The Glenwood post., 1920-06-26
SUFFRAGETTE'S UN-
REASONABLE DEMAND

Washington, June ga bevy of
militant suffragists representing fifteen
states swept down upon Senator Hard
ing today, and demanded that he use
Ais influence as the Republican presi
Dental nominee to assure the enfran-
chisement of the women in time to per-
mt their voting throughout the nation
in the November election
Specifically they wanted the senator
to call upon the Republican governors
Of Connecticut and Vermont to sum
mon special sessions OF the legislatures
to ratify the suffrage amendment.
They told him the legislatures of
these two states have been polled and
are favorable to the amendment. If
special sessions are called at once, the
suffrage amendment can be made eff
fectiYe in time for the November cleo
ton.
Mr. Harding declined to act He
made the woman brief speech, telling
them he didn' want to use his position
as club to compel action by any state
authority.
Some of the women hcckled him and
left his office muttorng dark threats
against him ami promising to make
life unpleasant for him until he com,
Plies with their requests.
There was just Il hint that down
underneath the surface certain power.
ful Influences are at work to bring
about ratification and eliminate the
Suffrage question from the campaign
Senator Harding said significantly that
if any governor should ask his advice
about suffrage, he would Immediately
urge them to work for ratification
Later, he intimated that he might
have good news for the women at
an early date, but he declined to 20 into
particulars on this point. These two
statements gave rise to the belief that
efforts are being made to have the gov
errors of Vermont and Connecticut seek
Mr.. Harding's advice and that when
they do so the nominee viii take oc-
casion to urge them to hasten ratifi-
cation.
In his reply to the Suffrage spolscs-
men Senator Harding said
81 need not tell YOU of my interest
in the contamination of the woman
suffrage. ] voted for it in the senate.
Nothing would please me more than
to have ratification made effective to
give American womamhood full partial
patton in the elections of next Nu.em-
Der, This desire, sincerely spoken,
does not conflict with my determine
ton that ! could not, with proprietv.
attempt to force any state executive to
hasten action in violation of his own
sensn of duty.
"Therc is a point at which full ex-
ecutive authority may approach n tres
pass on the rights of states, and I
should not want to trespass if | bore
the commission of authority, and
realize full well that so far I am only
party nominee.
''In the latter capacity I would not
wish my party to believe me inclined
TO trespass or to assume to WELD
club.
eff any state executive should ask
my opinion about extraordinary efforts
to consummate suffrage, I frankly will
commend the thing Won desire, but I
cannot impose or demand, though
personally hope to see woman's suf-
fragc and woman S full participation
established at an early day
The National Woman's party issued
a statement after the conference cx-
pressing complete disappointment
with Senator Harding's position and
declaring "until he recognizes his re-
sponsibility and acts effectively upon
it, we shall not be content.