The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-04-22
Made Two Big Demonstra-
tions in Behalf Of Wom-
ans Suffrage
REQUEST HIM TO CALL
AN EXTRA SESSION
At Close of Second Meeting
Clement Intimated His
Decision in Negative


the Ia counties in the state, paraded at
5 and s o'clock last evening from their
headquarters at the Community club
on State street, Montpelier, TO the
State House, where they made what
presumably will be final concerted
appeal for Gov. Clement to convene
special session of the legislature to
vote on the ratification of the federal
suffrage amendment.
The women disregarded the pouring
rain and, without umbrellas and dis
playing yellow badges and jonquils,
trooped up the steps leading to the
State House and crowded into the ex
eeutive chamber, the room being packed
to its capacity, with Gov. Clement en-
tirely surrounded by the fair sex. His
Excelleney noted the size of the dele
cation and suggested adjournment to
the more roomy hall of the House of
Representatives but the women de-
cIined and remained standing through
out the meetings, as did the governor.
Mrs. Lillian H. Olzendam of Wood
stock, who previously had enjoyed sew
eral interviews with the governor on
the suffrage question, made brief in
PRODUCTION and throughout the meet
ings acted as master Tor should II be
mistress p of ceremonies. At the con-
clusion of the afternoon meeting the
governor was asked if he cared TO make
reply, although not urged to do so,
and he stated he would postpone max
ing any statement for the present. He
did, however, congratulate the women
on their untiring zeal for a cause which
they believe TO be right and said he
was glad to see them there and that
anv interest that can be established
and maintained does good for the state.
At the afternoon meeting, following
the Introductory remarks by Mrs. Oh
zendam. the acting president of the
association, Mrs. f. II. Read Of Burling-
ton, briefly stated why the women
were there, The speakers next took up
the two objections to special session
which II is said the governor has given;
and Ann Batehelder of Woodstock,
lawyer, gave an opinion on the eonsti-
tutionality Of ratification by the legis-
lature without referendum, endeavor-
ing to establish that the general as
sembly is vested with sole power to
ratify. The other objection accredited
TO the governor, expense, was met by
Mrs Harry Beal of Springfield who
briefly stated that she believed the
cause was sufficiently great to warrant
any expenditure which might prove
necessary.
Perhaps the strongest appeal made
during the meeting was that OF Miss
Bessie Bacon Goodrich of the johnson
Normal school. president of the Woman
Teachers club, presenting the reasons
for the teachers wanting suffrage. She
believed that the teachers, the ones
who have much to do toward shaping
the lives of future citizens, should have
a voice in the matters Of the country.
Mrs. Max Powell of Burlington, Mrs.
Elmer johnson OF st. Albans, Miss
Mabel Southwick Of Burlington and
Mrs. Fred Blanchard Of Montpelier,
who read letter from Dorothy Can
field Fisher. were the others who spoke
during the afternoon meeting, which
lasted less than 20 minutes. Mrs.
johnson. at the conclusion of her talk.
handed the governor a petition OF over
800 names of st. Albans women.
The Evening Demonstration.
Tho meeting at o'clock was very
similar TO the afternoon session, the
following being the, program; Dis
elimination Aga inst Vermont Women,
Mrs. w. L. BRYANT Of Springfield: "Po-
litical Expediency." Ann Batchelder OF
Woodstock: That's Where Vermont
Comes In Miss Grace Clark, Mont
pclier: Public Opinion Demands 1t,
Mrs. Il. II. Twitchell. Bellows Falls;
Vermont Men Want Il" Mrs. George
Cheney. ~. Alhans: "ls IL Constitu-
tionalg" Mrs. Annette w. Parmelee,
Enosburg Falls; summing Up, Miss
Edna Orvis. Manchester.
Ii was impressed upon the governor
that a majority of the women OF Yer
mont want a special session, that the
eyes of the country are upon Vermont
and that 1t is your opportunity, Gov.
Clement. TO become one OF the biggest
men in the country"
The committee Of arrangements con
sisted of Mrs. Lillian H. Olzendam Of
Woodstock, Mrs. r.. r. Bliss. Mrs. y. x
Estee. Mrs Fred Blanchard, Mrs L. W.
Hanson. Mrs Kent and Miss Evelyn
Lease. sll of Montpelier.
Clements Statement Last Night
GOV. Clement made the following
statement al the end Of the meeting
last evening;
u do not know that there rs any
thing that ! care Ia sav az the present
time. onlv I am very glad e. see YOU
here. a. / said this afternoon. ! think
all af these meetings do gond and cre-
ate interest in the thing that You are
asking. that you arc in favor #. !
have not been al any time opposed -
suffrage. and have taken no position
on that question. Whenever the state
Of Vermont shall pass upon that ques-
tiou. IN whatever the state decides 90
do. re shall all acquiesce. think = =
very desirable that the state WREN
saw the state. ! do noi mean part u
thc state. ] mean the whole states
mean the people who hold the right -
suffrage should controi this question.
II thiuk those people who have the
rirht 20 express fhsir wish iu regard 90
tb7s important matter are the ones IN
,.hr-- ~ .hus11f rave the 1erlElna- I