The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-03-01
CLEMENT WILL NOT
CALL LEGISLATURE
In Order That Vermont May Take Ac-
tion on the Federal Woman's
Suffrage Amendment.


on the same grounds as those which
dictated his former disapproval of the
woman suffrage bill, Governor Percival
| W. Clement has refused to call spe
cial session of the legislature for the
purpose of ratifying the suffrage
amendment
The letter covering the subject is ad-
dressed to Colonel j. +, Paddock, chair.
man, and Collins Nj, Graves, secretary
| of the Republican state committee. The
governor refers briefly to the action Of
the state committee AS good political
propaganda but holds that the con
stitution of the state of Vermont clear
ly contempates that such changes as
the suffrage amendment provides for
should be referred TO the voters for
action
Holding that the proposed federal
amendment does in fact tend to alter
and infringe the state constitution in
respect TO suffrage aud constitutes a
practical amendment thereof, he there
fore declines to call the legislature into
session.
The letter TO the state committee
reads as follows:
Feb 81. 1920.
John T.. Paddock, Chairman, and
Collins NJ. Graves, Secretary, Repub
lican State Committee,
Dear Sirs: am in receipt of your
telegram which seads as follows:
The Republican state committee in
a meeting held at Burlington TO day
passed the following resolutions which
we were instructed TO send to you:
Resolved, that the Vermont state
Republican committee are Of the unan
imous opinion. in view Of the declara
tons of both the Republican and Demo
cratic national organizations. in favor
of the right of suffrage for women: and
in view of the widespread recognition
of the merits of his measure Of po-
litical Justice, that Governor Clement
should promptly call the Vermont leg
islature in extra session for the pur-
pose Of ratifymg the proposed amend
ment to the federal constitution, pro.
yiding therefor We hold that the
women of Vermont are entitled TO
same recognition and rights Of citizen
ship as are the women Of other states.
in view Of the glorious
part taken by them in manifold war
activities, and the splendid sacrifices
made by the motherhood and the wom-
Hnhood of Vermont in connection with |
the World war We are further of the |
opinion that the legislature should he |
requested to consider no general legis
ation at the extra session, beyond the !
Of the proposed amend !
meni3
Resolved, that a copy Of these reso
utions be forwarded 10 Governor Clem
mt for his official action"
Your reasons for requesting me TO
promptly call the Vermont legislature |
n extra session for the purpose of rati-
ying the proposed amendment 10 the |
ederal constitution may be good po-
itical propaganda; and if 50, the reso-
ution which you have adopted will |
Idequately serve your purpose. Your
elegrsm contemplates immediate rati-
ication by legislature without refer
ing it to the people, But your reasons
10 not seem to me to be such as under
he circumstances would warrant the
alling of the legislature together at
his time.
While il is within the province of
he legislature to pass upon proposals
+ amendments 10 the federal constitu
ion, nevertheless when such a pro
osed amendment radically changes our
tate constitution, action upon the
anne should follow, so far as possible,
he method provided for amendments
D the state constitution, and such a
roposed amendment to the federal
ought not to be passed
pom by legislature until the people
+ the state have registered their desire
aspecting 1t.
Section o, chapter ,, of the eonstitu-
ion Of Vermont provides in part
They (the legislaturel may prepare
ills and enact them into laws. redress
rieyances, grant charters Of incorpora
on, subject TO the provisions of sec
on 6j, constitute towns, boroughs,
ties and countless and they shall have
1 other powers necessary for the leg I
lsture of free and sovereign state;
ut they shall have no power 70 add TO,
ter, abolish, or infringe any part OF
lis constitution. >
That the proposed federal amend u
ent does in fact tend TO alter and in !
inge the state constitution in respect !
suffrage, and constitutes a practical :
nendment thereof cannot be denied L
You will doubtless have in mind that s.
commission was recently appointed r
propose amendments to the Vermont I
and undoubtedly some r
oposal with respect to woman suf
age will be presented in its report TO ca
e next legislature If that legislature ?
es fit to submit an amendment 10 a
e constitution, giving suffrage to b
omen, the people of the state will m
.yc an opportunity to express their fC
sire upon such a measure Until such pl
me as the people are extended that CT
portunity. do not consider that any in
tion should be taken which would vi
Ideally change one of the fundamen ca
provisions of our existing constitu- n,
m without their consent. Yours very hs
lly p. w. Clement, he
Governor.