Evening journal., 1920-03-18
GRAY OPPOSED
TO AMENDMENT
Continued from FIRST Paso


Mrs. c. L. Ward, Mrs. Henderson Weir.
Mrs. Delaware Clark. Mrs. William
Bush, Mrs. Harry T. Graham. Mrs. Muir
ray Stewart. Mrs. MacIlvsine.
Mrs. ]. L. Cahall. Geogetown; Miss
Florence Hall, Delaware City; Mrs. G..
w. Marshall, Milford; Mrs. James PEN
newill, Dover; Mrs. F. ]. Reynolds.
Smyrna; Mrs. C. C. Fuller. Dover.
Assisting the above-nsmed women
who are on the personnel OF the Della
ware Association opposed 10 Suffrage
these have been asked to aid in re-
ceiving:
Mrs. Ernest S. Taite. Mrs. S. D. Town
send, Mrs. George w. Sparks, Mrs.
Thomas F. Gormley, Mrs. j. e. McNsbb,
Mrs. Charles L. Candee, Mrs. Frank de-
Almond, Mrs. F. w. Snyder. Mrs. Poin-
telle Johnston, Mrs. p. S. dupont, Miss
Z. Klrkus, Mrs. J. w. Bastian. Mrs.
Irwin Whitemsn, Mrs. Thomas Wilson.
Mrs. Z. p. Moody Mrs. Charles II. VOL
laston, Mrs. Edmund Mitchell. Misses
Hebbs, Mrs F. S. Garrett, Mrs. Joseph
Bancroft, Misses Louise and Elinor
johnson. Miss Louise Tatnall. Mrs. E..
p. Warner, Mrs. ]. d. Bush. Mrs. VIII
liam Berl, Mrs. William Bush, Mrs.
Henry p. Scott, Jr, Mrs. William T..
Scott. Misses Lea, Mrs. G. Rumford.
Mrs. S. Rumford.
Miss Esther Wand will have direc-
ton OF the ushers for the meeting and
Miss Louise Tatnall Is looking after
invitations being extended 10 business
and professional women OF the city.
Judge Gray when asked for his views
on suffrage today, expressed himself
as follows:
"You ask me what my opinion Is as
to woman suffrage, and what think
should be the attitude OF the Legisla-
ture at the extraordinary session OF
that body called for the 22nd OF this
month";
ITO those who know me, the nrst
question does not need an answer. and
my convictions on that subject have
only been strengthened by time and
reelection. ] can see no good that could
come either 10 women or TO the body
politics OF the State, by comforting the
voting franchise upon women. On the
contrary, I believe that much OF harm
may result 30 both. II the proposed
amendment Is ratified.
But this Is not the time 20 present
arguments upon the general question
Of woman suffrage. because We are
now confronted with the possibility OF
a great wrong being inflicted upon
the people OF the State by hasty and
ill-considered ratification OF the pro
posed amendment 10 the Constitution
OF the United states.
IN the first place. the proposal to
bring about this great change, by an
amendment TO the Federal Constltu-
ton. thus coerclng the will OF many OF
the States, violating principles OF self
government that have hitherto been
/ considered sacred, and challenges the
right and ability OF the peoples OF the
| several States 20 wisely regulate mat
/ ters OF their own concern
/ ~ know how readily the skllfil ad-
vOcates OF this measure point 70 the
fact that Negro suffrage was estab-
| lished by such an amendment, but
that amendment grew out Of the Civil
War which for four years had devas-
| tated and cOnvulsed the whole nation
and was the result OF a political and
social crisis that could only be dealt
with in that way. Il was under the
! compulsion OF the circumstances at
! tending that great cataclysm that the
rigth OF each State 10 control its own
electorate was for the time disre-
tory, both before and since the tenn
pest OF the Civil War, has been re-
garded as sacred.
surely the suffrage advocates have
no cause to complain Of this wise con-
servatiOn Of the rights OF the States,
touching this fundamental question.
They have seen one State after an
other voluntarily exercising this right
in orderly and constitutional man
ner and comforting The franchise upon
women. Sometimes, ii is true, com
plants have been made-as in the great
State OF New York. in It's recent cleo
tiOn on that subject-that unfair
means had been used 10 misrepresent
the sentiment OF the State. But that
was the States affair, and not the ma
/ tlon's.
1--WE demand the same right here IN
! Delaware, that the sentiment Of its
people should be consulted, and a fair
expression Of o lr opinion, whether
| for or against. Will determine the ques-
ton. Is it just 10 deny the people
! this privilege? Those who think with
me believe that this amendment should
I be rejected by the Legislature, not be-
cause its individual members are for OF
against woman suffrage. but because
/ they are in favor OF uphOlding the ira
dltional policies OF our country and
the great dual scheme OF government
! founded by the fathers.
I'VE have reason 10 believe that a
majority even OF the women OF this
state are opposed 10 the ratification OF
this movement. still more reason have
we TO believe that a majority Of the
electorate Of the State are so opposed
but whether we are justified or not,
in this belief, have we not a right 20
demand that a Legislature that has re-
celved no mandate from the people on
this subject shall not at this extraOr-
binary session fOrestall the peoples
right TO pass upon so momentous a
question.
NO member OF the Legislature is
! called upon to declare himself either
| in favor Of or opposed TO woman suf-
frage. He has only to recall the glori-
Gus history OF our self-governed com
monwealths, and renew his faith In
government OF the people, by the peo-
/ pie and for the people
Surely our friends who are so clam
orous and insistent upon immediate
action at this extraordinary and un-
( looked-for session can possess their
souls in patience for awhile. in order