The courier-index., 1920-08-27

hood that a decision would be reach ed before election day, November ?. In that event, it was pointed out, the women of the country would be legally entitled to vote with the re- suit that should the supreme court later decide against the legality of the Tennessee ratification, the validity of the entire national elec- tion would be in question.
 The antisuffrage forces are also challenging the legality of ratifi- cation in Missouri, West Virginia and Ohio.
 Secretary Colby later sent word to the woman's party headquarters that he would see the suffrage leaders at his office if they de- sired. Word was sent back that Miss Paul was preparing to leave for New York, that the other lead CTS already had returned to their homes and the invitation could not be accepted.
 Another party of suffrage lead CTS appeared headed by Mrs. Carry Chapman Catt, of the National American Woman Suffrage Associa- tion. They accepted an invitation to near statement, which Secre- tary Colby had planned to read to the woman's party delegation. Secretary Colby's statement fol- lows:
 "The certified record of the ac- | tion of the legislature of the state of Tennessee on the suffrage | amendment was received by mail this morning. Immediately on it's receipt the record was brought to my house. This was in compliance with my directions and in accord | ance with numerous requests for prompt action. thereupon signed the certificate required of the sec retary of state this morning at 8 o'clock, in the presence of MT. F.. 1 K. Nielsen, the solicitor of the state department, and MT. Charles L.. Cook, also of the state department. The seal of the United States has been duly affixed to the certificate and the suffrage amendment is now the Nineteenth amendment of the constitution of the United States.
 "It was decided not to accom- pany the simple ministerial action on my part with any ceremony or setting. This secondary aspect of the subject has, regretfully, been the. source of considerable conten- tion as to who shall participate in it and who shall not. Inasmuch as I am not interested in the after math of any of the friction or col lisions which may have been devel- oped in the long struggle for the ratification of the amendment, l contented myself with the per formance in the simplest manner of the duties devolved upon me under the law.
 "I congratulate the women of the country upon the successful cul- mination of their efforts which have been sustained in the face of many discouragements and which have now conducted them to the achieve ment of that great object.
 "The day marks day of the opening of a great and new era in the political life of the nation. confidently believe that every salu- tary forward and upward force in our public life will receive fresh vigor and reinforcement from the enfranchisement of the women of the country. .
 ITO the leaders of this great movement I tender my sincerest congratulations. To every one, from the president, who uttered the call to duty, whenever the cause seemed to falter, to the humblest worker in this great reform, the praise not cnly of this generation, but of posterity will be freely given"
 The proclamation recounts the process by which the new article l9 of the constitution was presented and ratified, naming the ratifying states, and continues:
 "Now, therefore, be it known that I, Bainbridge Colby, secretary of state of the United States, by virtue and in pursuance of section 205 of the revised statutes of the United States, do hereby certify that the amendment aforesaid has become valid to all intents and purposes as a part of the constitution of the United States"
 Speaker Walker, after telephone conversation last night with Secre- tary Colby, sent the following mes sage to the secretary:
 Tennessee has not ratified Nine teenth amendment Motion to re- consider house vote was duly en- tered on journal and no quorum was present under constitution of Ten nessee on August 21, 1920, when motion to reconsider was attempted to be acted upon. Under decision Judge Lurton in 87 Tennessee re- ports 167 effect of motion to re- consider was to nullify prior vote until said motion was acted on by constitutional quorum of sixty-six members. This has not been done. Legislators acting as parliamentary body, under provision of Tennessee constitution; see Hare against Rice two hundred and four United States 291. This legislature has no pow CT to act and furthermore has not acted. The governors certificate in effect leaves these two questions up to you to decide which you can not lawfully do.
 (Signed) "Seth M. Walker, speaker of the Tennessee house of