Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1920-08-31
SUFFRAGE VICTORY
FINALLY CL|NCHED
RATIFICATION is OFFICIALLY
CERTIFIED BY SECRETARY
OF STATE COLBY
NO CEREMONY ATTENDS ACT
Quiet Manner in Which Mr.. Colby
Signs Document Is Disappointment
to Some Suffrage Workers,
Who Wanted Demonstration

Washington, Aug. 27.-Without GER
emory, Secretary Colby yesterday
signed the proclamation declaring the
woman suffrage amendment ito all in
tents and purposes & part of the con-
stitution of the United States"
1.-THE secretary's signature was af-
fixed to the proclamation at his home
at 8 100 a. m. yesterday a few hours
after he had received from Governor
Roberts of Tennessee the certificate
that final favorable action on the
amendment. had been taken by the
legislature of that state completing
the required SO.
The quiet manner in which Mr.. Col
by signed was a disappointment to
some suffrage workers, who had hoped
to make a ceremony of this act, but
they contented themselves with their
jubilation ceremonies, including a
mass meeting here last night. They
united in statements that with the
secretary's action nothing now can be
done to prevent the women from vot-
ing in November.
Secretary Colby's statement fol-
lows:
1.-The certified record of the action
of the legislature of the state of Ten
nessee on the suffrage amendment was
received by mail this morning. Imme-
diately on its receipt the record was
brought to my house. This was in
compliance with my directions and in
accordance with numerous requests for
prompt action. l thereupon signed
the certificate required of the secre-
tary of state this morning at 8
o'clock In the presence of Mr.. e. X.
Nelson, the solicitor of the state de-
partment, and Mr.. 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 nine
teenth amendment of the constitution.
ut was decided not to accompany
the simple ministerial action of my
part with any ceremony of sitting.
This secondary aspect of the subject
has, regretfully, been the source of
considerable contention as to who
shall participate in it and who shall
not. Inasmuch as l am not interested
In the aftermath of any of the fric-
lions or collisions which may have de-
veloped in the long struggle for the
ratification of the amendment, | con
tented myself with the performance
in the simplest manner of the duties
devolved upon me under the law.
81 congratulate the women of the
country upon the successful culmina-
ton of their efforts which have been
in the face of many dis
land which have now
them to the achievement
Of that great object.
"The day marks the opening of n
great and new era in the political life
Of the nation. l confidently believe
hat every salutary, forward and up
ward force in our public life will re-
,eive fresh vigor and reinforcement
rom the REIMBURSEMENT of the
women of the country.
ITO the leaders of this great move
nent | tender my sincere congratula-
ions. To everyone. from the presi-
lent, who uttered the call to duty.
whenever the cause seemed to falter.
o the humblest worker in this great
eform. the praise not only of this
but Of posterity WIN be
RELY given"
The proclamation recounts the pro-
ess by which the new article 10 of
he constitution was presented and
atified, naming the ratfying states
nd continues:
Now, therefore, be it known that
cambridge Colby, secretary of state
t the United States, by virtue in
ursuance of section 205 of the reyis-
d statutes of the United States. do
ereby certify that the amendment
foresaid has become valid to all in
ents and purposes as a part Of the
Onstitution of the United States"