The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-08-06
SUFFS AND ANTS
MAY STAGE BIC
PUBLIC DEBATE
Mrs. Gait Asked to Meet Miss
Rowe and ThreSh Out the
Issues Between the Women
on Ratification.

NASHVILLE, 1enn., Aug =. tSpl'l
There was Il prospect for a joint
debate between women suffragists and
anti-suftragists today In advance Of
action on the part Of the legislature
In considering the equal suffrage
amendment. with the issuance OF a
challenge from anti-sutfrage headauar.
tiers 10 Mrs, Carrie Chapman Cau OF
New York to meet Miss Charlottee
Rowe OF Washington.
The inspiration for the challenge was
a telegram sent to Gov. Cox by Mrs.
Gait complaining that outside intlu-
ences were at work 20 accomplish the
defeat OF the amendment II the ladies'
can be matched for r. contest II IS
expected that the public will be treated
10 a hairpulling time AS both women
are able debaters and have fought
for number of years for and against
woman suffrage,
In communication to Mrs. Gait
Mrs Morgan Brown and Miss jose
phine Pearson, both Tennesseans, in
Vited Mrs. Gait to meet Miss Rowe
for a discussion Of the issues. The
letter was as follows,
my dear Mrs. Gait:
I'VE have no objections whatever
TO your crying 10 Gov Cox for help,
but when you have made sweep
ing general charge meant TO discredit
Tennessee men and women. and their
distinguished invited guests, we de-
mand a bill of particulars.
"ln your telegram to GOV. Cox, you
say that Tennessee sentiment favors
ratification. Why then do you cry
for help from the presidential candidate
But YOU 90 on to say that outsiders
are inspiring messages signed by Ten
nessee names. and your associates are
publicly charging that the same sin
lister ants who defeated suffrage in
Delaware are also working in Ten
nessee
Wherefore. we ask you the following
fair questions;
''Do you desire TO convey the i'm
preston to Gov. Cox. and TO the coun-
try through the Associated Press, that
the legal opinions OF eminent Tennessee
lawyers like Judge Jos, G. Higgins,
Judge G, n. Timan, Judge Estill, Fos-
ter V, Brown, tsuffragisD Judge :. r
Wilson, John w. Green, John J. Yer
trees, Lee Brock, Norman Farrell,
Thomas II. Malone, etc, are inspired by
outsiders?
"Or is 1t that you wish TO reflect up
on the presence here Of Mrs. James $.
Pinckard, of Alabama, president gem
eral Of our Southern Women's ReJec-
ton league representing twelve South.
ern states who is the grand niece OF
John c. Calhoun?
"or il II that you wish to reflect
upon the presence here of Mrs. Ruffin
G.. Pleasant, wife Of the former gov
ernor Of Louisian, and daughter OF
MAJOE GtntIAl NJ ~ i@NNpt VI Nht
Army OF the Tennessee, who had three
horses shot under him at the battle
OF Lookout mountain?
"or is It only Miss Charlotte Il,
Rowe. OF Washington, u. G, you mean
when referring TO outsiders who are
inspiring us?
Since II was she whose eloquent
speeches in Delaware and Louisiana
greatly influenced rejection, in spite
OF all the outside political pressure,
secret pledges and card indexing that
your associates could command. we in
Vited her. for that reason, to take part
in our campaign.
You say you believe IN equal rights
Therefore, we ask you II there is any
more reason why you should be here
than Miss Rowe II outsiders are all
to be regarded as sinister
I'VE would not for the world convey
the impression that We have any OBJ
section whatever TO your own pres
ence here, for Southern courtesy, az
well as confidence that your presence
making any such objections. The point
we make is simply that you, New
York woman voter, are hardly In q
position to complain TO Gov, Cox that
outsiders are inspiring the people OF
Tennessee against ratification after you
have been In this state some weeks
yourself trying to inspireCD them in
favor OF Il.
Therefore. we are going To ask
YOU, a woman from another state, to
meet Miss Rowe, also from another
state, In joint debate on this question
Of Tennessee ratification, so as "a
allow the people of Tennessee TO de-
eide for themselves as to who Is more
inspiring
please do not give excuses or evas-
ions for avoiding a debate with Miss
Rowe. II you are afraid TO meet her
in public debate before the people OF
Tennessee after sending out a telegram
rejecting upon her as an outsider nc
excuse you can offer will be regarded
by fairminded Southern people as sur
ncient.
"If YOU will accept this challenge
please let us know at once, so thai
we may engage the Ryman auditorium
for the occasion