Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1920-02-04
|CARL|H CONVERT
10 WOMAN SUFFRAGE.
Old Dominion to Lead South
in Giving Franchise
to Women
OPPOSED TO DELAYS
When a Congressman He Says He
rs Took Different View-Now Con-
yinced Women Want to Vote.

Former Congressman Charles C.
arlin of this city favors woman suf-
rage and in letter written to w
!. Hall house of delegates, says so
His letter follows: February 8, 1920
Hon. Wilbur G. Hall,
Iouse of Delegates,
Richmond, Virginia.
hear Mr.. Hall:
s.keferring to our several conversa-
ions, and your request for my views
pon the adoption of the Federal
amendment for the enfranchisement
Il women, I am now glad to say tc
lou that l have reached the deli
terate conclusion that the time has
Tome when the men of Virginia
hould enfranchise our women and
BIT have the franchise come to them
a gratuity from the men of other
Eates.
The question is no longer one that
irginia can of itself control. We all
how now that it will be only a few
[onths when there will be a. suff!-
ent number of States ratifying the
Institutional amendment to make i.
fective. The objection to the amend
ent which the legislature has SO
Feqpently expressed is one that ]
kve personally always entertained
bu are familiar with my record, and
low that as Chairman of the Sub
fnmittee Of Che Judiciary Commit
e Of the House of Representatives
Ehe Subcommittee having charge
1.-THE suffrage question: did all in
power tc prevent the submission
an amendment which / thought
buld net meet with the views of the
ople of the South, but we have
ssed beyond the discussion of the
Instability of the form of the amend
mt and are confronted with the
ets as I have related them, and the
y question now for the Virginia
gislature to decide is,-shall the
men of Virginia be enfranch;sec
Virginians or enfranchised despite
fginians. = II :..'
favor giving the women of Vir-
liza Immediately the right to vote
tby, opinion, this can be done at
ee, and under such conditions and
Rtrictions as apply to males, vot-
in the State. The women ask for
privileges beyond those which the
% enjoy. They will gladly meet the
he requirements and restrictions
opinion is that the Legislature of
ginia can, at once, by statute. en-
hchise our women. 1t: may be said
Those who do not wish, to enfran-
Sc women that Article 2, Sector
and 10, of our Constitution pre-
ut this from being done. am con-
ICED that such is not the case. TIL
Institutional provision referred to
ile expressly enfranchising males
Is not inhibit the Legislature from
reasing the right Of franchise.
This is great deal for me to say
view of my record when as a Rep
sentative of the people of Virgins
;ook different view of this ques
h, and yet, my attitude is con
tent one. l have contended from
\ beginning, and publicly stated :
busand times, that when was con
lceo that the women of Virgini;
billy desired the right to vote.
uld gladly advocate such right.
now convinced that they do wan
right to vote, ard am further con
afed that they ought to have il
is give it to them ourselves; Let
se it to them now; let those of u
10 have heretofore stood in bold op
sition bow gracefully to the inevi
blel and graciously surrender TO tn
she's of our own women. rather tina
udingly submit to the determine
rpose of those of otaer States.
Virginia has always. been a lead
of thought and foremost in advant
those things which lead to a be
and higher civilization. Our WI
en have always looked to Us to ma:
in the prestige our ancesto
ought to our Commonwealth. I th:r
wise and just to hesitate no longs
,r duty is plain and clear; v