The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1920-07-03
VERMONT TO JOIN
IN SUFFRAGE RACE
Governor to raT Extra Session
to Beat Out Tennessee.
HARDING URGES ACTION
New England State Will Act at an
Early Date-Tennessee Legislature
to Meet August g.

Washington, July "a race be-
tween the Democratic and Republi-
can parties for the honor of enfran
chising the women of the nation in
time for their participation in the
November elections appeared prob
able.
The two parties, the indications
were, would work through legislatures
In which each has majority, the
Democrats through the Tennessee
Nislature and the Republicans
through the Vermont lawmaking body.
Governor Roberts, of Tennessee, in
response to an appeal from President
Wilson,. announced several days ago
that he would call the legislature of
his state in special session to act on
the federal suffrage amendment.
Governor Clement, of Vermont
after conference here with Senator
Harding, fntimated he would call the
vermont legislature, known to be ia
vorable toward the suffrage amend
ment, in session to act on a ratifca-
ton resolution
The Tennessee legislature will be
called to meet August 8, Governor
Roberts informed the National Wo-
mans party.
Governor Clement did not state
definitely when the Vermont legisla-
ture would be called, but the impress
sion prevailed among those informed
as to his conference with Senator
To no
convened at an early date. The Yer
mont governor in a formal statement
issued after his conference with Mr.
Harding, in fact did not openly state
that he contemplated calling an extra
session, but declared that despite his
reluctance TO permit change in the
fundamental laws without delibera-
ton there was preponderallce of
Republican advice in favor of a spe-
cial session"
Senator Harding, in a statement is
sued simultaneously with that of Gov
ernor Clement, said the Vermont gov
ernor understands I was not tres
passing on his authority
Il have been calling on Senator
Harding" said Governor Clement at
the conclusion of the conference. land
we discussed the state of the Union
| agreeably, you can be sure, and we
discussed the suffrage ratification of
Vermont. Our state Republican COM
mittee convention asked me to call
the extra session. Chairman Hays
has urged it on behalf of the national
| committee, and many requests have
come TO me from delegations of the
! national convention.
Naturally, I wanted Senator Hard
ing's views and he suggested an early
call. My reluctance is due to a feel
! ing that Vermont prefers to change
| the fundamental laws very deliberate
We can only change our state
Institution by direct appeal to the
people and favorable action by the
| legislature We are reluctant, there
fore, TO ratify by legislature which
was elected at a time when suffrage
was not an issue"
Senator Harding's statement re-
garding the conference was nOncom-
! initial as to Governor Clements fu-
| ture action. Senator Harding said:
SIT gave me an opportunity to say
to Governor Clement that was deep
| ~ interested In the final disposition
| Of the quest On of ratification" said
Senator Harding. "and told the gov
| ernor frankly thar if my advice were
| wanted. l would be glad TO see Yer
mont Republicans close up the great
| franchise reform The women
throughout the nation are deeply in
| terested in the national campaign and
| the ratification must be closed soon If
| they are universally to participate In
| the federal election. 1 would be graf
flied, of course, to have Republican
vagmontj close the gap, but Governor
| Clements understands I was not tres
passing on his authority in giving him
such an opinion in the course of our
| conference"