The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1920-08-27
Senate Chamber, State of
Tennessee Nashville
August 20 tbl 1920.

august ~ IN! lSZU.
Mr.. W. T. LoGGNs,
SoMERvILLE, TENN.
Nv Dear SIR.
As a representative of the people Of
Fayette County In the General Assem-
bly, of the State | fell that it is..just and
fair that they should know my attitude
and stand upon The Suffrage Amend
ment now before the General Assemb.
y and in brief way shall outline my
reasons for opposing this measure. l
sincerely hope that you will givelmy let
ter to the public In the view Of the fact
that the question before US is the most
important question that has ever teen or
probably ever will be before and General
Assembly of any State.
lido not seek to apologize for nv stand
against the measure and | consider it a
distinguished honor to have been the
only Democratic member of the State
Senate who spoke against the passage
Of this measure. voted against this
measure after much consideration and
from a standpoint of principle and fur.
ther as q representative of the people.
| voted against this measure In oppcsi-
lion to the advice of many politicians.
great and small. | lvoted against this
measure not 10 denial of any right
claimed by few women of our state
and nation but in defense Of the mil
lions Of women on the farm in the rural
sections, in the homes who had no op.
portunity to be in Nashville and applaud
my action. voted against in the face
of Political Expediency" because
there is no such thing as political exped-
iency when you come to final test of
the case. voted against the measure
because deep down IN my heart believe
that | .wss fright and my conscience
told me to do the right thing.
As l approach the questioned Woma1
Suffrage. l fiod myself naturally oppos-
ed to the enfranchisement OF women;
but the abstract question of woman .suf.
frage is overshsdowed by greater and
more complex problems 10 the case OF
this amendment. However, should be
willing to surrender my personal view
on the subject 10 favor of the majority
OF my Cone titutents and support state
Suffrage whenever ] am convinced that
the great mass vf people want equal
suffrage for women. This motion WAS
made, that Tennessee vote on the ques-
tion and Determine the issue, hut those
favor sof the amendment quickly
voted it down. should be glad to vote
for . measure calling for y constitution
convention to allow the citizens Of Ten
nessee to decide the question for them
selves.
The two main arguments that have
be ard since have studied the question
and especially since have been in Nash
willie have been Political Expetieney"
and the fact that the Legislature can
rstify the amendment :and get away
with II in the eyes Of the U. s. Su-
preme Court. The latter 10 argued
even though the members Of this body
are called upon 10 perjue themsslves.in
violating the constitution Of the state.
I will qaote for you Article 2
Section 50 Of the Constitution Of
Tenness =. NO convention or Gener-
Al Assembly Of this State shall sct up
on any amendment Of the constitution
Of toe Uuitsd States proposed By Con-
rress t, the several states unless such
convention or General ..AssembIy :shall
have been elected after such amend
msat L Submitted. Il seems 10 ms
that any boy ten years might Interpret
this section: bat Il takes . very shrewd
llssyer 70 tel you that IL iy null and