The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-08-21
Anti-Suffrage Members of Leg
iSlature Leave State.
Leave House Without Quorum
to Ratify Amendment.
COURT INJUNCTION is ISSUED
State Officials Ordered Not to
Certify to Ratification.
Attempt Made to Force Action
Despite Absent Members.

Nashville. Tenn. Aug 21-In the
midst of a parliamentary debate suf-
frage members of the lower house OF
the Tennessee legislature this after
noon voted against reconsideration Of
the resolution ratifying the suffrage
amendment. Anti-suffrage members.
contending no quorum was present
and that therefore it was impossible
10 transact Legislative business, re-
Trained from voting. There were so
ayes.
After the vote. the suffragists rang
a liberty bell" contending that they
had won and that the fight was over.
The vote was taken amid scenes Of
confusion. anti-suffra gists contending
that the house was not legally in ses-
sion at all.
By viva voce vote the house then
moved to adjourn until Monday
Contend Action Is Legal
Before adjournment the house voted
20 return the resolution to the senate
"nere 1t originated, a technical step.
The end of the session found suffra-
glsts still contending that the action
taken was legal
Many of the anti-suffrage members
mad absented themselves so there
would be no quorum and final action
would be delayed until the antis had
time enough to line up enough to over
turn ratifica ton
The ants who were on hand pro-
tested vehemently until adjournment
and there was much confusion on the
floor and in the galleries
suffrage opponents declared they
mad blocked completion of ratification
anyway as they obtained from Judge
J.. y. Newman an Injunction tempor-
arily restraining Governor Roberts.
Speakers Todd and Walker. and Sec
retary of State Stevens from certifying
ratification to the state department at
Washington.
No Quorum Present.
When the lower house Of the Ten
nessee legislature met today no busi-
ness could be transacted because there
was not "A quorum present.
Suffrage advocates charged that
ar7ti-suffrage members had left town
to delay action on a motion to recon
slider ratification of the suffrage
amendment. There were fifty-nine
members present, seven less than a
quorum.
All Antis Absent.
At 10 O'Clock, the time the house
was to convene. the majority of anti
ratification members had not ap-
peared- 1t was uncertain whether
there would be a quorum. Suffrage
leaders believed there would be.
Representative Hanover said he was
unable to state positively the anti
ratificationists had left town. but be-
lieved they had.
Some thought the antfs might be
together somewhere prepared to come
at the last minute.
Injunction Is Issued.
While the house was in recess.
Judge J. B. Newman issued inJunc-
ton to prevent Gov. A. H. Roberts.
Speakers Tosd and Walker and Secre-
tary of State Stevens from certifying
ratification to the state department at
Washington.
after an hours recess>R epreseEtative
Riddick argued that 1t has the power
to act on the suffrage amendment
even tho quorum is not present. He
said the rules of the house do not ep-
ply to the action. but that the federal
constitution rules.
Speaker Walker asked Riddick to
make a motion in writing
In Large FfTIibuster.
There have been filiibusters on 9TH
er occasions in Tennessee. The first
one was in 1S41. There was one in
1911 to prevent action on election laws
and another in 1919 when prohibition
was under consideration. The latter
lasted a month.
we defeated them on a fair and
square issue and they are now resort
ing to subterfuge in a last desperate
attempt TO defeat suffrage" said Rep
resentative Hanover.
When the house met again after an
hours recess parliamentary debate
began over the question Of whether 4
motion to reconsider could be voted on
without quorum being present.
The house went into recess for IN
hour. There was little hope that a
quorum could be mustered T1Ie anti
ratificationists were said to have gone
to Decatur. Ala. where they are not
under control of the Tennessee laws.
Had they remained in Tennessee their
attendance could be forced.
Are at Decatur Ala.
Decatur. Ala. Aug. 21.-Twenty-
five members OF the Tennessee house.
which was to take final action upon
the federal suffrage amendment today
arrived here early this morning on the
Louisville & Nashville train from
Nashville.