The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1920-07-17
STATE CHAIRMAN
ON SUFFRAGE
Thomas Cothran Writes Letter
Discussing Proposed Amend
Ylnent
FEAR CONFLICT
WITH CONSTITUTION
Susgests That, Permits Be Is
I'd Women Allowing Them to
Register For Elections

Columbia. July 14--In n letter to
Governor Cooper made public Tuesday
upon the return of the governor from,
the National Democrats convention
~ Van Francisco. Thomas T.. Cothran,
" oreenvilIe. chairman vf the State
De'nocratic executive committee and
sD<aker OF the House OF Represent
e1tves. raises the question OF con-
0ict between the federal constitution
and tho election laws in South Caro-
Ina should the proposed amendment
for woman suffrage oe ratified.
Mr.. cothran's letter is made public
and he desires the opir hon OF the best
Informed men OF the state on this mat
~. His letter follows; ..f.i
Permit me to suggest for your con-
alteration the political situation which
would arise upon the ratification of
tho 18Th amendment TO the Consti-
tion of the United States relating TO
Woman suffrage. In srder that you
Ynay b prepared to act shouldn't arise.
4 Q seems highly probable that ver-
mont. North Carolina or Tennessee
may ratify the amendment before the
geaeral election In November Is held.
~ this should occur. the proclamation
- Its ratification will be Immediately
lhade and the amendment will take
effect. We will then hare a system of
~)4etion laws I'm cnohict with the
Cougeitution OF the United States and
teither our constitution nor our stat
Neeo can sand I'm such conflict.
rhe proposed amendment reads
()hus
yrhe right OF citizens of the United
Ntates to vote shall not be denied or
srfldgcd by the United states or by
ANY state on account of sex"
I've conflict between our laws and
The federal constitution OF course
nay exist as readily where our laws
aro&passed I'm conflict with existing
provtstons OF the federal constitution.
~ Wire our laws are valid when en-
49v4 but become In conflict with a
q orU amendment subsequently rati-
The question arose In my mind
vnother or not. under these circum-
xances. Hc could hold valid elect
Pn undeA laws In conflict with the
Wooral amendment. III this could not
hs done the political consequences,
~ You readily perceive. would be dis
tSeroua The election for United States
senator or Congressman and for Presi :
dcnfial electors would be annulled and
" is possible that we would have a
republican president. The only rem
ely therefore would be the calling OF
an extra session of the general as
sembly TO conform our election laws
to'the new order OF things.
My fears have been very much COM
POSED by the case OF Near ". Della
ware. fo3 u. 8. $40. where II Is held
that the adoption OF the 18th amend
mont (Which is In the exact verbiagc
OF the proposed 1sth) rendered I'M
operative the provision I'm the then ex-
tsting constitution OF Delaware which
limited the right OF suffrage to white
nsen Following this principle. every
f1tug I'm our constitution and registry
and election laws. limiting the right
of sunrasc to males. would instantly
rseome Imperative. But under our
laws no one can vote without regis.
tratton. This will apply to women
under the new order OF things. as welt
40 20 mon. The tiue for registration
70 limited: the first Is days In August
and the sth. 7th. and sth days of Sep
tember. IL instructions to the super
viscrs OF registration should he issued
drecung them 10 permit women To
register during These periods. entit-
Inns them to vote In the general cleo
tion In November. II Is my opinion
thss we will have done all that was
possible and that tn, election would.
be valid.
suggest that you give this letter
TO the press. that the matter may re-
efive fuli consideration and that we
au may have the benefit OF opinions
OF keaf informed ma,