Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-04-01
HART THROWS THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
into CONFUSION
Unexpected Somersault Ycster-
day Afternoon Upset Anti-Suf-
frage Plans.
WOULD HAVE BEATEN
THE RESOLUTION
seafY Correspondence of Every Evening

when Mr. Hart, who had promised to call
up his suffrage resolution, Unexpectedly
Informed the House that he was not ready
to do so, had not lost its effect when the
members of the Legislature returned to
Dover this morning for another days
attempt to do something.
1t was evident that the suffragists had
made determined effort over night to try
10 profit by the delay. 1t was generally adj
mitted, however, that the governors
offer to retire from the delegate race or
Mr. Hart's somersault had not strength
ened their cause. Nevertheless, the anti's
were trying just as hard to prevent de-
sertions from their ranks and also to try
TO land enough sure anti votes in the Senate
to give them more reason for hope there
than they had had The Senate had been
debatable from the first.
Mr.. Hart's sudden change of front
yesterday afternoon came as bolt out OF
a clear sky. Evidently he had not adj
vised a person in the House of his lnten-
tion. The first intimation of detection
came about 10 minutes before 2 O'Clock,
the time scheduled TO call up the resoiu-
ton, when Mr. Hart left his seat and the
room in company with Senator Walker,
the introducer of the suffrage resolution IN
the upper House Accordingly, when the
In his seat. The sergeant-at-arms was
sent after him. but the member arrived
while he was being searched for. Then the
fireworks started.
When it was seen that there was no
assurance when action could be expected
on the Hart BILL the anti-sufrage MEM
bers of the House got their heads together,
got up a similar resolution of their own,
introduced and had it referred to the COM
mittee on revised statutes, the same COM
mittee that reported the Hart resolution
out ION its merits" They figured that
this would fortify them in that contin-
gency, the hope being that the resolution
would be reported out of committee
today-though there was no basis for
this hope
The climax of the days dramatic in
tidents came about $50, when Repre-
sentative McNabb, announcing that he
understood Mr. Hart had left the State
House and that if he HART was not here
today, he (McNabb) would make a mo-
ton that the sergeant-at-arns be IN
structed to go after Hart and use the
necessary force TO bring HIM here.
HARrs REASON FOR DELAY
Prior to his departure from the State
House yesterday afternoon, MIR. Hart
frankly admitted that his move for delay
was due to the fact that the suffrage reso-
luton hadn't enough support in the House
up to that time TO pass it, and that through
delay it was hoped to gain enough votes.
He made this admission to representa-
tive of Every Evening, and others.
You told me this morning" he was
informed by the reporter, that you in
tended to bring the resolution up for
vote at this afternoons session. Is that
not fact?"
Yes" Mr.. Hart replied, "but there
have been developments which have made
it advisable to delay the vote
What are your reasons for the delay
after you have been promising to call the
resolution up at this time?"
Well" he replied, ''our people don't
believe il IS advisable to have the vote
now. and / feel that / should wait until
they do
''But that is not a sufficient explana-
tion. The public looks to you TO state
your position. Is the delay TO give an
opportunity to try to gain votes for the
resolution"
Eyes, that is the situation. Our people
think that through delay it may be pos
sible to get enough votes TO pass IT -
when do you expect TO call the reso-
luton up?"
Il cannot say"
This afternoon?"
81 don't know, but / don't think so"
Mr.. Hart made a similar statement to
Thomas F. Bayard and Mrs. Henry B.
Thompson, opponents to the resolution
They visited his desk soon after he had
announced his refusal to call up the resolu-
ton.
Whats the trouble, Mr. Hart?" Mr.
Bayard asked.
well" he replied "our people don't
think the resolution ought to be called up
now"
Hasn't it enough votes TO pass it?''
Mr. Bayard asked.
"No," was the reply.
The conversation was repeated IN the
presence of Mrs. Thompson.
In talking with Every Evenings re-
Dor ter, Mr. Hart said he wanted to consult
bis constituents before he decided on his
next move.
SUDDEN CHANGE OF FRONT.
The House, which had taken a recess
at II. Is until 1.30, reconvened at lao.
Shortly thereafter Representative Jester.
whose absence in the morning had caused
some apprehension. arrived, which made
full attendance, and everything was ready
for the fray-apparentIy.
When Mr. Hart was called. In regard to
calling up the resolution, and was not in
his seat, there was surprise, but not half as
much. when he appeared and stated that
he was not ready to call up the resolution
Mr.. Lloyd made a determined effort to
have the resolution called up anyway, but
as the rules didn't sanction this and two
thirds vote was necessary for suspension
of the rules, snag wasotruck A ray of
hope developed when it was found that
Mr.. Hart was really present, in view of
the fact that the rules only prevented
calling up bill in the absence of a mem
Der without his written consent. However,
the Speaker ruled that the bill could not
be called up, under the rules, without Mr..
Harris consent.
Mr.. Lloyd said Mr.. Hart had told him,
ONLY a short time before that he was going
TO call up the resolution, and thought be
should be held to his promise.
Mr.. Mulvena said few minutes before
Mr.. Hart had announced his intention of
calling up the resolution, but outside in
fuences had evidently caused him to
change his mind, as he had been taken out
of the room by Senator Walker.
Mr.. McNabb said he was tired of dilly-
dallying with the peoples business and
wasting the peoples money.