New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-08-25
Tennessee Officials Mail
Formal Notification of
State's Action in
Ratifying Amendment
Ants Seeking to
Enjoin Secretary
Will Strive to Prevent
Issuance of Proclama-
ton by Court Order

NASHVILLE, Tenn, Aug. 24.-Gov-
ernor Roberts of Tennessee mailed by
registered letter this morning to Sec
rotary of State Colby, President Will
son, Vice President Marshall and the
Speaker of the lower house of Congress
the certification of ratification of the
Federal suffrage amendment by the
Tennessee Legislature. The letters
were dropped into the mails at 1920
o'clock
Tennessee opponents of woman suf-
frage announced tonight that thew
would file suit for an injunction in the
District of Columbia directed against
Secretary of State Colby, to prevent
him from proclaiming the ratification
of the Nineteenth Amendment.
Judge Joseph C. Higgins, president
of the Tennessee Constitutional League
said the league would lie suit, probably
tomorrow. He added that the papers
in the case already had been prepared.
Miss Charl Williams, vice chairman
OF the Democratic National Executive
Committee, sent the following telc-
gram yesterday to Secretary of State
Colby:
"Certifcation by the Governor of the
ratlhcation of the Nineteenth Amend
ment by the 61st Assembly of the State
OF tennessee has been mailed by regis
tered letter to you, the President, the
Vice President and the Speaker of the
lower house Of Congress-"
After a writ Of supersedeas mad been
granted last night by Judge Lansden
upon petition of Attorney General
Thompson, Governor Roberts asked
what should be the next legal step. He
was Informed by the Attorney General
that he was legally entitled and author
lzed, since the writ of supersedcas had
been granted, to make certfication to
Secretary Colby Of the ratification of
the suffrage amendment.
Acting upon this advice, the letters
were addressed to the proper Federal
officials. Governor Roberts merely GER
titled in an official way to the act of
the Legislature, and it will be left to
Colby to decide whether the ratifica-
ton was legal and in accordance with
the rules of both houses aid the con-
stitution of this state.
Colby Ready to Act
Secretary Colby has announced un-
officially and informally, according to
uioP"INHSS lioHI w dSHlllgJOU, CndC ne
will proclaim the amendment duly rati-
fed by two-thirds of the states and
part of the Federal Constitution as
soon as he receives notice from Ten
nessee.
At any rate, the Gord;an knot into
which the question of ratification had
been tied for several days by court pro-
ceedlngs, has been cut and the tangle
must nerforcc be trans ferred, to other
courts.
Judge Higgins, of the Tennessee
constitutional League, said the action
OF Chief Justice Lansden would stay
all procedure in Tennessee until the
next meeting of the Supreme Court at
Knoxville, beginning September 20. At
that time the anti-suffrage forces will
present the matter to the court and
pray that Judge Lansden's action be
not upheld.
In granting the writ of certiorari and
supersedoas Chief Justice Lansden took
the entire matter out of the hands of
the lower court. The bill of injunction
was filed in Part II of the Chancery
Court of Davidson County last Satur-
day, and temporary injunction was
granted by Judge E. f. Langford.
supplemental bill was filed yesterday
and second injunction granted fur
Their restraining state officials and
members of the Legislature from fur
Their carrying out the ratification action
OF the state Legislature.
Those who filed the injunction bills
were amazed at Judge Lansden's action
in granting the writ without notifying
their attorney that such petition
would be heard.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 24.-Formal
announcement by the Secretary of
State of suffrage ratification is due
within twenty-four hours.
This prediction by Wouan's party
leaders came Immediately after tele-
phone message from Miss Sue White,
Tennessee chairman of the National
Woman's party, to Alice Paul. saying
that the certificate of Tennessee's rati-
fication had been mailed to Secretary
Of State Colby at noon to-day by
registered man. The Tennessee Su-
preme Court had /. -anted writ of
supersedeas taking the injunction
against Governor Roberts out of the
hands of the lower courts
Immediately upon receipt of the GER
tiicate by Mr.. Colby, the issuance of
the formal proclamation announcing
the completion of suffrage ratification
is expected by representatives of the
Woman's party.