Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-01-16
ASKS
SOLONS TO ACT
AND GO HOME
Fails to Promise to Call An
other Session Later--Sen-
ate Action Uncertain.
KEEP COST DOWN PLEA

90 home
This was the admonition given
:oday to the Indiana state leg
stature by. Gov Goodrich at a joint
session opening the special session
called to consider the amendment to
the national constitution granting
suffrage to women
The governor, in his address. spoke OF
an extra session later, but failed definite
ly to promise to call such a session.
ASKS PASSAGE
or SUFFRAGE ACT.
He asked the members of the assembly
TO do all that our state can do to free
the women of America from >the last
vestige Of political disability" He ex
Qlained that he called the session for two
reasons first, in the hope that its ac-
tion Will serve ms an impetus to the early
ratification bS other states; and, second
that Indiana may not he the last in its
contribution to the political freedom OF
women. lie recommended that the leCs-
nature simply ratlfy the suffrage amend
ment. At no place in his message did
hr speak Of the manner In which the ses-
sion was called or Of the fact that a
Dumber Of legislators have been pledged
to limit their consideration only TO the
ratification of the suffrage amendment.
He asked that the expense Of The session
be kept to the lowest possible figure.
There was an air OF expectancy when
the assembly convened Suffrage WORK
erS from all parts of the state weIe
present for the purpose OF seeing the
amendment ratified ard 10 see the sue
tessful conclusion of years of effort In
diana VIII be the twenty sixth state TO
ratify the amendment unless some other
legislature ratides before the Indiana
assembly acts.
There was little expectancy that the
house Of representatives would endeavor
to do anything but rstlfy the amend
ment, take up lIlls vetoed by the gov
crnor at the close Of the last regullr
session, and pass an appropriation bill
Tor the purpose Of paying the expenses
= the present session.
SENATE ACTION
STILL UNCERTAIN
There was considerable uncertainty
however. as to what would be done by
the senate
The failure oe GOV. Goodrich to prom
Ise definitely that second session will
be called for the purpose Of taking mp
other necessary business added TO the
tense atmosphere. Most OF the mem
hers signed pledges with the under
standing that a second session win be
called. II appeared as II the COVER
nors failure 60 promise such session
might mean that other business would
be introduced.
Senator Harry e. Negley OF Marion
county had prepared a draft Of a suf-
frage ratification resolution which he ex-
pected to present. It was approved by
republican legislators at a meeting last
night The vote Of two thirds Of the
members Of each house will be necessary
to suspend rules and pass this resolution.
Despite the fact that the governor
asked that the ratification resolution be
the only new business to be taken up
by the assembly, Lieut.. Gov Bush stated
that he would conduct the business OF
the session in the regular order, which
means that members OF the senate Will
be given the opportunity of introducing
further legislation If they so desire.
GOVERNORS MESSAGE
rs VERY BRIEF.
The full text OF Gov. Goodrich's mes
sage follows:
you have been called together in spe-
cial session today for what will become
one of the historic meetings of the gen
eral assembly Of our state You have
| been asked to convene for the purpose
OF ratifying the proposed amendment to
the constitution Of the United States pro-
viding for the enfranchisement OF the
women Of America There is little doubt
as to how the general assembly stands
! upon this question. You have already
shown your sympathy with the suffrage
movement by giving to the women of
Indiana the largest degree of suffrage
possible under our constitution BY
your presence today, you display a deep
appreciation OF the inherent righteous
ness OF the cause which yoa have come
to serve. Your presence bespeaks not
only a high purpose to recognize the
political equality OF the women OF the
nation. but also patriotic instinct to
/ nav tribute to them for their valiant
services and ceaseless devotion In the
great crisis through which we have just
passed.
THE general assembly Of 1919 freed
the women ot Indiana Of the last civil
disability that rested upon them. To
the members Of this assembly has, been
accorded the high privilege OF doing all
that our state can do to free the women
OF America from the last vestige of po-
litica disability, for, with the adoption
Of the proposed federal amendment, they
win stand before the law upon an equal
ity with the men of the nation. The
ratification Of but seven additional states
is necessary to make woThan suffrage
a national reality. I earnestly hope that
the required number will soon be OBJ
tained and the women of the country be
qualified to participate in the nomination,
as well as the election, Of all public of
fcials, both state and national
HOPES TO INFLUENCE
OTHER COMMONWEALTHs
II have asked you to meet at this
time for two reasons: ~ In the hope
that your action will serve as an i'm
petus to the early ratification by the
states in which ratification is still be-
Continued ON Page Thirteen9