
suffrage to vote for a Republican candi-
date who thought as they did ON this
question? The very scheme Of our State
Senatorial and Representative election
district makes il impossible for the will ol
the people on this matter 10 be expressed
through their choice OF Legislative candi-
dates. The Gormley plan will prove
nothing as to the sentiment on woman
suffrage In the State.
Mr. Gormley, by taking this position,
can accomplish but one thing for the
Democratic party in Delaware. He can
make the thousands Of women voters who
will cast their ballots 1T the Delaware
election in the fall of 1920 feel that his
party did not champion their .use whole
heartedlv. That the fine action OF the
Democratic State Committee Is not
endorsed BY those who represent that
party in the Legislature and these women
Will feel that they can not afford TO align
themselves with Senator Gormiey party
without due questioning What the far
seeing statesman in Delaware realizes IS
that the whole question has already been
decided National Woman Suffrage Is
coming. As | write this letter the hgures
move up from % to 80 Three more States
stand in line ready to ratlfy tins week.
But three more are needed to give the
women of this broad land complete citl-
zcnship Any attempt to stop the move
ment is about as effective as attempting
to sweep back the incoming tide with
broom. The Executive Committee,
Delaware Equal Suffrage Association.
Dover, February II, 1871.