Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-09-02
Tennessee Not a perfect Thir,y.sixr

Tcnncsscc Not q Perfect Thirty-Six'
rT'ENNESSEES course throughout the
L whole suffrage controversy presents lit
tie that is creditable to the State, and much
of which it must he heartily ashamed. Both
ratiiicationists and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. are
guilty OF contributing to the rcgrettable
record, although not in equal measure The
ratifcationists have been the worst Of
Tenders, for, urged on by n powerful and
insdious lobby and aided and allotted by
administration forces, they rode rough
thod over the States Constitution and,
with what even many OF the most ardent
pro-sunragists regard Illegal legislative
action, ratified the Anthony amendment.
This ratification, questionable at least if
not illegal, Governor Roberts certified 20
the Secretary of State, and on it the latter
proclaimed tho nineteenth amendment to
have become an integral part OF the Fed
erai Constitution. There was an nsstent
demand on tho part of the suffragists for
speed, and i'll its haste to obey the man
date and reap the promised political fruit
of woman's enfranchisemcnt, Tennessee
took chance with the law
Opponents of the amendment contributed
their part to the whole sorry, distastoful
affair by running away from their State
in order to prevent the presence OF Il quorum
in the House. These "ast-ditchers' may
have believed their flight justiOable in that
they were fighting fire with fire, but tho
method they adopted while within the law
mas left bad taste in tho mouth OF The
American public. and the States prestige
has been appreciably diminished.
Tho sorry tanglc in which the ratification
process has become involved now must be
Strengthened ont by the courts There is
not the remotest likelihood of either Con-
necticut or Vermont ratlfying In time 10
iri-- civ
November, and on the outcome Of tho Ten
nessee controversy may hinge the prcsiden-
tial election. Unless the improbable takes
place and Governor Roberts is Influenced
by the latest action of the House to re-
scnd his certincation---and OF his authority
10 do that there is question--the court ac-
ton is likely 10 be fought about the legality
OF his certifcution rs based on the original
ratification proceedings, in which event the
Houses reconsideration would not figure
largely. This is the attitude taken by tho
sunragists, who no cause for great
alarm in the sensational news from Nash
vile. Should the Governor rGscind thus
upholding the constitutionality OF tho
Houses reputation, 1t would add an in
teresting legal angle that might nccessitate
Secretary Colby recalling his proclamation
In any event, barring another thirty
sixth State the whole case eventually
must NC Heiiu OH us merits with the pros
poet OF prolonged litigation and the cast
ing of cloud over the November election
, such contretcmps would be decidedly en-
! Oarrassing and might prove nationally
disastrous in the uncertainty it would cause
and the further delay it would entail to
the nations domestic and international re-
adjustments. An expeditions handling Of
the case in the courts and n speedy decision
now seem the only hope OF relief from tho
distressing situation which Tennessee has
brought about