The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-08-26
SIGNS
PROCLAMATION
OF SUFFRAGE
Final Act Authorizing Women
To Vote Is Completed
Suffrage Leaders Fail To Be
Present.
VOTE COMPLICATION?
(By Associated Press)

(By Associated Press)
WASHINGTON, Aug. 26-The pro-
clamation announcement that the suf.
trage amendment to the constitution
had been ratified, was signed today
by Secretary Colby of the state de-
partment.
The document was signed at a. m,
at Mr. Colby's home, when the GER
tificate that the Tennessee Legislature
had ratified, was received.
The announcement disappointed D;
group of suffrage workers from head
quarters of the National woman's
party, who had hoped to be present
when he attached his signature. Miss
Alice Paul, chairman of the woman's
party, was among the number.
Says 1t Completes Struggle.
1--WE are confident that the signir g
completes the struggle in this coun-
try" she said. In spite of every oh
stacle that our opponents could put
in our path, women have won the
right to an equal vote in the affairs
of the government. Secretary Colby
later sent word to the women that
he would see the suffrage leaders at
his office, if they desired.
Secretary Colby nnounced his ac-
tion on his arrival at his office.
Anti-suffragi who yesterday fail
ed in their attempt to have the Dis
trict of Columbia supreme court, issue
an order to restrain Secretary Colby
from proclaiming the amendment as
law, were not expected to further
seek to prevent issuance of the pro-
clamation.
Secretary Colby made the following
statement: The certified record of
of
see on the suffrage amendment was
received by mail this morning.
Immediately on it's receipt the rec
ord was brought to my house. This
was in compliance with my directions,
and in accordance with numerous re-
guests for prompt action. l there
upon signed the certificate required
of the secretary of state this morning
at in the presence of Mr.. F. X. Mel
son, the solicitor of the state depart
ment, and Mr.. Charles L. Cook, also
of the state department. The seal OF
the United States has been duly af-
fixed to the certificate, and the suff-
rage amendment is now the 18th
amendment of the constitution.
Decides Against Ceremony
"It was decided not to accompany
the simple action on my part with
any ceremony or setting. This second
ary aspect of the subject has regret
! fully been the source Of considerable
controversy as to who will participate
| In it and who shall not.
"Inasmuch as l am not interested in
the aftermath or in any of the fric-
tions or collisions which may have
been incurred in the long struggle for
the ratification, l contented myself
with the performance in the simplest
manner of the duty devolved upon me.
Il congratulate the women Of the
! country upon the successful culmlna-
ton of their efforts. which have been
sustained in the face Of many dis
couragements which have not de-
tered them from the achievement of
that great object.
Marks Opening Of New Era
"The day marks the opening of a
great and new era in the political life
of the nation. 1 confidently believe
that every salutary forward and up
ward force in our public life will re-
ceve fresh vigor from enfranchise'
ment of the women of the country.
ITO the leaders of this great move
ment l tender my sincere congratula-
tionS. To every one from the presi-
dent who uttered the call to duty
whenever the cause seemed to falter
to the humblest workers in this great
reform, the praise not only of this gen
GRAFTON but of posterity will be freely
! given.
Recounts Process
The proclamation recounts the pro
cess by which the new article 10 of the
constitution was prepared and rati
T. 81 &ot~ Dy,I
continues:
cambridge Colby, secretary of state
of the United States, by virtue OF
section 205 of the revised statutes OF
the United States do hereby certify
that the amendment aforesaid has
become valid to all intentS and pur
poses as a part OF the constitution OF
the United States.
Supreme Court is Next.
Efforts will be made, anti-suffragis'
leaders declared, to have the United
States supreme court pass on the
legality of Tennessee's ratification
Suffrage opponents predicted the court
would hold that the legislature had nc
authority to act.
Mrs Carrie Chapman Gait, president
of the National American Woman Stuff
rage association, was expected to ar
rive in Washington from Nashville il
time for a suffrage jollification which
will be held here tonight in a theatre
| The action of Justice Siddons par
alleled in measure that of Justice
| Bailey of the same court last month
except that Justice Bailey granted +;
, "show cause" order against Secretar!
t Colby in a similar bill filed by thu
same plaintiffs. but after hearing de
{ ciined to issue the injunction asked OIL
t grounds OF lack of jurisdiction and in
t sufficient showing. In dismissing th'
5 bill today. Justice Siddons said he dit
: not wish to review Justice Baileys ae
: ton in a similar case and that to issu
the show cause order would be "un
warranted interference with a purel.
ministerial action of the secretary o
} state
Women Will Vote, But!
5 Mr.. Smith said that he still hope,
? to obtain a decision before the Noven