The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-07-12
HAD BEEN I'M
PORTUNED FROM
MANY SOURCES
A Short Time Ago Gov.
Clement Had Conference
With Republican Nomi-
nee for Pres i d ent at
Which Harding Urged
the Calling of the Ver-
mont Legislature.

Rutland, July l2.-Governor Percival
w, Clement to-day issued a proclama
tion refusing to call the legislature in
special session to make possible rati-
fcation of the federal amendment for
woman suffrage.
The governors proclamation follows
a conference which he held at Washing
ton recently with Senator Harding, at
which, il is understood, the Republican
nominee for president discussed with
him the possibility Of having ratifcs
tion completed by the Republican leg
islature of Vermont.
In giving his reasons for refusing
again to call a special session Cover
nor Clement said the proposed amend
ment clearly inyades the constitution
oil Vermont; that the present legisla-
ture was elected before the question
of ratifying the federal amendment
had arisen, and that the people of the
state have had no opportunity to ex
press themselves on the issue. The gov
ernor proposed that the matter be
taken up by the next legislature and
urged that candidates for election be
required to declare themselves on the
matter.
Governor Clement in his proclsms
tion declared that the federal constitu-
tion "as it stands and is interpreted
L. . ka Y
the foundation of free popular govern
ment" The proclamation said in part
THE provisions for changes in the
federal constitution, to which we Yer
monters are loyal subscribers, are IN
conflict with those laid down in the
constitution of Vermont. The federal
constitution provides that proposals for
change therein shall, if favorable sc-
tion is taken thereon by the Congress.
be submitted TO the legislatures of the
several states for their action, and the
supreme court of the United States has
in a recent decision. Hawke Versus
Smith. June lst. 1920, declared:
The referendum provisions Of stati
constitutions and statutes cannot be
applied. consistently. with the constitu-
ton Of the United States in the ratii-
cation or rejection Of amendments to
it
This decision leaves the people az
the mercy Of any group Of men who
NAV lobby proposal for change IN
the federal constitution Through Con
gress and then through the legislatures
of the states.
I'm the face Of this situation, ! am
asked to call the legislature Of Yer
mont into extraordinary session, not
for the purpose of debating. consider
ing. deliberating on the question at is
sue. but with a majority Of its mem
hers pledged beforehand and in private,
a. | understand il, to ratify the pro
posed amendment
IF the people of Vermont, in accept
ing a place in the union Of states, mad
verteptly lost in whole or in part the
right of self government and conferred
!, on a legislature. there is all the more
reason why legislature should not
pass upon a question which has arisen
since their election and upon which
their constituents have had no oppor-
tunity TO express themselves.
we must now either remodel our
own constitution TO conform With the
mandate Of the supreme court oi the
I nited States. or the constitution Of
tbe United States must be amended to
nrovide for a referendum TO the treel
men of the several states beforeI
amendments to that constitution be-
come effective As il stands and - IN
ierpreted BY the supreme court to-day
the federal constitution threatens the
foundation Of free popular government
The seventh amendment, providing
I for a federal income tax. was iobhted
through Congress and the state legis-
latures bv federal agents. The 18th
amendment. for federal prohibition,
uas forced through Congress and the
state legislature by powerful ana ir-
responsible organization. operating
through paid agents with unlimited
funds II i nov proposed 70 force
through the 10Th amendment Tor Vonn,
an suffrage. in the same manner and
also without the sanction 81 the free-
men.
r,-.isersf5ons a. matter of party sx
res;enrv. But this Is e matter 81 prin
einla not rxpedisncy, and the party
ttst invade = wril established princi-
ne ii popular government wlll suier
n the end
Al tbs present tire $ states have
1 vstiees tfp 10th amendment giving
voner the riEht ~ vote one more
5C-uunued 90 eighth rsgsl