The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-08-09
Mrs, Carrie Chapman Gait
Leads Fight for Passage
Suffrage Amenment.
M'kELLAR ENTERS FIGHT
Senator Declares Question Not
One Of State Rights, but
Of Ratification.

NabhNllfe, Aug. v.-Tne senate
and house both adjourned shortly
after the reading OF the governors
message and without the Introduce
tlcn o. the ratification resolution IN
either branch. II was expected the
resolution would be offered In each
house tomorrow.
No stand for or against ratlnea.
tIon was taken AZ the caucus Of re-
publican members OF the senate
and house this morning. II was
stated after the meeting. Former
Gov. Ban w. Hooper. Az TayIor.
republican nominee for uovsrno..
and VIII Taylor, representative In
congress from tho Second district,
were the principal speakers, al
urging members Of the party 10
vote FOR ratification a. q matter Of
political sxpsdlsnoy. Republicans
known 70 oppose ratification took no
part In the discussion, u was sald.
Organizations favorlns and op.
posing ratlhdatIon we're devosIne
their energies today 10 q solldlsy.
Inc OF their sranks, and after a
meeting of democratic women IN
the ONCE of Gov. Roberts, which
the governor attended. II was an
neuneed that faetIonaIIsm an,ona
democratic women cf the state had
been ehlltsratsd. Mlss ,chari VII. g
Hams, Of Memphis, associate ns.
tlonal committeeman, was elected
chairman Of q democratic ssoman's
steering committee.
Advocates Ratification.
Nashville, Aug. 9.--Cov, Roberts has
practically completed his message 10 the
general assembly. The main feature In
II. II Ia learned, 10 strong appeal 10
the legislators TO ratify the Anthony
ameMment. lie will transmit TO the
solons the opinion OF Atty. -oen. Frank
NJ Thompson, ruling that tho constltu-
tienal provision OF the state constitu Z
ton requiring an election between sub
mission and ratification null and void
because bt conflict with the federal Com
sltution, He will point out that he IL
as much bound by his own oath OF oflice
to support both federal and state con x
stitutions, as any Legislators who are
baEing conscientious objections TO ratl-
ncation on the state constitution.
This message win have a powerful ef.
feet on democratic legislators, many of
whom have been healtatlng from daclAr-
ing themselves on tha amendment. Gov.
Roberts Ia the outstanding democratic
power hero and his influence win ba
the most valuable 10 ratlfioeiion by the
v0iuAtSar Mate
Mrs, Carrie Chapman Cate. for the
first tima IN her connection with the
National Woman Suffrage association.
Is herself leading tho suffrage nkht IN
person Her organization N the most
active In the capital today. and Ia bend-
Ing every effort 10 line up wobbly leg
ihlaturs. III tho LEGISLATOR keep their
pledges. ratification In certainty" Mrs.
Gait declared.
The governors message was Htrons
appeal from legal and party stand
puint for ratification. He recited fb4
platforms Of the two great parties, both
national and state, and declared that
both parties clearly and unequivocaily
declared for ratification, and hence no
port his aetlen In voting favorahly on
ratification"
lie showed that platforms we're sc-
capted "as party law, and are 80 70
garsled ms pledges by party menibers.
The message recites the republican
and democratic platform pianks. apd
makes n plea for parties In tho legis-
latuFsrto vote favofably.
''1ut there is another AMI higher
ground, the ground Of justice 10 the
womanhood OF America" the message
continues.
''Ths legislatures OF thlrty-dye states
have ratified this amendment. only one
more state being necessary to make y
an effective part Of the Constitution Of
the United States. Tennessee occupies
u pivotal position upon this question,
'rhe eyes OF all America are apon "a
Millions of women are looking 10 the
Tennessee legislature 20 silva them
vote and share IN shaping tasi destinles
The message trsnsmits the oficiaI
opinion OF states Attorney General
Frank M. Thompson that tho leEssla-
tura can ratify. ~ the federal constis
tuition nullloss ;he state groyisionl ...,. an
The governor declares IN his rncssaNe
that u II hia duty as public oNlriaf
to follow the attorney generass cpln,un.
''ln Hlneere hope AMI confident belief
that YOU viii At m early date ratsiy
The amendment. I submit to you tiaN
aud nsomentous one on which any bosiS
NJ men has ever heen called upcn ~
pass since We established our RoV@ri-
neut." his message concluded.
Ths governor, stating that "aev.
aFnment BY political parties u the
best. safest and most responsive 20
the viii Of the people," ard quoting
platform declarations ot the repuo.
ileAn and democratic partles on the
suffrage lsa0e, declared that vparty
platforms have been accepted a.
party law and are 20 regarded as
parties elected UPON such Plat
forms"
Platform declarations of ths re.
publican and democratic state con.
sentlons. both Of which favored
suffrage, aiso ~ars quoted.
"lt thua appears" he said. ''that
both political parties have elsseiy
and unezulvoeally declared for the
rstlnea'lon ot Tits amsndnsns arc
party law 10 support his action ln
msnt.h
The governor also discussed the con-
titutionaiity Of action hy this legis-
aturc. clause IN the state eorstitn-
ion providing that no assembly should
ct upon any proposed amendment or
he Constitution OF ,he United states
iniess such assembly should have been
lected after an amendment had been
admitted by congress. IL has been :
ontsnded nv suffrage opponents thai
his clause prohibited ratification BY me
resent legislature. which was electec
,rior 20 the submission OF the suffrage
Go the states,
An opinion BY W. l.. frierson. solicit
or general OF the United states. hold
ng that recent decision OF the so-
,resne court OF the United states IN
.ase originating IN Ohio and holdine
old a clause Of the constitution 81
hat state concerning referentunis el
amendments. $50 served
q nullify the clause IN question In the
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