Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-08-11
SUFFRAGE FORCES
CHECK TENNESSEE
EFFORT FOR DELAY
BY the Associated Press.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, August

BY the Associated Press.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. August 11.-An
attempt in the lower house of the
Tennessee Legislature today to delay
action on consideration of ratifica-
tion of the federal woman suffrage
amendment until after August 21. on
which date it was proposed that citi-
zenS of the state should gather in
mass meetings in each county seat
to express their opinion for or
against suffrage. was defeated. A
resolution to this effect was tabled
by a vote of so to 81 after lengthy
debate and several attempts to
amend the measure.
Republican Caucus Today.
Republicans of both houses were to
caucus today with suffrage advocates
expecting favorable action by a ma
jority of the delegation on proposal
that they support ratification. House
democrats also were to caucus.
At meeting of leaders of the dem
ocratic ratification forces in the upper
house late yesterday Senators E. n
Haston of Van Buren, county. Douglas
Wikle of Williamson and Frank
Fuller of Shelby were appointed a
committee to arrange a meeting with
republican leaders. In addition to the
appointment of this committee Sen
ator Haston was selected democratic
floor leader for the contest.
The meeting was preceded by a con-
ference between the senators and
more than 100 Tennessee woman suf-
fragists. Miss Charl Williams of
Memphis, chairman of the women's
general ratification committee. told
the senator's that the women did not
wise members of the senate how to
vote, but looked to their friends in
the upper house to conduct the fight
Speaker Walkers Attitude.
Speaker Walker of the house an
nounced that he would oppose ratifi-
cation, and his detection from the
ranks of the suffragists occasioned
much discussion. He had been re-
garded as stanch suffragist and il
had been planned that he would in
troduce the ratification resolution in
the house. There was speculation as
to what influence his move would
have on other members of the lower
body.
Mrs. Carrie Chapman Gait, presi-
dent of the National American Wom-
an Suffrage Association. in a state
ment several hours after Mr.. Walkers
announcement, declared that her poll
was unshaken. when l came to Ten
nessee three weeks ago announced
that a majority of both senate and
house were pledged to vote for rati-
fication," she said. NO developmen MT
has overturned that majority. / have
absolute confidence in the integrity
of the legislators of Tennessee and
believe that they will stand by their
pledges"
Judge Joseph Higgins of Nashville
president of the Tennessee Consti-
tutional League, stated that if the leg.
ratified the amendment the
league would be constrained to &C
into the courts and inhibit the sec.
retary of state from certifying the
amendment"
The following telegram was receiv.
ed by Miss Williams from George
White, chairman of the democratic
national committee: Il wish you would
emphatically state to the democratic
members of the senate and house the
great interest that the national COM
mittee. rejecting the sentiment of the
democracy of the nation, has in the
result of the vote on the ratification
by your state of the nineteenth
amendment"