The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-08-11
HaySStrikeSHard
For Ratification
After Conference With Hard
ing Wires Asking Support
for Amendment.

Marion, o., Aug. 11.-Republican Ma.
tional Chairman viii III. Hays struck
hard today for ratification OF the ma.
iona. woman suffrage amendment by
the Tennessee legislature.
In conference here with Senator
for president. Hays dispatched a Ionr
telegram to republican legislators ~
Nashville In which he urged Immediate
acton as a.-measure of simple Justice
to American women"
Asserting the. present unrest is I'm A
large measure due to the. fact that SO
many vital questions are clamoring for
simultaneous decision" Hays declared
mat one of these was the suffrage ques-
ton that can be settled Immediately
py the tennessee legislature"
We want ratification. first. N the
hope of thereby clearing the political
atmosphere: second. in the belief thar
we owe immediate action as a simple
measure OF Justice TO American women" :"
Hays conference with Senator Hard
ing lasted nearly until midnight last
night. Lights burned ARntiy from
the windows OF thea .sk residence
and Of the Hardin .<etGafters oppo-
fs asrdinss IL HasTS sherty Senate, ass
chief lieYt was present at tho
confereyF sSseveral hours. II was
undeR<H tEhat every phase of the cam
pa3 a. carefully and thoroughly dis
.eh came the announcement that
lays, with Senator Harding's unquaii-
fled approval. had sent the suffrage
telegram: Previous to that. Hays In
formed the waiting newspapermen TINT
'there has been no thought of change
OF plans relating to Senator Harding's
campaign. and there is no program
IN contemplation which in volved n
change" This statement directly IN.
volving the Harding front porch cam
paign, also had the expressed sanction
OF the republican nominee, II was said
senator Harding was to pass a quiet
uay today. He was to receive a few
visitors during the early morning. and
then leave on long automobile ride,
ana probably a game of golf somewhere
IN the country. where he would find
rest and recreation.
The message was forwarded after
consultation with Senator Harding and
Was sent from here shortly before Mr..
cago. II went to Statea Senators II. j.
Carter, William p. Monroe and p. NJ,
chandler, and state Representatives w.
n. Anderson. c. +. Boyer, II, r. Burns,
~ Cassady, A. J, Hickman. George
81 Nillican. E. C. Norvell and Dan
I'LL. Hays Message.
MY deep interest In. the ratification |
of the suffrage amendment" the mes.
sage said. induces me to presume to |
communicate again to you the resolu- |
lions passed by the national committee |
n tebruary. 1918; January, 1919; De- |
mittee in Columbus, o., last month, ali |
most earnestly urging the republican |
legislatures to ratlfy,
Present unrest Is in a large measure
Tue to the fact that SO many vital |
questions are clamoring for simulta-
neous decision. Any one of those ques-
lions. definitely settled, Is big contri-
button toward national stability, The
suffrage question is one that can be /
settled Immediately by the Tennessee |
legislature. II is really not a party |
question. Its pendency merely makes ii |
more diificult for the public mind TO |
'ocus upon the issues OF the presidential |
campaign.
III we relieve the American woman |
from the necessity Oh claiming her com
stitutionat tights and her sister from |
me iancied necessity OF opposing the |
claim, we will liberate a body OF putJfic |
opinion upon the campaign and its is
sues Which VIII proves itself TO be one /
~ our greatest national assets. Democ- |
'acy In the United States is really moth |
ng but sham unless election day |
gives All Americans the chance to ex- |
press their political opinion effectively.
To hold American women bound |
oy the result OF an election; to train
hem In schools and colleges to think
or themselves, as well as man: to
accord them freedom of utteraDce as a
right, and then to at
empt TO deny them the opportunity
Q stand up and be counted on cleo
ion day, IL governmental blunder OF
he first magnitude -.s
Both parties recognize that the
meets OF the approaching presidential
'lection will influence our national life
or at least nifty years There never
vas an election at which II was more
for opinion and sentiment to
congress- and OF thirty-five legislatures
las given TO millions OF American
women the right to hope confidently
or this great opportunity. Deny them
he opportunity merely because the
ecessary governmental machinery docs
ot function and you produce the un- /
ealthy national situation which al
Ways exists when masses OF citizens
ave burning convictions to express
nd no effective outlet for their ex-
ressions.
II refrain from advancing the usual
rgument In behalf of suffrage. / leave
ntirely out OF consideration the par
san advantage or disadvantage which
atihcation might entail. urge rafif-
alton, first in the hope Of thereby
Tearing the political atmosphere: Sec
nd. In the, belief that the suppression
7 enective opinion works harm TO tho
hole body polite. and finally, In tho
onviction that we owe immediate ac-
on as measure OF simple Justice
elm In this - -"