Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-08-23

ANTS HOPE IN
LAWS TRIO
Believe Injunction Will
Halt Suffrage Year
and Half
Constitutional Leacue Succeeds in
Invoking Laws Aid to Delay Ger
tification. Of Observation-Disclosures
Of Action Sent Governors Of Seven
States-Suffrase Advocates Say
Situation Satisfactory and Regard
Question as Settled

Nashville, Tenn, Aug 22-F'rom
the snarl of legal and legislative tech
/ nicalities that have enmeshed Ten
| nessee's ratification of the Federal
suffrage amendment tonight came the
| prediction of the Tennessee Constitu-
tional League that the injunction
against certification of the ratfca-
ton, obtained yesterday would pre-
vent enfranchisement of the women
of the nation for at least a year and
half:
The Constitutional League which
mas been fighting ratiflcat ton in Ten
nessee on the ground that the state
constitution prevented the present
legislature from acting on the suf-
, fraSe amendment and which claims
to include both suffrage opponents
! ana advocates in its membership,
made its prediction in message ad-
dressed to the governors of Vermont,
Connecticut. Florida. Alabama, Louis
lana, Delaware and South Carolina.
The Leagues message declares that
! Tennessee had not ratified stuff age
and served notice that any state off
clal who attempted certification would
be attacked for contempt of court
under the injunction which the league
announced would, if necessary. be
carried to the Supreme court of the
United States.
Suffrage advocates. however. con-
to oh no r;@
as satisfactory. They reiterated their
contention that the action of the
House yesterday in calling up the
Walker reconsideration motion. in de-
featinc it, and in ordering the Sen
ate joint resolution of ratification
transmitted to the Senate for en-
crossing, was justified and unassail-
able despite the lack of legislative
quorum.
The 80 or more anti-suffrag: merl-
hers of the House who went TO ecatur.
Ala, early yes terday to prevent the
quorum, still were in Alabama today
and, according to reports received
here, were determined to remain there
at least during the next few days. Be-
ing outside the state they can not be
arrested and compelled to attend ses-
Sions of the House.
Suffrage advocates who participant
ed in yesterdays coup in tie House
ass erted today that action en- the
Walker reconsideration motion would
be upheld inasmuch as state constitu-
tional provisions did not apply as the
House was acting as an agent of the
federal government.
No date had been fixed tonight for
the hearing of the temporary writ of
injunction issued Yesterday py Judge
Langford restraining the governor,
secretary of state and speakers of the
Senate and House from certifying rat
iflcation to the secretary of state at
! Washington. In some quarters 1t was
believed that the hearing would be
held tomorrow or Tuesday. The writ
is returnable any time within five
days from agreement of the parties to
the action.
The message Of the Constitutional
League was sent out yesterday and
was made public tonight as follows:
Tennessee has not ratified tie suf-
frage amendment The resolution has
not legally passed the House. The mo-
ton to reconsider today was defeated
by less than the legal quorum. The
government and other state officials
have been enjoined against Attempting
to certify its ratification No wom-
en- will vote for a year and a half at
least on account of Tennessees action
today. as the injunction will lie car
ried to the highest court. ANY state
official who attempts to certify will be
attacked for contempt of court and
Secretary Colby has already been
warned that action in violation of the
injunction is invalid under our Jaws.
Secretary Colby also will he an
joined by amended bill. filed bv