Milford chronicle., 1920-06-04
SUFFRAGE DIES AS
LEGISLATUREADJ
ALL EFFORTS TO BRING THE SUFFRAGE
MEASURE OUT OF COMMITTEE
RESULTS In DEFEAT.
VOTE "a TO 10 AGAINST
DELAWARE LOST THE OPPORTUNITY TO
GIVE THE WOMEN OF THIS C0UN-
TRY THE BALLOT.

TRY THE BALLOT.
Suffrage was buried alive in the
committee of the whole at the closing
session of the House on Wednesday
afternoon, this method of assassination
being decided upon by "antis" who
feared the acid test of going on rec
ord for a second time. Its unmanly
demise ended a strenuous battle COW
ering period of nearly ten weeks,
being the central attraction in legis-
lative doins incident to the special
session which convened March 22.
Its execution was accomplished by
vote of "a nays to 10 yeas, this be-
ing the tally on a motion by Represen-
tative William Lyons, Jr., of Whining
ton, that the House resolve itself in a
committee of the whole to consider
the Walker ratification resolution. The
frail support of this measure was no
surprise, particularly in view of the
failure of the recent tour of Sussex
County by Republican leaders.
. No legislation in the history Of
Delaware was subjected to the sort
of buffetting accorded the attempt to
adopt the Susan B. Anthony amend
ment, and it was generally admitted
that the fight was without a paral-
lei in lawmaking, not only lin Oela-
ware but throughout the country.
From the beginning the suffragists
fought a game but losing battle.
Ignore Presidents Plea
National leaders of both parties
called upon their respective repre-
sentatives to heed the clarion call Of
freedom for the women of the United
States and as late as Wednesday Pres
ident Woodrow Wilson in special tel
egrams to Democratic members asked
them for the sake of the nation and
states womanhood to vote favorably.
But the House was adamant and
turned a deaf ear to every plea, falling
back on the narrow-gauged defense
that district prejudices" were their
sole guidance. The awakening of SEN
timent throughout the state was en-
tirely ignored and the final excuse
was the fear that if they did what was
right that they would have been ac-
cused of having been bought. This is
known to be a fact, for at least three
anti members admitted that they were
satisfied of the justice of equal rights
for the men and women of the United
States.
The "lynehing" was witnessed by a
small gallery of partisans Of both sides
and when the death rattle was finally
heard the "antis" in the audience
broke loose in wild applause. Speaker
Cotbit, avowed "anti" raped sternly
for order and nearly broke his gavel
before he succeeded in quelling the
boisterous outburst.
Representative Lyons brought the
issue to the fore with his motion and
in pleading for its adoption explain
ed that it was only fair to the women
of Delaware that the representatives
stand up and be counted. He asserted
suffrage supporters were fully aware
of the fate "antis" intended to mete
out to the resolution, but could see no
reasonable objection 10 reporting the
measure out faVorably and letting 1t
have at least a chance for its life with
a yea and nay ballot.
McNabb to the Fore
The antis light heavyweight cham
pion, representative John 2. McNabb
Of Wilmington, speaker for the Dem
ocratic Gibraltar" said he had no
particular objection, but understood
that the sole purpose of the roll call
was to place several members on rec
ord. He didn't see the wisdom of this
and would therefore vote mo-" but
wanted it distinctly understood that
he would also vote "No" If the resolu-
tion was brought out
Representative Gregg favored CIV
ing the resolution an opportunity or
fighting for its life. He was against
any underhand methods and advo-
Gated at least an exhibition Of the
sense Of fair play.
Representative Buckson thought 1t
was unfair to the women OF the eoun-
try who were vitally interested in the
outcome. 1t was nothing more he de-
clared than a direct blow at justice ans
said that American womanhood had a
right to know where every member OF
the House stood on the bill.
Representative Lloyd expressed a
willingness to go on record anytime,
but favored the committee strangu-
lation because of the conduct Of the
Senate in keeping the bill in pickle.
Representative Hart, father Of the
original ratification resolution, de-
IedLeQ earlier III Luc 1tobAoAs otNbN1
that the "antis" had expressed a will
ingness to take a whack at the Walk
er measure and couldn't understand
why they were evading the carrying
out of the whacking proposition.
Representatives Soper and McNabb
contributed more dissenting advice
and Representative Mulvena interrupt
ed with a demand for a roll call. The
demand was granted with the follow
ing result:
Yeas-Messrs. Brooks, Bunting,
Danzenbaker, Francis. Gregg, Hart,
Jakes, Klair, Lyons, S. ]. Warrington,
total years, 10.
Nays-Bunting, Clendaniel, Dean,
Hardesty, Hastings, Jester, Jones,
Lester. Lloyd, Lord, McNabb, Null
rine. Mulvena, Paradee, Parker,
Quigley. Sherwood, H. S. Smith, j. w.
Smith, Snow, Soper, Stats, J. D. War
rington, Speaker, Corbit, total nay "a.
OLLIE MORRIS TAKEN