New-York tribune., 1920-07-13
Gov. Clement
Refuses Help
To Suffragists
Says People of Vermont
Have Right To Be Heard
on Ratification; Will
Not Call the Legislature
Denounces Means Used to
Adopt Sixteenth and
Eighteenth Amendments
speesa' Dispatch to. The rriou~e


fused to call special session of the
Vermont Legislature to ratify the Fed
erai amendment for woman suffrage.
In a proclamation outlining his atti-
,uie the Governor calls attention to
TIE face that the present Legislature
vas elected before the question of rati-
fyine the Federal amendment had
arisen. that the people of Vermont have
had no opportunity to express them
selves in regard to the question, and
that the proposed Federal amendment
clearly invades the Constitution of
Vermont
Governor Clement proposes that the
matter be taken up by the Legislature
Of 1921. and urges the voters to re-
ouire candidates for the House and
Senate to declare themselves thereon
He refers pointedly to the income tax
amendment. which, he says, twas lob
bied through Congress and the state
legislatures by Federal agents.. also
to the prohibition amendment, which
he declares "was forced through by a
powerful and irresponsible organiza-
ton, operating through paid agents
with unlimited funds"
The Governor declares further that
the issue is one of principle, not of
uolitical expediency, and serves notice
on all state officers, apparently on the
Lieutenant Governor and his deputies,
that ne purposes "to go and come" as
his duty calls, both within and with
out the State OF Vermont" and that if
anv action is taken contrary to the
terms Of the proclamation the officer
so acting will do so "regardless of our
fundamental! law and his oath to sup
zert it and "on his own responsible
jtv,p for which he will be held "answer
able to the freemen of the state"
The Governor did not refer directly
IN the proelama tion to his recent con-
ference in Washington with Senator
Warren G. Harding, in which the Re-
publican Presidential nominee urged
the Governor to call the special session
to act on suffrage.
Explains His Attitude
The proclamation follows:
Under date of June IL, 1919, / re-
ceived from Frank L. Polk, acting Sec
retary OF State, at Washington, COM
munication inclosing a certified copy
of a resolution of the Congress of the
Joint Resolution Proposing an Amend
ment to the Constitution, Extending the
Right of Suffrage to Women with
request that it be submitted to the Leg
isa.ure of Vermont for such action as
may be had.
4 have received requests and pc
si.ions from individuals residing both
within and without the state asking ME
70 call special session of the Legis-
lature of Vermont to ratify this reso-
luton and from others not to call
session for that purpose. Numerous
political and other organizations have
made similar requests. The Importance
OF this matter demands full presen-
tation of the facts to the voters of the
state and statement of my con-
c.usions
The Constitution of Vermont has
had the sanction of use and approval
70 more than 14O years. Careful
provision is made in that Constitution
10 insure extended conside ration and
elaboration in making changes affect
Ing its provisions and for direct sub
mission to the freemen of the state.
Inc egslature may propose changes,
but Section 6 of Chapter 2 of the Con-
stltution, providing the powers of the
legislature, says: They shall have
no power to add to, alter, abolish or
infringe any part of this Constisu-
ton
Section ST Of the same Chapter
declares that this Constitution ought
not to be violated. on any pretense
whatsoever The proposed Nineteenth
amendment to the Federal Constitution
would in fact. if adopted, make radical
changes IN the Constitution of Vermont
and IN our form of government.
Conflict of Authorities
The provisions for changes in the
FEDERAL Constitution, to which we
fermonters are loyal subscribers, are
n conflict with those laid down in
sne Constitution of Vermont. The
seaeral Constitution provides that
proposals for change therein shall, if
favorable action is taken thereon by
iae congress, be submitted to the
legislatures of the several states for
lhelr action and the Supreme Court of
We United States has in recent de-
Gsion. Hawke vs.. Smith, June 1st, 1920,
declared:
me referendum provisions of state
soaseltutions and statutes cannot be
appned, consistently with the Consti-
gution Of the United States, in the
to it,
:, This decision leaves the people at
sae mercy of any group of men. who
Lay lobby proposal for change to
sae rederal Constitution through Con-
saeas and then through the Legisla-
sares OF the states.
IN the face Of this situation, I am
assed to call the Legislature of Yer
thoht INTO extraordinary session, not
cr the purpose Of debating, consider
.s, celebrating on the question at
i.Asce, but with majority OF its mem
sels pledged beforehand and in pri-
as understand it, to ratlfy the
pfeposed amendment.
II the people Of Vermont, in ac-
;Sp,ing place in the Union of States,
..hhaoVertently lost in whole or in part
me right of self-government and con-
.sised 1t on Legislature, there is all
- ne more reason why Legislature
saouio not pass upon question which
nas arisen since their election and
ssp1h which their constituents have
saaa s.aa no opportunity to express them
Peoples Rights
Inc people are the supreme gov
.e.nlng power of the state, and the leg
,,ssiators, under the constitution, are
,ae. representatives and responsible
.ne people, yet it is now proposed
~;a, siaI their Legislature take action
"slaout the sanction of the people
Aa1 IN IN direct invasion of their rights.
~ for this reason l am calling to
ms attention of the voters of Ver-