Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-07-13
CLEMENT REFUSES
IA SPECIAL SESSION .
CALL IN VERMONT
Governor Declares Present
Legislature Not Chosen
on Suffrage Issue.
SAYS BODY WAS ELECTED
BEFORE QUESTION CAME UP
Attacks Supreme Courts Re-
cent interpretations of the
Federal Constitution.
STATES RIGHTS THREATENED
Green Mountain Executive Criticizcs
'Dry Amendment AZ Forced by
irresponsible Organization"
|SAYS BODY WAS ELECTED
BEFORE QUESTION CAME UP
STATES RIGHTS THREATENED
Green Mountnin Executive Criticizcs
DRY Amendment az Forced by
irresponsible Organization"

MONTPELIER. VT. July "a
Governor pcrc!vaI W. Clement. Of
Vermont, Republican. today issued "a
proclamation refusing to call spe-
c!al session OF the Legislature to
make possible ratification OF the
, Federal suffrage amendment.
Governor Clement In his prorla-
/ nation declares that the Constitution
OF Vermont should not be changed
/ without due dei!beration. and he does
rot believe tho members Of the Leg
islaturc should he forced to act upon
the suffrage question AT this time
! The Governor declares the question
should be referred to the next Icyls-
iaturc In order that the people Of
the State might have plenty OF time
to study e..
The Governor took occasion to at
tack the prohibition amendment as
having been forced through Con-
gross by powerful and irrcspon-
siblc organization" provided with un-
limited funds.
Demands Referendum ProyisIon.
We must either remodel our Con-
stitution to conform with the man
date of the Supreme Court O. the
CoGstitu,ioQ OF the United States
must be amended to provide for a
referendum 10 the frccmcn OF the
several Etntcs before amendments to
that Constitution become effective"
the proclamation reads In part. "As
II stands and is interpreted by the
Supreme Couri today. the Federal
Constitution threatens the foundation
of free popular government
Referring 20 the reported threat OF
the LieuttnantGovcrnor to the ef-
feet that he would cali special ses-
sion OF the Legislature II tho Gov
ernor left the state. Governor Gle
ment declared that II this action were
taken he would not 5e responsible for
the consequences.
Followed Talk With Harding.
The Governors proclamation fol-
lowed conference which he held
nj Washington recently with Senator
Harding, at which 1t is understood
the Republican nominee fos President
discussed with him the possibility Of
having ratification completed by the
Republican Legislature OF Vermont.
In giving hia reasons for refusing
again 10 cali specia! session Gov
ernor Clement said the proposed
amendment clearly invadcs the Con-
stitution OF Vermont. that the pres
ent Legislature was elected before
tho question Of ratitying the Fedcra.
amendment had arisen. and that the
people or the State have had no OPP
portunity 10 express themselves on
the issue. Tho Governor proposed
that the matter be taken up by the
next Legislature and urged that can
didatos for election be required TO
declare themselves on It..
Text OF Proclamation.
Z The proclamation said in part:
~ The provisions for changes in the
Federal Constitution to which we
Verrionters arc loyal subscribers, are
In conflict with those laid down in
the Constitution OF Vermont. The
Federal Constitution provides that
proposals of change therein shall. If
favorable action is taken thereon by
Congress, be submitted TO the Lcgis-
laturcs of the several States for their
action. and the Supreme Court of the
United States has in n recent dcci-
sion. Hawke VS.. Smith, Juno /, 1920,
declared:
The referendum provisions OF
State Constitutions and statutes can
mot be applied. consistently with
tho Constitution of tho United States
SAin the ratification or rejection Of
amendments to it.
This decision leaves the people Mt
the mercy of any group of men, who
may lobby proposal for changing
tho. Federal Constitution through
Congress and then through the Legis-
latures of the States.
Majority Pledged beforehand.
I'm the face OF this situation, /
am asked to call the Legislature of
Vermont into extraordinary session,
not for the purpose of debating. con-
sidering. celebrating on the question
at issue. but with majority of its
members pledged beforehand and in
private. as l understand 1t. to ratify
the proposed amendment
IF the people of Vermont, In ac-
cepting place In the Union Of
States, inadvertently lost in whole or
in part the right OF self government
and conferred it on a Legislature.
there Is all tho more reason why a
Legislature should not pass upon n
question which has arisen since their
election. and upon which their con-
stituents have had no opportunity TO
express themselves.
we must now either remodel our
Constitution to conform with the
mandate of tho Supreme Court of the
q, Continued on Second Page.)